Books like South by Java Head by Alistair MacLean
During the early months of World War II, the final boat leaving Singapore on a stormy February night sails into the South China Sea, carrying a diverse group of passengers who each conceal dangerous secrets. The ship, a cramped tramp steamer, is destined for peril when Japanese dive‑bombers target it, forcing the crew and passengers alike to confront both the relentless tropical sun and the menacing enemy in the water. The narrative follows their desperate attempt to survive the hostile environment and the hostile attitudes of the men on board, while the war’s brutality and the looming threat of Japanese forces loom large.
First publish date: October 12, 1981
Genre: General Fiction/General Fiction
Authors: Alistair MacLean
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