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Isaac Bell #4
The Race
A woman in peril...
A madman out for vengeance...
Only Isaac Bell stands between them.
A madman out for vengeance...
Only Isaac Bell stands between them.
434 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 6, 2011
1171 people are currently reading
3052 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
654 books8,576 followersCussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 492 reviews
December 7, 2019
4 sterren ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Nederlandse paperback. 🌸🌸🌸🌸
Tja ik lees graag boeken van deze schrijver. Hij weet karakters, tijdlijnen en echte technische gegevens te vervlechten met een verhaal wat vaart heeft. Zo ook dit verhaal wat zich afspeelt in 1919 tijdens een luchtrace. 🌹🌹🌹
Tja ik lees graag boeken van deze schrijver. Hij weet karakters, tijdlijnen en echte technische gegevens te vervlechten met een verhaal wat vaart heeft. Zo ook dit verhaal wat zich afspeelt in 1919 tijdens een luchtrace. 🌹🌹🌹
February 15, 2012
I found this entry in the Isaac Bell series to be a little disappointing after really enjoying the first 3 books - especially "The Wrecker." I thought the characters in "The Race" were not very well developed and the plot was somewhat lacking. Although Cussler and Scott gave a lot of detail about aeronautics in the early days of flying, the thrill of being able to fly in these early days did not really come across. Some of the terminology that was used also got to be a little repetitive including the term "mechanician" instead of "mechanic." This is probably the correct terminology used in 1910 but it got to be a little annoying. Also, I didn't think Isaac Bell used his deductive reasoning very well in this story -- I would think he would have been able to easily see through the disguise of Marco Celere. Anyway, I still enjoy the Bell series and will probably read the next one when it comes out.
July 20, 2019
Another really good Isaac Bell book. I loved how much he loved flying!
February 13, 2022
I lost interest in this one compared to the first few. I struggled through and hopefully the next one will be better
December 27, 2023
Clive Cussler may have left this world earlier this year, but he will continue to live on through his various bestselling novels...such as this one. With plenty of old-school charm and a convoluted plot, it's easy to see why the late author's books sell like hotcakes.
September 10, 2011
Where Cussler got the idea of a protagonist that was a Pinkerton-like operative at the turn of the 20th century, I'll never know. Thank God I only have three previous novels in the series to catch up with.
The story was enough to allow me to overlook the sometimes over-heated writing and stereotypical characters. It was a lot of fun to read.
Many years ago, I had read one of Cussler's Dirk (arm)Pitt novels and found it so unlikeable that I felt it was not worth bothering reading anything else by him. I get the feeling that, at 81, Clive only pitches ideas and his co-authors do the heavy lifting.
Why did I bother with this one? My wife's aunt was a HUGE Cussler fan-as in every thing he was written is on prominent display on the shelves in her house. When I told her that he was coming out with a new novel, she was looking forward to it's arrival on her Kindle. Sadly, about two weeks before the release date, she lost her battle with cancer and left us. Clive lost a serious fan of his work.
Anyway, in her memory, I put myself through the potentially tedious task of reading this book. And came away quite pleased.
I hope Glo was looking over my shoulder and reading along. Maybe she had one or two of the cats with her.
The story was enough to allow me to overlook the sometimes over-heated writing and stereotypical characters. It was a lot of fun to read.
Many years ago, I had read one of Cussler's Dirk (arm)Pitt novels and found it so unlikeable that I felt it was not worth bothering reading anything else by him. I get the feeling that, at 81, Clive only pitches ideas and his co-authors do the heavy lifting.
Why did I bother with this one? My wife's aunt was a HUGE Cussler fan-as in every thing he was written is on prominent display on the shelves in her house. When I told her that he was coming out with a new novel, she was looking forward to it's arrival on her Kindle. Sadly, about two weeks before the release date, she lost her battle with cancer and left us. Clive lost a serious fan of his work.
Anyway, in her memory, I put myself through the potentially tedious task of reading this book. And came away quite pleased.
I hope Glo was looking over my shoulder and reading along. Maybe she had one or two of the cats with her.
