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Peter Vornado #1
Emergency Deep
Navy submarine commander Peter Vornado feels that his life is over when a devastating illness takes him out of service, but when a terrorist group acquires a scrapped Soviet sub, Vornado finds new meaning in his life when he is asked to infiltrate the group to stop this deadly action.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 7, 2004
72 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Michael DiMercurio
38 books87 followersMichael DiMercurio is an honors graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has served as a paratrooper, Navy diver, and as a lieutenant and Chief Propulsion Officer aboard the U.S.S. Hammerhead.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 4, 2014
Just like another reviewer, I picked this book up at a sale with low expectations: I had never heard of the author, and it looked like another cheap pulp fiction thriller (but I got it anyway because it was only a few cents). I was wrong. Michael DiMercurio proved to be a very competent and enjoyable writer, about on the level of Eric Van Lustbader (maybe even a little higher) or another fast-paced movie-style thriller writer. This book isn't going to win any awards, but it was not low-end, either. The characters were particularly impressive, and most of them actually had real characters - something that is pretty rare to see in such books.
I am generally not much of a submarine person - I prefer land-based action, not the Navy so much, but despite this I really enjoyed the book. The book did get bogged down in places with detailed descriptions of sonar, nuclear reactors, torpedoes, etc., which went completely over my head, but if you manage to struggle through these (they only last for about a page at a time) the rest of the book is fast-paced and gripping.
The balance of military action, regular day-to-day life, and romance was really good: there was not too much of any one thing. One of the main characters, Peter Vornado, had a serious brain tumor at one point in the book, and this sub-plot was intensely realistic and sad. In the author's note, DiMercurio mentions that he had a friend who had the same malady and went through the same thing, and this really shows through in the reality and intensity that he puts into the pages.
I felt really attached to both Vornado and Dillinger, the two main characters, which is not something that I always find in such thrillers: often writers will substitute extra action and sex in the place of good characters, but this was not the case here.
I was really impressed with DiMercurio's writing, and will definitely read some of his other novels. I am just surprised that he's not a bigger name out there in the world of thrillers.
I am generally not much of a submarine person - I prefer land-based action, not the Navy so much, but despite this I really enjoyed the book. The book did get bogged down in places with detailed descriptions of sonar, nuclear reactors, torpedoes, etc., which went completely over my head, but if you manage to struggle through these (they only last for about a page at a time) the rest of the book is fast-paced and gripping.
The balance of military action, regular day-to-day life, and romance was really good: there was not too much of any one thing. One of the main characters, Peter Vornado, had a serious brain tumor at one point in the book, and this sub-plot was intensely realistic and sad. In the author's note, DiMercurio mentions that he had a friend who had the same malady and went through the same thing, and this really shows through in the reality and intensity that he puts into the pages.
I felt really attached to both Vornado and Dillinger, the two main characters, which is not something that I always find in such thrillers: often writers will substitute extra action and sex in the place of good characters, but this was not the case here.
I was really impressed with DiMercurio's writing, and will definitely read some of his other novels. I am just surprised that he's not a bigger name out there in the world of thrillers.
July 24, 2008
Shockingly good. I wasn't expecting too much out of this book since I bought it for 25cents and had never heard of the author. It exceeded my every expectation. It was incredibly suspenseful, had likable and detestable characters, and perfectly balanced detail and fast-paced action. The ending 'Epilogue' chapter was kind of cheesy, but I think it was written that way for a sequel.
Also I never figured out why the name of the book was 'Emergency Deep'. One of the intro pages dedicates a section to describing what an emergency deep submarine maneuver is...but as far as I remember it is never actually performed in the book or even talked about by any of the characters...so that was kind of weird. There could certainly be a dozen better titles for this book.
I know a few people have commented here and elsewhere that there was too much submarine terminology used and that was a turn off, but I really liked it. DiMercurio almost always explained the terminology and technology that he was using so it was a learning experience as well.
