Robert Ludlum died in 2001. This book came out in 2003 with Gayle Lynds as the co-author. This is the fourth book of the Covert-One series. Covert-One is a top secret U. S. agency that fights corruption, conspiracy and bio-weaponary at the highest and most dangerous level in the society. It is composed of ex-military men who are political and technical experts. Gayle Lynds co-created this series with Ludlum in 2000 with the release of its first book, The Hades Factor. Gayle Lynds is a woman who writes and competes in the male dominated spy-thrillers genre. She used to hide behind guy names like G. H. Stone, Gayle Stone, Nick Carter, and Don Pendleton. This reminded me of the time when the Bronte sisters hid behind their masculine pen names because people during that time did not take women writers seriously. Almost 200 years ago, there is still a remnant of that prejudice. So what if Lynds is a woman writing spy-thriller novels? Why can we accept that women can do everything or write everything that men do? In fact, with Ludlum dead already and books under his name still sell like hotcakes, I suspect that some of these books were not even started by him or the main storylines, what they call as Ludlum’s “unused notes,” might not really be in existence. Robert Ludlum has become a marketing brand and his co-writers just use it to sell their works. However, I cannot blame the Ludlum Estates since Ludlum was an excellent novelist when he was alive. For me, he gave conspiracy theory, that would otherwise be blasé and formulaic, the human and sensitive face. His works celebrate heroism of crusaders, whether simple men or group of men against powerful evil men or empire. That contribution to the genre is something that will be very hard to duplicate.In this book, that individual is Covert-One agent, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Jonathan “Jon” Smith, M.D. He is asked by Covert-One director Nataniel Frederick “Fred” Klein, a government agent with experience with the CIA and the Pentagon, to go to Taiwan to investigate about the death of the contact who reported that a Chinese vessel has dispatched from Shanghai. Loaded to that vessel are raw materials that will be used by Iraq to manufacture WMD (Weapon for Mass Destruction). This reminded me of President Bush’s scare tactic after 9/11. However, Lynds has that sensitivity not to name the president here Bush. Her president’s name is President Samuel Adams “Sam” Castilla who immediately orders the investigation but later gets second thoughts because he is informed that his biological father is still alive and is being held prisoner by the Chinese since fifty years ago. So, the question boiled down to: which is more important to the president, his biological father or curbing the global terrorist in Iraq?Another thing that I liked about these Ludlum books is that it can also be heartwarming and not the usual bang bang that you find in spy-thriller. Of course it has lines like "the volcanic sound shattering the stillness of the night." The word "volcanic" creates the image of Mt. Pinatubo and the people fleeing the volcanic mud (called lahar) here in the Philippines. So, I felt really into the scene. But also the novel has a sweet poetic line like "what the caterpillar sees as death, the wise man sees as a butterfly." Critics of Ludlum books say that his novels (or novels bearing his name though he is long dead) are a bit theatrical. I don't mind. I just like them!!!
"When word reaches the President of the United States that a Chinese cargo ship is transporting chemicals to a rogue nation intent on creating new biological weapons, the President knows he must act quickly to obtain the proof he needs. Covert-One agent Jon Smith (don't you just love the name ... Smith for a spy!!!) is sent to rendezvous in Taiwan with another agent who has acquired the ship's true manifest. But before Smith can get the document, he is ambushed, the second agent is murdered and the evidence is destroyed." Lots going on in this suspense/spy novel. More than one story. I did think it slowed in spots, but it didn't hurt my enjoyment of this novel...another I read while Mr. Dragon was in the hospital. So nice to have friends who supply you with books!!!!!! I liked Jon Smith and may have to see if he is in another of the Covert-One novels.
What do You think about The Altman Code (2004)?
All you Robert Ludlum story haters out there don't be fooled by this book. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this because I hated the "Bourne" trilogy which was written too fast with implausible, motivationless twists added-in just to make the books longer. This one was not written by Ludlum, just based on notes prior to his death. It's offensive that his name is still featured in large letters on the cover, minimizing the real writer's name.I liked the fact that the story took place in S.E. Asia because I learned a bit more about the area.
—Sondra
This book is good, but not great. While the Covert One universe is still interesting and provides for lots of exciting action, this book seems to be poorly edited.There are two plots, which are not at all related, other than by physical location and some of the people involved. The main plot is great, so the second plot just serves as a distraction, drawing the novel out. Cutting it would probably reduce the length of the novel by ⅓, but and not affect the main story negatively at all, and would prevent several occasions where it stretches the credulity of the reader. That part where they risk their daring mission to prevent terrible things from happening, only to have a nice feel-good moment? This novel would be so much better without it.All that aside, still a great and interesting plot, if a bit long and from time to time tough to get through.
—Mikkel
The Altman Code is a fast-paced thriller, while written in the same vain as Robert Ludlum’s novels, the writing is actually better than much of Ludlum’s work. The novel starts off with an intriguing premise. When Covert-One agent Jon Smith goes to rendezvous with another agent in Taiwan to get a ship manifest implicating the Chinese of nefarious acts, the agent is killed, and the ship destroyed. Smith is left with a message from the agent that the President’s father, thought to be long dead, is alive and has been in a Chinese prison camp for the past fifty years.In typical Ludlow fashion, conspiracies abound. There are all sorts of treachery at work. The novel fails because of the lack of believability in many aspects of the plot. There are things to like about this novel, and it is entertaining. If some of the plot holes could be tightened, then this could have been a very good novel instead of just a decent one.Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
—Carl Alves
