Poseidon's Arrow

A Dirk Pitt Novel, Book 22

By: Clive Cussler, Dirk Cussler

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

“Dirk Pitt is oceanography’s answer to Indiana Jones”, praises the Associated Press. “Exotic locations, ruthless villains and many narrow escapes - Cussler’s fans come for swashbuckling [and] he delivers”. And now Pitt’s back to find a crucial piece of marine tech that could reshape the United States’ defense program.

It is the greatest advance in American defense technology in decades - an attack submarine capable of incredible underwater speeds. There is only one problem: A key element of the prototype is missing - and the man who developed it is dead.

At the same time, ships have started vanishing mid-ocean, and when a few reappear, bodies are found aboard burned to a crisp.

Could these mysterious events be connected to an Italian submarine that itself disappeared in 1943?

It is up to NUMA director Dirk Pitt and his team, aided by a beautiful NCIS agent and by Pitt’s children, marine engineer Dirk and oceanographer Summer, to go on a desperate international chase to find the truth, from Washington to Mexico, Idaho to Panama. What they discover at the end of it is a much, much greater threat than even they imagined.

Filled with breathtaking suspense and extraordinary imagination, Poseidon’s Arrow is further proof that when it comes to adventure writing, nobody beats Clive Cussler.

©2012 Clive Cussler (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Just about the best storyteller in the business.” (New York Post)

“Cussler is a master at building suspense and tension.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

“A new Clive Cussler novel is like a visit from your best friend.” (Tom Clancy)

Another great adventure for Dirk

It is hard to come up with any criticism for Clive Cussler. I have read every one of his books and wait with anticipation any and all upcoming books. I have found in the past, any author who puts out any large volume of books (ie Janet Evanovich, (RIP) Robert Parker etc) water their stories down just to publish something. Not so with Mr. Cussler. All series, be it Dirk Pit, the Oregon crew, Isaac Bell are fresh exciting and just plain fun to read (or should I say listen to). Possibly it is the collaboration of the several co-authors that keeps the adventures going with new ideas, I do not know, but whatever the recipie, it works.
Scott Brick has got to be the best narrator out there and the partnership between author and narrator really makes it a great listen.
I realize that this review is a bit broad, but what can I say, you buy a Clive Cussler book and you have a great adventure no matter what title it is. I have never been disappointed ever.

Not what I expected.

I think I've read all of Clive Cussler's books and always enjoy them. Scott Brick is one of my favorite narrators, and doesn't disappoint here. The publisher's description doesn't do the book justice. I was expecting a novel about a submarine and new or future technology. Instead, it is another Dirk Pit "Super Hero" action book.. That would be fine with me if that is what I was expecting. It is non stop action and what One would expect for a Dirk Pit story. It just is not what I expected from the description.

Frequent Listener

Kind of a sleeper on this book from Clive and Dirk. Seems to me the formula is being used a little too much these days. Some good parts, Scott did a good job on the naration, I just don't think this was as engaging as others. Based on my driving and park measurement, I didn't sit in my garage to finish a chapter or section on any of this. I actually zoned out on some of it. Sorry Clive!

Glad I read this last. Over the top unrealistic!!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better attention to realistic details.

What other book might you compare Poseidon's Arrow to and why?

I would compare it to a movie. MI3. Sceens so unrealistic it made it miserable to watch.

What didn’t you like about Scott Brick’s performance?

Scott is the best. It is always a great pleasure to listen to him.

What character would you cut from Poseidon's Arrow?

None

Any additional comments?

Having been born, raised, and spending the majority of my life around and below the ocean it is easy to detect scenes that border unrealistic. Also having a first hand knowledge of transporting military cargo I can do the same. I understand this is a fictional read, but when such details are so blatantly overlooked time after time and the laws of physics ignored it insults the readers intelligence. Had this been the first Pitt novel I had read it would be my last. Way over the top of unrealistic. Such a disappointment after enjoying all the prior writings.

Not bad but too tightly written

For my money the plot moves a bit too fast, it's very tightly written, they bounce around the world with little process or problems, un like real life. If you daydream even a moment the plot has moved on a huge amount. Not one of the best in my humble opinion.

A Good Listen

What did you love best about Poseidon's Arrow?

The continuing action of the story was a good draw to keep my interest. It was fun.

What other book might you compare Poseidon's Arrow to and why?

I have always liked Clive Clussler's writing. I would have to say that any book in the Derk Pitt series would be compareable.

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

Scott Brick's narration of the story was great. He would change inflections of his voice when representing different characters in the story. Even so far as using German and Spanish accents to the characters that he represented.

Cussler does it again.

Where does Poseidon's Arrow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Once again Cussler tells the further tales Dirk Pitt.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

He weaves this adventure/tale and keeps the best for last.

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

I am a true fan of all of his books. I try to obtain them as soon as possible.

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

I hated to put it down after only four hours, I would have continued but I had to do something else, but returned to reading (listening) as soon as I could. Thanks to my portable book reader, this technology lets you listen almost every place you go. I am waiting for his further tales.

One of His Best loved it

Clive is in one of my top two authors now One of his BEST Yet great book highly recommend

Rape as a plot device

Would you try another book from Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler and/or Scott Brick?

I love the adventure but the plucky damsel in distress being sexually abused by the bad guy is getting old.

What could Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Have the women rescue the men for a change.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Anne, Perlmutter, Al, Rudi. Dirk doesn't seem as heroic anymore, just old.

Did Poseidon's Arrow inspire you to do anything?

Love the info, as always, about the ships and the historical angle.

Any additional comments?

Have loved Cussler and Dirk Pitt for decades but am disappointed that it's so outdated... The women need rescuing, the women die, etc. Summer is awesome. How about she gets a little more kickass?

Just not a fan!

In my opinion, Cussler gets a lot of undeserved praise for his novels. The plot nor the characters really kept my attention. The story was predictable and unoriginal. I've loved some movies that were based on books by Cussler, but this story just didn't have the intellectual depth I desire in an audiobook. Scott Brick did a fairly good job with a boring story.