- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (30 Nov 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743220854
- ISBN-13: 978-1416502821
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 14.5 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,119,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Intriguingly, the books that come to mind as distant progenitors of Colin Forbes’ The Vorpal Blade are John Buchan's Richard Hannay thrillers; there's the same continent-spanning feel along with the notion of an ill-assorted yet highly functional group banding together to defeat a wily opponent who threatens the West. Of course, Forbes is always contemporary in his range of references and his protagonists (homicide cop Tweed and his SIS colleagues Paula Grey and Bob Newman) have little in common with Buchan’s gentleman adventurers. But Forbes more than stands comparison with his illustrious predecessor and the action here has a kinetic quality that leaps off the page.
A series of grisly murder cases land on Tweed’s desk and he's obliged to revert to his role as Homicide Superintendent at the Yard. But he's still Deputy Director of the SIS and he can call on his usual team. As he realises the imposing organisation that's behind the systematic slayings, he travels from Bray in Britain to Maine in the USA (via Montreux and Switzerland) and finds he's dealing with no-one less than Russell Straub, the US vice president. Straub may soon be the most powerful man in the world--but what is his connection with the bizarre Arbogast family? It's Tweed's colleague, the shrewd and tough Paula Grey, who finally tracks down the knife-wielder--with terrifying results.
Forbes' breathtaking productivity (this is his 28th novel) has never led him into mere by-rote word spinning (unlike several of his contemporaries) and this is a dizzying ride of a thriller, barrelling unstoppably to a grim closure. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Following the discovery of two headless corpses - 3000 miles apart - Tweed, Paula Grey and Bob Newman travel to the heart of Europe to confront their deadliest enemy yet. Racing against time, they strive desperately to avert disaster and confront the West's deadliest opponent.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I find it totally insulting that Colin Forbes churns out these books with exactly the same plot, characters and verbage.
This book was a 'photocopy' of Rhinoceros (which in itself was a copy of his previous book).
Grim, grim, grim and more grim!!!
Please, Colin Forbes change the plot in the next one. I must be daft in continuing to buy his books.
Robin Davies
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is horrible. I am a huge fan, but this book was a big let down. Newman, Marler, Pete, Butler hardly do anything. Even Tweed seems to be twiddling his thumbs. It just centers around Paula. The book's settings are more like a cut and paste from other books (Yes Mr. Forbes, we all know that Marler always stands with his back against the wall, next to Paula, and so on).
Sometimes the book gets so ridiculous that you begin to wonder if Forbes did pen this one. The red herrings are so obvious that you spot the real killer easliy.
Since Cauldron, I am begining to have second thoughts about Colin Forbes. Think I'd rather stick with Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum......
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Over the years I have come to know and like the characters in books by Colin Forbes. Sadly his latest offering comes under the heading of "complete drivel" ..I have even gone off Paula!
The formula is worn out, the descriptions repetative and the basic errors in text and spelling made finishing reading this book a feat of endurance.
In terms of suspense, there was none and the attempts to hold the attention of the reader by increasing the gore content were a sad imitation of previous books.
Mr Forbes, if you continue to insult your readers in this way you will find that you have none left.
The formula is worn out, the descriptions repetative and the basic errors in text and spelling made finishing reading this book a feat of endurance.
In terms of suspense, there was none and the attempts to hold the attention of the reader by increasing the gore content were a sad imitation of previous books.
Mr Forbes, if you continue to insult your readers in this way you will find that you have none left.
SMK
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Utterly disappointing
This was possibly the worst book I have read - sadly I completed it, but with little enjoyment or pleasure. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jonathanp
No more Forbes for me
I have read a lot of Colin Forbes books, and have found them fairly easy reading and have generally enjoyed them, even if they are a little predictable. Read more
Published 18 months ago by TopCat
The worst book I have ever read
If I had a pound returned for every character whose 'chin suggested determination', Colin Forbes would need a window cleaning round to fund it. Read more
Published on 8 July 2008 by Grover
Absolute rubbish
I find it quite incredible that Colin Forbes is a best selling author.
This is the first book - and the last - that I have read of his and I could not believe what I was... Read more
This is the first book - and the last - that I have read of his and I could not believe what I was... Read more
Published on 12 May 2008 by R. C. Roberts
Not as bad as the Cell, but still slow and full of continuity errors.
Two murders, one in England and one in the United States, seem to have been commited by the same person. Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2007 by NoWireHangers
Cardboard
The characters and plot have more cardboard in them than the book covers. Like comic book characters, on a guided tour of the hotels of Switzerland. Read more
Published on 26 May 2007 by catholic reader
Excellent!!!!!
Alistair maclean is my favourite adventur thriller writer and i always been on the lookout for someone who is as entertaining,fun,tension thrilling and tongue in cheek. Read more
Published on 13 May 2004 by rashid
Dire - one to be avoided
I laughed when reading the other reviews - I really wish I'd read them before buying this!
I've just finished the book and found it absolutely terrible. Read more
Published on 10 July 2003 by con419
Extremely disappointing
A most disappointing and inconsistent book. The 'detecting' characters seem to be completely lacking in the intelligence necessary for their positions in SIS, frequently... Read more
Published on 5 April 2003 by Film Enthusiast
Amazingly Bad
I bought this book, for a rather high price, on departure from Europe back to the States. I was looking forward to a good murder mystery to fill the flight time. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2003 by William Ellis
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