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Fargo Adventures #8
Pirate
The outstanding new Sam and Remi Fargo adventure from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author.
An 800-year-old treasure... an ancient cypher wheel... a brutal murder... and a man who will stop at nothing to claim what he considers rightfully his. Husband-and-wife treasure-hunting team Sam and Remi Fargo have gone on impossible missions before and faced many perils, but never have they faced an adversary as determined as the one before them now. The battle will take them halfway around the world, and at its end will be either one of the most glorious finds in history — or certain death.
An 800-year-old treasure... an ancient cypher wheel... a brutal murder... and a man who will stop at nothing to claim what he considers rightfully his. Husband-and-wife treasure-hunting team Sam and Remi Fargo have gone on impossible missions before and faced many perils, but never have they faced an adversary as determined as the one before them now. The battle will take them halfway around the world, and at its end will be either one of the most glorious finds in history — or certain death.
387 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2016
1028 people are currently reading
2722 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 538 reviews
February 9, 2023
Clive Cussler’s literary brain candy is not aging well!
Sam and Remi Fargo are multi-millionaire treasure hunting philanthropists! Charles Avery is a nasty corporate shark with a distant family connection to King John’s hidden treasure and he won’t let anyone, least of all do-gooders like the Fargos, stand in the way of his obtaining what he sees as a rightful inheritance. The chase is on!
On a cheerful, sunny day, one might characterize the virtues of Clive Cussler’s PIRATE with adjectives such as light, fluffy, fast-paced, entertaining, or easy reading. Perhaps, if the reader were in a good mood, you might even hear it described as enjoyable. Unfortunately, this is not one of those days. Instead, my opinion is more accurately reflected by more pejorative characterizations – repetitive, cartoonish, stereotyped, stilted, predictable, derivative, overwrought, strained and most definitely not memorable. Perhaps that’s why I read it in only two days. I was desperately afraid that if I took any longer I wouldn’t have the stamina to bother finishing it at all.
One is tempted to ponder whether it’s time for Clive Cussler to hang up his spurs and ride off into the sunset as a very wealthy author who has in fact written a number of excellent and truly exciting thrillers. This is not one of them. Definitely not recommended.
Paul Weiss
Sam and Remi Fargo are multi-millionaire treasure hunting philanthropists! Charles Avery is a nasty corporate shark with a distant family connection to King John’s hidden treasure and he won’t let anyone, least of all do-gooders like the Fargos, stand in the way of his obtaining what he sees as a rightful inheritance. The chase is on!
On a cheerful, sunny day, one might characterize the virtues of Clive Cussler’s PIRATE with adjectives such as light, fluffy, fast-paced, entertaining, or easy reading. Perhaps, if the reader were in a good mood, you might even hear it described as enjoyable. Unfortunately, this is not one of those days. Instead, my opinion is more accurately reflected by more pejorative characterizations – repetitive, cartoonish, stereotyped, stilted, predictable, derivative, overwrought, strained and most definitely not memorable. Perhaps that’s why I read it in only two days. I was desperately afraid that if I took any longer I wouldn’t have the stamina to bother finishing it at all.
One is tempted to ponder whether it’s time for Clive Cussler to hang up his spurs and ride off into the sunset as a very wealthy author who has in fact written a number of excellent and truly exciting thrillers. This is not one of them. Definitely not recommended.
Paul Weiss
November 13, 2021
Fun, but with some credibility issues
The most intense, two-fisted and action-packed of all the novels I’ve read in the Sam & Remi Fago series thus far, and therefore the most enjoyable thus far IMHO. As an Anglophile, also love the medieval English history nexus and the fact that a huge chunk of the action takes place in present-day England.
But the story has some serious credibility issues. Sam and Remi Fargo are mere private citizens (albeit very well-heeled ones)
have neither the official Federal government status of any of Clive Cussler’s NUMA characters (Dirk Pitt, Al Giordino, Kurt Austin, Joe Zavalq) or Oregon Files crew (Juan Cabrillo and his fellow CIA-affiliated contractors) or the bona fide private detective agency credentials of Isaac Bell (of the Van Dorn Detective Agency)…yet not only do they get away with packing handguns in two of the most Draconian anti-gun laws in the world, namely Jamaica and Great Britain (“visitor permits on file in London” for the latter country? Yeah, right!), they even get away with killing people in the latter country!! Granted, all of the characters that Sam & Remi kill are well-deserving villains, but it just doesn’t pass the proverbial smell test that they would able to get away with it without either being arrested and/or stirring up an international incident.
We’re also left with a bit of lack of resolution on the fates of supporting characters Bree and Larayne.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 since the system won’t allow us to assign decimal ratings.
CENTRAL CASTING:
—Matthew Modine as Sam Fargo
—Helen Hunt as Remi Fargo
—Jodi Foster as Bree
—Heather Graham as Larayne
—Cameron Diaz as Alexandra Avery
—Michael Douglas as Charles Avery
John Sterland (played Jack Palance’s accountant in the 1989 “Batman” movie) as Fisk
—Ken Davitian (played Azamat in “Borat”) as Ivan
The most intense, two-fisted and action-packed of all the novels I’ve read in the Sam & Remi Fago series thus far, and therefore the most enjoyable thus far IMHO. As an Anglophile, also love the medieval English history nexus and the fact that a huge chunk of the action takes place in present-day England.
But the story has some serious credibility issues. Sam and Remi Fargo are mere private citizens (albeit very well-heeled ones)
have neither the official Federal government status of any of Clive Cussler’s NUMA characters (Dirk Pitt, Al Giordino, Kurt Austin, Joe Zavalq) or Oregon Files crew (Juan Cabrillo and his fellow CIA-affiliated contractors) or the bona fide private detective agency credentials of Isaac Bell (of the Van Dorn Detective Agency)…yet not only do they get away with packing handguns in two of the most Draconian anti-gun laws in the world, namely Jamaica and Great Britain (“visitor permits on file in London” for the latter country? Yeah, right!), they even get away with killing people in the latter country!! Granted, all of the characters that Sam & Remi kill are well-deserving villains, but it just doesn’t pass the proverbial smell test that they would able to get away with it without either being arrested and/or stirring up an international incident.
We’re also left with a bit of lack of resolution on the fates of supporting characters Bree and Larayne.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 since the system won’t allow us to assign decimal ratings.
CENTRAL CASTING:
—Matthew Modine as Sam Fargo
—Helen Hunt as Remi Fargo
—Jodi Foster as Bree
—Heather Graham as Larayne
—Cameron Diaz as Alexandra Avery
—Michael Douglas as Charles Avery
John Sterland (played Jack Palance’s accountant in the 1989 “Batman” movie) as Fisk
—Ken Davitian (played Azamat in “Borat”) as Ivan
March 15, 2018
Another entry into the world of the rich, talented, beautiful, glamorous, and perfect-in-every way Fargos. Ohh to be able to travel the globe in my own private jet, hunting for treasure by day (to donate to charity of course), and wining & dining by night. And where can I get a Selma, to organise the mundane aspects of life. You know - the constant Hotel Savoy bookings, luxurious rental cars, charter boats, dinner reservations, and of course minding the rascally old dog.
I hate them LOL!
Not Booker Prize winning material, but another consistent 4 **** Clive Cussler (& Co) adventure read.
I hate them LOL!
Not Booker Prize winning material, but another consistent 4 **** Clive Cussler (& Co) adventure read.
March 10, 2022
খারাপ না ভালোই কিন্তু অ্যাডভেঞ্চার ঠিকমতো মনে ধরলো না।
November 30, 2016
There actually was a time 15 or 20 years ago that I enjoyed Mr. Cussler's works, but alas, that time has passed. 1 of 10 stars
September 23, 2021
Sam and Remi Fargo are a husband/wife team that are treasure hunters, multi-millionaires, and philanthropists.
When they try to go on a relaxing vacation, a side trip to a rare bookstore leads them into a wild journey they had never expected - including there being a gunman doing a hold up of the store while Remi was in it. Soon after, they discover the store's owner was murdered. Turns out a book Remi purchased for $49.95 + tax is very rare indeed (Remi did not the know at the time the store's owner had switched copies with her when the bookshop was being robbed. The rare book she has in her possession holds the key to being able to find a treasure that was lost some 800 yrs ago.
So hang on! The adventure begins full throttle! Packed full of chemistry, wit, and danger, this one proves to be a classic and treasure hunt! But first, they must survive being hunted themselves - while trying to solve the clues. Is it all for nothing, and was there truly a lost treasure that could be the most valuable treasure discovered to date? Or does this story end badly with disappointment?
Clive Cussler is a talented author that has a knack for real story telling. No sex, no foul language, no gore.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy Adventure.
When they try to go on a relaxing vacation, a side trip to a rare bookstore leads them into a wild journey they had never expected - including there being a gunman doing a hold up of the store while Remi was in it. Soon after, they discover the store's owner was murdered. Turns out a book Remi purchased for $49.95 + tax is very rare indeed (Remi did not the know at the time the store's owner had switched copies with her when the bookshop was being robbed. The rare book she has in her possession holds the key to being able to find a treasure that was lost some 800 yrs ago.
So hang on! The adventure begins full throttle! Packed full of chemistry, wit, and danger, this one proves to be a classic and treasure hunt! But first, they must survive being hunted themselves - while trying to solve the clues. Is it all for nothing, and was there truly a lost treasure that could be the most valuable treasure discovered to date? Or does this story end badly with disappointment?
Clive Cussler is a talented author that has a knack for real story telling. No sex, no foul language, no gore.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy Adventure.
