Tipping Point

In Poyer’s engrossing 15th Dan Lenson novel (after 2014’s Cruiser), the skipper of the USS Savo Island faces challenges as old as those confronted by Horatio Hornblower and as new as the latest military sexual harassment charge. In particular, Lenson, a capable officer who wears the Medal of Honor, must explain to the politicians in Washington, D.C., why he chose to shoot down an Israeli missile during an incident while on duty in Middle Eastern waters. On the personal side, he’s having problems with his wife, Blair, who’s running for Congress. Back at sea, sexy, sandalwood-scented Lt. Amarpeet “Amy” Singhe, Lenson’s strike officer aboard the Savo, isn’t helping him concentrate on his mission, which takes him from the Indian Ocean, where India and Pakistan are at odds, to the South China Sea, where the Chinese are aggressively expanding their influence. Lenson must also contend with attacks on female crew members. While readers may be upset by the nonending, they’ll certainly look forward to the next entry in this series that sets the standard for naval action thrillers. (Dec.)