Polar Shift (2005)

After enjoying Cussler's latest novel, The Chase, I'm back on the quest to read his older works. Polar Shift is the follow up novel to Lost City, and is in the NUMA files series. It is cowritten with Paul Kemprecos, as the other novels in this series are.

In typical Cussler form, this author takes a bit of scientific theory, and educates the reader in it, while weaving a plot around it. From the title, it's not exactly a spoiler to tell you that the novel revolves around the pole shift theory that hypothesizes that the north and south poles could be reversed at some point with devastating consequences. Along the way we meet a Hungarian scientist that was smuggled out of Europe. Cussler also takes us to some far off places, including the Aleutian Islands (he has used them before, I believe in Black Wind). While up North, we also get a front row seat on a wooly mammoth dig. Also, only Cussler could pull off a car chase involving a Stanley Steamer.

While not as excellent as Lost City, it is still a strong novel. It has a strong "Cussleresque" feel to it ( to coin a term). My criticism is that I would have liked to see more of the Cussler universe of characters in it, although Dirk Pitt did make a cameo appearance at a car show (where else?). Still, the usual cast of maritime experts would have really completed this work. If you're a fan of Cussler, Polar Shift is still one of his better works.

Overall Grade: A-

Reviewed by Jonas

The Chase (2007)

Clive Cussler is no stranger to this Armchair Critic. Up until now, his books fit into a few series:

• The oldest and longest one is the Dirk Pitt series. The last few he has coauthored with his son, Dirk Cussler.
• The first offshoot is the Kurt Austin series. I've worked my way through most of those, and they're cowritten with Paul Kemprecos.
• The second offshoot is the Oregon files which I haven't read yet, but is coauthored by Craig Dirgo.
• The only other one off fiction of the Cussler universe is a children's book.
  

I went through the above to show you how unusual in Cussler's world a separate one off novel is. Perhaps it's because he has done so much cowriting lately that he wants to do something alone. I also think that after the Sahara fiasco, and his open heart surgery, he wanted a different change of pace. Whatever the true reason, that leads us to this author's latest work, The Chase, which incidentally is a treat for me as I rarely read something this fresh off the press.

Cussler decided to make a break, and start with a completely new character, Isaac Bell. This guy is kind of a Western detective, kind of like if Sherlock Holmes had lived in the Wild West. In addition, Cussler's works are pretty much present day, except for the intros. In The Chase, it takes place in 1906, which is by no accident one hundred years ago when the novel was being written. The setting draws upon Cussler's knowledge of the West, no doubt absorbed from living in Arizona and Colorado for many years.

One of the signature items of a Cussler novel is the background intro that sets the stage by planting some history of the past. Many are almost short stories on their own, but really enhance the novel. This time out, Cussler turns this technique on its side- he starts fifty years later, and then what follows takes us to 1906. It's interesting that he chose to do it this way as it uses one of his own techniques in a novel way.

The plot focuses on a series of bank robberies occurring across the West. Isaac Bell heads up the effort to catch the serial bank robber that kills and witnesses complicating the case, and earning him the title: "The Butcher Bandit." The descriptions are rich, and hearten back to simpler times without computers, cell phones, and cars everywhere. It was also nice to read about some gumshoe detective work that didn't involve a DNA match with a computer database.

The novel does live up to its title, The Chase. After interweaving among the San Francisco earthquake, and subsequent fire, that devastated the city, we have a first rate pursuit on railway tracks across the Wild West that made it difficult to put this book down.

My only disappointment with this whole thing is that reportedly this is a solitary novel. Too bad because I could have read a few more in this type of series with such a compelling hero. Maybe it just needs the right coauthor.

PS: This time the train underwater on the book's cover is accurate.

Overall Grade: A

Reviewed by Jonas

Night Probe! (1981)

Night Probe! is one of the early Clive Cussler novels, following Vixen 03, and preceding Deep Six. After reading so many books by the same author, one starts to wonder if there is anything new, but I'm pleased to report that Cussler continues to satisfy this reader.

What makes Night Probe! unique is that the main protagonist, Dirk Pitt goes head to head against his British counterpart, a semiretired spy who has cheated death more times than he can remember. This turns the novel into a kind of "spy vs spy" saga that I haven't encountered before in any of the Cussler books.

