Book Review: Ship of the Damned

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Ship of the Damned     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
James F. David
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Science Fiction   WW II   Thriller   Conspiracy   High-Tech
Forge, Aug 2000, $25.95, 384 pp.

In 1943, the government considered the experiment a major success since they teleported the Navy’s USS Norfolk. However, a cover-up was deemed necessary because of the impact on the crew. Several immediately died and many acquired a deadly disease. However, the nightmare part included the forging of humans with the ship’s bulkhead as if their subatomic particles merged. Five decades later the cover-up remains airtight due to the actions of a top-secret agency not found in any of the authorization or appropriation bills.

Dr. Wes Martin and social worker Elizabeth Foxworth are working with seven people sharing the same nightmare involving a multidimensional ship. As the two researchers work together on this plane and in dreamland, the survivors of the Norfolk snatch a nuclear-armed carrier. The Feds send to the other side their deadliest agents to confront the crew of the Norfolk at any cost including the lives of Wes and Elizabeth who are on the same plane. If the Feds fail nuclear disaster is imminent.

SHIP OF THE DAMNED stars the Philadelphia Experiment with the expectation that Mulder and Scully will appear any moment. The story line is loaded with non-stop action as the numerous and complex subplots blend together into an awesome climax. The characters are secondary to the action, which leaves readers wanting more insight into those survivors living on the other side. Fans of total action thrillers with conspiracies, technology, and potential nuclear disaster in a science fiction climate will devour James F. David’s latest tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner