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Book Reviews of Riptide

Riptide
ISBN-13: 9780446607179
ISBN-10: 0446607177
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Pages: 496
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 280

3.9 stars, based on 280 ratings
Publisher: Warner Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

46 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

ritaflwr avatar reviewed Riptide on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Another great book from Preston and Childs. This book is about an island off the coast of Maine that is shrouded in mystery and fog. According to local legends, there is a vast treasure buried in the island. But all attempts to get the treasure have resulted in injury, death and financial ruin. But at last, with millions of dollars in backing, and technilogial power, a task force is formed to retrieve the treasure, and solve the mystery that has confounded all efforts to do so in the past. As the story moves forward, the crew of this task force also sicken, get injured and die. What is at the heart of this island, causing all this suffering? I enjoyed reading this book, and hopefully there will be many more from this wonderful team of authors.
Kibi avatar reviewed Riptide on + 582 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
100% Fun! February 4, 2003
Reviewer: Robin Currier

I've read other books by Child/Preston (Relic and Reliquary) and found them fun but the writing just a little rough.
But Riptide, now--Wow! They have really hit their stride on this one. The pacing is great and the thought they put into how to approach the diabolically clever puzzle of the treasure pit is impressive.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book right to the end, even sneaking out to sit in my car at work to finish it!

In the first few pages of the book, we are introduced to the main character, Malin Hatch, as a boy, and see the gruesome tragedy that shadows the rest of his life, but that will not be fully explained until the end of the book. Then we skip forward 30 years. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT's what I call a "hook!" I was certainly hooked until the very end.

I'm certain you will enjoy this roller coaster ride of a book.
daisymomma avatar reviewed Riptide on
Helpful Score: 4
This was a fun, fascinating read by this author team. It's a standalone book (no Pendergast) with great characters. You learn lots of historical facts along the way as it moves toward the breathtaking ending.
reviewed Riptide on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
a little slow getting into this novel but hung in there and found an excellent read
reviewed Riptide on + 66 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
ACTION,ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE IN THIS DAMNED GOOD PAGE TURNER
reviewed Riptide on + 211 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the book, but it was one of the least favorite by this fabulous duo. Being least favorite, I still consider it a good book and would recommend it. Different genre than the others.
DustyShu avatar reviewed Riptide on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The ultimate trap that cannot be avoided. Great read with a mix of treasure hunt, legend, and modern science.
sharrona avatar reviewed Riptide on + 207 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of the authors' best, almost completely believable. A modern-day look at the old story of "buried treasure."
reviewed Riptide on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book! I've read this at least three times, and a good one to start with Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
perryfran avatar reviewed Riptide on + 1176 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. This is the first Preston/Lincoln novel I have read but it won't be the last! Loads of action plus a great yarn about a pirate's buried treasure. Highly recommend this one.
az9 avatar reviewed Riptide on + 6 more book reviews
Outstanding! I love the writing style and imagery of these two authors.
reviewed Riptide on + 14 more book reviews
great page-turner, really enjoyed it
reviewed Riptide on + 53 more book reviews
I could not put this book down..layers and layers of mysterys from Pirates to Computers....
lsmcnellis avatar reviewed Riptide on + 18 more book reviews
I picked this book up because the authors were recommended by a friend as good adventure writers. Pirate treasure, mystery, adventure were sure to be an exciting combination. It seemed to drag a little towards the middle, but the lure of St. Michael's Sword kept me reading. I enjoyed the book and will probably continue to read these authors, but I may just get the rest from the library.
paulmc avatar reviewed Riptide on + 7 more book reviews
For some reason, I remember this book quite well. I usually forget lots of the storyline and sub-characters. Nice story. Not usual plotline/
reviewed Riptide on + 1568 more book reviews
Preston and Child's book kept me up l-o-n-g past my bed time, turning pages to see what was going to happen next. This is not part of the History Museum Series containing RELIC, RELIQUARY and others.
Three hundred years ago a pirate buried his ill-gotten loot on a treacherous island off the coast of Maine. Now a high-tech treasure hunter is bringing his million-dollar recovery team to Ragged Island. They have the best hardware, the best divers, and the perfectly planed operation. There's only one problem: this island kills.
First the computers fail. Then one man dies-and then another. Now the wind has begun to blow and the seas to rise. The mysteries of Ragged Island start cracking open in the midst of a howling Nor'easter.
Inside a rocky fortress of tunnels, traps, and tides, a priceless treasure lies waiting...and so does an unimaginable evil.
reviewed Riptide on + 391 more book reviews
The book begins with a brief history lesson on the Water-Trap, and then flashes forward to the hero of the book as a young boy playing with his brother on Ragged Island dreaming summertime dreams that all boys have about finding pirate gold, and what to do with the mountains of gold that is sure to be found if only they can discover the right tunnel. Accidents happen and that brings us to the present where our hero, Malin Hatch swears never to step on Ragged Island again until approached by the shadowy figures that inhabit all of these books. They come with smiles, high technology, and promising the riches that would make any man or woman think twice.
This novel centers around the coastline of Maine, and is filled with rich, interesting characters. The history was intriguing. The quest for the treasure of Red Ned will you keep you on the edge of your seat. I felt it was a quick, fun read. It has roots in a true quest for pirate treasure.
reviewed Riptide on + 18 more book reviews
This book is excellent! The author grabs the reader from the very beginning and it has exciting turns and twists to the very end. I have just started reading these authors and have found every book that I have read very exciting. It is extremely difficult to put the book down and then I can't wait to start another book.

I have read one of the Pendergist books and am looking forward to reading the series.

Thunderhead and The Ice Limit are great reads as well.

