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With the climactic events of The Bourne Ultimatum behind him, Jason Bourne is able to once again become David Webb, now professor of linguistics at Georgetown University. However, this serenity does not last for long and, when a silenced gunshot narrowly misses Webb's head, the Bourne Persona reawakens in him yet again. Bourne's first objective is to get to his long time friend and handler at the CIA, Alex Conklin. However, unbeknownst (as yet) to Bourne, a Hungarian by the name of Stepan Spalko has now drawn Jason into a web—one which he cannot escape as easily as his professorial façade. Finding Alex dead along with Doctor Morris Panov, Bourne realizes the trap as soon as he hears the police arriving. With his car outside and his fingerprints in the house, he immediately understands that he has been framed. So, with only Conklin's cell phone and a torn page from a notebook to go on, Jason Bourne sets off to find out who's trying to kill him and who killed his friends. After warning Marie and his kids, Jamie and Alison, to proceed immediately towards their safe house, he slips through the CIA cordon and makes his way to an independent agent who was talking to Alex Conklin when he was killed. Having received travel plans to Hungary and a mission to meet Janos Vadas, Conklin's contact in Hungary, he proceeds to unravel the truth behind why Alex and Morris Panov were killed. Meanwhile, a group of Chechen terrorists have been fighting a losing battle against Russian invaders when a man named Stephan Spalko appears to solve their problems. Spalko, we later discover, had Conklin and Panov killed and kidnaped a Doctor by the name of Felix Schiffer. Schiffer is an expert in bacteriological particulate behavior. Spalko intends to release a bacteriological weapon during peace negotiations between many World Leaders to be held at the Oskjuhlid Hotel in Reykjavík, Iceland, using the terrorists he is cultivating as a diversion. The book charts Bourne's course from the United States, to France and then to Budapest in Hungary where he learns the final thing he needs to do—to stop Spalko's attack in Iceland. This of course, has to be done with a CIA sanction out for him to be immediately terminated, as he is believed responsible for the deaths of Conklin and Panov. There is also the matter of Spalko's hired assassin, Khan, who is preternaturally able to track Bourne where everyone else cannot. Khan is revealed In the Bourne Legacy; he is Joshua, David's son from his first marriage, who believes erroneously that he was left for dead by his father in Vietnam. Bourne, however, refuses to believe that Khan is Joshua, convinced that Joshua was killed decades ago, and continually tries to avoid him and the truth. Though Khan is at first working for Spalko, he eventually realizes that he has been used as a pawn in Spalko's personal game. After revealing later on to Bourne that Annaka Vadas, the daughter of Janos Vadas, is a traitor, he begins to feel that Bourne is not the hateful father that he had imagined. Unfortunately, Bourne is still unable to believe Khan is Joshua—until he hacks into the CIA database and discovers that Joshua's body had never been found. In a fit of rage, he attacks Khan, first believing that it is a conspiracy to hurt him, but is later captured by Spalko. see the rest on wikipediaRead full review
I've read all the Bourne novels to date, and frankly, this is the least exciting. I find there are too many descriptions that I skipped over to try and get to "the good parts". While there's always those foreign names to keep track of in The Bourne novels, this book seems to have too many. The fight scenes also seemed a little repetitive.(Possibly due to my reading all the novels within a short time period?). I agree with the other reviewers, it has a good ending. Will I read a sequel? Of course, no matter what, these books are a great ride.
The Novel takes an interesting twist, to see Jason take on man every bit as talented as himself. However the entertainment factor losses its value as the arthur makes a political statement. While I agree with him the that torture isn't something I like to see in any government. In fact, torture of anyone, is a crime against humanity. It's just not something I want to read in a fictional sitting. If I want to read about politics, theres not a shortage of opinions, editorials, blogs, websites to present arguements. The book also had a disapointing ending. What I did like was the classic spy adventure of Lenoid roling up a counterspy network, and the counfrontation with Bourne and his appeal to Lenoid for a peaceful outcome. So not all is amiss in this novel. It still is a good read.
If you liked any of the Bourne moives you will love the next set of books, including this one. Van Lustbader picked up right where Ludlum left and writes in a style that will keep you from putting the book. Down. Every chapter throws the plot into more intense action and has you trying to figure out where the author could possibly be taking it. Great book.
Interesting book, but I recommend you wait for the movie. Seemed like the author was just trying to quickly publish another book. Too many twists and turns for a good read - easier to digest this one a little at a time beofre bedtime - not for vacations nor airports. Of course, it has a good ending - just skip to the last page and go to the next book on your list.
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