This is perhaps Cusslers most important novel. Important in the fact that it was the
first one to be published. His first novel, Pacific Vortex was not published
until 1983. Reading through Mayday there are a lot of references to Pacific Vortex.
The story opens with Dirk and Giordino flying to the Med, as trouble shooters for one
of NUMAs research vessels which has been plagued by mishaps and sabotage.
En-route they pick up a Mayday signal from the local American Air Force base which is
under attack from a World War I biplane. A battle ensues, in which the biplane is shot down, but disappears.
Following a chance encounter at dawn on a secluded beach, Pitt is drawn into a web of
intrigue, which surrounds a local recluse. After an attempt on his life, Pitt becomes
determined to find out why von Till was so keen to see him dead, and at the same time
reek revenge for the attempt on his life.
Pitt eventually sorts out the muddle and purely by chance solves the mystery of the
Teaser fish, and discovers the true identity of the beautiful woman from the beach.
Written in the mid seventies, it has dated somewhat, with all the characters smoking, and
with the central villain being an ex Nazi, something which has now disappeared from most
novels. As most Nazis from the war are now either dead or two old to make formidable
enemies.
Unlike later novels the diving technology, and equipment detail is rather sparse, with the
emphasis on the story rather than the equipment.
The story is good, straight forward with a few simple twists. There is some interesting fights
which are not two over the top. Having re-read the story for this review, it made a pleasant
change to have a straight forward story to read, without to many sub plots.
A good introduction to the world of NUMA.
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