Piranha

From Amazon:

In 1902, the volcano Mt. Pelée erupts on the island of Martinique, wiping out an entire city of thirty thousand—and sinking a ship carrying a German scientist on the verge of an astonishing breakthrough. More than a century later, Juan Cabrillo will have to deal with that scientist’s legacy. During a covert operation, Cabrillo and the crew meticulously fake the sinking of the Oregon—but when an unknown adversary tracks them down despite their planning and attempts to assassinate them, Cabrillo and his team struggle to fight back against an enemy who seems to be able to anticipate their every move. They discover that a traitorous American weapons designer has completed the German scientist’s work, and now wields show more extraordinary power, sending the Oregon on a race against time to stop an attack that could lead to one man ruling over the largest empire the world has ever known.

My Thoughts:

Of all the series that Clive Cussler has written, The Oregon Files are my favorite. The characters are likable and beyond believable. If only the world worked that way:) The "technobabble" is rich and realistic. Cussler really makes one wonder where our technology is taking us. Only a minor flaw I could see...the bad guy's "toy" didn't operate like we were led to believe it would...but maybe that was a good thing . Otherwise this was exactly what I have come to expect...a very good read. Enjoyed it immensely. show less

Piranha is just what I would expect a Clive Cussler novel to be - non-stop action and plenty of high-tech thrills on and off the water. He and co-author Boyd Morrison deliver the goods with a wild ride. This book is for fans of Cussler, Morrison, Tom Clancy, Ian Fleming, and James Rollins.

The first half of the book is really a mystery: who is behind the Venezuelan smuggling operation Juan Cabrillo and his crew disrupt and goad into 'sinking' the Oregon? How is this adversary tracking their every move? And why are they so desperate to assassinate them? Solving the mystery involves action, close calls and quick thinking. The characters are likable and pretty believable. The technobabble is rich and realistic.

Of course there is a show more megalomaniac with an implausible toy out to rule the world. The second half of the book is the quest to hunt him down and outwit him. Accept the premise and it's a fine action adventure, worthy of James Bond or Mission: Impossible. One complaint is that there are too many crew members on the ship to keep straight in my head. I just had to ignore the diversity and focus on the mission. Another distraction for me was the inconsistency of the bad guy's toy. It didn't operate like I would have envisioned. But those are quibbles.

Strap in, hold on, and watch for the appearance of Morrison's hero, Tyler Locke. show less

A boat carrying a scientist/photographer sinks in 1902 during the eruption of a volcano in Haiti. Before he dies, he gives his journal to the First Mste of the ship and mentions that he found Oz. The journal was sent to his sister in Germany, only to be inhierited by a great-nephew almost 100 years later. The nephew is also a brilliant scientist, working in US weaponry for the military. The nephew is presumed dead in what appeared to be a weapons test which went wrong. Meanwhile, several cargo and military ships disappear with the help of a power hungry female Venezuelan Navy Admiral. The crew of the modern mercenary ship, Oregon, is forced to fake its demise at the hands of the ruthless Venuzuelan Admiral. Things don't go easy from show more that point on for Juan Cabrillo and the Oregon crew. Someone has set up an elaborate spying network which can even track the Oregon and intercept its vital information network. The Oregon crew is up against something from which they have little clue how to protect themselves much less the world. I found this book fast paced and entertaining, as usual. A fairly far fetched plot. I found that one has to approach this series much as one approaches science fiction with a suspension of belief. Btw: the title has very little bearing on the story this time around. Characters were not highly developed. I felt like I was reading a story which combined a James Bond villain with an episode of the old MacGyver tv show. show less

Co-authored with Boyd Morrison which gave the book a different feeling. Well read by Scott Brick. A boat carrying a scientist/photographer sinks in 1902 during the eruption of a volcano in Haiti. Then, the crew of the Oregon is fighting a foe bent on taking over the world via an ultimate spy device. A fairly far fetched plot. Where's book #11?

Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon are tasked with finding an enemy that seems to be able to anticipate their every move. It is uncanny how the mysterious enemy knows when and where they are going to be. It seems as if the enemy has the ability to listen in on every conversation that they have. When key members of the crew are targeted for assassination that's the last straw. The crew becomes determined to find this adversary and eliminate them. Will they be able to overcome someone that seems to know their every move?

The Oregon series is really enjoyable. The technology that is presented in this story is really interesting and unique. Recommend to all fans of the techno-thriller and for Cussler fans in general.

I am a new reader to the Oregon Files and Clive Cussler's books. All I can say is WOW!!! It is truly full of action from beginning to end. I enjoy the characters as well as the story.

I will be reading the first book in his other series, Dirk Pitt.

A mad scientist wants to control the world so that he can improve it. Lots of action against Haitian mercenaries as the crew once more tries to save the world. Always interesting, historically connected, this remains an interesting series.