The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

Clive Cussler has been thrilling readers for years with his fast-paced action novels, especially those featuring Dirk Pitt, the tough but lovable employee of NUMA (National Underwater and Marine Agency). In "The Chase" Cussler introduced us to a new venue and hero Issac Bell. Bell, who, although hailing from a high-class wealthy family, chose a career with the Van Dorn Detective Agency.

In Cussler's latest work, "The Wrecker" set in 1907 America, the Agency is called in by the owner of the Southern Pacific Railroad to investigate a series of deadly sabotage events. Issac Bell is put in charge, and it soon becomes a race to anticipate the next "accident", while tracking down the evil individual, known only as the Wrecker, responsible for these attacks.

Bell tranverses the country coast to coast by rail running down every clue, but it soon becomes evident that the the Wrecker will eliminate anyone and anything that gets in the way of his horrendous plan. When a fellow agent is violently murdered, Bell becomes fanatically determined to bring this villain to justice.

When the Wrecker's surprising identity and self-serving motives become known, Bell himself becomes a target, as he feverishly rushes to end the Wrecker's chain of destruction.

Cussler and Scott have created a great new hero in Issac Bell. Courageous, intelligent and emphathetic , he will certainly compete for readers favorite fictional character.

The backdrop of our country's powerful railroad history portrays a era when the rail system was of upmost importance in the spread of capitalism, and the necessity of connecting the U.S. from East to West.

As we have come to expect from Cussler, he has produced an action-packed and intriguing book with an informative look back into our country's history. On a scale of 1 to 10,I rate it a 6.