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Isaac Bell #8
The Assassin
As Van Dorn private detective Isaac Bell strives to land a government contract to investigate John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil monopoly, the case takes a deadly turn. A sniper begins murdering opponents of Standard Oil, and soon the assassin—shooting with extraordinary accuracy at seemingly impossible long range—kills Bell’s best witness, a brave and likable man. Then the shooter detonates a terrible explosion that sets the victim’s independent refinery ablaze.
Bell summons his best detectives to scour the site of the crime for evidence. Who is the assassin and for whom did he kill? But the murders—shootings, poisonings, staged accidents—have just begun as Bell tracks his phantom-like criminal adversary from the “oil fever” regions of Kansas and Texas to Washington, D.C., to the tycoons’ enclave of New York, to Russia’s war-torn Baku oil fields on the Caspian Sea, and back to America for a final, desperate confrontation. And this one will be the most explosive of all.
438 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2015
587 people are currently reading
3431 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
643 books8,519 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 389 reviews
November 4, 2023
The most engaging mystery I've read in a while. With plenty of twists and turns, a charming historical setting, and wonderfully crisp writing, it's easy to see why Clive Cussler's books continue to sell like hotcakes.
December 30, 2021
4.5 Stars for The Assassin: Isaac Bell Series, Book 8 (audiobook) by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott read by Scott Brick.
I’m really enjoying this series. I love the time period it’s set in. It’s fun to see how all of the new technology of the day is being integrated into the story.
I’m really enjoying this series. I love the time period it’s set in. It’s fun to see how all of the new technology of the day is being integrated into the story.
March 27, 2015
As I've mentioned before, I'm not a fan of history - as in the classroom learning of it. I do, however, enjoy learning how things that happened in the past impact the way we all live and work today as well as details that likely won't be included in any history textbook. My first and only experience with this series featuring James Bond-like private detective Isaac Bell, The Striker, was a pleasant one (like this one, I gave it, the sixth, 4 stars back in April 2013). But books by too many other favorite authors intervened (including several of the author's Dirk Pitt novels), and I somehow never got around to reading another until now.
And I admit I probably should have read the 7th (The Bootlegger)before tackling this one, although from my perspective it stands well on its own. I've read other reviews, though, claiming that questions and situations happening in the previous book were either left unresolved or not included here at all, leaving them to wonder why the oversights. But I also learned (after the fact) that this book is set four years prior to the first book of the series (The Chase, 2008), which certainly could account for seemingly left-out references.
That said, I really enjoyed this one, despite more than a few situations that seemed a bit over the top (a hot air balloon incident, for instance). The plot, set in the late 1890s and early 1900s, centers on an attempt to bring down oil magnate J.D. Rockefeller and his all-powerful Standard Oil. I wasn't around back then, but I do remember Standard Oil, and the cities of Cleveland and Oil City, Pennsylvania, where at least some of the action takes place, are less than a couple of hours from my northeastern Ohio home (and I've spent time in both).
The book begins as an assassin begins to murder opponents of the huge oil conglomerate, one of whom is Bell's best witness in his company's investigation of Standard Oil's monopoly. That's followed by the sniper's detonation of an explosion that destroys the witness's independent refinery.
The chase to find the diminutive assassin leads Bell around the world, from New York to the Midwest to the vast oil fields of Russia and puts the detective in many life-threatening situations that put his mental and physical skills to the test. Historical details are abundant, but at no time did I feel that they overwhelmed the story; in fact, they added to it and, whether they were fact or fiction, to my enjoyment of the book as well. Heck, I even learned a new word: inveigle. In case you're wondering too, it means to convince someone else to do something through coaxing and/or flattery.
And I admit I probably should have read the 7th (The Bootlegger)before tackling this one, although from my perspective it stands well on its own. I've read other reviews, though, claiming that questions and situations happening in the previous book were either left unresolved or not included here at all, leaving them to wonder why the oversights. But I also learned (after the fact) that this book is set four years prior to the first book of the series (The Chase, 2008), which certainly could account for seemingly left-out references.
That said, I really enjoyed this one, despite more than a few situations that seemed a bit over the top (a hot air balloon incident, for instance). The plot, set in the late 1890s and early 1900s, centers on an attempt to bring down oil magnate J.D. Rockefeller and his all-powerful Standard Oil. I wasn't around back then, but I do remember Standard Oil, and the cities of Cleveland and Oil City, Pennsylvania, where at least some of the action takes place, are less than a couple of hours from my northeastern Ohio home (and I've spent time in both).
The book begins as an assassin begins to murder opponents of the huge oil conglomerate, one of whom is Bell's best witness in his company's investigation of Standard Oil's monopoly. That's followed by the sniper's detonation of an explosion that destroys the witness's independent refinery.
The chase to find the diminutive assassin leads Bell around the world, from New York to the Midwest to the vast oil fields of Russia and puts the detective in many life-threatening situations that put his mental and physical skills to the test. Historical details are abundant, but at no time did I feel that they overwhelmed the story; in fact, they added to it and, whether they were fact or fiction, to my enjoyment of the book as well. Heck, I even learned a new word: inveigle. In case you're wondering too, it means to convince someone else to do something through coaxing and/or flattery.
June 18, 2016
One of the better books in the Isaac Bell series(#8) this time Isaac is hired by Standard Oil to protect John D. Rockefeller himself from a lethal assassin. This one has a twist you won't see coming! My only complaint is that it's another prequel, but I guess I'm in the minority because the next one is a prequel as well.
May 28, 2015
Another very enjoyable book in the Issac Bell series! Interesting since I lived near the JD Rockefeller estate on NY and now live in Erie,PA near Oil City. As with all Cussler books, non-stop action from start to the end!
September 25, 2019
I enjoyed this book, having worked in the Oilfields (modern day of course) I understood a lot of what was happening. I still love the history of these books. Thought parts of the story were a little forced, but still enjoyable, can barely wait to read the next one.
October 18, 2019
4.5 actually. I discovered quickly into reading the book - I had read this long ago. But I still re-read it. I really like the Isaac Bell series written by Cussler.
The Isaac Bell character is a private detective from a fictional national private detective agency. Set in the early 20th century. One of the key aspects of this series that I like - is that they are all HF.
The early American oil boom is the time period. When monopolies are trying to squeeze out the small timers.
The action is fast, everyone is in a hurry and the law can be broken and/or bought.
Unputdownable.
The Isaac Bell character is a private detective from a fictional national private detective agency. Set in the early 20th century. One of the key aspects of this series that I like - is that they are all HF.
The early American oil boom is the time period. When monopolies are trying to squeeze out the small timers.
The action is fast, everyone is in a hurry and the law can be broken and/or bought.
Unputdownable.
February 27, 2018
The Assassin is book eight in the Isaac Bell series by Clive Cussler. When Spike Hopewell the prime witness in Private Detective Isaac Bell investigating into the monopoly of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Corporation died in front of him it started Isaac on a race to find the assassin before other people die. The readers of The Assassin will go on a rollercoaster ride with Detective Isaac Bell following his investigation into the monopoly of Standard Oil Corporation.
The Assassin is another excellent historical adventure book by Clive Cussler with the help of Justin Scott. Clive Cussler and Justin Scott did a fantastic job in describing the setting and plot of The Assassin to their readers. The plot and characters of The Assassin engaged me from the beginning. I like Clive Cussler and Justin Scott portrayal of their characters and the way they intertwine with each other. I love the pictures that Clive Cussler and Justin Scott included throughout the Assassin. The Assassin was well written and researched by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott.
The readers of The Assassin will learn about working in the Oil Industry in the nineteen century. Also, the readers will see that greed and power-seeking can destroy everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
The Assassin is another excellent historical adventure book by Clive Cussler with the help of Justin Scott. Clive Cussler and Justin Scott did a fantastic job in describing the setting and plot of The Assassin to their readers. The plot and characters of The Assassin engaged me from the beginning. I like Clive Cussler and Justin Scott portrayal of their characters and the way they intertwine with each other. I love the pictures that Clive Cussler and Justin Scott included throughout the Assassin. The Assassin was well written and researched by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott.
