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The Sigma Protocol Mass Market Paperback – October 13, 2002

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,189 ratings


After phenomenal bestseller upon bestseller, Robert Ludlum's books still "dominate the field in adventure-drenched thrillers" (
Chicago Tribune). Now Ludlum's books are at an all-time high in this new breakneck classic of international intrigue, terrifying deception, and two random strangers who unwittingly hold the fate of the world in their hands...

In Zurich, Switzerland, American investment banker Ben Hartman has arrived on holiday when he chances upon old friend Jimmy Cavanaugh-- a madman who's armed and programmed to assassinate. In a matter of minutes, six innocent bystanders-- and Cavanaugh-- are dead. But when his body vanishes, and his weapon mysteriously appears in Hartman's luggage, Hartman is plunged into an unfathomable nightmare, and suddenly finds himself on the run. Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., Anna Navarro, field agent for the Department of justice, has been asked to investigate the sudden-- seemingly unrelated-- deaths of eleven men throughout the world. The only thing that connects them is a secret file, over a half-century old, linked to the CIA, and marked with the same puzzling codename: Sigma.

But as Anna follows the connecting thread, she finds herself in the shadows of a relentless killer who is one step ahead of her, victim by victim. Together she and Hartman must uncover the diabolical secrets long held behind the codename, Sigma. It will threaten everything they think they know about themselves and confirm their very worst fears...

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Editorial Reviews

Review


"Dazzling."--
Publishers Weekly

"Robert Ludlum still dominates the field in adventure-drenched thrillers."--
Chicago Tribune

"Perfectly executed...thunders forward at breakneck pace."--
People

About the Author



Robert Ludlum was the author of 25 thriller novels, including
The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum—the books on which the international hit movies were based. He was also the creator of the Covert-One series. Born in New York City, Ludlum received a B.A. from Wesleyan University, and before becoming an author, he was a United States Marine, a theater actor and producer.


Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks; First Edition (October 13, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 672 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312982518
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312982515
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.26 x 1.09 x 6.82 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,189 ratings

About the author

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Robert Ludlum
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Robert Ludlum was the author of twenty-seven novels, each one a New York Times bestseller. There are more than 225 million of his books in print, and they have been translated into thirty-two languages. He is the author of The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and the Jason Bourne series—The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum—among others. Mr. Ludlum passed away in March, 2001.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,189 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the interesting plot and well-crafted writing style. The book is described as a thrilling adventure with relevant historical elements.

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28 customers mention "Readability"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it suspenseful, action-packed, and a learning experience. The book keeps readers hooked and is a must-read for Robert Ludlum fans. While some found the first 50 pages promising, others felt the writing was poor.

"...I don't know that Robert Ludlum was such a great story teller. Even though the book was written years ago it still has relevance today...." Read more

"...I think he did his best work earlier in his writing career with books like THE RHINEMANN EXCHANGE, THE OSYERMAN WEEKEND, THE MATARESE CIRCLE and THE..." Read more

"Fast paced and exciting read. But the characters are predictable and, although there are some good plot twists, they are often very contrived...." Read more

"...This is a must read for any Ludlum fan." Read more

25 customers mention "Plot"20 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the interesting storyline and intricate plot. They find the book suspenseful until the end with relevant history woven in. Readers praise the consistent storytelling, drama, and excitement. Overall, they describe the book as an action-packed thrill-ride that keeps you on the edge.

"...It kept your interest and kept the plot moving. I have decided to go back and read all his stand alone novels...." Read more

"...It's an action-packed, intricately plotted thrill-ride of a book. At his best, Ludlum is the five-star standard in this genre...." Read more

"...Ludlums hand, I feel taken back to the quality of reflection, consistency of story and the typical Ludlum pulse for action...." Read more

"...Very believable and in many ways probably true of what has happened over the years since the second world war...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the author's skill in blending the present with the past. The story is understandable and compelling, making it an enjoyable read.

"...Beyond the superb writing and the suspense, you are left with the debate between right and wrong, moral and immoral and stays with you for a long..." Read more

"Good story that is understandable. The twists keep it going till the end of the book. Well worth reading this one" Read more

"At times the author tries too hard to sound intelligent. The book is easy to read and flows really well." Read more

"...This book was not a match for the Bourne Series. But an ok read nonetheless. A bit disconnected in some parts" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2017
    Another fantastic novel. I don't know that Robert Ludlum was such a great story teller. Even though the book was written years ago it still has relevance today. It kept your interest and kept the plot moving. I have decided to go back and read all his stand alone novels. I read the entire Covert - One series and that was also excellent. Ludlum is relevant just as the other great authors I read Daniel Silva, Brad Thor, Kylie Mills ,Lee Child, Vince Flynn and J.B Turner and Diane Capri.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2003
    THE SIGMA PROTOCOL has the usual elements readers have come to expect from Robert Ludlum over the years. It's an action-packed, intricately plotted thrill-ride of a book. At his best, Ludlum is the five-star standard in this genre. So why only four stars here? Primarily because, in a genre characterized by over-the-top conspiracies of truly credibility-stretching proportions, the evil conspiracy in this book goes so much further that it became laughable for me. I just couldn't take it seriously by the time I got to the finish. These guys aren't just out to reinstate the thousand-year reich or anything as mundane as that. These nasties have been firmly in control of events world-wide since the end of World War II. They've managed to manipulate things from behind the scenes for over fifty years. There's more, too, but I don't want to give it all away. Suffice it to say that a pretty good overall read went a little south by the end because it was just a bit too much to swallow. Further, the end was rather predictable and, consequently, something of a letdown on that score, as well.
    I've read a lot of Ludlum books over the years and very much enjoyed most of them. I think he did his best work earlier in his writing career with books like THE RHINEMANN EXCHANGE, THE OSYERMAN WEEKEND, THE MATARESE CIRCLE and THE BOURNE IDENTITY. It has seemed to me that in his more recent books he has reached further for complex plots and lost some of the edge from the intense and compelling action and drama that were his greatest strengths. Don't get me wrong, though. THE SIGMA PROTOCOL is definitely a page-turner and fun to read. Four stars is still a pretty good rating. I just feel that it's a step beneath Ludlum's best.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024
    Are you sure this is fiction??? I was so engrossed in this story I simply could not stop! It hits so close to the reality of today it's scary but the characters just kept dragging you in further and further.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2013
    Fast paced and exciting read. But the characters are predictable and, although there are some good plot twists, they are often very contrived. Sometimes the events seem so implausible that the reader goes beyond the usual suspension of disbelief and the story becomes too unbelievable to generate much emotion.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2014
    This is typical Ludlum and keeps you wanting to read one more chapter before you take a break. There are times that the details get overdone. It is hard to tell if it is done for clarity or he is just filling space. If it gets boring, these sections are easy to scan until he gets back to the main plot. This is a must read for any Ludlum fan.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2015
    This modern day novel about the son of a Holocaust survivor who gets entangled in an international conspiracy by industrialists and financiers to take advantage of wartime technology had me on the edge of my chair awaiting the next "surprise." I'll never use computer fingerprint scanning in place of a password to open my computer after reading this story. If you enjoy Robert Ludlum's other titles, you need to read this Ludlum's final suspenseful novel.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2016
    Ludlum at his best. As the last novel written entirely by Ludlums hand, I feel taken back to the quality of reflection, consistency of story and the typical Ludlum pulse for action. Great entertainment, deep understanding of people's minds and small drops of absolutely brilliant exchanges, in which Ludlum draws credible pictures of minds, faces, landscapes and fate. This is real stuff, folks.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2022
    It has been many years since I’ve read a Ludlum book but this brought me right back. The pace of the book and twist and turns were classic Ludlum.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sci fiction
    Reviewed in India on July 18, 2021
    WoW
    What imagination
    Felt like seeing it with eyes open
    Very descriptive & believable
    Well written and the suspense lingered till the end
  • Filimstar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2020
    If you liked bourne then you'll like this.
    History geography conspiracy all rolled up into an entertaining peice. I hope there are other similar books from the same author.
  • Cathais
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping from the start
    Reviewed in Australia on August 12, 2020
    This is my first Ludlum book, I watched the Bourne movies and loved them. I can see why they were so good, what a writer, I have not actually finished this book but i rate it. I have not been able to put it down and cannot wait to get to the end to put all the little pieces together.
  • 290
    4.0 out of 5 stars 我を忘れて楽しみたい人にお勧めします
    Reviewed in Japan on June 16, 2005
    スパイではないズブの素人の主人公に次々と襲いかかる暗殺者から、かろうじて逃れる事を繰り返していく内に次第に成長していくという、あり得ない状況を展開していきます。相手が巨大な組織であることを少しずつ明かしていき、主人公のただでさえ絶望的な状況を更に絶望的なものにしていくプロットを、純粋に楽しんで読める人なら、これほど面白い本はないでしょう。難しい事を考えずにアクションもののスパイ小説にのめり込んでみたい、という人にお勧めです。
  • Amitabha Sanyal
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Book
    Reviewed in India on June 12, 2019
    Good