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Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase #8
Return to Atlantis
American archaeologist Nina Wilde and her husband, ex-SAS bodyguard Eddie Chase, are back for another heart-stopping, globe-spanning adventure in the latest New York Times bestselling series that “raises the bar to please adventure junkies who prefer to mainline their action” ( Publishers Weekly, starred review).
A MISSING SCRAP OF ANCIENT PARCHMENT.
THREE POLISHED PURPLE STONES.
AND FROM THE SUNKEN WORLD OF
THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH.
Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase have stunned the world with their discoveries, from the legendary sword Excalibur to the golden city of El Dorado. Now, by bringing together three ancient statues from three different continents, Nina is about to tap into a colossal energy source—one not felt since the days of Atlantis.
But when the statues are stolen and Eddie is falsely accused of murder, forcing him to go on the run to hunt the man responsible, a violent struggle erupts among a secret, vastly powerful group that wants to control Nina and the earth energy. From a glittering, high-tech skyscraper in Japan to a harrowing chase beneath the Vatican and an underground military vault in Nevada, she and Eddie must piece together an astounding puzzle. For Nina Wilde is the key to a plot that will change the world forever. And Eddie is the key to keeping her alive.
A MISSING SCRAP OF ANCIENT PARCHMENT.
THREE POLISHED PURPLE STONES.
AND FROM THE SUNKEN WORLD OF
THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH.
Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase have stunned the world with their discoveries, from the legendary sword Excalibur to the golden city of El Dorado. Now, by bringing together three ancient statues from three different continents, Nina is about to tap into a colossal energy source—one not felt since the days of Atlantis.
But when the statues are stolen and Eddie is falsely accused of murder, forcing him to go on the run to hunt the man responsible, a violent struggle erupts among a secret, vastly powerful group that wants to control Nina and the earth energy. From a glittering, high-tech skyscraper in Japan to a harrowing chase beneath the Vatican and an underground military vault in Nevada, she and Eddie must piece together an astounding puzzle. For Nina Wilde is the key to a plot that will change the world forever. And Eddie is the key to keeping her alive.
481 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 8, 2011
157 people are currently reading
2658 people want to read
About the author
Andy McDermott
59 books1,251 followersAndy McDermott was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and now lives in Bournemouth. As a journalist and magazine editor, amongst other titles he edited DVD Review and the iconoclastic film publication Hotdog. Andy is now a full-time writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
August 24, 2012
Had just finished Pantheon when I started this and a few chapters in I decided this was already more fun than the whole of the previous book. Action sequences were great. However, what I hadn't appreciated was that the action would be relentless and totally OTT. The main characters would endure some fantastic life or death battle in EVERY CHAPTER, always seeming to escape at the last moment by the skin of the teeth. Submarine battles at the bottom of the Atlantic, escaping from a Zimbabean prison in a tank, uneven arial battle between old cargo plane and fully armed helicopter, escaping from the top floor of a collapasing Japanese skyscraper, etc etc. It was just too intense and I often had to put the book down mid action sequence for a rest. James Bond on speed, a cartoon adventure, very cheesy. The interaction between the husband and wife characters was totally unbelievable.
September 4, 2012
Another fast paced, well developed Wilde/Chase adventure. It was non-stop action from beginning to end. This installment ties in people and events from previous books but don't let that deter you from diving into this thrilling read. If you're looking for high adventure in the Indiana Jones vein you need look no further. This is it. OK, it's a bit far fetched in spots but that's half the fun. Highly recommended.
August 28, 2012
This is an intense, fantastic, action-oriented, thrilling mystery that is well worth the read. The plot focuses on the archaeologist Nina Wilde and her husband Eddie Chase, an ex-SAS bodyguard. Together, these two characters must bring together powerful items from antiquity to form an even greater source of power. The level of action and adventure in this book is high; the characters are believable. You will feel as if you have embarked on a true adventure with Nina and Eddie. Not wanting to spoil the end, I will leave that out. This book is highly recommended.