The readers of The Assassin will learn about working in the Oil Industry in the nineteen century. Also, the readers will see that greed and power-seeking can destroy everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
July 11, 2015
I am such a sucker for an Isaac Bell adventure. Another great roller coaster ride all over the freaking globe.
I actually listened to this on a 600 mile road trip to Maine and back. There is nothing better than listening to Scott Brick read a Clive Cussler novel. What a cool way to start and end a vacation!
Well done.
As always, purchase and enjoy!
I actually listened to this on a 600 mile road trip to Maine and back. There is nothing better than listening to Scott Brick read a Clive Cussler novel. What a cool way to start and end a vacation!
Well done.
As always, purchase and enjoy!
June 1, 2017
The Assassin by Clive Cussler is a first reads win a.d I'm giving g my honest opinion. Starts out with wildcat oilmen trying to lay pipeline to get their oil from the refinery to the Atlantic coast in New York. JDR (John.D. Rockefeller) comes with his breakers a.d railroad cops and busts up the pipeline. Zooms to 6 years laters Bill Matthers now works for JDR. VanDorn Detective Agency hired by a fledgling Commission out of Washington D.C. to determine if JDR and Standard Oil made a monopoly of the oil Industry. Isaac Bell is their best and lead investigator. He's already on the job. He finds two men with suspicious death that end up being murdered. Then just as he vet to talk with Bill Matters former partner, a sniper takes him out. They tries to shoot Bell. Bell bets down off the tank. Then the sniper aim at the tank and flames ignite. Everyone.e runs. Bell sees a train and heads towards it. By now tanks are exploding and oil is all over the place. The fire heads toward the town. Bell somehow, makes the fire turn in on itself. He sees a tent and hears clacking . Inside is Edna Hobbs. A free line newspaper reporter writing about the fire saying JDR oz behind it. Isaac Bell introduce es himself. She and her sister Nellie are Bill Matthers daughters. Sister Nellie oz a suffragist. Pushing for women's rights and the right to vote. She gets around in a helium balloon. She gives Bell asst of pictures od the oil field before the explosion. All this in the first third of the book. Read the book for the rest of the adventures.
February 18, 2015
This is the eighth book in the Isaac Bell Adventure series. The story is set in 1905 and is about John D. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil monopoly. Isaac is working to find proof of wrong doing by Standard Oil but becomes a bodyguard to Mr. Rockefeller when someone starts killing off other oil men.The action is fast paced for the time and moves overseas at times. The book was won by me as a First Reads from Goodreads. It was a fast and easy read.
January 26, 2021
The long-acknowledged master of all things nautical takes a turn at something different in this novel. Actually, this book has almost no maritime references in it. Instead we get a first rate thriller/mystery. A very hard book to describe without actually reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I don't usually take to these kind of books!! If you are looking for an exciting book to read during your winter weather sojourn, this book might fit the bill.
August 3, 2015
Another enjoyable read from the Isaac Bell stable of books. I suspect even more enjoyable for my american friends who can relate to the locations and the history involved in the John D Rockefeller oil baron era of American history better than I can.
Fast-paced action and adventure with settings all over the globe - and of course Isaac Bell to save the day!
Fast-paced action and adventure with settings all over the globe - and of course Isaac Bell to save the day!
March 17, 2015
Learned a lot about the oil business in 1905. Interesting car battle with the Maxim gun. The illustrations are very cheap looking, would be better if they were not in the book.
March 25, 2015
Everything you expect from Cussler, fast action, neat locations, exotic cars and historical tidbits scattered throughout.
April 16, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, and while it was not my favorite in the series it did not disappoint. You can never go wrong with Clive Cussler.
September 12, 2025
Of all of the spin-off Cussler books now written by others, I’ve enjoyed the Isaac Bell ones perhaps the most. I like the history they include and IB is a compelling character. This one left me feeling slightly let down. The two Matters sisters were intriguing, and the John D. Rockefeller story line and background was interesting. But the book tried to do too much, leaving the story disorganized and sprawling. The action, when it occurred, seemed superficial and too easily wrapped up. In particular, the whole trip to Baku was filler. I saw the ‘surprise’ ending, the identity of the assassin, coming for the last third of the book.
