The Holcroft Covenant - Robert Ludlum

[Tim Robertson]

This is the second book I've read by Ludlum; & I won't be reading another in a hurry. Judging by the Jason Bourne movies & the other book I read (& can't remember the name of) a common theme in Ludlum's fiction is individuals with near superhuman abilities developed through special training programs. In this book, however, it is the villain that posseses the special abilities & it would appear that these powers are the result of genetics. In a nutshell, the tale deals with Nazi sleeper agents in the 1970s secreted in virtually every country around the world; & an elaborate method of channelling funds to them. It's basically a complete load of rubbish & would be greatly improved if one or all of the central characters turned out to be a vampire or a space alien. I give it 3 out of 10. Apparently someone made a movie out it in the 1980s. One to avoid, I think.
Interesting fact - although there are Nazi sleeper agents in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, Wellington, & even Christchurch, apparently they didn't bother with Melbourne.