Date first published	1978
ISBN Number	0 7221 2740 5
Page Count	307 p/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

We find Dirk Pitt on holiday in the mountains of Colorado, with his sometime girlfriend Loren Smith. On a whim Pitt decides to go fishing for breakfast. Whilst looking for some fishing kit he stumbles on a mystery that has remained hidden for over 30 years.

In South Africa a diabolical plan is being hatched to discredit the African Army of Revolution (AAoR). To do this a respected farm owners family are massacred, sending Patrick Fawkes over the edge of insanity. Only he is capable of carrying out the terrible act planned, leaving a large tract of Washington, a lifeless desert.

Meanwhile the leader of the AAoR is trying to gain political acceptance on Capitol, and Congressman Daggat is defintiely not above a bit of blackmail, to ensure that Congresswoman Smith will aid the cause.

Pitt meanwhile has sought out the mystery of the aircraft parts in Colorado, and secretly with the help of Abe Steiger, plans to ensure that the plague on board Vixen 03 is destroyed forever.

The story swings from Africa to Washington, with an ever increasing body count. Betrayal lurks around every corner. Can Pitt save Washington from its terrible fate?

Review

This story is a slight departure for Cussler after his previous novels, which have been straight action/adventure novels. This story introduces a stronger political element, including the rights and wrongs of South Africa as it was before black rule. Unfortunately the political intrigue tends to spoil the story, as it slows the action down without adding to the story. This is particuarly the case with the thread concerning Daggats blackmail of Smith. The only reason for this plot device appears to be to allow Pitt to come to Smiths rescue.

The political element in South Africa is justified and is obviously the centre of the main story although this element is not quite so noticeable and certainly adds to the plot.

The hunt for the missing plague canisters, is also rather to simple, and finding its location so quickly seems nothing short of miraculous. The dealing with the arms dealer, is certainly difficult to swallow, I doubt the dealer would survive 10 minutes in the real world. Ok it is fiction, but it spoils the story slightly.

The action to capture the ship, and prevent the distribution of the plague is well executed, and ends up with a satisfying happy ending. Overall not a bad story, just some elements introduced that were largely irrelevant. It is obvious that Cussler is in the swing, and the character of Pitt has definitely settled into the character we all love and know now.

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