Customer Reviews

On Dangerous Ground

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book throws all sorts of surprises your way. Everything you've come to expect or think about the characters will all of a sudden change as their true personality is revealed. It's just full of surprises that keep you wanting more, even when nothing exciting is happening.

This book was particularly interesting because of the topic. With Hong Kong having been handed over just a little while back and me actually living there I thought it took on a different meaning. Now I wonder if something like this really happened, whether the Chungking Covenant actually existed and was found. Either way, it makes for a good read, especially on a lonely beach in Malaysia.

I agree with everyone else that has written reviews here, Dillon is a great character. He seems like the perfect secret agent, but he's also got a little bit of an evil past which helps make him the person he is. The way he and Asta relate really confuses me because when they are around each other they seem like they truly have a thing for each other, but when they go back to their homes their attitude completely changes. Asta is a great character too, mainly because of that side of her, the way she changes so quickly makes you unsure of her motives so that when they are revealed at the end it really surprises you.

All in all this a great book that I never expected to like. I had to pick out a book on China for english and this seemed like the one that would appeal the most to me.

In China, in 1944, in the waning days of WW2, a document was signed by Mao Tse Sung and witnessed by Lord Louis Nountbatten, on behalf of Winston Churchill. This document, the Chungking Covenant, guaranteed continued rights to the British to accupy Hong Kong for yet another 100 years. The plane on which Scottish Officer, Ian Campbell and the Covenant was flying, crashed but Campbell , barely alive, was rescued by his batman and returned to England, never to regain his wits.Fifty years later as the time approaches for the handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese, the now aged batman reveals the presence of the Covenant to be hidden somewhere in the grounds of Campbell's castle in the Highlands of Scotland and both British Intelligence forces and the Mafia, who hold huge interests in Hong Kong, are anxious to acquire the document. The Brits hire Sean Dillon, former IRA operative and general mercenary to many countries (but definitely an almost good guy) to act on their behalf and to vie with a mysterious American millionaire, to get the document. If you like action thrillers with plenty going on, you'll love this as I did...it would make a marvellous movie!

Near the conclusion of WWII the British and Chinese Communists have a meeting during which they signed a pact, called the Chungking Covenant, which would extend British rule over Hong Kong for 100 years, provided the Communists were in control of China at wars end. The document is seemingly lost when the plane carrying it to England crashes. Fifty years later, news of the documents survival surfaces, when the surviving pilot of the plane advises a Mafia connected doctor of its existance. The Mafia, of course, would make multi-millions if they could get their hands on the document.

Here again, our two favorites, Sean Dillon and Brigadier Ferguson, match wits with a coterie of espionage agents, such as Carl Mason and his step-sister Asta, who portrays herself as a sweet and loving woman, but who, in reality is just the opposite...a true vixen. The characters and the plot are both well developed and hold your interest throughout the whole story.

E.J. Walden, author of "Operation Snow Owl"

An excellent novel by Jack Higgins. This suspenseful novel is for young adults and older. In 1944, Mao Tse-Tung and Lord Mountbatten signed a secret document. If the British would supply the Chinese Communist Army with ammos to fight the Japanese, Mao Tse-Tung would extend the British Rule over Hong Kong by another hundred years if he ever rules China. However, the plane that held the secret documents was lost in a plane crash.

In 1993, the Italian Mafia learned about the secret documents from one of the pilots that survived in the plane crash. Now, the Italian Mafia would find the documents so their billions of dollars of investment will not be gone in Hong Kong. The British Government finds out that the Mafia is up to the documents. Sean Dillon and Brigadier Ferguson are on a mission directly given by the Prime Minister to recover the documents before the Mafia lay its hands on them.

I recommend this book for people who have spare time to read. It's an excellent novel after all. The storyline is interesting. With the beginning focusing on Mao and Lord Mountbatten and then it ends. It then jumps right into 1993. The Mao part is great. I thought that their meeting really happened. The author has a serious tone in that part of the novel. The best part of the novel that I thought was when Sean Dillon was introduced. He seems like a cool and cold-blooded guy. A guy who use to work for any other terrorist or government organization. He bombed places and killed people. However, he never killed children or women. He sounds like a brutal man but actually he's not. The author was smart in creating Sean Dillon because he makes Sean sounds like a bad guy at the start of the novel but when you read further in the story, what you think of him actually changes. Another interesting character is Asta. She appeals to be like a charming girl who only knows about having a peaceful life. But actually, she's a heartless woman who killed her own mother and tricked Sean Dillon. These two characters are interesting because they tend to change throughout the book.
When reading the book, the story becomes more exciting. There are more actions and myths to solve. Once you piece all the myths and problems, it feels like if you are part of the story with them to solve the case.

