I was disappointed that, when I contacted Philip K. Allan about his inclusion on this website, he provided only the first two books in the Alexander Clay series of naval adventures set in the Age of Sail. I enjoyed the books immensely and hoped to follow Clay's naval career further. Alas.

But, to my delight, Allan also sent along a standalone World War II novel, a departure from his usual writing niche. World War II is, admittedly, not my usual area of recreational reading, although I have read some very good novels in the genre by the likes of Douglas Reeman and Alaric Bond; true to form, Sea of Wolves proved to be an exceptional, exciting and entirely absorbing piece of work that left me gasping for air.

The book has not one, not two, but three protagonists: Leonard Cole, first lieutenant on an escort corvette, who carries a grudge after his previous ship, a battleship, was torpedoed by a German submarine; Vera Baldwin, a crossword puzzle enthusiast recruited to work as a British code breaker; and, perhaps most surprising, Otto Stuckmann, a German U-boat commander.

The narrative flows organically among the three main characters and incorporates many side characters who serve with them in various capacities. Through them, readers will realize a great deal of detail about life aboard a German U-boat, life on an escort ship whose greatest enemy is nearly impossible to detect, and life working behind the scenes to unravel the impossibly complicated secret code of the German Enigma machine.

The action is tense, thrilling, and deeply absorbing. Readers will come to know most of the characters very well, and the author gives each a unique voice and perspective on the war. Also, Allan paints a very realistic picture of life on both ship and sub, so much so that readers may well feel a touch of fear and claustrophobia as the metal walls close around them, the air goes stale and seams are strained to the breaking point as depth charges explode around them, or they imagine the terrifying sight of torpedoes boiling through the water with deadly purpose. When he describes ships exploding after impact and sagging into dark and unforgiving waters -- often with little to no hope for the seamen on board -- it's hard to look away.

This book, unlike the Alexander Clay series, is independently published, and consequently a few too many typographical errors made it to print. Irksome, yes, but it wasn't enough to spoil my thorough enjoyment of the book.

If naval action during World War II appeals to you even slightly, read this one. Got any more, Mr. Allan?

[ visit Philip K. Allan's website ]