I know what you're thinking, "Not another Atlantis story!"
I'll let you in on a little secret: If you like your novels to be thought-provoking - with history, archaeology, myth, legend, action, adventure, and more, mixed together in perfect proportion - then Atlantis is the must-read of the year for you. But don't take my word for it. There are as many threads to the Atlantis legend as there were colors in Joseph's coat. No, Jacob's prodigal does not figure in the Atlantean tale, but Wood has obviously undertaken a tremendous amount of research and woven it all into a believable, compelling action/adventure featuring his hero Dane Maddock.
Along with ever-present sidekick Uriah "Bones" Bonebrake, Atlantis finds Maddock testing a new underwater toy off of Key West when a tsunami strikes. Before long, their old nemesis The Dominion rears its ugly head and from then on it's non-stop action and intrigue as Maddock, Bones, their new boss Tam Broderick and Atlantis expert Dr. Sofia Perez race to thwart The Dominion's plans for - what else? - world domination.
I've read all of the entries in Wood's Dane Maddock Adventures, starting with Dourado. Each and every one was well researched with an engaging plot, interesting characters and lots of action. I can state from experience that Atlantis is the best Maddock yet. The mysteries are deeper, the conflicts are more dangerous, the relationships are more three-dimensional, and that helps Atlantis be more of everything a great novel needs to be.
I'll admit that one of the big dings Wood has previously received from many reviewers for earlier Maddock adventures - myself included - was the error count. Although all of the Dane Maddock Adventures are fantastic tales, the occasional typo did distract. That won't be an issue here; Atlantis is an impeccably researched, cleanly written, and well-told tale.
From the opening discovery of a suspected Atlantean temple in Spain, to the fantastic finish involving the Eye of the Sahara, Wood will keep you enthralled and make you wonder: Could this really be the secret of Atlantis?
I don't know what else I can tell you that would convince you to read this novel. I grew up reading Alistair MacLean, Helen MacInnes, Dick Francis, Robert Ludlum, Ken Follett and more. David Wood's Atlantis is a tremendous read and I would put it side by side with the great action/adventures of our day. Clive Cussler? Dan Brown? I hope you guys have room in your club for another member. David Wood has arrived.