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.

Pacific Vortex by Clive Cussler.

"Pacific Vortex", by Clive Cussler. A Dirk Pitt adventure.  Actually this was Cussler's first Pitt adventure but was published much later.

A nuclear submarine goes missing in an area, notorious for ship disappearances, known as pacific vortex, and is presumed drowned & lost.       

Dirk is on vacation in Hawai and finds a message capsule from this submarine. An attempt is made on his life by beautiful red head. Dirk expresses doubt about the veracity of capsule message. He eventually becomes part of navy expedition to search & salvage the sub.

Do they find her? Has she drowned naturally or is there a conspiracy? Has it anything to do with missing scientists? Is there any relation with Canoli, an island civilization drowned centuries ago or kidnap of Admirals daughter? What daredevil adventures does Dirk do? What is Pacific Vortex & the truth behind pacific vortex? Can Dirk unravell the mystery with his intelligence, wits and fertile  imagination?

Pace of the story is steady. If this was the 1st novel written by Cussler it has come pretty well. Character of Summer should have been given more space.

An OK read.

Night probe by Clive Cussler

"Night Probe", by Clive Cussler. This is a Dirk Pitt adventure.

There is a secret treaty by which one country had SOLD another country to America 75 yr ago. Unfortunately persons carrying the copy of treaty met with accident and their respective vessels went under water. The sale and transfer never took place.

American president wants Dirk Pitt to salvage the copies of treaty so that he can claim the country. There are forces of the 'seller' country trying to stop Pitt. Can Pitt salvage the copies of treaty? Who wants to stop him? Will the 'sold' county mearge in America?

Story happens in 1989. The back drop of Qubec independence movement is used for the story.

Novel is lenghty & becomes boring. The title has little significance to the story. However entry of James Bond adds spice at the end.

Although I am a fan of Cussler, this one does not qualify to his usual standards.