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Fargo Adventures #11
The Oracle
The husband-and-wife treasure-hunting team of Sam and Remi Fargo return in a new adventure as they search for an ancient scroll--which carries a deadly curse--in this thrilling addition to Clive Cussler's bestselling series.
In 533 A.D., the last Vandal ruler in North Africa consults an oracle on how to defeat the invading Byzantine army. The oracle tells the king that a high priestess cast a curse upon the Vandal Kingdom after a sacred scroll was stolen. In order to lift the curse, the scroll must be returned to its rightful home. But the kingdom falls before the scroll is found, leaving its location a great mystery. . . until a current day archeological dig, funded by Sam and Remi Fargo, uncovers some vital clues.
The search for the ancient scroll is put on hold when the Fargos learn that a shipment of supplies intended for their charitable foundation's school has been stolen, and they travel to Nigeria to deliver new supplies themselves. But their mission becomes infinitely more complicated when they run afoul of a band of robbers. The group takes Remi and several students hostage, and there are signs that the kidnapping is related to the missing scroll. The Fargos need all their skills to save the lives of the young girls at the school before they uncover the hidden treasure. . . and lift the deadly curse.
In 533 A.D., the last Vandal ruler in North Africa consults an oracle on how to defeat the invading Byzantine army. The oracle tells the king that a high priestess cast a curse upon the Vandal Kingdom after a sacred scroll was stolen. In order to lift the curse, the scroll must be returned to its rightful home. But the kingdom falls before the scroll is found, leaving its location a great mystery. . . until a current day archeological dig, funded by Sam and Remi Fargo, uncovers some vital clues.
The search for the ancient scroll is put on hold when the Fargos learn that a shipment of supplies intended for their charitable foundation's school has been stolen, and they travel to Nigeria to deliver new supplies themselves. But their mission becomes infinitely more complicated when they run afoul of a band of robbers. The group takes Remi and several students hostage, and there are signs that the kidnapping is related to the missing scroll. The Fargos need all their skills to save the lives of the young girls at the school before they uncover the hidden treasure. . . and lift the deadly curse.
399 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2019
2154 people are currently reading
2054 people want to read
About the author
Clive Cussler
634 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 377 reviews
May 31, 2022
There's very little story about treasure hunting/Vandal King scroll - just the last 50 or so pages. Disappointed. Much of the book was devoted to school for girls in Nigeria and kidnapping. The bad guy isn't really a surprise. I think readers can easily figure this one out. I like the interesting proverb in each chapter:
"No matter how good you are to a goat, it will still eat your yam."
- Nigerian proverb
"No matter how good you are to a goat, it will still eat your yam."
- Nigerian proverb
July 26, 2020
What happened to the exciting treasure hunting team of Sam and Remi Fargo? The Fargos travel to Tunisia to meet with Remi’s college roommate on a dig they are helping to fund and to Nigeria where Pete and Wendy are helping build the Fargos’ school for girls. It felt as if Clive Cussler got sidetracked. Did the co-author, Robin Burcell, write most of the book? Also, there was all this gratuitous killing, no treasure hunting for almost the entire book (seemed like an afterthought), and the story seemed implausible. This is not the Clive Cussler that I loved. I do not recommend the book. However, I did love Nasha Atiku (the spunky little girl Nigerian thief) and the African proverbs at the beginning of each chapter. Here are a few:
“A flea can trouble a lion more than a lion can trouble a flea.”
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
“A friend is one who knows everything about you and still wants to be your friend.”
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
“A child is a child of everyone.”
“We desire to bequeath two things to our children; the first one is roots, the other one is wings.”
“The road to success is always under construction.”
“When you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.”
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something.”
“The brave man is not he who doesn’t feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
“A leader who does not take advice is not a leader.”
“A flea can trouble a lion more than a lion can trouble a flea.”
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
“A friend is one who knows everything about you and still wants to be your friend.”
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
“A child is a child of everyone.”
“We desire to bequeath two things to our children; the first one is roots, the other one is wings.”
“The road to success is always under construction.”
“When you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.”
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something.”
“The brave man is not he who doesn’t feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
“A leader who does not take advice is not a leader.”
August 8, 2021
4 Stars for The Oracle: Fargo Adventures Series, Book 11 by Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell read by Scott Brick.
Another great Fargo adventure. More interesting locations and characters. And the great voice of Scott Brick.
Another great Fargo adventure. More interesting locations and characters. And the great voice of Scott Brick.