The plot is more than grand in scale. Evidence is uncovered of a treaty between the United States and Great Britain, that both wished to forget after it was signed. I wondered what this treaty could have said, dating back to 1914. It turns out that it was an agreement for Great Britain to sell Canada to the US for the sum of a cool one billion dollars. Now this is global plotting on a grand scale. (As an aside, some of you might remember when our junior year high school history teacher went into a monologue of the virtues of "invading" Canada, and how the US citizens would support it, and what a great idea that would be. While not the most learned scholar to ever teach us, it does show that there is that sentiment here in the States that Cussler is building on).

As the story unfolds, the mission centers around recovering this treaty, of which there are two copies: one at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River, and the other in the Hudson River on a train. There are also some side plots regarding the Quebec separatist movement (that I used to hear more about but seems to be on the backburner lately), and the politics of Canada.

Night Probe! is a very enjoyable Cussler action adventure global thriller novel. Ol' Clive has hit his stride here, and the uneasiness of his earlier novels is not present. If you haven't read this author before, this is as good a place as any to start.

PS: The cover showing the bubbles coming from the train is completely inaccurate. Also, this novel explains where the Pullman railway car, that gets described in later novels in Pitt's garage comes from.

Overall Grade: A

Reviewed by Jonas

Treasure (1988)

In my continuing quest to read the entire library of Clive Cussler novels, I took a look at Treasure. It is the follow up novel to Cyclops (which I haven't read; I guess I'm reading the series backwards for unknown reasons). Unlike some later efforts, the author writes solo on this one, which produces a great novel of consistent quality.

The overall plot centers around the ancient Library of Alexandria. Today, the knowledge of our world is found on the internet. Back in the ancient world, this massive library functioned not only as a repository, but also as an institution of learning and research. It housed scrolls and artifacts collected from all the known civilizations and more ancient ones as well. The library was burned in 391 AD as it contained Pagan teachings. Before this tragic event, some scholars believe that they moved a good portion of the library's contents for safekeeping to a new location, but it is unknown to this day where the loot may have ended up. This tale of the lost knowledge of the ancients forms the basis of the novel Treasure.

Cussler starts off with a background story of Julius Venator hiding the loot for the ages. It is buried into a mountain in a far off land. It becomes a mystery for Dirk Pitt and crew to track down where in the world could the Romans have brought it, and is it still safe after sixteen centuries of time passing.

To accomplish this plot, there are several subplots intertwined. It starts with the story to take down an airliner. Then we have a search mission for a Russian sub, and an incidental discovery of a Roman galleon. Then there is a ruse to hijack an ocean liner, and a camouflage job to evade detection. Then there is a daring special forces rescue, complete with a massive shoot out. We do finally make it back to the library, but then there is the issue of the Mexicans invading their neighbor to the north. It's not what you think, as it's just a bunch of unarmed women and children running across the border (Wait a sec, that's not exactly fiction...). Anyway, there is another side plot of a revival of Aztec leadership and culture in Mexico, and a regime change. Is it any wonder it took me a while to read this novel?

Treasure has the same feel as Cussler's later works, which is to say, well developed and polished. What makes this novel unique in the Pitt series is that Dirk's father, the Senator, plays a far greater role this time than in any other novel in the series. Also, Rudi Gunn is right in the thick of things, and not more administrative as in later books.

The Dirk Pitt series of Clive Cussler novels are some of the best adventure fiction out there, and Treasure is definitely above average for the series. The theme of pre-Columbian transoceanic crossings figures into some of Cussler's other works, including Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey, and most recently, Treasure of Khan. The author also does a fine job of explaining why this treasure of the ancients, including early Christian writings and maps showing mineral deposits would still be so relevant in our modern world. After hearing some of how various countries would bicker over ownership of this resource, l think it would be better if it stayed hidden. Even if you don't plan on reading the entire Dirk Pitt series, Treasure is an action packed, first rate adventure novel.

Overall Grade: A

Reviewed by Jonas

Addendum: I still have to read Night Probe and Cyclops for the original series to be completed. Maybe I'll finally figure out where the bathtub with the outboard motor in Dirk's home came from...

For the rest of our Clive Cussler reviews, click here.

Lost City (2004)

In my mission to finish up reading the entire bookshelf of Clive Cussler novels, I directed my attention to Lost City. This is the follow up novel to White Death, which I found more than a little lackluster. Cussler writes this side series of novels, better known as the NUMA files, with coauthor Paul Kemprecos. At times, I think the coauthor is the source of the inconsistent quality when I compare these novels to the rest of Cussler's work.

