Robert Ludlum's The Paris Option (Covert One 3) [Paperback]

There is so little to enjoy in this book. While the pace is fast and it is full of action, there is so little depth and tension that the reader is either bored or amazed by the plot directions.
I doubt Mr Ludlum had anything to do with this and it is a shame that his name is being used to sell this pile of rubbish.
Anyway, covert operative Jon Smith, who (despite being a doctor) would put both James Bond and Indy Jones to shame, joins his spy chums in a round the world romp which goes: follow lead/have shoot out/just escape a number of times until you wish the bad guys would shoot him and put us all out of our misery.
Absolutely nothing in this to recommend I am afraid, except to avoid it.

I have been very critical of this series and the first two books that were offered. This book is marginally better than the first two, but the same offensive charade is being carried out by whoever is writing and publishing these books. None of the three have even come close to the quality that Robert Ludlum wrote with for 30 years until his death in March of 2001. Not all of his books were perfect but not one ever was as bad as these, "Covert One", novels that are parodies of what Mr. Ludlum wrote.

In fact if this was the first book you picked up with his name on the cover there is nothing that would lead you to believe Mr. Ludlum passed away. The people putting out these books still refer to him in the present tense. I cannot remember another author who passed away that had people continue putting out work that cannot have been written by the deceased. The only concession made is that this is not a book by Robert Ludlum; rather it is Robert Ludlum's, possessive.

I can state without fear of contradiction that Mr. Ludlum had limited input with this novel if he had any at all. He could not have written elements of this tale because they include historical events that took place after his death. Perhaps we are to believe Gayle Lynds has talents that reach beyond this existence? Endorsements are now part and parcel of weak novels; this book uses three brand name computers in two sentences. Every general that is described in this book is the product of either genetic manipulation or steroids. Every time the author introduces a general we are treated to a detailed description of a hulking mass of humanity. There is one profanity that is constantly repeated in the book. This would be fine, but in this instance it is the word of choice by anyone and everyone wherever they may be, or whatever nation they hail from.

Descriptions of chases through a variety of cities read like tourist guides, very general information that can be gleaned off of the net. The weapons involved are also the most overused variety and appear to have been adapted by everyone. The world's most elite operatives use grappling hooks to run up and down 70 foot walls, unfortunately they must be using models from before World War II for these clank around drawing all matter of attention. They are titanium! So what! If they are firing around clanking hardware the hooks may as well glow in the dark. This book takes place in the 21st Century, are we really to believe that the man guarding the ranking US General in Europe is carrying a 1911 Colt sidearm? Of course not, the annoying thing is that the author tries to seem informed about the famous Colt 45 and the knowledge of when it was issued. What is written is that an actual 100-year-old relic is actually being carried.

We still have the politically correct attempt to name a President, one Samuel Adams Castilla. What about Gerald Ford O'Shaughnessy, Richard Nixon Wanczyk, John Kennedy Trafficante? Samuel Castilla makes a point; the balance just bludgeons readers that are thought to be dim-witted by the author.

This book reads like a collection of bits and pieces from every tried and true spy novel. There is nothing in this book that is unique. In addition we have the most improbable relationships developing through absurd chance that belong on a soap opera, or perhaps a Harlequin Romance.

The premise of yet another new world order is trotted out once again, but this time it is comedic. The heart of the alliance and the foe they would stand off with is simply absurd.

"Writer's Magazine", wrote that Mr. Ludlum had produced 11 outlines for future work. Perhaps they were for work that was to bear his name in hardcover; perhaps it included some of these novels. I find the latter hard to believe for this Covert One Series is worse than anything this great writer produced for his readers in his 30 year career. Other authors have successfully spun off new series because they don't put their name on bad material. Mr. Ludlum is no longer here to make that call, and whoever is has little interest in his legacy.

Go see the new film, "The Bourne Identity", you will feel much more rewarded.

When an explosion destroys the esteemed Pasteur Institute in Paris, cyber-wizard Marty Zellerbachis left in a coma, while one of the world's top computer scientists, Emile Chabord goes missing. Although a terroist group takes credit for the bombing. American and British officialsbegin o wonder wheather their might be a more sinister plot. A DNA computer starts to terroize the world!!!

I thought it was a great book, it was the best ludlum book I've read. It was full of action, and all the way through as well. To make a book full o action is very difficult.

I would recommend it to anyone over 16 because their is some swearing and difficult words. It was like any other Ludlum book, brilliant. So any ludlum fan would love it.

A brilliant book, definately read it