Customer Reviews

Robert Ludlum's The Altman Code: A Covert-One Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Growing up with Ludlum and as an ardent fan, I too have been extremely critical of these co-authored books. So much so that I decided to research exactly how much of the Covert One offerings were Ludlum and how much belonged to the co-author. As I soon discovered Ludlum ostensibly framed the idea for each of the novels but the co-author, whether it be Gayle Lynds or Philip Shelby, actually penned the novel, I felt betrayed. When I thought I was getting a Ludlum and it was only his outline, obviously then, the story must wonk. After all, it wasn't written by the Master. Many, if not most of my reviews of the Covert One novels have reflected that attitude. But, with a bit of time, an open mind, and an understanding that Mr. Ludlum is gone, I've come to enjoy these novels. Now, to set the record straight, Lynds and Shelby aren't Ludlum but, the books are solid offerings. And, to boot, Lynds and Shelby actually worked with the Master, which gives them some insight into his psyche and style. So, enjoy a novel for its intended purpose...entertainment!

THE ALTMAN CODE is the fourth offering in the Covert-One series, three penned by Gayle Lynds and one by Philip Shelby. In this book, our hero, Army Lieutenant Colonel and Covert-One operative Jon Smith is sent to unearth the shipping manifest of a Chinese ship rumored to be sailing for Iraq (timely event) with chemical-grade weapons materials. The U.S., already saddled with a black eye and international outrage over the boarding of a previous Chinese ship thought to be carrying illegal contraband, is not about to board this vessel without the requisite proof...the manifest. The timing could not be worse as the U.S. and China are on the precipice of signing a groundbreaking human rights treaty and entering a new period of open exchange and commerce. Smith's mission becomes tantamount to world peace.

As Smith arrives in China, he is immediately engaged in a gun battle with unknown assailants, a gun battle claiming the life of his contact and only source of information relative to the manifest. As Smith begins the search for answers, the unknown assailants materialize with each step he takes. To add to the prescient action, U.S. President Castilla is presented with the unfathomable...his biolgoical father, who he thought dead since his childhood, is reportedly being held in a Chinese prison as a political prisoner...and has been for 50 years! As Castilla orders a Navy frigate to shadow the ship sailing for Iraq, the Chinese match wits with the U.S. miltary mind by sending a submarine to shadow the frigate. As the story winds, matters rapidly deteriorate to the brink of the unthinkable: a U.S.-Chinese war. Like most Ludlum and, now, Covert One novels, a diabolical cabal is introduced as the dark side.

The storyline is complex (like a Ludlum novel) and presents some serious twists, some quite unforeseen (gotta love those!). As such, one must give co-author Lynds credit for bringing the intrigue to the forefront and managing what can be a very slippery slope, the complex plot. Lynds also portrays, in 'eyes wide open' fashion, the impressive and daunting presence of China as a world Superpower along with its devious political manipulations, vast populace, countless dialects and complex codes of behavior.

Net, net, it's not Ludlum. But, if one enjoys complex intrigue and international settings, Lynds does a solid job of delivering. Enjoy it; it's just entertainment.

In addition to the novels Robert Ludlum wrote before his death and which are being published posthumously, he also created the idea for the Covert-One series. He wrote brief outlines (approximately eight pages) for the plots of the introductory books in the series and then critiqued the work of the authors assigned to write the stories. Thus, the early books were quite Ludlumesque in the intricacy of the plot and the intensity of the action. However, it is now sevral years since his death and this story could best be dubbed "Ludlum-Lite" since his actual involvement in this story appears minimal. The plot is complex but much more straightforward than his own novels; the action is not as heartstopping although just as deadly, and the geopolitical intrigue is much more straightforward. Gayle Lynds (this is her third Covert-One book) has the genre right, but not the Ludlum intensity and surprise factor.

The story involves a potential showdown between the United States and China regarding a ship that has a cargo bound for Baghdad that is suspected to include chemicals used in weapons of mass destruction. The suppposedly true manifest of the ship's cargo has beeb acquired by an American agent in Shanghai. Captain Jon Smith is sent to rendezvous with that agent and obtain the manifest so that the US Government will have the proof required that any attempt to board and search the ship before it enters the Straits of Hormuz is not an act of aggression. However their meeting results in an ambush and the death of Smith's contact before the manifest can be transferred. However, the agent did have time to inform Smith before Jon's escape from the assasins that President's Castilla biological father is still alive after fifty years of captivity in a Chinese prison.

The efforts to both obtain a copy of the manifest and ascertain the truth with regard to Castilla's father are complicated by the fact that a human rights treaty is in the final stages of negotiation and there are hard line factions in both governments that would like to destroy the increasing detente between them. Finally, there appear to be leaks at the highest levels of the US Government regarding all secret actions taken during the heightening crisis. As usual, Covert-One Director Fred Klein is the link to Smith's clandestine operations. And to the surprise of no reader of this series, CIA operative Randi Russell (the sister of Smith's dead wife first introduced in THE HADES FACTOR) plays a key role in Smith's survival and the ultimate success of his mission.