I can tell you that, unlike some previous outings, the writing duo is in top form here. Following his own formula, Cussler starts with a tale of a pilot attempting to cross the Alps in 1914 with an aerial dogfight that Snoopy and the Red Baron would have enjoyed. From there we get into present day, and we have a main plot of a powerful European family, and their centuries long quest for profits, power, and the "fountain of youth." They are like the modern day equivalent of the Hapsburgs, and they are heavily involved in the lucrative industry of weapons manufacturing. Side plots include trips under a glacier (subglacier?) with a research lab and power plant no less. If that isn’t exotic enough, we also have a trip to the bottom of the Atlantic, and to a reportedly deserted British Isle. There are also more cosmopolitan destinations of Washington, and Paris with a cast of expansive characters.

This NUMA files series is starting to mature, and it is including what could be signature elements to this series, and not merely living off what has been done already. For example, we have a St. Julien type expert of aviation that offers some background information analogous to the colorful, and knowledgeable nautical expert that permeates the main series of novels. Another example is the use of the Trouts- a couple with maritime expertise that have appeared in previous NUMA file works. Lost City also felt more like a Cussler novel as we had references to both Sandecker and Dirk Pitt that seemed to naturally fit in, and were not forced.

As if this wasn’t enough, Cussler and his coauthor also made multiple literary references, not too indirect either, to many of Edgar Allen Poe’s novels. It was nicely done to include many of Poe’s protagonists at a costume party, that true to Poe, turn a lot creepier than initially advertised. Finally, this whimsical reference to Poe's work, particularly The Fall of the House of Usher carries through to the end of Lost City.

Summing up, Lost City served to revive this offshoot series of Cussler novels in a major way in my mind. The prose is crisp, and it is quintessential Cussler. It would appear that this writing team has hit their groove in a way that I haven’t seen since the first two novels of this series: Serpent and Blue Gold. This novel is strong enough to fit in with the best of Cussler’s work.

Overall Grade: A

Reviewed by Jonas

Raise the Titanic! (1976)

Now that I've finished The Corps, I'm working on the handful of Clive Cussler novels that I haven't read yet. Raise the Titanic! is the third novel of the original Dirk Pitt series, and the fourth when we factor in the later released first novel, Pacific Vortex. You may recall that Raise the Titanic! got made into a film in the early 80's which was supposedly pretty bad, and the author consistently discourages folks from seeing.

While at the center of the plot is the plan to salvage the legendary passenger liner, there are plenty of subplots going on. We have a whole story around an imaginary element, Byzanium, which is required for a missile defense shield. Perhaps because the Titanic was found in more pieces that can be raised (intriguingly within two years of when this novel thought it would be found), or maybe because missile defense systems are no longer futuristic science fiction, but the whole central plot line seems a tad tired and dated. The parts with the Russians, practically sickle and hammer wielding, reinforce this concept of out of date.

While it was enjoyable to read about a more youthful Pitt, and hear about Admiral Sandecker less of a desk jockey and more hands on, I still missed many of the signature items that routinely appear in Cussler's later works. There is no car chase, no St. Julien Pearlmutter and his library, nor trip to Dirk's hangar. There were also too many characters for the size of this short novel that I found confusing at times to keep straight who everyone was.

In conclusion, Raise the Titanic! is one of my least favorite Dirk Pitt novels. That said that still makes it better than many other books out there. While it is hardly a timeless work, as so many of this author’s other novels are, it is still required reading for Cussler fans.

Overall Grade: B

White Death (2003)

I’ve rarely been disappointed with a book with Clive Cussler’s name on it, but this one did disappoint me. This is the fourth book co written in the NUMA Files series with author Paul Kemprecos, and is the sequel to Fire Ice. Perhaps it should be renamed the “Eco Files” as this series tends to focus more on ecological issues, than some of the other Cussler novels.

I was pleased that White Death did use the two background story technique that is only rarely used (my favorite novel that uses this is Sahara, definitely read the book and for sure skip the movie). The background stories focused on a sea battle from 1515, and a Nazis hydrogen airship on a secret polar expedition.

