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Isaac Bell #7
The Bootlegger
Detective Isaac Bell returns in the extraordinary new adventure in the #1 New York Times–bestselling series.
It is 1920, and both Prohibition and bootlegging are in full swing. When Isaac Bell’s boss and lifelong friend Joseph Van Dorn is shot and nearly killed leading the high-speed chase of a rum-running vessel, Bell swears to him that he will hunt down the lawbreakers, but he doesn’t know what he is getting into. When a witness to Van Dorn’s shooting is executed in a ruthlessly efficient manner invented by the Russian secret police, it becomes clear that these are no ordinary criminals. Bell is up against a team of Bolshevik assassins and saboteurs—and they are intent on overthrowing the government of the United States.
It is 1920, and both Prohibition and bootlegging are in full swing. When Isaac Bell’s boss and lifelong friend Joseph Van Dorn is shot and nearly killed leading the high-speed chase of a rum-running vessel, Bell swears to him that he will hunt down the lawbreakers, but he doesn’t know what he is getting into. When a witness to Van Dorn’s shooting is executed in a ruthlessly efficient manner invented by the Russian secret police, it becomes clear that these are no ordinary criminals. Bell is up against a team of Bolshevik assassins and saboteurs—and they are intent on overthrowing the government of the United States.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2014
763 people are currently reading
3326 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
633 books8,481 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 405 reviews
November 4, 2023
Clive Cussler may be gone from this earth, but he lives on through his bestselling books...of which there are plenty. Unlike some prolific authors, though, his novels are quality reads...including this one.
June 8, 2016
The Bootlegger is another great book in the Isaac Bell series(#7) almost equal to the quality of the first two. This time prohibition has passed and Isaac finds himself going after a mysterious bootlegger when his boss Joe Van Dorn is shot while on a routine Coast Guard patrol. The thing that made this book so much fun, is the villain has a bad-ass speedboat, which can ultimately only be taken down by another similar boat driven by Isaac Bell of course. Think of it as a prohibition era episode of Miami Vice!
April 14, 2016
I'm going to start this review by saying that I'm a big fan of the Issac Bell series so it pains me to say that in comparison to the other entries in the series I found The Bootlegger to be something of a disappointment. I'm not saying that it's a bad novel, quite the contrary in fact, but when you compare it to The Wrecker or The Thief it's sadly not up to par. The beginning starts off with an action packed gun battle during which Joseph Van Dorn is critically injured and Issac Bell sets out to find out who is responsible for the attempted murder of his boss and indeed closest friend. As a premise it's hard to beat, but somehow the execution doesn't quite work. My problem with it is this; action packed beginning, flat middle and action packed finale. All in all I enjoyed the novel, but it doesn't quite live up to what came before.
December 10, 2015
Another delightful issue in this series from Clive Cussler and Justin Scott. (Full disclosure, Justin and I are fast friends.) The Bootlegger continues their winning streak - a fast-moving story, dashing hero, insidious villains, and a wealth of period details.
Justin and Clive are delightful writers - their breathless tale is a feast of words and action, delighting in language as well as in narrative. Some thrillers are wonderfully plotted but weighted with dreadful flow of language. (Ask me no names!) Not so here. The story is typically baroque - a stew of rum-runners, international terrorists, a beautiful heiress gone wrong, and the good men and true of the Van Dorn Detective Agency, led by the resourceful Isaac Bell. But the story here zips along not merely because of the action-filled plot. The authors' fleet prose makes reading a joy. One literally hesitates to put it down.
I love the concept of the old Saturday-afternoon three-reel cinematic thriller. To my mind, THE BOOTLEGGER is a perfect literary version of that delightful past-time.
Justin and Clive are delightful writers - their breathless tale is a feast of words and action, delighting in language as well as in narrative. Some thrillers are wonderfully plotted but weighted with dreadful flow of language. (Ask me no names!) Not so here. The story is typically baroque - a stew of rum-runners, international terrorists, a beautiful heiress gone wrong, and the good men and true of the Van Dorn Detective Agency, led by the resourceful Isaac Bell. But the story here zips along not merely because of the action-filled plot. The authors' fleet prose makes reading a joy. One literally hesitates to put it down.
I love the concept of the old Saturday-afternoon three-reel cinematic thriller. To my mind, THE BOOTLEGGER is a perfect literary version of that delightful past-time.
