The Golden Keel / The Vivero Letter: A collection of 2 unputdownable action adventure suspense novels

I first read the Golden Keel shortly after it was published and was mesmerised I supposed. Later I read most of Desmond's books and had the same thrill of the chase. Since then, after some 50 years I plucked up courage to write my own first novel "The Frenchman's Daughters" a WW2 Action Adventure set in France and UK. This week, I have taken the plunge and started to re-read Desmond's first novel The Golden Keel and one of the later ones The Vivero Letter. They have not lost any of that which I found in them so many years ago. I shall now start and read his other works again and hopefully once again find the courage to write my second novel. (I hope it doesn't take me another 50 years). I thoroughly recommend all Mr. Bagley's work. He was always The Master. Paul Sinkinson (new author).

The Golden Keel is Bagley's first novel and is not a polished as most of them, but it is a page-turner. From post WWII South Africa, an expedition is formed to recover the fascist booty captured and hidden by partisans during the war. Most of the partisans are dead, two Englishmen who fought alongside the partisans survive and join the expedition. To recover the treasure they must match wits with ruthless criminals and the government. The Vivero Letter is an exciting adventure that begins with a murder in England and develops into a search for a lost Mayan city in the Yucatan peninsula. The hero wants to find his brother's murderer, and he owns the treasure map. His search is obstructed by competing archeologists, a hostile environment, and criminals who smell gold. Both are thrilling, uncomplicated action adventures.

I have not read anything by this author before. I"m always lookling for a good read. I selected this book out of curiosity, the title intrigued me. I made a good selection, this was a good read. Different the author draws you into the story neatly with some historical event and then leads into an exciting adventure that is beliveable, not science fiction. No bloody gore or unecessary sex scenes. I wouldent hesitate to recommend this book to young readers as well as adults. As for trhe author, Bagley, I intend to read more of his work.

I read both these books as a youngster and really enjoyed reading them again now after about 40 years. Desmond Bagley is still right up there with the best.

Gold figures as motivation in both stories and the writing glitters with adventure, action, and always something to be learned and there's even a little romance. I enjoyed the water-related aspects, which taught me something about boating and something about diving. Hardly heavyweight stuff, but entertaining enough to want to follow through to the end the main characters achieve. There are another 16 of these paired offerings by the author... more adventure and more exposure to places and activities in which I - and maybe you - will never engage, but can be enjoyed in these stories.

Wether smuggling ancient golden treasures or searching for legendary Mayan cities,both stories hold your attention. Just enough real history seeds the stories which are held together by an everyman protagonist and a colorful cast of characters. While not as complex as a Custler plot, the action moves at a good pace. A nice summer read to take you away to an exotic location.

Desmond Bagley is not as well known as Alistair Maclean but he writes in the same genre and with every bit as much verve. Bagley's characters tend to be thinking men even then they are burning rubber on the long road to salvation or plain old safety. Both these stories have smart set-ups with complicated but very real feeling characters who end up fighting for their lives in nearly impossible situations. If you are a fan of Maclean and Joseph Garber you will enjoy these period thrillers.

Book is in excellent condition. Good yarn.

I first read these books when us was 15yrs old, and have enjoyed reading them so much again over the years!They have made such a big impression on my life, that upon reflection, I realise that I have chosen to live as much of an adventure as I have been able to replicate of Mr. Bagley’s protagonists.I guarantee you will enjoy these novels

The Vivera Letter is yet another example of Bagley's ability to create a story which is full of intrigue and adventure in the rain forest's of Mexico as archaeologists seek to discover a treasure. A treasure whose whereabouts is hidden on a golden tray. Our hero, a little grey man, as he is preferred to, must impose his will on a group of archaeologists to thwart the villain who will kill for the treasure. Not only must he impose his will on others, but find within himself the ability to kill before he is killed. There are times when a 5star rating is insufficient, this is one of those times.

Desmond Bagley always managed to keep your attention in his novels and these two are no exception. Unlike many authors of this ilk he doesn't keep writing about the same characters so you feel like you're reading the same book all the time and he doesn't choose super heroes that have an endless arsenal of weapons or money. just ordinary guys who find themselves in a sometimes sticky situation - written quite some time ago there isn't all the tech stuff either which is actually rather nice. Would recommend

I enjoy thrillers from the 60s and 70s. I've only recently discovered Desmond Bagley, but on the strength of this double-header I have to say he may the best writer of that period. These books are fun, exciting, believable, and, most importantly, almost wholly free of the stupid, hard-boiled, misanthropic, Steinbeckian, BS that spoils so many of these types of novels. Buy this! You won't be disappointed.

I read these stories when they first came out and they were gripping. There were fewer of this genre that were any good at the time.Reading them now I'm not sure they quite hit the spot in the fact that I particularly found the golden keel was rather predictable. The books were not up there with the 'newer' writers that have experienced some of what they are writing about.However still a good read and with two books together they are worth a go.