The formulaic elements are mostly present including the series heroes Kurt Austin, and Joe Zavala. We also get the visits from maritime historian St. Julian Pearlmutter, and Admiral Sandecker. White Death has the domineering multinational corporation looking to take over the world with their new technology- bioengineered fish. There are also some new technology toys such as the dive suit and the Sea Lamprey rescue sub. So far, this book isn’t that different from most of the novels of the series.

The weakness of White Death lies in the prose. There are a few too many characters to start with. Then, let’s add in that the prose is simply not as crisp as the works that Cussler writes alone. While he can outline the plot, and subplots for the coauthor, the crisp Cussler prose, that is quite poetic at times simply cannot be easily duplicated. This makes this book the written equivalent of a direct to DVD movie. It doesn’t make it bad per se, but not exactly A-list stuff either. At times, the plot gets quite confusing, and that is rare in a Cussler work.

Who should read this? For those of us who are true Cussler fans, than we want to read all of his works, and then White Death belongs on the list for the sake of completeness. It does have some redeeming scenes, but they don’t fit together as neat and tidy as in some of his other novels that gel so nicely at the conclusion. For those looking to get introduced to this author, I’d strongly suggest that you start with the original Dirk Pitt series which is considerably stronger than this offshoot.

Overall Grade: B-

Deep Six (1984)

While I generally try to read a series in order, for whatever reason, I find myself skipping around Cussler's longest running series of novels- the Dirk Pitt books. Deep Six is the sixth novel of the series.

I read in an interview that Cussler started to run out of plot ideas. On the one hand, it is certainly plausible that over three plus decades you craft so many fine novels, however, he feels the fault lies with that he uses several plot lines in each novel. Deep Six exemplifies this use of multiple plots.

The crux of Deep Six centers around abducting the President from his yacht, and brainwashing him, and then allowing them to return to power. Many novels would "make a meal" out of this plot alone, with the mayhem that ensues when the President declares Marshall law and locks out the Congress. Cussler adds in a background story of a lost ship at sea twenty years earlier with a valuable cargo. Then there is the plot about the toxic waste in the Bering Sea killing marine life. Also there's the computer hacking, and the multinational corporation involvement. And let's not forget about the final battle on the Mississippi Delta, and the Civil War reenactors that get pressed into duty! Do you see how Cussler can start to run short on material? Few authors out there can weld so many plot lines into a meaningful and seamless whole as Cussler can.

In my mind, Deep Six is a great example of Cussler's novels. The descriptions are spot on, and the dialogue is crisp. All of the major characters that appear in the later works figure into this one. If you want the American version of James Bond, then Deep Six is a good place to look. For a novel that's past the twenty year mark, I found Deep Six surprisingly contemporary.

Overall Grade: A

PS: We also find out how our hero, Pitt, met his boss, Sandecker, in this book.

You can read an excerpt here.

Treasure of Khan (2006)

Treasure of Khan is the latest Clive Cussler novel. In the followup to Black Wind, Clive once again has the assistance of his son Dirk who is preparing to take the reins at some point. Treasure of Khan is in the Dirk Pitt series of Cussler novels which is his largest series (including this one, it's up to eighteen novels which is more than most series make it to).

One of Cussler's signature items is the background story. Through it, he vivdly sets the historical background for the modern day action that ensues. Like in Cussler's novel Sahara (as an aside the book was awesome, but the movie was awful), there are two separate background stories that really contribute to the depth of the whole plot.

For those not familiar with this series, it is based upon the adventures of Dirk Pitt, and his lifelong pal, Al Giordano. They are a bunch of marine engineers who work for a fictitious government office, known as NUMA, that is devoted to exploring and preserving the planet's oceans. Through the years, they have ended up in many situations, and while many involve the ocean, they have saved the world countless times from a variety of threats.

I think the Cussler men are starting to run a little short of ideas as this time the setting is focused around the deserts of Mongolia. While it serves to keep the location exotic, it makes our marine engineers, well, like "fish out of water." Through some creative planning, and nearby bodies of water, at least they are able to put their nautical skills to good use.

As the eighteenth novel in the series, Treasure of Khan definitely follows the winning formula. In one way, we don't stray too far from what obviously works. More specifically, the elements of the classic car, Hiram Yeager- the computer specialist, Pearlmutter- the ocean historian, retired Admiral Sandecker cutting through red tape, and the damsel in distress are all utilized, as they are throughout the Cussler novels. However, I can tell you that he deviates just enough from the usual, including placing them out of the usual order, to keep the experience fresh. Also, Dirk's children, Dirk Jr. and Summer get featured, but they don't steal the show like in some of the recent novels which didn't quite feel the same.