November 29, 2018
The book is has a good story but it sure didn't grab me like the other Isaac Bell novels. It seemed like they were all bad guys. Not even close to being as gripping as the Wrecker was.
November 29, 2015
This was a good quick read that kept me entertained and engaged while spending hours on a plane. The storyline was good enough to keep me reading, but I felt like the plot was dragging and it took a while to really develop. I didn't really care for any of the characters - even the protagonist was hard to like and seemingly shallow. It was hard to tell who the real villain was, and the story was too predictable even without clarity.
Even so, this was a good book for a vacation or travel because very little thinking is required and the book reads fairly quickly. It is fairly entertaining, though there is little to no real literary value.
Even so, this was a good book for a vacation or travel because very little thinking is required and the book reads fairly quickly. It is fairly entertaining, though there is little to no real literary value.
November 6, 2022
This was in the beginning and middle a fast paced action packed story. Very interesting and full of colorful characters that all played a part in making this a possible 5 star rating story. But alas came the ending, an ending that was both anticlimactic and lazy in its detail and suspense. So all I can muster is a 3 star rating
May 16, 2016
The fourth book in the Isaac Bell series, the action revolves around a transcontinental air race in the early days of aviation. This Adventure struck struck me as a cross between Wacky Races and Dastardly and Muttley which made it a really fun read!
March 16, 2017
Another fabulous addition to this series. I am really enjoying reading about Isaac Bell and his detective work in the early 1900's. Good stuff.
June 9, 2022
4 sterren - English Ebook
Past settings for Isaac Bell have been banks, railroads, ships, and now aeroplanes.
Although I enjoyed The Chase as a way to get to know the characters, this would have to be my favorite. Mix a little bit of Indiana Jones and a little bit of Superman and out comes Isaac Bell.
With aviation at its birth, the novel takes us on a race from East Coast to West Coast, with participants from all around the world. In the spotlight is Josephine, a 19-year old beauty who was born to fly. Her husband is trying to kill her and her suspected lover, and the fact that the attempted murders are happening in the skies give the story its excitement.
There are some lingering questions, such as how did Sir Eddison-Sydney-Martin fall 1,000 feet out of the sky and walk away unhurt? And why abandon Josephine in the final chapters? Marion, Isaac’s fiancée, makes more of an appearance than before, but she never becomes integral to the plot.
On the plus side, there is far less technical detail than usual, and it makes for a captivating and fast speed read.
Past settings for Isaac Bell have been banks, railroads, ships, and now aeroplanes.
Although I enjoyed The Chase as a way to get to know the characters, this would have to be my favorite. Mix a little bit of Indiana Jones and a little bit of Superman and out comes Isaac Bell.
With aviation at its birth, the novel takes us on a race from East Coast to West Coast, with participants from all around the world. In the spotlight is Josephine, a 19-year old beauty who was born to fly. Her husband is trying to kill her and her suspected lover, and the fact that the attempted murders are happening in the skies give the story its excitement.
There are some lingering questions, such as how did Sir Eddison-Sydney-Martin fall 1,000 feet out of the sky and walk away unhurt? And why abandon Josephine in the final chapters? Marion, Isaac’s fiancée, makes more of an appearance than before, but she never becomes integral to the plot.
On the plus side, there is far less technical detail than usual, and it makes for a captivating and fast speed read.
January 30, 2022
I experienced irrational joy at the vivid mental picture of early aircraft circling the copper green statue of liberty. The exploration of what early flying was like was fun, and the story was interesting.
The literary critic in me wants to condemn the clumsy parts, but the little child in me whose wonder was awaken is having too much fun to care.
The literary critic in me wants to condemn the clumsy parts, but the little child in me whose wonder was awaken is having too much fun to care.
March 23, 2025
$3.65 at the used bookstore, in HARDCOVER no less, and worth every penny! I'd even go as high as $4.00, but not a cent higher. Any one who has read my reviews of recent Cussler collaborations knows well my disappointment in the product, and my self-loathing that I keep reading them, but for under $5 I'm apparently willing to keep touching that same stove to see if it's still hot. In this instance, I was pleasantly surprised to not get burned too badly.
The plot is sound: in the early days of aviation, a coast to coast aeroplane race is sponsored: $50,000 to the pilot who completes the trip in under 50 days. The only female entrant in the race is being chased by her husband, with murder on his mind, and Isaac Bell has been assigned to protect her and capture her stalker (with an unnecessary but nice plot enhancer - Bell and the husband have some ancient history from Bell's earliest days as a Van Dorn rookie. This bookending is reminiscent of classic Cussler, and is a nice addition without being forced).
The setting is interesting: Early 20th century U.S. is a much-overlooked period of US History, and with perhaps the exception of Caleb Carr's works, as well as Devil in the White City, it's a rarely-seen setting (at least in my genres). That period was an age of great innovation and technology, and one of the attractions of the Isaac Bell stories is that it gives the author(s) a nice canvas to expand and expound upon "new" technologies, and to illustrate how those advances force change upon the world, and evolve traditional behavior (such as detective work, pursuit and communication).
The writing is fair: We must all acknowledge that we know there is NO Cussler story in which the hero does not a) prevail and b) get the girl (who is always preturnaturally beautiful, and possessed of a charm and grace that would make Venus envious). Character development and interaction dialogue is decent (and hey - it's Cussler, not Keats), and all in all a decently told story.
The disappointment: While Cussler's works with Justin Scott are in NO WAY nearly the infuriating dung heaps of vomitous pulp that his other collaborations are (Fargo adventures, in particular), my disappointment remains consistent in all of Cussler's later books and collaborations, and points out where he went astray from the Dirk Pitt success: If your hero has a pre-existing reserve of fabulous wealth and powerful connections that allow him to miraculously see his way out of any scrape, or able to procure any resource needed at a moment's notice, you lose your drama. Dirk Pitt made a boat of out a bathtub and a stolen outboard motor; Bell flashes an "all access pass" that lets him commandeer any railroad train in America? Dirk Pitt stole a car, flattened the tires and drove across the desert until it died, then he walked. Bell pulls out his wallet and buys an airplane?
That's my complaint, but one I don't see changing as long as he can turn out 3 "collaborations" a year and watch the money truck back up to his house.
Still - a fair read from the $5 bin.
The plot is sound: in the early days of aviation, a coast to coast aeroplane race is sponsored: $50,000 to the pilot who completes the trip in under 50 days. The only female entrant in the race is being chased by her husband, with murder on his mind, and Isaac Bell has been assigned to protect her and capture her stalker (with an unnecessary but nice plot enhancer - Bell and the husband have some ancient history from Bell's earliest days as a Van Dorn rookie. This bookending is reminiscent of classic Cussler, and is a nice addition without being forced).
The setting is interesting: Early 20th century U.S. is a much-overlooked period of US History, and with perhaps the exception of Caleb Carr's works, as well as Devil in the White City, it's a rarely-seen setting (at least in my genres). That period was an age of great innovation and technology, and one of the attractions of the Isaac Bell stories is that it gives the author(s) a nice canvas to expand and expound upon "new" technologies, and to illustrate how those advances force change upon the world, and evolve traditional behavior (such as detective work, pursuit and communication).
The writing is fair: We must all acknowledge that we know there is NO Cussler story in which the hero does not a) prevail and b) get the girl (who is always preturnaturally beautiful, and possessed of a charm and grace that would make Venus envious). Character development and interaction dialogue is decent (and hey - it's Cussler, not Keats), and all in all a decently told story.
The disappointment: While Cussler's works with Justin Scott are in NO WAY nearly the infuriating dung heaps of vomitous pulp that his other collaborations are (Fargo adventures, in particular), my disappointment remains consistent in all of Cussler's later books and collaborations, and points out where he went astray from the Dirk Pitt success: If your hero has a pre-existing reserve of fabulous wealth and powerful connections that allow him to miraculously see his way out of any scrape, or able to procure any resource needed at a moment's notice, you lose your drama. Dirk Pitt made a boat of out a bathtub and a stolen outboard motor; Bell flashes an "all access pass" that lets him commandeer any railroad train in America? Dirk Pitt stole a car, flattened the tires and drove across the desert until it died, then he walked. Bell pulls out his wallet and buys an airplane?
