The Race

An Isaac Bell Adventure, Book 4

By: Clive Cussler, Justin Scott

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Detective Isaac Bell returns, in the remarkable new adventure from the number-one New York Times best-selling author.

It is 1910, the age of flying machines is still in its infancy, and newspaper publisher Preston Whiteway is offering $50,000 for the first daring aviator to cross America in less than 50 days. He is even sponsoring one of the prime candidates - an intrepid woman named Josephine Frost - and that's where Bell, chief investigator for the Van Dorn Detective Agency, comes in.

Frost's violent-tempered husband has just killed her lover and tried to kill her, and he is bound to make another attempt. Bell has tangled with Harry Frost before; he knows that the man has made his millions leading gangs of thieves, murderers, and thugs in every city across the country. He also knows that Frost won't be only after his wife, but after Whiteway as well. And if Bell takes the case... Frost will be after him, too.

Investigate more cases with Isaac Bell.

©2011 Clive Cussler, Justin Scott (P)2011 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Bell just keeps getting more interesting. Cussler is turning out some of his best work." (Booklist)

Does not disappoint!

Book 4 in the Isaac Bell series by Cussler and Scott continues with this wonderful historical thriller. Set in 1910 this novel is about an across the US airplane race with a $50,000 prize ($50,000 in 1910 had be buying power of $1.2 million today). With such a huge prize it is little wonder that sabotage was rampant as was murder. Isaac Bell and his cohorts at the Van Dorn Detective Agency had more than they could handle in protecting one of the contestants, a young woman. There are lots of mystery and suspense.

Scott Brick narrates wonderfully as usual.

Isaac Bell learns to fly!

Bought the paperback in 2012, and the audio in 2013, and reread it every year or so. Guilty of adoring anything Cussler, and totally admiring Isaac Bell, but it is the story itself that keeps me coming back. Long ago, I checked up on Cussler's background facts and was satisfied that the historical researches are solid background for the fictional protagonists and the imaginative stories themselves.
Isaac works for the Van Dorn Detective Agency (We never give up. Never), and not only investigates the sabotage interfering with this epic air race (across the US) and murders along the way, but also learns to fly planes as avant garde as his automobiles (Cussler is noted for his vintage auto collection).
Fast paced and totally absorbing, this one will keep your nose glued to the page.
Scott Brick gives his usual stellar audio performance.

Isaac Bell doesn't miss!

Isaac Bell is one of the best heros I've ever read. I love these books. They don't take themselves too seriously, and the stories are so complete and well thought out. The idea behind this book, a race across the country in an airplane during the infancy of flight, lends itself so well to a novel. Add in the amazing characters of this series, and you have a winning formula! Scott Brick is a fabulous narrator, as well. Loved it!

The race

What did you love best about The Race?

A few surprises in the story at the beginning and end chapters

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Better plot in the middle with harry frost

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. Same

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

would not know

Any additional comments?

not too many surprises for this bell story. The wrecker was much better

Issac Bell takes to the Air.

An entertaining book, but I found it to be not quite up to the previous Bell adventures. The story takes too long to develop and the plot is shallow. The reader can figure out who the real villian is quite early in the book. Yet, it is fun reading and not a complete waste of time.

Great character Issac bell

If u like dirk pitt, you'll love this series!! Can't listen to them fast enough!!!

Not one of his best

Would you consider the audio edition of The Race to be better than the print version?

Yes

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

This story wasn't as engaging as most of Cussler's stories

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mr Brick is a pro. I always appreciate his performances

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no...just not that good

Enjoyed the history and the pace.

We listen to these stories expecting the good guys to win. How they manage is the mystery. I enjoy how Issac uses, brain, brawn, weapons and wealth. The narrator Scott Brick has a voice I could listen to all day.

Adventurous, Believable, Action-Packed

In my humble opinion, this is the best Isaac Bell series book. It is very well written, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Be sure to listen to this book when you can prepare for minimal distractions. You might miss something. I love the adventure.

Clive Cussler and Scott Brick are fantastic.

Another fantastic outing for Isaac Bell. The details in this series make it wonderful to listen to more than once.