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Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase are back for their seventh blockbusting adventure by the bestselling author of THE HUNT FOR ATLANTIS, Andy McDermott.

When archaeologist Nina Wilde and her husband, ex-SAS soldier Eddie Chase, are given the chance to work on an Interpol investigation into smuggled artefacts, they are stunned to realise that the artefacts hold clues to the location of a lost Inca settlement hidden somewhere in South America.
As Nina and Eddie dig deeper, it soon becomes clear that finding the settlement may only be the start of their incredible quest. One which, astonishingly, may lead them to one of the greatest legends of all time: El Dorado - the mythical city of gold.
Nina and Eddie are desperate to locate the fabled city. But they are not alone in their search. Deep in the jungles of Venezuela, they face corrupt soldiers, murderous revolutionaries and ruthless drug lords who will stop at nothing to obtain the city's treasures. With so much at stake, what price will they pay for the greatest of fortunes?

576 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

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2503 people want to read

About the author

Andy McDermott

59 books1,255 followers
Andy 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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5 stars
1,827 (40%)
4 stars
1,611 (36%)
3 stars
821 (18%)
2 stars
163 (3%)
1 star
39 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
Profile Image for Thibault Busschots.
Author 6 books209 followers
July 28, 2022
This time we go the jungles of South America to search for the mythical golden city of El Dorado. Really cool setting and another solid plot with action scenes aplenty, though these books are noticeably getting a bit formulaic.
Profile Image for Jeninne.
1,096 reviews32 followers
December 20, 2013
I didn’t dislike this book. I think that’s important to say right off the bat. In fact, I still generally really like this entire series. The problem, however, is that for the first time, I’m starting to see the same things cycle through thematically and plot wise, and it’s starting to get a little tiresome. This series is starting to skirt that really dangerous line that longer series often fall prey too, and I’m really hoping the next veers away sharply.

See, for as often as I’m going on about how amazing Eddie is on his own, and how capable Nina is, with Nina seriously being the standard for female characters in action books, they’re ALWAYS better when they’re together, working off each other and bouncing dialogue off each other. But for several books in a row I’ve noticed the trend of these characters being together at the beginning of the book, having some kind of argument, going off on their own for about 100 pages, then coming together to bitch, moan and complain at each other some more. As a reader, as soon as I recognize this pattern, I’m overly critical.

I mean, of course I want my characters, especially characters in a serious relationship, to hit bumps and roadblocks, and to not always get along, and reflect real relationships, but it seems like Nina and Eddie fight about the same things, in the same ways, with the same result, and very little resolution. It’s like at the end of each fight they give each other space, just magically forget about the fight, and never talk about it or resolve their issues. They’re starting to feel dysfunctional.

As always the plot was interesting, with the attention to detail superb. The supporting cast was wonderful, the pacing fast and this author writes some of the best action scenes in the genre. However Nina and Eddie are really both starting to get on my nerves, the books are starting to feel a little recycled, and none of this is a good combination.

Also, Nina, sweetie, you don’t need to get kidnapped every book. Just saying.

Three stars, because while I liked this book, I didn't love it.
76 reviews4 followers
July 8, 2023
An astonishingly demanding read. McDermott is not without talent or competence, but seems to get carried away by his enjoyment of writing or the market's enjoyment of buying books that contain innumerable action scenes with very little variation, point or deeper meaning. The hope that having the characters joke about Indiana Jones and James Bond (obvious sources of inspiration) and explain that the "real world isn't like this" might mean anything unusual, interesting or subversive awaits the reader was quickly shattered (shot dead, crushed, knifed, thrown down a cliff, drowned, blown up, crashed etc.). What McDermott intended the characters to say was: "The real world has faster, more frequent and more intense fighting" (perhaps in admission of that, an MI6 man is called "James Bore" near the end).

Still, the book contains within itself the skeleton (or scaffolding) of a good thriller that could have been realized had half of the guns been replaced by actual plot devices. But if McDermott is a writer of "almost cinematic talent", then what he has given the world is a combination of "The Revenant" and "Arrow". One man's journey through constant and inexorable suffering. Eddie Chase as Schmerzensmann, so to say.

In light of that, many of the side characters quickly become irrelevant. That also affects the other protagonist. Chase's partner, Nina Wilde, is less present in this book than (it seems) in the other ones of the series, as McDermott is trying to use the trusted "Tatort-technique" and bring family issues of a main character into the plot. Nevertheless, Wilde does deliver genius insights (although somewhat overshadowed by stereotypically German scientists) and firing support as well as moments of "allowed emotion". The family conflict is not without merits and could have brought substantial quality to the book, albeit at the cost of sales, probably. Although having everything be about family can quickly make even the most absurd plots too incredible to enjoy (as the infamous Sherlock TV-series has proven and as has also been a problem for García Sáenz' Inspector Ayala series).

What to make of this book and the concept of the entire series? The idea to have the most legendary places come to life bears potential for action-thrillers, even though it could have been the product of creatively role-playing children. McDermott can be funny, and he certainly knows how to write action scenes. If his protagonists had more depth to them and the enemies more motivation than the desire to dominate and kill, this would have been a three star book. Add some creativity and self-irony, maybe a few specks of magical realism, who knows. But should it be for me (who, due to lack of any sales whatsoever, Stephen King would consider clearly without talent) to make recommendations? Maybe not. Am I going to read the next book, or any other of the series? It is here that McDermott's magic starts to work (in mysterious ways): Nina & Eddie are likable, perhaps even a bit endearing. The cliffhanger is massive. A return to Atlantis (my last visit was with Milo Thatch in 2001) seems inviting, 5.5€ for an e-book not too much to ask... Uncertain as the future may be, McDermott might get paid so he can buy Eddie some more bullets or fund the hospital bills. Is this a sign of mental poverty or lacking discipline? I would rather claim defeatist insights to be my main driver: time will get wasted anyway.
1,078 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2016
2* Ths is tough to write. Thrillers dealing with archaeology are often among my favourites, so I had high hopes for this. And throughout, there were enough teasers and questions thrown out to keep me going and I did listen to the end. But there were many times when I very nearly gave up, and it was all for the same reasons: a smash to the side of the head, blood spurting; his fingers slipped and he smashed his way down the cliff, blood spurting; one vehicle smashing another one, occupants getting dumped out in all direction -- blood spurting ... Oh my goodness. Tedious. Absolutely tediously long passages describing all kinds of violence, going on and on. In the midst of this, humourous remarks. I myself didn't find it humorous and got to wondering if I was just being uptight. Maybe it was meant to be a spoof, or something ... ? I haven't read the other reviews because truly I need to get into something else, not spend any more time on this.
So. I think if this was edited to cut the violence by at least 25%, I might be able to give 3*. But I just didn't like all that stuff.
Profile Image for Melinda.
2,054 reviews19 followers
September 10, 2017
If you want action, history, adventure, archeology, plot twist on twists and intrigue -- then this series is for you. Another fabulous addition to the Nina and Eddie show!

Obviously these books are fairly formulaic but they are well written and fast-paced...and if you like this sort of genre, it will hit the right spot. Personally I'd read it just for Eddie and his hilarious potty mouthed strings of annoyance and abuse.
Profile Image for Natasha.
403 reviews4 followers
April 4, 2016
Soooo, this was a very long and slow read. I skimmed a lot of it and *SPOILERS* I'm sick of the same stuff. heavey military. Eddie and Nina fighting, death of the beloved friend. I think how this one ended the next one will be interesting, especially as Eddie's in the run alone, but I won't be jumping at it any time soon.
Profile Image for Emiliano   .
152 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2020
Okay, I never thought I'd end up rating this book so high, but, damn! It turned out to be a really good one!
Such deep emotional twists and unpredictable alliances...

A lil tired of Sophia popping up every now and then though.
And the storyline is honestly still the same, action packed, lucky escapes and globe trotting.
Profile Image for Margaret.
31 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2021
Empire of Gold

Found this a bit over the top. Too many unlikely things with Eddie escaping and death all aroundand an ending left wide open
Profile Image for Zach Mullane.
59 reviews
June 7, 2023
These were starting to get a little repetitive but the ending has got me looking forward to a new status quo for the next one.
Profile Image for Graeme.
58 reviews6 followers
May 29, 2011
Finished the latest book in the Eddie Chase and Nina Wilde series. Promised so much and yet felt the book was overly long with fillers. I have read all Andy's books and have loved them all so very much. Maybe for the next novel Eddie's father could get together with Nina, after all they would have so much in common (neither listen). I would have thought after all their adventures and years together that Nina would have understood Eddie and his actions. The ending was some what, how can I put it disappointing as Nina elected blindly to not believe Eddie at all. Yes I know this gave an unpredictability to the book and yet we could have done without this. Andy will this mean the next book will be about Eddie and Nina getting back together, seriously this does not satisfy as a premise for an action packed series next wait for the reading public. Look I will still await the next in the series with anticipation, however it will have to be something special without too much of Nina and her doubts of Chase. Better still let Nina form a relationship with Eddies father and Eddie can destroy them both, now that would be a fitting finally to the series. The series could then go out with a bang rather than the wimper that this book ended on. Wrote this review and came back to add this final piece, don't get me wrong I did enjoy the book and yet it promised so much more, the ending was too much close to home for me with the relationship break up that it may have clouded my judgement of the novel. Can't wait Andy for the next novel, whether you follow on or create another character.
Profile Image for Laura.
84 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2016
I think I'm leaning closer to 3.5 Stars, than 4 for this one. Another enjoyable read in the series, although the further I get into it the more I like Eddie, and dislike Nina - her choices quite frankly have started to make me want to throw the book at her. McDermott provides an intriguing look into Eddie's past, and Macy makes a return (yay!). Overall the book did feel strangely paced - the actual archaeological discovery seemed to take up such a small part of the book (compared to others in the series), and feels almost unbelievable. I'm unsure how to feel about that, but the ending definitely makes me excited for the next book.
Profile Image for Jane Plumridge.
67 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2016
I've only read a few of Andy McDermott books, but this felt very much like a rerun of a previous novel, just in a different location. Some of the military moves that Eddie pulls off really stretches the imagination to the limit. I know it's fiction but even so!
Hard going in places, mainly because it's covering similar ground. Interesting ending however, so will read the next one to see where that takes us....
Profile Image for Dee Haddrill.
1,876 reviews31 followers
April 23, 2014
I really struggled with this book mostly due to the constant fighting between Nina and Eddie. And don't get me started on Nina's actions at the end of the book!!! I just felt this one dragged a bit and wasn't as good as previous books, of which I am normally a big fan.
Profile Image for Amit Gupta.
51 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2012
Damn, racy but not the kind of climax one expects in Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase's stories! But have to agree with Chase, his dad is a fuckin' arse, someone who should be shot!!
Profile Image for Kayla.
22 reviews
January 2, 2026
Just when the series is starting to feel repetitive this one pulls you back in and has you reaching for the next.
4 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2019
Let's address a valid criticism of these Wilde/Chase action-adventure-thrillers: they are formulaic.
Which is true, there is a set pattern whereby Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase get drawn into the hunt for some historical maguffin or location, racing against some bad guys/gals for that goal. On the way action, peril and violence ensues, until Nina and Eddie finally triumph and win the day.

But this is no bad thing. It's a formula that works and the books are hugely enjoyable to read.
However this time there is more going on...

Time is spent adding a more background to Eddie Chase, and his character is all the better for it - faults and all. He'd started to become a bit two-dimensional but now I like him more because of his issues. It would be nice to get a bit more depth to Nina's character too, and I reckon that will come as we go through the series.

We do get to know more about some of the supporting characters, Nina and Eddie's allies, but I'd recommend reading the previous couple of books (The Cult of Osiris & The Sacred Vault) before this one as the background will be useful. Plus they're great reads in their own right.

The story in the Empire of Gold finds it way to South America, mainly Venezuela and Peru, and has plenty of action throughout. In fact there is almost too much! The amount going on feels more than you could cram into a film. You'd need a mini-series.
It's still superb stuff though, and Andy McDermott still puts in enough Military tech and info to keep guys like me satisfied, without overdoing it.