Treasure of Khan, despite its lengthy 552 pages, is an exceedingly well written novel. Pick any page, and we can experience the care that was used by the Cusslers to carefully construct their prose. The compact descriptions strongly evoke vivid imagery. Also, the sentences flow like a lazy babbling brook that few other writers can match.

As if you couldn't tell by now, I really enjoyed Treasure of Khan. We've all come to expect a lot from a Cussler novel, and this one clearly delivers. Even when compared to Cussler's other works, an unfairly lofty standard, Treasure of Khan stands out among the best of the series, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. My only caveat is that if you haven't read this series before, don't start at the end as it's worth the journey to do it right.

Overall Grade: A+

Fire Ice

Fire Ice is the 3rd in the Kurt Austin series of Cussler novels, that are cowritten by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos. Substitute in Kurt Austin for Dirk Pitt, and a new sidekick that feels very much the same, and you get the idea.

It's always a challenge and risk for a well known author to dilute their efforts and collaborate with another to tell their story. Thankfully this duo does better than most.

The background history, which is the hallmark of any Cussler novel, is that there is surviving line of the Romanov royal family of Russia. On top of that, their ship went down with the royal treasure. While this is rather implausible, it does form a basis for what follows.

On top of this, we have a whole research submarine that is lost at sea. Kurt with his NUMA crew work to set this all right. There are also the requisite visits that provide the sage advice of his computer and nautical lore experts.

I have read most of Cussler's novels at this point, and I will say that this novel is not one of my favorites. It doesn't fit together as well as Sahara or Atlantis Found. The dialogue is a little less believable than usual. Also, the plot takes a few twists that just don't feel right, and the novel ends a little abruptly for my taste. The descriptions are a little less rich. The science is slightly suspect and somewhat hypothetical.

Still, to compare this author against his previous work is a very tall comparison indeed. Fire Ice is a fine novel if we consider it "escape fiction-" perfect for cuddling up with on a rainy day and being whisked away to a far off land with some alternative history. If you're a Cussler fan enjoy, but if you want to start reading him, I'd start elsewhere.

Overall Grade: B

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Blue Gold

Blue Gold is the second novel in the Kurt Austin series of novels cowritten by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos. It is the sequel to Serpent. The spin off series substitutes main character Dirk Pitt for Kurt Austin. Al Giordano gets replaced by Joe Zampora. The requsite vintage car gets swapped out for an antique firearm. Aside from these changes, it’s the same Cussler formula with a background story, and a group of marine engineers with various toys, nautical and otherwise, out to save the world from the ultimate evil. And don’t forget the revolving beautiful woman that Kurt has to rescue and then fall in love with.

The story that sets the scene is that a brilliant scientist gets lost in the Amazon after a plane crash. She is presumed dead, and forgotten. Fast forwarding ten years we have a corporation attempting to monopolize the world's water. Hence the title of the novel, Blue Gold. Kurt and Joe stumble on this and unravel the mystery that leads them from Mexico to Lake Tahoe. There's also a stop in Alaska's Aleutian Islands with some vintage military hardware.

The other plot line involves two other NUMA scientists who who find our plane crashed scientist. The storyline in Central America in search of rain forest pharmaceuticals reminded me of The Codex.

The nonstop action at a breakneck pace is quintissential Cussler. Even a casual reader will appreciate the care with which the authors carefully choose the words to succintly and accurately create this work of art. Blue Gold should make anyone's list of novels to spend some time with.

Overall Grade: A-

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Also Reviewed by Cussler:
Black Wind
Fire Ice
Trojan Odyssey

Black Wind

Today we're turning our attantion to the novel Black Wind. This is the 18th novel in the insanely popular Dirk Pitt series of Clive Cussler stories. Ol' Clive is getting up there in years, and while he's worked with coauthors before, none other than his son, Dirk Cussler, helped to write this one. My guess is that they're planning a transition as the senior Cussler plans to "hang it up" at some point, and his son will take the reins of the main series of novels.

