The Tangent Objective

Peter Tangent #1

by Lawrence Sanders

A negotiator for a large petroleum exploration project in Africa finds himself becoming involved in a political coup d'etat

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

345 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite a protagonist with a bit more depth than usual, this 1970s thriller was rather run-of-the-mill. It’s set in a fictitious corrupt African state where Peter Tangent is an oil executive who backs a coup attempt to reap profit but then realises the positive implications for the locals if the idealistic captain he is supporting is successful. Ultimately it’s a fairly standard and violent military adventure, readable but dated now.

[Rick Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago, and read it again a few times. It’s one of those books you think, I don’t know what it is about this that I like so much, but I did. Whether it was the plot, or characters, I don’t know. I should read it again and see if it still stands up. I read no other books by Saunders, so nothing to compare it to.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

A basic story without suspense. A representative of an oil company doing wildcat drilling off the coast of an African country becomes involved with the attempted coup.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1977. A novel of greed , oil and adventure in Africa.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess Lawrence Sanders (The Anderson Tapes) is pretty much passe now. I love his police procurals (the Deadly Sin series) set in NYC featuring Francis X. Delaney. His other series are also good. This one is different, about a revolution in a fictional African cleptocracy. The characters are realistic, the pace is riveting.

[Cathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Left this at the hairdresser's with only about 30 pages left. Not worth finishing. Usually love Sanders but this one was just a little too militaristic for me.

[Gabrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was incredibly boring and there is nothing else much to say. I really couldnt get much from it.

[Ronald Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed but felt like a novelization of a film. Love Sanders' police procedurals but this is likely forgettable and just "good".

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like Sanders. This one started out fine but bogged down so just skimmed the rest to find out what happened.

[David Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an Archy McNally but good

[Joni · Rating 2 out of 5]

4