August 13, 2020
If you are looking for a treasure hunt book with low excitement and long, drawn out meandering, this book is for you. You will be especially entertained if you like cheesy dialogue and the bad guys showing up over, and over again.
June 5, 2017
Pirate by Clive Cussler and Robin Purcell is the latest Fargo adventure. "Sam and Remi Fargo stumble into a search for King John's treasure and look for it."
Don't know how much Cussler is involved in writing these books and it is a new collaborator. This is possibly the worst written Cussler book ever. Bleah! 😝
There are plot holes (Remi and Sam dive for an artifact and don't find it. 100 pages later the bad guys have it. What? How did that happen? 😦
Over and over again. And the ending 😶 (Don't worry about spoilers - don't waste your time unless your TBR is zero) So the treasure people have been looking for centuries is bricked up in a room in a castle?! Right... And so many names. Almost as bad as a Clancy novel 😜. Not a good offering from Cussler.
Don't know how much Cussler is involved in writing these books and it is a new collaborator. This is possibly the worst written Cussler book ever. Bleah! 😝
There are plot holes (Remi and Sam dive for an artifact and don't find it. 100 pages later the bad guys have it. What? How did that happen? 😦
Over and over again. And the ending 😶 (Don't worry about spoilers - don't waste your time unless your TBR is zero) So the treasure people have been looking for centuries is bricked up in a room in a castle?! Right... And so many names. Almost as bad as a Clancy novel 😜. Not a good offering from Cussler.
June 23, 2018
I always love the Fargo Adventures & this is no exception. In the midst of all the angst-y relationship stories I usually read, this series always stands out for how Sam & Remi support and love each other through all their adventures.
This one deals with the treasure of King John, thought to have been lost in the fens of the Wash in 1216. When a book about pirates leads Remi and Sam to clues that indicate the whereabouts of the treasure, they become involved in murder, mayhem and mysteries.
As with other Clive Cussler stories, we listened to the audiobook version of this, with Scott Brick as the narrator.
This one deals with the treasure of King John, thought to have been lost in the fens of the Wash in 1216. When a book about pirates leads Remi and Sam to clues that indicate the whereabouts of the treasure, they become involved in murder, mayhem and mysteries.
As with other Clive Cussler stories, we listened to the audiobook version of this, with Scott Brick as the narrator.
September 17, 2016
Hunting for treasure
The Fargos are ready for vacation when they get pulled into a hunt for a clue that might lead them to buried treasure from the time of Robin Hood. The Fargos themselves are well developed characters but I wished the others were described more thoroughly. I enjoyed the adventure, just would enjoy a little richer detail.
The Fargos are ready for vacation when they get pulled into a hunt for a clue that might lead them to buried treasure from the time of Robin Hood. The Fargos themselves are well developed characters but I wished the others were described more thoroughly. I enjoyed the adventure, just would enjoy a little richer detail.
September 24, 2016
Really enjoyed this adventure. What a difference from the previous book. Glad that the series have a new coauthor!
October 31, 2016
This stinks!
One of the worst books I've ever read that was written under the Clussler "umbrella". I am a big fan of Clussler's early works and think his ghost written books are o.k.
But this sinks to new lows. Plot is very predictable, if there was even a plot at all. Felt like the writers just took a bunch of ideas in paragraph form, used some words to join them together and said presto! We have a book.
One of the worst books I've ever read that was written under the Clussler "umbrella". I am a big fan of Clussler's early works and think his ghost written books are o.k.
But this sinks to new lows. Plot is very predictable, if there was even a plot at all. Felt like the writers just took a bunch of ideas in paragraph form, used some words to join them together and said presto! We have a book.
May 25, 2019
Mindless simple reading.
I picked it up to read on the plane and that’s what I did.
This wasn’t literary genius.
The plot is basic, the characters are too.
It’s easily digested and doesn’t take much effort.
It’s number 8 in the series but doesn’t really require any prior knowledge of the series.
I picked it up to read on the plane and that’s what I did.
This wasn’t literary genius.
The plot is basic, the characters are too.
It’s easily digested and doesn’t take much effort.
It’s number 8 in the series but doesn’t really require any prior knowledge of the series.
January 10, 2022
I am thinking...what did I think about the book I just finished? Not much.
November 11, 2016
Eighth in The Fargo Adventures action adventure series and revolving around Sam and Remi Fargo, treasure-hunting millionaires. The prologue opens in the fall of 1216 in Norfolk, England.
My Take
Must be nice to have your own jet and flit off wherever you like. Lucky, as the Fargos are constantly on the run in this one.
I feel rather nasty about this, since I've been complaining about the last few Fargo Adventures (I seem to have missed reading The Solomon Curse ) for being rather dull with too many info dumps. Pirate was much better, although still rather bland and shallow. It's just too easy for the Fargos, although I do enjoy getting the drop, eventually, on the bad guys. And I do so very much appreciate how considerate the Fargos are towards the people they encounter.
