Clive Cussler is a well-known name in the thriller/historical thriller fiction genre and needs no introduction. Although I have only read just 1 book of him, as I was very reluctant from a long time for his novels. My initial thought was whether his novels quench my thirst for thriller-historical-fantasy fiction. Finally I got hand on 1 of his novels from his well-known series – DIRK PITT – INCA GOLD, I liked it, and now presenting you the review of my 2nd read of him THE WRECKER which is the 2nd book in his ISAAC BELL series. This book was co-written by Justin Scott.
Its 1907 in America and it is in the process of expanding railroad systems, handled by various private business houses like JPMC, Vanderbilt and this story covers the Southern Pacific railroad build by businessman Osgood Hennessey. He is in process of building the railroads through one of the difficult path, through the cascades cutoff which if built will reduce the distance between two major spots of US but there’s a saboteur at loose who don’t want him to succeed and he is attacking and wrecking the railroads at various places. Mr. Osgood hires Van Dorn Detective Agency to find this wrecker and so comes Mr.Isaac Bell on the mission. Will he be able to stop this wrecker before the businessman goes bankrupt or the businessman finally achieve his goal?
One of the best reads of the time and since I am a very very big train enthusiast, this book was just like a paradise for me. It starts slow in tye beginning but then it covers pace and intrigued and involved me deeper and deeper into its action and thus increased my reading speed too. Though I will count my speed of reading this novel of 518 pgs too low as per my own established standards. I took 52 days:O yeah I know! I Know! Too low. One best thing of this thriller novel is that you come to know about the villain in the middle of the book, now you must be thinking whats the use of the remaining novel then, no sir, even after knowing that the author has built the thrill superbly, I was waiting what he will do next now and the author put me on the edge of seat. Readability wise medium read, you don’t need no dictionary, and I believe a good novel is that novel where you don’t have to consult dictionaries.
This is 2nd book in Isaac Bell series and I found the character of Isaac Bell as a committed yet stylish detective, he is rich and he has a love interest but he do his job as a committed guy. This book may not be liked by everyone if you dont like a vastly spread detective novels(unlike Agatha Christie ones). There are a lot of station names and trains and routes details included in story that I got hooked in no minutes.
I will recommend this novel with a rating of 4/5. Do read.
GRuchirG.
Jai Raam ji ki:)