Check these books out!
dabookworm avatar reviewed Riptide on + 6 more book reviews
My favorite book by Preston and Child! Deserves more than five stars!
reviewed Riptide on + 20 more book reviews
This was a wonderful book. The authors know how to keep you reading. You just don't want to put it down and when the book is done you still think of the characters and wonder how they're doing. I loved the setting of Maine too. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy adventure and suspense.
reviewed Riptide on + 55 more book reviews
This one took me a while to get into, but once it got to the action I couldn't put it down. Great summer read!
reviewed Riptide on + 120 more book reviews
Excellent book. I ususally like these authors but I really enjoyed this one. Very little if any religious overtones in this one.

For generations people have been trying to get to Pirate Red Ned Ocham's treasure with no luck. When a group raises over $20 mil to get to the treasure they finally succeed but the cost is more than they bargained for!

Great thriller with a couple of pretty cool twists.
reviewed Riptide on + 407 more book reviews
I enjoyed this thriller set off the coast of Maine. It had pirate lore, secret codes, booby traps - and a sense of impending doom as both the weather and the dangers of the pit's contents become more dangerous by the day.
reader-junf avatar reviewed Riptide on + 7 more book reviews
Exciting reading!
reviewed Riptide on + 4 more book reviews
Very attention holding read. Same author of the Relic.
reviewed Riptide on + 46 more book reviews
Great read
reviewed Riptide on + 72 more book reviews
Title: RipTide
Genre: Suspense

Pirate treasure! Just the thought makes your heart beat a little bit faster. While just reading the Prologue of this book I had to share it with someone else.

Once the story becomes present day the action slows a bit, but every chapter contains new surprises, and as the layers are removed we are given the clues to aid us in trying to deduce what the real treasure is.

Along with the action and suspense there are stories about people to fill in the spaces between the story legs; past lovers, teachers, friends, all there to tear open old wounds... or to help heal them.

RipTide is a good story, woven into our modern day world, but constantly looking back at the pirates who have built a trap that has conquered every treasure hunter to come before.
Bettyjean avatar reviewed Riptide on
Although my favorites are the Lincoln/Child books involving special agent Pendergaast, this one was still pretty good.
reviewed Riptide on + 14 more book reviews
This is a suspense novel. There is ancient pirate treasure found on an island off the coast of Maine. This is no usual island...it kills.
reviewed Riptide on + 24 more book reviews
Three hundred years ago a pirate buried his treasure on an island and set up multiple hazards to trap anyone trying to get the treasure. Many people die when trying to get the treasure. Lots of plots and great reading!
reviewed Riptide on + 38 more book reviews
Once you suspended logic and allow the fiction of this book to take you, it's a stimulating ride.

An enjoyable read. I have more of their writtings on my TBR list.
reviewed Riptide on + 148 more book reviews
Excellent!! Always enjoy reading titles from these authors..
reviewed Riptide on + 33 more book reviews
This was a very exciting read for me. I am a bif fan of Preston & Child and this did not disappoint.
reviewed Riptide on + 32 more book reviews
These guys are lots of fun. They take real science, then tweak it just a little. Not always believable, but always fun.
reviewed Riptide on + 49 more book reviews
These guys are the greatest! Excellent thriller with the power to deprive you of your sleep. I had to read this from start to finish.
reviewed Riptide on + 48 more book reviews
Bit slow to start, but a great read with an interesting twist.
redhatter avatar reviewed Riptide on + 577 more book reviews
From Back Cover...
Three hundred years ago a pirate buried his bounty on a treacherous island off the coast of Maine. Now a high-tech treasure hunter is bringing his million dollar recovery team to Ragged Island. They have the best hardware, the best divers, and the perfectly planned operation.
There's only one problem: this island kills.
fab50 avatar reviewed Riptide on + 5 more book reviews
This book was a good read by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I had read this book years ago but forgot and ordered it again. I did re-read it because I didn't remember much about it. I am glad I did. It was an exciting treasure hunt. Would recommend it. I have ordered more books by these authors.
reviewed Riptide on + 56 more book reviews
300 year ago a pirate buried his treasure on a remote island - missions to find the treasure faile - somehow the island kills -
a new team with all modern day computers sets out to retrieve the buried treasure - do they retrieve it or does the island win???
reviewed Riptide on + 335 more book reviews
Three hundred years ago a pirate buried his bounty on a treacherous island off the coast of Maine. Now a high-tech treasure hunter is bringing his million-dollar recovery team to Ragged Island.

They have the best hardware, the best divers, and the perfectly planned operation. There's only one problem: this island kills.

First the computers fail. Then one man dies - and then another. Now the wind has begun to howl and the mysteries of Ragged Island are cracking open. Inside a rocky fortress of tunnels, traps, and tides a priceless treasure lies waitng...and so does an unimaginable evil...
reviewed Riptide on + 211 more book reviews
I really liked this book by Preston and Child. No FBI agents again, but another interesting concept. These guys are great at building suspense.
reviewed Riptide on + 107 more book reviews
Interesting twists and turns but ending was predictable.
reviewed Riptide on + 120 more book reviews
What can I say? This book is THE best! Draws you in from page one and you can't put it down - a definite page turner.
These two hold your rapt attention until the last page. Expert researchers and excellent story tellers. You won't be disappointed in this book.
salsadancer avatar reviewed Riptide on + 27 more book reviews
I read this because I liked The Ice Limit, but this was not as good.
reviewed Riptide on + 13 more book reviews
This was an ok book. The story idea was decent but the writing didn't hold my attention. It had the potential to be gripping, but it just wasn't.
CabotCove avatar reviewed Riptide on + 4 more book reviews
I really wanted to like this book but I thought it was boring. Nothing significant happened after 3 chapters so I gave up. There are so many books to read I can't waste my time on something that takes so long to get started. Life is too short!