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Isaac Bell #12
The Saboteurs
Detective Isaac Bell's investigation into an attempted assassination brings him to the construction site of the Panama Canal--and straight into a nest of vipers--in the latest adventure in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series from Clive Cussler.
Detective Isaac Bell's wife has said that he is always in the wrong place at the right time. This is certainly the case when Bell thwarts the assassination of a U.S. Senator shortly after meeting the man. This heroic rescue is just the start of the mystery for Bell, who suspects that the would-be assassins have a much larger and more dangerous agenda--one involving the nearly constructed Panama Canal. While the senator supports the building of the canal, there are many, including a local Panamanian insurgency known as the Red Vipers, who never want to see its completion.
With millions of dollars and the fates of two nations at stake, Bell heads to Panama to find answers. After a deadly bombing at the canal's construction site, he is determined to stop the insurgents--or whoever is funding them--before they can attack again.
Detective Isaac Bell's wife has said that he is always in the wrong place at the right time. This is certainly the case when Bell thwarts the assassination of a U.S. Senator shortly after meeting the man. This heroic rescue is just the start of the mystery for Bell, who suspects that the would-be assassins have a much larger and more dangerous agenda--one involving the nearly constructed Panama Canal. While the senator supports the building of the canal, there are many, including a local Panamanian insurgency known as the Red Vipers, who never want to see its completion.
With millions of dollars and the fates of two nations at stake, Bell heads to Panama to find answers. After a deadly bombing at the canal's construction site, he is determined to stop the insurgents--or whoever is funding them--before they can attack again.
485 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 2021
724 people are currently reading
1576 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 287 reviews
July 1, 2021
Can’t love them all ...
Set in the early 20th century, Isaac Bell is like Sherlock Holmes plus a whole lot of action. The Saboteurs takes the reader on an adventure at the time of Panama Canal construction. Local insurgents are against the project and caused chaos. Also, there's an assassination attempt of a political figure subplot. This one just felt somewhat tedious.
Set in the early 20th century, Isaac Bell is like Sherlock Holmes plus a whole lot of action. The Saboteurs takes the reader on an adventure at the time of Panama Canal construction. Local insurgents are against the project and caused chaos. Also, there's an assassination attempt of a political figure subplot. This one just felt somewhat tedious.
September 26, 2025
A solid Isaac Bell adventure set during the construction of the Panama Canal. The historical details woven into the plot and mystery were fascinating.
August 8, 2021
I am so happy that Isaac Bell's series is continuing. This story is historically detailed and has amazing action. I enjoy the smaller details, such as the description of an ambulance being specified as a motor ambulance. It has you experiencing the changing times of motor vehicles and horse drawn vehicles still sharing space on the roads and the characters living through the rapid industrial changes. The storyline is great too. Everything you expect from an Isaac Bell adventure. I was happy to see Marion Bell playing a more prominent role than she has in past stories as well. I have learned more about early Panamanian history and the huge undertaking that it was to build the Panama Canal than I ever remember reading in school, or anywhere else. An added pleasure is having Teddy Roosevelt make brief appearances in the story. I have always thought he was an extremely interesting person to learn anything about. Thank you to NetGalley and Putnum (Penguin Group), for the chance to enjoy this adventurous e-ARC experience.
July 31, 2021
Not my favorite Isaac Bell book. Taking place in Panama, you lose the other Van Dorn agents. I kind of miss the network of agents around the country/world that work with Issac to solve the cases. I definitely enjoyed the story.
September 3, 2021
My favorite Cussler series. It does not hurt that I am interested in the history of the Panama Canal. I also like that Bell in not infallible which makes him closer to us mere mortals. Great pacing and a good cast of characters make this a great read.
July 28, 2021
Isaac Bell goes to Panama, during the final stages of the construction of the Panama Canal. Teddy Roosevelt wants to visit, and there's some sort of insurrectionist movement. There's the usual amount of derring-do. A sequence beneath an acidic tree is certainly chilling. The ending is a bit predictable, but that's to be expected in these things.
