Skeleton Coast

As four treasure hunters scramble for there lives in the fearsome Kalahari Desert they are being chased by not only a tribe of vicious Africans but by something that is ten times as deadly. The worst sandstorm in history. As the treasure hunters reach there ship the sandstorm hits, burying them as well as there precious loot, bags of diamonds worth more than a million fortunes combined. The diamonds are lost in the endless sand. Never to be recovered until that is...Juan Cabrillo comes along. Juan Cabrillo, the captain of a private company called the Corporation which is an up for hire company that does the job for the person who is willing to pay most. Mainly doing jobs such as saving the world or preventing national disasters. In the beginning the Corporation is hired to rip off a band of rebel African arms buyers, which leads into a much more complicated story. The overall story involves a man named Dr. Singer who is the "second hand" of a billionaire business owner and reams with jealousy. His jealousy is so strong that he vows to avenge his partner. His jealousy eventually turns into insanity and he turns to a new way of getting his revenge. Global warming is his weapon. His plan is to cause a huge mega-hurricane that will destroy the United States. Planning to cause an "accidental" oil spill in Africa that will evaporate and cause the hurricane to dump poisons as well as destroy the U.S. But not if Juan Cabrillo can help it. Learning that the arms buyers that Juan is selling the tagged guns to is the crew that Dr. Singer hired to invade offshore oil rigs in Africa and cause the oil spill he reacts instantly. As well as meeting a beautiful woman that gets very involved with Juan along the way, who is actually searching for the lost diamonds in the Kalahari desert that were lost long ago. I mean what's a good hero story without him getting the lady? But there is one thing that stands in his way. Where will he get a few hundred men to fight there way back into control of the oil rigs once Dr. Singer's men gain control of them? He turns to an old friend in Africa. An African man by the name of Moses who was leading a revolt against Africans government to reform and spread peace. Juan promises him the diamonds that were lost in the Kalahari Desert which will help him greatly in restoring Africa's government if he lends him a few hundred trained men. In the end Juan ends up saving the world from the terrible storm and getting the girl. How come that never happens in real life?

The two best adventure writers currently drawing breath deliver another superb adventure from the Oregon Files. This book bears the distinct stamp of both Cussler and duBrul, which means a great read for us! Though I kind of miss the old format of the Corporation pulling off a multi-pronged heist of some sort, this book's more basic adventure yarn format is a smashing success. Juan Cabrillo is turning into one heck of a leading man. Like all Cussler novels, this one begins with a story from the past, this time about millions of dollars worth of diamonds that disappear off the African coast. DeBeers investigator Sloane MacIntyre is searching for them when she needs to be rescued from some very dangerous men by Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon. The Oregon happened to be in the area because of a job delivering weapons to some rebels on the Congo River that had gone awry. The ship also intercepts a piece of a satellite phone conversation regarding a kidnapped industrialist and, ever the capitalist, Juan Cabrillo decides to send in a team to rescue him, sure of a handsome reward. Of course, the same people who kidnapped the American businessman and one of his employees are also involved in an even bigger scheme that threatens millions of lives, and it also ties together with Sloane MacIntyre's diamond hunt. This book is not for the squeamish, full of lots of violence and starring some really evil bad guys. Typical of both authors, we never turn away from the action, instead relishing every moment of it. When not embroiled in an intense, unflinching battle scene, the book delves even deeper into the character of Juan Cabrillo. He is fast climbing the ranks of my favorite adventure heroes, and I have to say we've got both Cussler and duBrul to thank for that. Cabrillo encompasses the best of both. You can't go wrong reading Cussler or duBrul, and this book showcases the immense talents of both. If you haven't delved into the Oregon Files yet, get busy. You're missing out on some of the best adventure fiction being written today.

I really believe this is the best in the Oregon Files so far. The change to Jack Du Brul as the co-author since Dark Watch brought with it noticeable and very welcome changes to the book. I like the characters more than I did in the first two books. Regarding this book in particular, I found it to be action packed and it has a great pace. I'd have to say I enjoyed it for the same reasons I enjoy the Dirk Pitt and the NUMA Files books: wondering how everything in the plot is going to come together (and it does so well in this one) and how they're going to save the day this time.

Scott Brick, who reads the Unabridged edition, is one of the most proficient voice performers to be found. Dubbed a Golden voice by AudioFile, he's also garnered a Science Fiction Audie and a few Earphones Awards. Gifted and versatile he brings the same standard of excellence to every title he reads, whether it be a mystery, historical biography or as in this case a high tech thriller. His voice is clear, distinct and a pleasure to hear. The Abridged version is read by Jason Culp, an actor who has appeared both on stage and on television, most memorably on Days Of Our Lives and General Hospital. While he does not have Mr. Brick's experience with audio books, his narrative is worthy and highly listenable. Fans of Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul know what to expect - an exciting tale with action galore. They won't be disappointed with Skeleton Coast. The covert combat ship with Juan Cabrillo and crew on board almost became history. But luck was with them one more time, and they escaped virtually unscathed after a mission on the Congo River. Their survival is a good thing for a boat being fired upon. Cabrillo responds to the craft's mayday, saving the vessel and a gorgeous woman passenger, Macintyre Sloane. She's been searching for the HMS Rove which was buried under sand in 1896. Why? Because the Rove holds untold millions in raw diamonds. Of course, Sloane's not the only one after the fortune, and some would just as soon kill her to make sure she doesn't get it. Cabrillo soon finds that saving Sloane has put him in more danger than he knew existed. Typical Cussler, which is terrific. - Gail Cooke

One of my favorite Clive Cussler novels in the past few years. Fast paced to be sure, but I thoroughly enjoyed the non-stop action-adventure written by the master. If you love Clive Cussler, you will love it!!