How Did They Get Our Sub?
Written in 1999, the concept of this book is that terrorists have acquired the HMS Unseen, a former British diesel sub, sold when the Royal Navy decided to go to an all nuclear submarine fleet. Too bad Robinson, who normally researches well, didn't realize that Canada had already bought this sub, along with three others.
Further to that, the terrorists are somehow able to fit it with a missile that can target airplanes, even the supersonic Concorde. Three planes are blown out of the sky and the chase is on to find the rogue sub and the mastermind behind the plot.
One of the heroes is Commander Bil Baldridge, a man with a swagger and self-confidence to match. He is in love with a redhead, as is NSA Admiral Arnold Morgan, which makes me wonder if that's more Robinson's preference. Morgan also eats steak or salmon at every meal that's mentioned, likes horse racing, and describes wine in detail in all his books. I guess we all write about what we know and like, though.
In spite of those things, any submarine technothriller by Robinson is always a page-turner. The villains are always brilliant, and almost admirable in their dedication.
