Piranha: Firing Point

Michael Pacino #5

by Michael DiMercurio

When Communist reactionaries launch an attack on six Japanese submarines as a prelude to all-out war, Vice Admiral Michael Pacino finds himself at the helm of a top-secret Navy submarine that could be the Free World's last best hope. Original.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Military Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Michael 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.

Reviews

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I have enjoyed this series of books. I like the characters and I like that the narrative of the series creates an alternative universe away from the typical trope which sets military thrillers in real modern contexts. That ultimately becomes a dangerous game because when you are injecting an unreality the potential for it becoming unbelievable to the reader increases. I think that is what happened in this book of the series for me. From the "new" types of submarines to the action involved throughout the book and certainly with the development of a new romance for the protagonist it all seemed rushed and not believable to me. I have no problem suspending disbelief, but this went to far for my taste. That being said I still breezed through it and will keep on reading this series so the damage inflicted was minor. You may very well have a different reaction and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that like the other books in the series this is a well written book.

[Don Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

To the other fans of naval novels this series has been one that I would recommend to each of you. Mike DiMercurio has put together a set of novels that are full of action, adventure and solid plots. I took the liberty of calling him Mike because I am sure that he is very much part of Pacino a character I have come to know very well. Now it is time to search for more by this great writer.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

It was well done, plenty of action and suspense. This is as good if not better than the other books. I enjoyed the plot and suspense on what would happen next. A little too much detail about some of destruction the new torpedos, I felt like an expert which I didn’t want to be. Overall a success of another chapter in Patch’s life.

[John Taussig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much but good tale

I have read the others in this series and this is a good story but seems to have gone a bit too far. Hard to believe the high hacking and the extreme power of the 6 enemy subs. Too much for me

[Mark Cheviron]

The attacks are getting kind of unbelievable. Whole fleets being destroyed ?

[Lynnwood Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bang up tail

Makes me yearn for sea again. Loved it. There is nothing like the camaraderie of shipmates in combat. I could tell some tails but then I'd have to shot you! 😀

[William F Kimpflein · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review

Another great read. Can't wait for another one in the series. This is one excellent author, with a great writing style.

[Budd]

Too much detail

[Ian Birtwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, more recurring characters and plenty of techno stuff. Really enjoyed reading this book; I suppose you would have to call it a 'page-turner'. Looking forward to number 6 in the series.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though the plot isn't as plausible as the early novels by the author, this is a fast paced naval adventure with plenty of action and tension. DiMercurio is an excellent writer when he is focused on the human and personal aspect of these novels. He did a wonderful job of conveying the special relationship that exists between men like Pacino and Donchez. Unfortunately the author has an annoying habit of getting overly technical when describing the deployment and detonation of weapons. At one point he spends six pages giving the reader a micro second by micro second account of a torpedo launch and that is simply overkill.

[Michael Abberton · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author needs to tone down the "subs can kill anything except another sub, every time, all the time". The whole section where the convoy gets killed is just ridiculous.

[Stefan Vucak · Rating 5 out of 5]

More excitement and suspense!

[Lis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solita zuppa con sottomarini, buoni, cattivi, Pacino.
Lettura leggera per passare un po' di tempo senze pensare troppo.

[Bigjon357 · Rating 5 out of 5]

so insightful on the way a sub works I'd read it again

[Michael Goulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Ever since "The Hunt for Red October" I've been fascinated with submarines. The capabilities the strategy - all of it. Could not put this book down. His best so far.

[A]

good