In rating it four stars I have given this novel the benefit of the doubt, since for the first half I really struggled to 'get into it'. This could be attributed to two possible reasons, the first being that I never read enough of it in any one sitting, and left too long in between reads, to really familiarise myself with the characters and allow the story to 'grip' me; the second being that the characters we come to care about rarely feature in the first half. Even the hero, David Spaulding, the typical super-spy type that Ludlum writes so well (Bourne/Ambler/Janson), doesn't really become the centre of the story until about the mid-point, and it's at this point the book becomes hard to put down. Since I have so enjoyed the Ludlum novels I have read to date, and I cannot judge a book based on the the chapters I didn't give enough attention to, leads me to base my rating on those that I did read 'properly'. So, it is the engaging relationships Spaulding develops, along with the fast paced action in the second half that earns this novel the fourth star. An enjoyable read - as long as you're reading it.
What if, in the midst of WWII, America had something the Germans wanted and they had something America wanted? Would it be OK to make a swap? Of would such an exchange constitute treason?This is the dilemma in "The Rhinemann Exchange." Slow getting started, it ends up being a pretty exciting tale of espionage during the height of the war. The story travels from the States, to Europe and finally down into South America where there are number of parties vying at cross purposes for their own political and financial ends. Having read several of Ludlum's books, I'd have to say that this was one of his better efforts. Even though he is a bit verbose and even though he takes about 150 page to get to the action, it was well worth the wait. I recommend this one to you.
What do You think about The Rhinemann Exchange (2005)?
The Rhineman Exchange is typical Robert Ludlum, and that is not a bad thing. As is true with almost all Ludlum books, there is a deliciously convoluted plot that as a reader you have no chance to fully untangle until Ludlum does it for you in the rush of the last few chapters. The Rhineman exchange is extremely fun reading. The characters are all likable, but somewhat superhuman in their perfection. The truth is the book probably deserves another star, but there is an element about Ludlum's books of If you've read one you've read them all.
—Tom
Not one of Ludlum's best novels. Set in WWII an American agent in Lisbon is suddenly ripped out of his own network and territory for reasons unknown. David Spaulding is first sent to New York and then Bueno Aires on a mission of deceit. The problem is much of the deceit is directed towards him. Slowly and methodically the man from Lisbon unravels the layers of lies to discover the unbelievable and unsavory truth. There is an unrealistic "love" story in the final third of the book where the agent and an embassy worker fall in love in less than a week. Difficult to swallow and a little sappy.
—Jamie
