The Ambler Warning

Perhaps I should have read the review sentence from the Chicago Sun-Times BEFORE I started the novel instead of the day after I finished reading this novel. The statement advises "Don't ever begin a Ludlum novel if you have to go to work the next day." I did have to go to work on multiple days after the start of this novel and some mornings were tough because the book was very difficult to put down.
Harrison Ambler (a.k.a. Tarquin) is a very intriguing man and the intrigue builds as more of his background emerges. Enter his world and you are in the midst of a suspense-building, action-packed thriller of globe-trotting proportions. Sit back in your comfy chair and enjoy! I don't think you'll find it a disappointing choice.

I found this book at the semi-annual Friends of the Library book sale. It was a pretty good read. However, it did drag on in places. I didn't realize until after I finished this novel and read other reviews that this book was completed by another author after the death of Mr. Ludlum. The plot did have its share of intrigue, mystery and page-turning events. If you are a Robert Ludlum fan, there seems to be enough similarities to his writing in this novel. I would recommend.

I found this book at the semi-annual Friends of the Library book sale. It was a pretty good read. However, it did drag on in places. I didn't realize until after I finished this novel and read other reviews that this book was completed by another author after the death of Mr. Ludlum. The plot did have its share of intrigue, mystery and page-turning events. If you are a Robert Ludlum fan, there seems to be enough similarities to his writing in this novel. I would recommend.

Written posthumously from notes and outlines left behind by Ludlum, The Ambler Warning was completed by a ghost writer for the estate, as such it does lack the usual oomph that a Ludlum thriller has.

There is also a few small problems with the flow of the story, where scenes simply cut off rather than explain how they eventuated, this seems more like lazy writing than a method of building intensity. I also felt the whole memory altering aspect had an air of the Bourne Identity to it, albeit implemented in a different way, perhaps this was why Ludlum hadn't written it whilst alive.

Asides for this, it's an alright book, it's certainly engaging once you put aside the short comings and air of deju vu around the circumstances surrounding show more Harrison Ambler vis-à-vis the Bourne circumstances.

I'd give it a 3.5/5, not terrible, but nor was it outstanding, strictly middle of the road good. show less

Well-paced thriller, kept me interested (and reading well into the night) and even though I guessed the reveal way too early, it didn't detract from the rest of the story. Lots of threads expertly woven together, and plenty of interesting fully-formed characters. My first Robert Ludlum book, and I'll look out for more - it's good to find a writer who can tell a complex story so fluently and vividly.

Sadly, RL died in 2001 - this book was edited & published posthumously.

Listened to this on my round trip to Arkansas (1000 miles) and it kept me interested. The plot is great. It could probably be a lot shorter if heavily edited, but I think most have come to expect the length from Mr. Ludlum. The main character is supposed to be a hardened operative, so I was surprised that he seemed vulnerable and fell in love easily--I would have though he'd be more cautious. I think there were a few loose threads as well, but there are so many lines in the book that I don't think I kept up well.

Of all of the books written under the name "Robert Ludlum" since his death, The Ambler Warning sounds and reads most like one of Ludlum's books. A few (somewhat nasty) plot holes detract from the overall story, but I did enjoy this book far more than any of the posthumous "Ludlum" novels.