The Pharaoh's secret by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown

"The Pharaoh's secret" by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown. This book is published by Penguin UK in 2016 and has 432 pages. This is Book 13 of NUMA files.

A ship accident releases a black mist on an island and that nearly kills all living beings (A strange coma). Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala are nearby and rescue about 20 people alive. Paul and Gamay Trout are on vacation when they discover that all the aquifers in Tunisia, Libiya and other North African countries are suddenly depleted of ground water.

What is this black mist? Can the affected people recover? What's happening to ground water? Are the two issues connected?

The story takes place mostly in Italy and North Africa. The concept is good. A company called Osiris International, named after the Egyptian God of death, decides to change the governments in Arab countries and install it's puppets by depriving the country of water and instigating water riots. At the same time threatening the world with black mist, a biological weapon, from the times of Pharaoh's in ancient Egypt. 

Kurt and Joe foil their initial attempts. When they understand the reach of Osiris, they rope in Paul and Gamay. They also have the help of NUMA, their organization, and backing of Vice President James Sandecker.

Narration is good. It's a typical Cussler thriller with prologue of about 100 or more years ago, attention to details, fast pace, luck favoring the protagonists, adrenaline pumping adventures, diving to ship wreckage, beautiful female, wise ass cracks between Kurt and Joe, thinking on their feet, action and emerging triumphant. 

The book keeps you interested. Readers do not stray. Initially you think that black mist is the main theme but then water depletion gains prominence. Anyone who likes the thriller genre would enjoy it. 

The character of Italian Doctor is a bit odd. She is a doctor but can dive, knows how to wield gun, has considerable influence in government, is also called a secret agent. Does not go with the profession. Moreover if she is an important figure, she would not get personally involved in adventure but send someone.

Why did I read this book? Clive Cussler.

What I didn't like? Predictability. 

What did I like? Wise ass cracks.

Cussler fans would like it.