I have just finished reading Serpent and it's my first NUMA book. I plan on reading all of them in order like I did Dirk Pitt.

One thing that stands out is that in Serpent it feels like they are stressing Austin, Zavala and the Trouts as a team. That they work together exclusively.

Is this standard operating procedure for NUMA and if so then doesn't Dirk and Al have another two partners on a full time basis?

*TAP* *TAP* (tapping microphone) "Hello???? Is this thing on???? Anybody out there?????? Just wondering."

Morning coach...Sometimes Rudi joins them. But.....do they need andyone else???

It's not really "standard operating procedure" at NUMA. Austin, Zavala, Gamay, and Paul are the "Special Assignments Team." Usually it's just Kurt and Joe doing their thing, and Paul and Gamay doing another in later books, sort of how Dirk Sr. and Al are now with Dirk Jr. and Summer.

If anything, I think having the "Special Assignments Team" is one way that the NUMA Files books tried to be different from the Dirk Pitt books. Otherwise there are way too many similarities that the characters could seem just like carbon copies:

Kurt = Dirk
Joe = Al
Female love interest = Female love interest
Gun collection = Car collection
Unique living arrangement (boathouse) = Unique living arrangment (hangar)
etc.

So throw in Paul and Gamay as not being the same as Rudi Gunn and voila. Different formula. :)

Thanks Oswalder that makes sense. I liked Serpent and thought it was a good book although it took forever to find Gamay when her and Dr. Chi got kidnapped / lost and it made it difficult to develop the bad guy. I did find myself thinking "this is Dirk and Al on an adventure".

I will keep reading them and probably will enjoy them though.

Hang in there Brandon.....they get better and better...Blue/Gold is one of the better ones I must say...................not that my opinion means anything anymore :lol:

Rob if you say it then it must be gospel. I got your back anytime you need it.

Is that when they're in the tunnels/passageways? Found that part fascinating. Been a while since I read it.

beer: