Clive Cussler, best-selling adventure writer who sought real-life thrills, dies at 88

[Haggis for Breakfast]

3. I have two entire shelves in my study stuffed with Clive Cussler.

I have every one of this "Dirk Pitt" series and "The Oregon Files" in hardback. I always loved his stories, greeting each new book as license to disappear somewhere and read it cover to cover. It was like the most rejuvenating of mini-vacations. Ever. No author so consistently turned out better thrillers. He even made cameos in his own stories. And I forget how many times he killed off his dear friend, Leigh Hunt.

And his car collection !!!!!!!!!! Fabulous, restored beauties from a by-gone era. And each one of them run. I believe he even published a photo book of his babies.

For the past decade or so, his son, Dirk Cussler, has been co-writing with his father, so maybe this won't be the end of Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino, Juan Cabrillo and the Corporation, Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala, Isaac Bell and Sam and Remi. At least I hope not.

Fare thee well, Capt'n. I will miss you and your company. Best rides ever.