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THE TEASER The novel begins with a grabber or teaser, a loathsome device designed to catch bookstore browsers with up front action--but usually only confusing readers. In this case, two interesting characters are introduced, only to be murdered a page later. THE SETUP The story actually begins with an assault on the Teller Institute in New Mexico, by a group posing as Secret Service Agents (prior to a scheduled Presidential visit). Many new characters are introduced for the reader to strain to remember, but most of them are also killed a page or two later. Visiting medical researcher and US Army Lt. Colonel, w ith USAMRIID (the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases), and Covert 1 agent, Jonathon Smith, witnesses the devastation. Members of the troglodytic extreme anti-technology Lazarus Movement, which happens to be protesting outside the institute gate, are targeted by nanophages released by the bad guys. That's the setup. Eventually Smith is assisted by MI6 agent Peter Howell and CIA agent (and almost sister-in-law of Smith) Randi Russell. CRITICISM While reading the novel, I was reminded of the "spy versus counterspy versus countercounterspy versus countercountercounterspy" comics from my childhood. The convolutions are enough to make your head spin. Indeed, when the author finally revealed the nature of the plot, my reaction was "What the heck!!!! That makes NO sense." All the convoluted scheming by the "bad guy"--poorly explained as a diversion--was unnecessary and very risky. The "testing" of the nanophages could have entirely been done in remote parts of Africa and South America, and the world would have hardly noticed. At numerous points, the unnecessary scheming could have brought the "evil plot" to the attention of authorities--as it ultimately did. Also, what happened to the implied scheme of selectively targeting, drug addicts, alcoholics, carriers of sexual deseases, etc.? That story line was just left dangling. That storyline could at least fit in with the gruesome effects of the nanophages and the title. That is, if the "bad guy" had a vendetta against drug addicts, alcoholics, carriers of sexual deseases, etc., he might want them to suffer. However, nominally, the only purpose was simply to reduce the population of the planet, so why not just have the nanophages kill people in their sleep, or instantly (like cyanide)? The author makes no attempt to explain the extraordinary cruelty. SNIDE OBSERVATIONS There is no "vendetta" (a personal grudge against another person or family). Note that a person may name an organization after himself, but does not name himself after an organization. So, the Lazarus character does not make sense Any system of "popular faith" is going to be exploited by con-men. I find it amazing that individuals have only the deepest disdain for religious evangelists (SOME of which are con-men) are so easily duped by secular charlatans, such as a certain former Vice President. EVALUATION "The Lazarus Vendetta", is a fantasy action thriller. Not a fantasy with wizards or space aliens, but rather in the vein of James Bond stories. That is, so over-the-top, implausible, and convoluted, that it cannot plausibly be considered as possible in the real world. But once given the corresponding maximum "suspension of disbelief" it is fun, but ultimately unsastifying. RATING I don't believe that it is the purpose of the Amazon ratings to compare "Ludlum branded" novels with genuine Ludlum novels. Books should be evaluated on their own merits.

The book is a typical thriller, with a rather over the top storyline, but an enjoyable read for most anyone that likes fantasy thrillers. In that regard, I'd give the book 4 stars. The Kindle edition has very poor quality control, quite inexcusable. The typeface constantly changes from normal to bold, throughout the book. That is very distracting and annoying, because it's much more difficult to read with the constantly changing text. That's the reason for the 3 star rating.

What I found great about this book was the fact that Ludlum captured every characters perspective on the current situation. The action was non-stop, the twists were great, and the ending was fantastic. I recommend this book fully.

I have read everyone of Ludlum's books and it is a disgrace that this book has his name attached to it. I struggled through the first hundred pages waiting for something well written and interesting. It never happened. I don't quit many books before they are finished, but I just couldn't stand this any more.

The lead villain in the Lazarus Vendetta is a mad scientist aptly named Lazarus leading a small army of equally mad mercenaries and equally mad subordinate scientists on a path to world domination and mass international genocide. On the other side of the fence, attempting to thwart this dastardly plan, is an American specials ops doctor named Jon Smith and a sly old British secret service agent named Peter Howell who soon discover that rogue FBI and CIA teams are also up to no good. Smith and Howell dash from one side of the globe to the other, battling wave after wave of enemy forces and all sorts of nasty weapons including bioengineered invisible nanobots which turn humans into gobs of slime, as they race against the clock to save the world. If the star roles were switched in this story and the American Jon Smith became British MI6 Peter Howell this could easily be a 007 novel. Yes the villains are that hokey. Still, the Lazarus Vendetta is a fast-paced ride, descriptive, topical, and author Patrick Larkin has definitely proved himself gifted with the pen.