Clive Cussler’s Hellburner: A Novel of the Oregon Files

In this busy contribution to bestseller Cussler’s Oregon Files franchise from Maden (the Tony Pearce novels), Juan Cabrillo and the other series regulars from the state-of-the-art warship Oregon take on a host of bad guys and their organizations—in particular, the politicians and criminals of the Gray Wolves, an ultranationalist Turkish group. The Gray Wolves launch a Russian torpedo with a 100-megaton nuclear warhead in the vicinity of Istanbul during a summit between the American and Turkish presidents. The plan calls for killing both presidents and millions more in the resulting tidal wave, after which they figure Turkey will declare war on Russia, causing NATO to intervene and launch WWIII. If that sounds like too much to keep track of, it is, but a multitude of plotlines means plenty of action, and readers will hold their collective breath as Juan and crew rely on their guts, wits, and plenty of cool weaponry to battle their many foes. After what seems like the ending, a series of twists keeps the book racing ahead. Cussler fans won’t be disappointed. Agent: Peter Lampack, Peter Lampack Agency. (Sept.)