July 28, 2022
The series was starting to get a bit stale so now we go back to where the series started: Atlantis. This story feels like it wants to close out the first section of the series with a bang. And in this, the book does succeed.
January 14, 2012
Nina and Eddie take on YET ANOTHER billionaire megalomaniac. I swear to go the entire Fortune 500 must be made up of insane assholes. Very entertaining though so I can't really complain!
November 3, 2016
Woohoo, my first book of this year (yeah, I know I'm late, but I have my reasons, alright? I've like, the biggest exams of my life, going on, and I didn't want to be distracted. I GAVE IN OKAY)
Though, I have to say, I made a mistake. This was the first McDermott book I picked up, and alright. Maybe I should've seen that this was the eighth book in the series. Really? I wish I had started with the first one, but nonetheless, this book has enough teasers to inspire me.
Since I'm not habituated with his style, I have to admit, there were a few parts that made me raise my eyebrows for at least two minutes even after I had finished the chapter. Nina, the female protagonist seemed a bit shallow in the beginning; you know, the "oh husband dont leave me!" types. But as the story moves on, she reveals her brave, smart self, which I really appreciate. And really, Eddie's got be either super super lucky, or super good at what he does; surviving so many threats! Ninjas, torpedoes, bombs, that volcano, and finally falling off that helicopter!?
The twists and turns were surprising, but I had fun reading them. What can I say, I always wanted to travel the world, and boy does this book help me do so. From depths of the oceans to the top of snow clad mountains, I really wish I could experience it first hand. But then again, I dont know how much I want to be caught in that collapsing skyscraper, so no, thank you.
I'd say, this book was a great combination of adventure, action and drama, and a bit of history and science fiction thrown in. The Matt part really teared me up. Omg, yes! I really liked him, okay?
"He's a lava, not a fighter," -that has got to be the best pun ever okay? I'm so glad Eddie's sick sense of humor resonates with mine. This is one of the reasons why I think I'll read rest of the books.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and it really inspired me to write my first review. I look forward to reading other books in the series as well, (hopefully I'll start from book #1 this time)..
Though, I have to say, I made a mistake. This was the first McDermott book I picked up, and alright. Maybe I should've seen that this was the eighth book in the series. Really? I wish I had started with the first one, but nonetheless, this book has enough teasers to inspire me.
Since I'm not habituated with his style, I have to admit, there were a few parts that made me raise my eyebrows for at least two minutes even after I had finished the chapter. Nina, the female protagonist seemed a bit shallow in the beginning; you know, the "oh husband dont leave me!" types. But as the story moves on, she reveals her brave, smart self, which I really appreciate. And really, Eddie's got be either super super lucky, or super good at what he does; surviving so many threats! Ninjas, torpedoes, bombs, that volcano, and finally falling off that helicopter!?
The twists and turns were surprising, but I had fun reading them. What can I say, I always wanted to travel the world, and boy does this book help me do so. From depths of the oceans to the top of snow clad mountains, I really wish I could experience it first hand. But then again, I dont know how much I want to be caught in that collapsing skyscraper, so no, thank you.
I'd say, this book was a great combination of adventure, action and drama, and a bit of history and science fiction thrown in. The Matt part really teared me up. Omg, yes! I really liked him, okay?
"He's a lava, not a fighter," -that has got to be the best pun ever okay? I'm so glad Eddie's sick sense of humor resonates with mine. This is one of the reasons why I think I'll read rest of the books.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and it really inspired me to write my first review. I look forward to reading other books in the series as well, (hopefully I'll start from book #1 this time)..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2013
Before I start, I did not know this was a book 8, but you could tell and the story moves on just fine. On the other hand, maybe it means this is eight books in one story, it sure felt like it.
Story has enough to keep you reading then you realize it is just too much stuff. Five James Bond movies in one book (still reading make that eight. I think we might be going back to Africa. Just finished reading add three Indiana Joes movies, the Atlantis cartoon from Disney and Lara Croft), but you are done after the first one. By the first chapter, you don't care about any of the characters.
