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Covert-One #4
The Altman Code
The fourth instalment in the COVERT-ONE series from the master of the thriller genre.
On the dark waterside docks of Shanghai, a photographer records cargo being secretly loaded. He's brutally killed and his camera destroyed. Two weeks later on the dangerous high seas, the US Navy covertly tracks a Chinese ship rumoured to carry tons of chemicals to create biological weapons of mass destruction. The President cannot let the ship reach its destination - a rogue Middle East nation. But he doesn't want the navy to attack and board it either, because decades of negotiations with China have at long last yielded a landmark human rights agreement that China is willing to sign.
Covert-One operative Jon Smith is brought in to find solid proof of what the Chinese ship is ferrying. Then an agent is murdered and vital evidence destroyed. Smith must find the truth about the ship, a truth that probes the deepest secrets of the Chinese ruling party...
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2003
139 people are currently reading
2388 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Lynds
74 books236 followersNew York Times bestseller Gayle Lynds is the award-winning author of ten international espionage novels. Library Journal calls her “the reigning queen of espionage fiction.” The London Observer says she’s a “kick-ass thriller writer.” Lee Child calls her “today’s best espionage writer.”
Born in Omaha, NE, and raised in Council Bluffs, IA, Gayle graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism. While there, she often sneaked into classes and readings at the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She was blessed by remarkable teachers — among them were John Irving in rhetoric and Kurt Vonnegut in a literature class. For her, the university was a lively petri dish of books, writing, and adventure.
Gayle officially began her writing career as a reporter for The Arizona Republic, where a series of her investigative pieces made such an impact that they led to changes in state legislation. Later she took a job as an editor with rare Top Secret security clearance at a private think tank that did government work. Assorted shadowy figures passed through, and not only ideas but engineers and artists seemed to bounce off the walls. She was inspired. She wanted to write about what she was seeing and experiencing.
Expressing her love of mainstream literature, she wrote short stories that were published in literary journals. Simultaneously, she wrote male pulp novels in the Nick Carter series. Soon the two forms began to jell in her mind. The first novel under her own name, Gayle Lynds, was Masquerade, a New York Times bestseller that Publishers Weekly later listed as one of the top ten spy novels of all time.
Others of her novels have been prize winners. The Last Spymaster won Best Novel from both the American Authors Association and the Military Writers Society of America. The Book of Spies was a finalist for both the Nero and Audie awards. The Coil won Best Contemporary Novel from Affaire de Coeur. Mosaic was RT Thriller of the Year. Mesmerized was a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. With Robert Ludlum, she created the Covert-One series, one of which, The Hades Factor, was a CBS miniseries.
Gayle’s previous husband was Dennis Lynds, an award-winning detective novelist who died in 2005. They had lived several decades in Santa Barbara, CA, where they raised their children. In 2011, a new stage of her life began when she married John C. Sheldon, a long-time resident of Maine. A retired judge, John is a former prosecutor and defense attorney and Visiting Scholar to Harvard Law School. Today they live on fourteen acres of oaks, maples, hemlocks, and white pine outside Portland. A voracious reader, John had never written fiction when they met. Now they have collaborated on three short stories.
Gayle is a member of the Association for Intelligence Operatives and cofounder (with David Morrell) and former copresident of International Thriller Writers, Inc. ITW’s annual celebration is ThrillerFest, held every July in New York City.
Born in Omaha, NE, and raised in Council Bluffs, IA, Gayle graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism. While there, she often sneaked into classes and readings at the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She was blessed by remarkable teachers — among them were John Irving in rhetoric and Kurt Vonnegut in a literature class. For her, the university was a lively petri dish of books, writing, and adventure.
Gayle officially began her writing career as a reporter for The Arizona Republic, where a series of her investigative pieces made such an impact that they led to changes in state legislation. Later she took a job as an editor with rare Top Secret security clearance at a private think tank that did government work. Assorted shadowy figures passed through, and not only ideas but engineers and artists seemed to bounce off the walls. She was inspired. She wanted to write about what she was seeing and experiencing.
Expressing her love of mainstream literature, she wrote short stories that were published in literary journals. Simultaneously, she wrote male pulp novels in the Nick Carter series. Soon the two forms began to jell in her mind. The first novel under her own name, Gayle Lynds, was Masquerade, a New York Times bestseller that Publishers Weekly later listed as one of the top ten spy novels of all time.
Others of her novels have been prize winners. The Last Spymaster won Best Novel from both the American Authors Association and the Military Writers Society of America. The Book of Spies was a finalist for both the Nero and Audie awards. The Coil won Best Contemporary Novel from Affaire de Coeur. Mosaic was RT Thriller of the Year. Mesmerized was a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. With Robert Ludlum, she created the Covert-One series, one of which, The Hades Factor, was a CBS miniseries.
Gayle’s previous husband was Dennis Lynds, an award-winning detective novelist who died in 2005. They had lived several decades in Santa Barbara, CA, where they raised their children. In 2011, a new stage of her life began when she married John C. Sheldon, a long-time resident of Maine. A retired judge, John is a former prosecutor and defense attorney and Visiting Scholar to Harvard Law School. Today they live on fourteen acres of oaks, maples, hemlocks, and white pine outside Portland. A voracious reader, John had never written fiction when they met. Now they have collaborated on three short stories.
Gayle is a member of the Association for Intelligence Operatives and cofounder (with David Morrell) and former copresident of International Thriller Writers, Inc. ITW’s annual celebration is ThrillerFest, held every July in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
October 1, 2023
I hadn’t read a Robert Ludlum novel in a long time, and when I received this book with the 100 thrillers from my librarian friend on eBay, I didn’t realize that this wasn’t a Ludlum novel either. Written by Gayle Lynds, I wasn’t clear as to why Robert Ludlum’s name was on this puppy at all, since he had been deceased since 2001. Apparently the Covert One series was co-created with Ludlum and so Lynds continued writing the characters and sharing credit. It goes to show you that Ludlum was not on my list of preferred authors and espionage thrillers was not one of my preferred genres. This book is a fast-paced, action-heavy, cinematic, espionage thriller that took me for a ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. Covert One Director Fred Klein receives intelligence that a Chinese trawler is carrying chemicals to be used by a rogue nation for the manufacture of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The President tasks agent Jon Smith with the responsibility to find the evidence necessary (a cargo manifest) to stop the ship. A super fun read and enough to get me yearning for more espionage thrillers in my life.
December 15, 2011
Robert Ludlum died in 2001. This book came out in 2003 with Gayle Lynds as the co-author. This is the fourth book of the Covert-One series. Covert-One is a top secret U. S. agency that fights corruption, conspiracy and bio-weaponary at the highest and most dangerous level in the society. It is composed of ex-military men who are political and technical experts. Gayle Lynds co-created this series with Ludlum in 2000 with the release of its first book, The Hades Factor. Gayle Lynds is a woman who writes and competes in the male dominated spy-thrillers genre. She used to hide behind guy names like G. H. Stone, Gayle Stone, Nick Carter, and Don Pendleton. This reminded me of the time when the Bronte sisters hid behind their masculine pen names because people during that time did not take women writers seriously. Almost 200 years ago, there is still a remnant of that prejudice. So what if Lynds is a woman writing spy-thriller novels? Why can we accept that women can do everything or write everything that men do?
In fact, with Ludlum dead already and books under his name still sell like hotcakes, I suspect that some of these books were not even started by him or the main storylines, what they call as Ludlum’s “unused notes,” might not really be in existence. Robert Ludlum has become a marketing brand and his co-writers just use it to sell their works. However, I cannot blame the Ludlum Estates since Ludlum was an excellent novelist when he was alive. For me, he gave conspiracy theory, that would otherwise be blasé and formulaic, the human and sensitive face. His works celebrate heroism of crusaders, whether simple men or group of men against powerful evil men or empire. That contribution to the genre is something that will be very hard to duplicate.
In this book, that individual is Covert-One agent, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Jonathan “Jon” Smith, M.D. He is asked by Covert-One director Nataniel Frederick “Fred” Klein, a government agent with experience with the CIA and the Pentagon, to go to Taiwan to investigate about the death of the contact who reported that a Chinese vessel has dispatched from Shanghai. Loaded to that vessel are raw materials that will be used by Iraq to manufacture WMD (Weapon for Mass Destruction). This reminded me of President Bush’s scare tactic after 9/11. However, Lynds has that sensitivity not to name the president here Bush. Her president’s name is President Samuel Adams “Sam” Castilla who immediately orders the investigation but later gets second thoughts because he is informed that his biological father is still alive and is being held prisoner by the Chinese since fifty years ago. So, the question boiled down to: which is more important to the president, his biological father or curbing the global terrorist in Iraq?
Another thing that I liked about these Ludlum books is that it can also be heartwarming and not the usual bang bang that you find in spy-thriller. Of course it has lines like "the volcanic sound shattering the stillness of the night." The word "volcanic" creates the image of Mt. Pinatubo and the people fleeing the volcanic mud (called lahar) here in the Philippines. So, I felt really into the scene. But also the novel has a sweet poetic line like "what the caterpillar sees as death, the wise man sees as a butterfly."
Critics of Ludlum books say that his novels (or novels bearing his name though he is long dead) are a bit theatrical. I don't mind. I just like them!!!
In fact, with Ludlum dead already and books under his name still sell like hotcakes, I suspect that some of these books were not even started by him or the main storylines, what they call as Ludlum’s “unused notes,” might not really be in existence. Robert Ludlum has become a marketing brand and his co-writers just use it to sell their works. However, I cannot blame the Ludlum Estates since Ludlum was an excellent novelist when he was alive. For me, he gave conspiracy theory, that would otherwise be blasé and formulaic, the human and sensitive face. His works celebrate heroism of crusaders, whether simple men or group of men against powerful evil men or empire. That contribution to the genre is something that will be very hard to duplicate.
In this book, that individual is Covert-One agent, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Jonathan “Jon” Smith, M.D. He is asked by Covert-One director Nataniel Frederick “Fred” Klein, a government agent with experience with the CIA and the Pentagon, to go to Taiwan to investigate about the death of the contact who reported that a Chinese vessel has dispatched from Shanghai. Loaded to that vessel are raw materials that will be used by Iraq to manufacture WMD (Weapon for Mass Destruction). This reminded me of President Bush’s scare tactic after 9/11. However, Lynds has that sensitivity not to name the president here Bush. Her president’s name is President Samuel Adams “Sam” Castilla who immediately orders the investigation but later gets second thoughts because he is informed that his biological father is still alive and is being held prisoner by the Chinese since fifty years ago. So, the question boiled down to: which is more important to the president, his biological father or curbing the global terrorist in Iraq?
Another thing that I liked about these Ludlum books is that it can also be heartwarming and not the usual bang bang that you find in spy-thriller. Of course it has lines like "the volcanic sound shattering the stillness of the night." The word "volcanic" creates the image of Mt. Pinatubo and the people fleeing the volcanic mud (called lahar) here in the Philippines. So, I felt really into the scene. But also the novel has a sweet poetic line like "what the caterpillar sees as death, the wise man sees as a butterfly."
Critics of Ludlum books say that his novels (or novels bearing his name though he is long dead) are a bit theatrical. I don't mind. I just like them!!!
October 16, 2021
It was pretty good entertainment.
I enjoyed the general plot idea that wasn't that cliché after all. The tension in relations between the United States and China is a very common theme in contemporary thrillers. I liked the way it was used in this story. It was not something as simple and obvious as usual. I have a degree in international relations, so I am particularly picky about the credibility of international political intrigue. And this one was quite interesting and smart enough.
It turned out that not so long ago I read a previous book in this series, in which Jon Smith was also the main character. Unfortunately, I don't remember much of it. I didn't remember Jon Smith either, so I actually got to know him all over again. But I liked him as the main character of this story. He is clever and intelligent.
I also liked the lack of a love thread in this story. There is a woman in this book who might otherwise become Jon's partner, but to my satisfaction there is no unequivocal sexual tension between them leading to a love thread. I appreciate that this story did not fall into such clichés.
These are specific kinds of books, and not everyone likes such stories. If you know what to expect and this is what you are looking for, you won't be disappointed. I wasn’t.
I enjoyed the general plot idea that wasn't that cliché after all. The tension in relations between the United States and China is a very common theme in contemporary thrillers. I liked the way it was used in this story. It was not something as simple and obvious as usual. I have a degree in international relations, so I am particularly picky about the credibility of international political intrigue. And this one was quite interesting and smart enough.
It turned out that not so long ago I read a previous book in this series, in which Jon Smith was also the main character. Unfortunately, I don't remember much of it. I didn't remember Jon Smith either, so I actually got to know him all over again. But I liked him as the main character of this story. He is clever and intelligent.
I also liked the lack of a love thread in this story. There is a woman in this book who might otherwise become Jon's partner, but to my satisfaction there is no unequivocal sexual tension between them leading to a love thread. I appreciate that this story did not fall into such clichés.
These are specific kinds of books, and not everyone likes such stories. If you know what to expect and this is what you are looking for, you won't be disappointed. I wasn’t.
April 9, 2010
Like Tom Clancy, his fellow espionage/techno-thriller author, Ludlum has grown from being a single individual writer into something resembling a ‘cottage-industry’. No longer does he even have to write his own work, but he can simply come up with a plot (or concept) and let other writers take it from there. This is not to knock Ludlum, who has certainly proven with his dozens of international best sellers, that he can crank them out with the best of them. It’s just that by simply seeing his name on the cover millions of readers will take a chance on a book. Publishers and editors would be fools NOT to take advantage of this, witness the endless ‘series’ that Clancy & Co. are putting out almost on a weekly basis.
Also, like Clancy, Ludlum’s work is also being adapted into films, so it is probably only a matter of time until he has a few video games on the market as well (i.e. Tom Clancy’s SPLINTER CELL for Xbox).
Covert-One is one of those ‘top-secret’ groups put together by Presidents to circumvent silly things like Congressional oversight and budget review. The first time I encountered something like that was when I was in high school and was introduced to THE DESTROYER series, by my friend Gerry. It seems that just about every other thriller I read deals with some group or individual created to get around that pesky Constitution, and its separation of powers. In Ludlum’s world, of course, this is a good thing as President Castilla utilizes this organization of former intelligence agents and free-lancers to by-pass leaks and a possible traitor within the administration. I’m not quite clear how he goes about funding this group but that is probably covered somewhere in one of the earlier novels in the series. Things like that always seem to get in the way of the plot, anyway.
Taking as a starting point a real-life incident (the U.S. Navy following the Chinese cargo ship Yin He, in 1993, due to ‘intelligence’ which stated the ship was carrying illegal weapons) Ludlum’s novel has President Castilla ordering a naval frigate to dog another Chinese ship, reportedly taking chemicals (which can be used to manufacture WMD) to Iraq. In order to prevent another embarrassing incident the President orders the operatives of Cover-One to locate a copy of the ship’s manifest to prove the American case before things get out of hand.
Meanwhile, a power struggle is going on within the higher circles in Beijing, with a split between those who favor a ‘human rights’ agreement between the two major powers and those who would like to turn back the clock to a stricter adhesion to Communist doctrine. Stirring things up behind the scenes, in both capitols, is an international conglomerate ready to do whatever it can to ensure its bottom line and higher profits. It falls upon the shoulders of Cover-One agent Lieutenant Jon Smith to retrieve the ship’s manifest in time.
As if this wasn’t enough plot, Ludlum and co-writer Gayle Lynds (herself a noted author of espionage novels), toss in another complication. It seems that President Castilla’s biological father, whom was thought captured and killed decades before by the Communist Chinese government, is actually alive and being detained in a minimum security camp (for reasons never really explained). Realizing that the Chinese government probably wouldn’t want this fact known, Castilla and Cover-One head-honcho Fred Klein figure that the old man will possibly be executed or sent off to another location where he’ll be forgotten until he passes away from natural causes. In other words, it is decided that Covert-One and Smith’s second priority will be to free the President’s father and get him back to the U.S. alive.
The action is fast and shifts from Shanghai to Hong Kong, to Baghdad and back. with stops in Beijing, Washington and several other places along the way. Having never read one of the Cover-One novels before I can’t say for sure who is appearing or reappearing again. It seems obvious that Smith and CIA operative Randi Russell (a woman whose makeup and impersonation abilities should win her a spot on the Mission: Impossible team) are going to have their hands full getting out of this situation.
Lynds amazingly is able to juggle all of this plot and all of these characters, with only a few missteps. There are a few too many coincidents and an escape or two that would have you rolling your eyes in disbelieve if you saw them up on the screen. Still she brings enough humanity and depth to most of the characters that you actually care about what happens to them. Smith is no James Bond and Lynds allows him to show both sensitivity and a sense of humor, despite the dangers he faces. Lynds’ President Castilla and Fred Klein actually standout as the characters with the most depth and the book left me wanting to check in with them again. Three and a half stars (the book loses a half point for the almost cartoonish villain, Feng Dun)
Also, like Clancy, Ludlum’s work is also being adapted into films, so it is probably only a matter of time until he has a few video games on the market as well (i.e. Tom Clancy’s SPLINTER CELL for Xbox).
Covert-One is one of those ‘top-secret’ groups put together by Presidents to circumvent silly things like Congressional oversight and budget review. The first time I encountered something like that was when I was in high school and was introduced to THE DESTROYER series, by my friend Gerry. It seems that just about every other thriller I read deals with some group or individual created to get around that pesky Constitution, and its separation of powers. In Ludlum’s world, of course, this is a good thing as President Castilla utilizes this organization of former intelligence agents and free-lancers to by-pass leaks and a possible traitor within the administration. I’m not quite clear how he goes about funding this group but that is probably covered somewhere in one of the earlier novels in the series. Things like that always seem to get in the way of the plot, anyway.
Taking as a starting point a real-life incident (the U.S. Navy following the Chinese cargo ship Yin He, in 1993, due to ‘intelligence’ which stated the ship was carrying illegal weapons) Ludlum’s novel has President Castilla ordering a naval frigate to dog another Chinese ship, reportedly taking chemicals (which can be used to manufacture WMD) to Iraq. In order to prevent another embarrassing incident the President orders the operatives of Cover-One to locate a copy of the ship’s manifest to prove the American case before things get out of hand.
Meanwhile, a power struggle is going on within the higher circles in Beijing, with a split between those who favor a ‘human rights’ agreement between the two major powers and those who would like to turn back the clock to a stricter adhesion to Communist doctrine. Stirring things up behind the scenes, in both capitols, is an international conglomerate ready to do whatever it can to ensure its bottom line and higher profits. It falls upon the shoulders of Cover-One agent Lieutenant Jon Smith to retrieve the ship’s manifest in time.
As if this wasn’t enough plot, Ludlum and co-writer Gayle Lynds (herself a noted author of espionage novels), toss in another complication. It seems that President Castilla’s biological father, whom was thought captured and killed decades before by the Communist Chinese government, is actually alive and being detained in a minimum security camp (for reasons never really explained). Realizing that the Chinese government probably wouldn’t want this fact known, Castilla and Cover-One head-honcho Fred Klein figure that the old man will possibly be executed or sent off to another location where he’ll be forgotten until he passes away from natural causes. In other words, it is decided that Covert-One and Smith’s second priority will be to free the President’s father and get him back to the U.S. alive.
The action is fast and shifts from Shanghai to Hong Kong, to Baghdad and back. with stops in Beijing, Washington and several other places along the way. Having never read one of the Cover-One novels before I can’t say for sure who is appearing or reappearing again. It seems obvious that Smith and CIA operative Randi Russell (a woman whose makeup and impersonation abilities should win her a spot on the Mission: Impossible team) are going to have their hands full getting out of this situation.
