The Assassin

By: Clive Cussler, Justin Scott

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Detective Isaac Bell tracks a killer across the nation’s oilfields in this adventure in the #1 New York Times–bestselling historical series.

As Van Dorn private detective Isaac Bell strives to land a government contract to investigate John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil monopoly, the case takes a deadly turn. A sniper begins murdering opponents of Standard Oil, and soon the assassin—shooting with extraordinary accuracy at seemingly impossible long range—kills Bell’s best witness. Then the shooter detonates a terrible explosion that sets the victim’s independent refinery ablaze.

Bell summons his best detectives to hunt down the mysterious killer. But the murders—shootings, poisonings, staged accidents—have just begun as Bell tracks his phantom-like criminal adversary from the “oil fever” regions of Kansas and Texas to Washington, D.C., to the tycoons’ enclave of New York, to Russia’s war-torn Baku oil fields on the Caspian Sea, and back to America for a final, desperate confrontation. And this one will be the most explosive of all.

Critic reviews

Praise for THE ASSASSIN

“Another action-movie-paced entertainment from Cussler's historical-thriller series.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for THE BOOTLEGGER

“The Isaac Bell series continues to tell compelling stories. Tidbits of history are sprinkled throughout the narrative, and it’s fun to filter out fictional characters and events from historical facts.”—Associated Press

“Cussler and Scott have written another wonderful page-turner . . . This is historical action-adventure fiction at its rip-roaring best!”—Library Journal (starred review)

“As always in this series, the novel is very exciting, with excellent pacing and some very well drawn characters. With his combination of mental and physical prowess, Isaac Bell could easily become a sort of superhero (imagine a blending of Sherlock Holmes and Doc Savage), but the authors do a nice job of keeping him from crossing that line. Another fine entry in a strong series. Cussler is a perennial A-lister, popularity-wise, and his Isaac Bell novels are the pick of his prodigious litter.”—Booklist

“[A] laudable historical action novel.”—Publishers Weekly

Praise for THE STRIKER

“[Might] be the best yet in the series by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott . . . The history of the unions in early 20th-century America along with the hazardous working conditions of the coal mines would be fascinating reading. Add a James Bond style flair with sabotage and villainy and the end result is a great action thriller.”—Associated Press

“Fans of the Isaac Bell series will note the same exciting storytelling and vivid early twentieth-century setting, but they’ll also note something different: even though it’s set only four years earlier than the first Bell novel (2008’s The Chase), the book features a much different Isaac: younger, more impetuous, less calmly analytical . . . this origin story (every hero needs one) will give Bell’s fans a fresh look at their favorite private investigator.”—Booklist

Great team

Clive Cussler and Justin Scott do not disappoint with the Isaac Bell series. Scott Brick always does a great job.

Great Series

Scott Brick is one of my favorite performers. I've read every Clive Cussler book, but I dragged my feet on reading the Isaac Bell series because of the early period they were written. So glad I got involved...I love Bell as much as Austin, Pitt, Juan and the rest.

GREAT

Another good yarn from Cussler.
Seems I have to write another 15 words before I can submit this so here they are!

Great listen

Great listen a young Isaac Bell in this story travels the world saving the day and almost catching his man.

Another Great Romp

Where does The Assassin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Clive Cussler is one of my favorite authors and the Isaac Bell series is my favorite. It has all the excitement of the Dirk Pitt books, but a bit more subtle (if that's a word that can be used with Cussler). The Assassin ranks right up their with the best. The John D. Rockefeller info was interesting and inspired me to look up some info on the old megalomaniac.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Jumping from one cliff hanger to the next is Cussler's Hallmark. This book was no exception and as always, the jumps were well thought out and artfully described.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was the escape from Baku with JD Rock in tow. I loved how Bell & co had to literally drag the old geezer out of harms way.

Any additional comments?

I have a long commute every day and listening to audio books keeps me entertained and alert. Isaac Bell stories also add a layer of historical fiction to the mix and I enjoy that. I'm glad we returned to more turn of the century times (19th) as I enjoy that setting. My only complaint is that it was too short. With 3 hours every day to listen, I can finish a book like this in just a few days.