When the Titanic sank, it took a secret with it . . .
In the vast expanse of the Atlantic, 375 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, a ship’s crew film an extraordinary event: the ocean, covered with millions of floating fish, bubbles as though boiling. Then an enormous whale roars through the water and crashes down, dead, onto the surface. Some 13,000ft beneath – at these precise coordinates – lies the wreck of the Titanic.
Within twenty-four hours, the footage has become a global phenomenon. Commander Jerry Derham, charged with investigating the incident, rushes to see marine archaeologists Kate Wetherall and Lou Bates. The one-time couple specialize in deep-sea-diving and the scientific study of shipwrecks. Jerry needs to get the pair down to the ocean floor – fast.
None of them are prepared for what they find there. Someone on the Titanic had been keeping a secret: one that cost lives. A secret that has remained trapped beneath the ocean for a hundred years. And now there are those who would kill again to get hold of what one man died for in 1912 . . .
The Titanic Enigma by Tom West is a sci-fi, mystery, thriller that is a continuation of the Titanic's tragedy (of the ship, people. Sorry Jack and Rose fans.) Radioactive waves are being emmited from the Titanic, bringing back to life, the secret that was long ago burried along with the sunken ship, a secret that could be the greatest weapon man has ever imagined or seen. Our marine archaeologists, Kate and Lou partner with the US military to find out what's happening and what it may cause.
Opinion: the prose is a bit dragging, unique in places, a bit enjoyable, but still it is enough to test one's patience. The style is more of writing a report than narrating a story, lso I didn't really enjoy reading the book as much as I thought I would.
Very different from the novels I usually read. Very interesting nonetheless.
I must admit, it took me a while to get into the story. I must also admit, however, that once I did, it was a very enjoyable read.
If I'm being completely honest, by the end of the novel I was torn between giving it 4 or 5 stars. In my head, I've given it a 4.5, and that way, I'm at ease.
fast paced thriller based on the wreck on the titanic where a scientist carrying a secret which many will kill for to hold. interesting plot and easy to follow and brings 1912 and modern day to life.
I read this because I bought it years ago and finally got around to reading it. It happened to be with me in quarantine.
I read this book in a few days. I guess that means it was a good thriller? Yes and no. On one hand, I wanted to finish and wanted to read on. On the other, the characters felt a little wooden and stereotypical. The strong military man, the unwilling (but willing) heroes, the evil corporation. I feel like I'm watching a Terrible Writing Advice episode!
I actually preferred the 1912 storyline. The spy angle and Ernest's relationship with Billy was interesting. The ending around Billy's actions fell a little flat for me. It felt like setting up a sequel, sneaky! I liked the plot although it felt a little 'convenient' at times. Billy just happened to bump into Ernest right after just happening to overhear the spies' conversation!
I found the premise interesting, but some might say it stretches reality a bit far. I suppose it does, if that is something that is a deal-breaker for you, then swerve. Personally, I liked the technology. A suit that allows us to walk on the ocean floor! That's cool! No?
I've heard of others saying the book is very similar to Clive Cussler's Raise The Titanic. I can't remember if I have read that one of his or not, I have read some of his. Maybe I'll have a look to compare.
What did you think of the premise? Too far-fetched? Where did the book fall flat for you? Or did it not?
What do you think? What should I review next? I'd love to hear from you.
This novel was much more gripping than I expected it to be. I bought it because I love a good book about the Titanic, fictional or not, it's one of those subjects that I find fascinating. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, from the 'blurb', but be assured if it's a fast paced thriller that you're after, then this definitely falls in to the category.
The novel opens with the scene described via the back cover, a ship's crew discover something that shocks them to the core. The story that follows reveal the consequences of what they saw. It is much more than any of them could ever have imagined.
The wreck of the Titanic has become a radioactive source - but it is natural or man made? Commander Jerry Derham is sent to find out, and he enlists Kate and Lou renowned marine archaeologists to help him.
As the back cover blurb suggests, Kate and Lou were once a couple, it's clear throughout the novel that they both have feelings for each other, but these are largely ignored, which I liked, I didn't want it to turn into a sappy love story.
It doesn't.
As they set out to uncover the mystery, we are taken back to 1912, the year of the Titanic disaster, through flashbacks we are woven even deeper into the mystery. But it doesn't become confusing, only more intriguing.
I haven't read anything by Tom West or Michael White before (Tom West is a pseudonym ) but he's an author now on my radar, and I look forward to reading the next Tom West in 2014.
I bought this book at an airport (in Malta, I think), solely due to the blurb and the word Titanic in the title. And yesterday, after reading I-don't-know-how-many-romances in a row, I decided to give this one a go, because a change of "scenery" was needed. And you can't go wrong with choosing a suspense/thriller if you're a little tired of romance in your reading.
When I think thriller, I think suspense, edge-of-your-seat action, nail-biting narration, a page-turner. This one was far from any of it, unfortunately. (Or maybe it's just me.)
The narration was slow, the story dragged, when there were passages describing the look of the wreck under the sea, I couldn't help but compare them to purple prose, the characters were bland, the story in 1912 boring...I just didn't feel "the connection", I didn't care what happened next as long as the book ended.
The premise was good, the blurb was fantastic (it's what enticed me to buy the book), yet the delivery failed completely.
This author is another great recommendation from Amazon. The title had me straight away, I love anything to do with the Titanic, and there are some great passages written in the book as flashbacks taking us back to 1912 and the voyage. The story involves two marine archaeologists Kate and Lou once a couple now colleagues they are brought in to to help the US Navy discover the cause of a radiation leak on the site of the Titanic using some mind blowing state of the art technology and this also gives Kate and Lou the chance of a lifetime to be able to walk around what is left of the ship! Add to this a trator the Chinese and a shady global organisation and one have a fantastic roller coaster of a thriller. An Excellent novel. Totally recommended and I'm patiently awaiting the sequel.
This kind of novel is something I might have written in my late teens. It's full of conspiracy, vaguely ridiculous and the characters are all young and beautiful. I love the idea and the action is interesting and fast paced. There are plenty of twists and turns, although not completely unpredictable. The characters are a bit one dimensional but not unlikeable. Overall a decent, entertaining read which I will forget in a few weeks.
I just could not get on with this book. Possibly because I hoped that there would be more about the Titanic itself, a ship with enough mystery surrounding it without the need to add more. The main characters, Kate and Lou, were a bit two dimensional and the life altering mathematical/scientific discovery being sunk on the ship was just a bit too convenient (same as the cursed mummy myth)
A thriller involving marine archaeology, the Titanic and a great scientific mystery is irresistible to me. I'm pleased to say this didn't disappoint, not least because of intriguing characters in 1912 and in the present day. Most of it I read in one day - always a good sign with a thriller.
This was a really cracking story a mystery set on the Titanic and told in the present day and the time of the sinking. History and science with spies and murder thrown into the mix I couldn't put it down.
Enjoyed this book and thought the end was a nice touch. It was a b it sci fi in places but then maybe not. It def got the imagination going. It was an easy read and moved from real time to past history seamlessly and flowed well. Will def look for more Tom West.
In the beginning I thought this was a cross between James Bond and Clive Cusssler's Numa books but as it went on I was fully engaged with the back story of the scientist on the Titanic and how the paperwork came to be on it and what it meant. Great story and well written Tom West.