Hell's Gate    by Bill Schutt & J. R. Finch Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2016 (2016) Hardcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch Constructed around a smattering of authentic scientific biological detail, this thriller set in Brazil will have many readers shaking their heads in disbelief. That's not to say this isn't a riveting novel but it does push the boundaries of credibility at times. With war raging in Europe and the Pacific, the curious discovery of an empty Japanese submarine hundreds of miles up the Amazon River has Allied intelligence operatives scrambling to figure out what the enemy is up to. Found in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil, which is an isolated area associated with weird legends, tales of strange creatures and the infamous Hell's Gate, the abandoned sub draws Captain R. J. MacCready and Bob Thorne, two scientists who are bent on investigating the situation, to see what the Japanese are up to. In a valley hidden deep in the jungle the two men stumble upon a rocket launch site and other oddities that indicate the Axis powers are up to no good. But the dense foliage is hiding more than just some crazed scientists bent on unleashing a new, deadly weapon that could change the course of the war. What is unfolding here poses a biological threat that could alter the course of history. If MacCready and Thorne don't intervene, God knows what the final outcome of the work being done here in secrecy will be. Called a blend of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Lost World by some reviewers, Hell's Gate is a fast, action packed novel which blends myth, monsters and mad scientists together with a mind bending super weapon. This thriller would make a suspenseful and action packed special-effects film that would be sure to be a box office hit. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews