Isaac Bell

Created by Clive Cussler
(1932-2020)

Period private eye ISAAC BELL is the Chief Investigator of the Van Dorn Detective Agency in the early 1900s; the two-fisted hero of a jaunty series of action-packed novels by mega seller Clive Cussler (and occasionally co-author Justin Scott).

Which means he tackles bank robbers, serial killers, spies, arsonists, anarchists and union busters and other early twentieth century bad guys, and gets to ride some pretty sweet classic cars, old trains and oh-so-cool early airplanes in the process. Think of him as The Continental Op — but with better transportation, more action and a more team-oriented hero. And way more explosions than the Op ever dreamed of.

A quick view of the covers gives readers a clue about what’s in store: a steam locomotive and train plunging underwater, what looks like an entire city on fire, an aerial dogfight, a coal mine explosion and an ocean liner apparently being torpedoed.

Among those dodging the debris and shrapnel regularly in the series are Joseph Van Dorn (aka “The Boss” himself), Archibald Angell Abbott IV (Isaac’s best friend), Helen Mills (the agency’s first female op), James Dashwood (one of Isaac’s protegés) and a slew of other members and specialists in the agency whom he calls on for assistance, as his cases take him all over the country. The New York-based agency has branches in Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Cincinnati.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Clive Cussler was the bestselling author of more than fifty books. He not only wrote the Isacc Bell books, but also series featuring salvage expert and treasure hunter Dirk Pitt (by far his most popular creation), The NUMA Files, The Oregon Files and Sam and Remi Fargo. Whether searching for lost aircraft or leading expeditions to find famous shipwrecks, Cussler and his real-life NUMA crew of volunteers (yes, it’s a real entity) have discovered more than seventy-five lost ships of historic significance, and like Pitt, he collects classic automobiles.

Occasional co-writer of the series, Justin Scott,  has been nominated for Edgars at least twice, for his own books, which include the Ben Abbott P.I. series.

Since his death, the series has been continued by Jack Du Brut.

NOVELS

• The Chase (2007) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Wrecker (2009; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Spy (2010; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Race (2011; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Thief (2012; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Striker (2013; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Bootlegger (2014); cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Assassin (2015; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Gangster (2016; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Cutthroat (2017; cowritten with Justin Scott) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Titanic Secret (2019; cowritten with Jack Du Brut) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Saboteurs (2021; cowritten with Jack Du Brul) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Sea Wolves (2022; by Jack Du Brut) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• The Heist (2024; by Jack Du Brut) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
• ALSO
• The Gray Ghost (2018; cowritten with Robin Burcell) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
  Not an Issac Bell book, but Isaac’s recovery of a stolen 1906 Rolls-Royce prototype serves as the backdrop for this modern-day tale of Cussler series characters, husband-and-wife treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo, who are hired by the grandson of the man accused of the original theft.

Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.