Jack Grafton is back, and he is much older. While doing his best to keep himself in the pilot chair, his age makes it hard to make the physical tests. At the same time, a north African state that is absolutely not Libya but happens to have Libyan cities in it plans to make a grab at a carrier. The carrier where Jack Grafton controls the air planes.

This novel reminds me a lof of the Steven Seagal movie Under Siege, though I think the movie came later. May it have been loosely based on this book?

It's another page turner. The story keeps moving. If it's not 100% believable, who cares, here is my three stars. ( )

Genre: Techno-thriller novel. Grafton is now a CAG on a cruise in the Mediterranean. A group of terrorists kidnap some navy crew and learn how to penetrate the ship. Led by Qazy, they intend to steal nuclear bombs from the carrier. Meanwhile, Grafton deals with two accidents, leadership problems, and himself facing being grounded due to deteriored night sight. An anti terror-team led by Judith Farrel is after Qazy.
The later novel The Minatour describes the events after Grafton rammed the helicopter.

Spine tingling? Maybe? It was one hellova good Navy book. From the boring administrative details of Navy life, to the smashing conclusion; the book was a fun read. And, as always with a Coonts novel, our hero saves the world for democracy and the American way. ( )

The novel, as with most, tarted out slow. I felt as if I were reading a Naval Air Primer for all the details lavished on process and activity. But as the story unfolded with multiple plot lines the depth of detail fell off and it became more the kind of novel I prefer.
The characters were well endowed with individual characteristics, mannerisms and foibles. There were a couple who seemed sterotypical characatures, which did little to hold my interest, but overall I think Stephen did an excellent job populating this novel.
I was a little disappointed how easily the terrorists commandeered a U.S. naval vessel, given the depth of procedural detail offered early on, but I understand that the story could not have unfolded otherwise.
The climax was well drawn, though a bit too TVish for me. And, like so many novels I've read of late, the protagonist dies and the aftermath of his demise is given short shrift. The last scene was unrealistic, but did provide some a modicum of closure. Because of the unique nature of creativity, I, as a writer, would have handled it quite differently and added more depth. Though she'd been a significant character in the story, Mrs. Grafton's loss was totally ignored.
There were places I felt needed more detail and other less, but overall, I think this was a good read. ( )

Final Flight is an action yarn that is packed with detail. The basic premise centres around a terrorist's attempt to board a new American super-carrier to slip away with the nukes. It's Die Hard at sea. However, Coonts ensures this tale is as close to reality as possible, through good research and detailed characterisation. The build up, which is difficult at times due to the heady amount of acronyms the navy use, sets a solid background for the final two-thirds of the book, which is non-stop action and intrigue. It's gripping once you get past the initial scene-setting. There is however a lack of compassion for the lead roles. This is a result of their behaviours, which are realistic portrayals of those in armed forces management, but create a level of dislike for them at times. All in all, Final Flight is an enjoyable book, more factual that Cussler, less techno than Crichton, but worth a read. ( )