Book Review - Acts of Deception

Acts of Deception by Larry Carrello

Reviewed by LCDR Chip Lancaster, USN (Ret.)

Larry Carello has given us another Westpac adventure with Johnny Jack McGirt. This is the third novel comprising a trilogy of McGirt adventures. Readers were first introduced to LT McGirt at the controls of an H-46, struggling to get it back aboard the ship in foul weather; now he's an admiral many years later. As in all of Carello’s novels, the circumstances come right off major newspaper headlines and news websites. This time, there has been a major incident near a Chinese artificial island on the Scarborough Shoals resulting in the possible loss of a naval helicopter and crew while gaining a state-of-the-art Chinese fighter with sophisticated weaponry.

The novel literally starts with the bang of a cat-shot off a Chinese aircraft carrier followed by bigger bangs, intrigue and, as the title mentions, deception. The Chinese are busy building their island in the South China Sea while their latest aircraft carrier conducts flight operations in the vicinity. Throw in nearby Philippine fishing boats with an overeager Chinese fighter section and an international situation quickly erupts. A U.S. Navy H-60 crew on a routine log run stumbles on the aftermath and is quickly engulfed, out of comm range, and overdue. Admiral McGirt is on R&R in Manila and apprised of the circumstances with presidential orders to investigate the situation. The action rapidly unfolds and picks up pace bouncing between the Chinese, the Admiral, Washington DC, and the Philippines. There is deception on all fronts with the implication of super-secret laser tech as a prize.

As in all of Larry's novels, the characters, situations and places are well developed and familiar to those who have encountered similar circumstances, and quickly become so to those who have not. New characters arise, flying new aircraft, and operating new ships. The characterization and place descriptions are in-depth, colorful, and amplified continuously as the story unfolds. I felt that I was actually taxiing down the inclined taxiway to the helo ramp at Cubi Point in one part of the story.

Carrillo has a clear and concise writing style, making "Acts of Deception" a quick read but with plenty of substance to keep you wondering what is going to happen next. This may be the final chapter in McGirt's trilogy, though the book leaves us with hints of possible future actions. I give the book two thumbs up, check it out, you won't be disappointed. It's in our library. If you like it, you might also want to try Larry’s other two books highlighting the McGirt saga: "Rotorboys," and "Verbal Orders," both of which are also in the NHA Library. If you are an avid reader, check them all out and make it a marathon.