The Chase

September 3, 2007
Cussler takes a breather from his several ongoing series with this historical thriller set in the western states, circa 1906. The U.S. government hires the renowned Van Dorn Detective Agency and its equally renowned lead agent, Isaac Bell, to capture the bank robber known as the Butcher Bandit. The Butcher has gunned down 38 men and women and two children, leaving behind neither witnesses nor clues. Bell heads the manhunt and finally figures out the Butcher's true identity, which is when the real chase begins. Unfortunately, Cussler's style is patterned on the clunky dialogue (“I pray you catch the murdering scum”) and improbable characters of the period's dime novels, and his in-depth research makes his descriptions sound like advertising. Once San Francisco gets hit by the 1906 earthquake and the principals climb aboard a pair of fire-breathing locomotives, the novel cranks up a head of steam and some high-speed thrills.

May 26, 2014
Brick hits all the right notes in his reading of this entertaining collaboration between authors Evanovich and Goldberg. Con man extraordinaire Nicolas Fox and intrepid FBI agent Kate O’Hare are back for a new and exciting caper. Carter Grove, former White House chief of staff and current head of a deadly private security firm, has stolen a priceless artifact from the Smithsonian. It is up to Fox and O’Hare, and an eclectic group of cohorts, to pull off a master heist, the failure of which will cause near incalculable diplomatic damage. Brick brings the perfect tone to his narration, walking the line between suspense and comedy, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats, while throwing them plenty of chuckles in the process. With seemingly little effort he brings individuality to each character—whether it’s a self-absorbed method actor or an arrogant, murderous villain. A Bantam hardcover.

Cussler fans will discover a change of pace in this thriller, set in 1906. The Butcher Bandit is on the loose across the West, emptying bank vaults and ruthlessly killing scores of innocent people, including women and children. Isaac Bell, lead agent of the top-notch Van Dorn Detective Agency, crisscrosses the colorful territory to crack the case. Reader Scott Brick breathes life into the clichéd characters and stilted dialogue. Through Brick's capable voice, Bell is a savvy and quick-shooting man's man, who is capable of showing sensitive interest in a woman. Brick's excellent phrasing and skilled pacing enhance Cussler's heavy-handed but loving descriptions of the era's locomotives. The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake kicks off the fast-paced conclusion, including one of Cussler's trademark chase scenes. N.M.C. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine