The Scorpio Illusion

Last updated February 11, 2026

The Scorpio Illusion
The Scorpio Illusion first edition cover.
Author	Robert Ludlum
Language	English
Genre	Spy novel
Publisher	HarperCollins
Publication date	April 8, 1993
Publication place	United Kingdom
Media type	Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages	496 pp (first edition)
ISBN	0-00-223971-X
OCLC	60104802

The Scorpio Illusion is a 1993 novel by Robert Ludlum. It is a mix of suspense, drama, action and thriller.

Plot summary
Analysis
Publication history
References

Plot summary

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Analysis

The novel "consciously draws on Freudian theory to lend depth to his treatment of the two dominant characters, a psychotic woman, driven by childhood traumas to emasculate dominant males and to destroy all symbols of male hierarchical power, and her opponent, a weakened, age-conscious male reaffirming his masculine strengths."^[1]

There is a factual error in the novel. Telephone conversations using scrambling are an important plot element in this novel. However, from about half-way through^[2] one side of the call is on a normal telephone. This is impossible; both phones must be equipped with compatible scrambler/descramblers.

Publication history

1993, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-223971-X, Pub date April 8, 1993, Hardback
1993, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-224285-0, Pub date November 1, 1993, Paperback
1993, US, Bantam ISBN 0-553-09441-6, Pub date May 1, 1993, Hardback
1994, US, Bantam ISBN 0-553-18109-2, Pub date January 1994, Paperback

References

↑ Macdonald, Gina (1 January 1997). Robert Ludlum: A Critical Companion . Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-313-29971-1.
↑ Ludlum, Robert (1994). The Scorpio Illusion. New York: Bantam. pp. 292 sqq. ISBN 0-553-56838-8.

v t e Novels by Robert Ludlum
Novels	The Scarlatti Inheritance (1971) The Osterman Weekend (1972) The Matlock Paper (1973) Trevayne (1973) The Cry of the Halidon (1974) The Rhinemann Exchange (1974) The Road to Gandolfo (1975) The Gemini Contenders (1976) The Chancellor Manuscript (1977) The Holcroft Covenant (1978) The Parsifal Mosaic (1982) The Aquitaine Progression (1984) The Icarus Agenda (1988) The Road to Omaha (1992) The Scorpio Illusion (1993) The Apocalypse Watch (1995) The Prometheus Deception (2000) The Sigma Protocol (2001) The Janson Directive (2002) The Tristan Betrayal (2003) The Ambler Warning (2005) The Bancroft Strategy (2006)
Bourne series	The Bourne Identity (1980) The Bourne Supremacy (1986) The Bourne Ultimatum (1990)
Matarese series	The Matarese Circle (1979) The Matarese Countdown (1997)
See also	Covert-One series

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The Scorpio Illusion

Contents

Plot summary

Analysis

Publication history

References