The Chase (An Isaac Bell Adventure)

Had this one on the back burner forever. Big mistake. Couldn't put it down!!

When a new Clive Cussler novel falls into my hands, I put things aside so I can read it immediately. Cussler, in the tradition of Ned Buntline's dime-novels or Barbara Cartland's 700+ romance novels, writes page-turners consisting of almost pure non-stop action. Plots are essentially after-thoughts. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I get the impression that Cussler starts with the barebones of an idea and starts writing, letting the characters and his own thoughts guide the writing as it goes. The heroes are always on the thin side. Always handsome in a rugged, scarred masculaine way, always honest, always chivalrous, always very attractive to women, always brave and always smarter than the bad guys they are chasing. Villains lack only a waxed handlebar mustache, top hat and a damsel to tie to the tracks in front of the oncoming train. In short, a Cussler adventure is just that: an adventure. The story opens in 1950 as an elderly gent stands on a barge floating in a Montana lake. A crane brings up an old steam locomotive . . . Flash back to 1906 when an evil, evil man dubbed "The Butcher Bandit" is coursing through the West robbing banks and murdering all witnesses. After two years of ineffectual efforts, crack private detective Isaac Bell of the Van Dorn Agency is assigned to thte case. Of course, why it takes two years befor Isaac "Always Gets His Man" Bell is assigned to the case is never explained - and, since its a Cussler novel, no one cares. We are quickly introduced to "The Butcher Bandit", a really evil guy, as are all the villains in Cussler novels. And of course "The Butcher Bandit" really is smarter than the other guy, coming up with ways to leave the small towns whose banks he loots without leaving a trace. (No, I will not tell you how he does it . . . the inventiveness of Cussler's villains is a big part of enjoying a Cussler novel). The identity of "The Butcher Bandit" comes as a shock, as it is intended to. In the hands of someone less capable than Cussler "The Chase" would quickly degenerate into nonsense. But Cussler is a grand storyteller and the implausible plot and characters work, no matter how may gigantic holes there are in the plot, no matter how many editorial oversights and factual errors there are. (My favorite in this one is where Cussler explains how the bad guy has contributed to campaigns of those seeking to become federal judges. The implication is that they are elected. Nope. Not federal judges.) Cussler engages in his self-referential habit in an amusing way and, as always, drops numerous historical tidbits into the story. This time around, the Great San Francisco Earthquake plays a major part in the tale as well as a pretty exciting train chase. The latter, of course, is the basis for the title. Cussler, I suspect, is an aquired taste. People looking for brilliant plots, lifelike characters and plausibility may not like Cussler. But for those who enjoy pure, unadulerated escapist adventure, Cussle

I was beyond thrilled to spot a new Cussler novel on the shelves recently. I had to do a double-take when I noticed that nowhere on the front did it say Dirk Cussler, Craig Dirgo, Paul Kemprecos or Jack DuBrul as co-authors. This is a Clive-only written adventure tale fairly off the beaten path of what he normally churns out by way of Dirk Pitt, Kurt Austin, Juan Cabrillo and soforth. First off, a Cussler novel beginning many years ago is nothing new by any stretch...but what really sets The Chase apart is that when we finally skip to the Present, we are still quite deep in the past. The Butcher Bandit has been on a killing spree rivaling anything done by any previous serial murderer in US history. The Government becomes involved and eventually hires renown detective, Isaac Bell from the Van Dorn Detective Agency. Cussler barely gets off the ground at this point, but it doesn't take long before rubber hits the pavement and The Chase is ON...literally. While some of the dialogue is rather stiff and less than realistic, the story never ceases to entertain. I constantly found myself drawn into a world from well over 50 years ago wondering just how fun it must have been (as well as difficult) to incorporate all the trademark Cussler adventure details all without relying on modern technology as virtually all of his previous novels have...all the while keeping things JUST as action-packed as we have come to expect from the Grand Master of Adventure Fiction. It would seem that since Clive has turned over the majority of his tried-and-true franchises over to other authors, it was high time he got busy writing stuff that he may have been thinking about writing for who knows how many years? All I know is if Isaac Bell were to make a return visit in a future tale, sign me up for the ride. Easily one of the most bankable authors in print over the past 30 years, I can always count on Clive...and will continue to do so. Simply a fabulous story, and am I ever glad I talked myself into buying it.

This book is a welcome change from the Dirk Pitt and NUMA files of the past. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope that more of this nature is in the future.

Only Clive Cussler could go from writing about NUMA and their exploits and turn out such a book as good as this. There is no Dirk or other players that you are familar with, but an outstanding new one with the name of Issac Bell. Hopefully Cussler will continue with his exploits in future books also. A well written book and one that keeps you from putting the book down except for bathroom breaks. Well done again. When is the next one??

I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical since this was not another Dirk Pitt adventure which is what most know Clive Cussler for. Many times an author attempts to branch out and delivers something that is mediocre at best. That is not the case with The Chase! This story had me captivated from the first page and I couldn't put it down until it was finished. It is one of the fastest reads that I have experienced with a Cussler novel. There is a great story line with plenty of action and suspense. I would strongly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a stimulating read with great characters and suspenseful story. The primary character Isaac Bell is a real man with sharp intelligence, cunning intuition, athletic ability and tenacious spirit. With out giving away too much about that book I will end with my thumbs up. I recommend to anyone who likes a great story written by a fantastic author. You won't be disappointed.