August 9, 2016
I think I am going to have to lay off of Clive Cussler for a while. The last two books of his I have read have been sorely lacking. Yes, there is always some good action but the stories have been awfully lame. Isaac Bell is a great swashbuckling protagonist, but even he can't pull this book out of its ridiculousness. Russians and bootlegging and violence, oh my! 1 1/2 stars.
September 11, 2014
Every time I read a Cussler book now I swear it's going to be the last one.
They're all the same.
I've read all seven of the Isaac Bells. First one I thought was a 5-star masterpiece. Awesome. Something fresh and new.
But now it's just kind of the same story over and over. This seventh one is just as good as the last five, but I've grown tired of this formula.
They're all the same.
I've read all seven of the Isaac Bells. First one I thought was a 5-star masterpiece. Awesome. Something fresh and new.
But now it's just kind of the same story over and over. This seventh one is just as good as the last five, but I've grown tired of this formula.
April 20, 2014
This book was terrible. It was boring. Overwritten. I kept wishing for the Reader's Digest Condensed version. Clearly Cussler is just phoning it in at this point.
Also, if I never read the phrase "the real McCoy" again, that will be just fine with me.
Also, if I never read the phrase "the real McCoy" again, that will be just fine with me.
January 24, 2025
Top notch as always. Isaac Bell us one of my favorites and I enjoyed this bootlegging adventure. Filled with action as always and tons of excitement.
December 5, 2017
Another fun Isaac Bell adventure, and this one finds the VanDorn's searching for the man who shot their boss, Joseph VanDorn. While searching for the culprit, Isaac uncovers what looks to be a much bigger plot and organization than just a bootlegging operation - it may just be the Bolsheviks looking for a way to reign terror down on the United States. Issac must find the man and stop him, or it may have dire consequences.
Like I mentioned before, a fun read and a good clean adventure. Nothing really stood out to me in the story, and so that is why I only gave it three stars.
Like I mentioned before, a fun read and a good clean adventure. Nothing really stood out to me in the story, and so that is why I only gave it three stars.
May 3, 2014
Without a doubt the worst Clive Cussler book written. I am a huge Cussler fan but this book did not live up to his standards. Almost as if someone else wrote it. The plot jumped all over the place and the characters seemed to just be thrown into the story. Hopefully the next one will be better.
February 18, 2023
Clive Cussler books are always fun to read. This was my first Isaac Bell Adventure and I really enjoyed it. It was a bit hard to follow, and jumped around a bit. I think it would have been better if I’d physically read it versus listened to it.
October 24, 2023
Losing interest in the series. Was probably 2.5 but rounded up. Wasn't bad but its more and more bland. Characters are flat.
November 7, 2018
I liked this book. I think I've read all of author Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt series and I thought they were a little laughable. Dirk was shot at least 200 times during the series but always had the last laugh.
Cussler's new character, Isaac Bell, a tall, blond detective, independently wealthy, and almost too smart for his own good seems to be a close rip off of the Pendergast series written by Douglas Preston and his co-author Lincoln Childs.
The plot of this book is grounded during Prohibition with the various nefarious characters involved in bootlegging. Intermixed is a Russian group hoping to make their fortune in this arena to further the cause of Communist Russia and enabling it's influence throughout the world.
Sadly, the Russians won't have success until Isaac Bell is out of the picture. Can anything stop this superhuman investigator?
Cussler's new character, Isaac Bell, a tall, blond detective, independently wealthy, and almost too smart for his own good seems to be a close rip off of the Pendergast series written by Douglas Preston and his co-author Lincoln Childs.
The plot of this book is grounded during Prohibition with the various nefarious characters involved in bootlegging. Intermixed is a Russian group hoping to make their fortune in this arena to further the cause of Communist Russia and enabling it's influence throughout the world.
Sadly, the Russians won't have success until Isaac Bell is out of the picture. Can anything stop this superhuman investigator?
November 11, 2014
One star; why only one star one may ask. First, the Isaac Bell series started out with such promise. Set in the early 1900s, the story line progressed toward the beginning of World War I. The Van Dorn Agency is expanding overseas with an office in Germany. We are introduced to a character, Pauling Grandzau who should play a key role for the agency during the war. The story line includes the blueprints for dreadnaughts, the dawn of aviation, and the path toward the war.
