The Titanic Secret by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul

My journey with Clive Cussler began many years ago when I picked up Raise the Titanic, and a lifelong fandom had begun. Now more than 40 years later, Cussler returns to another mystery surrounding the cursed ship in The Titanic Secret, written by Cussler and Jack Du Brul.

The story starts with Dirk Pitt rescuing a Revolutionary War-era submersible in the waters of New York. Following that he is presented with a document detailing the adventures of Isaac Bell in Colorado in the early 1900s. Dirk Pitt, the hero who raised the Titanic, learns of the mysterious involvement of Isaac Bell around the time of the ships sailing.

Bell is investigating a mining accident which claimed several lives but the circumstances of which raise suspicion. His investigation sets him on the trail of a rare mineral called byzanium. A mineral with unimaginable powers and worth incalculable sums. The discovery sets Bell off on a race to make sure the mineral is claimed on behalf of the United States before a ruthless group from the French Societe Des Mines beats them to it.

Bell’s investigation leads him across the world to France, Iceland and near the Arctic Circle before heading back to England and towards a fateful encounter with the Titanic.

Bell's painstaking and brilliant detective work leads him through the first part of the novel. Once he has found his quarry, Bell moves from detection to action. The latter half of the novel is nonstop-action with several exciting adventures at sea, in port and across England. The action literally jumps from ships to trains to automobiles.

The partnership between Cussler and Du Brul is well-matched here. Du Brul is no stranger to action with his Philip Mercer series and has previously collaborated with Cussler on the Oregon Files novels. The characters and style of Cussler are welcome and familiar. Du Brul compliments Cussler's creations and the two of them create an exciting and high-octane adventure. The bringing together of two of Cussler's most famous literary creations, Dirk Pitt and Isaac Bell, even though their adventures are set nearly a century apart was both welcome and well done. Tying it into one of Cussler's most famous adventures, Raise the Titanic, is the cherry on top.

Long-time fans will enjoy the story but it is also easily approachable for new readers. You can't do much better than Clive Cussler when it comes to adventure and The Titanic Secret delivers all the goods.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.

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