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The Osterman Weekend
In a quiet suburban town a strange assortment of men and women gather for a momentous weekend. Meanwhile in Zurich, Moscow and Washington, the time machine is already ticking.
But countermeasures are in motion. In Washington, John Tanner bets his life in a gamble to destroy the menacing conspiracy that hangs over us all.
"Shattering...it will cost you the night and the cold hours of the morning!" (Cincinnati Enquirer)
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
134 people are currently reading
1996 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ludlum
632 books5,306 followersRobert Ludlum was a titan of the suspense genre, whose name became synonymous with the modern international spy thriller. Before amassing a staggering readership estimated between 300 and 500 million copies, Ludlum forged a career in the theater as a Marine veteran turned actor and producer. This theatrical background proved foundational to his literary success; he often credited his sense of pacing and "what-happens-next" urgency to his years on stage. Writing from his home in New Jersey, he crafted 27 novels characterized by "lone wolf" protagonists battling shadowy global conspiracies, corrupt corporations, and clandestine military organizations.
Ludlum is most famous as the creator of Jason Bourne, the amnesiac assassin who first appeared in The Bourne Identity (1980). While the blockbuster film adaptations starring Matt Damon brought the character to a new generation, Ludlum’s original trilogy delved deeper into the Cold War paranoia and intricate psychological trauma of the protagonist. His work often drew inspiration from contemporary conspiracy theories, such as rumors surrounding the Trilateral Commission, and he frequently explored the idea of terrorism as a tool for authoritarian manipulation. Even after his death in 2001, his literary estate has continued to expand his universe through video games and posthumous collaborations, cementing his legacy as a master of the "ticking clock" narrative.
Ludlum is most famous as the creator of Jason Bourne, the amnesiac assassin who first appeared in The Bourne Identity (1980). While the blockbuster film adaptations starring Matt Damon brought the character to a new generation, Ludlum’s original trilogy delved deeper into the Cold War paranoia and intricate psychological trauma of the protagonist. His work often drew inspiration from contemporary conspiracy theories, such as rumors surrounding the Trilateral Commission, and he frequently explored the idea of terrorism as a tool for authoritarian manipulation. Even after his death in 2001, his literary estate has continued to expand his universe through video games and posthumous collaborations, cementing his legacy as a master of the "ticking clock" narrative.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
November 25, 2014
Early 1970’s spy thriller from Robert Ludlum, the Bourne guy. U.S. versus the Soviets, the Cold War. Ludlum levels up the paranoia to Paranoia and finally to PARANOIA!!
Do the Soviets have sleeper agents, code named Omega, working for them who will covertly topple the American economic system once given the word? The CIA enlists TV producer, John Tanner in order to take Omega out of the picture. He’s getting together with three couples for their annual week end; one or all three have ties with Omega. Each couple is approached with information that the other couples and Tanner are wise to them. Let the mind games begin.
Ludlum does an effective job ratcheting up the tension; the ending, though perfunctory, isn’t totally unsatisfying (or unbelievable), just standard fare for this type of book.
The book was made into an almost indecipherably obtuse movie back in the 1980’s. This isn’t a Bourne/Bond book. The conflict, for most of the book, is more cerebral than action-oriented, plus the movie was horribly miscast. Avoid.
Do the Soviets have sleeper agents, code named Omega, working for them who will covertly topple the American economic system once given the word? The CIA enlists TV producer, John Tanner in order to take Omega out of the picture. He’s getting together with three couples for their annual week end; one or all three have ties with Omega. Each couple is approached with information that the other couples and Tanner are wise to them. Let the mind games begin.
Ludlum does an effective job ratcheting up the tension; the ending, though perfunctory, isn’t totally unsatisfying (or unbelievable), just standard fare for this type of book.
The book was made into an almost indecipherably obtuse movie back in the 1980’s. This isn’t a Bourne/Bond book. The conflict, for most of the book, is more cerebral than action-oriented, plus the movie was horribly miscast. Avoid.
