Date first published	1975
ISBN Number	0 7221 2741 3
Page Count	252 p/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Dirk Pitt is called off his holiday, to look for a ship embedded within an Iceberg. After more or less hi-jacking the coast guards latest cutter, the search begins, and so does the plot. Several hours are wasted as an unknown group has helpfully removed the marker die from the correct iceberg. When Dirk and his passenger eventually find the ship they find that some one has been there before them. The interior of the ship has been devastated in a cataclysmic fire.

Dirk leaves the ship and heads for Iceland where attempts on his life are made. What is the mysterious group, and why doe they want Pitt dead. What is the secret of Kirsti Fyrie?

The mysterious group abandon a seriously injured Pitt in the depths of the Icelandic interior. Will he survive to lead rescuers to the other kidnapped victims? Can Pitt head off the plans of the corporation. Will he get revenge for his treatment at the hands of Rondheim?

Review

It is obvious from the opening chapter that Cussler is getting into the swing of things. He writes with confidence and the character of Pitt is now set. The book also further cements the relationship between Sandecker and his wayward Special Ops officer.

The character of Giordino has yet to materialize, but this does not deflect from the story. In the growing knowledge that Pitt will win through, we see the steely obstinate side, in his dealings with his would be tormentors. Pitt as we know is a definite ladies man, and we see again the hard sometimes cruel edge to Pitt, when confronting Fyrie for the last time. In some ways Pitts character, and attitudes to women reminds me of the early James Bond as portrayed by Sean Connery.

This book has a slightly more complex plot line than Mayday, and is full of intrigue. Even Sandecker does not tell Pitt everything he needs to know. This is the first storyline that has commercial interests at the heart of the plot.

Cussler in some of his later books usually has a truly evil opponent to overcome. Although Rondheim, is not all powerful, he is definitely one of the more sadistic of the species.

The book written in 1976, is definitely over the top in places, especially when Pitt decides to find his female alter ego! I'm not sure in these days of political correctness/censorship if it would even be printed first time round.

This is a really good little story, and definitely worth the three & a half bookies. It introduces a lot of the concepts that will feature strongly in his later books.

It has been two years since I last read the story but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

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