The Wrecker (Isaac Bell) [Audiobook] (Audio CD)

~ Clive Cussler (Author), Justin Scott (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in 1907, the rousing second thriller to feature detective Isaac Bell (after The Chase) from bestseller Cussler and Scott pits Bell against the Wrecker, who's been destroying trains and railroad facilities around the country for no apparent reason. These horrific incidents are wreaking havoc on the plans of Osgood Hennessy, the Southern Pacific Railroad's president, who's constructing the massive Cascade Canyon Bridge in Oregon. If the project isn't completed by winter, Hennessy's bankers will withdraw financing and his company will be destroyed. As in the first book, the purposefully stilted writing style takes a little getting used to, but there's plenty of excitement to be had in a world where massive, fire-breathing trains fly along at speeds of up to 120 mph. While the Wrecker's identity is revealed early on and there's never any doubt that Isaac will get his man, readers will find many thrills and much diabolical cleverness along the way. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Cussler, known primarily for his contemporary high-tech thrillers, steps back in time—more than a century, in fact—in this rousing sequel to The Chase (2007). Van Dorn Detective Agency operative Isaac Bell returns, this time to track down a clever saboteur who’s been dubbed the Wrecker. Seems the Wrecker has it in for the Southern Pacific Company, and he will stop at nothing, including murder, to keep the company from putting through a new railway line between San Francisco and northern California. Isaac is a sharply drawn series lead, and the story, as befits a railroad-themed thriller, moves at a brisk clip. In addition, there’s a very nice surprise in the final scenes. Readers who have sensed a certain been-there-done-that feeling in some of Cussler’s recent novels will be pleased to find a new spark here. More Isaac Bell novels would be most welcome. --David Pitt --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio CD: 1 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Audio; Unabridged edition (November 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143144871
• ISBN-13: 978-0143144878
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #44 in	Books > Books on CD > Mystery & Thrillers
  #89 in	Books > Books on CD > Literature & Fiction > Unabridged

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back on the tracks., November 20, 2009

By	Marcus A. Lewis (South El Monte, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Wrecker (Isaac Bell) (Hardcover)

The first posted review can be difficult to follow sometimes, but I think I'm safe here. All the salient plot points have already been covered for you so here are a few things I would like to add: Once you get past the fact that this novel, like the other previous ones, is not a Dirk Pitt adventure, you can open yourself up to enjoy it. We first met "Isaac" Bell in "The Chase" (11/07). He is a special agent that works for the Van Dorn Detective Agency (very similar to the Pinkertons). Cussler& Scott use the frame format of storytelling, taking the reader back in time to recount the story's events. Much like Watson in his adventures with Sherlock Holmes.

The action is fast paced as previously stated and the language is archaic at times, which makes it more of a period piece. I think this character will resonate with readers. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Wrecker." Give this dynamo a look.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Cussler Success, November 23, 2009

By	Tired Turtle (Southlake, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

We first met Isaac Bell in "The Chase" in an exciting historical thriller. Clive Cussler has another page turner hit with "The Wrecker." In the early years of the 20th Century the fastest and most "modern" method of travel was by rail and the fastest communication was via the telegraph. Clive Cussler sweeps us back to these times in which Isaac Bell must contend with a dangerous, greedy man, intent upon causing the destruction of the most successful railroad mogul of the era. If successful the evil doer will be able to take over the enterprise and become immensely wealthy and famous. He acts ruthlessly to keep his identity hidden. Isaac Bell, the Van Dorne Detective Agencies top agent is placed on the case and the contest is joined. Though the reader soon knows the identity of the killer/scoundrel Isaac and his fellow agents must overcome limitations of travel and information lag times to assemble enough facts to finally unmask the villain. (For older readers one is reminded of the Saturday Movie Serial as audience members yelled at the screen to warn the hero, as the bad guy lurked in the shadows and the unknowing hero fell into a diabolical trap.) The action is fast, furious and fun as you spend time in the early 1900's traveling the rails, fighting nature, hob nobbing with industry titans as well as rubbing elbows with scum of the earth out to do in the good guys. I highly recommend this novel. Cussler is at the top of his game and we Cussler fans benefit.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good things come to those who wait, November 24, 2009

By	Gnomes Rule (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Wrecker (Isaac Bell) (Hardcover)

The second book in the Isaac Bell proves that good things come to those who wait.

What we liked in the first Isaac Bell series are in this book plus more.

Isaac Bell is self-confident without being arrogant, intelligent and methodically. He isn't afraid to face a foe in a gunfight or to admit that he is in love with a beautiful woman even when a spectacular beautiful young woman who happens to be the daughter of the rich client is making a play for him.

I give the authors credit on how they had their character handle the situation. Bell was able to diffuse the situation quickly and firmly without being hurtful. No insulting their own character by letting him fall into the women's trap. The character is far too intelligent not to recognize what was happening.

When faced with a man who has caused large financial losses as well as a number of deaths, he gathers around him an army of investigators. Accountants, lawyers, experts in their field all needed to bring the villain to ground. All without letting his ego get in the way.

Secondary characters are interesting, intelligent and realistic. No inept sidekick thrown in to add what some authors consider humor.

Scenes are well thought out and there is a plenty of action that flows easily from one scene to the next. Technical and historical material and details are skillfully handled. You learn without having the material shoved down your throat or bogging down the flow of the story.

The book seamlessly blends fiction and real events into a fantastic action story.

One little comment concerning other reviews, they refer to the writing style as being stilted. I personally had no problems with the writing style. Since the story takes in the early 1900's, a more modern style would have been inappropriate.

My thanks go out to both Clive Cussler and Justin Scott for a terrific read. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Scott Brick what can I say; when you have the best reader narrating your book, it's only better.

Lastly, for all of us who have ties to Jersey City, NJ we thank you.