November 4, 2011
No one writes a suspense thriller like Ludlum could at his peak. Given some of the more complex international settings of his later works, this book feels almost austere in its New Jersey setting, but that doesn't the diminish the craft of Ludlum's ability to wind his way through twists and betrayals at every turn. For anyone who has never read a Ludlum work, this is a good place to start.
March 21, 2022
An early Ludlum that is full of the seventies paranoia there would be Communist spies everywhere with only one purpose...... Anyhow this is a story about 4 couples that are friends and enjoy each others company every so often. And they got one planned when one of the men John Tanner gets a visitation that leads him to believe that one or all of his friends are in league with the Soviets and he can make the difference.
And so enters a story in which nobody seems to be who he/she says, their utmost secrets are used against them and then the weekend has yet to start.
This thriller has not that much action and is already what Ludlum always was a decent writer that could write good enough to make his books real page-turners, this is no exception. While I enjoyed this book it was certainly not one of his better books in my humble opinion but still a better than average thriller from the seventies that is well worth your time reading them at the beach or in the train/bus/plane.
And so enters a story in which nobody seems to be who he/she says, their utmost secrets are used against them and then the weekend has yet to start.
This thriller has not that much action and is already what Ludlum always was a decent writer that could write good enough to make his books real page-turners, this is no exception. While I enjoyed this book it was certainly not one of his better books in my humble opinion but still a better than average thriller from the seventies that is well worth your time reading them at the beach or in the train/bus/plane.
July 4, 2016
This is the 18th Robert Ludlum novel I’ve read. I had devoured the first 17 books decades ago when I was in my early 20’s and I feel confident in saying they had a great deal to do with my career ambitions at the time. The fictional worlds of espionage and intrigue were just what my young indestructible self considered ideal at the time. But alas my life took a different and much more realistic turn and I was destined to experience my love of such things through reading.
I’ve read hundreds of novels in the thriller genre since my early Ludlum days and have found many worthwhile reads. In truth, I had sort of forgotten about those old Ludlum paperbacks…until a few days ago when I realized I still had The Osterman Weekend sitting there on my countless book shelves, surrounded by similar titles, mostly unread Covert One novels written in Ludlum’s name but by different authors. The timing was perfect, having just finished another book, and so I grabbed it off the shelf and took the plunge.
The Osterman Weekend is Robert Ludlum’s second novel, after The Scarlatti Inheritance and was first published in 1972. I’ve always felt the early Ludlum, which I loosely define as those written in the 1970’s, are far superior to the more bloated works of his novels written in the 1980’s. There are exceptions of course but generally I have found early Ludlums to be better. Ludlum's novels typically feature one heroic man in a struggle against some sort of powerful adversary whose intentions and motivations are evil and who are capable of using political and economic mechanisms in frightening ways. Many times the nature of the adversary isn’t well-defined…it’s enough that we know they are the bad guys.
This book is a perfect example. It’s a tightly contained story with a protagonist, John Tanner, who through no fault of his own, is set up in a dangerous situation as a foil to reveal the identities of the bad guys. The novel includes a handful of major co-characters, occurs over a short time span and continuously builds suspense. The big bad is represented by “Omega” but we never learn exactly what Omega is. We just know what John Tanner knows and that Omega needs to be stopped. The problem for Tanner is that he does not know whom to trust. Even though written in the third person, the reader sees everything through Tanner’s eyes. As his suspicions about the other characters rise and desperation begins to set in, especially with his concern for his family’s safety, the same thing happens to us. It’s very effective and certainly kept me turning the pages.
My trip down memory lane was a fun and exciting one. And while this particular novel may have transferred over to my “completed” list, I may just have to revisit my thoughts on a follow-on career in some sort of espionage or counter-espionage field…the game awaits.
I’ve read hundreds of novels in the thriller genre since my early Ludlum days and have found many worthwhile reads. In truth, I had sort of forgotten about those old Ludlum paperbacks…until a few days ago when I realized I still had The Osterman Weekend sitting there on my countless book shelves, surrounded by similar titles, mostly unread Covert One novels written in Ludlum’s name but by different authors. The timing was perfect, having just finished another book, and so I grabbed it off the shelf and took the plunge.
