However, this case was a tough challenge for him. He begins on the trail of catching the sharpest criminal he had ever seen in the middle of the calamitous fire and earthquake throughout Arizona, Colorado, and San Francisco. In the pursuit of the deadly criminal, Isaac Bell comes to know that there is a woman who is the only person knowing the true identity of the bandit and therefore, he begins to chase her also. Bell makes use of all the science, technology, intuition, and deduction that he could, but becomes successful in getting only a little near to the bandit.

Even though the outcomes of his dedicated efforts seem very small, Bell seems satisfied that he is having some effect on the activities of the sharpest criminal. He becomes able to make the quarry of the bandit angry enough to chase him back. He finds it very much useful to get closer to the mastermind criminal.


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This way Bell becomes successful in making the hunter as hunted. He seems to have made up his mind to use all his skills to counteract the deadly criminal and survive his attacks. It was released by the Putnam Adult publishing house. The plot of this novel is set during the year and continues to depict the investigative activities of the main character Isaac Bell in trying to bring down the crime in the city. In the opening sequence of the plot of the novel, a number of incidents take place in the Southern Pacific Railroad including fires, train wrecks, and explosions.

The company becomes very much desperate and contacts the Van Dorn Agency for help. The agency sends its best man, Isaac Bell. Soon, he discovers that a mysterious man in haunting the jungles of the West.

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He also learns about a man called as the Wrecker, who hires henchmen for attacking the railroad and then murders them. He strikes whatever place he wishes to and causes enormous damage as well as lost of life and property. In the middle of his small and petty damaging activities, the Wrecker seems to be working on a plan to cause a large scale damage.

Now, it is up to Bell to stop him from doing a large scale destruction and safeguard the future of the country. Just like the first novel of the series, this novel too is filled with dazzling and intricate plots, which help to make it a complete entertaining thriller novel. If you see one missing just send me an e-mail below. Our author of the month is Canadian author Opal Carew who writes erotic romance novels.

Opal has written over novels with multiple book series such as the Dirty Talk series and the Abducted series. Isaac Bell Books In Order. Jack Reacher is back! Personally I thought this was the 2nd best Reacher book yet. Family secrets come back to haunt Reacher when he decides to visit the town his father was born in. Because when he visits there he finds out no-one with the last name of Reacher has ever lived there. It leaves him wondering - did his father ever live there?

Every 2 weeks we send out an e-mail with Book Recommendations. We'll base this on various factors for example "If you like Jack Reacher Insert your e-mail below to start getting these recommendations. One of my favourite series is the Brilliance Saga by Marcus Sakey and it is our featured series of the month. It's just an incredible light sci-fi series that fans of "Dark Matter" would also enjoy. We follow Issac and fellow detectives as they try to locate and twart "the Wrecker" who was causing train wrecks.

What did the Wrecker have to gain, and why was he so intent on destroying one particular train company following the What can I say? What did the Wrecker have to gain, and why was he so intent on destroying one particular train company following the Great San Francisco Earthquake?

Excellent piece on mannerisms and culture of the time era. Dec 25, Lisa Brown rated it really liked it Shelves: Clive Cussler delivered an exciting new addition to his series about the detective, Isaac Bell. In this story, he is searching for the "Wrecker," a man who has not only caused untold damage on the railroad, but has killed many innocent people along the way. Once again, Bell is a fantastic and smart character, and I loved taking the journey along with him as he discovers who "the Wrecker" really is. Sep 14, Brigham Thornock rated it it was amazing. The story had an intense plot that keeps the reader interested at all times.

The only thing that was slightly negative was that the author does not always explain the thought process of the main character which leads to a little confusion in events. I would recommend this book because it shows the action packed and interesting life of a 20th century detective. Dec 26, Chris Haak rated it really liked it. Though there was little suspense by design it was neat to see a mystery take place more than a hundred years ago.

Jun 18, Sandra rated it really liked it.

Very slow start building to an exciting end. Good period piece about the early 's and building the early railroads out West. Aug 08, Mark Boyd rated it really liked it. A good Issac Bell thriller. Great read and page turner. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Van Dorn assigns Bell to catch and stop The Wrecker, an unknown enemy who seems bent on destroying t Wow! Van Dorn assigns Bell to catch and stop The Wrecker, an unknown enemy who seems bent on destroying the Southern Pacific Railway company owned by millionaire, Oswald Hennessy.

Trains are derailed, people killed, damage to the major railway tunnel that Hennessy is trying to build through the Cascade Mountains. Bell and his team of Van Dorn agents must race against time to find out who this mysterious Wrecker is and also to save Hennessy's railway. It's a fast-paced story, full of action some which you just have to suspend disbelief with that leaves you breathless and tension and thrills. Bell races from one end of the country to try to find out who the Wrecker is and to try and stop his plans.

We meet his lover Marion Morgan, an intelligent, beautiful, independent woman, again as Isaac and Marion build on their relationship. We meet The Wrecker and get a peak at his plans as they develop throughout the story. All in all, it's a fun ride, rocketing throughout the United States in the early 's, as the railways were trying to unite the country and the world was filled with adventure.

Aug 07, Terri rated it liked it. I enjoyed the story. Interesting to try to figure out how anything was done back then having to use trains, telegraphs, etc Isaac Bell is written to be very vivid and easily imaginable Easy going read but not a page turner Jun 22, Michael rated it really liked it Shelves: Has all the elements of a well done mystery coupled with an epic 80s action film which, in my book, makes this a good story. This was the very first Clive Cussler book I've ever read and it was good enough to make him one of my favorite authors.

Feb 21, Melinda rated it really liked it. Really enjoying this series and Isaac Bell our hero. I'm totally not being unfaithful to Dirk Pitt here but Mr Bell is quite the clever chap and his adventures and cunning wit coupled with fabulously researched storylines and great writing Make for a very entertaining read.

Jan 06, Linda Gamble rated it it was amazing. Spellbinding - as usual. Nov 05, Steve Ponedal rated it really liked it.

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Great fiction based on the west coast railroad at the turn of the century. The Isaac Bell series is a breath of fresh air. I like the historical setting, I like the detective theme. So I am worried that the next book will be more Cussler reverting to his love of Nazis and the ocean. I do think the book was a bit overly technical, going into too much description about railroads, trains, clothes, guns, bridges, etc. I looked at the plots of the rest of the Isaac Bell books and it seems they become typical Cussler cliches.

Germans and Russians trying to take over the world. What I liked about the first two books was the bad guys were just plain criminals. So the series is more or less finished with me. I'm tired of those over-the-top Cussler plots to take over the world and only one man can stop them. Jun 04, Dusty Fincher rated it really liked it.

Clive Cussler is back with another perfect specimen of a hero. The Wrecker is the second book of the Isaac Bell series, following the exploits of the super smart, super rich, super handsome, super everything early s detective. If Dirk Pitt were to have a hero, it would probably be this guy. There are consequences to things he overlooks and people he underestimates. Sure, he has the perfect coif of hair, a rockin Clive Cussler is back with another perfect specimen of a hero. Sure, he has the perfect coif of hair, a rocking s mustache and a steely gaze to drive bad guys trembling to their knees and pretty ladies into a swoon, but I find myself liking the guy and rooting for him.

In fact, there were moments I wanted to punch Bell in his perfect nose for not seeing the obvious villain right in front of his face for the majority of the book.

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Bell is the number one detective of the Van Dorn detective agency. The Wrecker is doing his darndest to throw a wrench in the plans of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and he doesn't care how many innocents or Cinder Dicks die in the process. Cinder Dicks being railroad cops, tend to end up running into the business end of blunt instruments with that sweet spot between their eyes. Cinder Dicks are the red shirts of the Isaac Bell-iverse.

The Wrecker knows this is inevitable and does his best to eliminate the persistent detective before it happens. The book does drag a bit in the middle. There comes a point where you get a bit weary of watching the Wrecker do his thing over and over and just want the plot to move on. But man, that third act. Pulse Pounding as the critics would say.

Not a perfect book, but fun enough and I enjoy the character of Isaac Bell enough to want to keep going with the series. Dec 06, Clem rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book revolves around railroads and trains. And lots of railroads. Well, I guess these things were quite the novelty around the turn of the twentieth century, and societies quickly became dependent on this new found mode of transportation. Those who owned railroads were very wealthy indeed. Which is where the premise of this story is founded.

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I really enjoyed this book on many levels. The action was very fast paced, yet never seemed too implausible. Strangely, we actually do discover the real identity of the Wrecker about halfway through the book, yet Cussler and Scott know how to use this revelation to their advantage, and it actually adds to the story. One tends to be a bit skeptical when Cussler, along with a different co-author, manages to put out three or four books per year. It will be my next one…. Don't forget to take a breath every now and then, this book is a race What the author s do with this series: Clive Cussler and Justin Scott know how to write a book.

This is part of the series called the Isaac Bell Adventures. This paragraph applies to all books in this series. New technologies are introduced like aeroplanes and talking pictures. Depending on the book, many of the social issues of the day are woven into the story such as strikes and strike breakers, gangs running businesses, stock speculators and manipulators as well as later in the series the storm clouds of what will become World War I. The author is skilled at bringing in the details of how society works in that era, such as how beef makes it to NYC, or how different strata of society operate in SFO Do you need to read this series in order: Probably not, but I think you will miss out on the character development of the protagonist and his lady friend.

Some of the violence is directed at kids. The wrecker is about a man that wrecks steam trains and Isaac Bell who tries to stop them. Nov 10, SaraKat rated it liked it Shelves: Isaac Bell waits decades to get his man It seems like this series is taking the Van Dorn Detective Agency's motto to extremes.

We never give up until we get our man. This story seemed a little long and by the time they finally foiled the villain's plan, I thought it was about time. Then the fact that view spoiler [ the dang villain survived the train crash into the ravine! And Isaac didn't get him until 30 years later!? I liked Lillian's character. At first I thought I would hate her, but she turned out to be a spitfire. For two of the sorriest geezers I ever saw in my life. I like the amount of research done on the time period and it is interesting to read about turn-of-the-century America.

I discovered that I am a bit of a technology snob and I am impressed with the creative and varied ways that problems were solved back then. And I loved it! The story is fast paced, picking up speed towards the epic conclusion. Normally I hate books where the reader knows who the bad guy is, but the hero doesn't, but it actually worked really well here. The reader is in the dark for a while, but once the Wrecker's identity is revealed, it actually makes the action ramp up even further as we can see how he is duping those around him.

But overall, I loved the characters and the storyline, and am looking forward to reading more in the series. Unlike other books by Clive Cussler that take place in current times, the Isaac Bell series takes place mostly in the early s. This one involves Isaac Bell, a detective of the Van Dorn agency, trying to catch and stop a person, known only as "the Wrecker", who is sabotaging a railroad company. It is interesting to realize that the main type of long range quick correspondence was the telegraph and Morse The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott is the second book in the Isaac Bell series.

It is interesting to realize that the main type of long range quick correspondence was the telegraph and Morse code; the use of telephones and cell phones did not exist! This is a well written plot with well developed characters. I really enjoy reading Clive Cussler's books. I highly recommend this one.

I borrowed this book from our local public library. Jun 24, Lawrence rated it really liked it. Clive Cussler almost always entertains me with his stories, but typically I file them in my brain candy category - entertaining for the moment, but not particularly taxing reads that don't make a long term impression.


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    • However, I finished this story, and even though it was pages, I wanted more. Enjoyed the historical fiction aspect, well researched and plot was plausible. But, the part that upped my rating a notch was the villain. I already knew, because there are more books in the series, th Clive Cussler almost always entertains me with his stories, but typically I file them in my brain candy category - entertaining for the moment, but not particularly taxing reads that don't make a long term impression.

    I already knew, because there are more books in the series, that Isaac Bell would survive. But it is how close to failure Bell comes, or how close to success the Wrecker comes, that had me flying through the pages. A lot of fun to read! Have You Finished It Yet? Cussler began writing novels in and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in It was the first time Cussler began writing novels in and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in It was the first time since the College was founded in that such a degree was bestowed.


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      • Cussler is an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, NUMA a C3 non-profit organization named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers have discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.

      In September, , NUMA - which turns over all artifacts to state and Federal authorities, or donates them to museums and universities - launched its own web site for those wishing more information about maritime history or wishing to make donations to the organization. He has been honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration. Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than countries.

      Clive Cussler lives in Arizona. Other books in the series. Isaac Bell 10 books. Books by Clive Cussler. Trivia About The Wrecker Isaa Quotes from The Wrecker.