⚔️ Escapism, Impossible Odds, and Finally Finishing Celtic Empire
By D.C. Salmon ⏱️ Reading Time: 5 minutes
- In this post: Finally reaching the end of Celtic Empire, why "comfort reads" beat grim literary drama, the magic of the Clive Cussler formula, and what’s next on my nightstand.
Why sometimes you don't want a grim, depressing literary drama, you just want high-stakes escapism with high-octane fun.
In a world that already feels busy, demanding, and full of heavy news, sitting down at the end of a long day shouldn't always feel like hard work. We don't always need a 600-page philosophical dissection of the human condition where everyone ends up miserable. Sometimes, you just want to sit back, suspend disbelief, and watch capable heroes dive out of exploding speedboats to stop a lunatic from destroying half a continent.
That pure, unashamed escapism is exactly why I will always have a soft spot for classic adventure thrillers.
🏁 Crossing the Finish Line on Celtic Empire
It might have taken me longer than I care to admit, between my day job, coaching roller hockey, and writing away on my tablet, but I have officially turned the final page on Clive and Dirk Cussler’s Celtic Empire.
And what a ride the finale on Skellig Michael turned out to be!
For the first hundred pages or so, I was constantly scratching my head wondering how on earth ancient Egyptian plagues, sunken ships in Detroit, political intrigue in Scotland, and rescues in El Salvador were going to connect under the title Celtic Empire.
But as the story reached Part 4, all those sprawling threads collided in classic Cussler style. The ancient links between Egyptian mythology, Irish history, and modern biological threats snapped into focus, delivering that breathless, race-against-the-clock climax the Dirk Pitt series is famous for.
🛡️ The Magic of the "Comfort Read"
Some literary critics love to turn their noses up at formulaic adventure fiction. But to me, there is absolute genius in a well-crafted "comfort read."
When you pick up a Cussler book, you know exactly what you are getting:
- Larger-than-life stakes: A sinister conspiracy threatening global catastrophe.
- Exotic, rugged machinery: Classic vintage cars, deep-sea submersibles, and rugged aeroplanes.
- Relentless momentum: Every time the heroes figure out a clue, the villains are already kicking down the door.
- A guaranteed satisfying ending: The bad guys lose, justice prevails, and the heroes live to hunt another relic another day.
It’s like putting on a favourite coat. You know the formula, but the execution and the thrill of the journey are what keep you turning pages well past midnight.
As a writer, reading books like this is both relaxing and instructive. It reinforces the importance of pacing, making sure that even when you are juggling complex historical facts or multiple subplots, the story never loses that forward drive. It’s the exact energy I strive to bring to Cedric, Daniela, and Hans in A Newman Adventure.
📚 What I’m Reading...
Confessions of a Growing TBR Pile!
Now that Celtic Empire is safely finished, I have a slight confession to make: I’ve bought five new paperbacks in the last month alone!
That’s on top of the fifty or so unread books sitting on my Google Books drive, not to mention the stack of Clive Cussler novels already waiting on my bookshelf.
Here are the five new paperbacks I’ve picked up this month:
- Rooms for Vanishing by Stuart Nadler — View on Amazon
- The Last Flight from Moscow by Andie Newton — View on Amazon
- The Iron Storm by Clive Cussler (with Dirk Cussler) — View on Amazon
- The Heretic's Treasure by Scott Mariani — View on Amazon
- Evil in High Places by Rory Clements — View on Amazon
📖 My Next Pick: Evil in High Places
The cover sucked me in straight away. Set in Nazi Germany in 1936, the premise immediately grabbed my attention—especially with my own latest WIP set in pre-WWII Germany. It’s right in my wheelhouse and perfectly matches what I’m writing and obsessively researching at the moment.
I’ll keep you updated next week on how I’m getting on with it, doing my absolute best not to give away any spoilers!
Which of the five would you have picked up first? Let me know in the comments!
💬 Over to You!
What is your ultimate "comfort read" genre when you just want pure escapism? Do you love high-octane adventure thrillers, cozy mysteries, or something else entirely? Let me know in the comments below!
💌 Want More?
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📚 The Newman Adventures
An Irish Mystery A fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession. The story that started it all.
An American Treasure The journey continues! Cedric Newman returns in a high-stakes hunt for the lost riches of Mosby's Rangers. Action, mystery, and a new enemy await.
Available in Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & Hardcover
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