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dknippling's review against another edition
5.0
Fun. A very nearly perfect thriller. Fast, intense, twisty, ironic, Icelandic.
daddyjones's review against another edition
4.0
This was the book that made me fall in love with Iceland. I first heard it as an audio book on tape when I was about eleven. It's not brilliant writing, but it's a very good spy story with plenty of tension. Plus - lots of Iceland!
larsdradrach's review against another edition
5.0
As a child/teenager I absolutely loved the ”simple” suspense novels by Desmond Bagley & Alistair MacLean, eating up every word. Triggered by an audio adaption of Landslide I fell upon, I decided to revisit Desmond Bagley to see if the Novels could withstand the wear of more than 35 years.
The first (pleasant) surprise was that even though I thought I had read all the books, not all were translated to Danish at that time, so I could start out with a couple of new experiences.
The Golden Keel (1963) , High Citadel (1965) , Wyatt's Hurricane (1966)
The first 3 books, all new to me, were pleasant surprises and it was plain to see why Bagley so quickly became a best-seller novelist, the stories are well written with a fast pace and a sense of detail which makes them readable even today.
Landslide (1967)
Landslide was a revisit and one of my favorites both back then and now, the story is catching and has a definite film manuscript feeling about it,
The Vivero Letter (1968)
Another “new” novel, it was not as strong as the first 4 but still enjoyable.
The Spoilers (1969)
Another new novel and a definitely low point, the story is weak and utterly unbelievable.
Running Blind (1970)
Another reread and another favorite, maybe his best novel, the story is strong, the setting in Iceland is brilliant and characters, simple as they are, are believable.
The Freedom Trap (1971) , The Tightrope Men (1973) ,The Snow Tiger (1975), The Enemy (1977)
Flyaway (1978), Bahama Crisis (1980), Windfall (1982), Night Of Error (1984), Juggernaut (1985)
The first (pleasant) surprise was that even though I thought I had read all the books, not all were translated to Danish at that time, so I could start out with a couple of new experiences.
The Golden Keel (1963) , High Citadel (1965) , Wyatt's Hurricane (1966)
The first 3 books, all new to me, were pleasant surprises and it was plain to see why Bagley so quickly became a best-seller novelist, the stories are well written with a fast pace and a sense of detail which makes them readable even today.
Landslide (1967)
Landslide was a revisit and one of my favorites both back then and now, the story is catching and has a definite film manuscript feeling about it,
The Vivero Letter (1968)
Another “new” novel, it was not as strong as the first 4 but still enjoyable.
The Spoilers (1969)
Another new novel and a definitely low point, the story is weak and utterly unbelievable.
Running Blind (1970)
Another reread and another favorite, maybe his best novel, the story is strong, the setting in Iceland is brilliant and characters, simple as they are, are believable.
The Freedom Trap (1971) , The Tightrope Men (1973) ,The Snow Tiger (1975), The Enemy (1977)
Flyaway (1978), Bahama Crisis (1980), Windfall (1982), Night Of Error (1984), Juggernaut (1985)
destrier's review against another edition
3.0
Having finished all of Alistair MacLean's novels, I moved on to Bagley. He's comparable and better edited, although a little less imaginative (MacLean and Fleming tend to go a little over the top; as far as I can tell, Bagley, like later Tom Clancy, sticks to being somewhat realistic--no giant squids or criminal masterminds with nuclear missiles).
I liked Iceland as a relatively new setting for a stock thriller and the way he tours the country and embraces all of the highlights.
I liked Iceland as a relatively new setting for a stock thriller and the way he tours the country and embraces all of the highlights.
wamainon's review against another edition
4.0
I was reluctant to read this book because I was concerned that a spy novel of the 70s might have technology that are too dated and make the characters & their actions seem inefficient. I was wrong, it was fine. The action was still solid. This was spy vs. spy vs. spy plus yankees.That main character is a retired British gentleman/deadly spy. His love interest is a TOUGH Icelandic woman. A very solid spy novel.
MAJOR SPOILER/BOOK SUMMARY:
So I think what happened was... American scientist came up with a useless device but then decided to trick the Russians into thinking it was something major. The Brits then, in cahoots with the Americans, pretended to be annoyed and "stole" a piece of the device. They leaked info to Russia so that the Russians, in turn, would steal it and generally be super worried and research something that doesn't actually exist. The Brits pick up Alan to do the "losing" of the device but doesn't let him in on it. Things gets even MORE complicated because Alan's mid-boss is actually a Russian double agent who's trying to climb up the ladder and he's hauled in Alan's ex nemesis (whose balls he shot off) Kennikin. BUT ALSO Kennikin was unknowingly betrayed by the same mid-boss back in the day so the mid-boss could move up the ladder. Alan, not knowing he was supposed to lose the device, got too clever about not handing it over. Lots of agents on both sides die due to this little spy mindfuck game.
MAJOR SPOILER/BOOK SUMMARY:
So I think what happened was... American scientist came up with a useless device but then decided to trick the Russians into thinking it was something major. The Brits then, in cahoots with the Americans, pretended to be annoyed and "stole" a piece of the device. They leaked info to Russia so that the Russians, in turn, would steal it and generally be super worried and research something that doesn't actually exist. The Brits pick up Alan to do the "losing" of the device but doesn't let him in on it. Things gets even MORE complicated because Alan's mid-boss is actually a Russian double agent who's trying to climb up the ladder and he's hauled in Alan's ex nemesis (whose balls he shot off) Kennikin. BUT ALSO Kennikin was unknowingly betrayed by the same mid-boss back in the day so the mid-boss could move up the ladder. Alan, not knowing he was supposed to lose the device, got too clever about not handing it over. Lots of agents on both sides die due to this little spy mindfuck game.
oleandreasen's review against another edition
5.0
2023 Update. My new Kindle reader needed a good start, so I got the Kindle version of my favorite book from my youth. Still love it, and great to read it off my kindle
2022 Wonderful book. I have read it to pieces all my life, and now I got the audiobook version. And I love it.
Desmond Bagley is SOOO good - also almost 50 years after...
2022 Wonderful book. I have read it to pieces all my life, and now I got the audiobook version. And I love it.
Desmond Bagley is SOOO good - also almost 50 years after...
midici's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book years ago from a small garage sale for a quarter. And ever since I pick it about once a year to re-read it. It's an action adventure tale of a retired agent whose past comes pack to haunt him. It's full of detailed descriptions of everything from the Icelandic scenery and Norse mythology, to types and uses of guns, to complicated political tensions. I can't quite explain what I find so enthralling about the protagonist Alan. His run in with several different agencies while traversing the Icelandic outback shows a practical, not-so-patriotic man who is determined to get answers and keep civilians safe. It's an entertaining afternoon's read.
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Nifty Cold War thriller set in Iceland. Lots of action and a nicely done ending.