The Chase is the last book that Clive Cussler wrote himself. He retired from writing entire books himself after the Dirk Pitt adventure Valhalla Rising. His son, Dirk Cussler, now co-writes the Dirk Pitt series (Black Wind, Treasure of Kahn, and Arctic Drift so far) with Cussler's input.
The spin off books (The Oregon Series, The NUMA Files, and the Fargo Adventures) are co-written by Jack Du Brul, Paul Kemprecos, and Grant Blackwood respectively. Cussler still gives character input, plot guidance, and re-write direction on character he either created or helped to create.
I've come to really enjoy the latest Oregon and NUMA Files books.
The Wrecker is the sequel to The Chase and is co-written with Justin Scott. I found it to be almost as good as The Chase and I really enjoy reading about the firearms of that timeframe in the early 1900's.
Cussler is still very active. I met him at the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg museum last fall when he was the Grand Marshall of the annual festival. He was, as always, very kind and signed everything I put before him.
As to Cussler's books being a bit outlandish? He once said that was his goal. One of his earlier books, Cyclops, had a plot line concerning a colony on the moon. If I can get past that, I can get past anything!
He's still my all time favority author with Stephen Hunter a close second!
More info and to keep up to date on Cussler, visit:
www.cusslersociety.com
and
www.numa.net