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The Talbot Odyssey
WITH 50 MILLION BOOKS SOLD WORLDWIDE, NELSON DEMILLE IS "A TRUE MASTER." - DAN BROWN
It started as a simple spy hunt. It became a desperate battle to save the West.
For forty years Western intelligence agents have known a terrible the Russians have a mole -- code-named Talbot -- inside the CIA. At first Talbot is suspected of killing European agents. Then a street-smart ex-cop uncovers a storm of espionage and murder on the streets of New York, while in a Long Island suburb a civic demonstration against the Russian mission masks a desperate duel of nerves and wits.
Engineered by Talbot, a shadow world of suspicion and deceit is spilling onto the streets -- leading to a new Soviet weapon and a first-strike war plan threatening the foundations of American government.
For the U.S., time is running out. For Talbot, the time is now.
It started as a simple spy hunt. It became a desperate battle to save the West.
For forty years Western intelligence agents have known a terrible the Russians have a mole -- code-named Talbot -- inside the CIA. At first Talbot is suspected of killing European agents. Then a street-smart ex-cop uncovers a storm of espionage and murder on the streets of New York, while in a Long Island suburb a civic demonstration against the Russian mission masks a desperate duel of nerves and wits.
Engineered by Talbot, a shadow world of suspicion and deceit is spilling onto the streets -- leading to a new Soviet weapon and a first-strike war plan threatening the foundations of American government.
For the U.S., time is running out. For Talbot, the time is now.
720 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1984
1697 people are currently reading
2507 people want to read
About the author
Nelson DeMille
262 books7,382 followersNelson Richard DeMille was an American author of action adventure and suspense novels. His novels include Plum Island, The Charm School, and The General's Daughter. DeMille also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
May 4, 2025
I love DeMille and his magnificent "Word of Honor" and "Plum Island", but The Odyssey is far behind.
We have an unrealistic plot, too many dull characters (excepting Abrams), too much blood and violence in the final. Besides, I don't understand teenagers who play in Russian embassy garden and people running in cemeteries. Their choices, but very weird ones, so sometimes they have to pay for...
We have an unrealistic plot, too many dull characters (excepting Abrams), too much blood and violence in the final. Besides, I don't understand teenagers who play in Russian embassy garden and people running in cemeteries. Their choices, but very weird ones, so sometimes they have to pay for...
November 28, 2023
Ripped from the headlines - a group of retired spies uncover a plot by a rogue Communist government to end the USA using an EMP. Their ragtag band features the children of greatest generation and some additions from MI-6 and other intelligence services.
The 'twist' is that this book was originally published in 1976 and the crazy communists were the USSR and the spies were OSS agents. In addition to trying to save the world the 'good guys' are trying to discover which of their agents is Talbot a turncoat during WW2 who gave the USSR names of OSS agents.
I don't know how many times I have read this book but it gets better every time.
The 'twist' is that this book was originally published in 1976 and the crazy communists were the USSR and the spies were OSS agents. In addition to trying to save the world the 'good guys' are trying to discover which of their agents is Talbot a turncoat during WW2 who gave the USSR names of OSS agents.
I don't know how many times I have read this book but it gets better every time.
April 30, 2021
DeMille is another of my favorite authors. Some of his books and series I like more than others. I particularly enjoyed 'Plum Island' where the John Corey character is introduced, 'The Charm School', and 'The General's Daughter'. I don't know why I had been saving this book, and was surprised that one character seemed to be a precursor of John Corey. Great mix of subplots and surprises without confusing the reader or on the other hand oversimplifying. A fast-paced action thriller in the days of the Soviet Union and pre-9-11.
November 1, 2012
I love Demille, but I didn't love this one.
Having essentially completed the Demille canon, I was disappointed with The Talbot Odyssey after my family promised me it was a "really good" one. The first 100 pages required two readings and I was still unsure what was going on and where the book was going. There are too many seemingly-unrelated incidents, story lines and characters that don't make a whole lot of sense until you're half way through the damn book. This hide-the ball approach does pay off to some extent in the latter half of the book, when the various webs of deceit are unraveled, but the pain in getting there wasn't worth it.
