Rating: 
Summary: Another good Ludlum book
Review: A very good writeup of a master terrorist. After the killing of her boyfriend she goes on a mission of vengance. Her path to America is also an interesting point in this book. Her stay and relationship with the death merchant on the Carribean Island makes noteworthy reading. When she gets to America with her fake count another interesting phase begins. Anyone who questions her claim to fame winds up dead. She is very effective She finally meets her maker in the end thanks to her former lover. This result in the terrorist ring being broken worldwide. This is another interesting book from Ludlum that you should take time to read.
Rating: 
Summary: One more of Ludlum thrillers
Review: Another best seller from Ludlum, the author of 29 books that have sold over 210 million copies worldwide is an interesting, enjoyable book.Ludlum is a master storyteller specializing in intrigue, suspense, and action thrillers full of conspiracies, violence and fast pace, movement, energy and action. Scorpio Illusion has all of these. The basic story line is fairly simple and thin; Amaya Bajaratt, a western women married to an Arab revolutionary is also an accomplished terrorist. After the death of her husband in an encounter with Israeli commandos, she embarks on a mission of revenge.
An unnamed terrorist organization having taken up a contract sponsored by "scorpios", assigns the mission of assassinating the American President to this woman terrorist. When she starts putting her action plan together western intelligence agencies start smelling the rat which makes them alive to the developing conspiracy. They manage to recruit Tyrell Hawthorne, an ex-naval intelligence officer with impeccable accomplishments to his credit, who had quit the job after mysterious death of his wife under suspicious circumstances. Hawthorne single handedly (mostly) manages to unravel the mystery, trace the plot and the links, thwart the plan,kill the terrorist and save the world from chaos which were engineered by scorpios, the secret organization.The whole fun is in reading about how he manages all this! The basic story has no suspense as such since the identity of the assassin, as well as the target and the persuer are well known in the first chapter itself, and the outcome too is fairly predictable, but still the author manages to get the reader glued to the book with fast paced action, multiple layers of intrigue, and interesting situations over a vast backdrop and wider canvass of characters. The scenes cover a huge landscape ranging from Palestine to Europe, Caribbean, and US. Credibility has never been a forte of Ludlum. His every book has a powerful,super secret,underground organization with unlimited tentacles,unlimited resources, reach, and power...only to be exposed and ultimately destroyed by one man, the hero!. This book has Scorpios as the secret organisation which Hawthorne manages to defeat and destroy. Since Ludlum uses this sub-plot of a super-powerful, secret organisation wanting to control the world in every book of his, obvious question that comes to my mind is whether Ludlum really believes in it, or he has adopted it as a surefire successful formula, like the "lost & found" formula patented by Hindi fillums! Anyway, Ludlum books are a fun to read, and this book too is an enjoyable thriller of vintage Ludlum variety, but does not leave a lasting impression as his Bourne series, Parsifal series, and Acquitaine progression did.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Novel by an Amazing Author
Review: Being the first Spy Novel I've read in my life, I have to tell you all my first impression. My exact reaction was... WoW!?!? I like this stuff... Robert Ludlum does a great job at describing, it is easy to picture the scenes in your head. I say a movie would be easy to produce... This book is about a retired commander that served the army until the incident in Amsterdam occured. He is called back after five years of not participating in the games spies play and he is on a hot pursuit of Amaya Bajaratt. A Flirtacious women who just lost her husband in Ashkelon. She has many connections and will do anything and everything possible, to murder the president of the United States. My overall star rating is a 5 on 5.
This has been my first spy novel, and I intend to continue reading them. I can't wait to read The Bourne Identity, its critics are amazing!! :)
Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Poor Ludlum is falling deeper into his own cliches...
Review: I am a fanatical follower of Robert Ludlum. There was at one time I believe that NOBODY on the face of God's green earth who could compete with his sheer creative power to write a thriller of epic size. Sad to say however, as in all things, a good thing can't always last forever. Now that isn't to say that 'The Scorpio Illusion' wouldn't stand up to just about any OTHER spy/thriller out there, it's just that after so many years, Ludlum seems to be re-telling the same story in a different setting here. I can't put my finger on it, but suffice it to say there was something oddly familiar at the heart of this book that reminded me of at least two other Ludlum stories. With that said, Ludlum STILL manages to keep the pace flowing at amazing speed and kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. For MY money, the all-time greatest spy/thriller novels came from Ludlum in the 70's and 80's. But if you are a Ludlum fan, pick this one up anyway, it's still really good.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Ludlum is falling deeper into his own cliches...
