Nearly five centuries ago a fleet of boats landed mysteriously

on an island in an inland sea. There, an ancient Andean

people hid a golden hoard greater than that of any pharaoh,

then they and their treasure vanished into history — until now.

1998, the Andes Mountains of Peru. DIRK PITT dives into an

ancient sacrificial pool, saving two American archaeologists

from certain drowning. But his death-defying rescue is only

the beginning, as it draws the intrepid Pitt into a vortex of

darkness and danger, corruption and betrayal. A sinister crime

syndicate has traced the long-lost treasure — worth almost a

billion dollars — from the Andes to the banks of a hidden

underground river flowing beneath a Mexican desert. Driven

by burning greed and a ruthless bloodlust, the syndicate is

racing to seize the golden prize...and to terminate the one

man who can stop them.

United Press International

"Cussler can keep anyone on the edge of their chair

with his gripping descriptions of action...."

Chicago Tribune

"Cussler has developed and patented a vibrant,

rollicking narrative style that seldom shows signs

of relenting...."

Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Cussler is a master at building suspense and

tension... high-tech adventure, a little romance

and a whale of a story...."

Tom Clancy

"A new Clive Cussler novel

is like a visit from your best friend."

Atlanta Journal and Constitution

"Lovers of undersea adventure...

should get to know DIRK PITT"

When a tsunami hit a Spanish treasure galleon, all trace of a golden hoard greater than that of any pharaoh's vanished into history. Until NUMA agent DIRK PITT® dives into an ancient sacrificial pool far into the Andean jungle in order to rescue two archaeologists, and plunges into a vortex of corruption, betrayal, and death. A sinister crime syndicate has traced the long-lost treasure — worth almost a billion dollars — from the Andes to the banks of a hidden underground river flowing beneath a Mexican desert. Nothing will stop their ruthless and murderous drive to recover the gold. Nothing, that is, until Pitt and his team place themselves square in the path of danger....