July 29, 2019
Excellent as always, especially with Scott Brick as the narrator!😀😉😀😉😀😉
June 22, 2019
I have a terrible feeling Cussler’s adventures are going the way of Patterson’s books! They’re getting too predictable! In this newest Fargo adventure there is a brief mention of the Oracle at the beginning then nothing till page 273! Would have loved more on the Vandal Kingdom and more on the Oracle. But it is an easy, summer read.
September 25, 2019
The first time I've been disappointed with a Cussler. The main story is not only an afterthought to the book, it's driving element is unmentioned for the first three quarters of the tale, and when revealed is so obscurely academic that it leaves the whole experience hollow.
June 18, 2019
Not enough story about "The Oracle" and the Vandals.
July 7, 2019
Boring!
I love most of Cussler's series: Dirk Pitt, Kurt Austin, and most of the Fargo books. But every so often he writes a real clunker and this is one one such!
He has a short intro to 'the oracle' then it isn't until p287 (of a 399pp book) that he actually brings it into the story, when the 'action' shifts back to Tunisia. I borrowed this book from my library to read about the Fargos questing for scrolls and an Oracle... and found myself wading, really struggling through... about 300 pages of some damned story about a school in Africa. I really didn't want and was not interested in that at all! Sub-Saharan Africa is not on my radar as a place I want my thrillers set in. Just Not Interested. So I struggled to p73... then just skipped 287pp to find the first mention of Tunisia and hoped...maybe Cussler will redeem himself...maybe he won't. too bad.
However, even the search for the scroll/Oracle seemed anti-climactic... i guess Cussler has his 'off-days' like everyone else. If I had bought this book, I think I'd want my money back and/or accuse him of mis-representation of the story in the title. Title should have been 'The Adventures of the Nigerian Girls School...and the Search for the Oracle'...now that would have sold a lot wouldn't it...? I think not...
Maybe also, the Dirk Pitt and Kurt Austin stories have NUMA behind them and maybe seem just a bit more plausible than the 2 Fargoes and Selma, their one woman 'jack-of-all-trades'. So, having finished with Kurt Austin and Dirk Pitt, I'm now moving away from Cussler to Ben Kane and ancient Rome.
I've enjoyed my ride with Cussler...IMHO he is a far far better thriller writer than the, to my mind, overrated Dan Brown... I will read Cussler's new works when they come out. Just hope no more clunkers. Hope he can write a few more good ones before he either stops due to old age or passrs over. I mean he is 87 now. I wish him many more years still of entertaining writing.
I love most of Cussler's series: Dirk Pitt, Kurt Austin, and most of the Fargo books. But every so often he writes a real clunker and this is one one such!
He has a short intro to 'the oracle' then it isn't until p287 (of a 399pp book) that he actually brings it into the story, when the 'action' shifts back to Tunisia. I borrowed this book from my library to read about the Fargos questing for scrolls and an Oracle... and found myself wading, really struggling through... about 300 pages of some damned story about a school in Africa. I really didn't want and was not interested in that at all! Sub-Saharan Africa is not on my radar as a place I want my thrillers set in. Just Not Interested. So I struggled to p73... then just skipped 287pp to find the first mention of Tunisia and hoped...maybe Cussler will redeem himself...maybe he won't. too bad.
However, even the search for the scroll/Oracle seemed anti-climactic... i guess Cussler has his 'off-days' like everyone else. If I had bought this book, I think I'd want my money back and/or accuse him of mis-representation of the story in the title. Title should have been 'The Adventures of the Nigerian Girls School...and the Search for the Oracle'...now that would have sold a lot wouldn't it...? I think not...
Maybe also, the Dirk Pitt and Kurt Austin stories have NUMA behind them and maybe seem just a bit more plausible than the 2 Fargoes and Selma, their one woman 'jack-of-all-trades'. So, having finished with Kurt Austin and Dirk Pitt, I'm now moving away from Cussler to Ben Kane and ancient Rome.
I've enjoyed my ride with Cussler...IMHO he is a far far better thriller writer than the, to my mind, overrated Dan Brown... I will read Cussler's new works when they come out. Just hope no more clunkers. Hope he can write a few more good ones before he either stops due to old age or passrs over. I mean he is 87 now. I wish him many more years still of entertaining writing.
June 22, 2019
Some find the Fargo series to be the least-best of what team-Cussler publishes. With the release of book #11 in the series, I think the quality of the series is improving. While I can't recall what failed to resonate in this series for me, I've enjoyed the last couple of books. If you haven't been thrilled with the series so far, consider giving this release a fresh look.
June 18, 2019
The Oracle (2019) (Fargo #11) by Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell. This is yet another fun read from the Cussler production team. Robin Burcell has managed to keep the action and suspense up although the mystery of who the “interior” bad guy was didn’t turn out to be well hidden.
Opens with his winning set piece from ancient history, giving the reader a snapshot of that “macguffin” which the Fargos have to uncover. Along the way there are old characters to be called upon for assistance and outright help, new characters with which to build sympathetic targets for the baddies to threaten, harrowing chases, this time through yet another jungle, and gunplay where of course the Fargos are going to risk life and limb and still best the enemies for outnumber them. For a turn this is set partially in North Africa and each chapter begins with an Afirican proverb, most of them new to me and all of them interesting.
This may not sound like a sterling recommendation for this book, but trust me, it is. This is one of the many types of things I like to read, and if I’m going to read this type of thing, I might as well go with the best. It is difficult to top a Cussler novel no matter the writing partner.
Opens with his winning set piece from ancient history, giving the reader a snapshot of that “macguffin” which the Fargos have to uncover. Along the way there are old characters to be called upon for assistance and outright help, new characters with which to build sympathetic targets for the baddies to threaten, harrowing chases, this time through yet another jungle, and gunplay where of course the Fargos are going to risk life and limb and still best the enemies for outnumber them. For a turn this is set partially in North Africa and each chapter begins with an Afirican proverb, most of them new to me and all of them interesting.
This may not sound like a sterling recommendation for this book, but trust me, it is. This is one of the many types of things I like to read, and if I’m going to read this type of thing, I might as well go with the best. It is difficult to top a Cussler novel no matter the writing partner.
May 21, 2024
You shouldn’t start a series with book number 11. But if you do, may I recommend this one? It was fantastic. More action, happy endings (well not for all the bad guys, but they got their just deserts so…), and twists than you would ever guess at. Maybe the villains are a little too all-knowing, and the hero and heroine a little too powerful, and the ‘archeological’ tie-in a little too superstitious, but taken together they make for a rip-roaring adventure. There were also parts of the book that seemed a little too real. It reminds the reader of the danger faced by so many people in this hard, hard world. Then in the tradition of good thrillers, the good guys win.
I really enjoyed this one. It was also really clean.
I really enjoyed this one. It was also really clean.
August 15, 2019
A Vandal Curse, a hijacked archaeological dig, and some annoying students send Sam and Remi Fargo on an adventure. It seems like we've all forgotten Sam is supposed to be an engineer.
A lot of running around for no purpose, and annoying characters that won't go away make this a minor Clive cussler novel, to be polite.
A lot of running around for no purpose, and annoying characters that won't go away make this a minor Clive cussler novel, to be polite.
September 26, 2019
Eleventh in the Sam and Remi Fargo action-adventure thriller series and revolving around a wealthy couple based in La Jolla, California, who hunt for treasure around the world.
My Take
I should think Cussler has enough money that he could stop publishing at these Sam and Remi Fargo books. They've been lousy since The Tombs , 4. And I reckon that oughta be a sign for me. Stubborn as I am, it looks like the Fargos are just not going to get better.
So, anyway, The Oracle uses a third person global subjective point-of-view, which means that we're hearing from a lot of characters. Too bad, so many of them are so lame. As lame as Burcell's ignoring standard archeological practices and turning the Fargos into overconfident gunslingers who are not paying attention to the many signs around them. I had thought the Fargos were so much smarter and aware when they first started out in this series.
Considering the importance of finding the missing money, it amazes me how much Remi puts off looking into it. What's with the Fargos' obliviousness to Amal's seizures and their unquestioning acceptance of Hank's lameness and criticism. Why did the Fargos so easily accept that Warren was the bad guy?
Considering how excited archeologists get when they find a pottery shard, I've gotta wonder what was with Renee's reaction to the treasure they do find? With all the precautions most digs take with paper, why aren't the Fargos taking more care? Why does the dig have two site managers?
Burcell was awkward in setting up the mystery of why Makao is targeting the Fargos. The incident in Jalingo was pretty serious, so why is it that Sam figures it may not be? What is the name of that third Kalu brother?
As for how gung-ho the Fargos are to the threats to themselves and the school...oh. Boy. I hope Nasha's uncle makes up his mind about whether he stays or goes. Why was it so critical for Sam and Remi to show up after the school's vehicle is hijacked? What was the deal with the nails?
It is sweet how this school may change Pete and Wendy's lives. And, of course, I enjoyed that bit of back history relating how Sam and Remi met.
On another positive note, Burcell was good at trailing plenty of red herrings in The Oracle. Too bad they were weeks-old. Weeks and weeks...