Review: I am a fanatical follower of Robert Ludlum. There was at one time I believe that NOBODY on the face of God's green earth who could compete with his sheer creative power to write a thriller of epic size. Sad to say however, as in all things, a good thing can't always last forever. Now that isn't to say that 'The Scorpio Illusion' wouldn't stand up to just about any OTHER spy/thriller out there, it's just that after so many years, Ludlum seems to be re-telling the same story in a different setting here. I can't put my finger on it, but suffice it to say there was something oddly familiar at the heart of this book that reminded me of at least two other Ludlum stories. With that said, Ludlum STILL manages to keep the pace flowing at amazing speed and kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. For MY money, the all-time greatest spy/thriller novels came from Ludlum in the 70's and 80's. But if you are a Ludlum fan, pick this one up anyway, it's still really good.
Rating:
Summary: Enthralling read
Review: I didn't think I would like this book, boy was I wrong! I LOVED it. Ludlum did a wonderful job on the unfolding of the story. There is constant divulgence of plot and character information, making for a very interesting and gripping tale! You won't want to put it down...
Rating: 
Summary: One of Ludlum's worst
Review: I have been a fan of Ludlum's books for many years. However, it seems like he has lost the ability to write a concise storyline in his recent books. The plot of this book was terribly convoluted and overly complex. The "coincidents" of the plot were unbelievable. Finally, simple issues such as sentence structure, syntax, etc. are lacking. Messge to Ludlum: Get yourself a new editor!
Rating:
Summary: Horrid Writing
Review: I like Ludlum, but I can't put a finger on it. Is the story complex or muddled? Is the writing style brilliant or ponderous? Is the plot intertwined with unexpected surprises that challenge the reader to keep up, or is it just plain vague? I asked myself these questions often when I read a Ludlum novel, but I never stop being completely absorbed, challenged and entertained. It's been several years since I have read Ludlum. It's good to be back. The international spy genre is fascinating because seemingly small people and inconsequential events can bring about cataclysmic results. I loved 'Thirteen Days' (the movie). There was no action but the dilemma and subtle decision making created an intense build up. My favorite Tom Clancy novel... 'Cardinal of the Kremlin'. Small seemingly inconsequential bits of information extracted from the Kremlin and we have a rip roaring adventure. Ludlum is just like that. The plot can be subtle, but it requires lots of conspiracy and heavy action in order to divert worldwide disaster. I could pick this story apart and possibly find holes, but is that Ludlum's fault or did I not read diligently enough. I mean, how did the title underground organization exist for so long, then make unnecessary errors that nearly brought about its demise? But then, who in the underground organization was working against the underground organization? Who in the upper echelons of international governments are working against the people they serve? Who is friend? Foe? Trustworthy? Robert Ludlum has just the right muddled, ponderous, vague method to deliver a surprising, brilliant, complex story. Always a fun challenge!
Rating:
Summary: Ludlum has a fascinating style
Review: I like Ludlum, but I can't put a finger on it. Is the story complex or muddled? Is the writing style brilliant or ponderous? Is the plot intertwined with unexpected surprises that challenge the reader to keep up, or is it just plain vague? I asked myself these questions often when I read a Ludlum novel, but I never stop being completely absorbed, challenged and entertained. It's been several years since I have read Ludlum. It's good to be back. The international spy genre is fascinating because seemingly small people and inconsequential events can bring about cataclysmic results. I loved 'Thirteen Days' (the movie). There was no action but the dilemma and subtle decision making created an intense build up. My favorite Tom Clancy novel... 'Cardinal of the Kremlin'. Small seemingly inconsequential bits of information extracted from the Kremlin and we have a rip roaring adventure. Ludlum is just like that. The plot can be subtle, but it requires lots of conspiracy and heavy action in order to divert worldwide disaster. I could pick this story apart and possibly find holes, but is that Ludlum's fault or did I not read diligently enough. I mean, how did the title underground organization exist for so long, then make unnecessary errors that nearly brought about its demise? But then, who in the underground organization was working against the underground organization? Who in the upper echelons of international governments are working against the people they serve? Who is friend? Foe? Trustworthy? Robert Ludlum has just the right muddled, ponderous, vague method to deliver a surprising, brilliant, complex story. Always a fun challenge!
Rating:
Summary: Wavering!!!
Review: I would like to make it clear that Ludlum will have to reinvent himself to catch up with the times. What was great reading in the 70s is not gonna cut now. The material in this book is essentially recycled from his earlier books and today's soap operas. Please, give us something realistic and new. That is all I am gonna say Robert!
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