That's my complaint, but one I don't see changing as long as he can turn out 3 "collaborations" a year and watch the money truck back up to his house.
Still - a fair read from the $5 bin.
March 7, 2018
This makes two Clive Cussler novels in a row that I've read, but this one was the last book left in the pile that was left here at the apartment in Mexico. I like the Isaac Bell Detective series, but found this book was a cookie cutter version of the last one I read. The good guy chases the bad guy, almost catches his two or three times, gets a little banged up on the way, then gets the girl and lives happily ever after. The names of the characters have been changed.
Need I say more? Okay, in fairness it is a good read and a bit different than all the other crime fiction stuff out there in that the story is about the birth of aviation and a race across America to see who has the best machine.
Need I say more? Okay, in fairness it is a good read and a bit different than all the other crime fiction stuff out there in that the story is about the birth of aviation and a race across America to see who has the best machine.
February 22, 2018
The Race is book four of the Isaac Bell series by Clive Cussler. Isaac Bell, the chief investigator of the Van Dorn Detective Agency, was hired to protect a young woman, Mrs Josephine Josephs Frost after she saw her husband kill a man. However, Mrs Josephine Josephs Frost is participating in the Great Whiteway Atlantic-to-Pacific Cross-Country Air Race which caused Isaac Bell to came involved in the race to protect Mrs Josephine Josephs Frost. The readers of The Race will follow Mrs Josephine Josephs Frost and Isaac Bell adventure across The United States of America. Also, the readers of The Race will start to wonder if Josephine and Isaac will fall in love.
I enjoy reading the books in this series, and The Race did not disappoint. Clive Cussler and Justin Scott know how to engage me with their stories from the first page. I love Clive Cussler and Justin Scott portrayal of their characters. Clive Cussler and Justin Scott did a great job in describing the settings and the plot of The Race. I like the old fashion photos that Clive Cussler and Justin Scott included throughout The Race. The Race was well written and researched by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott.
The readers of The Race will learn about flying Biplanes. Also, the readers of The Race will learn about the procedures of being a private investigator at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
I enjoy reading the books in this series, and The Race did not disappoint. Clive Cussler and Justin Scott know how to engage me with their stories from the first page. I love Clive Cussler and Justin Scott portrayal of their characters. Clive Cussler and Justin Scott did a great job in describing the settings and the plot of The Race. I like the old fashion photos that Clive Cussler and Justin Scott included throughout The Race. The Race was well written and researched by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott.
The readers of The Race will learn about flying Biplanes. Also, the readers of The Race will learn about the procedures of being a private investigator at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
March 18, 2021
Cussler & Scott Deliver Again with Another Isaac Bell Adventure!
I admit it, I’ve been away from Cussler for a while. The last of his books I read was The Kingdom, with the hero couple Sam and Remi. Before that, I think Treasure! with Dirk Pitt was my last Cussler.
Although each of the above books were from a different series (and some were collaborations like The Race) all shared a similar characteristic — they moved at breakneck speed from the first page to the last!
The Race is set in 1909 just at the dawn of flying machines - after the Wright Brothers’ first flight, but before passenger planes and jets. Mechanics were called machanicians, and crashes were called smashes. Each engineer had a different idea of how to make the best airship. In this story, a race across the nation is set for a number of different aeroplane designs and pilots. Isaac Bell, and the entire bunch of Van Dorn detectives, are hired to protect Josephine - the daring young female pilot and object of several men’s desires. Things get complicated as Josephine’s men try to kill her, kill each other, and take over the world ... or at least all the money in the world.
The action is fast, the thrills are many, and the backdrop of the dawn of the twentieth century and its wonderful cars, trains and airships alone is worth the price of admission. Read, love, enjoy!
4 of 5 stars
I admit it, I’ve been away from Cussler for a while. The last of his books I read was The Kingdom, with the hero couple Sam and Remi. Before that, I think Treasure! with Dirk Pitt was my last Cussler.
Although each of the above books were from a different series (and some were collaborations like The Race) all shared a similar characteristic — they moved at breakneck speed from the first page to the last!
The Race is set in 1909 just at the dawn of flying machines - after the Wright Brothers’ first flight, but before passenger planes and jets. Mechanics were called machanicians, and crashes were called smashes. Each engineer had a different idea of how to make the best airship. In this story, a race across the nation is set for a number of different aeroplane designs and pilots. Isaac Bell, and the entire bunch of Van Dorn detectives, are hired to protect Josephine - the daring young female pilot and object of several men’s desires. Things get complicated as Josephine’s men try to kill her, kill each other, and take over the world ... or at least all the money in the world.
The action is fast, the thrills are many, and the backdrop of the dawn of the twentieth century and its wonderful cars, trains and airships alone is worth the price of admission. Read, love, enjoy!
4 of 5 stars
June 14, 2015
In Clive Cussler's The Race, the 4th installment in the Isaac Bell historical action-adventure series, this time he took to the friendly skies on an aerial race. It all started with Josephine Josephs, who wanted to be the first woman to race cross-country in an airplane, when she witnessed her husband attempted to kill her friend and lover. That's when Issac and the other Van Dorn detectives were assigned to protect her during the race from her husband. During the race, there was a lot of mayhem, sabotage, murder, and a lot of deceit, when Isaac took to the skies and fly a plane himself while protecting her and learned the hard earned truth about the plotted scheme to make her a winner--or not.
August 23, 2019
I listened to the 9 CDs (unabridged) of this novel and the voice actor was really good. The story, too, was fine - a bit wide-ranging with two bad guys and a lot of adventure and crisis scenarios, but if you like to get into a novel and stay awhile, this is a good one. I really like the historical setting of this detective - early 1900s. Cussler and Scott have a great series going, I've now read/listened to the first 4 of 12 or so? I'll keep plugging away at the books in this series over the next few years, I enjoy them.
July 22, 2022
I love the Isaac Bell books. This was an exciting adventure about a female aviatrix at the dawn of flight.
Her homicidal husband chases her cross country with Isaac Bell anticipating his every move to thwart the dastardly attempts on her life.
We also learn a lot about early flying machines and the challenges of keeping them in the air without killing the pilots or spectators.
The action moved at a nice pace to keep me from putting it down for long.
Her homicidal husband chases her cross country with Isaac Bell anticipating his every move to thwart the dastardly attempts on her life.
We also learn a lot about early flying machines and the challenges of keeping them in the air without killing the pilots or spectators.
The action moved at a nice pace to keep me from putting it down for long.
September 15, 2016
This entry in the Isaac Bell series features an airplane race across the country, because a client of the Van Dorn Detective agency wants to get together with an aviatrix. Of course, there's sabotage and murder, and Isaac Bell learns to fly.
Some pretty good stuff, but needless political statement about conditions 100 years ago make it lose a star.
Some pretty good stuff, but needless political statement about conditions 100 years ago make it lose a star.
May 28, 2012
I enjoyed this book. I like the care the writers took with conversational language. There is a lot of details about early aviation that I did not know. Another action packed Cussler formula style book.
September 12, 2012
Another great Issac Bell adventure. This time Issac takes to the air to protect a young aviatrix in a cross country race. Danger awaits at every turn and we get to catch up with all of the usual suspects.
March 16, 2014
I love reading Clive Cussler! I have really enjoyed the two Isaac Bell novels so far. This one was pure action and adventure, and I learned a lot about the history of early aeroplanes. I will be looking forward to my next Bell story again soon.
July 7, 2016
out of order but I finished my first Cussler. one down 49 ish to go.
February 22, 2017
I really like these Isaac Bell novels.
September 21, 2019
audio Scott Brick gave a good performance. That's about it for this very improbable story.
October 22, 2019
I love this whole series and the historical fiction built into them.
July 23, 2021
It was okay. I loved the setting - old airplanes - but the story felt very contrived. I should stick to Dirk Pitt & NUMA books.
September 21, 2021
Entertaining at times but too slow also. Just couldn’t keep my attention. Not sure what happened
Displaying 1 - 30 of 492 reviews