July 3, 2021
This an Issac Bell novel and Bell finds himself working for the government trying to investigate the dealings of John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil. Bell starts looking into a sniper who is murdering opponents of Standard Oil and Bell becomes a body guard for Rockefeller. The sniper is incredibly good as he is shooting with unbelievable accuracy at long distances. Bell’ investigation includes two daughters, one a balloonist and suffergist, which are tied into the murders. An exciting romp and adventure through questionable history that makes for an excellent read.
January 2, 2020
A little less predictable than other Cussler books.
October 2, 2020
I had a hard time keeping track of what exactly was going on, and who was doing it! Not my favorite! I liked it at the beginning, but by the middle I struggled with it! 3.5
January 22, 2023
Moja druga przygoda z detektywem Bellem. Ot, zwykły sensacyjniak ze snajperami, rurociągami, pociągami i balonami w tle. Przyjemnie się czyta jako przerywnik pomiędzy bardziej ambitnymi tytułami.
August 19, 2024
I would have bet money on who the assassin was in this story - but I would have been wrong!
January 1, 2021
Not bad but it was a bit predictable, I could guess the outcome pretty soon after the start
February 10, 2020
Loved it
This is the second time I've read this book. Great plot and a lit of action. I really enjoy this series
This is the second time I've read this book. Great plot and a lit of action. I really enjoy this series
August 20, 2017
Another good read by Cussler and Justin Scott. I haven't researched the history of Standard Oil and John D Rockefeller but the book centers around JDR and what an industrial tyrant he was. Once again Issac Bell comes to the rescue. It was an interesting read and full of historical facts about the wildcat business in the early 1900's. A good read that keeps the pages rolling.
March 2, 2015
This ia another Goodreads book and it was a good read.
I have read a few other Isaac Bell books and was a little confused that his wife seemed to be missing. This was a recurrent thought as I continued to read but was explained in the last chapter.
I had to go back over the prologue a few times to understand what was happening but from the first chapter on it was a continuous great read. The action was fast with just a little pause between events. I stayed up late to finish this great story and look forward to more.
I have read a few other Isaac Bell books and was a little confused that his wife seemed to be missing. This was a recurrent thought as I continued to read but was explained in the last chapter.
I had to go back over the prologue a few times to understand what was happening but from the first chapter on it was a continuous great read. The action was fast with just a little pause between events. I stayed up late to finish this great story and look forward to more.
March 15, 2015
love clive cussler just can't put it down. a great read with great characters and great narrator. Det. Isaac Bell is eager to secure an important government antitrust contract to investigate John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil monopoly. Then a killer picks off Bell's key witness and blows up the man's independent refinery—just the beginning of the shootings, poisonings, and staged accidents that darken the narrative.
April 27, 2016
There’s action galore in this thriller about oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. Isaac Bell finds himself in the middle of a case involving a sniper, shady dealings, big business, poisoning, accidents that really aren’t accidents, a missing man, and pretty women, not to mention foreign intrigue and suffragists. Will Bell solve the case before it all blows up – literally – in his face? Great characters and a plot that rushes on through all 400 pages makes this tale an exciting page-turner.
February 20, 2015
This is a first read edition from Goodreads. What a theory Isaac Bell against Standard Oil and a deadly assassin. Bell is now on a goverment contract to investigate John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil monopoly. An assassin kills one of Bell's witnesses. This is a fast paced, page turner. I enjoyed some of Bells other stories better, but all in all it was a good read. An interesting story.
May 20, 2022
Another prequel in the series. This one has a sniper killing folks off from a great distance. Isaac Bell has to find the miscreant, and gets involved with two sister who are on different wings of the movement to give women the vote. Lots of anti-Rockefeller stuff, and an unsurprising twist toward the end.
Diverting, but not great.
Diverting, but not great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews