Product Description

Dirk Pitt is sent to investigate a lethal new way of speeding up diamond excavation, discovered by the head of a major diamond mining corporation. A fast-paced adventure for young adults, in which Pitt must dodge a volcano eruption and a sea serpent, amongst other dangers, in order to save the day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #702868 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 420 pages

Customer Reviews

Great fantasy action, well researched and well written
I have never been a big fan of action thrillers. The only author I read regularly in this genre is Lee Child and his `Jack Reacher` character, and I enjoy him a lot, so I decided to give Clive Cussler a try. I am happy to say I was not disappointed! Even though "Pacific Vortex" was the first published book in the Dirk Pitt adventures series, it was the first Cussler wrote, so logically, this is the novel I picked to start my journey. I found an interesting character that lives at the edge and is passionate about his work. Also in some aspects he is similar to James Bond, women mainly, and the mix is sufficient to keep the reader thoroughly entertained. If you enjoy serial characters then this is a must series for you, also try Michael Connelly`s `Harry Bosh` series, or much more violent is the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones. In the Dirk pitt stories Cussler has created a very entertaining series, with a character that has an arrogant and pedantic side, but whom also shows his pure emotions and is true to his friends and ideals. This makes the Special Project Director of the National Underwater and Marine Agency a very likable character. This is a book that a reader can breeze through in a few hours making it an enjoyable way to spend a weekend's afternoon. I will surely read the next book in this series hoping for a similar experience.

A First Class Dirk Pitt Novel
As an addicted fan of Dirk Pitt novels, I rate this book relative to what I like about the Dirk Pitt books. First, I find Pitt to be a thoroughly enjoyable hero. Second, I like the tying together of a historical perspective with a current theme. Third, Clive Cussler has a good imagination, and he often makes me think about things that I would never have otherwise considered. Fourth, I find my heart pounding and my palms sweaty as I sit up late at night to finish the latest novel.

By all these standards, Shock Wave is a definite 5 star novel. Arthur Dorsett and his daughters make for interesting opponents for Pitt. They will remind you of some of the villains in the James Bond novels.

Don't miss this one!

Superb!
This is my first Cussler book, and it's absolutely fantastic! I was up until the early hours of the morning reading this, as the plot sped along at a great, speedy pace! Cussler never gets bogged down in too much technical detail, never writes in blatant cliches, without making a joke out of them, and has a great sense of humour, when it is called for.

If you've never read Cussler, then you're really missing out! Excellent, highly recommended read to anyone who is bored of the cookie-cutter "adventure" novels that are littering the shelves these days.

Also try: Kyle Mills, Vince Flynn, John Sandford