I can sympathize with Alexandra. To a point. It's when she throws in with the bad guys that I want to smack her silly. As for that Avery. Too typical of the bad guys who think it's not fair when someone steals something they stole in the first place. What's funny about the guy is how clueless he is for all his smarts.
It's rather confusing with all the past history that is sprinkled throughout, as I tried to figure out who was related to whom and where that cipher wheel came from. Went to. Were William the Marshal and Robert de Braose related? I ask because Maude de Braose is said to be William's daughter.
There's a bit in here about Robin Hood…and I hate to admit that I suspect it's much more accurate than the movies. Ah…the romance has died…*giggle*
The tag line for Pirate made me laugh…Sam kept promising Remi her vacation would start tomorrow, right after each. Little. "Adventure".
The Story
An 800-year-old treasure…an ancient cipher wheel…a brutal murder…and a man who will stop at nothing to claim what he considers rightfully his.
Husband-and-wife treasure-hunting team Sam and Remi Fargo have gone on impossible missions before and faced many perils, but never have they faced an adversary as determined as the one before them now.
The battle will take them halfway around the world, and at its end will be either one of the most glorious finds in history — or certain death.
The Characters
Sam Fargo is an engineer who used to work at DARPA and who inherited his father's love of rare books. His wife, Remi, is a crackshot who loves adventure as much as Sam. Both are treasure hunters, a.k.a., Sir John and Lady Kimball, a.k.a., Lord and Lady Longstreet, who donate everything to their charity, the Fargo Foundation. Zoltán is their German shepherd whom they adopted in The Tombs , 4. Eunice Fargo is Sam's mom and runs a charter boat operation in Key West.
Selma Wondrash is their researcher who seems to be developing a relationship with Lazlo Kemp, their new researcher ( The Eye of Heaven , 6). Pete Jeffcoat and Wendy Corden are assistant researchers (and dating) and whizzes with Photoshop. Sandra is the flight attendant aboard their Gulfstream.
CIA
Ruben Hayward is a case officer who had trained with Sam. He has ties with Archer Worldwide Security headed up by Nicholas Archer who had also trained with Ruben and Sam.
Bree Marshall is a friend Remi made when they had the La Jolla Library fundraiser. Gerald Pickering is Bree's uncle and a bookseller; Mr. Wickham is his Siamese cat. Larayne Pickering-Smith is Gerald's daughter who lives in Harlowe, North Carolina. Deputy Wagner is with Cateret County.
Arizona
Professor Ian Hopkins is retired, but has an interest in pirates and privateers, partly through his studies on 16th–17th century English literature. He likes Marcellino Ristorante where Marcellino Verzino is chef and owner along with his wife, Sima, who is the greeter.
San Francisco
Sergeants Fauth and Trevino are investigators on Robbery Detail. Bryant is the on-duty manager at the Ritz-Carlton.
Port of Santos, Brazil
Captain Delgado hires his boat, Golfinho, out to the Fargos who want to dive on the Mirabel . Nuno is part of the crew. António Alves is Delgado's nephew and will drive the Fargos. Henrique Salazar is another uncle.
Port Royal, Jamaica
Kemar works for the rental car company. Melia works at the restaurant. Jay-Jay is the bartender with some useful friends; Antwan and Billy are bikers.
England
Grace Herbert-Miller (she lives outside Bristol) and Harry McGregor (near Nottingham) are co-inheritors and related through a common ancestor, Sir Edmund Herbert. Meryl Walsh is the curator helped put together the Mortimer Collection for the auction.
Their family's ancestors included…
…the Herberts descended from William the Marshall who hid the treasure. Maud de Braose was William's daughter and Edmund Mortimer's grandmother. Lord Edmund Mortimer had two sons: the legitimate Roger de Mortimer who had the affair with Queen Isabella, wife to King Edward II (who supposedly had the affair with Hugh Despenser, another illegitimate grandson of I don't know who) and Sir Edmund Herbert, the illegitimate son and Grace and Harry's ancestor. Edward III had been Isabella's son.
Isabella got Despenser exiled. His illegitimate son, Roger Bridgeman, carried on with the new family tradition of piracy. Captain Henry Bridgeman, a slaver and pirate, alias Henry Every, commanded the Fancy in the Caribbean.
King's Lynn
Madge Crowley, a librarian, is Grace's cousin's (Harry McGregor) ex-wife whose book material on King John's lost treasure was stolen. Tour guide Nigel Ridgewell had been a history and linguistics professor. Teddy may be fierce-looking, but he's a sweet dog.
Nottingham
Robin Hood had been known as the Wolf's Head. Professor Cedric Aldridge is in the History department at Nottingham University. He has a retired friend suffering from forgetfulness, Professor Percival Wendorf, who has a great memory for the tunnels beneath the city. Agatha is Percy's wife. Malcolm Swift has a similar knowledge.