Also I never figured out why the name of the book was 'Emergency Deep'. One of the intro pages dedicates a section to describing what an emergency deep submarine maneuver is...but as far as I remember it is never actually performed in the book or even talked about by any of the characters...so that was kind of weird. There could certainly be a dozen better titles for this book.
I know a few people have commented here and elsewhere that there was too much submarine terminology used and that was a turn off, but I really liked it. DiMercurio almost always explained the terminology and technology that he was using so it was a learning experience as well.
January 3, 2019
such detail, I felt like I was in the control center. Some of the technical passages get a bit dry but they do make the story fuller and believeable.
April 23, 2018
3 star because of the uncalled for sex.
I really in joy DeMercurio's books. I've read them all. This one is well written and exciting, but he just simply did not need to include the two sexual encounters that he had in the book. He certainly didn't need to have one of the characters Undercover have a sexual relationship that could have damaged his longtime marriage. Mime ironically writes very good books without the need for crap like this! This would have been a five-star book as I've rated all of the rest of his books if he hadn't have gone in this direction. Just not needed and not what a good author would do!
I really in joy DeMercurio's books. I've read them all. This one is well written and exciting, but he just simply did not need to include the two sexual encounters that he had in the book. He certainly didn't need to have one of the characters Undercover have a sexual relationship that could have damaged his longtime marriage. Mime ironically writes very good books without the need for crap like this! This would have been a five-star book as I've rated all of the rest of his books if he hadn't have gone in this direction. Just not needed and not what a good author would do!
March 23, 2013
With 'Emergency Deep', Michael DiMercurio has produced an extremely enjoyable book, returning to the style of writing that has won him acclaim. What sets this book apart is not only the technical knowledge and submarine procedures, but powerful characterization and plotting. It was a pleasure to read this book, and I cannot wait to start his book 'Vertical Dive'.
September 25, 2015
A decent Clancy-esque action/adventure. A compelling read in the military genre. My only downside is that there are a couple pretty racy sex scenes that I had to skim over. There are is some swearing, but actually I though it was pretty well tempered for a book in this genre. Without the sex I would have given it another 1/2 star.
September 28, 2020
If you want to know more about Annapolis Navel Academy and US nuclear submarines, this book fills in about 90% of your questions. I’ve been anamoured with submarines since I was 5 years old and watched the TV sieres “Silent Sevice” in 1955 and the book “Submarine” by Cmndr. Edward L Beach. You will enjoy all of Michael DiMercurio’s books! Enjoy!!
February 23, 2020
It was a story filled with lots of twists and turns with some grippy endings in every chapter. Also it felt like watching a movie over the edge of the seats. A really good book to read about nukes and submarines
June 18, 2020
Commander Vornado
This sea story was really good. It had it all, intrigue, a love affair, human rivalry, deep friendship, and exciting action. I hope the author continues with Peter Vornado, crew and friends story line.
This sea story was really good. It had it all, intrigue, a love affair, human rivalry, deep friendship, and exciting action. I hope the author continues with Peter Vornado, crew and friends story line.
December 1, 2020
Read this book!
Great read. Read it in a couple of days. Real life submarine plots and commands helped slot. Read it, you will not be disappointed.
Great read. Read it in a couple of days. Real life submarine plots and commands helped slot. Read it, you will not be disappointed.
March 6, 2022
This author knows his missiles, or at least makes the technical side of missiles interesting.
March 28, 2025
Enjoyed this one as the story was a bit different to its predecessors. There was also a bit more in the way of technical information which I like. This review is deliberately vague as any detail might spoil the story if anyone is going to read the book. Suffice to say it gradually turned into a 'page turner'.
March 10, 2008
started off slow but really picked up half way through... i like the suspense thriller aspect, but it is very technical in terms of "submarine" terminology
August 28, 2009
Fun action.
Abysmally improbable plot.
Abysmally improbable plot.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews