The Thief

What I liked most was seeing the fast read, thriller format set in earlier times, in this case the early 1800s. The historical elements were interesting but the story was too predictable. The lead villain does make relevant commentary about the power of media as a propaganda device.

This is the fifth novel in the Isaac Bell turn-of-the-century series and better edited than some of the later Dirk Pitt novels. That was refreshing.

Isaac is on the Mauretania bound for America when the bad guy, General Christian Semmler, disguised as a coal stoker, attempts to kidnap a pair of scientists, creators of an amazing invention that would revolutionize the fledgling movie industry. Isaac thwarts his plans, befriends the scientists and the tale shifts into high gear.

Spanning both coasts, Isaac Bell and the Van Doren Detective Agency attempt to protect the surviving scientist, Clyde Lind, and prevent Semmler from stealing their device and using it for German propaganda.

Fights and shootings, train wrecks, disguises, master show more plans, henchmen, beautiful women and powerful men – it’s all there, creating a thrill ride for the avid Cussler reader.

Of all the Cussler novels, I’ve enjoyed the Isaac Bell series the most. Cussler’s attention to the catch words of the era and period scene details, dropped like gems along the way, sets an extraordinary panorama and, despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help but learn more about that period in America history. I can only imagine the research that required.

The conclusion of this novel jumps several years and it would appear the now married Isaac Bell went the way of the wealthy businessman and passed the baton to younger Van Dorens, but I wouldn’t count Isaac out just yet. Hopefully Cussler will add yet another tale to this series. show less

I really enjoy the series both from a look at the early 1900's and as a mystery. It is fun to read about the new airplane (previous Issac Bell book) and the film projector that has the capability to carry, amplify and synchronize sound to film. Follow Issac Bell through the turn of the century advancements as he tracks down the villain's that are up to no good! Throw in references to the Titanic, the early rumblings of WWI and early Hollywood, mix it all up and you have a very interesting backdrop for a good mystery.

Isaac Bell is back and he finally gets married! He has the beautiful Marian is trapped on a boat and she can't escape this time. One night on the ship, Bell interrupts an attempted kidnapping of two university scientists and finds himself mixed up in a puzzle. It gets more serious when one of the people he originally saved is found almost dead, stuffed in a trunk.

The scientists have created something that can make a huge difference to the world and a German spy wants it for Germany, and he's willing to kill to get it.

Overall, a pretty good book, on par with the other Bell books. Bell seems to be taking bigger chances and getting into more trouble than ever before. I just hope that Bell keeps being fun and doesn't jump the shark.

Stopped on pg.101, but I can see that this book might appeal as adventure to a teen reader. There certainly is a wealth of historical detail packed in. A kid reading this would get a rich visual of the development of - say - the movies. It was a effort to move from silent films to talkies, one I had not quite appreciated before reading this well researched adventure. Unfortunately, I just could not get into the adventure part, which is rather crucial.

I will continue my search for compelling YA fiction.

Isaac Bell is fighting to save two inventors on the run from the Germans who are conspiring to keep the US out of WW1. A fun read.

The Thief: An Isaac Bell Adventure is a well researched book about motion pictures and the burgeoning talkie movie industry in Hollywood, California. It has definite good guys and bad guys. People are murdered but unlike other stories not a lot of gory description in the discussion of the dead person. The book is a definite thriller. Four stars were awarded to the book in this review.