Helpful Score: 2
This is the sixth novel in Ludlum's "Covert-One" series, which has developed somewhat of a cult following (Covert-One even has its own website). And no wonder- it's got a little bit of everything you want in a thriller: espionage, nanotechnology, neat subplots, plenty of action and intrigue, strong and stoic heroes, spectacular international settings. What more can you ask for?!
Helpful Score: 2
Brings back the old spy story between the US and Russia with a nasty twist. Very good vacation, travel read. Slow in some spots but you want to know what happens next so keep going with it.
Storyline is that the Russian President wants all of old Russia back, uses a very specific virus to get rid of high level international government officials so that his war plans don't get noticed. Its a hunt and seek virus tailored to kill only the person it has been designed/programmed for, otherwise its harmless to others. Once US operatives discover something is going on its a race to find the evidence before its destroyed and Russia invades its old territories.
Storyline is that the Russian President wants all of old Russia back, uses a very specific virus to get rid of high level international government officials so that his war plans don't get noticed. Its a hunt and seek virus tailored to kill only the person it has been designed/programmed for, otherwise its harmless to others. Once US operatives discover something is going on its a race to find the evidence before its destroyed and Russia invades its old territories.
Author Patrick Larking has done an excellent job in continuing Robert Ludlum's acclaimed Covert-One series. Not only does Larking manage to present a well-written story, but also present an amazing execution of the English language, describing everything in great detail from the battles to HYDRA.
In this book, a new weapon is introduced. But this time it isn't a computerized or biochemical weapon. It's a special virus, constructed directly with the intended victim's DNA. To describe the virus in short medical terms, HYDRA is a mutated human cell constructed using a single-stranded virus and altered cDNA, a replica of the victim's DNA. When in the intended victim, this cell would lodge itself in the gut and multiply rapidly, shutting down the intricate process of cell division and reproduction, causing death. Not only that, but no doctor would think to look at the supposedly harmless E.coli in the gut that has suddenly become life threatening. But even if a doctor did find out, the victim cannot be cured once the HYDRA variant has taken hold.
At the beginning of the book, we get an idea of just how important this disease is. Dr. Kiryanov had stolen a number of tissue and blood samples of the first few victims, as well as photocopied important documents concerning the victims. He was on his way to see Fiona Devin, an American journalist, also a Covert-One agent. Kiryanov was on his way with the paperwork so that American medical researchers could study the disease, but was killed with a Hydra variant before he was able to hand over the paperwork.
Somewhere else in Moscow, Dr. Petrenko was meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Jon Smith, both an accomplished molecular biologist and Covert-One agent. Petrenko is concerned about the same disease, and also has paperwork, tissue and blood samples for Smith. But before Petrenko can hand over the information, a group of mysterious men attack. The mysterious men are obviously a group of experienced gunmen, and kill Petrenko. His notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.
As the story unfolds, more HYDRA variants are delivered to their intended target - President Castilla among them. But before that variant begins work, Smith sends info to Klein, allowing him to stop the Hydra variant. In the meantime, Russia seems to be ready to reclaim the lands of the former Soviet Union.
What will happen? Will Russia reclaim the lands of the Soviet Union? What will become of the HYDRA disease?
In this book, a new weapon is introduced. But this time it isn't a computerized or biochemical weapon. It's a special virus, constructed directly with the intended victim's DNA. To describe the virus in short medical terms, HYDRA is a mutated human cell constructed using a single-stranded virus and altered cDNA, a replica of the victim's DNA. When in the intended victim, this cell would lodge itself in the gut and multiply rapidly, shutting down the intricate process of cell division and reproduction, causing death. Not only that, but no doctor would think to look at the supposedly harmless E.coli in the gut that has suddenly become life threatening. But even if a doctor did find out, the victim cannot be cured once the HYDRA variant has taken hold.
