Skeleton Coast: A Novel of the Oregon Files (Paperback)

by Clive Cussler (Author), Jack Du Brul (Author)
Key Phrases: giant metal snakes, bow runner, combat leg, Papa Heinrick, Susan Donleavy, Geoffrey Merrick (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The explosive New York Times bestselling Oregon Files series returns!

Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the covert combat ship Oregon have barely escaped a mission on the Congo River when they intercept a mayday from a defenseless boat under fire off the African coast. Cabrillo takes action, saving the beautiful Sloane Macintyre-who's looking for a long-submerged ship that may hold a fortune in diamonds. But what surprises Cabrillo is her story about a crazy fisherman who claims to have been attacked on the open sea by giant metal snakes in the same area.

What begins as a snake hunt leads Cabrillo onto the trail of a far more lethal quarry-a deranged militant and his followers who plan to unleash the devastating power of nature itself against all who oppose them.

About the Author
Clive Cussler is the author or coauthor of many New York Times bestsellers, including Polar Shift, Black Wind, and Lost City. He divides his time between the mountains of Colorado and the deserts of Arizona.

Jack Du Brul is the author of the Philip Mercer series. He holds a degree in international relations from George Washington University and lives in Vermont with his wife, Debbie.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425211894
• ISBN-13: 978-0425211892
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,677 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 4 in The Oregon Files Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TYPICAL CUSSLER, WHICH IS TERRIFIC, October 16, 2006

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Skeleton Coast (Oregon Files) (Audio CD)

Scott Brick, who reads the Unabridged edition, is one of the most proficient voice performers to be found. Dubbed a Golden voice by AudioFile, he's also garnered a Science Fiction Audie and a few Earphones Awards. Gifted and versatile he brings the same standard of excellence to every title he reads, whether it be a mystery, historical biography or as in this case a high tech thriller. His voice is clear, distinct and a pleasure to hear.

The Abridged version is read by Jason Culp, an actor who has appeared both on stage and on television, most memorably on Days Of Our Lives and General Hospital. While he does not have Mr. Brick's experience with audio books, his narrative is worthy and highly listenable.

Fans of Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul know what to expect - an exciting tale with action galore. They won't be disappointed with Skeleton Coast.

The covert combat ship with Juan Cabrillo and crew on board almost became history. But luck was with them one more time, and they escaped virtually unscathed after a mission on the Congo River. Their survival is a good thing for a boat being fired upon. Cabrillo responds to the craft's mayday, saving the vessel and a gorgeous woman passenger, Macintyre Sloane. She's been searching for the HMS Rove which was buried under sand in 1896. Why? Because the Rove holds untold millions in raw diamonds.

Of course, Sloane's not the only one after the fortune, and some would just as soon kill her to make sure she doesn't get it. Cabrillo soon finds that saving Sloane has put him in more danger than he knew existed.

Typical Cussler, which is terrific.

- Gail Cooke

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Great Writers Equal One Great Book, December 14, 2006

By	Kara J. Jorges "Avid Reader" (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The two best adventure writers currently drawing breath deliver another superb adventure from the Oregon Files. This book bears the distinct stamp of both Cussler and duBrul, which means a great read for us! Though I kind of miss the old format of the Corporation pulling off a multi-pronged heist of some sort, this book's more basic adventure yarn format is a smashing success. Juan Cabrillo is turning into one heck of a leading man.

Like all Cussler novels, this one begins with a story from the past, this time about millions of dollars worth of diamonds that disappear off the African coast. DeBeers investigator Sloane MacIntyre is searching for them when she needs to be rescued from some very dangerous men by Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon.

The Oregon happened to be in the area because of a job delivering weapons to some rebels on the Congo River that had gone awry. The ship also intercepts a piece of a satellite phone conversation regarding a kidnapped industrialist and, ever the capitalist, Juan Cabrillo decides to send in a team to rescue him, sure of a handsome reward. Of course, the same people who kidnapped the American businessman and one of his employees are also involved in an even bigger scheme that threatens millions of lives, and it also ties together with Sloane MacIntyre's diamond hunt.

This book is not for the squeamish, full of lots of violence and starring some really evil bad guys. Typical of both authors, we never turn away from the action, instead relishing every moment of it. When not embroiled in an intense, unflinching battle scene, the book delves even deeper into the character of Juan Cabrillo. He is fast climbing the ranks of my favorite adventure heroes, and I have to say we've got both Cussler and duBrul to thank for that. Cabrillo encompasses the best of both.

You can't go wrong reading Cussler or duBrul, and this book showcases the immense talents of both. If you haven't delved into the Oregon Files yet, get busy. You're missing out on some of the best adventure fiction being written today.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Typical Over-the-Top Cussler Action-Thriller, July 2, 2007

By	Gregory Bascom (San Jose Costa Rica) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is for the Berkley trade paperback edition, October 2006, 373 pages. SKELETON COAST was on the USA Today's Top 150 Best-Selling books list for nine weeks in October and November 2006, reaching a peak position to 21. Clive Cussler has 24 novels on this best-seller list.

The story begins in 1896 with the theft of a fortune in uncut diamonds from the Herero king in then the Bechuanaland Protectorate (now Botswana). After a treacherous escape across the Kalahari Desert, the five thieves, all Brits, reach the HMS Rove, their chartered escape vessel. But as soon as they board, they are trapped by a violent storm and their pursuers attack. Officially, the HMS Rove is lost a sea, but the story narrator reveals it is buried eight miles inland in the desert.

In the present day, the story moves to a laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland and a conversation between the owner and a female technician about making sea water gooey. Then it jumps to a scummy looking freighter in the Congo River. The crew is trading weapons for uncut diamonds with a rebel group. Beneath the crud the freighter is actually the Oregon, Captain Juan Cabrillo's technological marvel operated by ex CIA agents and other mercenaries working for a for profit corporation. After escaping a harrowing fire fight with the rebels, the Oregon saves a damsel in distress who happens to be looking for the HMS Rove.

And so it goes. The Oregon faces one challenge after another, each one more tortuous than the previous and requiring the employment of the Oregon's state-of-the-art firepower, helicopter, lifeboat cum hydroplane and submersibles. The feats and skills of the Oregon's crew are nothing less than unbelievable, the coincidences incredible and Captain Cabrillo's ability to invent complex plans within minutes astounding. This is a typical over-the-top Cussler action-thriller. Unfortunately, it is heavy on tell rather than show and the non-stop action is frequently interrupted by speeches we would rather skip.