I mean I should have known this was going nowhere when there were NINJAS in the book and excape pods. I could go on and on and on.
The improbability of this book is not even science fiction worthy and too stupid to be fantasy. There is no disbelief to suspend.
Nina is the STUPIDEST heroine/human being on the planet. This is my thought after she is almost killed a third time, sorry forth of fifth time, before half way through the story.
Every other person on the planet is trying to kill her and she gets in surprise limo at the airport.
I hate it when authors make character do such stupid things in an effort to move the story forward.
"First chance we had for proper chat in three months and that's all you want to talk about." - Eddie Chase (this sentiment sums up the whole Nina thing).
Story has enough to keep you reading then you realize it is just too much stuff. Five James Bond movies in one book (still reading make that eight. I think we might be going back to Africa. Just finished reading add three Indiana Joes movies, the Atlantis cartoon from Disney and Lara Croft), but you are done after the first one. By the first chapter, you don't care about any of the characters.
I mean I should have known this was going nowhere when there were NINJAS in the book and excape pods. I could go on and on and on.
The improbability of this book is not even science fiction worthy and too stupid to be fantasy. There is no disbelief to suspend.
Nina is the STUPIDEST heroine/human being on the planet. This is my thought after she is almost killed a third time, sorry forth of fifth time, before half way through the story.
Every other person on the planet is trying to kill her and she gets in surprise limo at the airport.
I hate it when authors make character do such stupid things in an effort to move the story forward.
"First chance we had for proper chat in three months and that's all you want to talk about." - Eddie Chase (this sentiment sums up the whole Nina thing).
July 15, 2020
Hmmm... This would have been a really good book, if not for the honestly tiresome plot repetition.
Sophia hooks up with some random billionaire bloke, betrays him and kills him, then hooks up with another bloke... honestly, it was just too predictable.
And I think even Eddie must have used up the last of his nine lives after all the incredulously 'miraculous' survival of so many close calls.
Well... At least, the whole old plot twist has seen its last days.
Still an adventure packed thriller though.
Sophia hooks up with some random billionaire bloke, betrays him and kills him, then hooks up with another bloke... honestly, it was just too predictable.
And I think even Eddie must have used up the last of his nine lives after all the incredulously 'miraculous' survival of so many close calls.
Well... At least, the whole old plot twist has seen its last days.
Still an adventure packed thriller though.
July 22, 2017
After 8 books in the series, I knew there was going to be a time when the story of Nina and Eddie began to grow stale. I mean, it's been 8 books of literally the exact same thing: ancient historical artifact, race against time, explosions and death and a fair amount of requisite stupid one-liners, but somehow, I always found myself enjoying the escapades of McDermott's characters and always found something good enough in most of the previous books to give them a decent enough rating.
Unfortunately, that streak came to an end with Return to Atlantis. As is the case in all of these books, the writing isn't bad, and I'll give credit to McDermott for being able to write some pretty lengthy action scenes that rival the stuff we've seen in summer blockbusters, but dammit, after 8 of these, I'm getting tired of knowing exactly what to expect. It's the same bad guys but with different names. It's the same remote isolated locations, just in different countries. It's the same car chases and same escapades on trains, the same mysterious booby traps and the same helicopter explosions (and yes, I think there has been at least one instance of a chopper getting blown up in every single book of this series). Hell, we even go back to some of the exact same places we've been before in this one.
Look, I get it. These books are supposed to just be a form of entertainment so to try and get anything deep and meaningful out of them would be stupid. Speaking of summer blockbusters they're a lot like the Transformers franchise, reliant on a bunch of violence and action to lure in readers. And I'm totally ok with that, but, just like those films, these books are definitely starting to grow old and showcase McDermott as a one trick pony of sorts.
Personally, if you've read one McDermott novel, you've pretty much read them all, and for that reason, I think it's high time I take a bit of a break from these books and come back when I'm ready for more of the same thing.
