The Cry of Halidon [Hardcover]

Jonathan Ryder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1985

Alex McAuliff has received an offer he can't refuse: two million dollars for a geological survey of Jamaica's dark interior. All Dunstone, Limited, requires is his time, his expertise, and his absolute secrecy. No one—not even McAuliff's handpicked team—can know of Dunstone's involvement.

But British Intelligence is aware of the deal and they've let Alex in on a secret of their own: the last survey team Dunstone dispatched to Jamaica vanished without a trace. Now it's too late to turn back. Alex already knows about Dunstone...which means he knows too much.

From the moment he lands in Jamaica, Alex is a marked man. But who wants him dead? Dunstone? A rival company? Or British Intelligence? Here in an island paradise where even a beautiful woman might be a spy, every move could be his last, and his only clue to survival is a single mysterious word: Halidon.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ludlum's tale of international intrigue was originally published under a pseudonym in 1975.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Review

First published under the pseudonym Jonathan Ryder, The Cry of the Halidon is vintage entertainment from suspense master Robert Ludlum. -- Review --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (August 15, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0246126108
• ISBN-13: 978-0246126108
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,293,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Far Cry from Ludlum's best, August 3, 2005

By 

Edmund Khoo - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cry of the Halidon (Mass Market Paperback)

Taut with international intrigue and frenetic action, Robert Ludlum's novels are generally highly entertaining and rich with suspense. The standard of The Cry of the Halidon, however, is well below his usual.

Unlike most of his other books, The Cry of the Halidon is rarely suspenseful and does not build to a recognizable climax. The plot is typical Ludlum fare, with Alexander Tarquin Mcauliff selected by a company, -Dunstone Limited- to head a survey team deep into the Jamaican forests. Minutes after successfully attaining the survey assignment, he is approached by British Intelligence and informed that the motives of Dunstone are far from honest.

Naturally, he finds himself involved not only with British Intelligence, Dunstone and the rebel factions of Jamaica but also with a third faction, an organization known only as the "Halidon." While initially this may seem gripping and interesting, the text quickly becomes confused and rambling. With so many hostile organizations and no primary antagonist, it is frequently difficult to comprehend the plot, let alone the actions of the main character.

Although the novel does become more interesting at its conclusion, I found The Cry of the Halidon to be ultimately unsatisfying, with its more suspenseful elements overwhelmed by a confusing plot, a sprawling diction and a lackluster climax.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, August 16, 2004

By 

Asimov - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cry of the Halidon (Mass Market Paperback)

A weak story line and a confusing plot ensured that I was complete lost somewhere in the middle of Jamica in the first few chapters.Was disappointing to read this work of Ludlum, who otherwise has had an untarnished reputation so far.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a big let down, February 14, 2004

By 

pravin (tn,india) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cry of the Halidon (Mass Market Paperback)

being a ludlum fan,i took this book with great expectations.this book not onlylacks speed and action but also good characterisation.totally it is a big disappointment for ludlum fans.for new ludlum readers i would like to recommend the bourne identity