Lynds amazingly is able to juggle all of this plot and all of these characters, with only a few missteps. There are a few too many coincidents and an escape or two that would have you rolling your eyes in disbelieve if you saw them up on the screen. Still she brings enough humanity and depth to most of the characters that you actually care about what happens to them. Smith is no James Bond and Lynds allows him to show both sensitivity and a sense of humor, despite the dangers he faces. Lynds’ President Castilla and Fred Klein actually standout as the characters with the most depth and the book left me wanting to check in with them again. Three and a half stars (the book loses a half point for the almost cartoonish villain, Feng Dun)
January 15, 2026
A pleasant enough diversion with credit for getting on the Uyghur train early. I am not sure how easy it would have been to infiltrate Chinese coastlines and airspace as set out in the book, but I guess we would never be told about any actual occurrences. The decision-making of the Chinese actors also reads as a bit rote and copied Cold War Novels. I guess the Politburo set up with multiple actors pursuing power serves as a good narrative framework.
Probably the most novel element is the author’s apparent desperation to extract as much as possible from a small number of characters, with the protagonist thrown from location to location with about enough time for a quick shave, assisting by a bare rotating (and rerotating) cast. I am fine with suspending my disbelief, but the lead is not quite strong enough in terms of personality traits to quite carry it – he almost needs to be more of a caricature to be memorable. One of the side female characters is painted as the cleverest, and I would agree with that portrayal.
Good enough so long as we pretend it is a fantasy story with a light dusting of “geopolitics” simply to give the reader a sense of grounding.
Probably the most novel element is the author’s apparent desperation to extract as much as possible from a small number of characters, with the protagonist thrown from location to location with about enough time for a quick shave, assisting by a bare rotating (and rerotating) cast. I am fine with suspending my disbelief, but the lead is not quite strong enough in terms of personality traits to quite carry it – he almost needs to be more of a caricature to be memorable. One of the side female characters is painted as the cleverest, and I would agree with that portrayal.
Good enough so long as we pretend it is a fantasy story with a light dusting of “geopolitics” simply to give the reader a sense of grounding.
January 15, 2018
This is the fourth book in the series and this one is just as good as the previous books. There is a lot of action, drama, plot twists and unexpected turns. Unfortunately, there is no sex to speak of actual or implied. Still, it is a very good read and I am ready for the next one.
June 8, 2019
This was a fast paced, interesting read. It came down to the very end to see if war could be averted between the US and China. I'm not sure I could imagine this happening in today's environment. The hothead in charge would probably do something dumb that would ensure we went to war, but this had a rather clever solution to it. You'll have to read it to find out what it was though.
April 21, 2023
I don’t know why I bothered. Predictable, ‘USA can do no wrong’ and dated. International politics changes fast. Also far too much of “just when he was about to be killed, the cavalry arrived…”
February 9, 2017
Borrowed this from the bookshelf at work when I got snowed in for 2 days. Finished it because I figured a series started by the author of The Bourne Identity might be interesting. It was. As much as I imagine other pulp spy novels are.
December 30, 2011
Another good rad from whoever took over Robert Ludlum's name. As always, I'd like to see more of Randi Russel, and now, what ever happened to the Uighers?
It's not as franticly paced as the previous three, but it's better in other ways (a smoother read perhaps?).
I was very amused by the spies watchign spies watching spies theme and the overlapping and depths of secrecy and politics. At times in the book, when Jon Smith went for a stroll it was almost like a Chinese Firedrill with all the agents following him.
I also liked the ending very much but I won't spoil it.
The shadow writer needs to spend at least 20 minutes on a Navy Ship at Sea before he/she writes the next one under Ludlum's names. Of course all is forgiven because they did write in "Operations Specialists" in CIC (which by the way stands for Combat Information Center, not Communications and control Center). My old rating in the Navy. OSC(SW) Retired.
Also, I'd question the tactics of sending the USS Shilo to help with a Submarine threat. Generally, they would have sent an LA Class fast attack Submarine to assist the USS Crowe. Didn't this guy read any Tom clancy?
I'll give it 3 and a half stars. The half star to indicate that it's better than a common "good read" and entertaining. It's worth reading, especially if you like Espionage and action adventure stories.
I will say that the entire Covert One series, written under Robert Ludlum's name, listed first with a second writer listed as co-author, is just plain and simply a different type of story than what I usually enjoy from Ludlum. I doubt he did more than lend his name to this series and offer advise and counsel to the co-writers.
This is not tos ay it isn't a good, fun, entertaining series of novels. It's just not the same frantic fathomlessly deep levels of conspiracy and wicked people that I learned to enjoy about Ludlum's writing. The Covert One Series is wonderful and, as long as they stay fun, I intend to read every book. Just stop putting Ludlum's name on them. Whoever is writing them shouldn't need that anymore.
For a real Ludlum story, try The Sigma Protocol or The Holcroft Covenant (My favorite).
Let Gayle Lynds and Company take proper credit for a strong, enjoyable spy story of their own for a change.
Oh, yea, and for Pete's Sake! somebody write a Randi Russel Spin off Series. She's Da-Bomb! (more interesting than Jon Smith is.)
It's not as franticly paced as the previous three, but it's better in other ways (a smoother read perhaps?).
I was very amused by the spies watchign spies watching spies theme and the overlapping and depths of secrecy and politics. At times in the book, when Jon Smith went for a stroll it was almost like a Chinese Firedrill with all the agents following him.
I also liked the ending very much but I won't spoil it.
The shadow writer needs to spend at least 20 minutes on a Navy Ship at Sea before he/she writes the next one under Ludlum's names. Of course all is forgiven because they did write in "Operations Specialists" in CIC (which by the way stands for Combat Information Center, not Communications and control Center). My old rating in the Navy. OSC(SW) Retired.
Also, I'd question the tactics of sending the USS Shilo to help with a Submarine threat. Generally, they would have sent an LA Class fast attack Submarine to assist the USS Crowe. Didn't this guy read any Tom clancy?
I'll give it 3 and a half stars. The half star to indicate that it's better than a common "good read" and entertaining. It's worth reading, especially if you like Espionage and action adventure stories.
I will say that the entire Covert One series, written under Robert Ludlum's name, listed first with a second writer listed as co-author, is just plain and simply a different type of story than what I usually enjoy from Ludlum. I doubt he did more than lend his name to this series and offer advise and counsel to the co-writers.
This is not tos ay it isn't a good, fun, entertaining series of novels. It's just not the same frantic fathomlessly deep levels of conspiracy and wicked people that I learned to enjoy about Ludlum's writing. The Covert One Series is wonderful and, as long as they stay fun, I intend to read every book. Just stop putting Ludlum's name on them. Whoever is writing them shouldn't need that anymore.
For a real Ludlum story, try The Sigma Protocol or The Holcroft Covenant (My favorite).
Let Gayle Lynds and Company take proper credit for a strong, enjoyable spy story of their own for a change.
Oh, yea, and for Pete's Sake! somebody write a Randi Russel Spin off Series. She's Da-Bomb! (more interesting than Jon Smith is.)
March 16, 2023
OpAUTHOR :ROBERT LUDLUM AND GAYLE LYNDS.
GENRE : THRILLER
STORY LOCATIONS: WASHINGTON ((USA));
TAIWAN ,BEIJING, SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, DAZU ((CHINA))
CHARACTERS : JON SMITH, SAM CASTELLA, DAVID THAYER, RALPH MCDERMID,JAMES CHERVENKO,BRANDON ERIKSON, RANDI RUSSELL.
FENG DUN,LI KUONYI,WEI GAOFAN, NU JIANXING (The Owl),
THE SHIP:DOWAGER EMPRESS.
PLOT:
One of the US covert operative Avery Mondragon posing as a professional Sinologist , uncovers a Chinese ship named "DOWAGER EMPRESS" carrying tens of tons of thiodiglycol and thionyl chloride used for manufacturing highly dangerous chemical weapons. The freighter is loaded in Shanghai-China, is destined towards Basra-Iraq, for unloading its dangerous contraband cargo.
The Covert-one chief Fred Klein, and the American President Sam Castilla wants a solid proof, that the Chinese freighter is actually ferrying deadly chemicals to Iraq. The President cannot let the Chinese ship reach its destination, with deadly chemicals ferrying to Basra. To stop the Chinese freighter, US Navy has to chase and force the ship to stop on high seas, for further inspection and verification.
On the other hand If the information turns out to be false, this episode will make America look like a thug, among the world nations. This Will also jeopardise the negotiations which have at long last yielded a landmark of China willing to sign the human-rights agreement.
Enter multi talented Jon Smith, medical doctor , biomolecular scientist, an army lieutenant colonel, also a secret Covert operative, at present attending a scientific conference at Kaohsiung, Taiwan Islands.
The Covert-one chief, Fred Klein, instructs Jon Smith to travel to Liuchiu islands, meet covert-one agent Avery Mondragon, receive from him an envelope with "The Dowager Empress's" actual invoice manifest, a solid proof of Chinese freighter's carrying contraband cargo. Receiving the envelope Jon Smith has to go to the airport in Kaohsiung, has to give the envelope to the pilot of the US chopper. Its final destination being the Oval Office.
US President Sam Castilla sends American Navy ship SS JOHN CROWE to shadow Empress at the Arabian Sea. The Chinese as a counter surveillance process sends their People's Liberation Army submarine ZHOU ENLAI to keep close tabs on SS JOHN CROWE, and to be prepared to face any consequences.
As per the instructions, when Jon Smith travels to Kaohsiung island to receive the actual invoice manifest from Avery Mondragon,both were attacked by the Chinese killers from Shanghai,led by hit man Feng Dun resulting in Mondragon's death. The Invoice manifest was lost, smuggled back to China.
Jon Smith, a medical doctor and scientist, brought in as a covert-one operative ,discovers that the invoice manifest belongs to a private Shanghai based company named Flying Dragon Enterprises, owned by Yu Yongfu. His wife Li kuonyi.
With his intelligent and efficient undercover operation,Jon Smith learns that the shipping corporation "Flying Dragon enterprises", the Chinese ship "Empress"and its contraband cargo is tied to a thirteen-billion-dollar business empire, named THE ALTMAN Group owned by an American businessman Ralph McDermaid, the investment Guru who founded the company.
After Yu Yongfu acquired the company, his treasurer Zaho Yanji didn't like something that concerned both the United States and China. He leaked it to Mondragon, who took the information to the Americans. When Mondragon was trying to pass the information to Jon Smith, he was killed and the vital information was lost. The duty to retrieve and find the proof of what the Chinese ship is actually ferrying becomes Covert-one operative Jon Smith's responsibility.
Covert-Agent Jon Smith is joined by Randi Russel veteran CIA Agent from Langley America; assisted by a Chinese based Uigher muslim militant Asgar Muhammad; guided by Covert-one chief Fred Klein, in the dangerous and terrifying task of finding the Invoice manifest of the Chinese freight ferrying towards Iraq . In the final encounter between Jon Smith and the corrupt arrogance of various forces both in the USA and China, the business tycoon Ralph McDermaid, hit man and hired chinese assassin Feng dun, Yu yongfu were all killed at a rockey cliff, where statue of Sleeping Buddha is situated. Jon Smith retrieves the actual proof from Yu Yongfu's wife Kuonyi at an isolated Chinese village named Dazu, hands-over finally, the only existing manifest to Chinese General Pan, who faxes it from Dazu to the Standing committee in Beijing.
On the basis of the original invoice manifest, the Chinese Ship " Empress "escorted back to China, its cargo , containing many tons of contraband chemicals were exposed and destroyed by both Chinese and American authorities, after proper verification. The Chinese ship's illicit cargo was the result of a weak businessman, his greed inevitably fostered by free market economics; conspiracy of a Western Corporation headed by its multimillionaire CEO; the biased political strategy of a group of corrupt politicians, from USA and China, their respective Governments having no idea of the happenings under their noses.
They include : "Wei Gaofan" an active Chinese Politburo standing committee member; "Ralph Mcdermid"a corrupt American businessman and multi millionaire ; "Yu Yongfu" a shanghai based shipping company owner; and the handsome "Brandon Erikson" American vice president, planning to be the future American President. Their mission is to thrust the two nations to the brink of war, to jeopardize peace talks, and to use deadly chemicals to create biological weapons of mass destruction.
The Chinese standing committee member Wei Gaofan is expelled from the party, and the American vice President Brandon Erikson was asked to submit his resignation by President Sam Castilla ,with a criminal trial to follow.
SUB PLOT:
This story has one sub plot of David Thayer , the biological father of American President Sam Castella,held as a Chinese prisoner at the barracks of Dazu for more than forty years and his successful rescue operations to the USA. This was the second task as the Covert operative, which he completed successfully. This stands as a separate track which has no connection to the main plot.
MY COMMENT
Another impressive page turner from Robert Ludlum. GOOD TIME PASS, and a free trip to Chinese cities such as Taiwan islands, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong kong along with covert one operative Jon Smith. HAPPY READING.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
GENRE : THRILLER
STORY LOCATIONS: WASHINGTON ((USA));
TAIWAN ,BEIJING, SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, DAZU ((CHINA))
CHARACTERS : JON SMITH, SAM CASTELLA, DAVID THAYER, RALPH MCDERMID,JAMES CHERVENKO,BRANDON ERIKSON, RANDI RUSSELL.
FENG DUN,LI KUONYI,WEI GAOFAN, NU JIANXING (The Owl),
THE SHIP:DOWAGER EMPRESS.
PLOT:
One of the US covert operative Avery Mondragon posing as a professional Sinologist , uncovers a Chinese ship named "DOWAGER EMPRESS" carrying tens of tons of thiodiglycol and thionyl chloride used for manufacturing highly dangerous chemical weapons. The freighter is loaded in Shanghai-China, is destined towards Basra-Iraq, for unloading its dangerous contraband cargo.
The Covert-one chief Fred Klein, and the American President Sam Castilla wants a solid proof, that the Chinese freighter is actually ferrying deadly chemicals to Iraq. The President cannot let the Chinese ship reach its destination, with deadly chemicals ferrying to Basra. To stop the Chinese freighter, US Navy has to chase and force the ship to stop on high seas, for further inspection and verification.
On the other hand If the information turns out to be false, this episode will make America look like a thug, among the world nations. This Will also jeopardise the negotiations which have at long last yielded a landmark of China willing to sign the human-rights agreement.
Enter multi talented Jon Smith, medical doctor , biomolecular scientist, an army lieutenant colonel, also a secret Covert operative, at present attending a scientific conference at Kaohsiung, Taiwan Islands.
The Covert-one chief, Fred Klein, instructs Jon Smith to travel to Liuchiu islands, meet covert-one agent Avery Mondragon, receive from him an envelope with "The Dowager Empress's" actual invoice manifest, a solid proof of Chinese freighter's carrying contraband cargo. Receiving the envelope Jon Smith has to go to the airport in Kaohsiung, has to give the envelope to the pilot of the US chopper. Its final destination being the Oval Office.
US President Sam Castilla sends American Navy ship SS JOHN CROWE to shadow Empress at the Arabian Sea. The Chinese as a counter surveillance process sends their People's Liberation Army submarine ZHOU ENLAI to keep close tabs on SS JOHN CROWE, and to be prepared to face any consequences.
As per the instructions, when Jon Smith travels to Kaohsiung island to receive the actual invoice manifest from Avery Mondragon,both were attacked by the Chinese killers from Shanghai,led by hit man Feng Dun resulting in Mondragon's death. The Invoice manifest was lost, smuggled back to China.
Jon Smith, a medical doctor and scientist, brought in as a covert-one operative ,discovers that the invoice manifest belongs to a private Shanghai based company named Flying Dragon Enterprises, owned by Yu Yongfu. His wife Li kuonyi.
With his intelligent and efficient undercover operation,Jon Smith learns that the shipping corporation "Flying Dragon enterprises", the Chinese ship "Empress"and its contraband cargo is tied to a thirteen-billion-dollar business empire, named THE ALTMAN Group owned by an American businessman Ralph McDermaid, the investment Guru who founded the company.
After Yu Yongfu acquired the company, his treasurer Zaho Yanji didn't like something that concerned both the United States and China. He leaked it to Mondragon, who took the information to the Americans. When Mondragon was trying to pass the information to Jon Smith, he was killed and the vital information was lost. The duty to retrieve and find the proof of what the Chinese ship is actually ferrying becomes Covert-one operative Jon Smith's responsibility.
Covert-Agent Jon Smith is joined by Randi Russel veteran CIA Agent from Langley America; assisted by a Chinese based Uigher muslim militant Asgar Muhammad; guided by Covert-one chief Fred Klein, in the dangerous and terrifying task of finding the Invoice manifest of the Chinese freight ferrying towards Iraq . In the final encounter between Jon Smith and the corrupt arrogance of various forces both in the USA and China, the business tycoon Ralph McDermaid, hit man and hired chinese assassin Feng dun, Yu yongfu were all killed at a rockey cliff, where statue of Sleeping Buddha is situated. Jon Smith retrieves the actual proof from Yu Yongfu's wife Kuonyi at an isolated Chinese village named Dazu, hands-over finally, the only existing manifest to Chinese General Pan, who faxes it from Dazu to the Standing committee in Beijing.
On the basis of the original invoice manifest, the Chinese Ship " Empress "escorted back to China, its cargo , containing many tons of contraband chemicals were exposed and destroyed by both Chinese and American authorities, after proper verification. The Chinese ship's illicit cargo was the result of a weak businessman, his greed inevitably fostered by free market economics; conspiracy of a Western Corporation headed by its multimillionaire CEO; the biased political strategy of a group of corrupt politicians, from USA and China, their respective Governments having no idea of the happenings under their noses.
They include : "Wei Gaofan" an active Chinese Politburo standing committee member; "Ralph Mcdermid"a corrupt American businessman and multi millionaire ; "Yu Yongfu" a shanghai based shipping company owner; and the handsome "Brandon Erikson" American vice president, planning to be the future American President. Their mission is to thrust the two nations to the brink of war, to jeopardize peace talks, and to use deadly chemicals to create biological weapons of mass destruction.
The Chinese standing committee member Wei Gaofan is expelled from the party, and the American vice President Brandon Erikson was asked to submit his resignation by President Sam Castilla ,with a criminal trial to follow.
SUB PLOT:
This story has one sub plot of David Thayer , the biological father of American President Sam Castella,held as a Chinese prisoner at the barracks of Dazu for more than forty years and his successful rescue operations to the USA. This was the second task as the Covert operative, which he completed successfully. This stands as a separate track which has no connection to the main plot.
MY COMMENT
Another impressive page turner from Robert Ludlum. GOOD TIME PASS, and a free trip to Chinese cities such as Taiwan islands, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong kong along with covert one operative Jon Smith. HAPPY READING.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
January 29, 2008
Downloaded from Audible.com
Narrator: Don Leslie
Publisher: Macmillan Audio, 2003
Length: 15 hours and 36 min.
Publisher's Summary
On the dark waterside docks of Shanghai, a photographer is recording cargo being secretly loaded when he's brutally killed and his camera destroyed. Shortly thereafter Covert-One director Fred Klein brings the word to the President that there's a Chinese cargo ship rumored to be carrying tons of chemicals to be used by a rogue nation to create new biological weapons. Klein is ordered to get the President solid proof of what the Chinese ship is ferrying.
Covert-One agent Jon Smith is sent to Taiwan to meet with another agent who has acquired the ship's true manifest. But before Smith can get it, they are ambushed, the second agent is murdered, the proof is destroyed, and Smith escapes with only his life and scant clues to mystery behind the cargo ship. As the Chinese cargo ship draws ever closer to its end port, Smith must race against the clock to uncover the truth about the ship and its cargo, a truth that probes the deepest secrets of the Chinese ruling party, the faction in Washington working to undermine the elected government, and the international cabal who is thrusting the world to the very brink of war.
Narrator: Don Leslie
Publisher: Macmillan Audio, 2003
Length: 15 hours and 36 min.
Publisher's Summary
On the dark waterside docks of Shanghai, a photographer is recording cargo being secretly loaded when he's brutally killed and his camera destroyed. Shortly thereafter Covert-One director Fred Klein brings the word to the President that there's a Chinese cargo ship rumored to be carrying tons of chemicals to be used by a rogue nation to create new biological weapons. Klein is ordered to get the President solid proof of what the Chinese ship is ferrying.
Covert-One agent Jon Smith is sent to Taiwan to meet with another agent who has acquired the ship's true manifest. But before Smith can get it, they are ambushed, the second agent is murdered, the proof is destroyed, and Smith escapes with only his life and scant clues to mystery behind the cargo ship. As the Chinese cargo ship draws ever closer to its end port, Smith must race against the clock to uncover the truth about the ship and its cargo, a truth that probes the deepest secrets of the Chinese ruling party, the faction in Washington working to undermine the elected government, and the international cabal who is thrusting the world to the very brink of war.
March 20, 2010
"When word reaches the President of the United States that a Chinese cargo ship is transporting chemicals to a rogue nation intent on creating new biological weapons, the President knows he must act quickly to obtain the proof he needs. Covert-One agent Jon Smith (don't you just love the name ... Smith for a spy!!!) is sent to rendezvous in Taiwan with another agent who has acquired the ship's true manifest. But before Smith can get the document, he is ambushed, the second agent is murdered and the evidence is destroyed." Lots going on in this suspense/spy novel. More than one story. I did think it slowed in spots, but it didn't hurt my enjoyment of this novel...another I read while Mr. Dragon was in the hospital. So nice to have friends who supply you with books!!!!!! I liked Jon Smith and may have to see if he is in another of the Covert-One novels.
April 18, 2010
This book was a slow-started. I was also surprised to find out that it can really, really matter who does the narrating. Paul Michael *is* the voice of these characters for me and they just felt... wrong. Of course, this si the confounding item that this is (I think) the first of the novels that, though branded as Robert Ludlum, was written by someone else.
For other audiophiles, there is a copy with Paul Michael. It is out-of-print, and too late for me, but I found an amazon seller with it available for $9 so I'll have it for next time.
Given the slow start, I couldn't really recommend this to anyone not following the Covert One series, but it does pick up at about the halfway point, and does finish well. Overall, a mediocre effort.
For other audiophiles, there is a copy with Paul Michael. It is out-of-print, and too late for me, but I found an amazon seller with it available for $9 so I'll have it for next time.
Given the slow start, I couldn't really recommend this to anyone not following the Covert One series, but it does pick up at about the halfway point, and does finish well. Overall, a mediocre effort.
August 3, 2013
All you Robert Ludlum story haters out there don't be fooled by this book. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this because I hated the "Bourne" trilogy which was written too fast with implausible, motivationless twists added-in just to make the books longer. This one was not written by Ludlum, just based on notes prior to his death. It's offensive that his name is still featured in large letters on the cover, minimizing the real writer's name.
I liked the fact that the story took place in S.E. Asia because I learned a bit more about the area.
I liked the fact that the story took place in S.E. Asia because I learned a bit more about the area.
December 29, 2008
Wasn't as good as the others, so far. (I'm trying to read in publication order.) Second half was much better than the first, but everything just seemed to fall into order a little too easy. The description and conversation were Ludlum style, but the action, particularly at the climax, seemed scattered.
December 14, 2008
The last Ludlum I'll read. But it was decent for what it was...
January 23, 2009
Very quick reading and a good spy novel.
March 21, 2009
Not bad - I enjoy an espionage story once and awhile
March 19, 2011
read this a long time ago but I think I'd give it a 5
June 3, 2020
Another great thriller in the covert one series. There are a few gaps in the storyline, but overall a good read.
February 26, 2012
I enjoyed this book after the slow start. Lots of twists and turns. I liked the characters - intelligently written.
December 30, 2012
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11613042
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11613042
January 11, 2013
it had alot goin on..there is soo mch inone book..its amazin..this was the first robert ludlum book i read and truly awesum..m hooked! a must read..its amazin!
August 3, 2017
Il classico, inverosimile, romanzo d'azione
Il classico romanzo d'azione in stile Ludlum; ho letto soltanto "laboratorio mortale" e devo dire che mi è stato più che sufficiente. A livello di trama il menù è sempre il solito. Ossia due superpotenze sul punto di dichiararsi guerra totale, tanto da portare il mondo ad una terza guerra mondiale o peggio ancora al paventato inverno nucleare. Insomma, the usual, with flying nukes then, thanks. Questa volta la superpotenza in questione, Stati Uniti a parte, è la Cina. Chiaramente nell'ombra agiscono dei potenti che mescolano affari, chiaramente sfrontati e del tutto incoscienti, e politica, ai vertici dei due paesi. L'espediente delle armi chimiche per l'Iraq è anacronistico. I due protagonisti sono i due particolarissimi Jon Smith (un medico) e Randi Russel (la superspia). Il primo appartenente all'organismo segretissimo Covert-One, la seconda alla CIA. Senza temere il jet lag, il loro campo di gioco è l'intero pianeta entro il quale si spostano senza problemi. Non mancano le sparatorie dalle quali (come in tutti romanzi d'azione che si rispettino) i protagonisti ne escono illesi. E' un romanzo d'azione vero e proprio, da intrattenimento. I personaggi sono quello che sono: i cattivi che perseguono i loro interessi, e i buoni cercano di fermarli. I dialoghi e il modo di agire di ciascun personaggio lascia molto a desiderare; come le conversazioni tra il presidente U.S.A. e il suo staff nella Situation Room, che sembra una conversazione tra amici che si ritrovano al bar, oppure le battute pietose tra Randi e Jon i quali, al solito, si ritrovano al centro dell'azione e devono scambiarsi le classiche battute da film d'azione hollywoodiano, a prescindere dall'apocalisse in atto attorno a loro. Nel complesso appena sufficiente, a mio avviso, proprio per il fatto che in fin dei conti si tratta di un romanzo che malgrado le dimensioni, non si prefigge un risultato impegnativo. Non fa riflettere, non dà da pensare, non lascia il segno: è soltanto un romanzo d'intrattenimento da leggere poco prima di addormentarsi.
