The Cry of the Halidon

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The Cry of the Halidon
TheCryOfTheHalidon.jpg
The Cry of the Halidon first edition cover.
Author Robert Ludlum (originally published under the pen name Jonathan Ryder
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre Spy novel
Publisher Delacorte Press
Publication date
1974
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages376 pp (first edition)
ISBN 0440021200
OCLC 805939
813.54
LC Class PZ4.L9455 Cr PS3562.U26

The Cry of the Halidon is a 1974 suspense novel by Robert Ludlum. [1]

Plot summary

The story concerns a geologist, Alex McAuliff, who served in the Army as an infantry officer and fought in Vietnam, is commissioned to undertake a survey in Jamaica. It's an offer McAuliff just can't refuse: two million dollars for a geological survey of Jamaica's dark interior. All Dunstone, Limited asks for in return is his time, his expertise, and above all his absolute secrecy. No one is to know of Dunstone's involvement - not even McAuliff's handpicked team.

But British Intelligence knows and they've let Alex know a secret of their own: the last survey team sent to Jamaica by Dunstone vanished without a trace. For McAuliff, it's too late to turn back. Alex already knows about Dunstone...which means he already knows too much.

He is a marked man...but by whom? Dunstone Limited? British Intelligence? A rival company? A beautiful island and a beautiful woman who could be a spy are central to Alex's chance for survival. That and a single word...Halidon.

In common with other Ludlum novels the lead character discovers there is more to the deal than expected and McAuliff is enlisted by British Intelligence. The story develops as McAuliff's resources and abilities are tested eventually leading him to a secret organisation hidden in the Jamaican mountains.

Notes

  1. Gina Macdonald (1 January 1997). Robert Ludlum: A Critical Companion . Greenwood Publishing Group. p.  11. ISBN   978-0-313-29971-1.


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