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finnjie's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dabrit's review against another edition
3.0
Wanted to like this more than I did. Should be fantastic, age of steam, western theme, evil badies, romance, dramatic ending. But just too many stretches of the imagination for me. The writing was not mature and I kept thinking to myself, well why has that character done that? It doesn't make sense. If you are happy to suspend your disbelief and want a face paced historical detective story then this is for you. Not so much if you put any thought into what you read. Sorry
jennifermreads's review against another edition
5.0
I'm hooked to Cussler and ready to read more! A page turner even for a non-western fan. The train chase had me on the edge of my seat.
** Edit to review 2020: Still, over 10 years later, I recommend this book to library patrons. Every single one returns to me and says "THANK YOU! THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!"
** Edit to review 2020: Still, over 10 years later, I recommend this book to library patrons. Every single one returns to me and says "THANK YOU! THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!"
mmelberg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
mbedrosian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
"April 1950: The rusting hulk of a steam locomotive rises from the deep waters of a Montana lake. Inside is all that remains of three men who died forty-four years before. But it is not the engine or its grisly contents that interest the people watching nearby. It is what is about to come next . . .
1906: For two years, the western states of America have been suffering an extraordinary crime spree: a string of bank robberies by a single man who cold-bloodedly murders any and all witnesses and then vanishes without a trace. Fed up by the depredations of the "Butcher Bandit," the U.S. government brings in the best man they can find-a tall, lean, no-nonsense detective named Isaac Bell, who has caught thieves and killers coast to coast.
But Bell has never had a challenge like this one. From Arizona to Colorado to the streets of San Francisco during its calamitous earthquake and fire, he pursues what is quickly becoming clear to him is the sharpest criminal mind he has ever encountered, and the woman who seems to hold the key to the bandit's identity. Using science, deduction, and intuition, Bell repeatedly draws near only to grasp at thin air, but at least he knows his pursuit is having an effect. Because his quarry is getting angry now, and has turned the chase back on him. The hunter has become the hunted. And soon it will take all of Isaac Bell's skills not merely to prevail . . . but to survive." (From Amazon)
A fabulous adventure set in Western America - Isaac Bell is on the case in 1906!
"April 1950: The rusting hulk of a steam locomotive rises from the deep waters of a Montana lake. Inside is all that remains of three men who died forty-four years before. But it is not the engine or its grisly contents that interest the people watching nearby. It is what is about to come next . . .
1906: For two years, the western states of America have been suffering an extraordinary crime spree: a string of bank robberies by a single man who cold-bloodedly murders any and all witnesses and then vanishes without a trace. Fed up by the depredations of the "Butcher Bandit," the U.S. government brings in the best man they can find-a tall, lean, no-nonsense detective named Isaac Bell, who has caught thieves and killers coast to coast.
But Bell has never had a challenge like this one. From Arizona to Colorado to the streets of San Francisco during its calamitous earthquake and fire, he pursues what is quickly becoming clear to him is the sharpest criminal mind he has ever encountered, and the woman who seems to hold the key to the bandit's identity. Using science, deduction, and intuition, Bell repeatedly draws near only to grasp at thin air, but at least he knows his pursuit is having an effect. Because his quarry is getting angry now, and has turned the chase back on him. The hunter has become the hunted. And soon it will take all of Isaac Bell's skills not merely to prevail . . . but to survive." (From Amazon)
A fabulous adventure set in Western America - Isaac Bell is on the case in 1906!
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
1.0
Bad ... Just bad
This is definitely not a detective novel, as there is nothing for you to figure out. There are no clues, only the detective 'discovering' what you, the reader, already knew.
This is not an adventure novel, because nothing truly adventurous happens. Oh, yeah, there are brawls and chases, but it is all done highhandedly, that there is no joy in reading about them - I made it to beyond 50%, but quit, because 'her heart felt like it was squashed between two blocks of ice' and she 'hid her lovely face'.
Sorry, but a few chapters ago, you said that she was not a lovely woman, just above average, but no biggy. This is like reading an SNL caper making fun of the old black and white films. Bad dialog, bad characters, unbelievable plot line, and boring.
I have absolutely no desire to read another word of this trite and convoluted novel.
Also, naming a character in the book after yourself, and calling the character clever, does NOT in turn make you clever as well.
This is definitely not a detective novel, as there is nothing for you to figure out. There are no clues, only the detective 'discovering' what you, the reader, already knew.
This is not an adventure novel, because nothing truly adventurous happens. Oh, yeah, there are brawls and chases, but it is all done highhandedly, that there is no joy in reading about them - I made it to beyond 50%, but quit, because 'her heart felt like it was squashed between two blocks of ice' and she 'hid her lovely face'.
Sorry, but a few chapters ago, you said that she was not a lovely woman, just above average, but no biggy. This is like reading an SNL caper making fun of the old black and white films. Bad dialog, bad characters, unbelievable plot line, and boring.
I have absolutely no desire to read another word of this trite and convoluted novel.
Also, naming a character in the book after yourself, and calling the character clever, does NOT in turn make you clever as well.
kateapatton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
lucasm12333's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
kat_rowlen's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Very interesting read! I feel like the love between the MMC and love interest came out of no where, and I wish it had been better incorporated. I also feel like this book could’ve been about 100 pages shorter and still accomplished the same goal, but it was a good and entertaining read nonetheless!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Incest