Unfortunately, that streak came to an end with Return to Atlantis. As is the case in all of these books, the writing isn't bad, and I'll give credit to McDermott for being able to write some pretty lengthy action scenes that rival the stuff we've seen in summer blockbusters, but dammit, after 8 of these, I'm getting tired of knowing exactly what to expect. It's the same bad guys but with different names. It's the same remote isolated locations, just in different countries. It's the same car chases and same escapades on trains, the same mysterious booby traps and the same helicopter explosions (and yes, I think there has been at least one instance of a chopper getting blown up in every single book of this series). Hell, we even go back to some of the exact same places we've been before in this one.
Look, I get it. These books are supposed to just be a form of entertainment so to try and get anything deep and meaningful out of them would be stupid. Speaking of summer blockbusters they're a lot like the Transformers franchise, reliant on a bunch of violence and action to lure in readers. And I'm totally ok with that, but, just like those films, these books are definitely starting to grow old and showcase McDermott as a one trick pony of sorts.
Personally, if you've read one McDermott novel, you've pretty much read them all, and for that reason, I think it's high time I take a bit of a break from these books and come back when I'm ready for more of the same thing.
May 4, 2012
As usual this is Nina and Eddie in Action at its most dramatic,, although the plot this time has a little more edge to it than normal with Eddie on the run from all law enforcement (see book 7).
The story picks up where the previous left off building on the intrigue that surrounds the statues and what they can do and where they come from, the story loops back to the start with us looking back again to Atlantis.
(to give any more would be spoilers)
As usual you have Andy's electric pace, fun and over the top British humour and characterisation for Eddie and the firey passion that is Nina.
All the characters are just that bit bigger than life but that's the fun of action adventure, if you want reality go elsewhere, this is a balls out thrill ride from start to finish and great fun.
Andy McDermott very rarely misses the mark and this isn't one of those times, i ripped through this book in a single sitting, and loved every action packed over the top moment.
Bring on the next book please
(Parm)
The story picks up where the previous left off building on the intrigue that surrounds the statues and what they can do and where they come from, the story loops back to the start with us looking back again to Atlantis.
(to give any more would be spoilers)
As usual you have Andy's electric pace, fun and over the top British humour and characterisation for Eddie and the firey passion that is Nina.
All the characters are just that bit bigger than life but that's the fun of action adventure, if you want reality go elsewhere, this is a balls out thrill ride from start to finish and great fun.
Andy McDermott very rarely misses the mark and this isn't one of those times, i ripped through this book in a single sitting, and loved every action packed over the top moment.
Bring on the next book please
(Parm)
February 19, 2013
For implausible to work you at least have to like the characters. Folks here are Clive Cussler mannequins, on a budget. And I'm starting to wonder if there is a book that says 'Atlantis' on the title that actually does an interesting take on Atlantis. Not this one.
And what's compelling in villains with such diabolical schemes also being so hapless? Whole squads of supposed macho super-Ninjas drop like flies against one man - and they started the fight with all the guns.
If there was cleverness in such formulaic escapes it would be interesting, but no...the supposed Super-Ninjas basically just turn into clowns against this guy, who's a generic, British Steven Segal going through the motions on paper. And the author burns, meh, around ten paperback pages per hapless goon-squad encounter. Again and again and again. Buildings blow up, lots of stuff blows up. Trains! There's trains involved. Yawn.
Then it ended, and that fact alone was the best part.
And what's compelling in villains with such diabolical schemes also being so hapless? Whole squads of supposed macho super-Ninjas drop like flies against one man - and they started the fight with all the guns.
If there was cleverness in such formulaic escapes it would be interesting, but no...the supposed Super-Ninjas basically just turn into clowns against this guy, who's a generic, British Steven Segal going through the motions on paper. And the author burns, meh, around ten paperback pages per hapless goon-squad encounter. Again and again and again. Buildings blow up, lots of stuff blows up. Trains! There's trains involved. Yawn.
Then it ended, and that fact alone was the best part.
January 17, 2013
I read the first 7 books in the series last year and got hooked on Nina and Eddie. Well, "buggeration and f.......ery", McDermott has done it again. The book, called "Return to Atlantis" in North America, not only picks up where Empire of Gold leaves off, it also brings a number of other plot-lines to an energy-packed and thrilling conclusion. A fast-paced adventure ride from beginning to end for any and all adventure junkies.
April 7, 2014
What a book! I just caught sight of a blurb which says that this is the 8th in a series starring Dr. Nina Wilde and her husband, Eddie Chase. Where have I been? All kinds of action takes place in this book, including an underwater adventure in Atlantis itself, as well as being in a Japanese sky scraper when it starts to disintegrate, on a mountain in Switzerland, and the desert in Africa. Read it if you dare!
March 14, 2021
Slightly disappointed with this one. Ive enjoyed the majority of the series but this huat felt a little flat.
Ive not read one for a few years so maybe im not into them anymore but i thought it a bit too obvious and there were too many last ditch escapes.
The jokes were pretty immature as well, and i think this says more about my reading style than the book, but theres no need to add the crappy jokes.
Ive not read one for a few years so maybe im not into them anymore but i thought it a bit too obvious and there were too many last ditch escapes.
The jokes were pretty immature as well, and i think this says more about my reading style than the book, but theres no need to add the crappy jokes.
April 23, 2017
I love the Eddie Chase/Nina Wilde books. I only give three stars because in too many places, the detail overwhelms and I just wish the author would get on with the story. Still, Eddie is hilarious (and apparently indestructible) and Nina is not a woman to be trifled with. Good, exciting stuff.
February 8, 2012
Fantastic!!! Cant wait for the next one!
February 26, 2013
Best ever action adventure books I have read
October 7, 2019
I read this book twice unknowingly. The first time I read it was maybe 6 years ago when it was the US edition called "Return to Atlantis."
All these Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase books are jammed with non-stop exhausting action. This one brought back several characters from earlier books and I liked that. It was sort of a sequel to the first book "The Hunt for Atlantis" but all of the previous books were referenced. I caught myself thinking, oh yeah, I remember that bit.
But Eddie and Nina escaped from a whole lot of absurd close calls this time including a top secret, underground US base in the middle of the Nevada desert not far from Area 51. There were more old friends who consort with the bad guys. I swear, their enemies are constantly pointing guns at them and saying the jig is up but they never follow through. Not that I want them to since I like our two heroes.
The main differences between this UK edition and the US edition I read previously, were the spelling of some words, the use of UK measuring units, and some of Eddie's infamous slang words.
All these Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase books are jammed with non-stop exhausting action. This one brought back several characters from earlier books and I liked that. It was sort of a sequel to the first book "The Hunt for Atlantis" but all of the previous books were referenced. I caught myself thinking, oh yeah, I remember that bit.
But Eddie and Nina escaped from a whole lot of absurd close calls this time including a top secret, underground US base in the middle of the Nevada desert not far from Area 51. There were more old friends who consort with the bad guys. I swear, their enemies are constantly pointing guns at them and saying the jig is up but they never follow through. Not that I want them to since I like our two heroes.
The main differences between this UK edition and the US edition I read previously, were the spelling of some words, the use of UK measuring units, and some of Eddie's infamous slang words.
April 6, 2020
Return To Atlantis, by Andy McDermott, was originally published in 2012. I started the series of Nina Wilde years ago and can't remember how far I got before I let them slip away so I've started over. I truly love this series and can't wait to get through all of them and wait on the next. Nina and her husband, Eddie Chase, are a terrific, if unexpected, power couple. Nina's the brains and Eddie's the brawn. Ex SAS Eddie is a lot like MacGyver, he can make a bomb out of a gum wrapper & fertilizer. Nina gets into situations like a modern day archeologist gone super nova. Trouble follows her everywhere. Return covers a plethora of subjects. We start off with a dictatorship and civil wars in Africa and end with earth energy, Temple of The Gods & a harrowing parachute dive. Eddie's ex-wife, Sophia, is one of those evil characters that doesn't really die, she keeps popping up & causing trouble. I'm off to the next book on my list. This was fun.
