Lost Empire features treasure-hunting couple Sam and Remi Fargo, who are on a scuba-diving holiday off the coast of Tanzania, where they find a coin with strange markings. While seeking the coin's origins, they discover yet another more exciting relic nearby - a ship’s bell inscribed with numerous mysterious symbols on the inner surface. They send the images of the bell to their research team back in California, headed by Selma Wondrash. The answers they receive set them off on a hunt for the ancient origins of a modern civilisation with far reaching consequences.
Meanwhile, in far-off Mexico City, Quauhtil Garza sits as President of Mexico and head of his Mexican Tenochca party. He has been swept into power on the promise of restoring Mexico’s heritage as an Aztec nation, a return to its rich historical past. Garza manages to win the election due to the previous administration’s incompetence and corruption. He has also renounced his Christian name in favour of the Nahautl one, a symbolic gesture of embracing his Aztec heritage. He will stop at nothing to portray the illusion of a return to historical roots, when in actual fact, he is seeking to consolidate absolute power for himself.
Garza employs the six-foot Itzli Rivera to help him hold on to his power. A military-trained soldier, Rivera's job is to remove and confront any effort made to solve the mysterious disappearance of Mexico’s early Aztec civilisation. For a decade, Rivera has been successful in burying any archaeological discovery that would diminish the lofty standing of his president’s heritage.
In fact, he rushes immediately to Tanzania when a telecast of the Fargos’ discovery threatens further research that will unearth the Aztec mystery.
When the Fargos return to the area where they have lifted the ship’s bell, they are stopped by Tanzanian maritime authorities. Apparently, someone on the government yacht is behind the harassment.
Sam and Remi resolve to locate the position of whatever sunken ship is home to the bell they’ve found. The word “Ophelia” is inscribed in the bell, along with unusual scripts and notations that look like mathematical symbols.
Selma makes the search through archives and finds the ship is likely a Civil War vessel, formerly christened the Shenandoah. It was then sold to a wealthy Mid-Eastern Sultan and re-named several times.
The Fargos then travel to a remote museum that houses the research of Winston Lloyd Blaylock. The man had lived in Africa for many years but disappeared into a jungle on a curious quest and was never seen again. Uncovering his journal, the Fargos dig deeper into the mystery that both eluded Blaylock and the present day Mexican mercenaries who seem determined on ending Sam and Remi’s journey as well as their lives.
Clive Cussler and Grant Blackwood write extensive depth into their story, including the construction of Civil War vessels, with details about the ships. However, the Shenandoah’s demise is not apparent in historical documents. Thus the Fargos’ hunt for her becomes an enticing and tedious effort. What the ship did endure and the secrets she held in her twilight years become a contentious race for both the Fargos and the Mexican thugs who travel to several continents to unravel.
Sam and Remi are interesting characters who bring unique qualities to the story. This is an enjoyable story and reads like the Da Vinci Code with challenging puzzles to solve at each stage. Also the Fargos’ adventurous spirit and their determination to solve whatever mystery or danger facing them, provide readers with excitement, thrills and suspense. A gripping thriller for the fans, both new and old.
