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The Shark Mutiny
by Patrick Robinson
Review
by: Matt
McConnel
Patrick
Robinson is known for his daring plots, over the top thrill,
deep characterization, and an abiding respect for the men
and women who defend his adopted nation as well as his native
land. In his latest book, Robinson brings back many memorable
characters from previous novels, up to an including the terrifying
specter of his most diabolical creation Benjamin Adnam. Arnold
Morgan, Admiral Zhang Yushu, and many of Robinson's best characters
are once more thrust against each other.
Robinson's
last book, U.S.S. Seawolf was disappointing. It was less so
because it was a bad book, but more that it had the dubious
honor of following the spectacular H.M.S. Unseen. Unseen brought
the events of the first book Nimitz Class to conclusion, while
Seawolf tried to jump start the plot from Kilo Class, the
second book, back into life. The result was a less than satisfying
book that served only to establish Yushu as the direct foil
to the bombastic Morgan. That was another problem with Seawolf.
Yushu looses his cool in the final moments, sending an entire
ship's company on essentially a suicide mission. This was
not in line with the man who is very much the opposing mind
of Arnold Morgan. The difference between the two men is really
nothing more than their birthplace. Yushu is Chinese, and
thinks militarily in that way, while Morgan is an American
post Cold Warrior, and thinks in quite a different way. Both
are patriots, and both want to do what will ensure that their
countrymen can rest easy at night whether they know what is
going on or not. The ending was disappointing and brought
a complete about face in the character of the president, who
it is to be hoped, will not be finishing his second term in
Robinson's next book.
Shark
Mutiny follows the events of Seawolf closely in time, but
not in tone. The stakes are in a very real sense higher, and
the story is more subtle. It is in fact not until halfway
into the book that Yushu's real plan is set into motion, and
then things really get interesting. The battle of wits soon
moves beyond the realm of Morgan and Yushu, and into the hands
of the officers and men who must carry out the commands of
their superiors. As with Unseen, the ending is in one way
expected, but hoped against. The death of such a fascinating
character as Adnam is a necessity, he is after all a plain
dealing villain no matter how confused, noble, or even misguided
his intentions. Shark ends rather abruptly, the action is
over, and then it resides within the per view of hearings,
courts, and opinion.
Like all
of Robinson's endings, one accepts the end grudgeningly, knowing
that it is what had to happen, even if it is not what one
wanted, and that is possibly his greatest strength as a writer,
his overwhelming sense of reality. The reality and depth of
his creations are stunning. One feels a genuine loss as a
character that has been revealed in depth is suddenly killed
in the heat of battle. The outrage of the law and the greater
good crushing justice, and yet knowing the full weight of
the decision that needed to be made. Shark Mutiny is not one
of Robinson's best, but it certainly ranks well above its
predecessor, even if it draws from it rather heavily. As before,
Robinson's potency is his downfall, the emotional investment
he demands of his readers is so great that the effect is often
draining.
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(Well,
3.75) 
