Cold Choices: A Jerry Mitchell Novel

Let's see, I was late for dinner twice, late to bed many times, almost late for work several times, developed hypothermia in a 80 degree room. This book nearly got me in trouble with all my bosses! The character immersion is very satisfying and blends quite well with the technological aspects of the book. Simply put, it was GREAT!

I served in nuclear submarines back in the day, so I normally don't bother reading books about submarines. I can't get past the improper nomenclature, wildly inaccurate technology and bogus crew interactions to enjoy the story. However, this book was recommended to me by a good friend so I took a chance. I am certainly glad I did. While Larry Bond never served in submarines -- I just checked his biography -- he did serve in the Navy and he gets it. I felt right at home aboard the Seawolf. The story is about a US submarine, the USS Seawolf and a Russian submarine, the Severodvinsk. They collide and that's where the story gets really interesting. The people and organizations and their various reactions to the disaster are all extremely believable. As the story played out, a little voice kept saying, "it's all very plausible", and I kept on reading because the book is very riveting. Thanks for a terrific book! One wishes the real world would play out the way this one does. I can say for certainty that submarine crews would step up.

Having read and enjoyed several other novels by Bond, including his first book with a submarine theme, I quickly picked up Cold Choices. Although reading the book jacket tells you that two submarines collide, with the Russian sub sinking to the bottom, Bond does a solid job to set up the event. Character development with the officers and crew of both subs is solid and clearly provide depth as the story unfolds. The real action, however, starts after the collision, when Bond leads the reader through the excruciatingly difficult choices facing both sub commanders who have to deal with the situation at hand while also being mindful of the bigger picture of the broad geopolitical context. While perhaps not a page-turning thriller in the traditional sense, Bond nonetheless gets the reader turning the pages in rapid succession. All things considered, Cold Choices is a very compelling story and definitely better than Dangerous Ground.

I must say that even though I am in the USAF, I do love a good submarine novel. I am a huge fan of Tom Clancy and got my first taste of Larry Bond in Red Storm Rising. Since then, I have read several of his books and enjoyed them all. Cold Choices is another fantastic book in a growing collection of great novels by Larry Bond. Jerry Mitchell is a very personable character that readers can easily identify with. Bond does a great job of creating and sustaining suspense throughout the novel, but also does a good job of including the quirky details that make the Navy great i.e. the Bluenose ceremony and that strange navy humor. Overall, it is a no brainer, this book is a must read.

Let me say up front you would be hard pressed to find someone who enjoys submarine thrillers more than I do...unfortunately finding one that is really well written is easier said than done. I've been fortunate to have discovered what seems to be the majority of authors who actually have some talent in this area...Larry Bond comes with a writing history that rivals pretty much anybody, beginning with his co-writing credit (according to Tom Clancy) on 'Red Storm Rising'. Since then an impressive collection of military-themed novels have been produced, some great, some good and only a small number not worth mentioning... Being the sub fan that I am, when 'Dangerous Ground' came out I picked it up rather quickly (I actually received an advance copy to be honest) and loved how it began...but as well told as it was, it simply grew slightly then entirely boring. I totally grew disinterested in the characters after about page 250, and it was sheer will that got me through the rest of the book. I was monumentally disappointed to say the least. Larry Bond had written some downright page-turners in his time, and was this a glimpse of what I could expect in the future? I am happy to say that the answer is NO. 'Cold Choices' has everything the prequel lacked--mainly an exciting and thrilling story that very seldom lets up. The title turned out to be amazingly fitting for just how difficult the job of sub commander really can be. What about the choices of a real-life submariner who (rarely) is involved in a mid-sea collision? Do they honor the decision from back home and leave immediately (or as quickly as the ship will allow), or do they stay and against direct orders do the RIGHT thing and stay and help, all the while risking the lives of every man on board? Cold Choices indeed. One MAJOR prop to Larry for portraying almost frighteningly well what it feels like inside a submarine stuck underneath thousands of tons of cold water. It became almost difficult to breathe in a few parts (kudos again to Larry for the writing chops to pull that off) knowing just how dangerous the situation was, and yet keeping the tension high enough that you almost HAD to continue in order to find out what happens NEXT. THANKS for making me glad I took a gamble on this one...it was WELL worth it. I look forward to more in the future. Congratulations.