The Mediterranean Caper is the 2nd book in the Dirk Pitt series. The book revolves around a major in the US Air Force, Dirk Pitt, who travels the world with his side-kick, Al Giordino, assisting the National Underwater Marine Agency ( NUMA). The first scene is set in Greece, where a WWI plane attacks the main American base and destroys the planes. Dirk, in the process of flying to the base, appears to stop the plane from inflicting any more damage. However, Dirk must now discover the reason for this attack as well as stop a criminal mastermind dating back to the German Nazi’s.
I have to say that if this book was the 1st I’d read of Clive Cussler I wouldn’t have bothered with his other books. As the series have progressed Cussler has refined his writing and characters. While I liked the story, I found Pitt’s character extremely sexist and chauvinistic. Dirk actually slaps the lead female character because she has been mourning over the death of her husband. This apparently solves her grief issues instantaneously, and she then proceeds to bend over backwards to sleep with him. I mean how masochistic is that? Besides Cussler’s dismissive attitude towards women, which is highly offensive, the plot was agreeable and was well researched. If it wasn’t for knowledge that future books have less of this sexist attitude towards women I wouldn’t have bothered reading his other books.