Robert Ludlum's the Paris Option, a Covert-One Novel - Book Review

Kliatt, Nov, 2002 by Jean Palmer

ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE PARIS OPTION, A COVERT-ONE NOVEL. Robert Ludlum & Gayle Lynds. 2002. Read by Paul Michael. 8 tapes. 14 hrs. Audio Renaissance. 1-55927-711-4 $39.95. Cardboard; plot, reader, author notes. JSA

ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE PARIS OPTION, A COVERT-ONE NOVEL. Robert Ludlum & Gayle Lynds. 2002. Read by Michael Prichard. 12 tapes. 14 hrs. Books on Tape. 0-7366-8664-9. $108.00. Vinyl; plot notes. JSA

In this third Covert-One novel, the team of American spy Dr. Jon Smith, techno genius Marry Zellerbach (who has Asperger's Syndrome), beautiful CIA agent Randi Russell, and mature British MI 6 spy Peter Howell join together to save a molecular or DNA computer that can break any code, any encryption in seconds--a disaster for any security system--from falling into the wrong hands. Fast paced, set all over the world, thrilling, funny, this will appeal to any thriller reader. It is Ludlum at his best, with little sex and little violence, but mostly smart people outsmarting others.

Michael's reading is faster paced than Prichard's more leisurely reading. Both have similar heavily American-accented French and other accents; both are master professionals in voicing all the characters. I like Prichard's pace but I prefer Michael's voices. Jean Palmer, KLIATT