At the beginning of the book, we get an idea of just how important this disease is. Dr. Kiryanov had stolen a number of tissue and blood samples of the first few victims, as well as photocopied important documents concerning the victims. He was on his way to see Fiona Devin, an American journalist, also a Covert-One agent. Kiryanov was on his way with the paperwork so that American medical researchers could study the disease, but was killed with a Hydra variant before he was able to hand over the paperwork.
Somewhere else in Moscow, Dr. Petrenko was meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Jon Smith, both an accomplished molecular biologist and Covert-One agent. Petrenko is concerned about the same disease, and also has paperwork, tissue and blood samples for Smith. But before Petrenko can hand over the information, a group of mysterious men attack. The mysterious men are obviously a group of experienced gunmen, and kill Petrenko. His notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.
As the story unfolds, more HYDRA variants are delivered to their intended target - President Castilla among them. But before that variant begins work, Smith sends info to Klein, allowing him to stop the Hydra variant. In the meantime, Russia seems to be ready to reclaim the lands of the former Soviet Union.
What will happen? Will Russia reclaim the lands of the Soviet Union? What will become of the HYDRA disease?
I am only letting this go because I picked up 2 copies by accident. Not as good as the books Ludlum wrote himself, but a good read.
quick read, good story, enjoyed another n the Ludlum series
A fast moving Covert One novel with tons of twists and turns.
THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK IN THE LUDLUM TRADITION. THE MAIN CHARACTER DIDN'T SEEM TO FIT HIS BACKGROUND BUT ONCE I GOT OVER IT THE BOOK WAS GREAT
A high level spy-suspense story set in Russia concerning a strange disease and deaths.
This is the sixth novel in Ludlum's "Covert-One" series, which has developed somewhat of a cult following (Covert-One even has its own website). And no wonder- it's got a little bit of everything you want in a thriller: espionage, nanotechnology, neat subplots, plenty of action and intrigue, strong and stoic heroes, spectacular international settings. What more can you ask for?!
At an international conference in Prague, Lt.Col. Jon Smith, an Army research doctor specializing in infectious diseases and secretly an agent attached to Covert-One, is contacted by a Russian colleague, Dr. Valentin Petrenko. Petrenko is concerned about a small cluster of mysterious deaths in Moscow and about the Russian government's refusal to release publicly any information or data on the outbreak. When the two meet, they are attacked by a group of mysterious men and Petrenko is killed, his notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.
At the same time, a series of government officials around the world are coming down with a mysterious, fast-acting virus with a 100% fatality rate. These deaths are somehow related to the increasing militarism from the new Russian government, headed by the autocratic and ambitious President Viktor Dudarev. With few clues and precious little time, Smith and Covert-One must unravel this mysterious plot and find the mysterious figure who stands at the center of it all...
At the same time, a series of government officials around the world are coming down with a mysterious, fast-acting virus with a 100% fatality rate. These deaths are somehow related to the increasing militarism from the new Russian government, headed by the autocratic and ambitious President Viktor Dudarev. With few clues and precious little time, Smith and Covert-One must unravel this mysterious plot and find the mysterious figure who stands at the center of it all...
Fast-paced medical spy thriller. Good stuff
At an international conference in Prague, Lt. Col. Jon Smith, an Army research doctor specializing in infectious diseases and secretly an agent attached to Covert-One, is contacted by a Russian colleague, Dr. Valentine Petrenko. Petrenko is concerned about a small cluster of mysterious deaths in Moscow and about the Russian governments refusal to release publicly any information or data on the outbreak. When the two meet, they are attacked by a group of mysterious men and Petrenko is killed, his notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life. At the same time, a series of government officials around the world are coming down with a mysterious, fast-acting virus with a 100% fatality rate. These deaths are somehow related to the increasing militarism from the new Russian government, headed by the autocratic and ambitious President Victor Dudarev. With few clues and precious little time, Smith and Covert-One must unravel this mysterious plot and find the mysterious figure who stands at the center of it all
"One heck of a thriller . . . loaded with all the intrigue, paranoia, and real-life parallels that made Ludlum famous." PEOPLE
Excellent book, although a little tedious at times. I can hardly wait fot the next installment in the Covert One series.
