ACROSS THE BLACK WATER
Todd Ingram Adventures, Book 9
Severn River Publications, LLC
RELEASE DATE December 1, 2026
A new Cold War ignites in the Pacific—and the Ingram family is caught in the crosshairs once again.
Lieutenant Commander Noah Ingram, grandson of the legendary Todd Ingram, commands a P-3 Orion patrol bomber hunting Russian and Chinese submarines throughout the Western Pacific.
One mission takes him to the South China Sea where he discovers a rusting Russian TYPHON submarine midsection hidden aboard a Chinese cargo ship. Just then, enemy J-10 fighters jump him and set his right wing afire with air-to-air missiles. He’s forced to ditch and most of his crew is killed. He’s rescued and dragged to a mainland prison to face brutal interrogation. But in, a desperate gamble, Noah escapes in a fully-fueled WWII P-51 Mustang and flies seven hundred miles across the hostile South China Sea ocean to freedom in the Philippines. Read More…
Praise for Across the Black Water:
John J. Gobbell excels once again in “Across the Black Water.” It’s a masterclass in naval thriller writing. Seamlessly passing the torch to Todd Ingram’s son Noah, this high-octane thriller blends explosive revenge, international espionage, and razor-sharp naval action. With a fierce heroine and relentless pacing, it’s vintage Gobbell—tense, authentic, and impossible to put down. A standout entry that will thrill longtime fans and win new ones.”
–C. L. Max Nikias, President Emeritus of the University of Southern California; Author, American Trojan
Across the Black Water is a real page turner of an adventure. Todd Ingram’s grandson, Noah Ingram, returns to the same waters that his grandfather sailed during the battles of World War II, only to face a Chinese plot to surreptitiously acquire a Typhoon submarine and, at the same time, a Russian GRU move to protect their Shkval rocket torpedo technology. In an exciting story full of plot twists and unexpected turns, young LCDR Ingram escapes from a Chinese prison and flies to the Philippines in a rebuilt P-51 Mustang. He uncovers the Chinese plot only to find that his fiancé is the target of a Russian assassination team. From the waters of the South China Sea to the seeming safety of San Diego, Gobbell spins an engrossing tale that will have you on the edge of your seat.
–George A Wallace , Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Submarine Commander, author, the Hunter Killer and Tides of War series
John is a masterful storyteller. Across the Back Water continues the high seas adventures of the Ingram family’s service to the country and freedom around the world. His ability to weave historic events, technical details and specifications of military equipment and complex plot points make the Ingram series read like the best Hollywood adventure movies.”
–Doug Patterson, Captain, USN (Ret.), former Commanding Officer USS Ashland (LSD 48)
Across the Black Water by John J. Gobbell is a masterfully crafted modern naval thriller that blends high-stakes maritime adventure, geopolitical intrigue, and deeply human storytelling into a compelling, unforgettable read. Gobbell demonstrates a remarkable command of naval operations, aviation, and undersea warfare, delivering scenes with such authenticity and precision that readers feel fully immersed in the tension and danger of every mission.
Perhaps most impressive is Gobbell’s evident respect for the men and women in military service. The novel honors courage, duty, and loyalty without sacrificing realism, making its heroes believable and admirable rather than exaggerated caricatures. The result is a story that feels both epic in scope and deeply personal.