The Matlock Paper

A Novel

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

The name on the computer screen is James Barbour Matlock, college professor and Vietnam veteran. He’s Washington’s choice to stop a far-reaching conspiracy in an undercover assignment destined to put his neck against the razor’s edge of danger. But the faceless men behind the scenes don’t care if it means savaging the woman he loves or trapping him in a maze of unrelenting terror. They just care about one thing: Matlock is the perfect man for the job—and the reason why is disturbing, explosive, and extremely deadly.

Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Matlock Paper

“A sure winner . . . fast paced, suspenseful, and bound to keep you turning the pages.”—The Denver Post

“A 110% story all in overdrive . . . Ludlum writes better and better.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Suspense, violence, and total readability.”—Chicago Tribune

Critic reviews

Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Matlock Paper

“A sure winner . . . fast paced, suspenseful, and bound to keep you turning the pages.”—The Denver Post

“A 110% story all in overdrive . . . Ludlum writes better and better.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Suspense, violence, and total readability.”—Chicago Tribune

An early 1970s novel about the illicit drug trade.

This is probably a novel that should be read at the time of publication, early 1970s. It was kind of interesting reading about land-line telephones, telephone booths and a pager-like device are used through out this novel for most of the communications, because cellular technology and home computing were at least a decade and a half away.

Not up to par, Mr. Ludlum

What would have made The Matlock Paper better?

The story takes place in the 1980's but the book was released July 10, 2012. I'm not sure when it was written but it did not measure up to prior Ludlum standards. The story was so contrived that I had difficulty suspending my disbelief with many of the scenarios, especially the premise that organized crime has co-opted control of many prestigious northeast universities, and that these universities now augment their foundations with money from drug, gambling, and prostitution activities, all with the help of their students.

Stephen Hoye did not add much to the mix. I don't think I will purchase another audio book narrated by him. Although I have enjoyed many Ludlum books in the past, I am reluctant to try another in light of this experience.