The Keys of Hell [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Jack Higgins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2001

British expatriate Paul Chavasse is about as tough as they come. For years, he has made a dangerous living running men and intelligence across the Adriatic Sea from Italy to the communist country of Albania. But his ideals are about to be tested – more than he ever thought possible. The Albanian government, seeking to crush a religious resurgence within its borders, wants to find and destroy the Madonna of Scutari – a legendary statue of ebony and gold that has protected the faithful for a thousand years. Before government forces capture them, priests hide the carving deep in the marshes along the coast. Now, Paul Chavasse must outrun an entire army in a race to save the priceless relic – and the lives of thousands of believers… “Higgins makes the pages fly.” – New York Daily News

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Higgins is a master of his craft.' Daily Telegraph 'A thriller writer in a class of his own.' Financial Times 'A compulsively readable storyteller.' Sunday Express 'The master craftsman of good, clean adventure.' Daily Mail --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

4 1-hour cassettes --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Center Point Large Print (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585470368
• ISBN-13: 978-1585470365
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,528,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jack Higgins is among the world's most popular authors. Since the publication of The Eagle Has Landed--one of the biggest-selling thrillers of all time--every novel he has written has become an international bestseller, including The White House Connection and Day of Reckoning. He has had simultaneous number-one bestsellers in hardcover and paperback, and has been published in thirty-eight languages worldwide. Many of his books have been made into successful movies, among them The Eagle Has Landed, To Catch A King, and The Valhalla Exchange. He lives with his wife on Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, not great, April 7, 2002

By 

RachelWalker "RachelW" (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Keys of Hell (Paperback)

Jack Higgins has certainly given us another of his high-powered action thrillers. The pace is so quick, the plot twists like a snake, the writing is taut and to the point. All good things.

However, even though the characters are likeable, they are not parituclarly developed. That, I feel, is often Higgins's letdown. He gets so wrapped up in the action that he forgets to give his characters deep personalities. Instead, we just see snapshots of people who, really, could be any hero from any thriller novel. All he really does is gives his characters names and then inserts those names into the story. The characters are just there to keep the plot moving along. The problem is that practically all the people in this novel are interchangeable with those of another. For example, Chevasse shares almost exactly the same personality traits as Sean Dillon. As does Liri, who is Jack Higgins's typical lead woman. they are all the same, in all his novels. Their names and pasts just change.

That said, this is still a very good book. The pace never lets up, it's a pageturner and it's quick. If you like a good action thriller and don't particulalry mind about characters, then this is the book for you. (Even if the margins on the English edition are ridiculously big.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, July 7, 2002

By 

Rosa "Bookworm" (Detroit,MichiganUSA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Keys of Hell (Paperback)

At First, I didn't think I would like this book. But I kept an open mind . This book had the best plot twists I have ever read in a Jack Higgins novel in a long time. Chavesse is no Sean Dillion but is a close second. Take time explore this book you won't be sorry.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Higgins never disapoints, January 3, 2002

By 

Daniel R. Bills (Lafayette, Louisiana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Keys of Hell (Paperback)

A truly great espionage thriller by the New York times' best selling author. Mr. Higgins is in top form. He never disapoints and this new thriller shows you how he keeps you guessing until the end.