Charles Avery is a corporate raider whose family history includes piracy. Colin Fisk is his ruthless head of security. Martin Edwards is Avery's CFO. Suzette is Avery's "client". Winton Page is his divorce attorney. Alexandra is the wife seeking a divorce. Kipp Rogers is her hired PI.
Jakob "Jak" Stanislav, Marlowe, Ivan is trigger-happy, Lorenzo screwed up, Victor, and Rogen are all thugs.
1216, Norfolk
Prince Louis of France has taken London. William the Marshal is the Earl of Pembroke. Robert de Braose, Hugh Fitz Hubert, and Arthur de Clare are knights helping to guard the treasure. John de Lacy is guarding King John.
Robert Tiptoft, the third Baron Tiptoft, was thought to have found the treasure.
The Cover and Title
The cover is the deep blue of the ocean depths with Sam and Remi diving a treasure broken open on rocks, as sharks circle. The authors' names and series information are in white, although Cussler's is huge, embossed, and outlined in gold. The title is at the bottom, embossed in gold with a white outline with the series info at the very bottom.
The title is to the point, he's a Pirate from a family of 'em.
My Take
Must be nice to have your own jet and flit off wherever you like. Lucky, as the Fargos are constantly on the run in this one.
I feel rather nasty about this, since I've been complaining about the last few Fargo Adventures (I seem to have missed reading The Solomon Curse ) for being rather dull with too many info dumps. Pirate was much better, although still rather bland and shallow. It's just too easy for the Fargos, although I do enjoy getting the drop, eventually, on the bad guys. And I do so very much appreciate how considerate the Fargos are towards the people they encounter.
I can sympathize with Alexandra. To a point. It's when she throws in with the bad guys that I want to smack her silly. As for that Avery. Too typical of the bad guys who think it's not fair when someone steals something they stole in the first place. What's funny about the guy is how clueless he is for all his smarts.
It's rather confusing with all the past history that is sprinkled throughout, as I tried to figure out who was related to whom and where that cipher wheel came from. Went to. Were William the Marshal and Robert de Braose related? I ask because Maude de Braose is said to be William's daughter.
There's a bit in here about Robin Hood…and I hate to admit that I suspect it's much more accurate than the movies. Ah…the romance has died…*giggle*
The tag line for Pirate made me laugh…Sam kept promising Remi her vacation would start tomorrow, right after each. Little. "Adventure".
The Story
An 800-year-old treasure…an ancient cipher wheel…a brutal murder…and a man who will stop at nothing to claim what he considers rightfully his.
Husband-and-wife treasure-hunting team Sam and Remi Fargo have gone on impossible missions before and faced many perils, but never have they faced an adversary as determined as the one before them now.
The battle will take them halfway around the world, and at its end will be either one of the most glorious finds in history — or certain death.
The Characters
Sam Fargo is an engineer who used to work at DARPA and who inherited his father's love of rare books. His wife, Remi, is a crackshot who loves adventure as much as Sam. Both are treasure hunters, a.k.a., Sir John and Lady Kimball, a.k.a., Lord and Lady Longstreet, who donate everything to their charity, the Fargo Foundation. Zoltán is their German shepherd whom they adopted in The Tombs , 4. Eunice Fargo is Sam's mom and runs a charter boat operation in Key West.
Selma Wondrash is their researcher who seems to be developing a relationship with Lazlo Kemp, their new researcher ( The Eye of Heaven , 6). Pete Jeffcoat and Wendy Corden are assistant researchers (and dating) and whizzes with Photoshop. Sandra is the flight attendant aboard their Gulfstream.
CIA
Ruben Hayward is a case officer who had trained with Sam. He has ties with Archer Worldwide Security headed up by Nicholas Archer who had also trained with Ruben and Sam.
Bree Marshall is a friend Remi made when they had the La Jolla Library fundraiser. Gerald Pickering is Bree's uncle and a bookseller; Mr. Wickham is his Siamese cat. Larayne Pickering-Smith is Gerald's daughter who lives in Harlowe, North Carolina. Deputy Wagner is with Cateret County.
Arizona
Professor Ian Hopkins is retired, but has an interest in pirates and privateers, partly through his studies on 16th–17th century English literature. He likes Marcellino Ristorante where Marcellino Verzino is chef and owner along with his wife, Sima, who is the greeter.
San Francisco
Sergeants Fauth and Trevino are investigators on Robbery Detail. Bryant is the on-duty manager at the Ritz-Carlton.
Port of Santos, Brazil
Captain Delgado hires his boat, Golfinho, out to the Fargos who want to dive on the Mirabel . Nuno is part of the crew. António Alves is Delgado's nephew and will drive the Fargos. Henrique Salazar is another uncle.
Port Royal, Jamaica
Kemar works for the rental car company. Melia works at the restaurant. Jay-Jay is the bartender with some useful friends; Antwan and Billy are bikers.
