Rating: 
Summary: Almost non-stop action
Review: This was my first Ludlum book, and I thought it was an exciting read. Although the writing is not as tight and compact as I like, it was a page-turner nonetheless.The characters are interesting and the plot pushes forward at a quick pace. My total reading time was 6 and 1/2 hours.
Rating: 
Summary: An example of the law of diminishing returns
Review: Ludlum has written an improbable number of books most of which range from excellent to good. This is not the case in The Hades Factor which is too predictable and bland. In addition, it does not have the minimum of plausibility needed to make a book interesting: spreading a deadly virus in order to profit by selling its cure is too horrific, impractical, ridiculous and downright stupid. You will not miss much by not reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Ludlum and Lynds - a great pair
Review: Hades Factor is pure entertainment! Ludlum and Lynds are a great partnership who bring us an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a killer virus and an unethical drug company. Jon Smith is the hero, who together with his unusual friends, finds a way to save us all. We knew,of course, that he would but the action is swift and the characters are people we want to meet again. This book is not rocket science but if you are looking for something to spice up your life, grab it! And let's hope we meet Jon, Marty and Peter many more times.
Rating:
Summary: Hated for it to end! I give it 4.5 stars
Review: You know a book is good when you're not even half way through it and you're already dreading reaching the end because you don't want the story to stop. That's how I felt about Ludlum's latest. This book is good. I've read a number of Ludlum's books, my favorite being the Scorpio Illusion, and this one ranks up there with that book. Not wasting time, Ludlum starts off with something mysterious going and a person determined to find out what it is. After that tidbit of information, "bullets are flying, dogs are barking, people are running" and you're dragged along at an ever increasing pace. Luckily, along the way, you're introduced to some very interesting and talented characters that add alot to the storyline. And, the differences in their personalities makes for some interesting interactions. To make things better, the descriptions of the different places the characters visit and their actions are done skillfully enough that you'll have no problem immersing yourself in the story. To top things off, if you love gadgets and technology (like I do), you'll grin eagerly as you flip the pages. For a while there, James Bond popped into my mind as I read. But don't get me wrong, unlike the feeling you get from Bond movies, what's happening in this book seems very plausible. In sum, if you're looking for a fast-paced book with some very diverse and interesting characters, and some darned good action and adventure, give this book a try. I think you'll be pleased. If you decide to listen to this book, you won't be disappointed. The reader does an excellent job of changing voices for the different characters, and keeping his tone at a pitch and pace that fits the story. And, the back ground music that filters in on occasion is kind of nice.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Ludlum!
Review: I'm a hardcore Ludlum fan having read all his books usually more than once (it's hard waiting two years for something new to read). I though when I saw by Ludlum and Lynds that this would be another Tom Clancy scam (I can't stand anything he wrote with someone else), but was I pleasantly surprised. This is a good book. Worthy of Ludlum's name.
Rating: 
Summary: Dull & offensive
Review: Very surprised at how dull and poorly written I found this book to be. Disappointed --- Ludlum's been entertaining in the past. Also, the constant racist stereotyping of the antagonist "Arab" was appalling and very offensive. For shame... Can't recommend at all.
Rating:
Summary: If you like plot flaws, you'll like this book
Review: This story had more plot flaws per ounce than just about any I've read. Had to stretch the imagination way too much to forgive some of the dumb things that these characters do, and/or fall for. These people are supposed to be of the highest calibre, and they can't see the forest for the trees. Didn't like it.
Rating:
Summary: The start of what could be an exciting series
Review: In Boston, homeless person Mario Dublin dies just outside a pharmacy. In Atlanta, teenager Billie Jo Pickett dies following a performance in a high school play. Finally, in Fort Irwin, Major Keith Anderson also dies. Each one of the victims die from the same unknown but sudden disease. The US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) at Fort Detrick heads the investigation into this unknown but deadly virus. Specifically, Dr. Sophia Russell sees a similarity with a mysterious disease that she encountered in Peru. In spite of her precautions, Sophia becomes number four. Sophia's fiancé Lt. Col. Jonathan "Jon" Smith of (USAMRIID) returns from London to barely survive an attack on his life. Jon, a former Army spook, begins searching for the truth behind a virus that has struck in four different regions of the country before it becomes pandemic. Robert Ludlum and Gayle Lynds collaborate on an exciting medical-military thriller that moves at a rapid pace to its climax. The story line is crisp but having the hero and heroine (Sophia's CIA sister) both being professional James (and Jane) Bond types hurts the believability factor. Though no Bond or even Powers, still fans of the sub-genre will gain pleasure from the first installment of what could turn out to be an exciting new series. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A shame!
Review: Disappointing. The story is prefab and strongly reminicent of MI-2 the movie, in fact, it's about the same evil corporate scheme threatening the world with a deadly new virus. If you haven't seen the movie, it may not be that boring. Still, you'll find it highly predictable.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, if not a little walled.
Review: I read it because it had Robert Ludlum's name attached to it. I did not know who the other author was, and assumed she was just an additional author to the book. I read through it, and it seems about every fifth of the way through the book, I would hit a brick wall questioning if I should keep reading this or just give up. I don't know, but it seemed to run it itself into brick walls every now and then, either by situation or cause. The lead character would find himself in certain situations, then a solution known in literary circles as 'Deus ex machina' appears. The term means 'god out of the machine', but it works perfectly as a solution to a situation that comes out of literally nowhere. I.E. A dam is breaking, there is no way the lead character can escape, but low and behold, a pilot who just happened to be flying charter flights via helicopter appears to save him, and the reader has no prior knowledge of them. But then, I remember having the same problem with Tom Clancy. His works by itself were compelling, if not some of the best available, but when he co-opted for Op-Center and Net Force, it just didn't seem to mix well for me.
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