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claphuenf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
libraryofrick180107's review against another edition
5.0
Book Review - Isaac Bell #7 The Bootlegger by Clive Cussler
Another book in the Isaac Bell series, this was the 1st book I finished in 2020.
Set in 1920, this book is set in the era of prohibition and alcohol bootlegging.
Like all of the other books i have read, this book starts with an action scene.
I haven't enjoyed a series of books like this for a long time. I recommend this book and all of the books i have read so far.
5*
*****
Another book in the Isaac Bell series, this was the 1st book I finished in 2020.
Set in 1920, this book is set in the era of prohibition and alcohol bootlegging.
Like all of the other books i have read, this book starts with an action scene.
I haven't enjoyed a series of books like this for a long time. I recommend this book and all of the books i have read so far.
5*
*****
skinnypenguin's review against another edition
4.0
Issac Bell goes hunting for the people responsible for shooting his boss. It is the time of bootleggers and they are being taken over by Russians who want to bring communism to the U.S. He travels from New York to Detroit to Miami and the Bahamas in his quest. Lots of action, flashy cars, planes and boats and crimminals.
srchief's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoy the Issac Bell series. The historic timeline is fun since the stories take place in the early 20th century. In this story, Issac is tasked with taking on a ruthless bootlegger/smuggler during prohibition. This period of time was very challenging in the US. Police and federal law enforcement were corrupt and only the Van Dorn detectives are on the job. As Issac investigates the case he discovers that there is much more going on and the opponent is much more dangerous than even he suspected.
I recommend this series to any detective fan with a fun history background.
I recommend this series to any detective fan with a fun history background.
brettt's review against another edition
3.0
Continuing his collaboration with Justin Scott, Clive Cussler brings Van Dorn Detective Agent Isaac Bell into the 1920s in his sixth adventure, The Bootlegger.
In 1921 Bell finds himself in the middle of the illegal activity spurred by Prohibition, as the title suggests. Agency founder Charles Van Dorn has been seriously wounded by a mysterious rum-running ship and Bell will bend all of the agency's resources to find the person responsible. But his quarry may be more than a simple criminal, with a plan that could endanger the entire country.
As usual with these "co-authored" thrillers, most of the work is done by the name in smaller print. Scott has been on the Bell series since the second book and keeps the story moving as Bell himself pursues his prey, from New York City to Detroit to the Florida Keys. He keeps Isaac smart, tough and resolute and his villains appropriately nefarious. He also helps nail down the historical setting, showing how organized crime began crowding out small-scale bootleggers and building the empires that would be ruled by the likes of Al Capone and how the Bolsheviks who seized power in Russia sought to export their revolution to other nations.
Though Scott may have been the hands on the keys, he hews closely to the Cussler formula of straight-ahead action, attention to technical and historical detail, enough characterization to help the reader know who's who and what they're doing and making sure everything has a satisfactory resolution. Sure, Bell is a stereotype of the tough, square-jawed man of action, and Scott draws him about an inch deep. But because he fits that stereotype, Scott doesn't need to waste more time telling us about him; we know the stereotype so we know the character.
Although it's certainly possible for a Cussler-franchise novel to offer less than that, it's also certain that those asking for more should pick a different writer.
Original available here.
In 1921 Bell finds himself in the middle of the illegal activity spurred by Prohibition, as the title suggests. Agency founder Charles Van Dorn has been seriously wounded by a mysterious rum-running ship and Bell will bend all of the agency's resources to find the person responsible. But his quarry may be more than a simple criminal, with a plan that could endanger the entire country.
As usual with these "co-authored" thrillers, most of the work is done by the name in smaller print. Scott has been on the Bell series since the second book and keeps the story moving as Bell himself pursues his prey, from New York City to Detroit to the Florida Keys. He keeps Isaac smart, tough and resolute and his villains appropriately nefarious. He also helps nail down the historical setting, showing how organized crime began crowding out small-scale bootleggers and building the empires that would be ruled by the likes of Al Capone and how the Bolsheviks who seized power in Russia sought to export their revolution to other nations.
Though Scott may have been the hands on the keys, he hews closely to the Cussler formula of straight-ahead action, attention to technical and historical detail, enough characterization to help the reader know who's who and what they're doing and making sure everything has a satisfactory resolution. Sure, Bell is a stereotype of the tough, square-jawed man of action, and Scott draws him about an inch deep. But because he fits that stereotype, Scott doesn't need to waste more time telling us about him; we know the stereotype so we know the character.
Although it's certainly possible for a Cussler-franchise novel to offer less than that, it's also certain that those asking for more should pick a different writer.
Original available here.
zoer03's review against another edition
2.0
This is a bit dull generic and just *sigh* pointless... the only good thing about it is I can avoid the rest by this author
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