The Osterman Weekend is Robert Ludlum’s second novel, after The Scarlatti Inheritance and was first published in 1972. I’ve always felt the early Ludlum, which I loosely define as those written in the 1970’s, are far superior to the more bloated works of his novels written in the 1980’s. There are exceptions of course but generally I have found early Ludlums to be better. Ludlum's novels typically feature one heroic man in a struggle against some sort of powerful adversary whose intentions and motivations are evil and who are capable of using political and economic mechanisms in frightening ways. Many times the nature of the adversary isn’t well-defined…it’s enough that we know they are the bad guys.
This book is a perfect example. It’s a tightly contained story with a protagonist, John Tanner, who through no fault of his own, is set up in a dangerous situation as a foil to reveal the identities of the bad guys. The novel includes a handful of major co-characters, occurs over a short time span and continuously builds suspense. The big bad is represented by “Omega” but we never learn exactly what Omega is. We just know what John Tanner knows and that Omega needs to be stopped. The problem for Tanner is that he does not know whom to trust. Even though written in the third person, the reader sees everything through Tanner’s eyes. As his suspicions about the other characters rise and desperation begins to set in, especially with his concern for his family’s safety, the same thing happens to us. It’s very effective and certainly kept me turning the pages.
My trip down memory lane was a fun and exciting one. And while this particular novel may have transferred over to my “completed” list, I may just have to revisit my thoughts on a follow-on career in some sort of espionage or counter-espionage field…the game awaits.
December 20, 2024
Suburban suspense!
Early Ludlum with a story about four married couples in suburbia. Any number of them could be part of the Omega network plotting to cause some chaos. Can they figure it out in time?
A good one for Ludlum fans. This is a departure from the globetrotting spy stories he became famous for, but there’s still plenty of fast-paced twists and turns.
Omega! Zurich! And then people poop themselves. Well not literally. Fun stuff, bullets flying, etc.
Early Ludlum with a story about four married couples in suburbia. Any number of them could be part of the Omega network plotting to cause some chaos. Can they figure it out in time?
A good one for Ludlum fans. This is a departure from the globetrotting spy stories he became famous for, but there’s still plenty of fast-paced twists and turns.
Omega! Zurich! And then people poop themselves. Well not literally. Fun stuff, bullets flying, etc.
January 2, 2013
I read this book while vacationing in Italy. I was visiting with two friends and we were at the end of the second week of a three week holiday. We were renting a villa in Tuscany and tempers had risen a little high while driving around - somehow the one who didn't want to drive or navigate KNEW the way to go. Needless to say some escapism was what I needed. I perused the bookshelf of the rented villa and was very pleased to see a Ludlum in their oeuvre. I escaped to the terrace with a glass of wine and settled in for a good read.
This is a mostly riveting thriller, especially considering it was only his second book. The story takes us to a weekend of friends that was orchestrated by John after John is contacted by a CIA agent and convinced that one or more of his friends are actually engaged in a conspiracy that threatens national security; are in fact Soviet agents. John is coerced into arranging this "vacation" weekend with his friends when it is actually an opportunity for him to spy on these people he thought he knew. We are left constantly guessing if the CIA agent is right, if one of John's dear friends are indeed agents, or if this is some sort of double blind with the CIA agent really being the one who poses the danger. The twists and turns the story takes never seem contrived and leave you sincerely wondering what is coming next. It takes you through paranoia, fear, anger, incredulity and loss... loss of trust, loss of friendship and definite loss of well being in some cases.
This book did start off slow but it was well worth the slog through the first part. Once all the parties have arrived the action really takes off. I love a good spy thriller and usually prefer those books of Ludlum's but this every man story was very good. Ludlum really took the time to let us get to know the characters and in doing that we were more invested in the outcome.
I can't say that in reading this book I didn't visualize my travel companions as spies I needed to take down but what it left me with was a better appreciation of how easy it was to lose a good friend.
The afternoon and evening with this book on the terrace was just the escape I needed and I am happy to say that I didn't bug my friends rooms, hold them at gunpoint until they surrendered the maps of Italy or poison their wine.
All in all a very satisfying read.
This is a mostly riveting thriller, especially considering it was only his second book. The story takes us to a weekend of friends that was orchestrated by John after John is contacted by a CIA agent and convinced that one or more of his friends are actually engaged in a conspiracy that threatens national security; are in fact Soviet agents. John is coerced into arranging this "vacation" weekend with his friends when it is actually an opportunity for him to spy on these people he thought he knew. We are left constantly guessing if the CIA agent is right, if one of John's dear friends are indeed agents, or if this is some sort of double blind with the CIA agent really being the one who poses the danger. The twists and turns the story takes never seem contrived and leave you sincerely wondering what is coming next. It takes you through paranoia, fear, anger, incredulity and loss... loss of trust, loss of friendship and definite loss of well being in some cases.
This book did start off slow but it was well worth the slog through the first part. Once all the parties have arrived the action really takes off. I love a good spy thriller and usually prefer those books of Ludlum's but this every man story was very good. Ludlum really took the time to let us get to know the characters and in doing that we were more invested in the outcome.
I can't say that in reading this book I didn't visualize my travel companions as spies I needed to take down but what it left me with was a better appreciation of how easy it was to lose a good friend.
The afternoon and evening with this book on the terrace was just the escape I needed and I am happy to say that I didn't bug my friends rooms, hold them at gunpoint until they surrendered the maps of Italy or poison their wine.
All in all a very satisfying read.
May 6, 2008
Somone gave me a Ludlum title and I didn't have anything to read, and I started on it when I took a flight to St. Louis. I was riveted and got on this Ludlum kick--I must have read six or seven of his books this past month. Something of a debauach, I admit. I decided to read all of his books in order; this is his second.
Some of his older stuff is somewhat dated, but his ability to tell a tell that keeps you reading is unparallelled. And the "About the Author" section of 'The Chancellor' Manuscript' has a wonderful note, by Ludlum himself, about how his twenty years in the theater helped his novel writing trememndously.
Three families who live in a posh 'burb of New York; odd things are happening to each of them. A fourth family, the Ostermans, are coming in from Los Angeles.
The main character, John Tanner, is a news director for a major network. He is summoned to Washington, DC to discuss his network's FCC licence. When he arrives, however, he learns that he's been gotten to he nation's capital ona pretense, and he is recruited by the CIA to spy on his friends, one of whom, he is told, is a Soviet agent. He is forced to cooperate, and is told that his job is to find out which of his friends is the spy.
It's easy to underestimate Ludlum. The old "Soviet Spy Stuff" seems dated, clearly the political problems of yesteryear. And the technology--no cell phones, large main frame computers that use cards, and the attempts of middle aged men to be "hip" in the late Sixties and early Seventies all are anachronistic.
His characters, however, are not. The poele Ludlum creates are people we know and can believe in, and their fears and troubles are ours.
Ludlum has two types of plot--the story in which an ordinary person is caught up in an intrigue and grows to be capable of extroardinary action, and the "super spy" Jason Bourne stuff, in which the (actions) hero triumphs through superior training.
The author's best plots are the earlier type, the ones in which ordinary characters are caught up in extraordinary circumstances. 'The Osterman Weekend' is one of those books, and, despite the differences in age, time, and era, his story is one well worth reading.
This is a page turner in the best sense of the word.
I'd like to say I'm ending my "Ludlum debauch" and am going to get to more "literary" work, but I'd be lying. My next book is 'The Matarese Circle."
Some of his older stuff is somewhat dated, but his ability to tell a tell that keeps you reading is unparallelled. And the "About the Author" section of 'The Chancellor' Manuscript' has a wonderful note, by Ludlum himself, about how his twenty years in the theater helped his novel writing trememndously.
Three families who live in a posh 'burb of New York; odd things are happening to each of them. A fourth family, the Ostermans, are coming in from Los Angeles.
The main character, John Tanner, is a news director for a major network. He is summoned to Washington, DC to discuss his network's FCC licence. When he arrives, however, he learns that he's been gotten to he nation's capital ona pretense, and he is recruited by the CIA to spy on his friends, one of whom, he is told, is a Soviet agent. He is forced to cooperate, and is told that his job is to find out which of his friends is the spy.
It's easy to underestimate Ludlum. The old "Soviet Spy Stuff" seems dated, clearly the political problems of yesteryear. And the technology--no cell phones, large main frame computers that use cards, and the attempts of middle aged men to be "hip" in the late Sixties and early Seventies all are anachronistic.
His characters, however, are not. The poele Ludlum creates are people we know and can believe in, and their fears and troubles are ours.
Ludlum has two types of plot--the story in which an ordinary person is caught up in an intrigue and grows to be capable of extroardinary action, and the "super spy" Jason Bourne stuff, in which the (actions) hero triumphs through superior training.
The author's best plots are the earlier type, the ones in which ordinary characters are caught up in extraordinary circumstances. 'The Osterman Weekend' is one of those books, and, despite the differences in age, time, and era, his story is one well worth reading.
This is a page turner in the best sense of the word.
I'd like to say I'm ending my "Ludlum debauch" and am going to get to more "literary" work, but I'd be lying. My next book is 'The Matarese Circle."
August 19, 2014
I hadn't read a Robert Ludlum novel since the Jason Bourne series was popular years ago. This one was a quick read, full of action, clever and unpredictable. I had the bad guys figured out at least ten times. If you are in the mood for a quick, enjoyable mystery, this would a good choice.
May 9, 2013
This book is a really boring read.
I could not finished it and stopped at page 90.
It is not a regular Robert Ludlumit has no real urgency of excitement to it.
First I thought I can just soldier on but just could not.
On the First few pages you just want to fall asleep.
I would say don't waste your time in trying to read this book.
This was time wasted, wish I did not by this book.
I could not finished it and stopped at page 90.
It is not a regular Robert Ludlumit has no real urgency of excitement to it.
First I thought I can just soldier on but just could not.
On the First few pages you just want to fall asleep.
I would say don't waste your time in trying to read this book.
This was time wasted, wish I did not by this book.
March 2, 2025
Maybe it was better in the time when it was written. Page turning but without the thrill of a thriller
May 25, 2010
The book starts out with murder and deception. A TV host of a 60 Minutes type show, is being summoned to Washington under false pretences and convinced by the CIA that his friends are conspiring against the country. The host, John Tanner, invites his friends to his home for the weekend in order for the traitor to reveal themselves so the CIA could capture them.
This is a clever, intriguing and fun book which has glimmers of the genius which Robert Ludlum is about to become. The characters come to life, even though not all of them are likeable or pleasant.
I've enjoyed this book (not as much as I enjoyed Ludlum's later releases) simply because it intrigued me, the characters were interesting and the plot was fascinating since both the reader and the main character have no idea what's going on.
Even though the book might seem thick, as are most of Ludlum's books, it is a quick read and a page turner.
This is a clever, intriguing and fun book which has glimmers of the genius which Robert Ludlum is about to become. The characters come to life, even though not all of them are likeable or pleasant.
I've enjoyed this book (not as much as I enjoyed Ludlum's later releases) simply because it intrigued me, the characters were interesting and the plot was fascinating since both the reader and the main character have no idea what's going on.
Even though the book might seem thick, as are most of Ludlum's books, it is a quick read and a page turner.
February 6, 2008
I enjoyed this quick novel (by Ludlum standards) much more than I thought I would. It's very different from his other works in that it doesn't feature some nearly superhuman government agent, but just a regular guy in his regular life that gets caught up in some very irregular stuff. Much of it feels almost like an Agatha Christie novel, as you're trying to figure out who's who and who did what do whom. That, and the final 100 pages are non-stop action, suspense, and thrills. Not a Ludlum "classic," but quite a fun read.
August 14, 2016
An early 1970s cold war spy thriller. One of Ludlum's earliest books and if you're used to his other books such as the Parsifal Mosaic and the Bourne trilogy you'll be disappointed as it's more of a mystery novel than an action come spy thriller.
Most of the novel is taken setting up the weekend for a 24 hour clash where the plot is resolved - CIA vs KGB allies. Whilst no doubt an excellent book in its time, it has aged poorly.
If you're wanting to read all of Ludlum's works, sure give it a look but if you're after entertainment you'd be better off with one of his other titles.
Most of the novel is taken setting up the weekend for a 24 hour clash where the plot is resolved - CIA vs KGB allies. Whilst no doubt an excellent book in its time, it has aged poorly.
If you're wanting to read all of Ludlum's works, sure give it a look but if you're after entertainment you'd be better off with one of his other titles.
March 27, 2010
Read this in an evening, bit of a slow start but as with all Ludlum novels they hook you and you don't want to set them down. It is very short by Ludlum standards but it's still a very good story none-the-less. A few people in their reviews say that it's dated. What do they expect? Just set yourself in that time period and there shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, 4 out of 5 from me.
June 29, 2011
Robert Ludlum was one of the original action, mystery and twist and turn writers of the 1970's and of course the creator of the Bourne Series as a fan of his for over a few decades I was glad that I finally read this one by him. This was his second book, but for some reason I never read it. If you love Robert Ludlum it is worth reading.
November 16, 2018
The first Ludlum book I have read, and it moved fast. Ludlow has a style of writing that moves well. Suspense was exceptional; and unpredictable. It's not fair to the book, but it was a little dated.
This was an easy read. Ludlum captures the egos(and there was plenty of that to go around) of the characters so well that I nearly imagined a movie playing out. Go figure, and no small wonder so many of his books are now also movies.
This was an easy read. Ludlum captures the egos(and there was plenty of that to go around) of the characters so well that I nearly imagined a movie playing out. Go figure, and no small wonder so many of his books are now also movies.
July 23, 2016
"The Osterman Weekend" is yet another timeless classic by the Master of Espionage, Robert Ludlum. If I remember correctly, I had read this book sometime around 1989. This is the continuation of my journey back in time, into the world of Robert Ludlum which I had started in July 2016 with "The Scarlatti Inheritance". As I had expected, "The Osterman Weekend" was much more exciting and enjoyable now as my own knowledge and awareness about the human psychology simply adds to deeper levels of understanding of the intrigue created by Mr. Ludlum in this book.
"The Osterman Weekend", written in 1972 is of a completely different flavour to its predecessor "The Scarlatti Inheritance". And yet, it solidifies Ludlum as a game changer in the genre. This book shows that though the genre is "espionage", Mr. Ludlum is extremely versatile in exploring a completely different era, setup and environment while continuing to deliver undiluted intrigue.
The story is set in a remote location somewhere near New York, USA. The main premise of the plot here is "lies and deception". It starts with simple thread and slowly Mr. Ludlum spins out layers and layers of deception the reader has no clue what is the reality and what is the deception. This story is one of pure psychological battle. The protagonist, just a pawn, who happens to be the unfortunate individual who was a potential tool, nothing more than that. I guess "expendable" is the word I learnt during my teenage years from Mr. Ludlum.
The "Osterman Weekend" is all about trust issues and how simple planted lies can break down years of trust in the blink of an eye, break down solid relationships built over years. The dialogue and the narration of the book is more about what's left unsaid, or rather, what lies beneath what's actually being said, the insinuations, the suggestions, the veiled accusations. What will draw you deeper and deeper into the cesspool of the plot is how anyone can be manipulated. This book is exactly like the "tentacle" in the book. It takes hold of you slowly, and then keeps grasping you till you find it difficult to breathe. You will know it's happening and the only way to save yourself is to race through to the end.
This book is definitely a signature Robert Ludlum work. Deeply intriguing as the entire thrill and suspense is created through extremely well researched, delicately plotted and deadly manipulative deception.
Once you finish the book, you will realise that maybe, just maybe, one (or few) of your own relationships burnt down because of some "Osterman Weekend" had played out in the real life. Or maybe, it can play out before you even realise its happening.
This is a book that you MUST read and continue your journey into the abyss of the world of Robert Ludlum.
"The Osterman Weekend", written in 1972 is of a completely different flavour to its predecessor "The Scarlatti Inheritance". And yet, it solidifies Ludlum as a game changer in the genre. This book shows that though the genre is "espionage", Mr. Ludlum is extremely versatile in exploring a completely different era, setup and environment while continuing to deliver undiluted intrigue.
The story is set in a remote location somewhere near New York, USA. The main premise of the plot here is "lies and deception". It starts with simple thread and slowly Mr. Ludlum spins out layers and layers of deception the reader has no clue what is the reality and what is the deception. This story is one of pure psychological battle. The protagonist, just a pawn, who happens to be the unfortunate individual who was a potential tool, nothing more than that. I guess "expendable" is the word I learnt during my teenage years from Mr. Ludlum.
The "Osterman Weekend" is all about trust issues and how simple planted lies can break down years of trust in the blink of an eye, break down solid relationships built over years. The dialogue and the narration of the book is more about what's left unsaid, or rather, what lies beneath what's actually being said, the insinuations, the suggestions, the veiled accusations. What will draw you deeper and deeper into the cesspool of the plot is how anyone can be manipulated. This book is exactly like the "tentacle" in the book. It takes hold of you slowly, and then keeps grasping you till you find it difficult to breathe. You will know it's happening and the only way to save yourself is to race through to the end.
This book is definitely a signature Robert Ludlum work. Deeply intriguing as the entire thrill and suspense is created through extremely well researched, delicately plotted and deadly manipulative deception.
Once you finish the book, you will realise that maybe, just maybe, one (or few) of your own relationships burnt down because of some "Osterman Weekend" had played out in the real life. Or maybe, it can play out before you even realise its happening.
This is a book that you MUST read and continue your journey into the abyss of the world of Robert Ludlum.
December 6, 2020
A fresh take on the very popular genre of spy thrillers.
Although it gets slightly confusing in the middle, I would certainly recommend it as a one time read for anyone looking to broaden their genres and are trying Ludlum for the first time.
And whilst reading the book, I also realized one thing that after reading this book, we should follow up by reading 1984 so that the entire concept of the Osterman Weekend can be better cemented in our minds.
While we do have a surface understanding of espionage and international conspiracies, the ground reality of it remains oblivious to us even now. So, the combination of Osterman Weekend and 1984 shall not only be very informative but entertaining as well.
All in all, 3 stars!
Although it gets slightly confusing in the middle, I would certainly recommend it as a one time read for anyone looking to broaden their genres and are trying Ludlum for the first time.
And whilst reading the book, I also realized one thing that after reading this book, we should follow up by reading 1984 so that the entire concept of the Osterman Weekend can be better cemented in our minds.
While we do have a surface understanding of espionage and international conspiracies, the ground reality of it remains oblivious to us even now. So, the combination of Osterman Weekend and 1984 shall not only be very informative but entertaining as well.
All in all, 3 stars!
June 29, 2025
John Tanner is approached by a secret government agent, and told that at least one of the couples visiting him over the weekend is part of a foreign enemy operation called Omega, and asks him to
help them to detect which couple or couple it is, but despite all assurances, it seems is family is in danger. Plot is complex and inadequately explained at the end, or perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention.
help them to detect which couple or couple it is, but despite all assurances, it seems is family is in danger. Plot is complex and inadequately explained at the end, or perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention.
August 13, 2016
Argumento confuso e pouco credível... Começou razoavelmente, ainda que sem história e um pouco aborrecido. Acabou com muita acção, mas muita confusão, sem pistas para se poder seguir a trama e tentar perceber o que se estava a passar... Bem me tinha dito a minha mulher que este escritor não era grande espingarda...
June 14, 2013
Needed a book for a 8 hour flight. Found this book on the library shelf and grabbed it. It's an enthralling story isn't it? Anyways I found it to be a good & fast read. It made the flight go by faster so it did it's job.
I recommend it.
There that's my review.
I recommend it.
There that's my review.
May 17, 2015
Una maraña total, con eso describiría perfectamente a este escrito.
No es un mal libro, pero no lo recomendaría.
No es un mal libro, pero no lo recomendaría.
November 2, 2019
This was my first exposure to the espionage thrillers of Robert Ludlum. The novel by Robert Ludlum compared to the Alan Sharp (Screenplay) Ian Masters (Adaptation) is an amazing read. The current attack on President Trump by former friends like the Clinton's reminds me of this book.
John Tanner and his family are planning a big weekend with their friends the Cardones, the Treymanes, and the Ostermans. Tanner is informed that his three friends are Russian assets and he is asked to assist with intelligence gathering and surveillance by the CIA.
The novel was written and occurs in the early 1970s, around the time of Watergate, and almost 30 years before the events of 9/11 and the assinine Patriot Act. It addresses the illegal use of intelligence agencies to act within the United States and gather information on United States citizens without FISA warrants FISC approval. In fact, the book may have been influential in the 1978 Congressional idea to create the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the subsequent Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court system.
https://youtu.be/9q5rT37lJYw
The biggest let down was the fact that it really should have been a blockbuster hit movie. The names were huge. Director: Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs, The Getaway) and actors like Burt Lancaster (Seven Days in May), Rutger Hauer (Night Hawks Blade Runner), John Hurt (Alien), Craig T. Nelson (pre-Coach, Action Jackson, The District), and Dennis Hopper (Rebel Without a Cause, Giant, Easy Rider). Sadly, Sam was not at his best while dealing with the studio after some major flops and substance abuse issues. The actors did their best but the script and Peckinpah's insistence on Film Auteur style shots made the movie difficult to watch.
John Tanner and his family are planning a big weekend with their friends the Cardones, the Treymanes, and the Ostermans. Tanner is informed that his three friends are Russian assets and he is asked to assist with intelligence gathering and surveillance by the CIA.
The novel was written and occurs in the early 1970s, around the time of Watergate, and almost 30 years before the events of 9/11 and the assinine Patriot Act. It addresses the illegal use of intelligence agencies to act within the United States and gather information on United States citizens without FISA warrants FISC approval. In fact, the book may have been influential in the 1978 Congressional idea to create the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the subsequent Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court system.
https://youtu.be/9q5rT37lJYw
The biggest let down was the fact that it really should have been a blockbuster hit movie. The names were huge. Director: Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs, The Getaway) and actors like Burt Lancaster (Seven Days in May), Rutger Hauer (Night Hawks Blade Runner), John Hurt (Alien), Craig T. Nelson (pre-Coach, Action Jackson, The District), and Dennis Hopper (Rebel Without a Cause, Giant, Easy Rider). Sadly, Sam was not at his best while dealing with the studio after some major flops and substance abuse issues. The actors did their best but the script and Peckinpah's insistence on Film Auteur style shots made the movie difficult to watch.
March 7, 2022
First Robert Ludlum, and definitely not a great start. THE OSTERMAN WEEKEND works as a stereotypical cold war thriller set in suburbia that takes way too long to get going and relies primarily on dialogue interactions rather than action. Not my kind of espionage narrative, I wonder how Peckinpah's film compares to this.
May 31, 2017
The Osterman Weekend is an unusual story of a weekend spent by four friendly couples who possibly could be or not be an active member of a espionage set up. The author thickens the plot with soaring tension of suspicion & paranoia which strains the relationship of the core group of characters. NICE.
January 4, 2022
Read non-stop in a few hours. Well-written thriller. Twists at the end are so unexpected that they are expected. Not Nobel Prize winning literature, but decent nonetheless.
August 2, 2023
Spy novel full of paranoia and every is a suspect. Our lead, John Tanner, is confused as to what is going on and I can relate to that for I had a hard time following this overly complicated plot. Book has some nicely written sections but that did not overcome the unnecessary complex plot.
November 23, 2018
Very mysterious and dark - got confused by so mny names and realis, that finally found it in translation in Bulgarian to be able to finidh . Plot abou 50-s and CIA and that stuff
August 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was a short read so it was fairly fast paced.
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