I double checked, and 1/4 of the way through the book, I had no clue who the main character was ... seriously. The latter half of the book was solid. Lots of twists, turns, including an assualt on the Soviet mission to the United Nations, a nuclear blast expected to cripple the entire U.S. instantaneously, double and even triple agents? How could this not be great?
My last comment speaks volumes ... I take my time with books, usually spending 7-10 days enjoying them with very few all-nighter blitzkrieg sessions. This relatively short novel took almost 4 months to finish. Didn't really grab me until the end and I was glad it was over. Glad I read it, but would not read it again.
Having essentially completed the Demille canon, I was disappointed with The Talbot Odyssey after my family promised me it was a "really good" one. The first 100 pages required two readings and I was still unsure what was going on and where the book was going. There are too many seemingly-unrelated incidents, story lines and characters that don't make a whole lot of sense until you're half way through the damn book. This hide-the ball approach does pay off to some extent in the latter half of the book, when the various webs of deceit are unraveled, but the pain in getting there wasn't worth it.
I double checked, and 1/4 of the way through the book, I had no clue who the main character was ... seriously. The latter half of the book was solid. Lots of twists, turns, including an assualt on the Soviet mission to the United Nations, a nuclear blast expected to cripple the entire U.S. instantaneously, double and even triple agents? How could this not be great?
My last comment speaks volumes ... I take my time with books, usually spending 7-10 days enjoying them with very few all-nighter blitzkrieg sessions. This relatively short novel took almost 4 months to finish. Didn't really grab me until the end and I was glad it was over. Glad I read it, but would not read it again.
March 18, 2024
Having long been a fan of Nelson DeMille, I thought about trying some of his earlier work to see how it compares to the more recent novels. While this book is less about the slapstick humour, the narrative depth and the impact of a Cold War theme, DeMille delivers a great novel that is sure to keep the reader hooked until the very end. DeMille knows his stuff and provides a chilling story that explores both sides of the US-Soviet divide, as well as some poignant (for the time) thoughts about the clash and how each side could advance their views. DeMille proves that he is a stellar writer, even without the strong humour to his writing.
There has been a rumour that the Soviets planted a secret agent inside the CIA over forty years ago. Talbot is somewhere, though no one is quite sure who the mole could be. European agents are likely some who have died with the intel Talbot provided, leaving many within the Agency feeling an added pressure to capture the agent to neutralise the flow to Soviet intelligence.
When a former NYPD officer is brought in to assess the situation, he uncovers a significant amount of espionage and murder within the city. There is something going on here that could tip the scales. Add to that, a civil protest of a Russian mission proves to be more than it seems, perhaps a part of a larger strike to dilute to Soviet’s power on US soil.
With Talbot still on the loose and sending more intel, news comes that there could be a new strike that could cripple not only New York, but the US government at its core. Now, with little time to waste, the plan will have to be foiled and Talbot captured. While the US has been waiting for years to see this happen, Talbot has a date in mind to ensure his mother country falls to its knees. Nelson DeMille pens a wonderful piece of Cold War espionage and keeps the reader hooked until the final pages.
While I have long come to respect Nelson DeMille as a great writer whose humour spills onto every page, it would seem his earlier work is more content heavy than off the cuff slapstick. The narrative grows with each passing page and the tension increases exponentially. DeMille develops a strong story and great characters who flavour the story effectively, while trying to chase down many fears and worries. Told from both sides of the US-Soviet divide, DeMille provides an interesting dual perspective for the reader to enjoy as they make their way through this one.
Plot points in Cold War era novels can usually be quite predictable; us versus them. While this is the case, DeMille builds the tension and peppers the story with some twists to keep things moving in an unpredictable fashion. There is little time to ponder all this, as the story is so thick with action and sly determination. I enjoyed this earlier DeMille story and will be sure to read more of them to offset the more recent witty repartee for which I have come to expect from the author.
Kudos, Mr. DeMille, for a great piece of your earlier work!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
There has been a rumour that the Soviets planted a secret agent inside the CIA over forty years ago. Talbot is somewhere, though no one is quite sure who the mole could be. European agents are likely some who have died with the intel Talbot provided, leaving many within the Agency feeling an added pressure to capture the agent to neutralise the flow to Soviet intelligence.
When a former NYPD officer is brought in to assess the situation, he uncovers a significant amount of espionage and murder within the city. There is something going on here that could tip the scales. Add to that, a civil protest of a Russian mission proves to be more than it seems, perhaps a part of a larger strike to dilute to Soviet’s power on US soil.
With Talbot still on the loose and sending more intel, news comes that there could be a new strike that could cripple not only New York, but the US government at its core. Now, with little time to waste, the plan will have to be foiled and Talbot captured. While the US has been waiting for years to see this happen, Talbot has a date in mind to ensure his mother country falls to its knees. Nelson DeMille pens a wonderful piece of Cold War espionage and keeps the reader hooked until the final pages.
While I have long come to respect Nelson DeMille as a great writer whose humour spills onto every page, it would seem his earlier work is more content heavy than off the cuff slapstick. The narrative grows with each passing page and the tension increases exponentially. DeMille develops a strong story and great characters who flavour the story effectively, while trying to chase down many fears and worries. Told from both sides of the US-Soviet divide, DeMille provides an interesting dual perspective for the reader to enjoy as they make their way through this one.
Plot points in Cold War era novels can usually be quite predictable; us versus them. While this is the case, DeMille builds the tension and peppers the story with some twists to keep things moving in an unpredictable fashion. There is little time to ponder all this, as the story is so thick with action and sly determination. I enjoyed this earlier DeMille story and will be sure to read more of them to offset the more recent witty repartee for which I have come to expect from the author.
Kudos, Mr. DeMille, for a great piece of your earlier work!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 21, 2019
I will admit it took about 250-300 pages to get hooked into the book. It is like reading a James Bond movie only not really knowing who James Bond is or who's side he is on...all the secret agents, double agents, triple agents...It was one wild helicopter ride!
August 15, 2020
One of DeMille's earlier novels, the story started out really slow, with an overwhelming number of characters, didn't know who the good guys and the bad guys were, but after awhile after sticking with it, things started to make sense and unravel, a good James Bond-type thriller!
The Talbot Odyssey takes place years after the end of World War II, and many decades later, the US face a new threat, a highly trained operative code-named Talbot, is a mole inside the CIA. Enter street-smart ex-Cop Tony Abrams, who uncovers a web of conspiracy and murder going back to WWII and the days of the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), all engineered by Talbot and his Russian followers, who have a deadly agenda to bring about the downfall of America, and the brink of WWIII.
Not one of my favorite DeMille books, dragged in some places, but had a good story, and a big twist in the end!
The Talbot Odyssey takes place years after the end of World War II, and many decades later, the US face a new threat, a highly trained operative code-named Talbot, is a mole inside the CIA. Enter street-smart ex-Cop Tony Abrams, who uncovers a web of conspiracy and murder going back to WWII and the days of the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), all engineered by Talbot and his Russian followers, who have a deadly agenda to bring about the downfall of America, and the brink of WWIII.
Not one of my favorite DeMille books, dragged in some places, but had a good story, and a big twist in the end!
September 15, 2010
It's funny, rating this. I would describe this book as "OK" but if I give it two stars it would give the wrong impression. This is "OK" for a Nelson DeMille book. But that just means it isn't his best - and, like pizza, even when it's not the best, "It's still pizza man! And who doesn't love pizza? Right?" My point is that Nelson DeMille is awesome and bits of his sarcasm and humor and wit and smarts and sly political statments and laughing at bureaucrats and such are on display here, but not enough. If you want to skip this one to read all his other books, I won't mind. If you're reading through his entire oeuvre, as am I, just know that this story doesn't hold up quite as well as all his others. But it's still fine.
February 13, 2012
This is another one of those books for which I wish there was a fractional rating system. This is a great story but does not rate a "5" nor does it rate a "4" I would give it a 4.6.
This story starts out slow - in fact, I thought about discarding it through the first 100 or so pages. Then it really picked up and I could not stop.
Another great plot from Demille.
This story starts out slow - in fact, I thought about discarding it through the first 100 or so pages. Then it really picked up and I could not stop.
Another great plot from Demille.
September 12, 2022
A fast paced spy thriller. A Russian plot to disable all sectors of American society and the three sleeper agents there to make sure it succeeds. Nelson DeMille keeps you enthralled every step of the way.
July 17, 2012
Well structured but dry as chalk dust in the desert. The gigantic cast gets overwhelming and requires a flow chart. If this was my first DeMille book, I doubt I'd have read more but a decent example of how a writer can grow and become far more entertaining...it just didn't happen yet for this example.
August 3, 2016
Boring. Got to page 2xx and realized I couldn't care less about any of the characters or how it ended. Quit reading at that point. Too slow and laborious with little to show for slogging through.
July 29, 2020
I am beginning to believe that if DeMille wrote a book that was a flop (as if) the narrator he works with would bring the book to life!
It's been 40 years since Western Intelligence learned that the Russians had a mole (code-name Talbot) inside the CIA. When Talbot masterminds a first-strike war plan against the U.S. the overflow spills into the streets of NY City where a street-smart ex-cop uncovers the gist of things to come.
The U.S. is now working against the clock; or being a well-informed agent, will Talbot finally outsmart the Americans?
It's been 40 years since Western Intelligence learned that the Russians had a mole (code-name Talbot) inside the CIA. When Talbot masterminds a first-strike war plan against the U.S. the overflow spills into the streets of NY City where a street-smart ex-cop uncovers the gist of things to come.
The U.S. is now working against the clock; or being a well-informed agent, will Talbot finally outsmart the Americans?
August 28, 2020
The Talbot Odyssey is a very early Nelson DeMille.
The Talbot Odyssey is set in the eighties, in New York City, when we are on shaky grounds with the Russians. Tony Abrams is a former NYC PD detective, now a process server at a prestigious law firm. He's studying for the bar and hopes to land a permanent job with the firm. It becomes obvious a short time into the story that all appearances are not what they seem and there is much more to the situation and the people involved than we expect. Leaders in the firm quickly ask Tony to help them in their search for an American traitor from WWII, once thought dead, now thought he/she is alive. Relationships from the past and present and are tested and the outcome will be devastating. The action is slow to start with a lot of buildup. Be patient. It's worth the wait.
This is a standalone novel. Avid Nelson DeMille readers should pick up The Talbot Odyssey even if you are all caught up with his current writing.
The Talbot Odyssey is set in the eighties, in New York City, when we are on shaky grounds with the Russians. Tony Abrams is a former NYC PD detective, now a process server at a prestigious law firm. He's studying for the bar and hopes to land a permanent job with the firm. It becomes obvious a short time into the story that all appearances are not what they seem and there is much more to the situation and the people involved than we expect. Leaders in the firm quickly ask Tony to help them in their search for an American traitor from WWII, once thought dead, now thought he/she is alive. Relationships from the past and present and are tested and the outcome will be devastating. The action is slow to start with a lot of buildup. Be patient. It's worth the wait.
This is a standalone novel. Avid Nelson DeMille readers should pick up The Talbot Odyssey even if you are all caught up with his current writing.
