| The Chase by Clive Cussler represents an atypical Cussler novel. The Chase takes place in 1906, and has nothing to do with oceanic exploration. Nor does it involve any of his normal cast of characters. It does provide an entertaining read with lots of action, and Cussler displays his usual expertise with classic cars. He also displays an ample knowledge of trains. Most of Cussler’s novels start in the past and come to the present. In this case, he starts in the present and goes to the past. The book starts and ends with the excavation of a train wreck, and the story itself explains the events leading up to the train wreck.
The Chase involves several chases throughout the story, but the primary chase involves the Van Dorn Detective Agency’s pursuit through the western states for a notorious and diabolical bank robber the Butcher Bandit. “With utter indifference, he leaned down, lowered the gun, and shot her in the head like he had the bank owner and teller. There was no remorse, not the slightest hint of emotion. He didn’t care whether any of them left families behind. He had murdered three defenseless people in cold blood with as little interest as he might have shown stepping on a column of ants.” The Butcher Bandit, a cold blooded killer whose interests are limited to money, living lavishly, and the thrill of the crime.
Beware Butcher Bandit because Isaac Bell, pride of the Van Dorn Detective Agency, has been assigned to your case. He has a proven track record in capturing bank robbers. His tenacious character may bring your criminal career to an abrupt end. Although a couple of lovely ladies along the way distract him slightly, he quickly returns to the chase.
The section of the book I found most interesting were the scenes covering San Francisco. Cussler treats the reader to historical facts and descriptions of all the main sections of San Francisco including Nob Hill, China Town, the Barbary Coast, and Russian Hill. The Barbary Coast consisted of a seedier section of town during the gold rush, and continued to provide “entertainment” to the residents of San Francisco up to 1906 when most of it burned down after the earthquake.
Speaking of earthquake, Cussler probably picked the date of his novel 1906 so he could specifically address the great earthquake and the following fire. Cussler’s use of description and historical facts brings the San Francisco disaster to life. Prior to reading this book, I knew about the earthquake and fire of 1906, but I really did not know that much about it. I not only found this story to be a good read, but also informative.
BGS 8/25/2008
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