The Story
The school is a dream shared by Wendy and Pete, one made possible by their employers' foundation. It's too bad the school is running into trouble. And it's a problem that only leads to more.
As for the embezzlement Sam has discovered? Hmmm...
The Characters
Today
Sam and Remi "Rem-rem" Fargo established the Fargo Foundation. Sam had worked with DARPA and has CIA cross-training; Remi had a master's that focused on ancient trade routes. Selma Wondrash is their Hungarian-born head researcher...and it's not the only hat she wears! Professor Lazlo Kemp is another researcher with a specialty in cryptography. He and Selma have a thing. Zoltán is the Fargos' German shepherd.
CIA
Agent Rubin Haywood had been Sam's partner in close-combat weapons training.
A dig in Bulla Regia, Tunisia, is...
...funded by the Fargo Foundation. Dr Renee "Nay-nay" LaBelle, an archeologist, is one of Remi's oldest friends from when they'd been roommates at Boston College. Hank is their new site manager while Warren Smith is also a site manager. Grad students working the site include the Spanish José, the Egyptian Osmond, and the seizure-prone Amal whose family has owned the site of the dig for generations.
Yesmine is Amal's mother, and her family are direct descendants of the original caster of the curse.
Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria, is...
...where the self-sustaining girls' school is being built with Fargo Foundation money. The Fargos' assistants, Wendy Corden and Pete Jeffcoat, are overseeing the construction. Yaro and Monifa, a husband-and-wife, are caretakers. The students, so far, include Zara, Tambara, Jol, and Maryam — the Four Musketeers. Nasha would like to be a fifth musketeer. Her uncle, Mr Atiku, brought her to Jalingo to keep her safe.
Okoro Eze is a tea farmer who leased the land to the school. He's grateful that his daughter, Zara, can attend a school nearby. Gembu is a nearby village.
Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria, is...
...six hours from the school. Boko Haram is a terrorist militant group. The Area Boys, a gang of pickpockets and thieves, are led by Makao "Scarface" Oni, who is wanted in Lagos. His boys include Dayo, Jimi, Pili, Den, Deric, Uhrie, and Joe.
The Kalu brothers, who supposedly run Kalu and Sons Furniture Repair, are Kambili, ??, and Bako who have their own gang whose members include Nash Atiku with that big secret; Chuk, who is from the same village as Nash; and, Len.
Cussler shows up to help Amal. Brian Torres is with the US embassy. Sean and Rebecca Longstreet are in the market for antiques. Monsieur Karim is the manager for a gallery where Leila is Karim's assistant.
Tarek is Makao's boss and employs Hamida and Ben Ayed, a sniper.
Maiha is...
...where Nasha's uncle lives.
A.D. 533, Bulla Regia, North Africa
Gelimer is king of the Vandals. Tzazon is his brother and his second-in-command. I think Euric is Gelimer's third-in-command. Ammatas is the man who murdered King Hilderic, Gelimer's cousin. Genseric had stolen the scroll 100 years ago.
Belisarius led the Byzantine army.
Early sixth century B.C.
Parmenides was a philosopher and poet, one of whose works, "On Nature", has only survived as fragments.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a rescue scene from when Remi and the kids are on the run. It's mountainous territory with a beautiful blue sky where the sun shines on the storm-caused threat of that raging river and the force of the waterfall. The helicopter has landed on a rocky point to rescue the children as Sam rappels down to rescue Remi. An info blurb in black is at the very top with the "selling" author's name in white with a red outline at the top. Much smaller below that and to the right is the actual author in white. Just above the mist of the plunging waters is the title in red outlined in white. The series information is in black below that.
The title refers to the prophecy cast by The Oracle.
My Take
I should think Cussler has enough money that he could stop publishing at these Sam and Remi Fargo books. They've been lousy since The Tombs , 4. And I reckon that oughta be a sign for me. Stubborn as I am, it looks like the Fargos are just not going to get better.
So, anyway, The Oracle uses a third person global subjective point-of-view, which means that we're hearing from a lot of characters. Too bad, so many of them are so lame. As lame as Burcell's ignoring standard archeological practices and turning the Fargos into overconfident gunslingers who are not paying attention to the many signs around them. I had thought the Fargos were so much smarter and aware when they first started out in this series.
Considering the importance of finding the missing money, it amazes me how much Remi puts off looking into it. What's with the Fargos' obliviousness to Amal's seizures and their unquestioning acceptance of Hank's lameness and criticism. Why did the Fargos so easily accept that Warren was the bad guy?