September 17, 2021
Another entertaining adventure featuring Isaac Bell. This time, he found himself saving a senator from an assassination attempt in San Diego. This led him to Panama to investigate a native insurrection group that's determined to sabotage the construction of the Panama Canal. I don't know enough about the Panama Canal and its history but it's interesting to read this take on it. I've said this before about Cussler books, but listening to this as an audiobook makes it feel like an old fashioned radio play.
July 14, 2021
Sigh. Not all Isaac Bell tales are created equal. I loved the setting (Panama) and having Marion and Teddy Roosevelt involved. The story just didn't have enough history or excitement as most of the previous novels.
September 23, 2021
Overall, solid Clive Cussler story full of adventure and mind bending plot twists. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Additionally, Scott Brick continues to do a great job narrating the story.
Three aspects that make this book different from others in the Isaac Bell Adventure series are:
1. Marian, Isaac’s wife, is along for the ride. I honestly wish she had a bigger part in the story but I understand she is not a detective like him and therefore shouldn’t be super involved in his work. Nevertheless, it was great that she had a more prominent presence in this story and it’s romantic hearing Isaac’s thoughts about her (adds more depth to his character).
2. Majority of the story takes place in Panama! I love that Clive Cussler includes so much history in his stories. It was intriguing learning more about how the Panama Canal was built and learning a little bit about Panama as a country. If you’ve read other Cussler novels, you’re used to the characters traveling all over the world. With Isaac Bell though, the stories are time period pieces, so they have all taken place in America (that I can remember). It’s intriguing to experience Isaac out of his element, in a new country, where he doesn’t speak the language or know the customs. He also doesn’t have the same level of clout in Panama, which is a new experience for him.
3. At the end of the story we learn something about Bell that we didn’t previously know. Clive Cussler obviously spends a lot of time thinking about character development and it shows. As a reader, I truly appreciate how much he’s thought about his characters. It was cool learning a new fact about Isaac and his family.
Three aspects that make this book different from others in the Isaac Bell Adventure series are:
1. Marian, Isaac’s wife, is along for the ride. I honestly wish she had a bigger part in the story but I understand she is not a detective like him and therefore shouldn’t be super involved in his work. Nevertheless, it was great that she had a more prominent presence in this story and it’s romantic hearing Isaac’s thoughts about her (adds more depth to his character).
2. Majority of the story takes place in Panama! I love that Clive Cussler includes so much history in his stories. It was intriguing learning more about how the Panama Canal was built and learning a little bit about Panama as a country. If you’ve read other Cussler novels, you’re used to the characters traveling all over the world. With Isaac Bell though, the stories are time period pieces, so they have all taken place in America (that I can remember). It’s intriguing to experience Isaac out of his element, in a new country, where he doesn’t speak the language or know the customs. He also doesn’t have the same level of clout in Panama, which is a new experience for him.
3. At the end of the story we learn something about Bell that we didn’t previously know. Clive Cussler obviously spends a lot of time thinking about character development and it shows. As a reader, I truly appreciate how much he’s thought about his characters. It was cool learning a new fact about Isaac and his family.
June 16, 2021
The Saboteurs is the first Clive Cussler book I’ve ben disappointed in. While it was mostly a decent Isaac Bell adventure, unfortunately, this was the first one that became overtly political. I know that the co-author, Jack DuBrul ruined his last Jack Mercer series book by becoming very political in that story and apparently the Cussler family let his biases leak through into this one.
Of all the Cussler books I’ve ever read, he’s never let his personal political biases overtly come through. From reading his books, I not only don’t know which way he swings, I don’t care and that’s the way it should be. While I’m sure his biases leak through into his work, it’s neither preachy nor blatant, or wasn’t until this book. At least it wasn’t for me.
I don’t care which way an author leans. I can enjoy books from authors on either side of the spectrum as long as they shut up and tell a good story. This time, it wasn’t the case. If you’ve read the book, you may or may not have noticed or be sensitive to it. I’m not that sensitive to it, but when it’s as blatant as it was here, like repeatedly bringing it up, well…it’s hard not to notice.
The story was good, but clouded by personal bias thrown in for no good reason.
You all can do better than that.
Of all the Cussler books I’ve ever read, he’s never let his personal political biases overtly come through. From reading his books, I not only don’t know which way he swings, I don’t care and that’s the way it should be. While I’m sure his biases leak through into his work, it’s neither preachy nor blatant, or wasn’t until this book. At least it wasn’t for me.
I don’t care which way an author leans. I can enjoy books from authors on either side of the spectrum as long as they shut up and tell a good story. This time, it wasn’t the case. If you’ve read the book, you may or may not have noticed or be sensitive to it. I’m not that sensitive to it, but when it’s as blatant as it was here, like repeatedly bringing it up, well…it’s hard not to notice.
The story was good, but clouded by personal bias thrown in for no good reason.
You all can do better than that.
May 30, 2021
I don't know how much of this book is from the late Clive Cussler but have always been a fan of Jack DuBrul's solo work.
America has a crew in Panama working on building the canal. There have been some sabotage caused by a group of insurgents who claimed Panama was for Panamanians and basically Yanqui go home.
Isaac Bell has been tasked with investigating the attacks and determining the culprits. The historical details of this series are spot on and well researched.
I love the Isaac Bell series and hope that Jack DuBrul continues them after the loss of Mr Cussler.
America has a crew in Panama working on building the canal. There have been some sabotage caused by a group of insurgents who claimed Panama was for Panamanians and basically Yanqui go home.
Isaac Bell has been tasked with investigating the attacks and determining the culprits. The historical details of this series are spot on and well researched.
I love the Isaac Bell series and hope that Jack DuBrul continues them after the loss of Mr Cussler.
September 21, 2021
I'm a big fan of Jack Du Brul's Philip Mercer series and I'm glad to see he's been brought in to be a legacy author for the Clive Cussler estate...In "The Saboteurs," the 12th in the Isaac Bell series, Bell is enmeshed in the backdrop of the building of the Panama Canal, looking for local insurgents behind a series of attacks against the canal's construction...These attacks have a more sinister backing as the investigation unfolds...The usual Clive Cussler fun!!!
June 27, 2021
The historical adventures continue as Isaac Bell moves steadily toward WWI - quite curious to see how that will play out in the (hopefully near) future.
November 1, 2021
Welcome to the Isaac Bell series, Jack DuBrul!
Wow, sure is cool to see Jack DuBrul taking over as the co-author/ghost writer for the Isaac Bell series, as this is definitely the grittiest novel in the series that I can recall. It also has the most elaborate and intricate plot, as this time the titular villains—Marxist insurgents and German industrialists and spies plotting to sabotage the canal and assassinate Teddy Roosevelt are referenced in a plural noun rather than a singular noun that was the case with the previous books in the series.
We also see Isaac and his drop dead gorgeous wife Marion at their most vulnerable, physically, emotionally, and mentally alike, reminding us that for all their heroics, they’re both still very human.
About my only nitpicks are:
(1) The author mistakenly refers to the Luger pistol having an external hammer (it’s actually toggle-fired), an amateurish gaffe I would’ve expected from Robert Ludlum and not an action writer of DuBrul’s calibre.
(2) Whatever became of Issac’s ultrafast derringer from the hat draw?
All the same, I’d say this is the best novel in the series yet!
Wow, sure is cool to see Jack DuBrul taking over as the co-author/ghost writer for the Isaac Bell series, as this is definitely the grittiest novel in the series that I can recall. It also has the most elaborate and intricate plot, as this time the titular villains—Marxist insurgents and German industrialists and spies plotting to sabotage the canal and assassinate Teddy Roosevelt are referenced in a plural noun rather than a singular noun that was the case with the previous books in the series.
