American investment banker Ben Hartman arrives in Zurich for a ski holiday, the first time he's been back to Switzerland since his twin brother died there in a tragic accident four years earlier. But his arrival in Zurich triggers something far more sinister than his brother's fate. When Ben chances upon Jimmy Cavanaugh, an old college friend, Cavanaugh promptly pulls out a gun and tries to kill him. In a matter of minutes, several innocent bystanders are dead - as well as Cavanaugh - and Ben has barely managed to survive. Plunged into an unspeakable nightmare, Hartman suddenly finds himself on the run.
Department of Justice field agent Anna Navarro is being stalked around the world by a relentless killer, managing to survive the killer's attacks only by a combination of luck, skill and her own quick wits. These attacks are somehow related to her current assignment: investigating the sudden - and seemingly unrelated - deaths of a number of very old men throughout the world. The only thing that connects them is a file in the CIA archives, over a half-century old, marked with the same puzzling code word: SIGMA. But someone or something is always seemingly one step ahead of her, the survivors are rapidly dwindling, and her own life is in ever increasing danger.
Brought together by accident, Ben and Anna soon realize that their only hope of survival lies with each other. Together they race to uncover the diabolical secrets long hidden behind the code word, Sigma. Secrets that threaten everything they think they know about themselves, everything they believed true about their friends and families, and everything they were ever taught about history itself. For behind Sigma lies a vast deception that is finally coming to fruition and the fate and future of the world is in their hands.
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"I love reading Robert Ludlum because he takes me around the world time and time again. I specifically liked this book and when I first started reading I thought to myself,"this guy must have gone, and seen everywhere and everything." Low and behold he happened to mention in the first couple chapters a little bitty town about 10 miles from me White Sulpher Springs, NY and I'm telling you if you sneeze you would miss this town. So Robert Ludlum had truly been everywhere. Now about the book...OMG it starts off completely action packed, our good guy steps out of his hotel and sees an old college chum he hadn't seen in years and instead of a pat on the back and a good catching up this guy is trying to kill him and he has no idea why. What a great read...Mr Ludlum has yet to let me down."
— Tialisa (4 out of 5 stars)
“Ludlum displays once again his dazzling prose and ability to juggle an amazing number of plot lines...
— Publishers WeeklyRobert Ludlum still dominates the field in adventure-drenched thrillers
— Chicago Tribune" Read October - Nov 2012 "
— Jodi-Kay, 2/16/2014" Ludlum as always writes a compelling, and timely novel that will keep you riveted. "
— Tom, 2/13/2014" One of Ludlum's better books outside of the Bourne series. This one involves an investment banker who is thrown suddenly and violently into an international banking scandal. The plot involves big businesses with big secrets that they are willing to kill to protect. Laundered Nazi money leads a trail around the world. And while those familiar with Ludlum will have the basic plot figured out long before they read it, getting there is half the fun in this fast paced adventure. "
— Jeff, 2/10/2014" two stories meet up and the action doesn't stop. Definitely a five star book "
— Sue, 2/9/2014" just as awesome as another mr. ludlum's books! "
— Sandra, 2/6/2014" Liked it. Fast-paced and very interesting. I'd like to see it made into a movie. I love the European backdrop and the plot is intriguing. The characters were mostly good, but sometimes unrealistic. "
— Rebecca, 2/4/2014" A fast-paced, enjoyable, but cookie-cutter and simplistic thriller novel by the author of the "Bourne" series. Two plotlines intertwine, that of Ben Hartman (a handsome, tall, sophisticated, rich financial manager) and Anna Navarro (a smart, beautiful, independent-minded federal agent). Intrigue piles on intrigue. Surprise piles on surprise. Sympathetic supporting characters get killed. The two main characters are very often nearly, but never actually, killed. Etc., etc., etc.... The central conspiracy surrounds a secret corporation, composed of rich, powerful people, founded after WWII to promote capitalism, which now may or may not have fallen into nefarious hands, and which is now trying to kill Ben and Anna (who, incidentally, naturally eventually fall for one another about 2/3 of the way through the book). Believe me, that's no spoiler, you'll see it coming. You'll see a lot coming. Good airplane reading though. "
— Kenyon, 2/4/2014" This was a pretty good story. Read like Ludlum's other books...international thriller. Good for a plane ride or beach day! "
— Tamara, 1/24/2014" Good fiction that doesn't get out of date with age. "
— Darryl, 1/23/2014" Fun read, but not as moving as I had hoped for. "
— Christy, 1/22/2014" quite painful really. Not a huge Ludlam Fan. "
— Arna, 1/21/2014" I liked this book becuase it has twists that you would never belive!!!!!!!!!!! "
— George, 1/21/2014" I won't review all of his books as that would be pointless. These are like TV for me, but that isn't to say some aren't worthwhile. Ludlum successfully transitioned from doing spy books about the commies and the Nazis after the end of the cold war. Who were to be the new villains? Why, corporations of course. These later books usually involved people who weren't super-spies or ex-military, but "ordinary" (rich) guys who stumble on to some plot and have to figure it out while on the run from professional assassins. Fun stuff! "
— Ryan, 1/20/2014" Lots of undercurrents. He is always a good read. "
— M., 1/13/2014" Well-written, but a little too far-fetched for my taste. I like adventure books with secret societies and lots of twists and turns in the plot, but the sheer scope of the suspension of disbelief required for the overall premise detracts from the enjoyment I received. "
— Marc, 1/12/2014" I'm a big fan of the Bourne series movies, but had never read anything by Robert Ludlum until The Sigma Protocol. This was a great book...really suspenseful and I didn't see the ending coming! This would make a great movie and I was doing the casting for it in my head the entire time I was reading the book. This definitely made me want to read some more of Ludlum's work. "
— Amy, 1/11/2014" What an intense plot! I could hardly turn the pages fast enough. I also loved the characters :) "
— Kieryn, 1/6/2014" An intriguing story and very suspenseful, but I like other Ludlum novels better. "
— Sarah, 1/6/2014" Entertaining book...good suspense and well-crafted characters that you can care about. "
— Paul, 12/28/2013" Good fiction that doesn't get out of date with age. "
— Darryl, 12/26/2013" Enjoyed it as much the second time, as I did the first! "
— Kathryn, 12/19/2013" having a hard time putting this down... "
— Nick, 12/18/2013" The best of Ludlum I have ever read. Just excellent "
— Salokya, 12/4/2013" Loved this book, if you like the Borne Series you'll love this "
— Mandy, 11/28/2013" Fun book........Wasn't terribly surprised by the plot climax, but the buildup was fun and exciting. "
— James, 11/24/2013" This is a typical, enjoyable Ludlum book... an escapist page-turner. The premise was fairly far-fetched, but I enjoyed every page nonetheless. I'm always happy to discover a Ludlum I haven't read yet when I'm in need of a mental break. "
— Jelan, 11/24/2013" Read many of Ludlum's enjoyable books in high school in the 70s. Page turners. "
— Deb, 11/16/2013" Really long and a bit slow at times but the parts that were good well, were really good! Took me a while to get through this one though. "
— Carrie, 11/15/2013" The description says it all. Read it and then the book if the description strikes that curiosity cord that us readers have come to use to define our genre preference. "
— Dj, 11/11/2013" Ini buku kedua dari karya Ludlum yang kubaca. Ceritanya agak panjang dan sepertinya belang. Kecurigaanku ini terbukti karena setelah google, ini karya tidak selesai ditulis oleh Ludlum "
— R., 10/25/2013" If you love the Bourne Surpremcy books, you'll love this one. It's full of action and suspense. "
— Gaea, 8/26/2013" World's stupidest master assassin. Is man's father a Dachau survivor or a Nazi - or both? "
— Lance, 8/18/2013" Entertaining book...good suspense and well-crafted characters that you can care about. "
— Paul, 5/21/2013" having a hard time putting this down... "
— Nick, 4/17/2013" Kept me on the edge of my seat - so to speak. Good, tight mystery adventure with danger at every turn. "
— Rhod, 4/15/2013" Very much enjoyed the fast pace of this one. One thing I have to say is that it would be very convenient to be super rich when on the run from crazy assasins - I don't know how a poor person would've been able to jump from country to country like this. "
— Julie, 2/23/2013" I am surprised that I didn't discover Ludlum earlier. Having seen all the Bourne movies, it seems like I would of read his novels sooner. Afterall, I have always enjoyed spy stories. One day, I plan of reading those 3 Bourne novels "
— David, 2/9/2013" This book is older than Da Vinci Code and all rows of Dan Brown's work. But I suggest you to read this after you learn the basic subject of conspiracy thingy in Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Holy Grail, etc. It's shocking, electrifying, mesmerizing! "
— Dhiratara, 2/4/2013" Read many of Ludlum's enjoyable books in high school in the 70s. Page turners. "
— Deb, 1/23/2013" The secret thats revealed late in the story is so believable that its scary. I realy enjoyed the book. "
— Susan, 12/22/2012" has a very complex plot, and an implausible storyline "
— gregory, 11/18/2012" two stories meet up and the action doesn't stop. Definitely a five star book "
— Sue, 10/19/2012" fun and easy read.. suspenseful, page turning, plus a nice cute romance. "
— Lalaine, 8/21/2012" The was my first book that I read from Robert Ludlum. I've read a few more since (haven't touched the Bourne series yet) and this has been the best by far. The book drew me in instanly. I couldn't believe pace that continued from the beginning to the end. "
— Aaron, 7/3/2012" It kept me interested the whole time I was listening. "
