The Striker

An Isaac Bell Adventure, Book 6

By: Clive Cussler, Justin Scott

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

It is 1902, and a bright, inexperienced young man named Isaac Bell, only two years out of his apprenticeship at the Van Dorn Detective Agency, has an urgent message for his boss. Hired to hunt for radical unionist saboteurs in the coal mines, he is witness to a terrible accident that makes him think that something else is going on, that provocateurs are at work and bigger stakes are in play.

Little does he know just how big they are. Given exactly one week to prove his case, Bell quickly finds himself pitted against two of the most ruthless opponents he has ever known, men of staggering ambition and cold-bloodedness...who are not about to let some wet-behind-the-ears detective stand in their way.

©2013 Clive Cussler (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"James Bond style flair with sabotage and villainy...a great action thriller." (The Associated Press)

"This origin story (every hero needs one) will give Bell’s fans a fresh look at their favorite private investigator." (Booklist)

"The action flows swiftly, and the authors do a good job depicting the work conditions and the class warfare of the time." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent, really enjoyed this one.

Where does The Striker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The striker does very well against the other Cussler books, it's probably the best Isaac bell book so far.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Issac Bell character, especially with Brik's performance really works well. The story doesn't often leave Bell so you don't really get enough time to form any strong connections with anyone else.

Which scene was your favorite?

It's asking me what my favourite scene is, but that would surely be spoiling it.

Any additional comments?

The Wrecker and The Theif are both great, after that I felt the series was getting a bit tired, this one goes back in time to the early part of Bell's career, and it's just what these books needed!
Most of the hero's in adventure books (apart from Bond) grow old and end up being the president, and it gets well boring. Issac was heading that way, so it's great to go back to the whippersnapper days.

What a great addition to the Issac Bell series!

Any additional comments?

Clive Cussler keeps this series fresh and exciting with another great addition to the Issac Bell series ... I can't put any of the books in this series in any particular favorite order as they all are wicked entertaining ... Scott Brick does it again too - he is a fabulous reader ... this book is set before the first book in the series, "The Chase", and gives us a look at Issac Bell in his early years as a detective but I would not recommend reading the series out of order if you plan to read the entire series ... thanks Clive Cussler & Justin Scott for another hang on to the seat of your pants fun book!

Interesting Subject & Best Bell yet.

Would you listen to The Striker again? Why?

Yes, I rarely listen to books twice but Scott Brick's voice is a pleasure and there was enough action I know I've missed a point or two.

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

As always Great, one of my favorite readers. When I'm not sure what I'm in the mood for he is one of the performers I check and see what else they've done.

Any additional comments?

Clive Cussler has a a great style even now when he partners with other writers, he rarely lets me down for a good time, adventure, mystery and action all in one book. I wasn't sure I would like the Issac Bell Adventures and this is the best yet.

Back to the year 1902!

The Thief was set in 1912. The Striker goes back 10 years to the beginning of Isaac Bell's career at the Van Dorn Detective Agency. The book is about a fight between coal miners and coal company owners concerning working conditions, safety, wages, and recognition of a labor union. Van Dorn was originally hired by a coal company but eventually sides with the workers in their struggle.

The suspense is more intense in The Striker than in the five earlier books in the series while action is just as intense. Also, Isaac Bell's has a love interest; she is the sister of one of the coal workers.

Scott Brick narrates; there is no one better than Brick.

Very highly recommended. I have 2 more Isaac Bell novels to listen to prior to the Tuesday release of the 9th novel in the series.

Good listen as usual

Would you listen to The Striker again? Why?

Never disappointed with clive cussler

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Striker?

It is exciting from beginning to end

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

Listen to them all...Just as good as always

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nothing in particular, all good.

Any additional comments?

Just a good listen

Nice addition to the series

Where does The Striker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

If you like Cussler, it is probably on of the better of the recent novels that he has done. Scott Brick is always a great narrator, but as always Cussler's books a formulaic action fair

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

Scott Brick is always consistent and one of the best out there.

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

Yes, but mostly just because I was curious how this would fit into the series and is a step up from the last Issac Bell novel.

A Peek Into the Early Isaac Bell

Of all the series that Clive Cussler and his co-authors produce, the Isaac Bell series is far and away the best. Justin Scott writes a rollicking story with detailed characters and believable storylines.

His lead character, Isaac Bell is determined (living the van Dorn Agency motto "We never give up!"), intelligent, and capable. Yet he is human making mistakes along the way with other people paying the price.

Scott creates 2 excellent villians for us to dislike and describes the primary villian in exquisite detail so we can see him in our minds clearly. And the second villian hides so well in the shadows keeping us yearning to find out more about him. Yet the writing is not tedious or boring but keeps the reader engaged the whole way.

Scott Brick is one of the best narrators in the business and adds his consistently high quality reader to this book. Whenever I see Scott Brick listed as the narrator, I know I will enjoy the book. I was once again pleased with The Striker.

must listen

isaac bell has done it again! fast and full of energy! clive cussler has hit a home run with this one. love the way he makes you see the past.

Loved It

Such a great mix of understanding life in the 1900's. Cussler is so great at it. I was concerned when I read that the book goes back in time, to bell as a new PI, but at the end of the book it jumps into Bell's later days. A very good story. and Scot Brick is just the best. No question.

Standard Isaac Bell

Would you listen to The Striker again? Why?

No. As with all Isaac Bell adventures this is an easy read that does not warrant repeated reading/listening IMO.

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

Even though I knew Isaac Bell will survive in the end the twists of the plot kept it interesting.

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

Isaac Bell

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

not really ...