I think Jack Higgins could do better in stretching the storyline and having a longer climax and resolution because the climax was not that good and the resolution sucked. But, after all, this book is good.

An exciting novel, which one should not miss. Check out this book and read it. Do the documents really exist...

As usual Jack Higgins knows how to thrill. Former IRA terrorist Sean Dillon, who walks a fine line between good and bad, takes to the Scottish Highlands for this fast-paced adventure. In 1944 a secret pact was signed by Hong Kong and England extending British rule over Hong Kong by 100 years until 2097 rather then restoring the nation to China in 1997. However, the document vanishes during an airplane crash over Scotland. The two pilots survive but the vital paper is lost, and with it the matter is laid to rest.

In 1993, the only living pilot confesses on his deathbed to an Italian doctor the details of the covenant. The doctor, who is from a Sicilian mafia family, informs them of the news. The mafia has a vested interest in the deal, as they run and own much of Hong Kong's most successful enterprises. Meanwhile, the reports of the old treaty leak to British officals and like the mafia, they want to get a hold of the paper if it still exists. But who would be the brightest and best person to overcome the odds in finding it? Bring in Sean Dillon!

The pursuit heats to a boil as the charming Dillon takes on the most powerful men in the Italian underworld. The Scottish countryside is turned upside down while Dillon and his colleagues Brigadier Ferguson and the lovely Chief Inspector Hannah Bernstein face continous grave danger as attempts are made on their lives. Indubitably, Sean Dillon outwits the most skilled assassins and finds incredible solutions to get out of the non-stop trouble surrounding him. Sounds a bit far-fetched? You bet! But that's what fiction is all about. I believe Sean Dillon is one of the most exciting characters in modern day thrillers, even if I do find myself rolling my eyes at the amazing way he works his way out of his predicaments. Also recommended: "Eye of the Storm," my personal five-star favorite by Higgins featuring the ever-clever Irishman Mr. Dillon.

Jack Higgins created two real interesting and unique characters in Dillon and Asta. The uniqueness of the many talents of Dillon was always interesting. He made Asta an awful lot like Dillon-she was talented and knowledgeable. I was unable to guess that Asta was the bad person until real late in the book. This is the reason that Higgins kept my attention so well. I do plan to read more of Higgins books in the future and I recommend them to anybody that wants easy reading and lots of excitement.

Higgins has a way of jaming all the real action into the last couple of chapters but for some reason when nothing is happening he keeps you reading. This book is also like that. The relationships in this book are interesting and they provide more insight in to the charecters. I really enjoyed reading and look forward to my next reading of a Higgins book.

After the prologue sets the background of the Chungking Covenant, the story jumps forward 50 years and digresses for the first two chapters in an unrelated case involving Sean Dillon. Chapter three goes back to the Chungking Covenant, and Dillon is brought into the case somewhat belatedly. It is an interesting case, but both the good guys and the bad guys bumble about a bit too much in circumstances where one slip could mean sudden death (dropping their guard, turning their back on a known enemy, etc.). Some scenarios are repeated in other Sean Dillon tales.

Unlike James Bond, Dillon never seems to have much luck with women. The story has considerable violence but very little sex. Overall, the book is worth reading for light fiction, especially if you are a Sean Dillon fan. The action is fast paced, and never gets dull.

This was the first Jack Higgins book I've read and it certainly won't be the last! The characters were well developed from the start and seemed likeable... although they don't act morally all the time. The plot concerns the handing over of Hong Kong in 1997 and with HK just being handed back to China, it's a timely read. Our main character is Sean Dillion, a former notorious mercenary and gifted thespian, who now works for the British government. His boss is Charles Ferguson, an astute man with worldly experience in international matters. Making up our trios of heroes is Hannah Bernstein, appointed secretary to Ferguson and also chief of Scotland Yard. The foes they come up against are the Mafia in the form of Carl Morgan, his step-daughter Asta and other assorted baddies around to thwart the deeds of our gallant protagonists, who are trying to recover a signed form stating that HK will stay independent until another 100 years. This letter of priceless importance is located in the highlands of Scotland. There, the two forces battle it out with wits and a deadly game of cat-and-mouse until there is only one winner! A great novel with enough twists to make a dry martini drunk! Read it and expect to be thrilled... until you read it again, anyway!

I only read this book because I was bored one day. It was my husbands and he had never read it yet. I started and could not put it down. Dillon is an incredible character Asta, was equally good. One of the best books I have ever read. It only took me a few hours to read it cover to cover. Keep them coming this good