Craig Dirgo Tremor

Tremor

Craig Dirgo

Berkley, Jan 2006, $14.00, 320 pp.

ISBN: 0425207501

After being cheated out of money he should have gotten from his patents involving alternating current, Nikola Tesla vowed to keep his next project secret until the patents were secure and the robber barons of the 1890's had to pay him for using his new invention. He was trying to find a way to use wireless electricity sent through the earth to a specific point. He succeeded beyond his wildest dreams in his test project but he caused the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, although nobody connected the two events.

In the present in Serbia Galadin Ratzovik who was instrumental in the ethnic cleansing is wanted by the UN War Crimes Commission. He has Tesla's notes and a scientist to work on two experiments to trigger earthquakes in Spain and Italy. NIA Agent John Taft is sent into Serbia to figure out what is going on and if the quakes can be related to Tesla's experiments. A note is given to the UN demanding the release of former President of Ilic who is being held at The Hague awaiting trial for war crimes. John Taft is sent home but learns that the demands are a cover for an action that would totally decimate the United States.

The latest work of Craig Dirgo, co-author of The Oregon Files, will appeal to the fans of Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy. TREMOR is action oriented but there is enough background information on Tesla, a real nineteenth century genius, and enough fill-ins on the key characters to make this a well-rounded and balanced novel. The protagonist is a man of honor, willing to lay down his life to save otherss; his dedication will appeal to mainstream readers of both genders.

Harriet Klausner