Edge of Danger (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Paul Rashid was one of the richest Englishmen in the world..." (more)
Key Phrases: coded mobile, duster coat, master diver, Paul Rashid, Kate Rashid, Aidan Bell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

British agent Sean Dillon, late of the IRA, is back in another heart-stopping adventure by veteran suspense writer Jack Higgins, who starts his newest with a dry recitation of the background and heritage of the villains of this piece (the half-British, half-Arab Rashid family) and then rockets them into action. The three brothers and their alluringly beautiful sister Kate aren't happy when Russian and American interests start poaching on the patch of oil-rich desert sand they consider part of the family business. Political assassination figures heavily in the Rashids' plans for revenge. Enlisting the aid of Irish terrorist Aiden Bell and his cronies, they plot the murder of the American president, and when that fails, the Russian prime minister. But Dillon and his spymaster, Brigadier General Ferguson, thwart their plans at every turn, and as the Rashid men are picked off, one by one, the stakes keep getting raised. The final showdown, between Sean and Kate, ends in the kind of draw that, combined with the oft-repeated Rashid family motto ("I always return"), presages a sequel to this brilliantly paced thriller.

Sean Dillon is a soldier's soldier, whom Higgins invests with dignity as well as derring-do; he gets more complex and interesting with every outing. Higgins has penned over 30 novels, many featuring other protagonists, but none of them has Dillon's staying power. If you've never met Sean Dillon, this is a good place to start. There are plenty of books featuring him in Higgins's extensive backlist, and by the time you've worked your way through them, you'll be eagerly anticipating the next one. --Jane Adams

From Publishers Weekly

After 31 Higgins thrillers, nearly all first-rate, fans know that this author is as reliable as a Rolls. His 32nd novel proves no letdown. Pitting returning antihero Sean Dillon, once of the IRA, now with British intelligence, against an aristocratic English-Arab family bent on vengeance that threatens world order, the story whips along. From London to the Middle East, from Ireland to the White House, it swirls with intrigue and snaps with violence. While driving drunk in England, a Russian diplomat kills the mother of Paul Rashid, Earl of Loch Dhu, one of the world's richest men. The diplomat is protected by both the Russians and the Americans, between whom he was brokering an oil deal. In retaliation, Rashid, whose Arab side stems from fierce desert "Bedu," lashes out by ordering the assassination of the American president. Rashid hires an infamous Irish terrorist to do the deed, but in a tense stalk-and-shoot at the presidential retreat at Nantucket, the attempt failsDprompting Rashid to go after other targets. Higgins's no-nonsense prose builds a tough tale peopled by menDand a few women, notably Rashid's beautiful, equally fierce sisterDwho thrive on danger and are smart enough to quote Plato in explaining why ("'the life which is unexamined is not worth living.' Which means to me: the life not put to the test"). Dillon's usual gang joins the diminutive, deadly Irishman as he tracks Rashid from one outrage to another, culminating in a showdown in an ancient Scot castle that leaves no doubt of a sequel. This is Higgins near the top of his game, hands a blur as, fast and hard, he deals another winner. Literary Guild main selection. (Feb. 19) Forecast: Like his talent, Higgins's welcome on bestseller lists never seems to wear out.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult; First Edition edition (February 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399147012
• ISBN-13: 978-0399147012
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,402,334 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing but action, February 24, 2001

By	Konrad Kern (OFallon, MO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

See story summary above.

No doubt an action packed story that'll take you from spots in England to spots in the Mideast. Pure action all the way. If that's all your looking for, look no further. As far as details and dialogue are concerned, there is very little to sink your teeth into, which is typical for a Higgins novel. Though short and to the point, I do enjoy his books. I would match super hero Sean Dillon against any fictitious villian. Good escapist fiction and quick reading make this book enjoyable.

Recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXPLOSIVE READING OF A SUSPENSE LADEN POWERHOUSE, February 14, 2001

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Edge of Danger (Audio Cassette)

Taut and tense, an explosion of sequential thrill packed events - these are hallmarks of the popular novels springing from the pen of the seemingly inexhaustible Jack Higgins. "Edge Of Danger," his 32nd suspense laden powerhouse is no exception.

The Belfast born author now brings us a harrowing tale with former IRA member, Sean Dillon, confronted by the Rashid's, an English/Arab family sworn to avenge the killing of one of their own by a Russian diplomat who was driving drunk. When the diplomat is provided immunity by Russia and America, vengeance is sought with the life of the American president.

Action swerves throughout the world until a terrifying finale takes place in a remote castle.

Patrick Macnee, whom many will remember for his portrayal of John Steed on the hit TV series The Avengers, has the perfect voice for this reading. His control, accents, and delivery are superb, bringing a larger than life story to even more vivid realization.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a book for a thinking person, July 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Edge of Danger (Sean Dillon) (Paperback)

Oh, man...Jack Higgins, where have you gone? Eye of the Storm, the introduction of Sean Dillon, is perhaps Higgins' best work. Starting with The President's Daughter, however, it's been all down hill.
It's sort of like when your favorite All-star ballplayer starts hitting below .250, and never snaps out of it.
I know fiction is fiction, but anyone who has even the most basic understanding of world politics will have a tough time buying into the plot.
Higgins has a history of characters whose families have dual ethnicities, as does the main antagonist in this story. But Paul Rashid's background -- half Arab, half English, and he was an SAS soldier in the Gulf War -- doesn't jive with some of the things he does in the present setting of the story. Like Rashid telling all of the Arab fringe groups to start kicking up a fuss. Arafat can't control these people, but they'll listen to some guy who fought AGAINST Arabs? Don't know about that one, Jack old boy.
The book boils down to the Rashids sending one hit squad after the next to knock off Dillon and his cronies, Dillon of course foiling the attempts and wasting the hitmen, and then Dillon and Ferguson et al bumping into the Rashids the next day in a nice restaurant and chatting about it.