Was it fun to read? Yes! Was it well written? No. Cussler is _so_ judgmental that I couldn't help but feel clubbed over the head by his opinions, and of course the bad guys are the complete embodiment of evil having no good characteristics at all. Additionally, these characters are supposed to be smart, but they are amazingly stupid when it fits the plot. Amazingly stupid. I didn't care much for the resolution with the bad guy either. Still, the plot was fun.