Considering how excited archeologists get when they find a pottery shard, I've gotta wonder what was with Renee's reaction to the treasure they do find? With all the precautions most digs take with paper, why aren't the Fargos taking more care? Why does the dig have two site managers?
Burcell was awkward in setting up the mystery of why Makao is targeting the Fargos. The incident in Jalingo was pretty serious, so why is it that Sam figures it may not be? What is the name of that third Kalu brother?
As for how gung-ho the Fargos are to the threats to themselves and the school...oh. Boy. I hope Nasha's uncle makes up his mind about whether he stays or goes. Why was it so critical for Sam and Remi to show up after the school's vehicle is hijacked? What was the deal with the nails?
It is sweet how this school may change Pete and Wendy's lives. And, of course, I enjoyed that bit of back history relating how Sam and Remi met.
On another positive note, Burcell was good at trailing plenty of red herrings in The Oracle. Too bad they were weeks-old. Weeks and weeks...
The Story
The school is a dream shared by Wendy and Pete, one made possible by their employers' foundation. It's too bad the school is running into trouble. And it's a problem that only leads to more.
As for the embezzlement Sam has discovered? Hmmm...
The Characters
Today
Sam and Remi "Rem-rem" Fargo established the Fargo Foundation. Sam had worked with DARPA and has CIA cross-training; Remi had a master's that focused on ancient trade routes. Selma Wondrash is their Hungarian-born head researcher...and it's not the only hat she wears! Professor Lazlo Kemp is another researcher with a specialty in cryptography. He and Selma have a thing. Zoltán is the Fargos' German shepherd.
CIA
Agent Rubin Haywood had been Sam's partner in close-combat weapons training.
A dig in Bulla Regia, Tunisia, is...
...funded by the Fargo Foundation. Dr Renee "Nay-nay" LaBelle, an archeologist, is one of Remi's oldest friends from when they'd been roommates at Boston College. Hank is their new site manager while Warren Smith is also a site manager. Grad students working the site include the Spanish José, the Egyptian Osmond, and the seizure-prone Amal whose family has owned the site of the dig for generations.
Yesmine is Amal's mother, and her family are direct descendants of the original caster of the curse.
Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria, is...
...where the self-sustaining girls' school is being built with Fargo Foundation money. The Fargos' assistants, Wendy Corden and Pete Jeffcoat, are overseeing the construction. Yaro and Monifa, a husband-and-wife, are caretakers. The students, so far, include Zara, Tambara, Jol, and Maryam — the Four Musketeers. Nasha would like to be a fifth musketeer. Her uncle, Mr Atiku, brought her to Jalingo to keep her safe.
Okoro Eze is a tea farmer who leased the land to the school. He's grateful that his daughter, Zara, can attend a school nearby. Gembu is a nearby village.
Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria, is...
...six hours from the school. Boko Haram is a terrorist militant group. The Area Boys, a gang of pickpockets and thieves, are led by Makao "Scarface" Oni, who is wanted in Lagos. His boys include Dayo, Jimi, Pili, Den, Deric, Uhrie, and Joe.
The Kalu brothers, who supposedly run Kalu and Sons Furniture Repair, are Kambili, ??, and Bako who have their own gang whose members include Nash Atiku with that big secret; Chuk, who is from the same village as Nash; and, Len.
Cussler shows up to help Amal. Brian Torres is with the US embassy. Sean and Rebecca Longstreet are in the market for antiques. Monsieur Karim is the manager for a gallery where Leila is Karim's assistant.
Tarek is Makao's boss and employs Hamida and Ben Ayed, a sniper.
Maiha is...
...where Nasha's uncle lives.
A.D. 533, Bulla Regia, North Africa
Gelimer is king of the Vandals. Tzazon is his brother and his second-in-command. I think Euric is Gelimer's third-in-command. Ammatas is the man who murdered King Hilderic, Gelimer's cousin. Genseric had stolen the scroll 100 years ago.
Belisarius led the Byzantine army.
Early sixth century B.C.
Parmenides was a philosopher and poet, one of whose works, "On Nature", has only survived as fragments.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a rescue scene from when Remi and the kids are on the run. It's mountainous territory with a beautiful blue sky where the sun shines on the storm-caused threat of that raging river and the force of the waterfall. The helicopter has landed on a rocky point to rescue the children as Sam rappels down to rescue Remi. An info blurb in black is at the very top with the "selling" author's name in white with a red outline at the top. Much smaller below that and to the right is the actual author in white. Just above the mist of the plunging waters is the title in red outlined in white. The series information is in black below that.
The title refers to the prophecy cast by The Oracle.
May 9, 2025
While most of the Cussler series have done fine since his demise, the Fargo series have gone downhill.
This book is a decent thriller but not a great Fargo book. The Fargos are a duo who seek out and find lost treasures, while some bad guys inevitably try to stop them. This story is a nonstop battle against thieves and kidnappers with a tiny portion dedicated to the treasure.
This book is a decent thriller but not a great Fargo book. The Fargos are a duo who seek out and find lost treasures, while some bad guys inevitably try to stop them. This story is a nonstop battle against thieves and kidnappers with a tiny portion dedicated to the treasure.
September 14, 2023
Is this series amazing... not really - but it keeps me entertained and I'll be damned if I don't finish it. The Oracle is the 11th installment of the Fargo Adventure series and follow Sam and Remi Fargo as they follow up on some funding inconsistencies at an archaeological site they are funding in Tunisia. As if that wasn't enough of a headache one of the supply trucks headed out to a girls school (that they also fund) is missing in transit. Is something nefarious going on? Not as much about treasure hunting as there other books, but it was still exciting. I really liked Nasha, a young stowaway that wins over the hearts of the Fargos and their friends. Implausible as always but a fast listen.
July 1, 2019
I enjoyed this Fargo adventure more than previous ones and I think it was because the focus was less on the couple and more on the adventure. The only weakness was the loss of focus on the historical item introduced at the beginning of the book -- it doesn't become part of the story again until near the end (even though they keep referring to the curse throughout the book). The old sayings at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch!
June 20, 2024
Slay, slay, slay... Okay yes it's meant to be a Taylor reference and yes the first two reviews were only so I could make it lol
June 29, 2019
Another favorite.
Okay, I admit I am partial to the Fargo adventure series and this one did not disappoint. In true Cussler style, the couple embarks on a seemingly straightforward trip only to fall into an adventure befitting this philanthropic couple and their magnetic pull into danger.
Okay, I admit I am partial to the Fargo adventure series and this one did not disappoint. In true Cussler style, the couple embarks on a seemingly straightforward trip only to fall into an adventure befitting this philanthropic couple and their magnetic pull into danger.
June 17, 2019
After the last several Sam and Remi books, I felt they had just become ok. But this one ... this one ... it was one of his best. There were twists and turns that were definitely unexpected while keeping the reader wondering just what was coming next. Great job on this one! Sam and Remi have been redeemed.
June 13, 2019
Another great Fargo adventure. As with all of Clive Cussler‘s books. He takes a bit of history and intertwined it into an extraordinary story and adventure. He never fails to entertain me and may his stories continue forever. Keep them coming
August 16, 2021
As Mac says, Cussler aaalways deliver.
June 13, 2019
The Oracle
The Oracle was an apt title for this.novel that jumped forward and back involving numerous bad guys, some sorta bad guys and the real good guys. At the end the graduate student, and oracle, Amal, gives the clues that allow Dr. LaBelle and the Fargoes find the treasure. Nicely done.
The Oracle was an apt title for this.novel that jumped forward and back involving numerous bad guys, some sorta bad guys and the real good guys. At the end the graduate student, and oracle, Amal, gives the clues that allow Dr. LaBelle and the Fargoes find the treasure. Nicely done.
October 1, 2019
One of the most boring of the Fargo series. Each one of these later Fargo books seems to be getting longer and longer. Just wondering how much Clive Cussler has written as a lot of it doesn't seem to have his touch.
October 16, 2019
Fun book. Thought there'd be more treasure hunting stuff, though. The main arc was the school in Africa with the kidnappings, which was all right, just not what I read this book for. I should have read the blurb better.
June 20, 2019
Well, that was a so-so story... it flowed without any depth. I cannot even find other words to describe this book...
November 14, 2019
This story of Clive Cussler’s is part of his Fargo Adventure stories. I am normally partial to his Dirk Pitt adventures but thought I should give this ago. The cover of this book is what initially drew me to it, I know you should never judge a book by its cover but, I always do. Looking at this cover of this book it just spoke of such mystery and exciting tales to be told, that I just had to read it.
This adventure follows Sam and Remi Fargo, a husband and wife team that have a charitable foundation set up which is funding an archaeological dig near Bulla Regia, Tunisia, as well as a girl’s school for the girls of the local families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford an education.
After a supply truck and its cargo destined for the school is stolen, filled with supplies to finished the school before the rain season starts, the Fargos fly from California to pick up a new truck and supplies to help finish getting the school set tup. However, after deciding to make a quick visit to the archaeological site a few unfortunate coincidences start occurring, maybe things and the people at the site aren’t quite what they seem to be.
What starts out as a simple embezzlement of the funds provided by the Fargos foundation, that were meant to fund the archaeological dig quickly turns into a daring tale of survival and a hunt for a lost treasure.
Along the way the Fargos come across little Nasha, an orphaned girl who learnt how to survive the hard way. Nasha proves to be quite a resourceful girl who is small and moves quiet and quick as a mouse, and a quickly captures the heart of Remi Fargo. Living on the streets, pick pocketing to make a living under the cruel tutelage of the Kambili brothers.
The Kambili Brothers, upset that Nasha stole away in the Fargos truck and were unable to steal their vehicle attempt to get their revenge but soon learn that more than one party are after the Fargos, who are not the easy targets that they appear to be.
As a true husband and wife team (yes, I realise that sounds a bit corny but seriously you just have to read a couple of their adventures to realise how great they are) working together to overcome crisis after crisis.
Eventually it all leads them to the truth regarding the lost treasure of the last Vandal King. Which unbeknownst to the Fargos was right near the archaeological site their foundation was funding. Proving coincidences aren’t always mere coincidences.
I quite liked the character Amal, the author created and the way she was set up in the book to the reader. Initially the reader is lead to view Amal in one light and then another, never quite getting to know her true character until the last possible moment.
It is this kind of writing style that really makes me engaged in the story and enjoy it so much that I literally loose myself in the story.
This adventure follows Sam and Remi Fargo, a husband and wife team that have a charitable foundation set up which is funding an archaeological dig near Bulla Regia, Tunisia, as well as a girl’s school for the girls of the local families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford an education.
After a supply truck and its cargo destined for the school is stolen, filled with supplies to finished the school before the rain season starts, the Fargos fly from California to pick up a new truck and supplies to help finish getting the school set tup. However, after deciding to make a quick visit to the archaeological site a few unfortunate coincidences start occurring, maybe things and the people at the site aren’t quite what they seem to be.
What starts out as a simple embezzlement of the funds provided by the Fargos foundation, that were meant to fund the archaeological dig quickly turns into a daring tale of survival and a hunt for a lost treasure.
Along the way the Fargos come across little Nasha, an orphaned girl who learnt how to survive the hard way. Nasha proves to be quite a resourceful girl who is small and moves quiet and quick as a mouse, and a quickly captures the heart of Remi Fargo. Living on the streets, pick pocketing to make a living under the cruel tutelage of the Kambili brothers.
The Kambili Brothers, upset that Nasha stole away in the Fargos truck and were unable to steal their vehicle attempt to get their revenge but soon learn that more than one party are after the Fargos, who are not the easy targets that they appear to be.
As a true husband and wife team (yes, I realise that sounds a bit corny but seriously you just have to read a couple of their adventures to realise how great they are) working together to overcome crisis after crisis.
Eventually it all leads them to the truth regarding the lost treasure of the last Vandal King. Which unbeknownst to the Fargos was right near the archaeological site their foundation was funding. Proving coincidences aren’t always mere coincidences.
I quite liked the character Amal, the author created and the way she was set up in the book to the reader. Initially the reader is lead to view Amal in one light and then another, never quite getting to know her true character until the last possible moment.
It is this kind of writing style that really makes me engaged in the story and enjoy it so much that I literally loose myself in the story.
June 29, 2019
It's only taken until number 11 in the series but 'finally' I actually liked the Fargo's in this adventure. The breaking-and-entering was at a minimum. The tossing about of their wealth only made a couple of appearances - getting a second set of supplies for the school with vehicles quickly, the jet transportation as well as their portrayal of the bored home decorators that wanted an authentic antique for their other house.
This one had the cast of characters that have been slowing developing around Sam and Remi Fargo as the series continued - Selma, Lazlo, Wendy and Pete. Zoltan the dog was only mentioned since he was back at home. This one took place not only in Tunisia but Nigeria. They were checking up on not only an archaeological dig they were helping sponsor and to investigate discrepancies which appeared in the ledgers but also checking on the school for girls that they were building. Boko Haram was mentioned but they were not the villains in the piece. It was everyday, ordinary smugglers, thieves, antiquity-stealing thugs. Oh and kidnappers in order to get large ransoms from their victims.
The tie-in with the historic scenario literally wasn't until the last couple of chapters which was good since there was so much action going on.
As I said, I finally enjoyed the cast of the Fargo Adventures in this one. I have been reading Cussler books for perhaps longer than I care to admit - the first one I read when I was younger was Raise the Titanic! shortly after it was released. It's been an enjoyable ride over the years meeting the new characters and enjoying the collaboration between Cussler and these other authors. Thanks Clive!
