Damage Control is the 6th book in the Alan Craik series, and far and away the best, beating out even Top Hook which prior to this I regarded as the best book in the series. From the opening pages this book is action filled and gripping dealing with an organised group of Hindu environmentalist fanatics who have there eyes on starting an apocalypse in order to save the earth from humankind's destructive ways.

This group manages to perform a successful mutiny and slink away with not only a Kilo class submarine, but numerous Indian naval destroyers. When the mutinied submarine is spotted by an out of place and unexpected US Navy aeroplane they shoot it down then launch an attack on a nearby US aircraft carrier to cover up their actions and keep the US Navy out of action.

Intermingled is a few interesting subplots that provide further character development in the series such as where we see Mike Dukas's character develop further with Leslie, long time support character Rafe steps once again into a pivotal role in the plot. A slimy and unlikable political animal within the Admiral's flag agitates for personal gain and we find out more of Harry O'Neill's background and some of the reasons he was able to go from retired CIA agent to powerful security consultant.

All in all, it's an excellent action filled narrative that doesn't stray far into the absurd but rather keeps to a rather realistic portray of events utilising military technology, systems and techniques of the time it was written (2005) ( )