The Chase

List Price: $26.95 Discount Price: $8.99

Customer Reviews:

Read it at the airport [Posted on 2008-06-07]
This is a fast,easy,somewhat entertaining book set in 1906. It deals with the a resolute private detective's pursuit of a fabulously wealthy serial killer/bank robber. It is wildly implausible. The reader must completely suspend his/her critical faculties. The characters are shallow and one dimensional. The editing is sloppy. There is a half hearted attempt to impart the flavor of 1906 with references to period mores and descriptions of "cutting edge" technology. However, the characters, for the most part, sound like they are living in 2008 America. But---the chase is entertaining in spite of all of the above. This is a read at the airport book. "Raise the Titantic" was much, much better.

A thrill ride to the end [Posted on 2008-06-11]
I have read 5 Clive Cussler novels, most involving Dirk Pitt and the NUMA files and The Chase is far and away the best of the lot. Cussler does an excellent job with pace, a compelling story, believable characters with superb dialog and descriptions that transport you into the story. Set in 1906, the plot follows the exploits of the notorious Butcher Bandit who robs banks and leaves a trail of dead bodies and the chase by a handsome and rich detective, Isaac Bell, who's made it his mission to capture this remorseless killer. The turn of the 20th century timeframe lends the book a nostalgic feel without it feeling old. The book opens with an old locomotive being dragged out of a lake. That opening scene is enough to hook you into the plot. I certainly hope Cussler writes another novel with Issac Bell as his protagonist. You will not be disappointed. A must read.

Mixed thoughts--but a good quick read [Posted on 2008-06-14]
Cussler is probably my favorite fiction writer. I have read every one of his books and think that the Pitt series is a modern classic. This book is a one-timer that is refreshing in its difference, but doesn't have the detail and complexity of the Pitt books. I read it in about 2 hours (I think Clive must've written it in 3), so it's a great beach book (if I had the guts to take my Kindle to the beach), with Cussler's usual great historical ties.


My main complaints are: predictability, one-dimensional characters, some farfetched plot pieces (come on, in 1906 a guy can drive from SF to San Diego faster than a train???), and a really really dumb conclusion. Anyone who is new to Cussler needs to go read "Dragon", "Sahara", "Treasure" or a bunch of others. If I rate this against all of the Pitt books, this one would be near the bottom. Still, it's decent entertainment, so have fun.

Inconsistent Pace [Posted on 2008-06-16]
Cussler introduces a new character, Isaac Bell - sort of a Dirk Pitt on land in 1906 - who is very good and would make for a fine character to star in other novels. He is an engaging independently wealthy private detective who always gets his man...until the Bandit.

This is an excellent mystery that switches from whodunit to a we-know-who-did-it-how-do-we-catch-'em? The Bank Bandit was a terrific diabolical and cunning adversary and Bell, as noted, was a terrific front for the good guys. The plot was a good one with several exciting scenes that brought the thriller ingredient into the mystery.

One of Cussler's greatest attributes is how well he can teach an esoteric subject. Unfortunately, in this book, there was not much for him to teach, so it seemed as if he went looking for topics. He gave some good information on trains that added to the book. However, the book and the chase came to a near dead and deadly stop as he went on and on about the San Francisco earthquake. It really did nothing for the book but stall the pace.

Once past those fifty or so pages, though, the book picked up its good rapid pace and again became engaging.

This was decent mystery set in an interesting time in America - when the perfection of the railroad was being reached just as the motorcar (and motorcycle) were gaining hold.

Clive Cussler - The Chase [Posted on 2008-06-26]
I enjoyed this book very much. It was exciting and hard to put down. Authors descriptions of events and items in the story were easy to visualize. Was a fasinating ride to the past. I think this is one of Clive Cussler's best.

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