The Janson Directive

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 20 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the world's greatest men has been kidnapped! Nobel laureate, financier, and philanthropist Peter Novak - a billionaire committed to fostering global democracy through his Liberty Foundation - has been captured by the Caliph, a near-mythical terrorist who plans to execute him in a matter of days.

Running out of time and hope, Novak's people turn to a man with a history of defeating impossible odds: Paul Janson. For decades, Janson was a legendary covert operative and assassin. Now he has retired, and nothing could lure him back - nothing except Peter Novak, who once saved Janson's life.

Backed by the considerable resources of the Liberty Foundation, Janson assembles a crack extraction team to rescue Novak from his fortress prison. But the operation goes horribly wrong and Janson is marked for death, the target of a "beyond salvage" order.

Now he is running for his life, pursued by Jessica Kincaid, an agent who, as a student of Janson's own lethal arsenal of tactics, can anticipate his every move. To survive, Janson must outrace a conspiracy that has gone beyond the control of its creators. To win, he must counter it with a conspiracy of his own. Janson's only hope is to uncover the nearly unimaginable truth behind these events - a secret that has the power to foment wars, topple governments, and change the course of history.

©2002 Myn Pyn LLC (P)2002 Audio Renaissance, a Division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"All the trademarked Ludlum gifts of plotting, pacing, and suspense are on full display in this engrossing mystery." (Amazon.com)
"Vintage Ludlum - big, brawny, and loaded with surprises." (Publishers Weekly)
"A marvel of stunning physical detail...Ludlum's best since The Bourne Identity." (Kirkus Reviews)

Never lets go

Talk about a thriller! What a roller coaster this one is. I loved it, never knew what was coming. How that preview reviewer can call this book "predictable" indicates that he or she is clearly clairvoyant because this book is just the opposite of that and a great listen. I found so many new ways to drive to and from work, just to make the drive longer!!!

Good except for the bad language

A bit laborious in its detail sometimes but an intriguing story. I hate his repeated use of "god damn."

Details

If you like Color this is a book for you. Some of the details that he writes is so deep it makes you Dee like you are there.

nice weekend listen

Typical Ludlum. Had a hard time with the story flow. Everything happens to easily for the main character.

Ludlum keeps it crackin'!

Fast paced fun! Cunning and vicious!
Janson Directive had it all and more! Ludlum delivers another chiller!

Janson

Excellent reading...very complex...edge of seat spy novel. Narrator was terrific as is the author. Highly recommended.

captivating

He never disappoints. I tried limiting listening time to driving and failed. had to bring it home.

Too much detail

Detailed descriptions too long, brutal and boring. Had to bypass some parts This did not seem like typical Ludlum.

Blah!

The editing was poor, clipping off the end of many words, and the story was far-fetched implausible drivel. It killed 20 hours of driving for me but was about as believable as any James Bond movie.

Very Enjoyable

This is my first Ludlum book. Call me dense but the plot wasn't predictable to me. Maybe after I read a few more of this author's novels I would have something different to say, but as a newbie, I enjoyed the twists and turn of the story. I will be trying out another Ludlum. This story definitely held my attention the entire length of the book. 4 instead of 5 because my suspension of disbelief was a bit taxed at times, but I don't mind enduring a little incredulity for an entertaining thriller.