The Assassin

Plot. The winning formula for Clive Cussler novels usually contain three elements: strong characters who behave with consistency; a fast-paced plot; and technical or historical accuracy that adds interesting detail. Until reading the latest novel in the Isaac Bell series titled, The Assassin, I found that formula in almost all of Cussler’s novels, and I could count on some reliable reading entertainment from the combination of those elements. In this novel, I found the Isaac Bell character to seem flat despite his escapades. Other characters, especially John D. Rockefeller in this novel, were developed so narrowly or inadequately that they came across as caricature. The plot here was well-paced, and the historical details were interesting, but the weak character development made this a less entertaining novel for me than previous books in this series and in the others from the Cussler franchise. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase The Assassin from amazon.com.