Title: The Mediterranean Caper
Series: Dirk Pitt, book 1
Author: Clive Cussler
Publisher: Books on Tape
Narrator: Michael Prichard
Duration: 8 hours, 6 minutes
Copyright: 1992
Genres: thriller, nautical, intrigue
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Kearney Public Library.
THE GIST: The government agency called NUMA, National Underwater and Marine Agency, has sent a research vessel to the Aegean Sea. It is rumored that a species of fish thought to be extinct for millions of years, still inhabits these waters. Things aren't going too well for the researchers, however. The project suffers one setback after another with snapped cables and non-working equipment.
The head of NUMA, Admiral James Sandecker, decides to send in his best man to investigate the matter. Dirk Pitt, Numa’s special projects director, along with his partner, Al Giordino, arrive on the scene just in time to witness something they thought they would never see. The research ship is being attacked by a World War I German fighter plane. What follows is a thrilling dogfight between the German fighter, and Dirk who is flying a World War II era Catalina. Dirk gets the upper hand and the German plane retreats.
Dirk and Al begin their investigation, and it doesn’t take them long to discover that the research project has stumbled right into the middle of one of the largest drug-smuggling operations in the world, using the Aegean Sea as its base. They subsequently learn that the ringleader of the operation, Bruno von Till, is a Nazi war criminal.
Knowing the drug ring exists is only half the battle, though. Interpol has been investigating the operation for decades and has never been able to figure out how the drugs are being transported. It’s up to Dirk and Al to discover the secret and bring Von Till to justice.
MY THOUGHTS: Published in 1973, “The Mediterranean Caper” is the first in a long series of books featuring Dirk Pitt. In all honesty, this book didn’t really grab me, but I have read several of the later Dirk Pitt audio books and liked them very much. Cussler's books are always rich with exciting action scenes, however, like the aerial dogfight at the beginning of “The Mediterranean Caper.”
NARRATOR: Michael Prichard narrated a lot of Cussler's audio books and I have come to appreciate his style. Dirk and Al are always quipping at each other and Prichard’s light tone suits the characters very well.
FINAL WORD: “The Mediterranean Caper” is a good audio book for lovers of action/adventure stories. It will be especially interesting to anyone interested in nautical or marine themes.
FILM ADAPTATION: To date, “The Mediterranean Caper has not been adapted to film. I have, however, heard rumours that there may be Dirk Pitt movies forthcoming, starring Matthew McConoughy as Dirk Pitt.
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This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
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Not my favorite, but not a bad adventure. Cussler eventually stops revealing any but the most shallow character traits in his books. He slaps quips and witty patter over thinner and thinner plots. Too bad, because he is fun when he's actually interested in his writing.
ReplyDeleteRobert Parker did the same thing, in my opinion, in the Spenser novels. Dropping depth of plot for a meal of snappy patter.