August 20, 2015
The plot trailers showed great potential...then pfffftt. The first 100 pages was so slow and complex that I was unsure what was going on and where the book was going. Then, there are too many seemingly-unrelated incidents, story lines and characters that don't make a whole lot of sense until you're through the book. The gigantic cast gets overwhelming. I gave up about half way through and skipped to the end -- very unsatisfying and I still don't know who "Talbot" is.
May 15, 2016
This is the first Nelson DeMille book that I read. People claimed I would like him, but they were very wrong unless this is a bad example of his writing. The book went from being unrealistic with characters that were undeveloped to being completely absurd with characters that I wished would die. The good thing about this book was that it was not terrible, just bad.
I have another book by DeMille and will give him a second chance as good authors sometimes produce stinkers.
I have another book by DeMille and will give him a second chance as good authors sometimes produce stinkers.
June 16, 2017
This book starts out slow, but reading further, I became intrigued with the characters. There are lots of twists and turns in this book which kept me riveted. There are many story lines involving the main characters, and though it was difficult at times to keep things straight, I'm glad that I didn't give up. The John Corey series is much easier to follow, but this book gave me a lot to think about.
December 10, 2018
It was a slow read at first. Then I got caught up in the story and I couldn't put it down until I know how The Talbot Odyssey ends. This was a heart-pounding, suspenseful story on espionage and patriotism, loyalty and betrayal. It was also a reminder of "how little we know of men's hearts and souls."
May 17, 2022
My favorite of his books. I've read it many times.
May 4, 2009
Lots of intrigue. Double and triple agents. Torture, mayhem. gotta' love it.
April 1, 2017
enjoyable,captivating,terrific!!
February 10, 2020
I have been a Nelson DeMille fan forever. What a disappointment this one was. In my opinion it was a tangled and confusing quagmire loaded with extraneous and confusing dialog and prose. The writing actually felt amateurish to me. It was written in 1984 and I assume the story would have been contemporary in the eighties. The plot centered around a group of New York lawyers who were ex-
OSS operatives from the WWII era. This old boy network was trying to ferret out a Soviet bad guy whose code name was Talbot. That's about all I learned before I put it down.
OSS operatives from the WWII era. This old boy network was trying to ferret out a Soviet bad guy whose code name was Talbot. That's about all I learned before I put it down.
November 11, 2020
Another enjoyable Nelson DeMille thriller, set in the mid-eighties detailing the tensions of the Cold War.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how the book was told from the perspective of every character, big and small. It would make for a great movie, with scenes transferring perspective from character to character.
My only major issue with the story was the motivation behind the antagonists actions. To me there was not enough motive for the treason they were caught up in.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how the book was told from the perspective of every character, big and small. It would make for a great movie, with scenes transferring perspective from character to character.
My only major issue with the story was the motivation behind the antagonists actions. To me there was not enough motive for the treason they were caught up in.
January 9, 2022
I usually like books by Nelson DeMille but this one just didn't cut it. It was a lot of info that didn't seem to fit anywhere (or it was just being drawn out - it's like a 26-hour book. I tried to get into it but just couldn't.
February 14, 2022
despite being overly 'wordy', taking a long time to develop the story line and an over abundance of characters that were hard to keep track of, eventually it all came together and was on of his best. The threat of an EMP is not fiction either, it remains a real threat, so I found that quite compelling. Funny how over the years people have discounted Russia as a global threat. They still are, perhaps more so than before. It would be an interesting new book for DeMille.
January 9, 2022
The story has way too many similar characters, and I had no interest in any of them. There are some well written sections but for me it was like walking in the desert and finding an oasis, too long a journey for a brief bright spot.
December 21, 2022
DeMille never disappoints the readers with his amazing storylines that could be taken out of today’s headlines of espionage and intrigue! A great read.
August 13, 2024
O Espião de Moscovo
April 10, 2025
Very suspenseful!
January 7, 2019
Very good book for those who like “cloak and dagger” thrillers. Pretty much non stop action. Lots of twists and turns, double agents and more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews