The Chase

By: Clive Cussler

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A no-nonsense detective is on the trail of the sharpest and deadliest criminal mind he has ever encountered: a serial robber who murders any and all witnesses in cold-blood.

©2007 Clive Cussler (P)2007 Penguin

Critic reviews

"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....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." ( Publishers Weekly)

Thrilling

Loved it. First time reading the Isaac Bell series. Will continue with this new adventure from Cussler. Scott's teading performance to me was excellent drew ypu onto the story as if you where right there.

Change of pace for me...quite enjoyable!

This book, and the writing style of Cussler, is quite a change of pace from what I usually read. That being said, I quite enjoyed this book. The story is set at the turn of the 20th Century, and I loved the quaint, slow-paced setting. The characters were believable, and fairly well developed. I didn't find myself becoming overly attached or invested in any of them, other than the possible exception of the main protagonist, Mr. Bell. However, the story line was quite witty and entertaining.

The narrator nearly caused me to quit this book after a few short hours. His style is very over-dramatic (think J. Peterman from Seinfeld), but once I got a little more "in tune" with it I actually began to enjoy it for this style of book. Overall a good experience, and I am intrigued enough to venture further into the Bell series.

Fun Read

Great book and fun read. The classic chase of a truly horrible criminal was well done and kept you waiting for how it would end. Neat how history was incorporated into the book.

Isaac Bell is like Sherlock Holmes

I loved it I read a few Clive Cussler books in the past when I was younger but couldn't finish them due to reading print difficulties. but listing to it painted it a picture in my mind almost like a movie I could fallow every word. as if i was standing next to him the whole time.

A Dime Novel Hidden in the Corn Crib

In the song “Trouble” from Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man,” Professor Harold Hill asks the parents of River City if their boys have “a dime novel hidden in the corn crib.” “The Chase,” by Clive Cussler, is that dime novel, or at least it would be if it were actually written in the same time period as its setting – 1906. This melodramatic detective adventure is full of sensational bloodshed, violence, cheesy sensuality, cunning disguises, and of course, a couple of high-action chase sequences… all told with a voice and style reminiscent of early 20th century pulp. Detective Isaac Bell, his first appearance in this series, relentlessly pursues his evil adversaries, “The Butcher Bandit” and his femme fatale sister, from town to town trying to end a string of murderous bank heists. Tension builds as Bell moves in on his quarry using somewhat hokey detective work, which is frequently nothing more than lucky guesses. But who cares? I can’t wait to rebuckle my knickerbockers below the knees, cover up a tell-tale breath with Sen-Sen, neglect filling the cistern on a Saturday night, and dive into the next Isaac Bell “dime novel.”

Clive Cussler is always worth the time!

This was my first Isaac Bell story. Great story! Cussler does it yet again!

Great start to a new character

A complete story that was exciting. My only negative is that is a tad long!
It is based on some historic events which adds to excitement!
Also impressed with the mechanical facts; someone did extensive research!
Enjoyed the ending too!
Strongly recommend!

A Good, if Typical Clive Cussler Novel

As a product, this is a quality audiobook. I read and listened and the audiobook is faithful to the hard copy of the novel. Scott Brick performs in a professional manner a narrator.

The novel itself is a good story. It is the first story with the proteins Issac Bell. Issac Bell is a detective for a private detective agency. If one reads enough Clive Cussler adventure novels with Dirk Pitt as a protagonist, one begins to expect a certain formula. The story background is what is unique. This novel fits that formula with a different protagonist.

I like these stories I need to spread them out to avoid them becoming repetitious to me. Thank You….

Good start, slow finish

Was thrilled with the first few chapters, but once the love story started it went downhill.

How Bell’s determination never wavered.

Liked the action especially after the Earth Quake. Being a native Californian the facts were very close to the actual event.