Books and books

  

As it happens, my brother and I read the same type of book.  Actually, he buys audio books and listens.  And, he is happy to share them with me.  So, he will load as many audio books on an iPod as possible and send it to me.  Then, I have a bunch of new books to listen to as I do yard work, house work, projects, drive anywhere (other than in Wharton which takes about 5 minutes to get anywhere!), whatever. 

Thought I’d share a few today –

Clive Cussler in general -

Okay, I like the Clive Cussler books, well I like most of them.  I’ve read the Dirk Pitt series, the NUMA Files with Kurt Austin; the Oregon Files starring Juan Cabrillo.  I’ve read less of the Fargos and Isaac Bell because I don’t enjoy those as much.  Cussler was not only a novelist with 69 books to his credit, he was also an underwater explorer having discovered over 60 shipwreck sites.  In addition, he was the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to "preserving our maritime heritage through the discovery, archaeological survey and conservation of shipwreck artifacts” (which happens to be the agency in the Pitt and Austin books).

The Oracle by Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell

In 533 A.D., the last King of the Vandals still rules in Northern Africa--but a prophecy reveals that his reign is doomed. A curse was laid upon the kingdom after certain sacred scrolls were stolen. The Vandal kingdom falls before the scrolls are ever found--leaving their location a mystery--and their discovery is the perfect challenge for Sam and Remi Fargo. However, before they can hunt for the scrolls, the Fargos must tend to problems within their charitable foundation. When they learn that a shipment of supplies intended for a school in Nigeria has been stolen, they travel into the heart of Africa to deliver new supplies themselves. However, their mission becomes infinitely more complicated when they run afoul of a rival bands of robbers. One of these groups later take Remi and a group of students hostage, and there are signs that the kidnapping is related to missing scrolls.

Wrath of Poseidon by Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell

Ten years ago, a chance meeting at a Café in led Sam Fargo and Remi Longstreet on an adventure hunting the riches stolen from the Persian King Croesus in 546 B.C. But others were after the gold and were willing to kill for it. When Sam and Remi run afoul of a criminal drug-running operation, their hopes of finding the treasure are dashed. Life goes on. Sam and Remi marry--and years later return to Greece to find the one treasure that got away. They return to Greece for a final showdown--and one last chance to find that elusive treasure.

Sam and Remi Fargo are majorly wealthy treasure hunters.  The books are full of all sorts of action and improbable happenings (well – fine, so are all the other Cussler books).  The first book (Oracle) is okay, basic brain candy.  However, I found the 2^nd book (Poseidon) to be just annoying.  I spent the whole book thinking and occasionally saying out loud what an idiot Remi Longstreet was.  While the Fargos weren’t my favorite characters in the Cussler line-up before, after reading the Poseidon book, they’ve moved about 5 steps back to probably won’t read another of their books.

Fast Ice by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown.

After a former NUMA colleague disappears while researching the icebergs of Antarctica, Kurt Austin and his assistant Joe Zavala embark for the freezing edge of the world to investigate. Even as they confront perilous waters and frigid temperatures, they are also are up against a terrifying man-made weapon--a fast-growing ice that could usher in a new Ice Age.

Okay – this is Cussler (and Graham Brown) at his best.  Lots of action.  Easy, smooth, quick read.  Very enjoyable.

Hawke by Ted Bell

A direct descendant of a legendary English privateer, Lord Alexander Hawke is one of England's most decorated naval heroes. Now, in the Caribbean on a secret assignment for the American government, Hawke must disarm a ticking time bomb --- a highly experimental stealth submarine carrying forty nuclear warheads that has fallen into the hands of an unstable government just ninety miles from the US mainland. But Hawke's mission is twofold, for he has returned to the waters where modern-day pirates brutally murdered his parents when he was a boy --- after a lifetime of nightmares, will vengeance be his last?

This is the first Alexander Hawke book and the first one I've read.  And again, lots of action, lots of intrigue.  Another one I enjoyed.  Hawke is kind of a James Bond sort of guy.  Well, James Bond with out ‘M’ looking over his shoulder.  I might just have a little bitty crush on Hawke!

Harry Starke by Blair Howard

On a bitterly cold night in midwinter a beautiful young woman throws herself off Chattanooga’s Walnut Street Bridge. Harry Starke was there, on the bridge, and he wants to know why Tabitha Willard decided to kill herself. Was it his fault? Tormented by guilt and the thought that he might have caused the girl’s death, Harry vows to find out why Tabitha killed herself and plunges headlong into an investigation that pits him against a corrupt congressman, a beautiful United States senator, a local crime boss, and a sadistic killer.

Again, another first read.  Harry Starke is a great character.  He's funny, tough, fearless, smart.  Ex cop turned PI.  Very good!  And, I'll look forward to reading next in the series.

OK, yes all these are action, adventure, murder and mayhem type books.  Well, I read for fun.  No, I probably wouldn’t read any of them again but I did enjoy each (well, maybe not the Poseidon book) but I did enjoy the others and will read the next and next and next.  

15 Jun 2021