We also see Isaac and his drop dead gorgeous wife Marion at their most vulnerable, physically, emotionally, and mentally alike, reminding us that for all their heroics, they’re both still very human.
About my only nitpicks are:
(1) The author mistakenly refers to the Luger pistol having an external hammer (it’s actually toggle-fired), an amateurish gaffe I would’ve expected from Robert Ludlum and not an action writer of DuBrul’s calibre.
(2) Whatever became of Issac’s ultrafast derringer from the hat draw?
All the same, I’d say this is the best novel in the series yet!
July 6, 2021
I have to say that I have enjoyed the Isaac Bell series. While at times he seems a bit larger than life, there is a way about his character that makes for an enjoyable read. Though I will also say if he didn't work the catch phrase "on the jump!" into each book at least once, many would probably be disappointed.
This was a great leisure read that was fun. As well, I greatly enjoy the historical perspective that these novels bring to light. I knew almost nothing about the Panama Canal, so I was able to learn a bit while being entertained - a win - win.
Overall, I think that this was a good addition to the series. It was worth the time spent reading it.
This was a great leisure read that was fun. As well, I greatly enjoy the historical perspective that these novels bring to light. I knew almost nothing about the Panama Canal, so I was able to learn a bit while being entertained - a win - win.
Overall, I think that this was a good addition to the series. It was worth the time spent reading it.
July 24, 2021
Sadly I can definitely tell there's a new author for this series, it's not as good as any of the other 11 books in the Isaac Bell series. It's okay, a bit over the top in places and the beginning is hard to get through in parts. This has to be my least favorite Isaac Bell. I really loved the series but now with this new author it's so not as interesting or fun to read there's too much of a political influence in the story.
June 18, 2022
This is apparently the last book in the Isaac Bell series. I have enjoyed them all but this one seemed to be a history lesson the first 100 pages. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting, but I can only think that since Clive Cussler passed away before this book was completed that it lacked a lot of his touch. I gave it four stars for continuity and for the usual action and twists in the latter part of the book.
December 29, 2023
Awesome book! I didn't expect to learn so much about the panama canal and its construction. I think that combining an action adventure with a lot of historical context made the book a lot more interesting.
June 21, 2021
[sigh]... the last of the Cussler novels ... thank goodness I haven't read most of his Dirk Pitt and NUMA Files books...
August 12, 2021
A great adventure. Loved every minute of reading it. Recommend it to anyone who likes mystery and action.
September 19, 2022
Best Isaac Bell yet
I loved this book. It had a really good plot and taking place in Panama added a great touch .
I loved this book. It had a really good plot and taking place in Panama added a great touch .
February 5, 2023
4,5 stars
What can I say? I'm a geek when it comes to Clive Cussler books. I used to have a special part of the library dedicated to many of his heroes... But this is my Isaac Bell first one.
I often wonder -and this book, and hero reinforced this notion- why did it all change so fast, and is this nostalgia I am feeling a good thing? [Probably not]
Anyway, Clive Cussler always had the talent of integrating the good values in each one of his main characters, and maybe everything is so ideal because of this. But, I can never get over a man, a person, a hero who will appreciate their partner, will use their brains, will go to unbelievable extremes to feel at peace with themselves. Such person is Isaac Bell.
I do not have a way of knowing the historical facts of the story, but something tells me that nothing is left to chance. Everything is explained well, from the weather, the technology... even the dressing codes.
This would have been an amazing series, as many of Clive Cussler's books...
What can I say? I'm a geek when it comes to Clive Cussler books. I used to have a special part of the library dedicated to many of his heroes... But this is my Isaac Bell first one.
I often wonder -and this book, and hero reinforced this notion- why did it all change so fast, and is this nostalgia I am feeling a good thing? [Probably not]
Anyway, Clive Cussler always had the talent of integrating the good values in each one of his main characters, and maybe everything is so ideal because of this. But, I can never get over a man, a person, a hero who will appreciate their partner, will use their brains, will go to unbelievable extremes to feel at peace with themselves. Such person is Isaac Bell.
I do not have a way of knowing the historical facts of the story, but something tells me that nothing is left to chance. Everything is explained well, from the weather, the technology... even the dressing codes.
This would have been an amazing series, as many of Clive Cussler's books...
June 19, 2021
It was a very good story and realistic not like some of Cussler's other stories. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 6, 2021
Not Clive Cussler. I enjoyed the story and background on the Panama Canal, the plot was good... but didn't like how everything was wrapped up at the end.
July 9, 2021
Lots of action, and tight escapes here, but the book drags. With Cussler now gone, this is probably the last book of his that I will read. His co-authors without his guiding hand just aren't the same. The book takes place during the building of the Panama Canal. From a historical aspect, it is interesting, but too much of today's culture intrudes into the 1911 culture. My best advice is don't bother.
August 6, 2021
SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOIILERS FOLLOWS:
First impressions count: 'The Saboteurs' is 385 pages long, and when I finished it I wished there'd been another 100! jack du Brul wrote one helluva page-turning thriller, and he picked a subject about which I knew little but wanted to know more; i.e., the construction of the Panama Canal. The Canal captured the imagination twice during my lifetime; Jimmy Carter giving it away and its expansion to accommodate Panamax cargo vessels. The actual construction was obviously on the magnitude of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, but I never knew much about how it was built. I also wasn't aware that the Pacific end is 85' higher than the Caribbean end, necessitating the two massive locks. But to learn you have to travel east from the Gatun Locks to reach the Pacific had me pulling out the old Atlas!
The grand conspiracy driving 'The Saboteurs' is the plot by Kaiser Wilhelm's minions to sabotage it, and to time this sabotage to coincide with Teddy Roosevelt's visit to check on its status. Of course the action begins far away in San Diego, where world's greatest detective Isaac Bell foils an apparent assassination attempt on US Senator William Densmore's life in the hotel's huge ballroom. Based on the identity of the dead bandits, Isaac and retired US Army Major Courtney Talbot assume there is a guerilla movement of Panamanians who resist the completion of the Canal. Isaac is met by his Hollywood producer wife Marion, for the week long ship ride to Panama, providing them an excuse for a second honeymoon.
In Panama things seem to slide sideways early on as Isaac chases the ghosts of the Red Viper guerillas. Surprising nearly everyone, German industrialist Otto Dreissen seems to control the police and the underworld around Panama City, and Isaac cannot make the link between the Red Vipers and Dreissen until he hears the natives describing a dull buzz in the clouds at night. I will admit that the introduction of a dirigible into the storyline was nearly stunning, as it the Cologne could only have gotten to Panama by crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Germany! Turns out this was made possible by a supply ship, the Magna, accompanying it to resupply consumables and hydrogen.
Isaac is obviously asking too many questions, so his truck is conveniently blasted off the road along the wall of the Culebra Cut, where he was buried by a landslide inside a water drum for many hours but was ultimately rescued. The near-death experience obviously fired him up once he regained his senses and packed Marion on a ship heading back to the States. By this time he's sure a dirigible is in play and begins his own search of the slowing enlarging Lake Gatun for a place a dirigible could dock. When he learns Marion has been kidnapped enroute he knows that Dreissen's dirigible is the only way it could have succeeded on the open ocean. He finds the docking island, lays in wait, and sabotages Court Talbot's work boat so that it blows to smithereens, taking out everything at the docking station. Isaac returns to the seaplane and finds the supply ship in waters off the Colon coast of the Caribbean.
From there on it's pure James Bond, as Isaac pulls off the impossible but manages to not only rescue Marion but save Teddy Roosevelt just as his floating dock is about to exit the Gatun Locks. This book will have you missing sleep to follow the bread crumb trail in the quagmire mess of the Canal construction. Get this book, read it and enjoy it, and learn a little history along the way!
First impressions count: 'The Saboteurs' is 385 pages long, and when I finished it I wished there'd been another 100! jack du Brul wrote one helluva page-turning thriller, and he picked a subject about which I knew little but wanted to know more; i.e., the construction of the Panama Canal. The Canal captured the imagination twice during my lifetime; Jimmy Carter giving it away and its expansion to accommodate Panamax cargo vessels. The actual construction was obviously on the magnitude of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, but I never knew much about how it was built. I also wasn't aware that the Pacific end is 85' higher than the Caribbean end, necessitating the two massive locks. But to learn you have to travel east from the Gatun Locks to reach the Pacific had me pulling out the old Atlas!
The grand conspiracy driving 'The Saboteurs' is the plot by Kaiser Wilhelm's minions to sabotage it, and to time this sabotage to coincide with Teddy Roosevelt's visit to check on its status. Of course the action begins far away in San Diego, where world's greatest detective Isaac Bell foils an apparent assassination attempt on US Senator William Densmore's life in the hotel's huge ballroom. Based on the identity of the dead bandits, Isaac and retired US Army Major Courtney Talbot assume there is a guerilla movement of Panamanians who resist the completion of the Canal. Isaac is met by his Hollywood producer wife Marion, for the week long ship ride to Panama, providing them an excuse for a second honeymoon.
In Panama things seem to slide sideways early on as Isaac chases the ghosts of the Red Viper guerillas. Surprising nearly everyone, German industrialist Otto Dreissen seems to control the police and the underworld around Panama City, and Isaac cannot make the link between the Red Vipers and Dreissen until he hears the natives describing a dull buzz in the clouds at night. I will admit that the introduction of a dirigible into the storyline was nearly stunning, as it the Cologne could only have gotten to Panama by crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Germany! Turns out this was made possible by a supply ship, the Magna, accompanying it to resupply consumables and hydrogen.
Isaac is obviously asking too many questions, so his truck is conveniently blasted off the road along the wall of the Culebra Cut, where he was buried by a landslide inside a water drum for many hours but was ultimately rescued. The near-death experience obviously fired him up once he regained his senses and packed Marion on a ship heading back to the States. By this time he's sure a dirigible is in play and begins his own search of the slowing enlarging Lake Gatun for a place a dirigible could dock. When he learns Marion has been kidnapped enroute he knows that Dreissen's dirigible is the only way it could have succeeded on the open ocean. He finds the docking island, lays in wait, and sabotages Court Talbot's work boat so that it blows to smithereens, taking out everything at the docking station. Isaac returns to the seaplane and finds the supply ship in waters off the Colon coast of the Caribbean.
From there on it's pure James Bond, as Isaac pulls off the impossible but manages to not only rescue Marion but save Teddy Roosevelt just as his floating dock is about to exit the Gatun Locks. This book will have you missing sleep to follow the bread crumb trail in the quagmire mess of the Canal construction. Get this book, read it and enjoy it, and learn a little history along the way!
July 2, 2021
Not the best Isaac Bell story… Could see where Mr Cussler was missing… seemed to be missing the ingredients for a good Cussler novel
June 18, 2021
Just plain stupid. Terrible ending. Same story outline as always. The first Jack Du Brul, Cussler book I’ve read. This Issac Bell is not the Justin Scott’s Issac Bell. It’s something else. This was more of a Disney’s Rocketeer mixed with Chuck Norris. So stupid that it was not even remotely enjoyable. Loved the mention of the Kuna Indians but aside from that everything else was really two dimensional. Terrible, terrible,terrible…massive eye roll.
July 5, 2021
I have read the entire Isaac Bell series and this is the most disappointing by far. I know Isaac Bell is a great detective, but some logical and believable assembling of facts into theory would be appreciated. All of his escapes from death this time were very hard to believe, no matter how great Isaac may be. Very disappointed!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews