The Mahdi

by A.J. Quinnell

A Western plot to gain control of the entire Arab world by manipulating the Muslim belief in the coming of a prophet-saviour is countered by a beautiful KGB plant in the home of the mission's leader

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Espionage

297 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

A. J. Quinnell was the pen name of Philip Nicholson, a mystery and thriller writer. He is best known for his novel "Man on Fire", which has been adapted to film twice, most recently in 2004 featuring Denzel Washington.

When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.

Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.

The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.

Reviews

[Metodi Markov]

За съжаление, тази книга е безнадеждно остаряла и описаните в нея шпионски боричкания не са ми никак интересни…

Бивш, но много успешен британски двоен и троен агент предлага на един от началниците в ЦРУ проект, който цели да помогне на САЩ да овладеят и манипулират увеличаващото се и потънало в нескончаеми религиозни разпри мюсюлманско население на света. За целта е нужно да се появи очаквания от 1400 години наследник на Мохамед - Махди. Този човек трябва да обедини исляма в едно, но под абсолютния контрол на ЦРУ и МИ-6.

Интересен замисъл, но досадно изпълнение - стигнах почти до средата на романа, но го оставям недочетен - без угризения…

Далеч е много от "Мъж под прицел" от същия автор!

[Tom]

Quinnell's book starts off slow, in my opinion, as he prepares the scene for the great espionage case to come. Once we see how the preparation and planning gets underway, interest increases.
The sideshow - seduction of Gemmel - almost derails the plot, but then we get the big final scene, written only as Quinnell can write.

[Ali Al-Birminghami]

Fictional story about the battle between intelligence agencies to create a false messiah in order to control the Middle East.

[Bernardas Gailius]

Labai geras trileris. Geras pirmiausia savo pasakojimo kokybe. Quinnell - net ne pasakotojas, o tikras pasakorius. Jo pagrindinė istorija pilna kitų mikroistorijų, kuriomis jis gali apdovanoti net šalutinius personažus. Jis laužo nusistovėjusias normas be kompleksų paskirdamas pusę knygos vien personažų ir jų tarpusavio santykių išskleisimui. Įdomu, kad įtampa dėl to nenukenčia, greičiau priešingai. O pats siužetas - labai įspūdingas. Ypač tiems, kas mėgsta didžiąją politiką. Ir Britanijos vietos pasaulyje apmąstymas - vertingas ir įdomus. Drąsiai rekomenduoju. Skaitinys, kurio nesigailėsite.

[Andrew]

A super read, a great idea well followed through and well written.

[Mario Cavalitto]

Amazing! I read it for 2 times and the second one I found it excellent as the first time.

[Naren Radhakrishnan]

Well written, slowly picks up pace and then heads to a crescendo like finish. . Keeps you hooked

[Christopher]

The CIA and MI-6 working together on a mission to control the Middle East, while the Russians try to sabotage from the flanks, all while gallons of cognac are being drunk....whats not to like?!

[Teri M Brown]

The Mahdi by Robert Cook is a must-read political thriller that will keep you riveted to your seat. Let me set the stage: Bedouin Muslims are angry with Israeli Jews for taking their lands on the West Bank. Alex, also known as Cooch to those in the CIA where he has served, and Kuftahni to the Bedouin tribes of which he is a part due to his heritage, is a liberal Muslim who is charged to fix the problem in Israel.

His Marine and CIA training, along with his girlfriend, Kaitlyn, the smartest person in the world, may be the right combination to bring peace to the Middle East. But nothing is easy in a world where ideologies clash.

Robert brings intense suspense into each chapter, making you wonder if Kaitlyn, and her EMP capabilities will survive, if Cooch has finally met his match, and if the world will devolve into a war like one never seen before. One also wonders if Cooch will take the title of Mahdi to heart - and if so, will he use the power for good or for evil.

This was a can't-put-down book, and I highly recommend this read!

[Pedro]

never trust these spy agencies lest you get stubbed in the back, like the americans and russians.