Customer Reviews

The Talbot Odyssey

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I stumbled upon this gem after being disappointed with several previous DeMille Novels. The Talbot Odyssey is a "thinking person's" novel. It, much like real life, is NOT all excitement and adrenaline. DeMille does an outstanding job of character development and plot organization and development. While the crux of the plot is not an imminent threat which we face; it is entertaining and afterall this is a novel not a strategic arms treatise. This book requires tenacity from the reader and NO Page Skimming, or you'll miss the clues and hints that DeMille sews throughout the pages. If you've been disappointed with the Gold Coast and Plum Island and the Lion's Game - BUT if you liked the Charm School, Spencerville, and Word of Honor, then you will like the Talbot Odyssey.

DeMille is my favourite author and I really enjoy all of his books. Word of Honour is still my favourite followed by Plum Island and Gold Coast. One thing about Demille that I like is that each of his books are different. Talbot Odyssey is a 'spy' novel similar to Ludlum. Although it was a little more off-beat than his other novels it was filled with action and heroic efforts. The characters were interesting and the story kept you guessing (and paranoid. I wish there were more DeMille novels to read because he's spoiled me.

I read the first 1/3 and was bored, so I put it down at the end of my vacation. 9 months later (ok I forgot about it) I picked it back up and couldn't put it down again. The first 1/3 sets up the story and the characters, and then the rest is non-stop action. It had an incredible ending. In fact I read the last 80 pages nonstop until 2am because I couldn't stop myself! If you imagine the setting (back during the cold war) you'll really enjoy it.

I have read every DeMille novel and enjoyed them for their entertainment value. Unfortunately, "The Talbot Odyssey," while certainly not boring, was totally implausible from start to finish. How is it that as the USSR prepares to destroy the US (and no reason is really given for this), only a group of retired fogey OSS types, a former NYPD cop, some shadowy British commandos, and a mid-level NSA analyst save the day? Neither the US intelligence agencies nor the armed forces make an appearance in this ludicrous plot. And the characterization is so hackneyed, it is virtual comic book writing. The Russians are pure evil, the US traitors are so traitorous, except it's not clear what these 70-year old geezers did between their defection to the Soviets at the end of WWII and the 1980s to earn their filthy rubles. Moreover, the identity of the so-called third Talbot is so obvious as to be a ho-hummer. DeMille has written some superb novels, "The Gold Coast" and "Word of Honor." In contrast, his cold warrior stuff such as Talbot and Charm School suffer from a cliched and steretypical mindset about the Soviet Union. Another reason to be thankful the cold war is over.

I had very high hopes for this book after reading The Charm School, and unfortunately this one didn't quite measure up. However, if you enjoy the spy-thriller genre, this book is a good investment of your time and money. You won't walk away saying it's the best you've ever read, but it will hold your attention and provide some good excitement along the way.

This story about the Russian plot to knock out all electronic
communications in the US and thereby take over with their own President
makes another unique story and realistic reading. DeMille continues to
provide great dialog, emotionally interesting characters and suspense
throughout the book. Can't put the book down. The reappearance of one
of the main characters after a so-called parachuting accident is a
good twist. Also the flashbacks and the reappearance of intelligence
officers after 30 years is a good plot line. Which of them are the bad
guys is not answered until the very end with some great surprises!
is impressive throughout the book.
I wish Nelson Demille could write as fast as I can read.
He is among the FEW authors whose books I keep to read
again later.
My second read will be right before the movie comes out.
Enjoy this book!

I've read many of DeMille's books. And like all of them, this is is fast-paced, with excellent character development.

Like another of his books, "Charm School," this story has cold war, spy theme. But one thing that is different is that the plot is based in New York, instead of Russia. And in this story there are double agents within CIA and KGB.

With any novel, I always set out placing myself in the drama. DeMille makes it easy to be there.

Your heart will race. You may even say a few, "Gotchas."

And you will really be there amongst the drama, the spy life and the historical context.

"The Talbot Odyssey" is an intensely entertaining novel, that although doesn't challenge one intellectually, does present itself as more than suitable time filler. I have read all but two ("The Gold Coast" & "Spencerville") of DeMille's works and he is amongst my favourite authors. His ability to immerse his novels in pertinent and often necessary historical context (i.e. "Plum Island" & "By The Rivers Of Babylon") is a strong drawcard for me. Once again, DeMille manages to capture historical mystery and mold it into a fast-paced and gripping story with all the elements that make a successful and entertaining novel.

This book is a good companion to Charm School, except this one is set on home turf (Long Island) and the threat is more imminent. The questions are what do the Russians have planned and who is on their side? DeMille has created a suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing til the last chapter. The book starts off a little slow, but once you get into it, you won't want to put it down. As always, DeMille takes a lot of time establsihing character. Pay attention to all the clues, and maybe you'll figure out who you can trust.
Other good DeMille titles: Plum Island, Lion's Game, Charm School - my favorite.

This was the most far out plot in any of the DeMille books and like a couple of others, it had a lot of characters and a lot of action. That can be a good thing, but it can also be a bit distracting, I enjoy DeMilles later works that have a single protagonist and follow that characters POV most of the way a bit more than I like this format.

This isn't the type of book to read a bit then go back to, it's the type of book that's best read straight through in a single weekend or vacation or similar time to get absorbed simply because it's easy to get lost on who is who and what's going on.

I think this is the last of DeMille's books for me, I'll have to wait until the next one comes out or go back and reread Gold Coast. He's a very good author and this book is no exception. I believe another movie is on the way, Up Country, featuring the same character that was the protagonist in The Generals Daughter. I hope it's done well.

If you haven't read DeMille yet, this is a good place to start as any if you like action, intrigue spy thrillers, if you want more of a serious single POV plot, try Gold Coast or Word of Honor, both novels that are among the best I've ever read.