In March 2013 the sixth in the series is released entitled, “The Striker.” Does the book take us closer to the war? No, it is set in 1902; it has nothing to do with the buildup toward the war, and is actually set before the first book in the series. I read the book, but I was disappointed. I accepted it as a way to build better depth to the characters.
In March 2014 the Bootlegger is released. It is set after World War I during Prohibition. What a complete let down. When I read an early synopsis of the book I nearly decided not to buy and read it. Against my better judgment, I did primarily because I had read all the others. The books plot was weak, the narrative was amateurish, the characters were without depth, and the villains, being Bolsheviks, was a very poor choice.
It seems that Justin Scott did a little bit of research about the jargon and events of the post war period and tried to spin it into a novel. It just didn’t work. As I read the narrative that was heavily laden with clichés and terms that screamed, “I did my research and I bet you, the reader, didn’t know where that term came from.”
More importantly, several of the characters that had been developed in earlier books are not in this novel. There are references to overseas operations, there are references to events that took place during the war, but overall this is a very poorly written book that this is clearly ill-conceived. This will be my last adventure with Detective Bell.
In March 2013 the sixth in the series is released entitled, “The Striker.” Does the book take us closer to the war? No, it is set in 1902; it has nothing to do with the buildup toward the war, and is actually set before the first book in the series. I read the book, but I was disappointed. I accepted it as a way to build better depth to the characters.
In March 2014 the Bootlegger is released. It is set after World War I during Prohibition. What a complete let down. When I read an early synopsis of the book I nearly decided not to buy and read it. Against my better judgment, I did primarily because I had read all the others. The books plot was weak, the narrative was amateurish, the characters were without depth, and the villains, being Bolsheviks, was a very poor choice.
It seems that Justin Scott did a little bit of research about the jargon and events of the post war period and tried to spin it into a novel. It just didn’t work. As I read the narrative that was heavily laden with clichés and terms that screamed, “I did my research and I bet you, the reader, didn’t know where that term came from.”
More importantly, several of the characters that had been developed in earlier books are not in this novel. There are references to overseas operations, there are references to events that took place during the war, but overall this is a very poorly written book that this is clearly ill-conceived. This will be my last adventure with Detective Bell.
March 11, 2014
I loved the Isaac Bell series when it first came out. The settings on the trains was new and different and Cussler did a great job with it. Then we had the airplane race across America.
Now we have The Bootlegger. The story is good, but it drags. It doesn't seem to have the same exhilarating detail and tension of the previous Isaac Bell novels. BUT, the writing is good, the story is good and, well it's Clive Cussler.
The story is going to involve several items. The Communist Party, Prohibition, Bootlegged alcohol, fast speed boats and lots of gun play. All in all that is a Cussler novel.
Isaac will need to do a lot of the work on his own this time because Mr. Van Dorn is wounded in the opening of the book. His injuries are grave and the whole agency is thrown into turmoil. Isaac will rally the troops and they will set on a quest to find the rum runners who gunned down the boss. They will also do their best to stop the bootlegging business altogether.
Along with this they will uncover a communist plot to take over America, as well as a terrorist plot to deploy bombs in the U.S.
The action is fast paced, the scenes change quickly and travel from New York to Detroit to Canada to Florida and the Caribbean and back again. Much of this is done with a couple of speed boats with armor plating and plenty of firepower.
The story will capture you and move you along. I just didn't think it was quite as interesting as past novels, otherwise I would have given it a five.
Enjoy! Oh, and enjoy a new character, Asa Sommers, let's hope he survives this trial by fire!
Now we have The Bootlegger. The story is good, but it drags. It doesn't seem to have the same exhilarating detail and tension of the previous Isaac Bell novels. BUT, the writing is good, the story is good and, well it's Clive Cussler.
The story is going to involve several items. The Communist Party, Prohibition, Bootlegged alcohol, fast speed boats and lots of gun play. All in all that is a Cussler novel.
Isaac will need to do a lot of the work on his own this time because Mr. Van Dorn is wounded in the opening of the book. His injuries are grave and the whole agency is thrown into turmoil. Isaac will rally the troops and they will set on a quest to find the rum runners who gunned down the boss. They will also do their best to stop the bootlegging business altogether.
Along with this they will uncover a communist plot to take over America, as well as a terrorist plot to deploy bombs in the U.S.
