Date first published	1997
ISBN Number	0 002 25347 X
Page Count	487 H/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

The Matarese are on the March nearly 30 years after their last attempt to take control of the world. Times may have changed but the Matarese haven't, destroying everyone who tries to stop them.

The CIA knowing the threat that faces them call on Brandon Scofield to come out of retirement to help in the fight against the new Matarese. Scofield is initially reluctant, but after having his private paradise assaulted by Matarese thugs, he realises that he has no choice and battle is joined.

Scofield and his small team embark on tracking down the financial trails that will lead them to the heart of the Matarese web. They face many threats and obstacles in their quest, including the ever present spies working within the various security agencies. No-one is safe and no-one can be trusted.

Scofield follow the trails and eventually come before the men who now run the organisation, and is shocked to find the man behind everything is a man he thought long dead, was sure he had killed all those years ago.

Having found the headquarters, can Scofield crack the codes that can stop the chaos to come. The battle intensifies, as the Matarese realise they are under threat and move up their timescale. No-one will stop them this time.

Review

Ludlum's last book wasn't bad, but this one is a cracking good yarn. Much of the book focuses on action and less on dialogue, which I have come to the conclusion he doesn't do very well. Much of his dialogue ends up in a non sensical diatribe. It does creep in in places but is not that bad. I would say that the book has been subject to some very good editing. The result a taught action packed thriller.

Since the original Matarese story time has moved on (nearly 30 years), this is reflected in the actions of Scofield. he gets involved, but not to the extent he did in the previous book, and none of the action is beyond a man in his 60s. When he does have an epic fight, it is with a man of similar age and strength, which means that Scofield does have the chance to over come his opponent (in a most gruesome way).

In this story the action is led by Cameron Pryce, the man that has taken over Scofields mantle at CIA. Under Scofields guidance it is Pryce that carries out much of the more dangerous work, and it is he who is left to live on his wits.

Like most of his novels, there is a strong woman in the foreground. However this story we have two strong female characters. Scofield's wife, and Colonel Leslie Montrose, a G2 spook. Montrose role is initially one of liaison, and security, however after a devastating attack on the compound where Scofield is operating from she is taken on board as a full team member.

Much as happened in the original book with Scofield finding his true love, so to does Colonel Montrose, in the shape of Cameron Pryce. The affair develops but not at the expense of the rest of the book, and it is only in the last 7 or 8 pages it gets a bit sugary.

I won't say who is behind the new Matarese, as it will spoil the surprise, but both are as demented as the originator of the Matarese concept, and with the poison of corruption more powerful than ever before. Just as it looks as if the good guys are on top, their lead disappears, or the body is found a little later.

Ludlum does try to throw in a couple of red herrings regarding Montrose, and Colley, however they get cleared up so quickly that they don't really serve any point, however it is a minor point, and I suppose on reflection it does help to build sense of paranoia.

Some of the dialogue regarding the British agent Waters, who seems to end every sentence with old boy. Back in the sixties, he may well of done, but in the nineties, I feel it is very unlikely. Still it is a minor flaw, and not one to dwell on.

Overall I liked this story a lot. Having reduced the page count to under 500 pages has worked well. We get less pointless chatter and more action. Just as it should be.

So is the story better than the original? I don't think so, but it is certainly up to the standard, that I thought Ludlum had lost. If you want to read two stories that are total opposites then this and Road to Omaha are good bets. This story is far superior to Omaha, a book I can't understand, and a book that I really detest. Luckily there aren't many Ludlums that bad (Mind you I haven't read many books from any author that are that bad).

A really good story, and well paced, if you haven't read the Matarese Circle, do so first, as it sets up a lot of the characters, and the theories behind the Matarese.

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