The clues take Jack and his team on a world adventure from the Middle East to Canada, Mexico, England and even points north, covering most of the globe.  A medieval map will help guide Jack and his crew on their journey while a group of neo-Nazis will try to stop them both under the seas and on dry land.  

Author David Gibbins, and thus Jack Howard, knows his stuff.  Unfortunately, he feels compelled to share all his knowledge with his readers and likewise Jack with his team.  Jack appears most often as a lecturing professor and much is not made of his character.  The globe-trotting is so far reaching, a case of jet lag may ensue rather than a feeling of exotic locations.  

The historical details are plentiful and detailed, but don’t always fit in with the break neck speed the action takes at times.  Those interested more in an action packed thriller can safely skip the history lessons and move on with the plot; those more interested in the historical details will find a lot to indulge in, giving readers the feeling they are riding in choppy waters.  Readers with keen interests in history and science will find things to enjoy here, but readers looking for a good mystery with interesting characters may well be disappointed.    

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry