Publisher's Weekly Review
Ludlum's 14th suspense caper has the earmarks of all his others: the mysterious cabal involved in global conspiracy; the surges of sudden violence; the careful veneer of local color to provide authenticity; and the rather graceless prose punctuated with breathless italicizing to keep the suspense going. The protagonist this time is Congressman Evan Kendrick, who secretly goes to Oman to rescue a large group of Americans held hostage there. Disguised as a terrorist and aided by the young sultan and a beautiful American-Arab agent, Kendrick succeeds so well that his anonymity is betrayed, and he becomes an instant hero back home, as well as a reluctant presidential candidate. After his cover is blown, however, he also becomes the target for terrorist assassination. Behind all the evildoing is a cabal headed by a man who calls himself the Mahdi, its purpose to acquire the power that money brings by selling arms to religious fanatics. And on this side of the ocean there are other secret forces at work, with awesome power at their command. While violence piles on violence, Ludlum does some high-flown moralizing. The story's underlying philosophy can be found, or at least sought, in the characteristically fuzzy statement: ``The arrogance of blind belief led all the mendacities of human thought.'' Hardcore fans will have fun with this one, but it's not Ludlum's best by a long shot. 500,000 first printing; BOMC main selection; author tour. (March) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Blueprinted from a page torn out of his The Chancellor Manuscript (1977), Ludlum's latest multi-pounder recycles that novel's silly ""Inver Brass"" (IB)--a well-intentioned cabal that puppeteers US destiny--as it manipulates a noble legislator towards the Oval Office. Thankfully, IB only peeks around the corner in this bruiser's first third. Those initial 218 pages (""Book I""), trumpeting the heroics of altruistic millionaire Congressman Even Kendrick as he rescues 247 Yanks held hostage at the American embassy in the sheikdom of Oman, are a treat: a virtually stand-alone mini-thriller that's equal to the author's sleekest writing in years. From Kendrick's blustering into the State Dept. to offer help in the crisis to his bluffing his way, drenched in skin-darkening lotion, into the embassy (where he's tortured by Muslim fanatics) to his uncovering and slaying of ""The Mahdi"" (the madman behind the takeover), this is gripping action allegro non troppo--but, sadly, just prelude to a lumbering return to more familiar Ludlum-land of twisted plots and stunted characters (""Book II""). At the heart of this blasted terrain is IB, which, planning to whittle Kendrick into Presidential timber, begins to pull strings (media exposure, plum appointments) behind his back to make him a national hero. But IB harbors a traitor more interested in profit than patriotism, and soon hordes of homicidal Arabs are gunning for Kendrick. As dealings and stealings and shootings and lootings start to fly as thick as Ludlum's favored exclamation points and italics, Kendrick, new lover Khalehla (a sexy State Dept. spy), old pal Manny Weingrass (ex-Mossader, and dirty old man), Varak, nice-guy US Pres. Langford Jennings (read Ronald Reagan), and assorted villains flail about trying to survive the quicksand of Ludlum's plotting along enough to find out: Will IB's plan--the Icarus Agenda--turn Kendrick permanently from knight into pawn? A 500,000-copy first printing greets this sure-fire best-seller, but fails to alter the bald fact: this shopping-mall thriller is too big by two-thirds. Enter at your own risk--and keep a sharp eye for exits. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
The American embassy in Oman is seized by terrorists who threaten to execute their hostages. Evan Kendrick, a Colorado congressman who had made a fortune as a builder in that part of the world, offers to help free the captives, but asks that his role be kept secret. His mission to Masqat alone would have been a thrilling novel for another writer, but for Ludlum it is only the start of this long, intricate, exciting story of conspiracies within conspiracies. A year after the rescue, Kendrick finds himself famous as the hero of Masqat. The secret group Inver Brass (from Ludlum's The Chancellor Manuscript ) has determined to propel him into the highest offices. Is Inver Brass behind the murders of people close to Kendrick? Are the terrorists, assisted by top government figures, seeking revenge? Once you start reading you just can't stop. BOMC main selection. Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.