2019-093
This one had the cast of characters that have been slowing developing around Sam and Remi Fargo as the series continued - Selma, Lazlo, Wendy and Pete. Zoltan the dog was only mentioned since he was back at home. This one took place not only in Tunisia but Nigeria. They were checking up on not only an archaeological dig they were helping sponsor and to investigate discrepancies which appeared in the ledgers but also checking on the school for girls that they were building. Boko Haram was mentioned but they were not the villains in the piece. It was everyday, ordinary smugglers, thieves, antiquity-stealing thugs. Oh and kidnappers in order to get large ransoms from their victims.
The tie-in with the historic scenario literally wasn't until the last couple of chapters which was good since there was so much action going on.
As I said, I finally enjoyed the cast of the Fargo Adventures in this one. I have been reading Cussler books for perhaps longer than I care to admit - the first one I read when I was younger was Raise the Titanic! shortly after it was released. It's been an enjoyable ride over the years meeting the new characters and enjoying the collaboration between Cussler and these other authors. Thanks Clive!
2019-093
July 1, 2019
This is the 11th adventure featuring Sam and Remi Fargo, who are fabulously rich and prove that even though you are richer than King Midas, you can still have adventures and fun and is the latest in the long-running adventure series from Clive Cussler and whoever he happens to co-author with this week.
Actually, this installment is a cut above the average Fargo adventure since this time around it is just them and a couple of recurring characters - they don't get NUMA involved which means the NUMA crew gets to do other things and doesn't have to spend a lot of time getting the Fargos out of whatever predicament they happen to be in. It is a truly refreshing change and it would be wonderful if that were a trend that would continue in not only future installments of the Fargo adventures but in the others as well.
This time around, Sam and Remi (what kind of a name is that anyway?) are fighting off outlaws in the wilds of Nigeria. Couple that in with a kidnapping, an escape through the jungle, a flood, a number of wayward children and the search for a missing scroll and all the ingredients are there for a high-flying adventure in true Cussler style.
Reads fast and is a page-turner because you always want to see what is going to happen next. Once the action starts, it's virtually non-stop and makes for a fun and satisfying read.
Actually, this installment is a cut above the average Fargo adventure since this time around it is just them and a couple of recurring characters - they don't get NUMA involved which means the NUMA crew gets to do other things and doesn't have to spend a lot of time getting the Fargos out of whatever predicament they happen to be in. It is a truly refreshing change and it would be wonderful if that were a trend that would continue in not only future installments of the Fargo adventures but in the others as well.
This time around, Sam and Remi (what kind of a name is that anyway?) are fighting off outlaws in the wilds of Nigeria. Couple that in with a kidnapping, an escape through the jungle, a flood, a number of wayward children and the search for a missing scroll and all the ingredients are there for a high-flying adventure in true Cussler style.
Reads fast and is a page-turner because you always want to see what is going to happen next. Once the action starts, it's virtually non-stop and makes for a fun and satisfying read.
July 2, 2019
Always love Cussler's books!!! This book features Sam and Remi Fargo a treasure hunting duo that finds hidden treasures and gets into all kind of trouble all over the world. This book focuses on Africa. Their two researchers (Wendy and Pete ) have gone to Africa to start a school for girls in Nigeria with funding from the Fargo's Foundation. Sam and Remi are travelling to check on the progress of the school and lend a hand on the completion of the buildings. They are also sponsoring (funding)an archeological dig in Tunisia with an old college friend of Remi's. Sam notices some financial irregularities in the books from the dig so they decide to stop by and see if they can find where the problem is. It looks like some embezzling has occurred and then they are notified the supply truck heading to the school has been stolen and a whole lot of trouble ensues. This was a good read. Three quarters of the book covered the events at the school which did eventually tie back in to the history and the treasure at the archeological dig but the plot moved slowly but with plenty of action. There seem to be more emphasis on Killing the bad guys than in past books. the resolution of the historical mystery was a bit of a let down. Always happy to read a Cussler book!
October 21, 2019
The 11th in the Fargo series...a wealthy couple who along with money have it all, brains, training, luck and all the skills to combat the various evildoers they face...pretty formulaic and predictable, but like the Stuart Woods Stone Barrington's, thoroughly entertaining...In this one, Sam and Remi travel to Africa to check on the progress of a school their foundation is funding, as well as a Tunisian dig that seems to have financial irregularities funded by them as well...During their travels, they learn of another priceless relic and have run-ins with a local criminal gang seeking same...Fun Stuff!!!
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