Clive Cussler Obsidian Sky

Dirk Pitt® #27

by Dirk Cussler, Clive Cussler

Dirk Pitt faces his greatest challenge in the latest novel in the beloved New York Times bestselling series created by the “grand master of adventure” Clive Cussler.

The discovery of an ancient scroll sends Dirk Pitt on a quest for a mystical treasure from a lost civilization. But the trail draws him into the crosshairs of a ruthless international drug cartel, a shadowy eco-terrorist, and a looming global climate catastrophe—one that only he can prevent.

496 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication November 10, 2026

Reviews

[Ander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Clive Cussler adventure books are some of my favorite ones to read, especially during the summer. There’s just something fun about reading a good adventure story and no one does adventure better than Clive Cussler. While Clive has sadly passed on, his son has kept his books alive and his most famous series; the Dirk Pitt novels. Acting as, essentially, modern day Indiana Jones, Cussler’s books follow NUMA director Dirk Pitt as he comes across hidden treasure across the globe. This year, Obsidian Sky is the latest entry in the Dirk Pitt series and it was another excellent entry.

Obsidian Sky follows Dirk Pitt and his best friend Al Giordino as they’re investigating a sunken ship, only to be disrupted by a volcanic disruption that traps a party of archaeologists in a nearby cave system. Pitt and Giordino get caught up in a search for a mythical treasure tied to an ancient civilization. But their search gets them in the crosshairs of a dangerous drug cartel and a zealous ecoterrorist group. It’s up to Pitt and Giordino to help stop a dangerous plan that could create a global catastrophe.

I really liked Obsidian Sky. It was filled with everything that I love about these adventure novels. Plenty of action, historical intrigue, a cast of fun characters, and high stakes that kept me glued to the pages. While yes, these books are very formulaic, it didn’t stop me from enjoying it. I did find this one had a bit of a slower start and it took its time to get into it, but once I did, I had a great time. Overall, another fun adventure in the Dirk Pitt series, though I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favorites. Dirk Cussler is doing a wonderful job keeping the legacy of his father alive. I hope for more!

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirk Cussler's Obsidian Sky (G.P. Putnam's Sons 2026) is the 28th in the Dirk Pitt Adventures series. This is a long-running action-adventure series by Clive Cussler (later co-authored with others) featuring Dirk Pitt, a charismatic, daring underwater expert and Special Projects Director for the U.S. National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA). Pitt and his loyal crew tackle globe-spanning thrillers involving lost treasures, ancient civilizations, sunken ships, espionage, and world-threatening conspiracies, blending high-tech marine salvage, historical mysteries, and non-stop excitement in the style of a modern Indiana Jones on the ocean. 

Obsidian Sky is another action packed intelligent adventure that starts when Dirk is investigating a sunken ship only to be caught up in a volcanic tremor that traps a party of archeologists investigating an ancient scroll found in a now blocked cave. Dirk of course saves them in ways no one else could. No spoilers. Solving the mystery launches him and his sidekick, Al Giordino, on a globe-spanning quest for a mystical treasure tied to a lost civilization. The search entangles them with a ruthless international drug cartel, a shadowy eco-terrorist group, and a looming global climate catastrophe that will take everything Pitt and his NUMA team can do to avert it.

Dirk Pitt Adventures are always fun reads though they have lost a bit of their spark over the years and why this one gets a 4/5 instead of full endorsement. There’s nothing wrong with the story--lots of intelligent action and conversation, well developed likable characters trying to do what’s right against impossible odds. I just got a twinge of template at times. If you’re a Dirk Pitt fan let me know if you do, too. I hope not. I love this series.

[Cynde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirk and Joe are looking for shipwrecks in the Mediterranean near Pantelleria when an earthquake causes a group of archeologist to become trapped in a cave on the island. Dirk mounts a daring rescue from a cave in the cliff to bring them to safety. While the archeologist were exploring the cave they found a distinctive vase with a golden scroll inside believed to be from an early civilization of sea people. The group takes the scroll to a fellow archeologist who they believe can read the language, but this sets off a group of thugs who want to steal the scroll from them. Thus the adventures begin ! From dangerous car chases, to sinking ships, to a strange power source that melts rock and the eco-terrorist that plans to use it who also has a the brother who runs a major drug smuggling operation, the boys risk their lives to literally save the world. Maybe they find a shipwreck and a fabulous artifact before the end too.
This is an exciting ,edge of your seat , nail-biting thriller, It involves the whole NUMA organization in a race against time. This is an excellent addition to this series!!!!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. Clive Cussler was one of my favorite authors when I was younger, I still have a shelf full of his books. Some are compelling enough to pick up and reread and enjoy the adventures of the NUMA crew. I requested this book on a whim based on the title and description. I haven't read a Clive Cussler book since he passed. I was pleasantly surprised by Dirk's take on the series. It still has the formula that worked so well with the past story first and then present day. The main characters were just as charismatic and engaging as I remembered. While the general idea of how the book would go has a set formula, the historical and current times blend makes it entertaining. I enjoy fast paced action stories, there were a few times the pacing dipped slightly and the beginning took a little bit to get moving but there were high enough stakes to keep the momentum. Overall I enjoyed the book and it would be perfect for a plane ride or vacation read.