Storyline

Terrorists have taken 200 American hostages, and are threatening to kill them all unless their demands are met. Neither the Omani Government nor the Americans are abe to do anything to prevent further bloodshed.

Enter a Congressman from Colorado, Evan Kendrick, who offers to use his knowledge and expertise to find and kill the man behind the terrorists. In return he wants no public acknowledgement of his involvment.

With reluctance Kendrick is flown into Oman to start his resuce mission. To save the lives of the hostages, he needs to kill one man. With the aid of a crack Mossad rescue team, they eventually track down the Mahdi and kill him. Closing a brief chapter in his life.

A secret organisation once destroyed has reappeared, and they like what they see in Kendrick, and start a plan to get him elected Vice President. As part of the plan, Kendricks' involvement in Oman is released to the press. Not everyone is pleased at the news and death squads are sent from the Bekka Valley to terminate Kendrick and all who know him.

Whilst fighting terrorists, the plot to elevate him to Vice President continues. For Inver Brass are back, and they want their man in power.

Review

The book has three parts, Kendricks adventure in Oman, his battle with Inver Brass, and then a prologue, which sets the scene for a new Global Inver Brass. The Omani adventure is okay, it relies on a lot of fast talking from Kendrick, and with terrorists, I don't think they would wait to ask questions, they would just shoot, and worry later. The idea that he could infiltrate such an organisation and with so little knowledge slightly undermines the whole story. The knowledge he has powerful friends and a sexy CIA agent does help to bridge the gap. The story really gathers pace when Kendricks plan unravels, and he is heading for a short one way trip to shark infested waters, then the professionals (in the shape of the Mossad) take over and sort matters out.

The second part of the book, is actually the main course. The Omani exploits merely giving background to the main story, of why Inver Brass like what they see in Kendrick, although they seem to fail to spot his reluctance to be Congressman. This point is another weakness. Inver Brass have allegedly researched the subject in depth, and not found out about his reluctance to stay in the political arena!

The story is really about power and corruption, of those in government, and how they and the contractors that supply military ordenance look after one another, without caring about cost. Ludlum also returns to his favourite subject of secret organisations manipulating things for their own desire, and that the checks and balances of government don't always work.

The story is reasonably fast paced, although at times I find the way Ludlum expresses himself somewhat tiring, none more so than the Manny character. The way he talks and acts drives me nuts! The character is certainly essential in the first part of the story, as he is the direct link into Mossad, however for the main story he is semi redundant, only really needed to handle the terrorist threat. The fact that he seems to be in the country illegally would also seem to be a major issue.

Again we have a strong female character in the form of agent Rashad, strong indepenedent and living a dangerous life. It is not surprising that the two are brought together to fight the hidden foe.

Overall quite a good story, with Ludlum in the latter section, doing what he does best, conspiracy with the central character the unwitting conspiritor.

Previous	Index	Next