I had a hard time reading this book. I didn't finish it.
Actually, this is not my book, as I have not ever really read any of Ludlam's work. But he is a very prolific and popular writer and has an enormous fan base. This is another of his best selling novels. My mother read this book and really enjoyed it, which IMO, is a good referral (although she is a voracious reader and tends to read three books at a time).
It is my impression that, if you are a Ludlam fan, you will enjoy this book. Or, if you enjoy best-selling action/suspense fiction and have not read Ludlam, reading this novel will provide you an introduction to a new source of many future enjoyable reads.
It is my impression that, if you are a Ludlam fan, you will enjoy this book. Or, if you enjoy best-selling action/suspense fiction and have not read Ludlam, reading this novel will provide you an introduction to a new source of many future enjoyable reads.
Good series. Keeps you interested until the very end.
Latest book in the Covert One series. The best one so far.
I enjoyed in eminencely, like all the other books by Ludlum and his co-horts. Some things are predictible others are not. A great book to take you away from the present..
From Publishers Weekly:"One might think that time would have taken its toll on the crusty, disgruntled Soviet dinosaurs who want to return Russia to its Communist glory days, but evidently not. Larkin, helming Ludlum's Covert One series, has dreamed up a new bunch of hard-liners, armed with HYDRA, a designer poison that singles out and kills victims based on DNA. With HYDRA having dispatched numerous U.S. and allied intelligence agents, Russian President Viktor Dudarev is poised to launch Operation ZHUKOV, a takeover strike against Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and half of Ukraine. Leading a covert investigation of HYDRA is series regular Lt. Col. Jonathan Smith, U.S. Army molecular biologist and chief operative of supersecret spy agency Covert One...." Copyright © Reed Business Information
Beautiful copy.
For the past three decades Robert Ludlums bestselling novels have been enjoyed by hundreds of millions of readers worldwide and have set the standard against which all other thrillers are measured. His Covert-One series has been among his most beloved creations. Now comes the latest thrilling novel in the series:
Robert Ludlums The Moscow Vector
At an international conference in Prague, Lt. Col. Jon Smith, an Army research doctor specializing in infectious diseases and secretly an agent attached to Covert-One, is contacted by a Russian colleague, Dr. Valentine Petrenko. Petrenko is concerned about a small cluster of mysterious deaths in Moscow and about the Russian governments refusal to release publicly any information or data on the outbreak. When the two meet, they are attacked by a group of mysterious men and Petrenko is killed. His notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.
At the same time, a series of government officials around the world are coming down with a mysterious, fast-acting virus with a 100% fatality rate. These deaths are somehow related to the increasing militarism from the new Russian government, headed by the autocratic and ambitious President Victor Dudarev. With few clues and precious little time, Smith and Covert-One must unravel this mysterious plot and find the mysterious figure who stands at the center of it all.
.
For the past three decades Robert Ludlums bestselling novels have been enjoyed by hundreds of millions of readers worldwide and have set the standard against which all other thrillers are measured. His Covert-One series has been among his most beloved creations. Now comes the latest thrilling novel in the series:
Robert Ludlums The Moscow Vector
At an international conference in Prague, Lt. Col. Jon Smith, an Army research doctor specializing in infectious diseases and secretly an agent attached to Covert-One, is contacted by a Russian colleague, Dr. Valentine Petrenko. Petrenko is concerned about a small cluster of mysterious deaths in Moscow and about the Russian governments refusal to release publicly any information or data on the outbreak. When the two meet, they are attacked by a group of mysterious men and Petrenko is killed. His notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.
At the same time, a series of government officials around the world are coming down with a mysterious, fast-acting virus with a 100% fatality rate. These deaths are somehow related to the increasing militarism from the new Russian government, headed by the autocratic and ambitious President Victor Dudarev. With few clues and precious little time, Smith and Covert-One must unravel this mysterious plot and find the mysterious figure who stands at the center of it all.
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A great page turner. The Covert One series is outstanding.
Series about Jon Smith. I couldn't get into these, but my husband liked them.