The action is fast paced, the scenes change quickly and travel from New York to Detroit to Canada to Florida and the Caribbean and back again. Much of this is done with a couple of speed boats with armor plating and plenty of firepower.
The story will capture you and move you along. I just didn't think it was quite as interesting as past novels, otherwise I would have given it a five.
Enjoy! Oh, and enjoy a new character, Asa Sommers, let's hope he survives this trial by fire!
April 11, 2014
This was a book that I picked up on a whim. Plus, it was on sale too! I had never read anything by Cussler, and I will say the title and cover art did influence my purchase (as well as reading a brief synopsis on it). Bootlegging and rum running are a big part of the local history where I live (Windsor, Ontario), so the story line caught my attention.
This is a very fast paced, and historically accurate adventure novel. Isaac Bell is the main character, and he is a detective who is trying to track down the person who shot his good friend and boss. This story encompasses all the big areas involved in rum running up the east coast of the USA, and even as far as Detroit - Windsor and Chicago.
I found this was likely a good introduction into Cussler's work, and would recommend it to anyone who seeks a fun, fast paced adventure - even though some parts of it are a little over the top.
This is a very fast paced, and historically accurate adventure novel. Isaac Bell is the main character, and he is a detective who is trying to track down the person who shot his good friend and boss. This story encompasses all the big areas involved in rum running up the east coast of the USA, and even as far as Detroit - Windsor and Chicago.
I found this was likely a good introduction into Cussler's work, and would recommend it to anyone who seeks a fun, fast paced adventure - even though some parts of it are a little over the top.
November 5, 2014
There are very few books I will rate with one star. The Bootlegger has earned this distinction in spades. I was so excited to read it because I love the Prohibition era, but the story was so poorly written and the characters so flat that I literally forced myself through reading it. I can't think of a single thing I enjoyed about this book. Sorry Clive Cussler, but I don't think I'll be reading any more by you.
August 15, 2017
A good summer time read, out in the yard with a glass of iced tea.
Characters were good, plot was straight forward. I had problems with the multiple arcs in the book, sections of the book that revolved around a plot twist.
The book is very similar to any of the others that come out of the Cussler book factory. They are predictable in form and function. But, that being said, great ways to give the mind a break and drift away into the story.
Characters were good, plot was straight forward. I had problems with the multiple arcs in the book, sections of the book that revolved around a plot twist.
The book is very similar to any of the others that come out of the Cussler book factory. They are predictable in form and function. But, that being said, great ways to give the mind a break and drift away into the story.
June 17, 2017
Just finished it and OMG I loved it , every time I read one of the Isaac Bell Adventures by Clive Cussler they just keep getting better and better, I love all his books and that includes this series as well since its my all time favorite series but I think out of all 7 books that I've read so far of his Isaac Bell Adventures that this one is my favorite one.can't wait to read book 8 .
October 5, 2016
With this book, the setting goes from pre-WWI to the Roaring '20s.
Bootleggers are taking over the country. A Russian communist is using the gains from bootlegging and the access it grants to overthrow the US, or is he?
Isaac Bell gets on the case and pursues him across the country, getting the old band back together.
Better than the last couple of books in the series.
Bootleggers are taking over the country. A Russian communist is using the gains from bootlegging and the access it grants to overthrow the US, or is he?
Isaac Bell gets on the case and pursues him across the country, getting the old band back together.
Better than the last couple of books in the series.
April 13, 2014
I haven't enjoyed the last few Isaac Bell novels but this one was reminiscent of The Chase thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 23, 2015
I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Golden Buddha. I found it hard to follow and some of it was hard to believe.
February 10, 2018
The premise of a foreign power, as represented by Zolner, bootlegging during Prohibition is inventive and interesting. Zolner has the admirable traits of leading from the front and being inventive. He is fun to dislike because he is cruel and a hypocrite. He's a Communist but he enjoys the wealthy trappings of capitalist society.
I like how Prohibition is portrayed. 'Prohibition' can bring to mind the glamour, fun, and risk of going to a high class speakeasy. This is a more nuanced look. The image of a bellboy being threatened with death for refusing to sell booze was horrifying. It shows a dark side to Prohibition. On another note, government hobbling of Prohibition succeeding is interesting to ponder. Lack of funding and allowance of corrupt practices in the agency supposed to enforce Prohibition hobbled it. Passing a law isn't enough to get it to suceed.