With 'character series' books like this I tend to get a feel of how much I enjoyed them by how much I want to read the next in the series.
And I would happily launch right into the next one straight away.*

*I won't because there are other books in my reading list I have promised myself I should read first - must be disciplined!
Profile Image for Josh.
410 reviews8 followers
February 26, 2023
I've always wondered why a movie producer hasn't snatched up the rights to Andy McDermott's books. These are such exciting, thrilling, break-neck pieces that include insane action scenes; fun archaeological hunts for some of the greatest legends and myths; two fantastic lead characters in Eddie and Nina Wilde; and awesome, edge-of-your-seat cliffhangers. "Empire of Gold" even throws in an attempted military coup in a foreign country. These are fun books and they would make fun movies. Someone needs to get on this right away!

I accidentally read this book before number 6, so I'm going to have to double back. I don't think it made too much of a difference. Nothing monumental happened in that one unlike this one which leaves off on a major cliffhanger. Before that, though, a lot happens in this book in just over what feels like a week, maybe less. Famed archaeologist and explorer Nina believes she may have stumbled upon the clues to find the lost Inca city El Dorado. This takes them to South America where Eddie is reunited with a former military "friend" who now is helping to start a military coup.

This book is filled with death, mayhem, near escapes, betrayals, double crosses, revenge, torture, and a might big cliffhanger at the end. This is how you do a suspense thriller!

Profile Image for Naii.
164 reviews4 followers
March 31, 2023
Well, this one took me so long to read. I haven't read a Nina and Eddie adventure in around 10 years, and I just did not enjoy reading this as much as I remember loving the rest of the series.

I tried dipping in and out, reading a few pages here and there, but it took forever to make it to the end that way and I just didn't feel the same way I did reading this series all those years ago.

It was the standard "protagonist searching for relic / something of historical significance, bad guys get in the way, etc." format as the rest of the series, but for some reason (maybe my taste in books has changed as I've aged?) I just didn't feel gripped the way I did before.

The me 10 years ago loved them, the love story, the adventure and excitement, the character development, the villains - it all hooked me, and I couldn't put the books down. The now me just felt it was the same story, different relic, and I have a hugely long 'to read' list of other books I'm more excited about and enjoying more.

Andy McDermott is an amazing author. He writes well, and you can feel his love for writing and his characters amongst the pages. From that point of view, the book is great. I'm sure it will be one that other readers enjoy. It just sadly wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Joe Geesin.
177 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2022
The Lost City Of Gold is at the centre of this adventure, and follows on nicely from the last book as a couple of the artifacts help locating the destination.
There's a scene at the start, an SAS battle 10 years previous, that only fits in some time later when two of Eddie Chase's former colleagues show up, and one has switched sides.

It's a little longer than usual, and what detracts from the usual balance of archaeology detective action adventure is that some of the battle scenes are quite extended and yet very detailed, and that length of intensity can get exhausting to read. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and there's more on the personal side in this book too, family tensions and arguments which add quite a bit of character.

There is a twist or two at the end and what I most enjoyed was, close to the end, the way the anger, regret, emotions are dealt with. There are two parts that are left unfinished, and I am in two minds as to whether I wanted them tied up, or if they're a good lead in to the next book. And that includes the surprise reappearance - that's at least two more demons to follow up,


Profile Image for Meredith.
Author 1 book15 followers
November 24, 2017
It's always interesting when the reader/narrator of an audio book changes. Up until now it's been Gildart Jackson, but with Empire of Gold, it's now Robin Sachs. I'm guessing Gildart was picked to make make sure Eddie's Yorkshire accent was there. Unfortunately when lots of the other characters aren't English, the still tend to sound it, plus the voice for Nina tended toward unrelenting bitchy. Now Robin on the other hand sounds like a well-pleased cat lapping scotch by the fire. His voice is delightful to listen to, but it doesn't really fit a go-go-go style action adventure. While Nina no longer sounds screechy, so now sounds too constantly reasonably. While Eddie still has a bit more zip, his voice is tamped down a bit too much too. I do like his voice for Mac, which sounds Scottish without sounding like Sean Connery.

