Krishna
This is a typical Ludlum book. For instance, no prizes for guessing what the major threat is: yes, it is a grave danger to the entire
world, that can be averted only by the intrepid hero. The surprise is the ‘and Gayle Lands’ part. I think this book was one of the three that Ludlum was working on, when he died in 2000 and Gayle Lands, my guess, has helped finish it. Incidentally, I have stopped reading Ludlum after Robert’s death, as the original author is no longer behind the series.
A word in general about Ludlum himself, and his works: I find his novels either immensely gripping or plain boring. To the
former category belong ‘The Osterman Weekend‘, ‘Gemini Contenders‘ and ‘The Bourne Identity‘ and to the latter are the Holecraft Covenant etc.
Now, back to this book. This tells the story of Sgt Jon Smith (yes, really!) who is all at once a great scientist and a James Bond type expert in defending himself. His fiance, Sophia Russell, is another great scientist who comes across a diabolical plan by someone to spread a deadly virus and is killed for her pains by an assassin called Nadal Al Hassan.
Others in the story include a computer wizard (Hollywood style of course: he can crack any code and take control of any system) called Marty Zellerbach, an idealist British (former) army man called Peter Howell, Sophia’s sister Randy, an ex colleague of Jon called Bill Griffin, a businessman called Victor Tremont and others.
The story has less surprise turns than the usual Ludlum works, but the plot and the storyline follow the familiar pattern.
Say, a 5/10
— Krishna