I grew up reading Alastair MacLean novels. I was hooked right away; they were good stories, with suspense-filled plots and great settings. And always, always, there was a traitor somewhere that was intent on murdering everyone else or destroying what plan there was.

But the last ten or so novels were flat and uninspiring, something I suppose came about because of MacLean's alcohol addiction that would eventually kill him. Circus was somewhat on the cusp of the change from the brilliant stories to the flat dull tales. It has its moments but lacks the edge, the sharpness of his early stories. Yes, the MacLean formulaic killer is here, knocking off the good guys, but there just seems that missing ingredient that made the earlier stories great. Out of 5 stars I'd give it between 2 and 3. ( )

This appeared near the end of MacLean's useful life, when he was starting to dial it in. There are some good conceits and the characters are not without interest, but nowhere near his best.

The first one of his books that I read. Great setting, likeable characters, exciting finish.

CMB ( )

Bruno Wildermann is the world's greatest trapeze artist, a clairvoyant with near-supernatural powers and an implacable enemy of the East European regime that arrested his family and murdered his wife. The CIA needs such a man, and Bruno is recruited for an impossible raid -- on the impregnable Lubylan fortress, where his family is held.
Under cover of a circus tour, Bruno prepares to return to his homeland. But before the journey even begins a murderer strikes twice.
Somewhere in the circus there is a communist agent with orders to stop him at any cost...