Cool Blue Tomb (Aristotle "Soc" Socarides) Paperback – May 15, 2013

As a huge fan of Clive Cussler, I've become familiar with Paul Kemprecos as a co-author. This book he wrote before teaming up with Clive Cussler. I know now that Author Kemprecos is an outstanding author and his story here is compelling. This novel takes place in and around Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Aristotle Socarides, known as "Soc," has quite a history, even though his endeavors are not revered by his younger brother who lives a very opulent lifestyle. Soc has been to college, served in the Army in Vietnam, was a detective for the Boston PD, and now was a part-time commercial fisherman/private investigator. You might say Soc has quite an attitude when stirred up and exhibits strong anger, often with wit and humor. That might be why he lives in a boat house, gets out on the ocean under blue sky and enjoys the peacefulness. Coming in from a not-too-productive fishing trip with his partner, a well muscled man, Mike Barrett, approaches Soc and knows of his prior experience as a detective and hires him to do a job for him. It also entails diving in search of the long-lost British vessel, "Gabriella," believed to have much gold on it when it went down off Provincetown in June 1778. Soc has more than one job, and many secrets to solve. Author Paul Kemprecos has a great writing style; his novel delivers high action and knowledge as a seafarer. Though there are numerous proofing errors, including missing words, I did not let these errors deter me from enjoying this adventurous novel. It is well written and I found myself deeply engrossed in the adventure. Very well done, Paul. I'll be reading more of your stories.

I remember in college my literature professor explained that good writing required colorful, descriptive scenes. You didn't write "the sun sat". You wrote something like "the orange disk settled into the burning ocean" or some such thing.Well, Paul Kemprecos took this style of writing to a whole different level. Most books attempt to provide descriptive phrases in the beginning and then it is left behind and the author just tells his/her story. Not so with Paul Kemprecos. Not only are his descriptive phrases throughout the book but they are so long winded that they became boring and irritating. I swear one such phrase went on for half a page. I got to the point where I would just skip down a paragraph, or so, and continue from there.Too much descriptive phrasing aside, the story was very slow and not very exciting. This book will not keep you up at night. I liked the premise of a treasure hunt but I could not get into the character of the detective, his Greek family and his lifestyle. It did take me a while to figure out the ending and that alone kept me going.I see he has other books in this series. I don't think I will be reading any of them unless I run out of my favorite authors. I really don't see what Clive Cussler saw in this book to offer him a job writing for him. Maybe Mr. Cussler read all the books in the series and the others are much better than this one.I also see a lot of 5 star reviews. I would be skeptical of a new authors 5 star reviews. You would be surprised how many family members and social friends will give a new author 5 stars just to help him out. I'm not saying this has happened here, to this author, but I know firsthand it does happen.

Generally good story and mystery. Loved the diving. I started SCUBA in 1962 and have done some diving in the cold waters of New England and some under ice freshwater diving. Could definitely relate to the trickle of ice water around my wet suit piece joints. I'll very likely read another.

A P.I. mystery, set in Provincetown, Cape Cod , Mass. Aristotle 'Soc' Socarides is a Viet Nam vet, was on the Boston police force, left that, and became a mix of wharf bum, cod fisherman, and part time private eye, living in a boathouse on the water.His Greek family lives a couple of hours away where they operate a very lucrative wholesale pizza business. What? You never heard of Greek pizza? Yeah, me neither. But what do I know, I'm from New York City, home of John's Pizza on Bleecker St. in the Village.Great mystery, really excellent writing, characters who will amuse you, and a setting that will make you want to move to Cape Cod -- at least for three quarters of the year. I think we can forget about the winter season there. And some nice info on the salvage industry, and some interesting history tidbits as well. What more can a reader ask of a P.I. Mystery? Right?There are five more books in the series, and if you like your P.I.'s more philosophical than hard-boiled, I recommend you check them out.

As an avid Cussler fan, I thought I would try Paul Kemprecos on his own. I was a bit surprised at first as it felt like I was reading a Mickey Spillane potboiler. OK, first novel, interesting protagonist, familiar setting. As the story continued, I saw less of Mike Hammer and more of Soc Socarides, I got a bit lost in the jumble of characters, but began to enjoy the tale as it unfolded. By the end of the book, I decided to get the next one in the series and see where it goes. Paul Kemprecos' NUMA Files co-authored books with Clive Cussler are easily the best of that series thus far. I wish he was still writing them.

This is an E Book re-release of a book published in the early 1990s it almost qualifies as a historical. How we have moved on since it was written.My first impression was that it was a rip off of the Clive Cussler Dirk Pitt series, and yes I think it is. The mystery was sea based and the technical aspects of diving were part of the solution.It was a bit slow to start and the part time PI\fisherman manages to hit every cliche going. Ex veteran with PTSD and drinking issues, lost the love of his life to a car accident, has family issues. He also displays a remarkable tendency to rush in to trouble without backup, its amazing that he survives. I was close to giving up on it but managed to keep going. I was rewarded by having the pace pick up and finally actually found myself interested in the story and the characters. There are a further 7 books in this series but I am not sure whether I will read any more.I think anyone who really enjoyed the Clive Cussler books will enjoy this one. Bear in mind that you will be stepping back 30 years and make allowances.

An initially gentle read that slowly creeps up and becomes un-put down able. 'Soc' is an unconventional but fully believable private eye with an entertaining family history and gritty past. With a maritime setting and plenty of sea based action Cool Blue Tomb is an excellent detailed and addictive novel that leaves one craving more and quickly ordering the next adventure.

A backwater private eye, with an interesting past, and diving experience, caught up in the race to find treasure on an old sea wreck. Intrigue, murder, and much more, keeps the pages turning.

Good as Clive cussler

Goes from one line to another, interesting result. watch for the side lines. Kemprecos on his own is a winner