As the above summary should make clear, this is an action spy thriller in the Ludlum style - the heroic operator with powerful forces arrayed against him and with only minimal help. There is also the usual cynicism regarding the political motivations of most leaders and the necessity for political considerations often overwhelming simple choices between right and wrong. What is missing is the Ludlum touch that turns the routine thriller into a story that you can't put down and are often surprised by the outcome. My rating is intended to convey that this is an average novel of this genre. I enjoyed it, especially the fact that the series involves a continuing cast of characters who we are gradually coming to know. So, if you have read and enjoyed the earlier books in the series, you will probably find this worthwhile. And it is a very fast read. But you should read this series in order. One warning, the book suffers from inferior editing and proofreading.

Most importantly, unless you find Ludlum too time consuming and complex or the violence too graphic, all the books published under his name exclusively are far superior to this series. Their consistent quality helped create and define the genre, and even the recently published THE JANSON DIRECTIVE continues that tradition. Reading them will not only prove truly enjoyable but show you why he is the bestselling American author of all time. So read the BOURNE triology and all the others first, then read these if you have time and still want more.

The recent spate of "co-writers" under the Ludlum name (with his estate's blessing) are generally quite good, but not as spellbinding as Ludlum. However they are a good read, and I would recommend them for any fan of the espionage genre.

Prefacing my remarks, I'm a 'true' Ludlum reader who has enjoyed every one of his works, starting at the very beginning with the Scarlatti Inheritance. I've read The Hades Factor, The Cassandra Compact and the Paris Option. As the series has progressed, I've noticed greater and greater divergence by the authors away from the Ludlum trademarks of subtle but deep character development, helically ascending plot twists, and intricate detail of surroundings and action scenes.

The Altman Code, sadly, did not meet any of the aforementioned Ludlum criteria. However, I'm not inclined to fault Gayle Linds. Her name isn't Robert Ludlum, and she has her own writing style, but if Robert Ludlum's name is going to have top billing on the front cover I (and I believe I speak for many other readers) expect the majority of the novel to reflect his writing style, regardless of whether he's alive or dead.

In reference to the plot, I can only say that it read as if it was hurried to print, slammed onto the shelves as fast as possible to keep the bucks rolling in without a lot of indepth effort put into it. There are many typographical errors, incomplete sentences, and circular statements (another reviewer pointed those out). Overall, I've been disappointed with the character developments, and quite frankly they're becoming very boring and predictable. Unfortunately, the next Covert-One book's description (not yet released) is going to recycle them once again.

It's time for President Castilla to finish his term and return to the New Mexico that he longs for, Col. Smith to retire from US AAMRID and teach microbiology at some reknown university, Randy to get promoted back to a desk job at Langley, and for god's sake get rid of Marty Zellerbach however you choose - I've hated that character from the start. The Covert-One series has a chance to be great! It's just time for a fresh start on the series - new characters, new authors, new plots. Flush and forget!

I'll pass on the next installments of Covert-One until this happens.

I LOVE Ludlum books! they are great for long plane trips (or study breaks) but this book was very disappointing. I was expecting the usual twists other Ludlum-isms but none could be found! I had been under the impression that Ludlum had written most of the book. Anyone who is familiar with Ludlum's style knows that in every book the character has rubber soled shoes when they are sneaking in to get the crucial bit of evidence. I don't think Mr. Ludlum had a whole lot to do with the writing of this book. It may have been his story line but he did NOT write any of it. The ending was telegraphed from the first chapter on. The publisher should not have made it seem like it was mostly Ludlum's work, his name is MUCH more prominent on the cover than Lynds' is (I missed her name when I bought the book in the store). While the book is not bad if you are looking for a great Ludlum try something else.

Sometimes the best of authors miss their mark. The Altman code
hits the bullseye. Co-author Gayle Lynds writes like a man and thinks smart as a woman. A rollicking good read in the tradition of well written spy thrillers. As Olivert Twist said.."more please!"

Robert's books always keep us on our toes, even when we appear to know the ending. This is no exception, the final twist took us where he wanted us to go and least where we expected.

Am an avid Ludlum fan for 20 years now. This book starts out very weak and ends weakly. Even the proofreading seems shoddy. In one section, a character names threatening countries and includes: India, Pakistan, China and .. India. IN another section, a conditional sentence says : if you don't then .. and if you don't then.... Someone mixed up the negations.
Has a shallow feel all around.

The story is ok and is classic Ludlum but the ghost writing is horrible. Ludlum never dressed his characters in "bespoke" suits before. Also lots of errors in choice and use and description of various weapons. Needs to be written by someone who has actually read Ludlums past books. If you are anal for the details you will find the new writer very distracting. If you just read for the story you will be very pleased.

The plot in this one involves some potential chemical weapons, and China. Apparently the Chinese are holding a political prisoner and have been for many years.

This man, it seems, is likely the father of the US president. So, a bit of rebel action inside China, and some other fun with nasty weapons for the Doc and his gang.