Book Review – Clive Cussler’s “The Mediterranean Caper”
While waiting for my computer to finish burning a few dual-layer DVDs (as part of a massive back-up project), I had time to finish reading Clive Cussler’s novel, The Mediterranean Caper.
First published all the way back in 1973, The Mediterranean Caper is the novel that started it all for author Clive Cussler. This is the first of the Dirk Pitt series, the series of novels that made Cussler into the successful and widely published author that he is today.
The Mediterranean Caper takes place almost entirely in the Aegean Sea. It’s there in the tropical waters (and skies) amongst the Greek islands where we’re introduced to hero Dirk Pitt.
The Mediterranean Caper begins with a bold attack upon a U.S. airbase in the Greek islands. It’s the type of aircraft — an old World War One biplane — that makes the daylight raid even more perplexing. The pilot strafed the airfield over and over, scoring hits on the parked aircraft and keeping the few troops stationed there pinned under cover.
Hearing the attack and calls for help on the radio, Air Force Major Dirk Pitt lends assistance. He’s piloting a seaplane to assist a NUMA (National Underwater and Marine Agency) research ship in the neighboring area when he changes course for the U.S. airbase. With the help of Captain Al Giordino manning a rifle and firing through an open door, Pitt and Giordino are able to hit the biplane enough times to send it running for cover. The enemy pilot flies away, skimming the islands and disappearing from view.
Pitt and Giordino are hailed as heroes, and it’s from that Greek island where the meat of The Mediterranean Caper really begins. After swimming along a quiet beach, Pitt meets and seduces a young woman, Teri. The woman claims to be the niece of Bruno von Till, a powerful owner of a shipping company and resident on the island. She invites Pitt to meet her uncle later that day. It’s at that meeting where Pitt once again faces death after meeting with von Till.
The Mediterranean Caper evolves from a story about a mysterious World War One biplane pilot to an international drug shipping ring. It’s also an action-adventure story filled with many fights and several plot twists. From escaping from an underground labyrinth to searching underwater for hidden caverns and a World War One submarine, Dirk Pitt finds himself risking life and limb over and over again. It’s also up to him and whatever help he can find to stop the evil Bruno von Till, trapping him and his innovative way of smuggling heroin into the United States.
For those of you already familiar with Cussler’s novels, The Mediterranean Caper will feel very familiar to you. Except for a prologue set back in time, this book has the same general setup and attention-to-detail (maritime in this case) as his other books. Since this is the first in the Dirk Pitt series, and the first to have published, The Mediterranean Caper is a relatively simple although still satisfying novel. Dirk Pitt is the primary character, Al Giordino lands a helping hand and is there for some of the comic relief, Commander Rudy Gunn is briefly introduced to us, and Admiral James Sandecker is barely even mentioned.
Although The Mediterranean Caper was published almost forty years ago, it’s still a great read for today’s audience. You have to shift your mind back to that time and downgrade our modern technology and conveniences. Sure there are a few plot holes here and there, and some of the “smart” characters are pretty stupid, but the story still works. I would have liked to have seen more of Bruno von Till’s history and evil ways played out in the story, but what’s there is still convincing.
As a whole, Clive Cussler’s The Mediterranean Caper is a good read and a must have for those of you looking to get into his Dirk Pitt novels. It clearly sets the stage for his style of writing. Fortunately for us readers, most of Cussler’s following novels continue to get better and become more and more detailed.
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This article was originally published at www.chamberofreviews.com on April 13, 2012.