Riptide

by Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston

A centuries-old, cursed pirate's treasure, valued at over $2 billion, lies deep within the treacherous waters off the coast of Maine. Men who have attempted to unearth the fortune have suffered gruesome deaths. Will a high-tech expedition meet the same fate?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Pirates, Mystery Thriller, Adventure

Paperback

Published May 1, 1999

About the author

Lincoln Child was born in Westport, Connecticut, which he still calls his hometown (despite the fact that he left the place before he reached his first birthday and now only goes back for weekends).

Lincoln seemed to have acquired an interest in writing as early as second grade, when he wrote a short story entitled Bumble the Elephant (now believed by scholars to be lost). Along with two dozen short stories composed during his youth, he wrote a science-fiction novel in tenth grade called Second Son of Daedalus and a shamelessly Tolkeinesque fantasy in twelfth grade titled The Darkness to the North (left unfinished at 400 manuscript pages). Both are exquisitely embarrassing to read today and are kept under lock and key by the author.

After a childhood that is of interest only to himself, Lincoln graduated from Carleton College (huh?) in Northfield, Minnesota, majoring in English. Discovering a fascination for words, and their habit of turning up in so many books, he made his way to New York in the summer of 1979, intent on finding a job in publishing. He was lucky enough to secure a position as editorial assistant at St. Martin's Press.

Over the next several years, he clawed his way up the editorial hierarchy, moving to assistant editor to associate editor before becoming a full editor in 1984. While at St. Martin's, he was associated with the work of many authors, including that of James Herriot and M. M. Kaye. He edited well over a hundred books--with titles as diverse as The Notation of Western Music and Hitler's Rocket Sites--but focused primarily on American and English popular fiction.

While at St. Martin's, Lincoln assembled several collections of ghost and horror stories, beginning with the hardcover collections Dark Company (1984) and Dark Banquet (1985). Later, when he founded the company's mass-market horror division, he edited three more collections of ghost stories, Tales of the Dark 1-3.

In 1987, Lincoln left trade publishing to work at MetLife. In a rather sudden transition, he went from editing manuscripts, speaking at sales conferences, and wining/dining agents to doing highly technical programming and systems analysis. Though the switch might seem bizarre, Lincoln was a propeller-head from a very early age, and his extensive programming experience dates back to high school, when he worked with DEC minis and the now-prehistoric IBM 1620, so antique it actually had an electric typewriter mounted into its front panel. Away from the world of publishing, Lincoln's own nascent interests in writing returned. While at MetLife, Relic was published, and within a few years Lincoln had left the company to write full time. He now lives in New Jersey (under protest--just kidding) with his wife and daughter.

A dilettante by natural inclination, Lincoln's interests include: pre-1950s literature and poetry; post-1950s popular fiction; playing the piano, various MIDI instruments, and the 5-string banjo; English and American history; motorcycles; architecture; classical music, early jazz, blues, and R&B; exotic parrots; esoteric programming languages; mountain hiking; bow ties; Italian suits; fedoras; archaeology; and multiplayer deathmatching.

Reviews

[Will Plucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a pretty entertaining novel about the modern search for pirate treasure. My interest level was very high at times and fairly low at others, but the last 1/4 of the book was a good race to the finish. I am a little surprised that this hasn’t been made into a blockbuster movie, because the novel almost reads like a movie script at times.

[Anthony Lucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

For starters, this was an overall frustrating read for me as my sessions were so spread out and inconsistent. I don't think I missed anything persay, but being able to read this in bigger chunks in a shorter overall timeframe would have made it that much more enjoyable. That being said, this book would make for quite the movie! The last 100 or so pages make for a tense ending that I enjoyed as it falls into a pattern in the last several chapters of switching from POV between three people and I found myself wanting to jump to continue that one POV before jumping to another and then back, but it added to the anxiety of the situation which was cool. Very much enjoyed overall!

[KB · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have regrets.

After reading a sample of the first few pages I wasn’t planning to download the book since the premise is essentially the story of the real Curse of Oak Island (with a few changes and an ending). But, it went on sale. The regret happened shortly after with the introduction of one wooden character and his henchman, one Nedry-from-Jurassic-Park style character, and almost instantaneous success in locating the site of the treasure. Fight scenes were long and drawn out, but the core story was interesting enough, as was the main character’s return home and the dangers of allowing oneself to become obsessed with treasure. Nice twist about the sword. No F bombs were dropped, but the Lord’s name was used in numerous places.

Speaking of which, I’m seeing a trend in secular fiction in which Christianity is portrayed as empty and hopeless. It would seem the only reason to include it in this story was to paint it in that light and then to place a character where one was needed to avoid deus ex machina.

The setting was nice and well used, but overall the story was severely lacking in originality.

[Tj O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This treasure hunting plot takes the pitfalls of the real Oak Island legacy and stirs in a little mysticism into a brew of intrigue, duplicity, and unrelenting danger. Beginning with the loss of a young boy by an almost supernatural event, Preston and Child draw you into a twisting plot chasing treasure secreted in a subterranean labyrinth of dangers that are trying desperately to keep its secrets. Facing a historic mastermind’s genius for building impenetrable mousetraps, the story chases a lost treasure—believed to be billions—deep in the bowels of a small island (think Oak Island). Lives are lost. Secrets hidden and revealed. Friendships made and betrayed. Using modern day technology and years of research, the heroes and heroines chase their booty—until they find it and it nearly destroys everyone and everything. Beware. Some legends shouldn’t be sought. Some treasures shouldn’t be found. Some stories are warnings of a fate so cataclysmic they are nearly preposterous—yet they are real. Riptide is just such a fate.

[Steve Wratten · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, suspension of disbelief on steroids is needed for this one. A search for buried pirate treasure on a deserted Maine island is the focus of a centuries-long search, taken up anew by a high tech salvage outfit. Greedy, betrayal, lust, guilt, and other deadly sins arise before the final chapter ends. This one is a standalone novel (no pendergast here) so the reader can't predict who will survive the mayhem.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first want to say that one cannot begin to read a book with certain expectations. If so, why read it? Thought I had read all of Preston & Child's books, but not this one. When I read that the idea for this story came from Preston's involvement at Oak Island I knew it had to be good. As I read I completely forgot about the Oak Island story and enjoyed this one on its own merit. Another Preston-Child classic.

[Mary Brannian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pirate's curse reaches out across the centuries...

Much like its storm-tossed location, Riptide is awash in swirling eddies of deadly mysteries and even more dangerous secrets. Rumors of untold riches fuel the imagination, yet the horrific truths are hidden in the mists of time.

If you enjoy an intense, action filled thriller, this is the book for you.

[Daniel Tserovski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely fascinating book that keeps you in suspense almost the entire time. I didn't have very high expectations and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I just couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen. The characters, the atmosphere and the ending are all great.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful, detailed. It was interesting. It felt slow and fast all at the same time. Knowing there might be a treasure, thinking there may be a curse, realizing really problems that can have lasting effects. Its ending seemed a bit dramatic (not sure if that’s the right word) but fitting.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the tale. A good plot with hidden treasure, pirate facts and traps a plenty. Malin Hatch is a good strong character as he fights his own demons as they work towards the treasure. Also enjoy how the Sword pans out. Overall it wasnt a Crichton and wasnt stand out. That said a good book.

[Padgham Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these authors. Their stories are so engaging and this one’s no different. This was the perfect blend of suspense, thrill, and fantasy that was all believably grounded in reality. Just a warning though, there were a few Very detailed descriptions of gore that I was not a fan of.

[Emily Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great one, and the real life story the inspired it is as interesting as all the others that Preston and Child draw from. I will say that the reveal of like...what the problem is seems like it should have been a lot more obvious/suspected by people sooner? But it still works out.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just randomly pulled this off the shelf at the library and was pretty convinced I’d ditch it early, but it held my attention til the end. The only piece I wasn’t happy with was no closure on the biggest prize, after all the warnings of how it was so dangerous. Not really a spoiler.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and very jaw dropping. I thoroughly enjoyed every word.

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buried treasure story with a bit of a twist. A fun read

[Amber Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very predictable if you know the Money Pit of Oak Island story till you get to the twist about the sword. And honestly, I’d like for books about treasures to let the protagonist get the treasure!

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty fun adventure. Lincoln/Preston never disappoint!

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goonies,Sahara,Indiana Jones all in one.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one again, at least every other year, and usually when I am traveling.

[Dave G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun book, Indiana Jones excitement, twists and turns!

[Gary Dewolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A $2 Billion treasure hunt? What’s not to like?

[Clark Gehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The peaks were to predictable, still a great read

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thriller, though I did figure out the big secret waaaay before the climax.

[Rev Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ancient, cleverly hidden treasure. Smart, charming characters, until they make an absolutely senseless decision to head back into danger. Glad these authors got smarter.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

wet 🕳️

[Daniel C · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too Clive Cussler for me

[Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have used quicker progression and more time in the Water Pit but otherwise a good ol’ fashioned treasure dig.

[Hannah Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect intersection of my interests and an exciting climax. I always love the supernatural aspects.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of the novel sucked me end. The end of the novel had me up reading too late. The middle was just way too slow and tedious.