The Chase

Isaac Bell, Book 1

By: Clive Cussler

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

For decades, Clive Cussler has been delighting readers with novels filled with suspense, action and sheer audacity. Now he does it again with The Chase, one of the wildest, most entertaining historical thrillers in years. This unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition is read by the award-winning narrator Scott Brick.

April 1950: The rusting hulk of a steam locomotive rises from the deep waters of a Montana lake. Inside is all that remains of three men who died forty-four years before. But it is not the engine nor its grisly contents that interest the people watching nearby. It is what is about to come next....

1906: For two years, the western states of America have been suffering an extraordinary crime spree: a string of bank robberies by a single man who then cold-bloodedly murders any and all witnesses, and then vanishes without a trace. Fed up with the depredations of "The Butcher Bandit", the U.S. government brings in the best man they can find - a tall, lean, no-nonsense detective named Isaac Bell who has caught thieves and killers from coast to coast.

But he has never had a challenge like this one. From Arizona to Colorado to the streets of San Francisco during its calamitous earthquake and fire, he pursues what is comes to realise is the best criminal mind he has ever encountered, and the woman who seems to hold the key to the man's identity. Using science, deduction and intuition, he repeatedly draws near, only to grasp at empty air, but at least he knows his pursuit is having an effect. Because his quarry is getting angry now, and has turned the chase back on him. The hunter has become the hunted. And soon, it will take all of Bell's skills not merely to prevail... but to survive. Filled with intricate plotting, his signature dazzling set pieces, and not one, but two, extraordinary villains, this is the master working at the height of his powers.

©2007 Clive Cussler (P)2011 Penguin Books Limited

needless stretched

struggled to finish it. it's a drag. finally can't understand why detective who solved a case wouldn't recover the money & bodies of the criminal for 45yrs.

Very bad story

Terrible story. Full of holes. One dimentional characters. I wouldn't recommend ​ it. Probably ghost ​ written

The Chase by Clive Cussler (Scott Brick)

You can almost live the story when you hear it as Scott Brick narrates it. One down and many more to come.

Its exceptionally good...!

What made the experience of listening to The Chase the most enjoyable?

The Chase is without doubt my best listen for some time.
I'm a big fan of Clive Cussler, and once again Scott Brick portrays his characters flawlessly.
This story has it all; intrigue, mystery, action and the thrill of a chase!

What other book might you compare The Chase to, and why?

Cusslers Issac Bell series all follow a similar pattern (thus far!), but The Chase is really the standout amonst a bunch of very very good books

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Anyone else reading it just wouldn't be cricket...

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

If I could have, I most certainly would have!

Any additional comments?

The Isaac Bell series doesn't have to be taken in order, but I'd recommend you do. A few very minor lines run through the series, which would be lost if you haven't listened to the earlier books in the series.

Cussler and Brick do it again.

Anther supurb book by a legend, just keep them coming, it is a story where you cannot even begin to work out who the bad is right untill the end.

I like Clive Cussler, I really do, but ...

Would you try another book written by Clive Cussler or narrated by Scott Brick?

Clive yes, Scott no. I have really enjoyed the NUMA and Dirk Pitt novels, so I thought I would try this Isaac Bell series. Oh dear. Same fast pace story, well thought through, but content and interplay between character was sloppy. And the narration wound me up stressing each word.

If you’ve listened to books by Clive Cussler before, how does this one compare?

First one, I read the others.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance told the story with the pace and was clear, but the style was not good. I am sure there is a word for it, 'stressing'. 'every'. 'word'. it didn't work for me, but isn't a stopper for other books

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No. But explaining would give too many spoilers.

Any additional comments?

I will try the next book in the series as Clive's other series have the odd book that doesn't quite work, where others are spot on.

Excellent

I have come to love Clives books. they are always captivating. this book was particularly good.

thrilling till the end

a must read that keeps giving. great characters and a really thrilling story I'll be reading more from Clive Cussler.
Scott Brick does the story justice I couldn't imagine a different narrator for Clive Cussler.

lived it!

It is alright

This was not terrible and some people would have enjoyed it. The title effectively explains it. No twists or turns...just a long chase which some might enjoy but I didn't. I tend to like a writing style where we judge the character and quality of the people by their words and actions rather than being told how wonderful the heroes are. But not a bad book.

The Chase - Excellent

A great story, really enjoyed listening to it. The descriptions made me feel part of the time period and it was very well read by Scott Brick. I'm pretty sure it would make a great film. Gripping and clever. I have read quite a few historical novels lately and this one is up there with the best.

The Chase or Catch Him If You Can

A n exciting hunt involving car, trains and boat. Once again Mr Cussler tells a great tale , incorporating many historical facts. I enjoyed it.

An exciting journey back in time

Would you listen to The Chase again? Why?

Yes, I will. The story grabbed my attention and did not let go until the end. Both the story and narration were perfectly matched. There was so much excitement and action, I'm sure a second listen will be equally as exciting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hard to choose, if I had to it would be Isaac Bell. His unrelenting determination to achieve his goal, regardless of circumstances.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Scott Brick is definitely one of the best narrators I have listened to. He gave the story pace and excitement. His interpretations of the characters, places, and various situations, helped me picture everything as the story unfolded.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"Against all odds"

Any additional comments?

I will not pretend to be a book critic. I listen to be entertained and would definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves a good fast paced yarn. Clive Cussler is a master storyteller.

My first Cussler. Maybe my last.

Take a protagonist who is brilliant at everything, fill the story world with two dimensional characters and add a few unrealistic women who serve no purpose other than to moon over the hero. Throw in a bit of history from Wiki and bingo - you have chewing gum for the eyes - or in this case, ears.
I started listening to this in the hope that it would provide inspiration for a table-top roleplaying game scenario. I soon had to drop that idea as the plot was so ridiculously contrived there was no way I could expect to guide a group of intelligent players through it.
This guy must be doing something right - no shortage of five star reviews, but seriously. Some people must like their fiction stupid.
Plenty of action. I liked the world it was set in, and the premise was actually very interesting. But it's no Jack Reacher.