The Race: An Isaac Bell Adventure, Book 4

This is the fourth installment in a series that I have truly enjoyed since the beginning. Isaac Bell is a typical Cussler-style hero. Tall, good looking, green-eyed, chivalrous, clean cut, and really, really lucky (never gets hurt really badly, and always overcomes the obstacles that the bad guys throw his way); however, Sherlock Holmes he is not!

The usual five-star rating for the storyline dropped one notch this time, because Isaac's character was slow to realize the identity of one of the bad guys that he had direct contact with throughout the story. Just doesn't seem believable that the Chief Investigator for the premier detective agency of the time would be that unobservant.

The terminology used by the characters seems to be true to the period; however, I got really tired of hearing "on the jump" (meaning, do it quickly). Not sure why this bothered me. I suppose I expected a broader period-specific vocabulary from the characters.

The story is very creative and enjoyable. A few additional threads to follow, but all are tied together quite well.

Scott Brick gave another excellent narration performance. Some of the dialects were a little unpolished, but I relate his voice with Clive Cussler stories, so as long as he's doing the performance, he gets a lot of slack from me. If you want to lose a Cussler audiobook fan, change narrators. Scott is irreplaceable.

Justin Scott has a fifth book "The Thief" due out on 3-6-2012. I'm really looking forward to listening to it!

Improbable people, slightly to extremely preposterous dialogue, creaky plot, stiff characters as is usual for this author and still... I love this series. I like reading about the Van Dorn detectives, I love the then new but by now antique machinery so well described and somehow or other Cussler makes it all work.

He earns his money but how he makes it work is somewhat of a mystery. Disbelief gets suspended and you want to hear how it will end. (At least I did.)

This is a great series. I can't wait to dig my claws ito the next book. The characters are excellent! I could totally see Dirk Pitt reading all about Issac Bell. :-)

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.

Yes

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

Mr Brick is a pro. I always appreciate his performances

no...just not that good

This was a rollicking adventure. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that the author says "tall detective" it seems in every other sentence. Love the Isaac Bell character.

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

Better plot in the middle with harry frost

Yes. Same

would not know

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

Yes, the plot did keep me entertained but not to the point of sitting on the edge of my seat.

To me Scott Brick is the voice of Issaic Bell. He has just the right innotation for the character.

All the fun and quick paced excitement of a Cussler novel with a brand new hero. I'm totally hooked on Isaac Bell and Scott Brick. What a great author and narrator combo.

Yes, I would recommend it to a friend. Clive Cussler is one of my favorite authors, and Scott Brick establishes the tone which is kept throughout the book of suspense. I don't normally take the time to write a review, but any Clive Cussler series I would recommend. I only wish all of the books in each series were available through audible.com.