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.

Close call in Kashmir by Bharat Wakhlu

"Close call in Kashmir" debut novel of Bharat Wakhlu. This book is published by Penguin metro reads in August 2010 and has 232 pages.

Dr. Michael Zutshi is a professor of South Asian art and history in USA. His sister is abducted by terrorists in Kashmir. Pirzada Shamsuddin Bandey is the head priest of the Dargah at Aishmuqam. He is opposed to terrorist violence and is vocal about it.  'Amanat' needs to be protected. Artefacts worth millions of dollars are stolen from Srinagar.

Will Michael come back to India? Who is stealing the artefacts? What stand does Shasuddin take? What is 'Amanat'? Why it needs to be protected?

Bharat has written a very good debut novel. Narration is good. Pace is maintained. Reader's interest is retained. Story is delivered with ease. But I felt that author has missed a few opportunities to make it more interesting.

This story centers around a legend of Dara Sukoh, elder brother of Auranzeb, who Aurangzeb beheaded to become Emperor. The book talks of a legend where great treasure was handed over to six mystique saints by Dara to be retrieved at a later date when he became king. He never became king and the treasure was lost.

Kashmir has a long tradition of mystique saints. The book addresses the Islamist terrorist threat to the shrines of mystique saints (sadhus and sufis, Hindu and Muslims). It also addresses terrorism in general including killings, sympathizers within government, black marketing of precious artefacts, kidnappings, ISI etc.

Although the treasure was handed over to six saints, author doesn't make it clear how it ended where it ended. Author has not elaborated the contribution of six. It could well have been one. Here one feels something amiss.

The climax is devoid of any action. In such a book with all ingredients of a thriller, I expected an action packed climax. It was easily possible to do so but the author chose not to.

The artistic key on the book cover tells us that the book has something to do with the hidden treasure. It's an interesting cover. Use of black colour is also symbolic.

Despite purchasing a brand new book, it had yellow pages. The quality of paper used was sub standard. Was it done to keep the cost down? In any case, it hindered the joy of reading.

A good book. Recommend reading.

For complete review, please visit:
Mandar's Book reviews
http://mandarbookreviews.blogspot.com/

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 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.

Hot Ice by Nora Roberts

"Hot Ice", by Nora Roberts.

Doug Lord, a professional thief, is being chased by bad guys who want to double cross him when he aquires important documents for them. He happens to board car of Whitney McAlister, a beautiful heiress.

Both of them form a partnership (strictly professional), Whitney providing finance and Doug the location of treasure, & set off to Madagascar for the search of hidden treasure buried during French revolution, with bad guys on their heels.

Can bad guys catch them? Do they find the treasure? Do they get it? Are they attracted to each other? Does love kindle between them?  How does the story end?

This book is a little 'hat-ke' in style from other books of Nora. She has used action more than romance. The book gets sluggish at times. There are no major twists or surprises in the story. You don't get bored but it also doesn't keep you on the edge.

Relationship between Whitney and Doug is portrayed nicely. A little bit of more  story would have helped the cause.

Not a bad book. Read if you have time, but you will not miss much if you don't.