2008-04-15 The usual formula - just more tired than usual

With a Cussler novel, you know what you're going to get ... impossible links between the past and the present glory of good old America. This time we have a bull-necked villain of cartoon and cardboard type villainy; a baby-faced psychopathic assassin; a heroine of exotic features; sable hair and a strong streak of independence which doesn't stop her leaping into bed with our all-action hero. The theme naturally leads to the discovery of ancient treasures and the solving of equally ancient mysteries based upon the improbable fact that the Phoenicians travelled all the way to America to hide a precious artefact.

So if you like your adventure books to be written to a totally predictable formula (the villain keeps going on about the fires of hell - so guess how he dies) with characters that lack all semblance of believability, then you'll enjoy this book.

On the other hand, if you want a bit of depth and believable intrigue, try the novels of David Baldacci or Stephen Leather.