Ambush of the Dragon

Anthony "Patch" Pacino Series, Book 3

De: Michael DiMercurio

Narrado por: Joseph Robert Courtemanche

There is only one way to reunite a country that has been split by two bloody civil wars in thirty years, one of them nuclear: savage their external enemies and leave them so weak they cannot interfere with the union until stability is achieved. The newly reconstituted China–now the Federated States of the New Middle Kingdom–has a strike plan that will leave both the Russians and Americans bleeding and desperate to survive.

For there to be any hope of American and Russian vengeance, old allies, resurrected schemes from decades ago, and a plan as innovative as the 1942 Doolittle raid on Tokyo must all be put in motion. A cast of both new and favorite characters, driven by decorated submarine combat veteran Lieutenant Anthony Pacino, is forced to fight for not only his beloved submarine Vermont and the lives of his shipmates, but the fate of the Western world in an epic battle of undersea warfare.

©2025 Michael DiMercurio (P)2025 David N. Wilson

Best one yet!

This is the third book I have read by the author and it is by far the best one by a wide margin. The plot was very good and the action never stopped but gave the reader time to catch his breath nicely.

When an author can make a reader (or listener I suppose) feel emotions based on the plot points he has exceeded their expectations. Michael DiMercurio did this multiple times throughout the book. This made it stand out from his previous two works which were both excellent.

Surprises at every turn!

This is a well written story that goes in depth on technical things, but is not boring. The narration is well done and interesting. If you’re looking for something different, give this a read or listen!

Great addition to the series

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the story. If I had one criticism is that it maybe went too in-depth on how things work.

Anthony “Pach” Pacino

There is no question, that this book is the Best work you’ve produced to date. Hats off to you. Pach is a real person, not made up. All your characters are REAL; they act like people that I’ve served with in both the Marine Corps and Coast Guard. I really Like your work. Please keep on…

DiMercurio and Courtemanche do it again!

These books keep getting better and better. I've been a fan since the 90s and I am so impressed with the stories that Mr Di can come up with. Narrator Courtemanche is amazing! The pronunciation of some of the words written is flawless and lots of emotion seep from the pages due to his voice. Looking forward to the next one!

That Prologue - WOW

You know the last 20 minutes of a movie when the thriller reaches peak tension? Ambush of the Dragon starts this way and then keeps it up - a roller coaster of thrills, intrigue and tension.

New to the Pacino (Michael or Anthony) series of books from Mr DiMercurio? Each of the books are self contained, I have yet to read them all and I’ve jumped far ahead to this book so you can start the series here without losing any important plot or character details,

Consider the audio version, Mr Courtemanche does a masterful job narrating the scores of characters with a wide range and strong differentiation between characters. His narration is a joy to listen to in spite of the torturous names and places Mr DiMercurio has created in his world.

It’s an entertaining listen!

I’m a fan of the entire series and I own all of them, maybe I’m slightly biased. To me this one keeps you thinking, its flow is different and it works very well. It comes across as easy for someone new to the series not to be lost, yet provides exactly what a fan of the series likes. The slight 4th wall breaks are entertaining. This one is definitely better than a tom Clancy book. Pick it up, enjoy it, then spend your money on all the others.

Fantastically Spum Yarn

I have to commend all involved in this story. From MD's writing, to JC editing and reading for the audiobook ,,, and Supersonic Readhead for threading her way into the storyline and keeping the aforementioned crew in check.

The story is well written on the foundations of the previous book. While it spins a great modern-day naval / political yarn, it does so in a manner that makes it believable. Details about characters, events and places are described in detail enough to make the listener / reader want to continue. Characters are well developed with enough information the consumer to “know” the person and adequately put them in the proper “like or hate bin.” Truly a completely enjoyable story.

I appreciate the craftsmanship that DiMercurio put into the writing and Courtemanche translated with his voice.

Definitely one that goes in the naval stories shelf for future re-reading.

the realism

wow just finished all 3 books of the anthony patch series and man I choked up a little at the end not gonna lie but loved these books!

The best of young Patch

In the third book of the "Death Toll" Pacino series, DiMercirio goes hard. Great story, more than just a couple subs under water. Above and beyond anything that motherless whore Tom Clancy ever put out.
Mr. Courtemanch does what he can with the accents thrown his way, definitely an A for effort. Fun listen and left me cursing that I have to wait for him to write the next one.