Il classico romanzo d'azione in stile Ludlum; ho letto soltanto "laboratorio mortale" e devo dire che mi è stato più che sufficiente. A livello di trama il menù è sempre il solito. Ossia due superpotenze sul punto di dichiararsi guerra totale, tanto da portare il mondo ad una terza guerra mondiale o peggio ancora al paventato inverno nucleare. Insomma, the usual, with flying nukes then, thanks. Questa volta la superpotenza in questione, Stati Uniti a parte, è la Cina. Chiaramente nell'ombra agiscono dei potenti che mescolano affari, chiaramente sfrontati e del tutto incoscienti, e politica, ai vertici dei due paesi. L'espediente delle armi chimiche per l'Iraq è anacronistico. I due protagonisti sono i due particolarissimi Jon Smith (un medico) e Randi Russel (la superspia). Il primo appartenente all'organismo segretissimo Covert-One, la seconda alla CIA. Senza temere il jet lag, il loro campo di gioco è l'intero pianeta entro il quale si spostano senza problemi. Non mancano le sparatorie dalle quali (come in tutti romanzi d'azione che si rispettino) i protagonisti ne escono illesi. E' un romanzo d'azione vero e proprio, da intrattenimento. I personaggi sono quello che sono: i cattivi che perseguono i loro interessi, e i buoni cercano di fermarli. I dialoghi e il modo di agire di ciascun personaggio lascia molto a desiderare; come le conversazioni tra il presidente U.S.A. e il suo staff nella Situation Room, che sembra una conversazione tra amici che si ritrovano al bar, oppure le battute pietose tra Randi e Jon i quali, al solito, si ritrovano al centro dell'azione e devono scambiarsi le classiche battute da film d'azione hollywoodiano, a prescindere dall'apocalisse in atto attorno a loro. Nel complesso appena sufficiente, a mio avviso, proprio per il fatto che in fin dei conti si tratta di un romanzo che malgrado le dimensioni, non si prefigge un risultato impegnativo. Non fa riflettere, non dà da pensare, non lascia il segno: è soltanto un romanzo d'intrattenimento da leggere poco prima di addormentarsi.
October 1, 2021
Pe malul de nord al râului Huangpu se vedeau reflectoare uriaşe care inundau în lumină docurile, transformând noaptea în zi. Roiuri de hamali descărcau din camioane containere mari de oţel şi le fixau de cârligele macaralelor. Acompaniate de sunetele aspre ale metalului frecat de metal, uriaşele macarale ridicau containerele până aproape de cerul înstelat şi le coborau apoi în calele vaselor venite din toate colţurile lumii. Sute de vapoare se înghesuiau în fiecare zi în acest port vital de pe coasta de est a Chinei, situat aproximativ la mijlocul distanţei dintre capitala ţării şi ultima achiziţie, Hong Kong.
În partea de sud a docurilor se vedeau strălucind luminile oraşului vechi şi al noului district Pudong, cu zgârie-norii săi, în timp ce apa maronie a râului fremăta din cauza mulţimii de vapoare, jonci, sampane de dimensiuni reduse şi a şirurilor lungi de barje din lemn vopsit care se luptau să-şi găsească un culoar liber, exact ca în traficul de pe un aglomerat bulevard parizian.
Într-o zonă aproape de limita estică a docurilor, nu departe de locul unde râul Huangpu coteşte brusc spre nord, lumina era mai puţin strălucitoare. Aici se afla un singur vas ce era încărcat cu
ajutorul unei singure macarale şi a nu mai mult de douăzeci de hamali. Numele vasului, înscris la pupă, era The Dowager Empress. Portul de origine al vasului era Hong Kong. Pe ţărm nu se zărea nici unul dintre omniprezenţii gardieni în uniformă care păzeau de obicei docurile.
În partea de sud a docurilor se vedeau strălucind luminile oraşului vechi şi al noului district Pudong, cu zgârie-norii săi, în timp ce apa maronie a râului fremăta din cauza mulţimii de vapoare, jonci, sampane de dimensiuni reduse şi a şirurilor lungi de barje din lemn vopsit care se luptau să-şi găsească un culoar liber, exact ca în traficul de pe un aglomerat bulevard parizian.
Într-o zonă aproape de limita estică a docurilor, nu departe de locul unde râul Huangpu coteşte brusc spre nord, lumina era mai puţin strălucitoare. Aici se afla un singur vas ce era încărcat cu
ajutorul unei singure macarale şi a nu mai mult de douăzeci de hamali. Numele vasului, înscris la pupă, era The Dowager Empress. Portul de origine al vasului era Hong Kong. Pe ţărm nu se zărea nici unul dintre omniprezenţii gardieni în uniformă care păzeau de obicei docurile.
October 29, 2023
It's been awhile since I last read a Ludlum book. Reading this I wondered how likely is it that this scenario could be true. I realized it's definitely a case of the perfect storm - any missing piece and there'd be a different outcome. There are a lot of storylines and characters to keep track of and it takes most of the book to connect them all. A little surprised at the nonchalantness of character's reaction to deaths in the story. However, it was still a good read and I was reminded why I liked reading Ludlum's books in the past.
December 13, 2025
There was a lot going on in this book, lots of people and places to keep track of and I found it hard to keep up sometimes. I was more than alf way through before I started to get to grips with who was who and where and why.
The story was good but quite involved and needed a bit more concentration than I was able to give so as a result I enjoyed it less than I might have.
I have been enjoying the covert-one series so I putting this one down to too much else going in my life when I read this particular book.
The story was good but quite involved and needed a bit more concentration than I was able to give so as a result I enjoyed it less than I might have.
I have been enjoying the covert-one series so I putting this one down to too much else going in my life when I read this particular book.
December 30, 2023
Good entertainment. However I found the first half of the book boring - lacking action and suspense (unlike the 2nd and 3rd books that were riveting).
Well written, but too much politics and a bunch of people that were confusing to keep track of - it reminded me of the Bourne Identity. I can see they were trying to create an intriguing double agent thing - but it was too confusing.
They could have spiced it up a lot with the navy scenes.
Well written, but too much politics and a bunch of people that were confusing to keep track of - it reminded me of the Bourne Identity. I can see they were trying to create an intriguing double agent thing - but it was too confusing.
They could have spiced it up a lot with the navy scenes.
January 16, 2026
Starting with the 4th in the series might not have been the optimal plan. I found this book at a thrift shop and picked it up for a trip and hence, started out of order.
Overall it was good. I liked the way it builds suspense through out the story. Only 3 starts for me because I didn't get a real sense of the reality of the character. There were times that I seemed like a list. Then he did this. Then he did that. Etc. And, to me it seemed a bit predictable.
Overall it was good. I liked the way it builds suspense through out the story. Only 3 starts for me because I didn't get a real sense of the reality of the character. There were times that I seemed like a list. Then he did this. Then he did that. Etc. And, to me it seemed a bit predictable.
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