England
Grace Herbert-Miller (she lives outside Bristol) and Harry McGregor (near Nottingham) are co-inheritors and related through a common ancestor, Sir Edmund Herbert. Meryl Walsh is the curator helped put together the Mortimer Collection for the auction.
Their family's ancestors included…
…the Herberts descended from William the Marshall who hid the treasure. Maud de Braose was William's daughter and Edmund Mortimer's grandmother. Lord Edmund Mortimer had two sons: the legitimate Roger de Mortimer who had the affair with Queen Isabella, wife to King Edward II (who supposedly had the affair with Hugh Despenser, another illegitimate grandson of I don't know who) and Sir Edmund Herbert, the illegitimate son and Grace and Harry's ancestor. Edward III had been Isabella's son.
Isabella got Despenser exiled. His illegitimate son, Roger Bridgeman, carried on with the new family tradition of piracy. Captain Henry Bridgeman, a slaver and pirate, alias Henry Every, commanded the Fancy in the Caribbean.
King's Lynn
Madge Crowley, a librarian, is Grace's cousin's (Harry McGregor) ex-wife whose book material on King John's lost treasure was stolen. Tour guide Nigel Ridgewell had been a history and linguistics professor. Teddy may be fierce-looking, but he's a sweet dog.
Nottingham
Robin Hood had been known as the Wolf's Head. Professor Cedric Aldridge is in the History department at Nottingham University. He has a retired friend suffering from forgetfulness, Professor Percival Wendorf, who has a great memory for the tunnels beneath the city. Agatha is Percy's wife. Malcolm Swift has a similar knowledge.
Charles Avery is a corporate raider whose family history includes piracy. Colin Fisk is his ruthless head of security. Martin Edwards is Avery's CFO. Suzette is Avery's "client". Winton Page is his divorce attorney. Alexandra is the wife seeking a divorce. Kipp Rogers is her hired PI.
Jakob "Jak" Stanislav, Marlowe, Ivan is trigger-happy, Lorenzo screwed up, Victor, and Rogen are all thugs.
1216, Norfolk
Prince Louis of France has taken London. William the Marshal is the Earl of Pembroke. Robert de Braose, Hugh Fitz Hubert, and Arthur de Clare are knights helping to guard the treasure. John de Lacy is guarding King John.
Robert Tiptoft, the third Baron Tiptoft, was thought to have found the treasure.
The Cover and Title
The cover is the deep blue of the ocean depths with Sam and Remi diving a treasure broken open on rocks, as sharks circle. The authors' names and series information are in white, although Cussler's is huge, embossed, and outlined in gold. The title is at the bottom, embossed in gold with a white outline with the series info at the very bottom.
The title is to the point, he's a Pirate from a family of 'em.
October 4, 2016
I always love a good Clive Cussler book Pirate did not disappoint. The Fargo's are on vacation in San Francisco and Remi wants to buy her husband a gift, an old book on Pirates. Sounds easy enough, she has learned of a book that is for sale by a friend who's relative is the owner of a rare book store.
But when Remi goes to purchase the book this is where the fun begins. She is not the only one looking for the book. The store is robbed at gun point and Sam and Remi escape without harm. But why was this person interested in the same book as Remi?
The spiral of events will take you on a long journey over several continents and into waters off a snake infested island off of Brazil. (Did you know the Golden Lancehead is the deadliest snake on earth?)
Why is everyone interested in this book? What is the treasure that is missing? Will anyone be able to decode the messages and put together a plan to find the treasure?
Well if you know the Fargo's they will not rest until the truth is discovered and the loot is found and returned to the rightful owners.
Enjoy!
But when Remi goes to purchase the book this is where the fun begins. She is not the only one looking for the book. The store is robbed at gun point and Sam and Remi escape without harm. But why was this person interested in the same book as Remi?
The spiral of events will take you on a long journey over several continents and into waters off a snake infested island off of Brazil. (Did you know the Golden Lancehead is the deadliest snake on earth?)
Why is everyone interested in this book? What is the treasure that is missing? Will anyone be able to decode the messages and put together a plan to find the treasure?
Well if you know the Fargo's they will not rest until the truth is discovered and the loot is found and returned to the rightful owners.
Enjoy!
February 19, 2022
This was arguably the worst book I have ever read. I say, arguably, because I will argue with anyone who says it's not. I'm a huge fan of Cussler's Dirk Pitt series (Admittedly less so towards the end when he started co-writing them) but found little to nothing to enjoy in this offering. The villains weren't exactly villainous and the main bad guy never even interacts directly with the Fargos. There's a car crash referred to that didn't even happen which made me start questioning my sanity. (Unless the car crash they were referring to was this novel.) As for them being professional treasure hunters, all they seem to do is ask their home help to Google the answer to some riddle before hiding in a bush until the villains assume they're dead and drive off. Repeatedly.
Also, world renowned treasure hunters who took as long as they did to make a link between the Avery surname and one of the world's best known pirates? Nah.
Also, world renowned treasure hunters who took as long as they did to make a link between the Avery surname and one of the world's best known pirates? Nah.
February 5, 2017
The big mystery at the start of most Cussler books is the identity and role of the co-author. I could probably look this up somewhere but it's part of the intrigue. Perhaps the coauthor comes up with the new historical or archeological scenario, and Cussler helps craft the characters and plot. This one involves the impossibly matched Sam and Remi as they track a pirates treasure and The English Crown Jewels around the world. Usually I find the outcome on these is well telegraphed early on, leaving action scenes and a happy ending to keep the read going. This one definitely managed a few more twists than usual, and I think i got a bit lost at one point. That said, the ending seemed to wrap up rather quick, as if there was a page/word/time limit that came around before the authors were ready for it. Happy holiday reading.
October 7, 2016
The Associated Press (AP) has it right, ***"It’s clear that having Burcell join Cussler as a co-author has rejuvenated this series." *** Great read.
I live in Silicon Valley so it was fun to have the story start in San Francisco, making the book feel local, even though they globe trotted afterwards. Robin Burcell lives in Tracy near San Francisco so her writing about that area has a genuine authenticity. I want to be careful not to be a spoiler, so I will eschew a review.
I live in Silicon Valley so it was fun to have the story start in San Francisco, making the book feel local, even though they globe trotted afterwards. Robin Burcell lives in Tracy near San Francisco so her writing about that area has a genuine authenticity. I want to be careful not to be a spoiler, so I will eschew a review.
October 18, 2016
Well, that was quite a ride. I really enjoyed this story, lots of action and twists etc. Highly recommended.
November 17, 2022
The Fargo Adventures series really has its ups and downs. I enjoyed the last book tremendously and this one wasn't even close in comparison. It felt choppy and just when you think it's going to be a fun pirate adventure it turns out it's all about Robin Hood - scratch that - King John's treasure. It was also shorter than the last few and just felt less developed. Giving this series a pause for now but I plan to come back. I do like the treasure hunting duo - I just need a breather.
September 21, 2025
A fast paced adventure story. I thoroughly enjoyed the creativity used in the development of the storyline. Cussler is very clever and a well researched writer. I did think some of it fanciful but overall really enjoyed this book.
May 31, 2018
The last book in this series was The Solomon Curse, which I gave one of my worst reviews to on here, and for some reason, that seems to be my singled highest-liked review. Well, here we go again. I only read this because A) I ended up with a free copy and B) It fit a slot in a reading challenge I'm doing. I like a lot of Cussler's other work, but this series is getting ridiculous.
I've always thought it was lazy writing to have the characters just happen to wander into an unlikely event, like a robbery or whatever, and that's exactly how this one starts. From the robbery of a rare book shop, the Fargos end up on another adventure that goes from California to Brazil to North Carolina to the infamous Oak Island to London. They're searching for a lost historical treasure, like most of Cussler's books, and are opposed by an evil millionaire who wants it for himself because he thinks it's a family legacy. Or something. He's a BAD GUY at any rate, and hires more bad guys to threaten the Fargos in various Bond-like ways so they have plenty of time to escape. I lost track of how many times the various villains essentially said, "Well, they must be dead, we can go now," or things like that.
They spend a lot of time on their private plane going all over the world, but somehow their pilot and crew never rate names. Remi gets threatened by a boa constrictor in Jamaica, where I'm pretty sure they don't live. There's a reference to a car accident that doesn't seem to have actually happened in the story. After they figure out they're in trouble, Sam starts carrying his gun with him, but for some reason Remi doesn't realize this would be a good idea until much later in the story.
There's a really bizarre scene where they rescue a kidnap victim by stealing the bad guy's car, and Remi asks "What about our car?" and Sam says they'll come back for it another time. Because they can't split up long enough to drive separate cars? After being thwarted over and over by the bad guy, they have to hire a ship that's the only one left in the port somehow--- who would have imagined that one had an evil crew working for the bad guy? And, of course, they keep getting found because everywhere they go, they can't stop staying in five star hotels, even though they realize that's how they're being found.
Aside from Cussler's weirdness about having himself make a cameo in his books (like Stan Lee in the Marvel movies, but not as well done nor as entertaining), there are some action scenes that don't make a lot of sense. I'll close with this gem of a sentence from page 224: "As soon as they were settled, Grace returned a few minutes later with a silver tray carrying a porcelain tea service."
This book needed another pass or two at the editor. I enjoy Cussler's other series. This one is just... wow. Fun idea, the first few weren't bad, but it's getting worse and worse as time goes on.
I've always thought it was lazy writing to have the characters just happen to wander into an unlikely event, like a robbery or whatever, and that's exactly how this one starts. From the robbery of a rare book shop, the Fargos end up on another adventure that goes from California to Brazil to North Carolina to the infamous Oak Island to London. They're searching for a lost historical treasure, like most of Cussler's books, and are opposed by an evil millionaire who wants it for himself because he thinks it's a family legacy. Or something. He's a BAD GUY at any rate, and hires more bad guys to threaten the Fargos in various Bond-like ways so they have plenty of time to escape. I lost track of how many times the various villains essentially said, "Well, they must be dead, we can go now," or things like that.
They spend a lot of time on their private plane going all over the world, but somehow their pilot and crew never rate names. Remi gets threatened by a boa constrictor in Jamaica, where I'm pretty sure they don't live. There's a reference to a car accident that doesn't seem to have actually happened in the story. After they figure out they're in trouble, Sam starts carrying his gun with him, but for some reason Remi doesn't realize this would be a good idea until much later in the story.
There's a really bizarre scene where they rescue a kidnap victim by stealing the bad guy's car, and Remi asks "What about our car?" and Sam says they'll come back for it another time. Because they can't split up long enough to drive separate cars? After being thwarted over and over by the bad guy, they have to hire a ship that's the only one left in the port somehow--- who would have imagined that one had an evil crew working for the bad guy? And, of course, they keep getting found because everywhere they go, they can't stop staying in five star hotels, even though they realize that's how they're being found.
Aside from Cussler's weirdness about having himself make a cameo in his books (like Stan Lee in the Marvel movies, but not as well done nor as entertaining), there are some action scenes that don't make a lot of sense. I'll close with this gem of a sentence from page 224: "As soon as they were settled, Grace returned a few minutes later with a silver tray carrying a porcelain tea service."
This book needed another pass or two at the editor. I enjoy Cussler's other series. This one is just... wow. Fun idea, the first few weren't bad, but it's getting worse and worse as time goes on.
September 14, 2017
An adventure yarn of the tallest order, which although staged in modern times has a well-aged feel to it, starring husband-and-wife treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo who provide a throwback touch, reminiscent of Nick and Nora Charles. Millionaire do-gooders who turn all the profits from their archeological finds over to charity, but are more than familiar with weaponry and martial arts, too.
The novel whisks the reader all over the world with this jet-set couple, beginning with their vacation in San Francisco, where the purchase of an old pirate manuscript puts them into a dangerous battle with a rival treasure hunter, Charles Avery, who will stop at nothing to recover lost family treasure. From Arizona on to Jamaica and finally to England the Fargo’s find themselves beaten to the end result at every turn.
With all their moves scuppered before they get started, the Fargo’s surmise that one of their trusted team members is suspect, but who and why? Caught up in the legend of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest the intrepid couple tiptoe through long lost caves and tunnels and you’ll accompany them, holding your breath alongside.
This is the first novel that these two awesome scribes have collaborated on and I can’t wait to see what adventures they build for us in the future.
The novel whisks the reader all over the world with this jet-set couple, beginning with their vacation in San Francisco, where the purchase of an old pirate manuscript puts them into a dangerous battle with a rival treasure hunter, Charles Avery, who will stop at nothing to recover lost family treasure. From Arizona on to Jamaica and finally to England the Fargo’s find themselves beaten to the end result at every turn.
With all their moves scuppered before they get started, the Fargo’s surmise that one of their trusted team members is suspect, but who and why? Caught up in the legend of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest the intrepid couple tiptoe through long lost caves and tunnels and you’ll accompany them, holding your breath alongside.
This is the first novel that these two awesome scribes have collaborated on and I can’t wait to see what adventures they build for us in the future.
July 29, 2021
There used to be a certain magic in Fargo novels and I'm not quite sure when it went away. Spartan Gold is hands down my favorite Cussler novel to date, it's got great dialog, adventure, antagonists, etc. The thing I loved about it was that for the most part, the Fargos have narrow escapes based on their wit and cunning alone. For the past few novels they've been getting the police or local governments involved and just being lame snitches. I mean, it's realistic, don't get me wrong, but the Fargos filing police reports or giving statements to crime scene investigators isn't my idea of an adventure. I want more moments of escaping the Chareau D'if through medieval toilets or careening through underground rivers in a WWII submarine. I'm holding out hope that the cunning and resourceful Fargos will come back, but for now I'm pretty disappointed. It's just not as fun.
October 9, 2017
One man's meat is another man's poison but honestly this book is absolutely dire. Could have been written by a child but then again they have more fertile imaginations. Plot? What plot. Cannot fathom why anybody would give this a good review.
October 17, 2025
An excellent story as always w/excellent narration by Scott Brick.
March 20, 2017
I don't think his newer books are as good as the older books that he wrote. It was just okay.
August 4, 2018
The worst book I've read in ages. Found in a hotel, read on a beach.
October 18, 2022
When I finished this book I had to actually go back to figure out how they got from point A to point B, but it totally made sense. I just forgot. Between boat explosions, a soon to be ex wife who isn't as "bad" as she thinks she is, and a man with clues who is losing his memory, there was a lot happening in this storyline. I loved it for all the reasons I have loved the ones which came before.
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