Date first published	1992
ISBN Number	0 00 255093 8
Page Count	541 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

As with all of Cussler's later books the main story is preceded by an appetizer. Or in this two, to get you warmed up. However unlike some of the other stories, neither of the apetizers, are the main aim of the actual story that unfolds. The one, the disappearing aviationist, merely provides the means to get Pitt out of a very nasty spot. The second, regarding the Texas, has no real relevance to the story, but merely allows the usual treasure hunt element of a Pitt novel.

The main story is set in and around Africa, and in particular that most inhospitable of places the Sahara. However we have gotten ahead of ourselves. Pitt is found at the start of the story relaxing and diving, whereupon he comes across Dr Eva Rojas, also enjoying a bit of R & R before some hired help attempt to kill her. Pitt intrigued by the behaviour of the assassins, lays low, and only after they make there move does he intervene, killing both, and dumping them out to sea. Pitt is rewarded by taking the good Doctor off to dinner.

Pitt along with Giordino is summoned by Rudi Gunn to Sandeckers HQ, where they are briefed on the prospect of an ecological disaster that is unfolding. A Huge red tide of plankton is growing, threatening the whole world. Pitt is sent up the Niger River to locate the source of a chemical compound that is boosting the growth of the red tide.

Pitts trip up the Niger is not exactly welcome, and several of the local dictators decide that they want the boats. A running battle follows in which the navy of one country is literally wiped out. Pitt locates the entry point of the chemical into the river but not the source. Having scuttled the boat, Pitt heads into the heart of Mali, and the Sahara.

Having discovered the source of the contaminant, he is captured and sent to a slave mine, from which he is not expected to return. Aided by the other captives (one of whom is Eva Rojas), he and Giordino escape, into the Sahara. Nearing exhaustion, and nearly dead from lack of water they stumble across the remains of an old aircraft, and with typical ingenuity, build a land sailor. Flying across the desert they are nearly run down by a lorry on the main highway.

Pitt returns with a UN rescue squad and release all of the prisoners from the mine. However the Malian airforce have destroyed the only way out. In desperation they head to the old Foreign Legion outpost known as Fort Foureau near the de-toxification plant, responsible for the contaminant.

The Malian forces whilst led by an incompetent leader has some good intelligence people, who work out Pitts ruse. The scene is set for a final do or die battle at the fort, the outcome of which can only seemingly end with one outcome.

The latter part of the story concerns the clearing up of one or two loose ends which I will leave you to discover.

Review

The whole story, with an ecological base, has been well thought out and executed. The story also benefits from being away from the USA, although the one flaw in the story is Cusslers nanny like preaching about the enviroment. This from a country that is not disposed to cut it's air pollution. However that aside the main story is a rip roaring adventure from the battles with various military dictators, to his drive across the desert in a stolen car.

Pitt and Giordino get to sort out the bad guys in a typical Pitt way. The mastermind of the whole scheme receives a suitably unpleasant end. The Malian dictator, receives his come uppance in an almost comical way, which in many ways is more suitable than an honourable death at the hands of Pitt or Giordino.

The book on the whole is very enjoyable, it is perhaps let down by Cussler, preaching about the enviroment, and of course his appearance in the books, which I find very irritating. However these are really rather minor points which is why the book deserves the 4½ 'bookies'.

On the whole an excellent Pitt adventure.

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