Fifty-Seven Launch
Fifty-Seven: Cold War in the Stars and Sea is the fourth and last book in “The Greek Stories.” It’s the fall of 1957, and the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik catches the U.S. flat-footed. The U.S. missile program is years behind. The U.S., however, had launched the first atomic-powered submarine, Nautilus, in 1956 and Seawolf soon after. America’s engineers and scientists race to develop the capability to launch missiles while submerged. But Nautilus and Seawolf had the same limitations. Although they could prowl the oceans longer than conventional submarines, when they required maintenance, they had to return to Groton, Connecticut, an ocean away from their patrol area. Enter Stavros Niarchos.
Stavros Niarchos, a golden Greek, a wealthy shipping magnate, was a friend of the Americans. Niarchos buys a rundown shipyard near the Port of Piraeus and undertakes modernization to support his commercial enterprise. The new yard will also provide NATO atomic submarines with a secret maintenance bay in the eastern Mediterranean on the doorstep of the Soviet Black Sea fleet. But the communists…
And for those following along for the romance, there are at least three pairings of interest, two with happy endings. Fifty-Seven will be available everywhere May 15, 2026.
These four books, “The Greek Stories” series, have come out over the past six months. It’s been a trying time for Kathy and me. But the support of a spectacular publication team made it possible. Editor Jennifer Caven is the best. She makes my writing look like I know tenses, proper capitalization, and how to keep a plot on track. Cover Designer Elizabeth MacKenney created the captivating and tonally integrated series. My communication with Beth always begins with, “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.” Nancy Coffman and the team at Websults manage the tedious chores of the web and communications. They are the best, prompt, and professional. Thanks to everyone for making “The Greek Stories” come to life. –SJH
