Simply fantastic. Mystery man Sam Flood escapes from a Japanese torpedo boat base in New Guinea that is blocking the evacuation route for thousands who are fleeing the rapidly advancing Japanese invasion force and trying to escape South to Australia. After his escape, however, 19 prisoners still remain, including women and children. Of course, Flood becomes part of the daring rescue/sabotage attempt on the base, resulting in a duel of wills with an Australian Army Captain who has lost his entire family in the war (among other tragedies) and has different opinions about how to carry out the mission. I read this in one sitting, which tells you how good it is. As usual, author Marvin Albert (writing under one of his many pseudonyms) delivers a story long on action and short on nuance - but just right for spending an entertaining evening of reading. Mixed in with Scott and Captain Shaw are a washed-up bush pilot who has crawled inside a gin bottle, a stoic widow, and a brave young soldier who to Shaw has come to resemble his lost son. The rescue is implausible, but carried off with such verve that you can close your eyes and see it happening.

Of all his writing guises, Albert's turn as Ian MacAlister (perhaps a tribute to Ian Fleming and Alistair MacLean) may be his most consistently brilliant. I have read 3 of the 4 MacAlister books, and this one (the first) slightly tops the other two, which I gave 4 1/2 stars each. By all means, if you come across any of the MacAlister books (or anything else by Albert in any of his personae), GRAB IT! Then, of course, read it. ( )