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ayaktruk's review against another edition
1.0
Clive, you let me down. Normally I love your stuff, but this one couldn't hold me for 100 pages.
littlelady_28's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first book I've read by Cussler that did not feature Dirk Pitt or Kurt Austin, and despite the popularity of those novels, I really enjoyed this one. It took place primarily at the turn on the 20th century and was about a detective, Isaac Bell, who was trying to catch a ruthless bankrobber known as the Butcher Bandit, due to his penchant for killing all the witnesses of his robberies. The story culminates with a train chase across the west, which results in the fleeing train landing in the bottom of a lake. The book has plenty of action with a little romance thrown in, and I enjoyed the historical element as well. I give it a B-.
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
4.0
Read through book on tape. Lots of historical details and a very good story. My favorite Cussler novel. Actor reading the novel was excellent.
wonder_kinder's review against another edition
3.0
ok crime novel. fun chase story. trains, cars, banking are detailed and interesting. good fun read.
dozylocal's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Lots of cars, trains and chases. Hunting down a clever bank robber. Surviving the San Francisco earthquake and fire. If you were looking for action, this is where you'll find it. Sometimes the mechanical details regarding cars and trains from the 1900s was, although interesting, a little overwhelming. It's still a fun read.
Lots of cars, trains and chases. Hunting down a clever bank robber. Surviving the San Francisco earthquake and fire. If you were looking for action, this is where you'll find it. Sometimes the mechanical details regarding cars and trains from the 1900s was, although interesting, a little overwhelming. It's still a fun read.
gabbeebe's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled for a bit trying to decided how I felt about this book, suspecting I thought it was sexist, but not wanting to label it so just because it has a male protagonist. At last I found the exact sentence that illustrated how much this book was not written for women: "Then Bell said 'Everything is delicious. You'll make some lucky man a wonderful wife one day.' The words came like a warm breeze across the nape of her neck and a flush of blood flowed across her breasts, hardening the nipples.'"
The author seems to be under the misconception that the slightest hint of marriage from a male suitor turns women on and makes them randy. Not quite.
If you can get past the blatant sexism and that Issac Bell is whole unrealistic as a character, it is an adventure story that has its place among the reading public.
The history tidbits were interesting.
The author seems to be under the misconception that the slightest hint of marriage from a male suitor turns women on and makes them randy. Not quite.
If you can get past the blatant sexism and that Issac Bell is whole unrealistic as a character, it is an adventure story that has its place among the reading public.
The history tidbits were interesting.
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
3.0
I was upset to hear that Clive Cussler had passed away, and I felt guilty that I had never read any of his novels. I picked up this little gem in a used book store and dove right in. The story takes place during 1906 in the Western part of the US. The characters bounce around using trains and the latest automobiles of the time period, the brilliantly villainous Cromwell staying one step ahead of our protagonist and James-Bondesque good guy Bell. It's believable to a point, except Bell can do no wrong and all the women fall over themselves in his presence. It's a bit of a Gary Stu fantasy, but there's still a good time to be had here. If you enjoy heist stories, and the good cop figure chasing after the bad thief, then this is the book for you. The reason why I've rated it lower is the fact that the narrative stalled around 1/3 of the way in, and it took some convincing to dive back in and finish it. The other is the appalling romance. Granted, Cussler isn't known for his romance stories, and there's a reason for that. The insta-love happened so quickly that I was sure that Bell was using Marion for her connection to Cromwell, and didn't believe that he really cared about her until the end. There's no relationship development for either of them. I wasn't expecting a great American romance story, but come on, Cussler. All this to say, it was fine, enjoyable for what it was, but not much else.
sharksfan32's review against another edition
4.0
This book started a little slower than most of Mr. Cussler's other works. But stick with it. it will soon have you flipping through the pages to see how Isaac Bell catches the infamous Butcher Bandit.
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