Also, if it wasn't enough, in it also, (iirc), has a character, a foreign agent, from which, if not explicitly, at least, Cussler gives enough hints about his identity as for the readers could identify him as the iconic badass British agent 007. Having him make an 'apparition' as an inmate in a US high security prison (Leavenworth?)...
Also, what about 'Flood Tide'. Where aside from finding Chiang Kai-shek's shipwreck with the Nationalist Chinese government treasure also while he is tracking, a Chinese lead, human trafficking and smuggler's organization leads Pitt to Louisiana (Mississippi river). Where he (and his NOAA¿s partners) managing to, as usual, saving America from what (imo) might 'd be the most great terrorist attempt/war act...