Robert Ludlum's The Moscow Vector: A Covert-One Novel (A Covert-One Novel) by Patrick Larkin

Ludlum-like novel satisfies but does not excel, September 11, 2005****


I was a long-time fan of Robert Ludlum and regretted his passing. His name continues to sell novels penned under the Covert One franchise but they do not live up to Ludlum's work. Nonetheless, this latest Covert One tale featuring Dr. Jon Smith, a medical James Bond, is entertaining and worth a read. A Russian President, who closely resembles Vladimir Putin, sets out to reclaim former components of the Soviet Union. As he masses his armies on their borders, he is able to kill off key leaders and key intelligence analysts using DNA weapons individually tailored to each victim. He is assisted in this venture by a former GDR bioweapons researcher. Jon Smith dashes around Europe attempting to head off impending disaster and in the end succeeds. Reminds me a bit of the old Westerns.