There is glitz and glamour in this story too. Isaac gets to act like a bootlegger, Pauline gets to hobnob in a booze buying Bahama port, there are visits to speakeasys.
I also like that the there are two levels of suspense. One level is external. Can Zolner's forces be defeated? Plenty of boat chases, gun fights, and other action. The other level was internal. Can the Van Dorn agency survive in a changing world? The losses of WWI, temptations of Prohibition corruption, government restructuring,and Joseph Van Dorn being in traction are threats to the agency.
Unfortunately, there are some aspects I don't like. I like that Pauline is generally smart, brave, and a skilled detective. I don't like her being in love with Isaac. She is so into him that she blows her cover just to make an unnecessary in person report to him. Behaving that way and wanting a married man demeans her character. Isaac and Marion having to matchmake annoys me too. Why can't Pauline manage her own love life? The other part I don't like is that Isaac casually flouts Prohibition. I can maybe, possibly, understand him opening a roadhouse to get information about slippery Zolner's plans. That Isaac casually decides to keep the place open until the Van Dorn agency gets more government agency contracts seems hypocritical and unethical. They'll break the law if they don't get paid to enforce it. These two elements bugged me enough that I almost gave this book three stars. I would read the book again because of what I like so I'm giving it four stars.
Simple version: multilayered protrayal of Prohibition that is interesting and fun. An intriguing premise and a villain that is fun to dislike. Unfortunately, also a female detective that loves Issac -fortunately he loves Marion- and Isaac taking Prohibition too lightly ethically.
I like how Prohibition is portrayed. 'Prohibition' can bring to mind the glamour, fun, and risk of going to a high class speakeasy. This is a more nuanced look. The image of a bellboy being threatened with death for refusing to sell booze was horrifying. It shows a dark side to Prohibition. On another note, government hobbling of Prohibition succeeding is interesting to ponder. Lack of funding and allowance of corrupt practices in the agency supposed to enforce Prohibition hobbled it. Passing a law isn't enough to get it to suceed.
There is glitz and glamour in this story too. Isaac gets to act like a bootlegger, Pauline gets to hobnob in a booze buying Bahama port, there are visits to speakeasys.
I also like that the there are two levels of suspense. One level is external. Can Zolner's forces be defeated? Plenty of boat chases, gun fights, and other action. The other level was internal. Can the Van Dorn agency survive in a changing world? The losses of WWI, temptations of Prohibition corruption, government restructuring,and Joseph Van Dorn being in traction are threats to the agency.
Unfortunately, there are some aspects I don't like. I like that Pauline is generally smart, brave, and a skilled detective. I don't like her being in love with Isaac. She is so into him that she blows her cover just to make an unnecessary in person report to him. Behaving that way and wanting a married man demeans her character. Isaac and Marion having to matchmake annoys me too. Why can't Pauline manage her own love life? The other part I don't like is that Isaac casually flouts Prohibition. I can maybe, possibly, understand him opening a roadhouse to get information about slippery Zolner's plans. That Isaac casually decides to keep the place open until the Van Dorn agency gets more government agency contracts seems hypocritical and unethical. They'll break the law if they don't get paid to enforce it. These two elements bugged me enough that I almost gave this book three stars. I would read the book again because of what I like so I'm giving it four stars.
Simple version: multilayered protrayal of Prohibition that is interesting and fun. An intriguing premise and a villain that is fun to dislike. Unfortunately, also a female detective that loves Issac -fortunately he loves Marion- and Isaac taking Prohibition too lightly ethically.
December 30, 2018
#7 of the Isaac Bell series.
Prohibition. The perfect setting for a private detective agency to team up with the federal government in order to stop bootleggers and rum-runners especially with the corruption, bribery and graft that occurs.
So lets add a beautiful heiress fascinated by a Bolshevik masquerading as a exiled Russian prince - she's aware - who is using a incredibly fast speedboat to hijack other bootlegger's cargo as well as set himself up as controlling alcohol imported into New York. And later Detroit. And then attempting to move into Miami too.
The problem is that our Russian bootlegger is also there is de-stabilize the American government so that a workers revolution can sweep into power. If he can only keep his mind on the revolution assignment and not building a rum-running empire.
Where does Issac Bell come in? Mere pages into the tale, Joseph Van Dorn, Isaac's boss, is shot and nearly killed in an encounter when the Russian's speedboat takes on a Coast Guard cutter. The Coast Guard loses the battle. Van Dorn leaves the agency in Isaac's hands and of course, the agency wants revenge - focusing on finding the shooter and those who supported them. Namely our favorite Russian Prince Andre or otherwise known as Marat Zolner.
This book has quite the collection of bodies this time. Including at least, two of Zolner's associates from Russia who don't understand his long-range plan for the U.S. revolution.
It gets a bit confusing with all the characters - Isaac pulls in Van Dorn agents from around the world to keep the agency alive as well as the various gang members in three different metropolitan areas. But, in turn, it's overall a quick and enjoyable read.
Prohibition. The perfect setting for a private detective agency to team up with the federal government in order to stop bootleggers and rum-runners especially with the corruption, bribery and graft that occurs.
So lets add a beautiful heiress fascinated by a Bolshevik masquerading as a exiled Russian prince - she's aware - who is using a incredibly fast speedboat to hijack other bootlegger's cargo as well as set himself up as controlling alcohol imported into New York. And later Detroit. And then attempting to move into Miami too.
The problem is that our Russian bootlegger is also there is de-stabilize the American government so that a workers revolution can sweep into power. If he can only keep his mind on the revolution assignment and not building a rum-running empire.
Where does Issac Bell come in? Mere pages into the tale, Joseph Van Dorn, Isaac's boss, is shot and nearly killed in an encounter when the Russian's speedboat takes on a Coast Guard cutter. The Coast Guard loses the battle. Van Dorn leaves the agency in Isaac's hands and of course, the agency wants revenge - focusing on finding the shooter and those who supported them. Namely our favorite Russian Prince Andre or otherwise known as Marat Zolner.
This book has quite the collection of bodies this time. Including at least, two of Zolner's associates from Russia who don't understand his long-range plan for the U.S. revolution.
It gets a bit confusing with all the characters - Isaac pulls in Van Dorn agents from around the world to keep the agency alive as well as the various gang members in three different metropolitan areas. But, in turn, it's overall a quick and enjoyable read.
November 25, 2023
4 Stars
The Bootlegger is the seventh book in the Isaac Bell series by Clive Cussler. The series is made up of historical detective stories. Savvy private investigator, Isaac Bell, seeks justice, hunting down killers, criminals, and thieves. He finds himself in plenty of dangerous situations, facing cunning adversaries, overcoming challenges, getting caught in games of cat and mouse, where the hunter becomes the hunted, and sees lots of action and adventure along the way. Intriguing reading.
->2023 Reading Challenge.
->Glennie's Collection
-> This one's for you Glennie 🥰🙏💗📚📖
Clive Cussler novels were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up, as both my parents loved his work. He was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I explored at the time, and over the years I have read everything he’s written.
Since my mother passed away over a year ago, I have been making my way through her book collection, finally- reading each one as part of my reading challenge, as well as a way to pay tribute to my mum, who was such a voracious reader..... Reading her collection of books has stirred up a lot of memories, mostly really great ones of our shared love of reading. I am forever grateful that she passed on her love of reading to me. 🥰🙏💗📚📖
The Bootlegger is the seventh book in the Isaac Bell series by Clive Cussler. The series is made up of historical detective stories. Savvy private investigator, Isaac Bell, seeks justice, hunting down killers, criminals, and thieves. He finds himself in plenty of dangerous situations, facing cunning adversaries, overcoming challenges, getting caught in games of cat and mouse, where the hunter becomes the hunted, and sees lots of action and adventure along the way. Intriguing reading.
->2023 Reading Challenge.
->Glennie's Collection
-> This one's for you Glennie 🥰🙏💗📚📖
Clive Cussler novels were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up, as both my parents loved his work. He was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I explored at the time, and over the years I have read everything he’s written.
Since my mother passed away over a year ago, I have been making my way through her book collection, finally- reading each one as part of my reading challenge, as well as a way to pay tribute to my mum, who was such a voracious reader..... Reading her collection of books has stirred up a lot of memories, mostly really great ones of our shared love of reading. I am forever grateful that she passed on her love of reading to me. 🥰🙏💗📚📖
June 10, 2025
The Bootlegger is very similar to prior Clive Cussler novels, no matter who is the main characters: action backed adventure with handsome, strong, clever men and women battling against impossible odds and nearly always, nearly death-defying odds. The Isaac Bell series of which The Bootlegger is #7, is action at the turn of the century, so if you are into classic cars, planes and trains — Cussler is an excellent guide as his heroes (and heroines) use any means possible in their feats of daring.
