This first novel in the series opens with US Navy Lieutenant Mark Tynan having trained up a new group of SEALs in preparation for action during the Vietnam conflict. But he knows there is no substitute for real combat in a wartime situation so he prepares a sort of “final exam”, infiltrating enemy lines and ambushing a small group of VC. While their mission is a success, they uncover what appears to be a large surprise operation in Hobo Woods to take out Fire-Support Base Crockett. Tynan’s attempts to warn his superiors fall on deaf ears; seems the intel folks don’t like to pass on unsubstantiated rumors. So Tynan takes his squad of rookies along with a couple of experienced SEALS and attempt to scuttle the surprise VC action before it can get started.
I really enjoyed this novel, far more than I expected to. LT Tynan demonstrates excellent leadership skills time and again and his SEALS are extremely competent warriors, although they aren’t perfect. In typical SEAL fashion, they implement creative solutions rather than brute force firepower. But when it’s called for, the military action is intense. Not all of the characters make it through the culminating battle but I’m looking forward to book two to see what’s next for the survivors.