— Josh, 5/29/2012" Very much enjoyed the fast pace of this one. One thing I have to say is that it would be very convenient to be super rich when on the run from crazy assasins - I don't know how a poor person would've been able to jump from country to country like this. "
— Julie, 3/21/2012" A very interesting concept, but way too drawn out. This book is over 600 pages long and could have easily been told in about 400 pages. A somewhat of a surprise ending, but lots of things in the book never explained really bothered me. "
— Luann, 3/15/2012" This books has an action sequence beginning on page 1. Very entertaining read and one of my favorites by Ludlum. Those that like the Bourne series would enjoy this book. "
— Klark, 11/30/2011" This is a typical, enjoyable Ludlum book... an escapist page-turner. The premise was fairly far-fetched, but I enjoyed every page nonetheless. I'm always happy to discover a Ludlum I haven't read yet when I'm in need of a mental break. "
— Jelan, 8/8/2011" A large part of the story takes place in Switzerland and Austria, they spend some time in Zurich so it was interesting to read about places we have been, I also liked being able to read all the German phrases. It's also an interesting plot with likeable characters. "
— Kris, 6/26/2011" Kept me on my toes throughout the whole book - very intriguing! "
— Beth, 6/12/2011" you really have to read till page's above 30 so you'll find the suspense start to begin.. I love this book.. "
— Nataly, 5/14/2011" Fast-paced action. I have always liked Ludlum's style, and this met expectations. It was hard to put down once started. "
— Jim, 4/25/2011" Fast-paced action. I have always liked Ludlum's style, and this met expectations. It was hard to put down once started. "
— Jim, 4/25/2011" This was a great break after the more thought provoking books. Just a good mystery novel that reads fast. "
— Audrey, 2/22/2011" This was a great break after the more thought provoking books. Just a good mystery novel that reads fast. "
— Audrey, 2/22/2011" battle of morals gone horribly right. "
— George, 12/19/2010" A fine book carrying a good, well thought out and detailed plot and narration. A real time, action-packed adventure. "
— Shrikant, 12/19/2010" battle of morals gone horribly right. "
— George, 12/19/2010" A fine book carrying a good, well thought out and detailed plot and narration. A real time, action-packed adventure. "
— Shrikant, 12/19/2010" Not the best of Ludlum"s books. <br/>In fact... It's kind of cheezy. "
— Mike, 11/22/2010" This book is older than Da Vinci Code and all rows of Dan Brown's work. But I suggest you to read this after you learn the basic subject of conspiracy thingy in Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Holy Grail, etc. It's shocking, electrifying, mesmerizing! "
— Dhiratara, 11/22/2010" Not the best of Ludlum"s books. <br/>In fact... It's kind of cheezy. "
— Mike, 11/22/2010" This book is older than Da Vinci Code and all rows of Dan Brown's work. But I suggest you to read this after you learn the basic subject of conspiracy thingy in Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Holy Grail, etc. It's shocking, electrifying, mesmerizing! "
— Dhiratara, 11/22/2010" This is a typical, enjoyable Ludlum book... an escapist page-turner. The premise was fairly far-fetched, but I enjoyed every page nonetheless. I'm always happy to discover a Ludlum I haven't read yet when I'm in need of a mental break. "
— Jelan, 9/13/2010" This is a typical, enjoyable Ludlum book... an escapist page-turner. The premise was fairly far-fetched, but I enjoyed every page nonetheless. I'm always happy to discover a Ludlum I haven't read yet when I'm in need of a mental break. "
— Jelan, 9/13/2010" Great book. Very suspensful. I like books like this. I think I will read more of Ludlum's books. I did read the Bourne series and I loved those. "
— Shauna, 8/24/2010" Great book. Very suspensful. I like books like this. I think I will read more of Ludlum's books. I did read the Bourne series and I loved those. "
— Shauna, 8/24/2010" Kept me on my toes throughout the whole book - very intriguing! "
— Beth, 8/17/2010" Kept me on my toes throughout the whole book - very intriguing! "
— Beth, 8/17/2010Eric Van Lustbader is the author of more than twenty-five bestselling novels, including New York Times bestsellers The Ninja and The Testament. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages. He has also written several novels in Robert Ludlum’s highly successful Bourne series, including The Bourne Legacy, The Bourne Betrayal, The Bourne Sanction, and others. Before turning to writing full-time, he enjoyed a highly successful career in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education.
Paul Michael, winner of several Earphones Awards, has also won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has acted on stage, radio, television, and in feature films in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. He has had leading roles in series and made-for-television movies and has guest starred in such series as VIP and Alias. He has been nominated for a Canadian Emmy and has recorded over 150 audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Da Vinci Code.