Riptide (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child |
| Products | Thriller novel |
Riptide is a thriller novel released in 1998, authored by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and published through Warner Books.
The plot revolves around the search for the pirate Red Ned Ockham’s hidden fortune, estimated to be worth nearly two billion dollars. Among the treasure is the legendary "St. Michael's Sword," a weapon reputed to kill anyone who gazes upon it. Although the story is fictional, it draws inspiration from the myth surrounding the Oak Island Money Pit.
Taking place on the imaginary Ragged Island—depicted as a perilous drumlin island near the coast of Maine—Riptide is unique within Preston and Child’s bibliography as their sole entirely independent novel, featuring no recurring characters from their other works such as Mount Dragon, Thunderhead, or The Ice Limit.
Plot/Summary
The tale opens in 1971 with brothers Malin and Johnny Hatch venturing onto Ragged Island despite family cautions. A fatal mishap on the island leaves a lasting impact on Malin for many years.
Fast forward twenty-five years, Dr. Malin Hatch is contacted by treasure seeker Gerard Neidelman, who asserts he understands the Water Pit’s construction and its hidden riches. Although initially doubtful, Hatch agrees to initiate excavation efforts.
The recovery team encounters unexplained obstacles—including accidents, illnesses, and equipment failures—unveiling that the Water Pit’s designer incorporated lethal traps. The artifact known as St. Michael's Sword is discovered to be radioactive, accounting for previous fatalities among explorers and current technical issues.
The pit was engineered to collapse on trespassers due to the sword’s deadly nature and rests above an extensive natural cavity. When Neidelman disregards warnings and attempts to claim the sword, he exposes himself and another member of the crew to fatal radiation before the island collapses into the ocean, resulting in the permanent loss of both Neidelman and the sword.
Reception
The novel has garnered favorable reviews. Publishers Weekly commended Riptide for its rapid pacing, surprising plot developments, and intelligent integration of legend, scientific knowledge—including cryptanalysis—and its atmospheric setting. It described the book as "an exciting boys' adventure tale for adults," likely appealing as a popular summer read, though it noted some critique regarding an "excess of villains." IGN acknowledged that while parts of the story were foreseeable, this did not detract from its entertainment value, likening it to the dependable thrill of an Indiana Jones film.
Film
During a 2003 interview, Douglas Preston revealed that initial talks had taken place concerning a movie adaptation of Riptide. Nonetheless, as of 2008, no production had commenced, and no subsequent information has been shared.