In Black Wind, we have all the favorite characters interacting. The action is centered around Dirk Pitt, Jr. who has taken over his father's previous role. His sister, Summer, figures prominently as well. They are assisted by Dirk Pitt, Sr., who can't seem to stay in the office, and his faithful sidekick, Al Giordano. Even Admiral Sandecker makes a cameo appearance.

The plot focuses on a lost WW II Japanese sub that was on a secret mission for an unconventional attack on the West coast of the US. It becomes a race as the sub's whereabouts, and cargo, get rediscovered by Pitt, and the evil doers. There is the standard assortment of minisubs, aerial vehicles, and surface ships that is a hallmark of a Cussler novel. With the intro of Cussler's son comes a newer classic car: a '58 Chyrsler 300D convertible which of course figures into the requisite car chase.

Black Wind is also notable in other ways. The first is that the Navy SEAL's play far more of a prominent role than in any of Cussler's previous novels. Another is that the NUMA ship is sunk, I believe another first. Also, this is the only background story to involve a submarine.

Speaking of the background story, I think this is where Black Wind is lacking. The usual formula is that the opening chapter describes some historic naval lore. This then ties into the plot towards the very end of the novel. It is very well done in such a way to keep the reader guessing as to how it can all possibly come together, but it does. Cussler's Sahara is one of the better examples of this, with two background stories. Unfortunately, Black Wind lacks this signature Cussler technique.

The other ingredient missing is the required visit to Julien Perlmutter, the eccentric maritime historian. This would have enhanced the novel as well, and left me a little lacking.

As the 18th Dirk Pitt novel in a series spanning over three decades, in my view, this is only middle of the pack compared to Cussler's other works. If you haven't read Cussler before, this is not the one to start with. With that said, while not as deep or rich as Trojan Odyssey, Atlantis Found, or Sahara, Black Wind is still quite an enjoyable read. The prose is excellent, and the dialogue quintessential Cussler. I can't wait for the next Dirk Pitt novel despite my quibbles with Black Wind!

Overall Grade: A-

Trojan Odyssey

Clive Cussler has given us a whole series of novels that follow a certain formula: Mix one part nautical lore, add one part action hero, combine with another part of marine technology, then toss in a despicable evil person looking to take over the world. When combined in just the right proportions, the result is a great novel rewhich I have trouble putting down before completion. This has been the tried and true formula of the Dirk Pitt novels, which are Cussler’s main literary works and form an extensive body of literature over the last thirty years.

Now, ol’ Clive is not getting any younger. It appears that he is preparing to pass the literary mantle to his son, Dirk Cussler: In their latest novel, which follows Trojan Odyssey, Dirk is coauthor with Clive. Like an allegory, Cussler’s Trojan Odyssey has his trusty action heroes Dirk Pitt and Al Giordano share the spotlight with Pitt’s newly reunited children Dirk and Summer. Therefore, the usual formula is at least partially broken as Pitt and Giordano share the spotlight with Pitt’s children.

The background nautical lore of Trojan Odyssey focuses around the tale of Homer’s Odyssey. While it was long thought that The Odyssey was very loosely based around the ancient Greeks in an epic journey around the Mediterranean, a newer alternate view believes it was the Celts sailing in the Caribbean. Cussler masterfully interweaves the history into the plot in an unobtrusive and flowing manner.

The early action in the novel focuses around the hurricane of the millennium. Cussler’s descriptions are as well honed as a newly-minted, five-bladed razor. We feel the salt on our windblown face and the desperation of a floating hotel caught in its path.

Our action heroes Pitt and Giordano are presented not as eternally young but as approaching the sunset of their life. There are references to how “we still got it,” and their muscles are hurting and sore after severe physical exertion. While they clearly perform, they are working quite hard to get the job done.

There are the requisite appearances from recurrent characters that Cussler’s fans have come to expect, including Rudi Gunn, Admiral Sandecker, and Julian Perlmutter. They provide a consistency between the novels and are like old friends when they make their appearances. I’m always impressed that Cussler is able to come up with a new description each time they make an appearance, but he always manages to.

I wholeheartedly recommend this novel, with one caveat: If you have never read the Cussler series of Dirk Pitt novels before, I recommend starting with one not so far along in Pitt’s life. My recommendation is to start with Pacific Vortex (the first in the sequence chronologically) or The Mediterranean Caper (the first published). While the novels don’t need to be read strictly in order -- I still have a few early ones to read -- this is one journey you don’t want to rush to the end to.

Overall Grade: A+