2008-08-31 3rd rate adventure novels has a new name - Hawke

I don't know if all would agree but of late there is a distinct lack of adventure/spy novels for readers who like this genre. There seems to have been an obvious explosion in female romantic style literature and when ever i go into bookshops i can only look with envy at the choice of books for the younger reader. The Adult adventure genre on the other hand has only a select few.....Ted Bell isnt one of them. This is the second Hawke book i have read several years apart. The book as with the first one remains a disappointment. the general concept isnt bad, indeed the idea of a resurgent China allying itself with France, is an idea that could be explored in any number of technothrillers. What is bad is how the book is written and the stupid nature of the character. I have a feeling the author is american and that would explain a lot. He writes his Enlgish characters as if they are something from the 19th century, i cant begin to describe Ambrose. He is obviously modelled on Sherlock Holmes and some 19th century view of a Gentlemen, yet the story is set currently, the two styles just do not work well together. Ted Bell spends more time trying to drescribe Ambrose routine than he does trying to tell a story. Then we have Hawke himself who is a complete mixture of anything and everything. Conceptually speaking we have a famous English Lord who seems to do his wishes for the Americans (without any mention of the impact his actions has on the UK), and who is viewed as some sort of world class Aviator, Spy, Hostage Rescue expert and even assassin. We have Hawkes yacht which is akin to a Battleship, We have a friend Stoke - an Ex Navy Seal who gets fatigued walking in the German mountains!....there are inconsistencies throughout the story and so much more wrong with it. The real issue though is that the plot just doesnt flow nicely. Adventure genre is all about the impossible, but where Clive Cussler gets it right and Ted Bell does not is that Ted Bell is trying to write a serious spy novel, technothriller and adventure novel in one.......it doesn't work. The book for me was a real disappointment. If you are looking for an enjoyable read, look somewhere else.