Tango Down
One of the best-known authors on Earth, Tom Clancy was a pioneer in military thrillers whose name became a pop-culture shortcut for discussions about high-tech weaponry, espionage heroes and sinister plots to take down the United States government.
Despite his death in 2013, his legacy lives on, with over 100 million copies of his books still in print and some such as The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games even being given the Hollywood treatment.
How many times in the past decades have we seen things described in print or out loud as being “like a Tom Clancy novel?” This comparison is both glowing praise and has become the golden standard for military thrillers everywhere. I’m happy to report that debut author Len Sciuto’s new novel Tango Down: China Sea is worthy of the praise.
WORTHY OF BEING COMPARED TO TOM CLANCY
The SSN Tarpon, a nuclear submarine, is attacked and sunk in the China Sea. Lieutenant Commander Rico Petrone, a Navigator, is suddenly transferred to the SSN Cardinalfish, whose mission is to find the Tarpon. When a nefarious Chinese battle group attempts to steal the weapons and technology from the Tarpon, destroy the Cardinalfish and reveal a deadly new weapon to do so, tension and fear heighten and Petrone’s experiences, knowledge, and skills, along with his captain’s decisions, are put to the test. Can the Cardinalfish, facing insurmountable odds, rescue the Tarpon’s survivors, identify the weapon, elude the battle group, and get home in time to prevent a war?
Clancy books are known for their serpentine narratives full of unexpected twists and international intrigue, and Tango Down doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Oftentimes fiction authors fall into the trap minimizing the stakes they’ve set up by becoming predictable — either characters become untouchable or there are a few too many happy endings. Sciuto has readers on their toes the whole time. Friends become enemies, bad guys win, and allies meet untimely ends. I found myself genuinely shocked on multiple occasions throughout the novel, and the fact that I could accurately predict precisely zero of the major twists was thoroughly enjoyable.
THE STORY IS BROUGHT TO LIFE THROUGH IMMERSIVE DETAIL
An equally strong aspect of the book is the technical knowledge, research and experience that shines brilliantly through every page. With his Naval and coast guard background and clear knowledge of all things nautical, military and chemistry related, Sciuto brings his story to life in a stunning display. The detail injected into every line is engaging and immersive in a way that other authors in the genre aren’t capable of. I often felt as if I was right there with Petrone, and could feel each freezing spray of seawater and tense battle as his crewmates fight to save their comrades.
This book is a must-read but not only for fans of Tom Clancy. There is something here for everyone, from science enthusiasts to fans of spy novels and those with an interest in international politics. While these aspects will draw readers in, the immersive and detailed prose paired with the intricate and unpredictable narrative will keep them engaged through to the last page.
About J. Len Sciuto:
J. Len Sciuto holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL and an advanced education in Nuclear Chemistry through General Electric for Boiling Water Nuclear Reactors. This book is based on his personal experiences in submarines as a Navigator and as a Maritime Safety and Security Officer and Contingency Planner for the Coast Guard. He is currently working on two additional books. One is the sequel to Tango Down: China Sea called Hades’ Crypt and the second one is The Devil’s Delegation.
I will be up front and confess I bought the book Tango Down: China Sea because the author and I were in the same online writing class together, not thinking I would be at all interested in a book about submarines and warfare. I started to read it as a courtesy to a fellow writer, and a strange thing happened. I read the first chapter, then the second chapter and I HAD to keep on reading because I had to find out what was going to happen next! I was hooked! The intrigue, the fast pace and the characters make this an exciting yet easy read. Though unfamiliar with submarine jargon and protocols, it was very clear and easy for me to understand and enjoy. The action and warfare strategy involved was fascinating! I highly recommend Tango Down : China Sea even to those who might think a book of this genre might not be their cup of tea. It is masterfully written with a thrilling plot and characters you can love and hate! This book has it all!
Pat. Thank you so very much. It had appeared in the booktrib.com site. Len
Outstanding read which hits very real world issues today. As a 26 year Navy veteran with observation of both service members, families, and their mission secured under operational security protocol I found Len’s Tango Down China Sea hard to set down. Any military term or tradition named was clearly explained in the reading of the whole sentence. I highly recommend this book and future books by Len Sciuto.
Thank you so very much for your kind words. My goal, in writing, is to donate 2/3 rds of the royalties to both the Navy and Coast Guard relief funds as those enlisted members at the bottom levels of the rating totem pole, so to speak, are having difficulty paying their bills and putting food on the table for their families due to inflation. Since 2020, the inflation rate has climbed to an overall 14.5%! There is no decrease in sight as the governemtn continues to spend money the US doesn’t have. SOmeone has got to help these folks who so willingly serve our country.
These are comments made by my former Commanding Officer from Marine Safety Office, Providence, RI. “I thoroughly enjoyed “Tango down: China Sea.” You can be proud of it, and I can’t wait until your next book is finished and published. Before reading the book, I re-watched “The Hunt for Red October and can say that “Tango Down: China Sea” ranks right up there with the Tom Clancy books I’ve read. Youe description of life aboard a sub took me back to my days aboard Coast Guards Cutters. I sometimes pick up inaccuracies by other authors in describing shipboard life, but you nailed it. I like the way you used nautical terms and described them for the benefit of non-military/non-nautical readers. I appreciate your short chapters with a specific plot segment. I’m sure may successful books will follow. My very best to you.” Donald Jensen, Captain, US Coast Guard, retired