As for the plot itself, it's decent. It's a bit like a book and a half plus a cliff hanger. But the cliff hanger does set Eddie up in a new place than were he's been emotionally, so I'm looking forward to it.
Profile Image for Darlene Foster.
749 reviews6 followers
April 7, 2020
Empire Of Gold, By Andy McDermott, was originally published in 2011 as book 7 in the series. As with previous books, Empire deals with real issues of the day as the plot line. We have black market items, smuggling, looting, archeology, civil unrest in Central America. All very timely for 2011. I'm only giving this story 3 stars because I thought it seemed forced. The Nina Wilde/Eddie Chase formula didn't work as well as it should. Nina & Eddie are fighting through a lot of the book. Normal for a couple but they fight about the craziest things, like hanging off a plane vs jumping from a moving jeep. I thought there were too many characters brought to the forefront that could have remained in the background & not muddied the waters. Well, I'm on to the next book in the series. Happy reading.
65 reviews3 followers
February 6, 2020
Another Andy McDermott thriller which ends in a cliff hanger. We meet a nemesis from Eddie's past in the SAS. Powerful ex-Presidents still try to cause trouble. Two splinter factions of the same Group try to get possession of a meteorite which will give them world domination. Same formula same clichés. Now has started to get predictable until Eddie kills an Interpol police officer who has systematically betrayed them to drug dealers and power mad generals. Chase ends up on the run for murder after losing both his best friend and his Nan.
Develops better than it originally appeared.
A good read.
Profile Image for Malcolm Cox.
Author 1 book4 followers
August 20, 2021
Admittedly by now these books do all kind of run into one another, but who cares, right? Another high-octane thrilling adventure this time finding the mysterious lost city of El Dorado. Of course there are also bad guys who want to get there first for a REASON. Lots of explosions, vehicles chases, death-defying escapes and willful destruction of priceless archeological sites.
The REASON is annoyingly never divulged, but, like the previous book, this book has a 'To be continued...' style ending.
Despite not being entirely satisfying, this was a lot of fun to read and was better paced than some of the previous books.
Profile Image for Hana.
1,754 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2019
If you forget that there are six books written in the same style, you will love it. Despite the feeling at the beginning that I have already read it (did not), I got quickly addicted and couldn't stop reading. The ending is open, unlike previous books so I am looking forward to starting next book. Eddie is the same hero, yet the humor is not so frequent and I was really upset by death of his friend Mac.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Warren Thoms.
530 reviews4 followers
October 17, 2018
Lots of action, that readers of the book will be used to but there was a lot of turmoil between Nina and Eddie. The book leaves off on a cliff hanger which I really liked. There was a lot of tragedy and sadness for Eddie in this book and gives you a bit more of his background, at least while he was in the military. All in all a fun book as long as you don't go looking for War and Peace.
Profile Image for J.A. Burton.
Author 2 books7 followers
February 4, 2019
Not having read any of the books in the series, I thought, given the back of the book blurb, that this story was about archaeologist Nina Wilde, but this story was about her husband, an ex-military guy, Eddie. Nothing wrong with the story, but this book was heavy on the fighting and militarized action, not quite the Indiana Jones-like story I was expecting.
Profile Image for Mel.
1,504 reviews9 followers
January 11, 2022
This was the first Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase thriller that I have really struggled with, and not just because at 569 pages it was really difficult to hold!

I found the action scenes very drawn out, but this has been the case in the last few books. There were some developments with the overall story arc.
2,127 reviews7 followers
July 16, 2022
This is kind of standard fare for the series. They find a lead on a potential archaeological treasure. They almost die multiple times somehow; they escape death multiple times and find a treasure lost to the world for 100's or thousands of years. This one kind of dragged on and could have been shortened considerably.
Profile Image for Trent.
Author 10 books12 followers
May 20, 2024
This was a mixed bag of a book. Great to see the crazy action & characters again, some good twists at the end, but, as with other books in this series, not a lot of time with the actual Temple & any mysteries there in. However, I appreciate the set up for a deeper story that will continue the series.
Profile Image for Natalie.
97 reviews
June 20, 2017
Very good, but the violence is too gory for my tastes. The author writes as if these books are action movies, so everything is quite detailed, down to specific details of goryness. Not for the faint of heart, or stomach. Other than that, a wonderful story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews

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