P. T. Deutermann

The Second Sun is a very interesting book: a combination of World War II history many of us may have already read about, speculation about a secret part of the war that may or may not actually be true but is tantalizing nonetheless, and a budding romance, all told by the main character in a surprisingly noir-ish fashion.

The war is finally nearing its end: Germany has surrendered, the U. S. is about to test atomic weapons, Japan is still out there fighting but it’s only a matter of time show more before they, too, are overpowered – unless it’s true that they have also been developing atomic weapons that are now nearly ready to use, making an Allied invasion off their coast very dangerous indeed.

Captain Wolfe Bowen saw a lot of action commanding ships in the Pacific and is now based in Washington, DC, working for the Chief of Naval Operations. He’s been around and knows his way around, a bit weary of the war and the Navy, large, fit, a weightlifter, direct and to the point, sometimes sarcastic, single by choice. By chance hearing what may be just a little too much information, he is quickly pulled into the world of big secrets: The Manhattan Project. Lieutenant Commander Janet Waring is also based in Washington with the Office of Naval Intelligence. Based on many factors, including her history living in Japan, she is also read into the project. Neither Bowen nor Waring have a choice in accepting their new missions. If they refuse they will likely be sent somewhere out of sight for the duration.

After witnessing a test of the bomb in the desert, Bowen is sent across the world to try and see if there is indeed a testing ground off the coast of Korea and to secretly observe any tests made. If he does, he is to report back immediately to President Truman who will use this info in making his decision regarding dropping our bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Waring is to use her position and credentials to probe Washington, find out who knows what and if this secret is really a secret and provide that information to the President as well.

The Second Son is fast-paced and suspenseful and often humorous. Just when the history lessons and detailed descriptions of everything atomic start to get too dry, author P. T. Deutermann pops in another action scene. Waring and Bowen are instantly comfortable with each other and work well together. There is a physical attraction; they are both adults who have made intentional choices in the past and they feel themselves possibly moving towards something more permanent. I received an advance copy of The Second Sun from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. It was a fascinating read, thought-provoking, well-written with characters both historical and fictional. As for the noir-ish feel? He’s not a detective even though he’s on a secret mission, but there is just something about the way Bowen talks and acts that feels like he could have been Sam Spade. A little odd at first but then totally fits. Recommend this book without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

Pacific Glory by P.T. Deutermann is a detailed and exciting story of the battles of the Pacific Theatre during World War II. The story goes back and forth between two main characters, one a naval pilot, the other an executive officer on a naval battle cruiser and it manages to place the reader at most of the major naval battles that took place in the Pacific over the course of the war. It opens with a vivid description of the sinking of 3 American and 1 Australian battle cruisers during the show more battle of Savo Island in August of 1942 and carries the reader through to the liberation of the Philippines.

The author pulls no punches in his descriptions of operations that took place in the Pacific Theatre over the course of the war. At times you feel as if you are in the plane watching the action along with the pilot and at others you are on the bridge of a ship while life alternating decisions must be made in seconds. Following the careers and the personal lives of these men and their friends make then come alive on the pages and it was difficult when there was a loss in this gripping and emotional story. I think the author did an excellent job of portraying these naval men who were doing their duty under tremendous emotional strain and the courage and determination they showed in the face of such danger is awe inspiring.

Where the story faltered somewhat was in his development of his female characters. They were very much window dressing and seemed to be there in order to show another side to his male characters. I would have rather skipped the parts of the book that took place in Pearl Harbour as I felt the romances were just not strong enough and the actions of one of the female characters in particular were quite unbelievable.

But if you have an interest in naval history or simply just enjoy a good, exciting story, I would recommend giving Pacific Glory a try. show less

Sentinels of Fire by P.T. Deutermann is a great fictional World War II story set in the Pacific. It tells the story of a lone destroyer, part of a picket line involved in the battle for Okinawa; the last island before the expected invasion of Japan itself.

Deutermann conveys a realistic and terrifying sense of life on a destroyer, living in constant fear of kamikaze attack and the knowledge that death could be waiting for you every second of every day.

Today we see daily demonstrations of show more advanced military technology and precision, and the pervasiveness of it on TV and the internet has a certain desensitizing effect. Deutermann convincingly portrays what it is like sitting in the middle of the ocean depending only on your eyes, your ears, and a system of radar that was still in its technological infancy.

The story is told from the perspective of newly arrived Executive Officer Connie Miles. Not only is he transitioning from the relative safety of a large aircraft carrier to a small destroyer on the front lines of the attack, but he soon comes to realize that his Captain, Pudge Tallmedge, has had his nerves frayed to the breaking point and may be losing his mind.

Deutermann vividly takes you to that time and place. You can feel yourself in the middle of the ocean, eyes and ears straining for any warning that an attack is coming your way. Each battle is more thrilling than the last. The desperation of a Japan that knows it is lost but appears willing to die to the last man in an effort to inflict as much damage on the Americans as it can. Both the Japanese and the Americans alter tactics to outwit the other side. Death awaits the loser and living one more day is the prize for the victor. The cat and mouse game makes for an intense, and intensely satisfying story.

Great characters, historically realistic setting and well-written action sequences make for a highly entertaining novel. Recommended for any lover of action and war stories.

I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this novel. show less

I've read three previous books by this author, all WWII naval fiction and been very satisfied. Not this one. I don't know if a submariner can "jump the shark" but this very improbable story came close to it. This could have been another one of Deutermann's excellent historical fictions, but for me it was not. Other readers liked this much more than me. Read in 2018.