September 2, 2013
This latest NUMA adventure from Cussler and Brown features the heroic members of the National Underwater and Marine AgencyâKurt Austin, Dirk Pitt, Joe Zavala, et al.âbattling yet another madman who hopes to conquer the world. But crazed scientist Maxmillian Theroâs weapon is unique: it uses of zero-point energy to create machines capable of causing continent-shattering earthquakes. Narrator Scott Brick is skilled at creating accentsâa much-needed talent considering that Thero has marked both Australia and Russia as his main targets. Brick treats the bookâs Aussies, male and female, to a credible, near musical twang. His Russian accents are solid, especially the voice he uses for an oddly likeable Moscow assassin. When it comes to most of the NUMA world-savers, Austin and Pitt included, Brick uses an all-purpose, broadcast-quality stalwart tone, though the down-to-earth Zavalaâs comments have an added touch of Brooklyn sarcasm. Itâs the voice of Thero that presents the biggest challenge. The authors describe it as being the result of vocal chords damaged in an intense fire that nearly killed the man and drove him mad. Brickâs croak is so effectively garbled and strained one hopes he has his own award-winning voice properly insured against misuse. A Putnam hardcover.