The Cry of the Halidon

First published with copyright 1974 as authored by Jonathan Ryder, pseudonym of Robert Ludlum. The Bantam Books edition I read updated copyright by Robert Ludlum for the 1996 Introduction that adds a distinctive treasure to the reading experience of this novel.

With featured settings between London and multiple locations in Jamaica it is an armchair thriller that highlights corporate greed and sets the stage for an understanding of today's reality on the possibilities that could occur with an infiltration of MI6 to corporate boardrooms and how the politics can change with leadership or "lack thereof." In some ways similar to a Helen MacInnes thriller where the reader ponders if the author had a magic ball to see into the future as their show more vivid imagination almost mirrors some of today's headlines. show less

A friend lent me this book, and since I read The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum and absolutely loved it, I was very eager to start The Cry of the Halidon. If left on my own I probably would not have picked up this book, but I never refuse a book, I read anything that I can get my hands on and I always make it a point to finish a book that I started.

Alexander McAuliff was chosen by Dunstone p.l.c. to head a survey team in the depths of the Jamaican jungle, otherwise known as the Cock Pit. Alex was offered a fortune to do this and he thought this would be a breakthrough in his career. However, upon leaving the meeting with Dunstone's Julian Warfield he is approached by British Intelligence where he is informed that all is not as it show more seems. Unknowingly Alex finds himself involved in a conspiracy dealing with Dunstone, British Intelligence and a force known as The Halidon in Jamaica. As the plot thickens Alex has to fight for his and the team's safety and it becomes a life or death situation, but even members of his own team are not what they seem. While the three entities battle it out, Alex is caught in the middle but all he wants to do is get out of Jamaica a free man.

When I read the book description the first time it sounded like this could be a gripping thriller. But although the plot is an intricate one, after all this is what Ludlum is famous for, it lacks any suspense. At times I didn't quite get it and while reading this book I was sometimes questioning the point of the story, but there were also parts that I really enjoyed. The way things happened most of the time seemed far fetched and lack credibility, I didn't think it was believable at all. When the end was approaching it sort of had me hooked for a little while, until the ending leaves you not knowing what really happened between the British Intelligence agent and the Halidonite. I am annoyed by books that leave me with questions as to what happened, why do some authors do that? It's like they skip the part that you have been waiting for and just tell you the result. But how did it happen? When I finish a book that ends this way, the first thing I think is "Huh?'"

All in all I have mixed feelings about this book, I didn't hate it but I didn't really like it either. I much preferred The Bourne Identity to this one and if you never read anything by Robert Ludlum before I wouldn't recommend that you start with this one. I wouldn't say not to read it either, but check out some of his other books before you get to this one. show less

Well written, interesting story line, but somehow not compelling and showing its age in a number of ways. Worth reading and not re-reading

I was disappointed in this one, I coulnd't quite get into it. The characters didn't seem very real and needed more development. As a result, I was reading as an observer without feeling for the characters or caring how things would come out.

The suspense/mystery portion of the story didn't completely make sense. mabye I missed an element, but it made it difficult to follow. The action got exciting toward the end, but the book didn't impress me well overall.

This is an early Ludlum book ... and it shows. Character development is shallow and inconsistent. The plot is predictable. Still, it's a good time passer.

Not one of his best. Neither the story nor the characters impressed me. I won't be re-reading this one. (It was a redo of one written many years ago -- his immaturity showed.)

Good