Book: The Matarese Countdown by Robert Ludlum

[Krishna]

** Original post on April 13 2012 **

Finally, a chance to review a better book by Ludlum! This one continues the story of The Matarese Circle, which in itself is a great book by Robert Ludlum. As I commented on one of my earlier reviews (see the review of Scorpio Illusion, earlier) , Ludlum can be really good when he gets hold of the right plot (such as it is in any of his novels) and this book is a far better read than many of his other novels. It retains the thrill and the style of the earlier Matarese Circle.

Many years after Brendan Scoffield aka Beowulf Agate has crushed Matarese decisively (in the earlier book), it rears its Hydra-like head again and makes another attempt at world supremacy (yes, really!). Despite the overriding attempts at secrecy, the dying words of a victim provide the first clue to FBI as to the possibility of the organization back in action. Cameron Pryce, an enterprising officer is assigned to the case and tries to track down Brendan Scoffield, who has ‘disappeared’ into a comfortable retirement with lovely Anatonia, with almost no clues as to his current whereabouts. In any case he is now pushing fifty, and is too old to do this kind of stunts, is he not? He is assisted by Leslie Montrose, a fellow spy assigned from the army.

Unknown to the FBI, Julian Guilderone, the son of the Shepherd Boy, has survived (from the earlier story) and is plotting another takeover, this time by the youthful van Matareissen, who is the grandson of the original Matareisen, in charge, instead of himself (Guilderone). He knows that Beowulf Agate has to be eliminated, and is trailing Cameron Pryce and Leslie with enough firepower so that when Brendon is tracked down, he can be swiftly eliminated. As additional insurance, he has the young son of Leslie also in his firm custody…

The story takes off from the first and goes on at breakneck speed, with a lot of humour, romance, and of course, action thrown in. Ludlum’s famous twist a minute is largely absent, as this is a straightforward action adventure, but for all that, the story does not suffer.

Some of the action scenes, especially those involving the Don Togassi (I may have got the spelling wrong) are absolutely top notch for a Ludlum book. There is some gore thrown in, a la Wilbur Smith, but slightly unusual for Ludlum. (But the description of the scenes is in gentle, Ludlum style – not the detailed recounting of Smith.

This is a rollicking good read if you are a Ludlum fan. Also all the typical Ludlum ingredients are there. Let us say a generous 7/10

— Krishna