Monday, January 4, 2010

The Wrecker by Clive Cussler & Justin Scott


The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott
A Van Dorn Detective Agency Mystery
As you know by now, I'm a fan of Clive Cussler and have read most, if not all, of his books and I eagerly anticipate each new arrival. Thankfully, he's a prolific writer and usually comes out with 2 books per year.

Most of his books have started off with a Prologue from an event in history and then comes up to modern times with mystery, thrills and adventure. Lately, he has come out with a new series idea that are historical thrillers. The first one, I think, was The Chase introducing the Van Dorn Detective Agency and his main character, Isaac Bell. In The Wrecker, we are returned to the turn of the century with the Van Dorn Detective Agency and Isaac Bell. In this series, his Prologue begins the book with a mystery in the "future" of 1934, and then the book picks up in 1907 to begin the story. It is a year of financial panic and labor unrest. Osgood Hennessy is a wealthy railroad man giving Commodore Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan a run for their money. He is building transcontinental railroad lines from the Atlantic to the Pacific and steamrolling his competitors in the process. In 1907, his company is pushing to finish the Cascade Cut before the winter snows stop all work.

But there is a saboteur at work whom they call The Wrecker. He is bent on destroying the Cascade Cut. But why? What does The Wrecker have to gain by it? Who is paying him to blow up tunnels, cause train wrecks, cutting telegraph wires? Is he backed by unions, bankers, competitors? And how will Isaac Bell be able to cover the thousands of miles of track to protect his client's interests and the working men who are in danger. Who is the master mind?

Isaac Bell travels the rails with fast paced adventures from San Francisco to New York City. Plenty of explosions, train wrecks, shoot outs and a little bit of romance. I enjoyed this book like I have all his others and recommend it for all ages.

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