Miller’s follow-up to The Hunt for the Peggy C finds Captain Jake Rogers in the thick of WWII in dangerous German U-boat infested waters. The opening scene vibrantly captures a ship under siege, with the captain fighting to save his sinking ship and crew. It’s an exhilarating start to the ongoing story of Jake and Miriam.

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Thinking his Jewish love is safe in Palestine, Jake is shaken to his core to discover she is alive and in danger. Taking advantage of Dutch ships able to get in and out of Holland, Jake doesn’t hesitate to find Miriam and her father, who is trapped in a Nazi work camp. This is just the start of the perilous adventures that ensue, as Miriam’s role as an SOE spy draws them into more life and death situations. Through it all, Jake and Miriam’s love is unshakable.

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Miller’s depth of WWII research is evident in the rich descriptions that paint the occupied war years in all their grim harshness. His ability to build tension, particularly with cliffhanging scenes at the end of each chapter, keeps the reader engaged and wanting to turn the page. The final page leaves no doubt there will be another sequel – sure to please Miller’s fans.

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I would have liked to see a few flashbacks to help me understand the depth of emotion driving the characters’ actions. More interiority would also help me connect with Jake and Miriam and their deep bond. Adding more action beats to the dialogue would reduce the need to use as much description to evoke scene imagery and would advance the story more quickly.

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Overall, this is a satisfying read about aspects of wartime history that were unfamiliar to me. The narrative moves along with lots of action that kept me involved and rooting for the main characters. The pace is spot on, and Miller’s writing style is clear and direct. A fine example of a story well researched and told.