A high-stakes underwater adventure of epic proportions.
Executive Officer Alex Coleman has a sinking feeling about the latest military intel. And it isn’t just because he’s on a submarine. Quick thinking, paired with the pangs of his conscience, leads him down a path that could possibly save lives but will definitely hurt his career. Unbeknownst to him, his vessel is in the crosshairs of a multinational political scheme devised to damage the reputation of the United States navy. From this critical situation, the story broadens to include a host of nations, including France, India, China and Taiwan, all jockeying for position in the depths of the sea. For Alex, his career may have sunk like an anchor, but that doesn’t mean he won’t find himself in the middle of the action once more when the international hostility against his country finds him. As the world inches ever closer to outright war, his resourcefulness will be tested to the limits.
The Cold War may be over, but that doesn’t mean that a compelling naval thriller in the style of Tom Clancy doesn’t still make for an enrapturing novel. This is especially true in Cardinal Virtues, which takes place in a near-future setting where huge underwater stations offer monumental economic and strategic value to any country that exercises control over them. The futuristic elements are seamlessly woven into the storyline, leaving the primary focus on the military and political intrigues, and the suspenseful action scenes that accompany them. There’s hardly a dull moment, as R.G. Roberts creates plausible character dynamics that add tension and drama to every scene. While you’re sure to root for the clever protagonist, Alex, you’ll also develop strong opinions about everyone he comes in contact with, and perhaps no one more so than the ever-conniving Camille Dubois. A high-stakes underwater adventure of epic proportions, Cardinal Virtues brings the suspense of classic military thrillers and infuses them into a fully-conceivable and fully-submerged science fiction setting.
