Date first published	1 March 2007
ISBN Number	978 0 718 14799 0
Page Count	412 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Cabrillo, and the Corporation, are taking a holiday from government contracts. Tasked with tracking down and stopping pirates operating in oceans around Asia, they uncover a complex ship wrecking operation.

However they stumble upon an even worse operation, human trafficking. The question is where are the slaves heading, and what has happened to their under cover operative?

Working in Europe, Russia and China they Corporation start tying the pieces together, but can they stay alive long enough to defeat an enemy always one step ahead, and more importantly where's the profit?

Review

I think someone has read my last review!

In the last story I felt that there were two many characters getting in the way of the plot. I'm pleased to say that the number of active characters has been reduced. The others are still there, but shoved to the periphery, leaving perhaps 6 crew members in the central plot. It works.

It is also good that this caper is one bound out of private enterprise. It gives the author more freedom, to let the Corporation do what it wants, without having to meet with a governments policy. They definitely tread on a few toes on this one.

The central story, and plotline are on the whole top notch, although I did get a bit lost on the European bankers and the gold. It got tied up at the end, but I'm not sure of the how and why. However, I don't think it affects the story that much. The bankers were I think just a means to set up the mining operation.

There are a couple of really good firefights in the story, and for once not everything goes according to plan, the Corporation even under estimate the enemy capabilty, which is good to see. The errors make them seem more human.

Character development, is still minimal, although a small chink was opend up on Cabrillos' life, when we find out about his dead wife, but I think that's all the new information that we see. This book even sees a bit of romance for the one legged hero. I think I'm starting to warm to Cabrillo. It's also nice to see an English character written as a human being and not some sort of Cockney Eliza Dolittle, as to many are.

The last book I felt was too far fetched. This one, has come back to the earth with a bump, and is all the better for it. There is nothing outlandish, that could not be done to day. The Oregon is a bit James Bondish, but it does give the series a twist.

This is the third in the series. It is by far the best, the writers are more confident, the pace is brisk, and the authors, have become less bogged down with having a thousand and one crew members to do a job. It's a good neat package. It won't win major league prizes, but for those who enjoy a bit of do daring then it fits the bill nicely.

The only thing that nags, is I'm sure that I have read the shipyard/ ship saw in another Cussler book. It escapes me at the moment but if my brain cell kicks into gear I will read the book again.

The last book I gave a poor 3. This book I give a very definite 3. This one will be the bench mark for the future. Golden Buddha, was too complex with too many characters, Sacred Stone, was too off the wall with too many characters. Dark Watch hits the nail, and is well balanced. I'm looking forward to the next installment

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