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Settling in to read a Clive Cussler novel is like riding on a roller coaster. First, you get the feel of the coaster as it takes you to the top of the world and offers a panoramic view of everything within eye sight. Then you start the ride, and turn and fly toward the ultimate conclusion. SKELETON COAST is no exception.
The fourth novel in the Oregon Files series opens as saddlebags of diamonds exchange hands in the Kalahari Desert in 1896. "The Kalahari and the Atlantic were locked in their eternal struggle for territory, a fight between the erosive actions of waves versus the awesome volume of sand the desert would pour into the waters." H.A. Ryder had delivered saddlebags full of diamonds to the captain of the Rove. Ryder's entourage and the full crew of the Rove were now encased in sand --- tons and tons of it.
In the present day, a materials research company, Merrick/Singer, owns a patent for an "organic-based system to filter up to 90% of the sulfur out of the smoke emitted by coal-fired power plants." Merrick and Singer, after building a multibillion dollar company, ended their partnership, as Singer became obsessed with environmental issues. When he saw that pouring millions of dollars into rainforest salvation and other environmental issues yielded minimal results, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
Enter Juan Cabrillo, our supercharged hero, with several surprises up his sleeves --- or should I say his prosthesis! Captain of the Oregon, Cabrillo and his crew had just completed an assignment when they responded to a mayday signal. Bad guys, with their minds set on ending the world and teaching us all a lesson, must be stopped. Good guys, focused on their mission to save the world and preserve our natural resources, work furiously to get there in time. And one very strange guy, who sees what appear to be metal snakes in his fishing waters, comes to the rescue of the good guys.
There are dual plots and non-stop adventures that will keep your attention in this fast-moving tale. Environmental fanaticism, global warming, hurricanes and a little human assistance can cause a toxic reaction of global proportions after adding the final ingredient --- the media.
Clive Cussler has a gift for description. Readers can escape into unknown worlds, past and present. They know and understand each character, see the locations used in the book, and experience the emotions felt by the characters. These are just a few of the reasons why I have read all of Cussler's novels, and will continue to do so joyfully.
--- Reviewed by Marge Fletcher
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