In this outing, it's the 1920s and prohibition is the action of the day with bootleggers running illegal liquor to thirsty patrons at nightclubs and restaurants in New York. Bell is temporarily in charge of the Van Dorn detective agency following an incident on a Coast Guard cutter in which a bootlegger wounds Joseph Van Dorn during a gun battle. The wound is serious but Van Dorn insists on talking to Bell: Save the agency.
And to do that, Bell must find those who are at the heart of the bootlegger action, including the very person responsible to nearly killing his boss.
And from there, the story is filled with thrills, wild rides and close shaves. This is, as I've said before, like a Saturday matinee a la "The Perils of Pauline." Its just fun reading.
In this outing, it's the 1920s and prohibition is the action of the day with bootleggers running illegal liquor to thirsty patrons at nightclubs and restaurants in New York. Bell is temporarily in charge of the Van Dorn detective agency following an incident on a Coast Guard cutter in which a bootlegger wounds Joseph Van Dorn during a gun battle. The wound is serious but Van Dorn insists on talking to Bell: Save the agency.
And to do that, Bell must find those who are at the heart of the bootlegger action, including the very person responsible to nearly killing his boss.
And from there, the story is filled with thrills, wild rides and close shaves. This is, as I've said before, like a Saturday matinee a la "The Perils of Pauline." Its just fun reading.
March 10, 2024
This book is your standard Isaac Bell story - thin character development, a rousing climax but nothing that really grabs you about the story. Whenever I red an Isaac Bell book I think of a young boy reading through the World Book encyclopedia and fixating on a particular entry. In previous Bell books, it was always something technological- like trains, early airplanes, early motor cars, early submarines, or early motion pictures. This book, like the last one, has turned to social movements- union miner organizing in the last book, and Prohibition in this one. In this book, Soviet agent seeks to use Prohibition era rum running to his advantage and Bell must stop him. There is the standard evil villain and beautiful woman, and Bell’s various Van Dorn sidekicks. I found the book to be okay but not great. It was hard to get very invested in the characters or story, though the climax was a good read.
July 29, 2020
We start in Rum Row, New York, 1921 in the midst of Prohibition. Isaac Bell is with Joseph Van Dorn, head of Van Dorn Protective Services, in his S-1 Flying Yacht aka Loening Model 23, early light monoplane flying boat which won the Collier Trophy in 1921. The Agency has lost some of its best detective in the war, some in the flu pandemic, at least two corrupted by bootleggers to supplement depression income. Into this test environment comes Bolsheviks, determined to sabotage, undermine, attack, and destroy the United States and every other country to turn them into communist countries under Russian rule. An exciting story taking us through New York, Chicago, Detroit, and the Islands before returning to Wall Street and success.
July 19, 2020
A Clive Custer novel is a, for me, a lot like comfort food. I expect adventure with a hint of historical fact to learn about, usually at a fast pace. The Isaac Bell series has delivered that again for me. This time, perhaps his most capable villainous opponent yet, someone ruthless enough to scare Prohibition era bootlegging outfits into either cooperation or extinction, an ego to become a kingpin in an era when gangsters were nearly royalty, and backed by a foreign government wanting to spread chaos to the United States with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the government.
Another to file in my brain candy category.
Another to file in my brain candy category.
May 20, 2021
Not really the best book in this serie I ever read... but, anyway, still having good time reading it.
In my opinion it was quite complicated understading all technical words related to boats in this story (english is not my native language but I've already read all "Oregon's serie" full of sailing terms and was much more easier).
You have to clear your mind to imagine these times were no mobiles were in place to reach out whoever in real time, when trains were one of the quickest way to travel, when telegraph was also used to transmit messages....
Moving forward for the next one on this serie, I hope I will enjoy much more Isaac's adventures
In my opinion it was quite complicated understading all technical words related to boats in this story (english is not my native language but I've already read all "Oregon's serie" full of sailing terms and was much more easier).
You have to clear your mind to imagine these times were no mobiles were in place to reach out whoever in real time, when trains were one of the quickest way to travel, when telegraph was also used to transmit messages....
Moving forward for the next one on this serie, I hope I will enjoy much more Isaac's adventures
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