Dive in the Sun is one of Douglas Reeman's first novels and, although it doesn't show the same craftsmanship as his later works, it is still a fine story well told -- and it places its protagonists in a fairly unique circumstance.

Unlike most wartime vessels, which might boast dozens or even hundreds of crewmen, this book focuses on XE-51, a midget submarine that runs with a crew of four. The captain is Lt. Ralph Curtis, a seasoned skipper, and with him are First Lt. Steve Duncan, a powerful Australian; Petty Officer George Taylor, a London native who keeps the engines running; and Ian Jervis, a well-to-do newcomer to the crew who is replacing their diver, who died on a recent mission.

Curtis, of course, is haunted by that man's death, since it was his decision that killed him, although it saved the sub and the rest of the crew.

They are assigned to take XE-51 deep into enemy waters to destroy a massive floating dock in the Adriatic Sea. The dock must be taken out of service before the Allies launch a major offensive in Italy, and survival of the sub's tiny crew is not a mandatory part of the mission.

Their mission is a success, but Curtis -- whose focus has been shaken by recent events -- makes mistakes that cost them their sub and, without it, their way back to their rendezvous point. Soon they find themselves afoot in Nazi-controlled Italy, out of their element and without friends and allies ... at least, until the daughter of the fascist mayor of a seaside town takes pity on a captured crewman.

Of course, the introduction of a female character necessarily means there will be a romance, and its inclusion feels a little out of place here; given the circumstances surrounding Curtis's meeting with Carla, the haste and depth of their feelings seems rushed. Oddly, Reeman makes repeated references to her "slim" or "slender" body -- we get it, she's thin.

But it's a minor complaint. Overall, Dive in the Sun is tense and dramatic, without any certainty by readers that all -- or any -- of the main characters will survive. While I wish we'd spent more time aboard XE-51 -- just for its unusual nature, if nothing else -- Reeman has again crafted an excellent novel that places readers in the heart of the war in Europe.