Books Like...
The Golden Keel by Desmond Bagley is a thriller that follows the story of boat designer Hal, who gets involved in the salvaging of Mussolini's gold hidden during World War II. The plot involves a group of characters going after the treasure in rural Italy, encountering shady individuals along the way. The book is described as a fairly predictable yet entertaining yarn with a brisk pace and down-to-earth storytelling reminiscent of Alastair Maclean.
Bagley's first novel introduces a variety of interesting characters like the brawny Coetzee, the weak-willed Walker, and the resourceful Francesca, adding depth to the storyline. While the opening may be a bit clumsy, the book gains momentum as it progresses, offering an entertaining read with unexpected twists towards the end. Despite some flaws in character development and dialogue, the book is praised for its tight writing, plausible plot, and engaging narrative.
If you liked The Golden Keel, here are the top 11 books to read next:
- #1
Save:Dead Reckoning by Sam Llewellyn is a thrilling mystery novel set in the world of yacht racing. The story revolves around a deadly incident involving a faulty steering system on a boat, leading to accusations and a race to clear one's name. The plot is filled with double crossings, intrigue, and criminal masterminds, creating a page-turning read with twists and turns. The writing style is engaging, with detailed and exciting accounts of sailing that immerse the reader in the action, making it a compelling read for those interested in mystery and sailing.
- #2
Save:If you are working up to an America's Cup campaign and you bend a shiny new 12-metre racing yacht, you are in trouble. You are in even worse trouble if you sink it. The kind of trouble that gets you kicked off the campaign and scrubbing boats in a st
... - #3
Save:John Ingram and his wife Rae are onboard a boat bound for the South Pacific on their honeymoon. They come across another vessel that is on the verge of sinking, where they encounter a lone man with a suspicious story. The plot is full of suspense and takes unexpected turns, keeping readers engaged. The writing style is described as a mix of psychology of characters, nautical terms, and vivid descriptions of scenes.
THOUGH IT HAD BEEN LESS THAN FOUR HOURS SINCE HE’D secured everything on deck and come below, Ingram awoke just at dawn. He turned his head in the faint light inside the cabin and looked at his wife a... - #4
Save:The Golden Rendezvous by Alistair MacLean is a thrilling tale set on a luxury cruise ship hijacked by its own passengers, leading to murder and mayhem. The protagonist, First Officer John Carter, must unravel a plot involving a stolen nuclear device and a plan to pirate a ship carrying gold. The story is fast-paced, filled with gunfights, knife fights, and suicidal stunts, reminiscent of a high-seas James Bond adventure. MacLean's vivid descriptions and dialogue transport the reader back to a time when derring-do and romance were executed with panache, creating a retro yet exciting atmosphere.
The book's plot unfolds gradually, building up to a crescendo as Carter races against time to thwart the hijackers and disarm an atomic bomb onboard. The luxurious setting of the cruise ship, the SS Campari, adds to the tension, with prices that even the fabulously wealthy can barely afford. MacLean's narrative style blends action-packed sequences with well-developed characters, including the heroic yet relatable John Carter, creating a gripping and immersive reading experience that keeps readers guessing until the last pages.
[Tuesday noon-5 P.M.] My shirt was no longer a shirt but just a limp and sticky rag soaked with sweat. My feet ached from the fierce heat of the steel deck plates. My forehead, under the peaked white ... - #5
Save:'The Guns of Navarone' by Alistair MacLean is a World War II thriller that follows a small group of Allied soldiers on a seemingly impossible mission to destroy massive German guns on the Greek island of Navarone. The plot involves a daring commando raid, where the team must scale an unclimbable cliff, infiltrate a Nazi fortress, and sabotage the guns to save 1,200 stranded British soldiers. The writing style is described as suspenseful, with well-crafted prose that keeps the readers engaged and turning pages, showcasing the characters' fear, bravery, and human side amidst the intense action.
The match scratched noisily across the rusted metal of the corrugated iron shed, fizzled, then burst into a sputtering pool of light, the harsh sound and sudden brilliance alike strangely alien in the... - #6
Save:'Where Eagles Dare' by Alistair MacLean is a World War II thriller that follows a team of British Special Forces commandos on a daring mission to rescue a captured American general from a Nazi stronghold in the mountains of Germany. The plot is filled with action, suspense, espionage, and intricate twists and turns. MacLean's writing style is described as riveting, fast-paced, and enthralling, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with its sense of urgency and adventure.
The book is praised for its exciting storyline, intelligent plot, and believable depiction of wartime espionage. Readers appreciate the non-stop action, clever dialogues between characters, and the well-crafted suspense that keeps them engaged throughout the novel. MacLean's portrayal of the characters, particularly the British and American operatives, is commended for adding depth to the story and making it a thrilling read for fans of the spy thriller genre.
The vibrating clangour from the four great piston engines set teeth on edge and made an intolerable assault on cringing ear-drums. The decibel-level, Smith calculated, must have been about that found ... - #7
Save:Breakheart Pass by Alistair MacLean is a fast-paced western thriller set in post Civil War American West. The plot revolves around a train journey to Fort Humboldt, filled with relief troops and supplies, as well as a captured Federal prisoner named John Deakin. As the train travels through Paiute Indian territory, it encounters murders, conspiracies, sabotage, ambushes, and Indians seeking revenge. The story is full of action, suspense, and plot twists, keeping the readers hooked from the beginning to the end. Despite the initial introduction of many characters without detailed descriptions, the book focuses on delivering non-stop action and suspense, making it a thrilling and engaging read.
The saloon bar of Reese City's grandiosely named Imperial Hotel had about it an air of defeat, of uncaring dilapidation, of the hauntingly sad nostalgia for the half-forgotten glories of days long gon... - #8
Save:Bear Island by Alistair MacLean is a mystery thriller set on a remote island off the coast of Norway. The story follows a film crew traveling to Bear Island to shoot a movie, but things take a dark turn when murders start happening on the ship. The plot unfolds through the eyes of Dr. Marlowe, the ship's doctor, who must unravel the mystery of the killings and the secrets hidden among the crew. With a mix of suspense, intrigue, and a closed-circle mystery, the book keeps readers guessing until the end. MacLean's writing style is described as detailed and descriptive, providing vivid imagery of the characters and events, while also incorporating elements of dry humor and misdirection that add to the entertainment value.
The book features a large and memorable cast of characters, each with their own secrets and motives, adding depth to the story. The plot includes unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on their toes, with a strong focus on character development and a sense of isolation that adds to the suspense. Despite some criticisms of the slow start and turgid dialogue, the book is praised for its intriguing premise, engaging plot, and the author's ability to create a chilling atmosphere in a remote, isolated setting.
To even the least sensitive and perceptive beholder the Morning Rose, at this stage of her long and highly chequered career, must have seemed ill-named, for if ever a vessel could fairly have been sai... - #9
Save:The Eiger Sanction follows the story of Jonathan Hemlock, an esteemed art professor with a dark side as a contract assassin. The novel is set in the Swiss Alps and introduces readers to Hemlock, a complex character who is a former mountain climber turned assassin. The plot revolves around Hemlock's final mission, which involves a deadly climb up the Eiger mountain peak, a place that holds a dangerous past for him. As Hemlock navigates through betrayal and cruelty, the author, Trevanian, weaves a suspenseful tale that immerses readers into a world of espionage and high-stakes adventure. The writing style of the book is described as engaging, with sharp wit and a unique blend of humor and suspense that keeps readers hooked till the end.
Earlier that night, rain had fallen on Boulevard St. Laurent, and there were still triangular pools on the uneven sidewalk. The rain had passed, but it remained cool enough to justify CII operative Wo... - #10
Save:'Ice Station Zebra' by Alistair MacLean is a thrilling tale of Cold War espionage set in the Arctic. The story follows the protagonist, Dr. Carpenter, who joins the crew of the nuclear submarine Dolphin on a rescue mission to the high Arctic, specifically the meteorological research facility known as Drift Ice Station Zebra. As the mission unfolds, the sub faces treacherous conditions and the crew must navigate through a web of espionage and sabotage to save the scientists stationed at the research facility. The narrative is told in first person by Dr. Carpenter, adding a layer of suspense as the reader uncovers the mysteries alongside the protagonist. expertly combines elements of submarine warfare, Cold War intrigue, and Arctic survival, making it a gripping and informative read for fans of the genre.
Commander James D. Swanson of the United States Navy was short, plump and crowding forty. He had jet black hair topping a pink cherubic face, and with the deep permanent creases of laughter lines radi...