April 23, 2021
This is my favorite of the series, so far. It took me a while to pick this one up because the ending of the previous book upset me so much, but this one made up for it. I listened to the audiobook version, which I highly recommend. The narrator does a great job with the different voices which helped me keep all the characters straight, and Eddie's voice always makes me smile. The action is incredibly over the top, but enjoyable. Nina's and Eddie's relationship is perfect in this book; the second book made me so angry that I almost gave up on the series, but again, this one makes amends for all the previous angst. I felt like this one had the most heart of the series, which had me totally invested. My only complaint is the violence is always described so graphically. Kudos to the author for painting such a vivid picture; it's just not a picture I need living in my head, but I knew what I was signing up for, so that's my issue, not the book's. Overall, this was a fun ride.
February 6, 2020
Much better than I expected although still very formulaic. It finally ties up a number of loose ends from the previous books and we now discover the power of the statues and Nina's hereditary gift. Eddie finally manages to resolve his issues with his father and his ex-wife as well as former nemesis from the SAS. The level of betrayal and subterfuge gets deeper with every story and the reader needs to have read all the previous books in the series so far to understand what goes where in the scenarios.
Everything is eventually sorted and the heroes escape.
A good escapist thriller.
Everything is eventually sorted and the heroes escape.
A good escapist thriller.
October 29, 2022
Another formulaic adventure from Nina and Eddie. Picks up where the last one left off Eddie wanted for murdering Kit and Nina wondering if he is innocent. All centers around the 3 statues again and Stiles and Eddie's ex-wife Sophia who keep coming back from the dead. The mysterious Group trying to rule the world can they stop them.
I pretty much read this to complete the storyline from the last one and won't continue on with book 9
I pretty much read this to complete the storyline from the last one and won't continue on with book 9
September 29, 2017
Non-stop action (so much that to be honest you become numb to it after a while and it loses it's impact), and completely over the top in parts, with a somewhat weak story and a plethora of cheesy (and eventually a bit irritating) one liners - but still a good lighthearted fun and action-packed read if you're not looking for anything too serious.
July 17, 2018
It took me a long time to finish this book due to my pregnancy and giving birth to my son. The book if full of our the same cat-and-dog chase, left and right explosions, helicopter tragedy, and the unusual archaeological madness of Nina that compromises lives. I guess, my rating for this one is a bit biased because i am book-deprived for quite sometime.
May 5, 2022
I foudn this one exciting and an excellent read. It brings together and rounds up some loose ends from the last book or two (or three).
To say it's exciting with a few twists and turns would be an understatment, and some parts make James Bond seem realistic and mundane; however, for escape and a great story and a great read, this is wonderful.
To say it's exciting with a few twists and turns would be an understatment, and some parts make James Bond seem realistic and mundane; however, for escape and a great story and a great read, this is wonderful.
August 10, 2022
More high-octane thrills and spills following husband and wife team Eddie Chase and Nina Wilde as they fight for the lives against insurmountable odds to discover the truth behind the odd statues they've been collecting. Witty, exciting and pleasantly mindless, this story fits in perfectly with the series and delivers.
January 19, 2025
Rating: 3.5*
This was certainly not dull. It was fast paced and full of action. It has been awhile since I have visited the world of Eddie and Nina but it didn't take long to get pulled back in as they once again race across the world to stop it from ending. This was engaging and had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
This was certainly not dull. It was fast paced and full of action. It has been awhile since I have visited the world of Eddie and Nina but it didn't take long to get pulled back in as they once again race across the world to stop it from ending. This was engaging and had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
September 17, 2017
Another action packed, fast paced, crazy shenanigans, wild ride of an addition to this series. I think I'm a little in love with Eddie...even if I can't really decide exactly what he looks like! Great stuff.
April 28, 2018
After reading this book I realized it was more about how much danger Chase and Wilde can escape from than an actual Temple of the gods. Since I skip all the escape and chase scenes there wasn't much left to the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews