The assassin by Clive Cussler

"The assassin" by Clive Cussler. This book is published by Penguin UK in 2016 and has 448 pages.

It's 1899. Rockefeller's Standard oil has used every means to choke, bankrupt and buyout independent oil producers. His strategy is not to lose the men he had ruined but instead hire them. He doesn't lose any resources. One such, Bill Matters, decides to join him and take revenge. He recruits an assassin.

Who is the assassin? How does Van Dorn detective agency and Isaac Bell come into picture? What is the objective of the assassin? Can Isaac stop the assassin?

Isaac Bell series started with banking, then moved to mining and now the series enters a very interesting industry, the oil industry, where people have made money like never before. This story is a prequel to some of the previous stories. It happens between 1899-1905, before Bell meets his eventual wife.

The story has the usual locomotives and locomobiles. Isaac Bell is investigating murders of independent producers. There is a mystery of an army deserter, another mystery of what Rockefeller wants, another one of assassin and yet another one of missing son of Bill Matters.

Two beautiful ladies, Nelly and Emma Matters, who are also daughters of Bill Matters, John D. Rockefeller - Chief of Standard Oil, The assassin, Bill Matters complete the cast along with Isaac Bell, Archy Abbott, Wish Clark and Mr. Joseph Van Dorn.

The story is good as usual. Author recreates a period hundred years ago with ease. The detailing is so thorough that you feel as if you are there and are witnessing the happenings.

In this book, however, I felt that most of what happens in Baku trip was unnecessary. It only increased the book length. Author could have done away with. So was the epilogue with a time leap of 35 years.

It was not hard to guess the identity of the assassin. I guessed it industry upon the entry of character. Then the story was a wait to determine if I guessed correctly.

A good book. If you have read the series, you will read this too.

The Solomon curse by Clive Cussler

"The Solomon curse" by Clive Cussler and Russell Blake. This book is published by G. P. Putnam's Sons in Sept 2015 and has 400 pages. This is Book 7 of Fargo adventures.

Fargos are on an archeological expedition in Solomon islands when they stumble upon sunken ruins. They are inclined to find a project to provide medical facilities to islanders. Someone tries to kill them twice in one day. An Australian businessman is in a financial loss. He has partnered with a mysterious person with unknown identity.

What's in the ruins? Why are they attacked?  Is there another hidden plot? Is there treasure involved?

If it's a Fargo adventure, there has to be a treasure. And so it's here as well. The treasure is or was in a construction that sunk in the sea. With Fargos, there are always bad guys who want to kill them and acquire the treasure.

The story is evenly paced. The book has usual witty commentary of Fargos, efficiency of Salma and her impeccable logistics, adventures of Fargos, under water exploration and secrets.

Overthrowing regime of a mineral rich small country to acquire exploration rights is a tried and tested formula. Add to it a treasure and clues and you have this book.

The climax comes suddenly and it's not clear how long and meticulous planning unravels by one radio address of the prime minister.

I am a Cussler fan, however his Fargo adventures are my least favourite. Though they are good, others are better. Same applies here. This book is testimony to this opinion.

The book has all that you expect from a Fargo adventure. It does not surprise you positively or negatively. In this aspect it's pretty much predictable.

Give it a miss, if you have never read Fargo adventures.

Piranha by Clive Cussler

"Piranha" by Clive Cussler & Boyd Morrison. This book is published by Michael Joseph in 2015 and has 432 pages. This is the Book 10 of Oregon files.

Oregon is in Venezuela and authorities have made out Juan Cabrillo and Corporation. Trap is set. There are simultaneous attempts on lives of Oregon crew. A mysterious person known only as Doctor is able to spy on Oregon and know all their plans. Pirhana designs are stolen.

Can Oregon crew survive? How does Doctor know all plans of the 'Corporation'? How can they plan a fight back if enemy knows their plans as soon as they are made? What is Pirhana? What's connection with Venezuela and Haiti?

Again Cussler has delivered an exciting thriller with a nail biting finish. I am amazed by his ability of delivering thriller after thriller. The story is fast paced, full of inconceivable planning, meticulous execution, daredevil acts, high-tech gizmos and it's very interesting. Concept of derelict looking but technologically very advanced ship based Corporation working as good mercenaries is fascinating. This is tenth thriller in the series.

Pirhana stealth submarines are top of the end technology. It could do wonders in right hands. Nutrino telescope that can see and hear through matter using subatomic Nutrino particles is almost sci-fi. I don't know if such a technology is really in development.

I had a feeling that the initial portion of an elaborate rouse to fake the destruction of Oregon, though very good, was not the requirement of the story. It could have been avoided.

Why is the book named Piranha? That's a misnomer. Significance of Pirhana is minuscule. Real technology and real story is about Nutrino telescope or sentinel. Sentinel should have been the name of the book.

The main mercenary (and right hand of Doctor) is implied dead in the book. Is he? Or will he resurface in next book? Well, we will just have to wait for next book.

Oregon and Cussler fans must read it.

The bootlegger by Clive Cussler

"The bootlegger" by Clive Cussler & Justin Scott. This book is published by Berkeley books in 2015 and has 435 pages. This is 7th book of Isaac Bell series.

It's 1920s America. Alcohol prohibition is in effect. Black market of alcohol is striving. Bootleggers are minting money. Joe Van Dorn is shot while chasing one of the bootleggers at sea. Isaac Bell takes charge of the Van Dorn detective agency temporarily to find out that Bootleggers have bribed and compromised some of the agency staff.

Who are the bootleggers? Why is Van Dorn after them? What will Isaac Bell find? Is there more to it than what meets the eyes?

The smuggling of alcohol from international waters using high speed small crafts, it's dilution and sale in black market, corruption & violence that comes with it are depicted in great detail. It was a thriving business in America in 1920s. People made millions in this business while spinning off other illegal businesses.

I was curious to know why a Clive Cussler thriller is based on prohibition and bootleggers. Certainly it doesn't have enough spice for a thriller. After reading it becomes clear that bootlegging is only tip of the iceberg and there is a more sinister plot. Here the Comintern, Russian communist propaganda arm for international operations, has stepped into bootlegging in order to mask the real agenda and finance it.

The story is fast paced. It involves daredevil adventures of Isaac Bell. In this book he pilots flying boat, high speed water craft and flying yacht. There is a beautiful lady on the wrong side who likes Isaac. There is a battle of wits, daredevilry, skills and agenda between Bell and the Bootlegger.

The story is fast. The book keeps you interested till the end. It's a high tech thriller of that period. Finally Isaac saves the day.

For a change locomotives and railroads do not play an important role in this Isaac Bell thriller.

If you like Cussler and Bell adventures, read it.

The Striker by Clive Cussler

"The Striker" by Clive Cussler with Justin Scott. This book is published by Penguin in 2014 and has 384 pages. This is a Isaac Bell mystery, but it's a prequel. This is Isaac Bell's first individual case in year 1902.

There is an accident of a train carrying coal out of the mine. Isaac Bell, disguised as a miner, tries to unsuccessfully stop it. Someone has sabotaged the train. Someone tries to incite a mob to kill Isaac and others. Someone is trying to pitch the miners against mine owners. It's not just the saboteur at work, it's a provocateur.

Can Isaac Bell crack his first independent case? Can he convince his boss Joseph Van Dorn that there is a provocateur?

Isaac Bell mysteries are period mysteries. They revolve around locomotives (rail and road). Coal and mining are essential ingredients in this book. Creating trouble between miners and owners, letting coal production come to stand still and buying mines cheap is an elaborate plot. However this plot had similarities with plot of his previous book 'The wrecker'.

The provocateur has the advantage of knowing the Van Dorns and monitoring their movements but Isaac Bell is disadvantaged as he does not know the identity and motivation of the provocateur (Well! That's why the game's on, isn't it?).

It's a classic case of a protégé gone bad, in this case it's the first protégé of Joseph Van Dorn. As you may have guessed he is pursued by latest protégé, Isaac Bell.

As usual Cussler has created atmosphere of  old time very convincingly and easily. Readers are transported in 1902 (a different world all together) and feel at home. There is also a time leap of 10 years in epilogue.

Narration is fast, dynamic and exciting. There is a right mix of action and emotion. The story has deception, sabotage, romance, chases, fights and detective work. In short all ingredients that make the book enjoyable are present.

Read it, it's different.

Cyclops by Clive Cussler

"Cyclops" by  Clive Cussler. This book is published by Little Brown Book Group in 2009 and has 512 pages. This is the 8th book of Dirk Pitt series.

Cyclops in this story is not the one eyed Greek monster but a US cargo ship that sunk in the 1918 somewhere in Carrebian sea. In 1989, a businessman vanishes while looking for Cyclops in a blimp. A mysterious visitor visits the US President and gives him a news that could trigger star war. Legend of El Dorado resurfaces.

What was on the Cyclops? Why did it sink? Why was the businessman looking for it? Who was mysterious visitor? How is NUMA involved? What's the role of Dirk Pitt? Can anyone colonize moon?

The story takes place in 1989 and encompasses a huge plot (actually multiple plots) starting from the treasure of El Dorado to colonizing moon to star wars to assassinating Fidel Castro to Cold war with Russia. Yet the author is not all over the place. The story is squarely cut and neatly tucked in.

The pace of story is brisk. You can't get bored. Dirk Pitt again manages to save the world through his daredevil acts, intelligence, quick thinking & unbelievable luck.

The story is a usual Cussler thriller potboiler. It has lost treasure, bad Russians, sea diving, damsel in distress, lunar war, sea adventures, love making and violence.

Although this is 8th book of Dirk Pitt series, one can read it even if previous ones are not read. There is little continuity and hence is more or less a stand alone novel.

If you like Cussler thrillers, read it.

The Spy by Clive Cussler

"The Spy" by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott. This book is published by Penguin books in 2011 and has 472 pages. This is the 3rd novel of Isaac Bell series.

The year is 1908. A number if murders take place. They are made to look like accidents. The men who are murdered are brilliant minds of US ship building. Men who specialized in ship design, armor design , gun design, turbine design etc. All of them are related to 'The great white fleet' of USA.

Van Dorn detective agency is requested to investigate and determine if these are murders. Their star investigator Isaac Bell is roped in. Isaac Bell's investigation leads to 'The spy' whose identity is a mystery.

What is 'Hull 44'? What does he want? How are American gangsters and Chinese gangs related? What are they after? Who is 'The Spy'?

Isaac Bell adventures are period adventures. It's the time when cables were used for fast communication, telephones were rarity and mobiles were not invented. Aeroplanes did not exist. Trains were fastest mode of transport and fast cars were called locomobil. Creating an atmosphere of 1908 in a thriller is not easy. Author does it easily.

Clive Cussler has delivered another thriller. I particularly like Isaac Bell thrillers because it is more difficult to write a thriller without gizmos and HiFi weapons. Although reader is used to modern day gadgets, he does not find them lacking in these books. Reader is transported to 1908.

The story has a constant pace. The suspense is maintained. Although you know who the spy is in later part of the book you don't understand why he is doing it. Time leap of ten years at the end of book seemed unnecessary. All the ingredients of thriller are present in this book. There are train and car chases, boat and submarine chases, beautiful ladies, suspense and fights. All in all its a good thriller.

It's a  good book. Read for a change if you are a first timer. Read it if you are an Isaac Bell fan.

The eye of heaven by Clive Cussler & Russell Blake

"The eye of heaven" by Clive Cussler & Russell Blake. This book is published by Putnam adult in Sep 2014 and has 400 pages.

Treasure hunters Sam & Remy Fargo are back with their sixth adventure. They are helping Spanish government retrieve goods from a sunken ship when Janus Benedict and his brother Reginald try to steal them. Fargo's foil the attempt. Janus takes it personally and starts shadowing them.

A Viking ship is found in Northern part of Canada. But Vikings had never reached American shore! There is an earthquake in Mexico, that unearths subterranean tunnels and vaults. Fargo's find a clue of a hidden tomb of Quetzalcoatl (not the Mesoamerican deity but the famous Toltec ruler). It is said that he was buried with a treasure including an emerald of the size of human heart called 'The eye of heaven'. Very little is known about Quetzalcoatl as Toltec civilization predated Aztec civilization. Moreover Spanish conquistadores twisted the history to suit them. Fargo's bring in Laslo from Laos & rehabilitate him, to help deciphering the manuscript that they illegally photographed from Cuba.

Can the Fargo's find the tomb? Do they find 'The eye of heaven'? Can they loose the tail attached by Janus? Can Janus get hold of the emerald? Does he get his revenge? Is Kendra a traitor? What does Reginald do to prove himself? What is the Viking connection? Did Vikings reach America?

The story is full of action. It contains sunken ship and treasure, ancient clues, thrill, gun fight, loss of life, traitors, drug cartel connection & treasure hunt. There are tombs, hidden chambers and maps to treasure. In short all the Cussler ingredients are present. The story has too many things to remember.

Character of Kendra is newly introduced and she is shown to have adopted to managing Fargo logistics and research on the fly. A little too far fetched. The ease with which Laslo solves the riddles and deciphers the clues also appears too easy. Sam and Remy are shown taking meals & drinks tens of times in the book, the story would not have altered without them.

The story takes place in America, Laos, Cuba and Mexico. Reader is taken on a whirlwind tour and is not allowed to think. Probably this is why the reader has no time to get bored, although they should have occasionally. Authors have also created a seed for the next adventure. This is a typical Cussler potboiler. Nothing great, nothing bad.

Read it if you are a Cussler fan.

The Navigator by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos

"The Navigator" by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos. The book is published by Penguin in 2008 and has 552 pages. This is the 7th book in 'NUMA files' series.

Carina Mechada, a beautiful lady, works for UNESCO. Her job is to retrieve stolen historical artifacts. She retrieves number of pieces stolen from an Iraqi museum with funding from a foundation run by billionaire Victor Baltazar. While she is transporting them to America on a ship, the ship is taken over by mercenaries and set for a collision with an oil platform. The mercenaries are interested in an ancient statue called 'The Navigator'. Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala happen to  tow icebergs in the vicinity. Kurt's heroics save the ship, The Navigator and damsel in distress. Kurt and Carina are chased by goons then on.

A file written by former American President Thomas Jefferson is found in American Philosophical Society. It talks about artichoke farming, but in reality is a coded document. Librarian of the philosophical society is murdered.

What's in this statue? What can it tell of a period more than 2000 years ago? Who is trying to kill Kurt and Carina? How does Thomas Jefferson and his friend Meriwether Lewis come into picture? Is this related to Phoenicia and the Phoenicians? Who is the villain?

Cussler has based the story on the possibility that a boat from Phoenicia (Modern day Lebanon and Syria) had reached the shores of North America more than 2000 years ago, much before Christopher Columbus. Though there is no record of Phoenicians having navigational skills to cross the Atlantic, in reality. Story states that the Phoenicians (Particularly sons of King Solomon) had hidden the Ark of Covenant in King Solomon's gold mines, somewhere in North America. Ark of Covenant is a chest containing tablets of gold on which the ten commandments were inscribed. It is said that the ark was built at the command of God, in accordance with instructions given to Moses.

The story takes us from Iraq to Atlantic ocean to America to Turkey and back to America. Kurt lands in life threatening situations and comes out unscathed in each of them and wins Carina over.

Dynasties of King Solomon with queen of Sheba and her handmaid continues for 2300 years and meets in this book. A little far fetched but acceptable for a fiction.

Authors seem to have concentrated more on action than story. The action scenes are written superbly. Historical background and research lends credibility to the story. The reason given by author to keep the Ark of Covenant hidden is not convincing. There are some loose ends that are not tied in properly like who kills Meriwether Lewis? Who opposes Thomas Jefferson? Etc. It's a typical Cussler pot boiler that keeps you interested but it is not one of his better ones.

It's not a WOW book, but you don't get bored. Cussler fans would enjoy it.

The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

"The Wrecker" by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott. This is the second book of Isaac Bell series.

Issac Bell works for Van Dorn detective agency. He is tall, handsome and comes from a wealthy family. Unlike other Cussler thrillers which revolve around the theme of water, Issac Bell series revolve around automobiles. The story takes place in 1906-07.

Southern Pacific rail road company engages Van Dorn detective agency to investigate the series of sabotages, to their rail roads, resulting in accidents caused by a person known only as 'The Wrecker'. Isaac Bell is in charge of the investigation.

The wrecker is an expert and master of disguise. He has left no eye witness alive to reveal his identity. Isaac Bell is working with very little to no information. Osgood Henessey, the president of railroad, is a demanding man with a very beautiful daughter, Lilian. Bell is already engaged.

It appears that the wrecker is targeting the cascade cutoff and does not want the railroad to reach the cascade canyon bridge.

Why is the wrecker targeting Southern Pacific rail road company? Who is the wrecker? Is he anarchist, union leader, a bitter person? Is there a bigger transcontinental conspiracy?

Identity of The Wrecker is revealed to the readers when the story is at 25%. The cat and mouse game between wrecker and Bell is played out very well. Wrecker knows that Bell is hunting him but Bell does not know who the wrecker is. This wrecker is always a few steps ahead. Bell's approach to the case, his dedication to the job and his deduction is supplemented by vast resources of his agency and  authorization to travel on any train or charter any train for this case. In absence of phones all matters are handled by wires (telegrams).

There are high speed travels and locomotive chases. Trains run at 110 kmph speed. Train connections are obtained by reversing travel direction, by chartering an engine or a train, by chasing train with car and so on.  The book also has a down hill, down river dash in a dug out canoe In the climax. The book is full of speed thrills.

Van Dorn detective agency has offices and agents in every American city. This sounds improbable more than 100 years ago. It's said that Cussler has based the agency on a real outfit of that time.

Although the story is of old times, it's still a thriller and is full of action. It includes sabotage, spy, accidents, murders, investigation, high stakes poker, knives, swords, gun fight, love, lust and betrayal. Although the book is 576 pages long, you don't get bored.

It's a period thriller. Recommend reading.

Mirage by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul

"Mirage" by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul. This is the 9th book in Oregon files series.

For those who do not know; Oregon is a high tech ship  disguised as a rusty old tramp steamer. It's the headquarter of private secret service organization called 'The corporation'. It works with CIA and other agencies to stop crime and terrorism. It's headed by Chairman Juan Cabrillo, a superb innovative planner and great leader. The crew has multiple specializations like disguise, deception, combat capabilities, technological expertise, weaponry and daring, that help them get the job done. In short they are good mercenaries.

In this book, The corporation is tasked to steal a prisoner from Siberian prison. The prisoner informs that a rogue Russian admiral, Pyotr Kyenin, has got hold of unknown research work of Nicola Tesla. He plans to sell it to the Chinese and disappear.

Juan Cabrillo and team Oregon stand in his way. Can Oregon stop him? Will he get better of The Corporation? Will the admiral be able to destroy a yacht protected by The Corporation? Will the admiral sink Oregon? What is the research? What is the miracle? Can Oregon save the day? Who wins?

This thriller is true to Cussler's reputation. The story is fast paced, full of action and keeps you interested even when there is no action.

The book includes a prison break, high speed chase on snow mobiles, diving to the bottom of ocean, firing of torpedoes, near death and survival, disguise, rescue, boat chase, deception, harpoon attack and retribution. In short everything that makes a book bestseller. The book does not disappoint on any front. It's a cliff hanger.

Cussler has been churning novels after novels with water theme in general and sea or ocean in particular but had managed to maintain variety. It's amazing.

It's a page turner. Recommend reading.