The NUMA Files: created by Cussler, written by Graham Browne

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Every now and then, I like to check to see if there are still any Cussler fans on the board. Ever since discovering Raise the Titanic! in 1977, I've been a fan of Cussler's work, specifically the Pitt novels, but I've also enjoyed the adventures of Kurt Austin as well. Ever since Clive's passing in 2020, the NUMA Files have become the complete domain of Graham Brown, one of CC's many writing partners. I just finished reading Sea of Greed and one of the things that struck me is that while Brown has a good grasp on the characters, he's not as good a writer as Cussler was. The difference in styles is quite noticeable, just as it is in the Dirk Pitt novels, now written by Clive's son Dirk.

Speaking of Pitt, he hasn't even been name-dropped in the last several Austin novels, let alone making a cameo appearance. While I realize that the focus in these novels is on Austin and Zavala, it's still the same universe and Pitt is the Director of NUMA, but it seems that his role in these novels has been handed over to Assistant Director Rudi Gunn.

Those things aside, I still find these novels enjoyable to read, even without the hand of the Grand Master of Action-Adventure fiction being involved.

 

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I'm now about a third of the way into Journey of the Pharaohs, the next entry in the Kurt Austin series and the last one to be published before Cussler passed away. In many ways, this one has more of the feel of his older novels, which leads me to wonder if Clive was more involved with this one than some of the previous entries in the Austin series. The opening chapters set on the Isle of Skye definitely felt like a couple of the Dirk Pitt novels from the early days.

And after my kvetching about Pitt being a non-presence in this series, not only is he name-dropped on two different occasions, there is a direct reference to the events of Sahara, which was a nice nod to the series that helped launch this one. All in all, I'm enjoying this installment even more than the previous two and knowing that this was likely Clive's final involvement in the series makes it all the more special.

 

[marillion]

I'm a fan of the Pitt novels. Yes, they're formulaic and not very deep, but they're exciting page turners that got me through many fire assignments back in the day. Over the years, I went from sitting in my tent, reading by flashlight at the end of the day, to sitting in my tent hooked up to the fire camp wifi, reading them on my Nook. LOL.

I'm not usually a fan of "ghost" writers picking up where late authors have left it, but perhaps I'll take a look at the Austin series.

 

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^

I'm with you on this, I'm not really a fan of another writer picking up a series when an author dies, but both Brown and young Mr. Cussler seem to have a good grasp on the NUMA characters, enough so that I will likely continue to read both series as long as they continue to entertain me. I do hope to see a bit more crossover references, like at some point Dirk and Al commenting on something that Austin has done. I highly doubt that we will ever see both groups of characters fully interacting in one novel, but it would be the cat's ass if they did.

 

[tenmei]

The NUMA Files definitely went downhill after the first co-writer, Kemprecos, left. Fire Ice was absolutely amazing, the last few I attempted, not so much.

 

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It's been over two decades since I read Fire Ice, but I definitely remember that I really enjoyed it. Kemprecos went on to co-write five more after that one before Clive began working with Brown. I can't say that there any that I didn't enjoy reading on some level; it's like getting together with old friends for a visit. Of the ones that Brown has co-written, I thought Nighthawk was exceptional compared to the ones that preceded it.

As I mentioned earlier, as long as both series continue to entertain me, I'll stick with them (likewise with the novels of Preston & Child).

 

[Procutus]

Just finished reading JotP last night, and I have to say it was a damn good read. The twist near the end reminded me greatly of the twist in Raise the Titanic! which set the stage for the way Cussler wrote the Pitt novels that followed. I would definitely recommend this one, even if you've never read any of the other novels in this series.

 

[JayTheTrekkie]

I have pretty much read all the Dirk Pitt novels and also The Numa Files book too. Currently reading The Numa File book Fast Ice. I have been a few books behind on the Numa Files books.

 

[Procutus]

Yeah, I'm a few behind on the Austin novels as well; I tend to let them accumulate for a spell, then I catch up. Fast Ice is indeed up next, but I'm taking a break first and reading Deep Storm by Lincoln Child (he and Doug Preston being two of my other favorite writers).

 

[Procutus]

Having taken a break by reading the first two novels in the Jeremy Logan series by Lincoln Child, I've resumed my catching up on the Austin series. Began reading Fast Ice two nights ago and am already pulled in. Brown may not be Cussler, but he's good in his own right and again, I feel he has a good grasp of the NUMA characters (though thus far, only Kurt, Joe and Rudi have made an appearance).

 

[Procutus]

Finished last night, and was still enjoying it at the end. Overall it was a fast read that kept me coming back, even though I could see what Ryland's end-game was, long before it was realized by the NUMA team.

Though this was basically a typical Kurt & Joe adventure, with Rudi calling the shots once again, it was nice that Paul & Gamay had a bit more to do in this and played an integral role in the resolution. No mention of Dirk at all, nor Sandecker. I can't help but wonder how Brown decides with novels he's going to include the former admiral in, or when he's going to remind us that Pitt is in fact, the director of NUMA , even though he's usually out in the field.

And given that Antarctica was the final location in the story, I kept expecting that there would be at least a vague reference to the events of Atlantis Found. I'm sure there are strange, legal reasons for this.

All in all, as I've said before, as long as the series continues to entertain, I'll keep reading.