Rating: 
Summary: A nice finish
Review: The literature world lost a great member when Robert Ludlum passed away. Though he wrote what many people called formula novels, he brought a flair to the genre with his excellent research and well-contrived plots.The Sigma Protocol continues his tradition, though there were several times I felt the writing was inconsistent, thus suggesting maybe someone finished this for him. Evend desptite this, I found this novel instantly enjoyable and something all fans of the genre will enjoy. Other suggestions:
Code to Zero, by Robert Ludlum
Soft Case, by John Misak
Rating: 
Summary: A very good story teller struck once again.
Review: I enjoyed listening to this story very much. The action moved along smoothly with frequent disasters happening around the two central characters. You just never knew which characters were on the side of good and which would stab the hero and heroine in the back. I enjoy good adventures and mysteries and this story kept me attentive for the next shoe to drop, and it always did. Having read and listen to many of Ludlum's stories, this is clearly one of the very best. I would recommend this story to anyone wanting a good read or listen.
Rating:
Summary: One Of His Best?
Review: The death of Robert Ludlum was a great loss to the genre of writing that was synonymous with his name, and other greats in the Genre's Pantheon, like John Le Carre. The masters of these books are in no way limited to the two I mention; different readers will all have their favorites. The reason for the question mark at the beginning of my comments is for several reasons which I believe are important to his admirers from his earliest books, and to those readers experiencing his work for the first time. The final version of this book was completed some three months after the author's death. There is no question that the book is vintage Ludlum, however for his long time readers, evidence of the pen of another will be apparent. There is sardonic dialogue that does not read as his, and the female character, while very well done, is not a pure Ludlum creation in my opinion either. Nowhere will you find any evidence that this was published posthumously. Every detail on the jacket is in the present tense when referring to Mr. Ludlum. The reason I find this bothersome is that Mr. Ludlum is alleged to have completed 11 additional outlines for books prior to his death. I do not know what constitutes an outline, however it is not a book, and I hope the publishers will be completely candid regarding who was involved in writing these future books. I don't believe anyone can impersonate his style, so whatever may be forthcoming may be great or poor, what they will not be are true Robert Ludlum Novels. "The Sigma Protocol", is a work that will bring long time admirers back to many of his earlier works. The first work I ever read was his novel, "The Matarese Circle", and this book is almost as good as my initial experience, and other of his works considered to be among his best. The only factor that detracts from this final work is that it is a bit too slick in style. Mr. Ludlum wrote many stories that were complex and cadenced with brilliant speed, however his characters were never those that constantly tossed off quick witted repartee, and endorsed everything they came in contact with by a brand name. Mr. Ludlum wrote books not advertisements. In spite of whatever intrusion there may have been, this book will make the very short list of Ludlum's best. The tale races all over the globe, and revisits classic locales like Zurich, Vienna, and many others. The World War II element could have been a terrible cliché in a lesser writer's hands. This book portrays a familiar group, however it also legitimizes the suspension of disbelief with real science from recent years. When the book reaches its closing moments it is hard to maintain complete originality, here it was done as well as any could have penned it. I enthusiastically recommend this book even though its provenance is not completely known. This is also the reason for the lack of the 5th star. There is no way for me to know this; I just don't feel Mr. Ludlum would have wanted readers to be mislead in any manner about his work, to any degree. The bottom line is this is a great read that demonstrates that to the very end of his career Mr. Ludlum was able to create a work that can stand with the best of what he had given readers for decades.
Rating:
Summary: March 12, 2001...An incredible day of sadness.
Review: The great Robert Ludlum passed on March 12, 2001. This reader has read each and every one of Mr. Ludlum's 24 novels including the most recent, "The Sigma Protocol." Mr. Ludlum was THE master of intrigue and proved it time and again with each offering. I cannot image the literary world without this icon but I will always have incredibly fond memories. Your passing is one of sadness yet your life was one of greatness. THE SIGMA PROTOCOL Ben Hartman, international financier and heir to the throne of Hartman Capital Management, is in Zurich for a ski vacation when all hell breaks loose. His old friend(?), Jimmy Cavanaugh, unexpectedly shows up as Ben is leaving his hotel with a silenced pistol and begins attempting to end Ben's life. Although narrowly escaping death, Ben begins to ponder why him, why here, where his twin brother Peter suspiciously died in a small plane accident? As Ben begins his investigation, he finds that his brother Peter had been investigating a very strange cabal named Sigma. As Ben gets deeper into his quest, he realizes that Peter's "death" is anything but an accident and that the unknown force monikered Sigma is set on Ben joining his brother's fate. Meanwhile, DOJ agent Anna Navarro is curiously assigned to locate the whereabouts of several old men on a list begrudgingly supplied by superspook Alan Bartlett. The connection between these men, while seemingly unrelated, comes from a CIA file dating back to the 1940s, code word Sigma. As she begins her search for these aged men, she finds that each subject has mysteriously died just before she can reach them. Those remaining alive on the list begins to wane but Anna smells a rat. Just as she begins to put together a case that each of these men have been murdered, many dramatic attempts are made on her life. In only a fashion brought to life by Mr. Ludlum, Ben and Anna are thrust together and soon come to the common conclusion that they seek the same answer: Who and what is Sigma and why does this shrouded group want them dead? Determined to find the answers and coming to the obvious conclusion that their only hope is to work together, they criscross Europe to uncover the secrets behind Sigma. They soon find that Sigma's tentacles are threaded through all levels of industry and law enforcement placing the odds overwhelming against them. These secrets threaten everything Ben and Anna hold sacred, everything they knew of history, their friends and, incredibly enough, their families. These secrets actually hold the fate of world and it's future. This storyline is incredibly intertwined, complex and thoroughly delightful as only Robert Ludlum can weave. This book is a page-turner and kept this reader on the edge of his seat throughout. For all mystery/intrigue fans, this is a can't miss book. For all Robert Ludlum fans, this is a throwback to the "Bourne," "Matarese," and "Parsifal" days. In other words, Ludlumites MUST have this book. Ludlum fans, while saddened by his passing, should take heart in the fact that Mr. Ludlum's publisher will publish at least two more significantly complete novels Mr. Ludlum had been working on prior to his death.
Rating:
Summary: A great final novel
Review: See storyline above. Robert Ludlum’s international thrillers are relentless. This last novel will not disappoint. Ben Hartman, a 36-year-old investment banker with a big heart, (he volunteers as a teacher to under privileged and troubled fifth graders) is traveling through Zurich on his way to St. Moritz. While outside his hotel he spots an old friend from college he hasn’t seen in some 15 years. As he makes his way to greet his old friend, the friend pulls a gun and tries to kill him. So begins Hartman’s adventure. This highly entertaining international thriller is one of Ludlum’s best. More like his earlier works, yet there is quite a bit of originality and uniqueness to this one. With exciting locales such as Vienna, Buenos Aires, Zurich and Paris, it’s hard to get bored. This is a well-plotted story involving a conspiracy so powerful (Sigma), nobody is beyond its grasp. It seems much of Ludlum’s wisdom, as well as research, went into this novel. An interesting story that will raise your eyebrows as well as your adrenaline. A very entertaining novel. Inside the covers: “An extraordinary undertaking requires extraordinary resources†“For a good cause, wrongdoing is virtuous†Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Excellent storytelling by a fine writer.
Review: Ludlam pretty much defined his own genre when he began writing, 23 novels ago. I was surprised by how slick and "packaged" this novel felt, but it honestly was a great read. There is building suspense in multiple plotlines that keeps the reader's interest. The characterizations and dialog seem a bit thin, but they do the job and make this a fast and easy read--the equivalent of a James Bond type adventure. The scenes set in Zurich, Switzerland really pull you into the setting, and the world of multimillionaire Max Hartman and his investment banker son Ben are truly fascinating. Fun, action packed and satisfying.
Rating:
Summary: Goodbye old friend
Review: After three decades of reading your books it is sad to see you go. This is a fitting ending to your great career. I must admit some of your more recent efforts were not of the same quality as your early work, but this book I thought, brought back memories of things past.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Ludlum, we will miss you!
Review: I just finished reading the Sigma Protocol and I have to tell you that I LOVED IT!!! I am a big fan of Mr. Ludlum and I have been since I read the Scarlatti Inheritance years ago. Some of his later books though, I felt were not up to his usual caliber, but I plugged through every one of them, because hey, a mediocre Ludlum is better than no Ludlum at all. Well, this one caught my interest from the first page when I started it on Thursday morning. I would have finished it sooner if I didn't have to stop reading and celebrate my 27th wedding anniversary. My husband is used to me having my face in a book, (maybe that's why we've lasted 27 years), but even I admit this was one day I had to put my book down.
I was so sad as I was reading this book, knowing that Mr. Ludlum has passed away, but I am grateful to his publishers and estate for publishing this book. If you are a Ludlum fan, you know what to expect, so read it and enjoy. If you are new to Mr. Ludlum, read this, enjoy, and then go back and read his others, especially the early ones.
Rating:
Summary: Melancholy
Review: I do not know what will replace the pleasure with which I read your books sir. . . You introduced me to the incredible universe that literature is and kindled in me a fire as yet unquenched. Once again you captivated me with your words and for that I express both my thanks for your efforts and my feelings of bereavement for your passing. Your books were a true gift and will remain on my bookshelf oft-read until I no longer have the strength to pick them up for that is the only way that I know to express the reverence that I hold for your literary prowess. You will be missed -
Rating:
Summary: Ludlum's best book in years!!!
Review: American investment banker Ben Hartman arrives in Zurich for a much needed ski vacation. This trip marks the first time Ben has been to Switzerland since the death of his brother some four years earlier. Within minutes of his arrival he spots a man that looks familiar, it turns out to be Jim Cavanaugh, a friend he went to school with fifteen years ago. After greeting his friend, a gun is pulled, several bystanders are dead, and Ben realizes his former friend was trying to kill him. Going to the police will prove to be a difficult task for the dead body of Jim Cavanaugh is missing, and the gun used in the attack has now been planted in Ben's suitcase. While the Switzerland police question Ben as their main suspect, Ben has his lawyer looking into the back-round of Jim Cavanaugh, only to find the man never attended college with Ben, and as far as anyone can see he never existed! Across the globe, Department of Justice field agent Anna Navaro is called to investigate a large number of deaths of old men all over the world. The deeper Anna looks into each death she finds one link, a code word 'SIGMA'. As her investigation continues, a relentless killer will be tracking her every move, and every step she takes he will be one step ahead. By chance Ben and Anna will be drawn together, and two seemingly unrelated cases will become one, as well as Ben realizing his brother's death may be connected to the chaos known as 'SIGMA', for in that one word is the power to change everything they thought they knew about themselves, friends, family, and the fate of the world. 'The Sigma Protocol' is THE BEST novel Robert Ludlum has written in years. Fast-paced and totally engrossing it grabs you by the throat on page one and DOES NOT LET GO. The twists and turns come fast and furious, while the gripping plot holds you mesmerized. There is never a dull moment in this novel: it contains enough action, suspense, intrigue, secret meetings, shadowy figures, and gunfire to satisfy the most jaded thriller reader. This one will keep you guessing right up until the end. The first MUST READ thriller of the Fall season. Nick Gonnella
| 
