Search - Robert Ludlum's The Moscow Vector : A Covert-One Novel (A Covert-One Novel)

Brings back the old spy story between the US and Russia with a nasty twist. Very good vacation, travel read. Slow in some spots but you want to know what happens next so keep going with it.
Storyline is that the Russian President wants all of old Russia back, uses a very specific virus to get rid of high level international government officials so that his war plans don't get noticed. Its a hunt and seek virus tailored to kill only the person it has been designed/programmed for, otherwise its harmless to others. Once US operatives discover something is going on its a race to find the evidence before its destroyed and Russia invades its old territories.

Author Patrick Larking has done an excellent job in continuing Robert Ludlum's acclaimed Covert-One series. Not only does Larking manage to present a well-written story, but also present an amazing execution of the English language, describing everything in great detail from the battles to HYDRA.

In this book, a new weapon is introduced. But this time it isn't a computerized or biochemical weapon. It's a special virus, constructed directly with the intended victim's DNA. To describe the virus in short medical terms, HYDRA is a mutated human cell constructed using a single-stranded virus and altered cDNA, a replica of the victim's DNA. When in the intended victim, this cell would lodge itself in the gut and multiply rapidly, shutting down the intricate process of cell division and reproduction, causing death. Not only that, but no doctor would think to look at the supposedly harmless E.coli in the gut that has suddenly become life threatening. But even if a doctor did find out, the victim cannot be cured once the HYDRA variant has taken hold.

At the beginning of the book, we get an idea of just how important this disease is. Dr. Kiryanov had stolen a number of tissue and blood samples of the first few victims, as well as photocopied important documents concerning the victims. He was on his way to see Fiona Devin, an American journalist, also a Covert-One agent. Kiryanov was on his way with the paperwork so that American medical researchers could study the disease, but was killed with a Hydra variant before he was able to hand over the paperwork.

Somewhere else in Moscow, Dr. Petrenko was meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Jon Smith, both an accomplished molecular biologist and Covert-One agent. Petrenko is concerned about the same disease, and also has paperwork, tissue and blood samples for Smith. But before Petrenko can hand over the information, a group of mysterious men attack. The mysterious men are obviously a group of experienced gunmen, and kill Petrenko. His notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.

As the story unfolds, more HYDRA variants are delivered to their intended target - President Castilla among them. But before that variant begins work, Smith sends info to Klein, allowing him to stop the Hydra variant. In the meantime, Russia seems to be ready to reclaim the lands of the former Soviet Union.

What will happen? Will Russia reclaim the lands of the Soviet Union? What will become of the HYDRA disease?

This is the sixth novel in Ludlum's "Covert-One" series, which has developed somewhat of a cult following (Covert-One even has its own website). And no wonder- it's got a little bit of everything you want in a thriller: espionage, nanotechnology, neat subplots, plenty of action and intrigue, strong and stoic heroes, spectacular international settings. What more can you ask for?!

Actually, this is not my book, as I have not ever really read any of Ludlam's work. But he is a very prolific and popular writer and has an enormous fan base. This is another of his best selling novels. My mother read this book and really enjoyed it, which IMO, is a good referral (although she is a voracious reader and tends to read three books at a time).

It is my impression that, if you are a Ludlam fan, you will enjoy this book. Or, if you enjoy best-selling action/suspense fiction and have not read Ludlam, reading this novel will provide you an introduction to a new source of many future enjoyable reads.