The Gangster (Isaac Bell Series Book 9)

Like all of Clive Cussler's novels it is excellent and impossible to put down. I especially liked it because it deals with Italian immigrants in New York in. the early years of 1900...my dad was from Italy and came to Ellis island at that time period or maybe a bit later and worked in the N.Y. subways when he arrived...It's not only a fun novel to read but creates a bit of historical fiction that I love...go for it even if you're not Italian and maybe Irish...p.. my dad moved to Montreal a bit later where I was born and I am ever so thankful that he moved our family to California when I was a kid to escape those harsh winters and get back to a Mediterranean climate. You will enjoy this novel as it also gives a good and very interesting story of politics and architectural insights of the building of early skyscrapers during those early NY years. I highly recommend this novel and whether or not you like Clive you're sure to love it.

Another winner. I have been a long time reader of several of Clive Cussler's character lines. Some of gotten, well a little stale, good but not great. Issac Bell on the other hand keeps things interesting. While this one didn't have a lot of the cutting edge ingenuity of past Issac Bell stories it was full of determination, clear detailed characters set in a time where things all make sense. His long distance love's character as well as the red headed leader of the detective agency are present but more subdued in this adventure. Not enough to affect story but enough to notice.All in all, another good read. Can't wait for Issac's next adventure.

Isaac Bell returns in Clive Cussler's new book, "The Gangster".The setting is New York City, circa 1906. Italian immigrants make up a large portion of the labor work force. But an organization known as the "Black Hand" has been terrorizing the immigrants. These ruthless people use extortion, kidnapping, blackmail, and sabotage to get what they want. The immigrants eventually turn to the Van Dorn agency for protection. Isaac Bell, the Van Dorn's #1 detective, is put on the case of protecting the immigrants while at the same time tracking down the leaders of the "Black Hand". Soon, a crack squad of Van Dorn detectives is on the job watching over the immigrants.But even Isaac Bell can't be prepared for what's in store, for the notorious "Gangster" who is in charge of the "Black Hand" has his sights set much higher than lowly immigrant workers. Events have been set in motion so that even President Teddy Roosevelt might be in danger. It's up to Isaac and his group of detectives to find out who the "Gangster" is before it's too late.I'm a big fan of the Isaac Bell series, and I've read each book. "The Gangster" maintains the tradition of the previous books, combining historical fiction along with a strong plot and true-to-life characters. The action is fast-paced and doesn't let up until the last page. Highly recommended.

Clive Cussler is a master of several styles of fiction. I enjoy his series of books of modern adventures,but his historical fiction books are always a pleasure.Isaac Bell battles a formidable opponent as he faces off with The Gangster.The Black Hand criminal organization is expanding beyond simple extortion, but extortion continues to be their greatest weapon.In the course of this book, Bell must deal with plots to murder innocent people who fail to pay extortion, a plot to destroy the New York Aquaduct, and a plot to murder the US president, Teddy Roosevelt.This book is a quick read due to its gripping pace. Do yourself a favor and spend some time with The Gangster.

I have read all of the Isaac Bell books and they seem to have steadily declined in interest and enjoyment. This particular book had far too many characters to keep track. While I enjoy the regular cast of characters that appear in each book, this particular book added far too many newbies. It appears the author wanted to write a book with too many bad guys with limited character development and multiple side plots. Concentrating on the main plot would have produced a better read. I love the turn of the century era and the vivid descriptions of the environment and social interactions. I was really looking forward to this book, but was extremely disappointed. Lastly, the ending came far too quickly for the main opponents of Bell.

The Van Dorn detective agency is hard pressed to find and stop the Black Hand. Their leader is cunning and ruthless. The action in this story is plentiful. The story moves along very well. Some questions come to mind about why the authorities are generally so thick headed, but many are paid to be that way. I enjoyed this book and hope you do too.

I used to read many of Mr. Cussler's series but had a hard time continuing with all of them so I settled on Isaac Bell. I enjoyed these stories because of the time they take place when many of our modern crime solving tools were not available. That seems to me just to make the story much more interesting. Where today's detectives might use DNA or a Google search for information, no such tools are available for Isaac.I'm a big fan!

The Isaac Bell series by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott is great reading! "The Gangster" is set in turn-of-the-20th Century New York City wherein the authors weave a story taking the reader into the Tammany Hall scandals, the rise of the Mafia and politics surrounding the Italian immigrant labor and early Irish gangs. Within this setting, Isaac Bell, a super sleuth in the Van Dorn Detective Agency, sets out to solve murders, missing money, graft, corruption and a threat on the life of Theodore Roosevelt. It is fast-paced action and written in such a way that you feel a part of the early 1900s and the bustling growing city of New York. It is an excellent use of history, fable and good versus evil resulting in a book you just cannot put down. I highly recommend the book to those who like a good adventure, great detective work and authors who are able to put the reader into the story.

The story from start to finish went at such a pace that it kept you on your toes throughout the book. Always well explained you felt as if you knew every detail of the places visited whilst reading the book. Plenty of action and heroic tasks taken. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Just love Clive Cussler books particularly Isaac Bell tales that take you back to a time when justice and good people meant something, I would recommend that if you have not read any cussler this might be good one to start with

Normally I enjoy Isaac Bell storys but this one I found much harder possibly as there were more references and use of old American phrases and events. For someone across the Atlantic this made events a bit confusing and more difficult to follow. However,there is plenty of action and adventure for those who like the series.

Usually like Isaac Bell novels but this was a chore to read, was an effort to get to the end, seemed like the author whoever it is was just going through the motions to get another Bell story written, very disappointing.

Enjoyable easy reading