Book Review: The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

There have been some complaints about the more recent Dirk Pitt and the NUMA files series that Cussler has become formulaic. As far as the Dirk Pitt novels go I think there is some validity to the criticism. However, Cussler and Scott have hit it out of the park with the introduction of Isaac Bell.

Bell is the best detective in the fabled Van Dorn detective agency, whose motto is “We never give up, never”. Set in the beginning of the 20th century, the authors integrate history with good old fashion storytelling to make a great page turner. Both the first book, The Chase, and the second, The Wrecker, are laced with historical events that are so tightly woven into the story you enjoy the history without it pulling you out of the book.

None of the main cast or primary supporting characters are two dimensional. Bell is richly developed. He comes from money but has chosen the life of a detective. He is self-confident, intelligent and rather crafty. He thinks both strategically and tactically. He can organize a fleet of Van Dorn agents yet is just at home in a gun or knife fight.

In The Chase he tracked down a cold blooded killer and bank robber. In The Wrecker Bell faces an even more cunning and dangerous villain. Known as the Wrecker, this shadowy figure moves through both the hobo camps and the world of railroad barrens. His goal is to sabotage the Southern Pacific Railroad. He is ruthless, derailing trains, setting disastrous fires, and even more heinous plots. He indiscriminately kills innocents and if Bell does not stop him he will kill many more to reach his goal. Bell has met his match in the Wrecker who carefully plans for contingencies, some set in motion years before he started his overt acts of sabotage.

This is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. I can find no faults with it and give it a full 5