Cry of the Hunter

by Harry Patterson

From the New York Times–bestselling author of The Eagle Has Landed: A hero of the IRA must turn on his own people to save his country.
 
Martin Fallon is a legend. After joining the IRA he shot up the ranks in the fight against the Brits in Northern Ireland with his tactical brilliance and devotion. Then, after a daring escape from prison, he simply disappeared. And that’s the way he wants it to stay. After years of hiding from the world in his books and the bottle, he thinks he’s out.
 
He’s wrong.
 
The IRA wants him to break Patrick Rogan, a high-ranking Ulster rebel, out of prison. Fallon reluctantly agrees, and soon finds himself swept back into the Troubles. But in his absence, the IRA has changed. Gone are those who wanted freedom, replaced by those like Rogan—bloodthirsty psychopaths who want nothing but power. And now Fallon must bring his own legend to life in order to bring them down.
 
In one of his earliest works, Jack Higgins puts on display the absolute mastery of the thriller genre that would earn him a place among the most respected novelists of the twentieth century.
 

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Historical Fiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

One of the many pseudonyms used by Henry Patterson. See Jack Higgins for more complete information.

Reviews

[TXGAL1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRY OF THE HUNTER is Book 1 in the Martin Fallon series, by Jack Higgins, that was written in 1960.

Fallon is an IRA legend living off the grid when two IRA/“The Organization” associates come to visit asking that Fallon go on a deadly mission for the good of “the cause”. There’s no hope for survival, but Fallon’s the only man that can be entrusted to get the job done.

Will Fallon begrudgingly accept; will luck favor him if so; how will a wanted man be able to pull off the unthinkable?

For those who like a quick read and a snappy, well-written adventure, you might give this a try.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's the saying...."An oldie but a goodie '
First time reading this author but it won't be
the last. The story kept me interested and on
the edge of my seat. So glad I got both books in
series at same time.... couldn't stand waiting
for next one to be delivered. Going to start next one
now 🥰

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Fallon, lapsed IRA soldier, lives just inside the Irish Border, a short way from Ulster. He lives alone in an old cottage, where, one night, to former comrades approach him and issue a challenge. Fallon is to cross the border and liberate the new leader of the Organisation from police custody, before he's transferred to Belfast. Against his better judgment, Fallon takes up the challenge. He finds himself in enemy territory---Ulster. He locates his target, and, with help from a few supporters, Fallon gets the man out of jail. He then has to get them both back across the border into the South. Easier said than done, when the local Garda are out in force and the police chief lives not far from a safe house. Death, threats and destruction. They all follow Martin Fallon and Patrick Rogan. Who will be the victor?
As I thought, an action packed, fast paced story from one of the best writers in the world, as far as I am concerned. Jack Higgins/Harry Patterson has written some of the best stories I have ever read and reread. Well worth giving his books a try.

[Ernest Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read

You know the name Jack Higgins but it's been a while so you choose to read and then it all comes back, just why the man is such a legend. He tells a story with grip and panache. No northern Ireland is not my favourite background and the IRA are not my favourite people but it didn't matter the story transcends all that it's such a good read that it didn't matter what the background is. The ending was a surprise and I won't spoil it except to say only this guy would have ended it this way.
Well done

[Christian D. D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early example of Higgins’s writing talents.

An early example of Jack Higgins’s writing talents, from 1960, 16 years before “The Eagle Has Landed” gained him international fame & fortune. Action-packed and keeps the pages turning just like every other Higgins novel I’ve read.

But given the ending, I’m left wondering if the Martin Fallon protagonist of this novel is one & the same character as the Martin Fallon of the 1973 novel “A Prayer For the Dying” (player by Mickey Rourke in the 1987 filmic adaptation)?

[François · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a very early novel from Jack Higgins, this story is an exciting read which is well written. The locale does not offer much to write about - Carlington and Castlemore seem to be drab places - yet the key of this novel rests with the superb characterisation of protagonist Martin Fallon, legendary IRA leader, whose internal conflict and guilt for past militant actions have driven him to whiskey and nihilism. His conflict - the desire to be beneficent but being an accessory to malfeasance - is exacerbated by his task of breaking out Patrick Rogan, a captured IRA leader whom Fallon finds odious and despicable. At the same time, Fallon is driven to protect the innocent, desperately saving from a car bomb Police Inspector Philip Stuart, who was a fellow student from Fallon’s university days.

Educated in philosophy, he writes thrillers, and this is where Jack Higgins weaves his own world: Martin Fallon is his nom de plume for the Paul Chavasse series (‘The Testament of Casper Schultz’; ‘Year of the Tiger’; ‘Midnight Never Comes’; ‘Dark Side of the Street’; ‘A Fine Night for Dying’). In this way, one could read the Chavasse novels as the work of the protagonist of ‘Cry of the Hunter’.

Other characters include: the naive yet loyal Johnny Murphy who idolises Fallon, giving one insight into how Fallon himself may have been when first initiated into the Organisation; Rogan who represents the younger generation of blood-thirsty militants who have lost sight of the true cause; Stuart who - as a counterpoint to Fallon - balances civic duty with friendship and compassion; Anne Murray who recognises Fallon as a tortured individual with redeeming traits.

Highlights for me include Fallon’s escape from a hospital and, of course, the break-out of Rogan off the train.

The plot is tight with action, but the tension that one finds in later Jack Higgins novels is conspicuously sedated in this one. The overall story - Fallon snatching Rogan from the authorities, but then seeking to assassinate him - defies logic. However, when considering that this is meant to be Patterson’s second published novel, it’s amazing!

Similarities often exist between Jack Higgins novels, with one being the dynamic between Johnny Murphy and Fallon, when compared to the dynamic between Simon Vaughan and Binnie Gallagher in ‘The Savage Day’. Of course, Martin Fallon is the protagonist in ‘A Prayer for the Dying’. I am unsure if they are the same character; both are similarly tormented by their past. If you know of any other similarities, please comment.

Feel free to read my other reviews.

© François

[Rakib Hasan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always loved spy thrillers, so I had high expectations for Cry of the Hunter, especially since it was written by Jack Higgins. I’ve only read a few of his books, but those were enough to make me a fan of his writing. While I enjoyed this one, it didn’t quite meet all my expectations. The hero, Martin Fallon, often relies on luck to get out of tough situations, which didn’t appeal to me as much. However, overall, the book is fast-paced and enjoyable, and the journey with it was definitely worthwhile.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it was written 50 years ago and had me going from start to finish. Was sad at the finish but a really good book.

[Serdar Poirot · Rating 4 out of 5]

IRA elemanları, zamanında hapis yatan, şimdi ise yazarlık yapan eski efsane Martin Fallon'un yanına gelir. Patrick Rogan adlı bir adamın kurtarılmasını isterler. En başta kabul etmez ama gözleri görmeyen annesini getirip, o oğlunu kurtarmasını isteyince kabul etmek durumunda kalır. Yola çıkar ve sınırı geçer. İdam edilecek olan Rogan'ın tutulduğu kasabaya gidince onu Johnny Murphy adında bir çocuk karşılar. Örgüte girmeye hevesli olan bu çocuk yardım edecektir. İstemese de kabul eder. Burada eski bir tanıdığına gider ama o ölmüştür. Yeğeni Anne Murray ile konuşur. Cüretkar bir plan ile Rogan'ın kaçırır. Ama eski arkadaşı Philip Stuart ve polis kuvvetleri peşindedir. Murphy ve Rogan ile Anne'e sığınmak zorunda kalır. Burada Rogan'ın kaçarken bir rahibi öldürdüğünü öğrenir. Yolları ayrılır. Bir çiftliğe giderler. Burada Çiftlik sahibinin oğlu Charlie'yi kandıran Rogan Fallon'un vurur ama kendi de vurulur. Conway ailesine giderler. Burada yine vurulur ama bu sefer Rogan'ı ve Conway'i öldürür. Kızı Rose da ona yardım edeceğini söyler. Onu trene bindirir ama sınıra daha vardır ve yaraları kanar. Sınırı geçip evine gitmesi gerekir çünkü Anne'in onu beklediğini düşünür. Acaba eve varabilecek midir? Rogan'ı annesine ne diyecektir? Bundan sonra neler olacaktır? Keyifle okunan bir roman.

[Ted Barringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read A Prayer for the Dying (Martin Fallon #2) years and years ago - no real recollection of it - so I watched the movie yesterday - pretty good - SPOILER ALERT - Martin Fallon dumps Anne at some point in the ensuing years. Wait, this is about Cry of the Hunter - the third book by Jack Higgins, not a bad effort, not great either. If you like JH then you should read this - If this is an early foray into JH, WAIT, read some of his middle stuff, then backtrack back to his early stuff. Most of the later stuff, the Sean Dillon stuff is pretty useless.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 in the Martin Fallon series. This 1960 novel by Harry Patterson (better known by his pseudonym Jack Higgins) is listed as a series debut; however, the only other connection I see between this author and Martin Fallon is when Martin Fallon was used as the pseudonymous author of the Paul Chavasse series. The character Fallon is an ex-IRA operative sent to Ulster to keep captured IRA hitman, Patrick Rogan from being executed and becoming a martyr for the cause.

[KLEE BETHEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cry of the hunter

An interesting tale featuring Martin Fallon, one of Higgins ira characters. He appears to be done with this character but only the Next volume will tell

[andrew knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cry of the hunter

Cry of the hunter by Jack Higgins thrilling great red and strong and a good story line can't wait to read another one

[Iain Hamill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old-fashioned rip roaring adventure. You can almost smell the wet earth, peat fires and gunpowder...

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent fast paced little thriller, from a time before modern technology.

This was my first Jack Higgins novel and I have no doubt there will be more in my future.

[Ron Willoughby · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book. I enjoyed it.

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading old books makes you think of the way people thought. Interesting but this book is dated

[Carl Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

More suspense from Higgins

Jack Higgins book are real page turners. You just don't want to put the book down. A very exciting novel.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These early books by Jack Higgins are surprisingly good.

I have picked a few up on Kindle and very glad I did.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story.

[Anastasia Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book! I just love Jack Higgins.

[John W Tice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cry of the Hunter

Very good novel. I read all night to finish it. The book has both surprise and suspense. Martin Fallon generally doesn’t take crap from anyone.

[Softbananas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine choice to read if you would like a throw back - no tech - story of a former IRA member who is drawn back into the messy, dangerous life to help with a job. Although reluctant he takes the job and is caught in a situation he doesn't want.
Jack Higgins ( Harry Patterson ) is one fine story teller that can keep you totally involved.

[Diego Brunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Easy read, but didn't really pull me in. I think this is my first Jack Higgins book, and I'm not too impressed, though I'll give him another chance later down the line. Probably going to read one of his more popular ones.

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cry of the hunter

Another fast action packed read by higgins. Fallon. A former IRA lieutenant is asked to perform one last task. Against his better judgement he agrees. Suspense to the very end. A great read!

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11612900

[Charlie Mouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak.

[Michael]

Clever story good to read plenty of action

[Piyush Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent story... An IRA guy getting back to the work... However the story didn't justifies the title... The guy was just lucky, nothing else... He can't be a hunter...