This was my first Poyer novel. There was a little too much technical jargon & I just really wasn't in the mood to read & decipher the whole way through...maybe I'll try another Poyer book one day when I want to tax my brain a little harder : ) Also, it needs pictures of the ships and details so I could reference and actually see what they are talking about. If it had that I would have continued on reading.

Dan Lenson continues and this time, his command is one that the Navy has bestowed upon him. Though, since he is Lenson, who has served more time at sea than any other officer, and though not always covered in glory has pulled far too many chestnuts out of the fire, once again, he is given a ship with more chestnuts in the fire than any other Captain would ever face. One must remember that Lenson has the 'Medal.'

Yet he is complex and thinks often if he is up to the task when the Balloon goes up. As it will. As it always does, and as we know, somewhere from deep within, Lenson is the kind of man who can find the strength he needs from the very depths of his experience, his abilities to meet the needs thrust at him. Those of us who have had the weight of leadership, whether it is war, or in civilian life, are oft times beset by the uncertainty of not knowing the answer to the questions one knows are coming, and wondering whether they can rise to the challenge and achieve success when there is no guarantee. This, perhaps more than any other time Poyer has taken us to view Lenson, is the key to the entire story, and leaves us wanting more. Lenson is plagued by whether he will find answers or not, just as every man is.

This is well worth the read and waiting patiently for the next. ( )

Although I am retired navy, this book had many jargon sayings that I wasn't familiar with. For the average non military person, this would be a difficult book to follow, however. overall it is a thriller about a navy captain having to take over a cruiser who's former CO was fired. It is a worthwhile read. ( )