Robert Ludlum’s The Cry of the Halidon (Copyright C 1974 by Jonathan Ryder, a pseudonym he wrote under) is one of his weaker stories. I listened to it as a audiobook.

A riveting thriller, Ludlum (aka Jonathan Ryder) combines conspiracy, corruption and friendships into an all too realistic tale of greed versus honor.

Not one of Ludlum's best novels but an entertaining read. Due to the interweaving plotlines, that Ludlum is known for, this novel requires full concentration at all times. Written in the 70's it was a time when authors were artists of their craft, and Robert Ludlum was one of the best in espionage-thrillers. His descriptions of the Jamaican settings are superlative. Today many would say that it's elements of racism is too much, but that was the era, and in this novel, the racist elements go both ways as the Jamaicans were very anti-British colonist.

Alex McAuliff heads a survey team in the Jamaican jungle paid for by Dunstone Organization. He is approached by British Intelligence who warn him of the perils of undertaking the survey as the previous group were murdered, the only clue being the word "Halidon".

This novel is one that could be re-read as the concentration required in the plot do take away from the elegance of Robert Ludlum's writing, especially in his descriptions of Jamaica.

Short review: A geologist is paid to survey Jamaica by a secret cabal of financiers that wants to take over the island and create their own country. MI-5 enlists him to get to the bottom of the plot.

I like some of Ludlum's books, but this is not one of his better books. It is written as a suspense book, but is not suspenseful enough and just doesn't grab you the way the Bourne books do.

My longer review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-cry-of-the-halidon-by-robert-ludlum/#

Too confusing for me sadly.

I had read a book by Robert Ludlum long back, 'The Materese countdown'. It didn't hold my attention and I couldn't understand what it was all about. But one thing I do remember was that he used the word, madness/insanity very often. I observed the same thing in this book too. I guess it is a Ludlum trademark.
Anyway this is also one of those pointless thrillers which make CIA, FBI, MI5 and such intelligence agencies look like fools. I don't understand why these highly trained agents have to take help from academics to solve some mystery.
There are so many groups mentioned - dunstone, mi5, chatterr-something, Jamaican revolutionaries, crat, halidon. The funny thing was each group is aware of the existence/ involvement of the other groups in the plot, though everyone was so secretive.
I didn't like the book and will never read another Ludlum novel.

Finally finished it. Not his best.