Clive Cussler spent decades making us look at the ocean. He built a literal empire on the back of Dirk Pitt, a guy who could breathe underwater and find lost ships before breakfast. But then, in 2007, he did something weird. He stepped away from the modern high-tech submersibles and jumped back to 1906.
The result was The Chase.
It wasn’t just another thriller. Honestly, it was a gamble that launched a fifteen-book series and introduced us to Isaac Bell, a detective who basically feels like a turn-of-the-century James Bond. If you’ve only ever known Cussler for shipwrecks and NUMA, you’re missing out on his best pivot.
What Really Happened in The Chase?
The story kicks off with a grisly discovery in 1950. A steam locomotive, the Baldwin 3025, is pulled from the depths of Flathead Lake in Montana. Inside? Three corpses preserved by the cold, fresh water through a process called saponification—basically turning their fat into a waxy, soap-like substance.
Nasty, right?
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The book then whips us back to 1906. The American West is being terrorized by the "Butcher Bandit." This guy isn't your average outlaw. He’s a sociopath who robs banks and leaves zero witnesses. He kills everyone. Men, women, even kids. No one left to testify. No one to give a description.
Enter Isaac Bell.
He’s the lead investigator for the Van Dorn Detective Agency—a fictionalized version of the real-world Pinkertons. Bell is tall, lean, and filthy rich. His father is a Boston banker, so Bell doesn't actually need the money. He does it for the hunt. That’s the core of The Chase Clive Cussler fans fell in love with: the psychological cat-and-mouse game between two men who are arguably the smartest people in any room they enter.
The Twist You See Coming (But Still Love)
Cussler doesn't keep the villain’s identity a secret for long. We find out pretty early that the Butcher Bandit is actually Jacob Cromwell. Here’s the kicker: Cromwell is a respected bank president in San Francisco.
Talk about a conflict of interest.
He uses his status to scout his own targets. He even has a custom-built, opulently furnished boxcar that he hides in plain sight among freight trains to escape. It’s a classic Cussler trope—the villain with the cool, high-tech (for the time) mobile base.
History as a Character
One thing most people get wrong about this book is thinking it’s just a western. It isn't. It’s a "techno-thriller" set in the past. Cussler obsesses over the tech of 1906. We’re talking about:
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- Early motorcycles and high-speed steam engines.
- The "Pacific" class locomotives that could hit 90 mph.
- The dawn of forensic science and psychological profiling.
The climax takes place during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Cussler weaves the destruction of the city directly into the pursuit. Bell is trying to navigate a collapsing world while Cromwell tries to use the chaos to disappear forever. It’s a masterclass in using historical tragedy to ramp up fictional stakes.
Is It Actually Factual?
While Isaac Bell and Jacob Cromwell are products of Cussler’s imagination, the backdrop is startlingly real. The Van Dorn agency is a dead ringer for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which was the go-to law enforcement for hire during that era.
Cussler even throws in cameos. You’ll see John Barrymore as a young actor and Jack London reporting on the earthquake. These aren't just names dropped for fun; they anchor the story in a reality that feels lived-in.
Why This Book Matters Now
If you’re looking to get into Cussler, this is the place to start. It was the first book in years he wrote without a co-author. It felt personal. It was his way of proving he could write something outside the "Dirk Pitt finds a sunken plane" formula.
Critics at the time, like those at Publishers Weekly, complained about "clunky prose" and "dime-novel dialogue." They aren't wrong. Cussler’s writing can be stiff. But you don't read Cussler for the prose; you read him for the pace.
The Chase moves like a runaway train. Literally.
Actionable Steps for Readers
If you're ready to dive into the world of Isaac Bell, don't just grab a random book. The series has grown massive since 2007.
1. Start with The Chase. Even though the series eventually jumps around in time (like The Striker going back to 1902), you need to see Bell at his peak first. It sets the tone for his "incorruptible" nature.
2. Follow the Justin Scott Era. After this first book, Justin Scott stepped in as a co-author. He brought a lot of the historical nuance that keeps the later books grounded. The Wrecker and The Spy are the immediate sequels you should look for.
3. Watch the Tech. Pay attention to the transition from steam to internal combustion as the series progresses. It’s a subtle bit of world-building Cussler excelled at.
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4. Check the Crossovers. For the die-hard fans, The Titanic Secret actually features a crossover between the Isaac Bell world and the modern Dirk Pitt timeline. It’s a wild bridge between Cussler’s two biggest universes.
The thrill of The Chase Clive Cussler created isn't just about the bank robberies. It’s about the era of transition. It’s about a world moving from horses to horsepower, and the one man who was fast enough to keep up.