Triple: A Novel

Ken Follett is a remarkably good storyteller. What sets his books apart is the plot layering with its multiple sources of tension, all converging to a crescendo in the last pages. The characters are fairly credible and the scenes are portrayed well. But where Follett is in a class of his own is in the craft of the thriller. Every page is dedicated to creating or maintaining excitement. The author clearly did his homework on the technical aspects of the tracking of radioactive materials, and he put a great deal of time into learning every nook and cranny of freighters, in order to depict the action concluding the book.Here we have Russian agents, Egyptian double agents, Palestinian agents, and a dashing Israeli agent, sometimes working together and at other times slitting one another's throats. And is the Oxford don's beautiful daughter really in love with the Israeli agent, or is she the most duplicitous one of the lot? These may be the fastest four hundred pages of your life, as you race alongside the protagonists, now morphing into antagonists, then back again.This book is a lesson plan in plot layering and recommended for fans of complexity and for those who would like to learn the craft from a master.

I enjoyed this book in many ways, although it tended to be a bit wordy. But, with a bit of fastforwarding it was exciting and had more than a few twists and turns. Mr. Follett manages to bring the complexity of the Middle East, and the dangers of trying to maneuver through its political and theological landscape, to the written pages of this novel. Interestingly he is able to make a ruthless assassin somewhat likable, and illuminates a world where people matter far less than politics, revenge and hate.The main focus of the book is a race to nuclear weapons between Israel and islamists in Egypt. With a creative Mossad agent, some luck, assistance from friends, and old debts called in, the Israeli's are well on their way to hijacking a shipment of nuclear fuel. A chance encounter blows the cover of the Mossad agent, and the story becomes a race of time and trial of wits. A twist is thrown in here which I won't disclose, but it adds intrigue and intensity to the story. It also explains the title, which puzzled me until that point.The story is told from the perspective of the Israelis, but it is not without balance, and it clearly shows the politics and background of many of the issues we faced then, and now, in that volatile part of the world. The only real weakness of the book was the final showdown which was somewhat improbable, but the rest of the book was full of intrigue, suspense, cleverness and plain good storytelling and it easily overcame the one small weakness of the end.

Once again Ken Follett outdid himself with this exciting ‘maybe too real” novel… Definitely a page turner full of mystery, adventure and devastatingly scary and sad to today’s reality..

As a major Ken Follett fan, for me to say this one was disappointing is an understatement. First, it was at least 1/3 longer than necessary.Not the least of the disappointments was that it couldn’t decide whether or not it was a spy thriller or a Hallmark movie - with a plot almost as predictable as a Hallmark movie. In the novel, the Arabs are trying to build a nuclear bomb. Israel hears of it and plots to steal enough plutonium to build one of their own as a bargaining child.Throw in an Arab-ancestry girl whose university professor father’s idealism causes him to treat his daughter as a household possession and servant, and stir in the fact that the daughter falls almost instantly in love with an Israeli intelligence officer plotting to steal the plutonium, mix in one too many coincidences of former students at the university together who all wind up being agents for their own countries, and you have a rather predictable, rather dull spy “thriller.”. He’s written far better, far more enjoyable books. It was a moderately good read, but certainly not the thriller I was expecting.

I enjoyed the history behind the drama. Gillett books are always fast paced and exciting. Good read but not quite as good as other Follett books.

About halfway through, so far so good!

Loved the characters, and how the plot was woven together.Really learned a lot about the Mossad & Israeli philosophies.Now on to the next Follett adventure.

This book was an absolute nail biter. I loved that there was a love story, And that the love story had a happy ending. There were many agents , agency,, countries, and parties within countries, It was difficult to keep track of all the characters unless one took notes which I recommend. who are engaged in this spy versus spy versus spy thriller. It was difficult to keep track of all the characters unless 1 took notes which I recommend.

Very entertaining. I recommend it To all readers who like thrillersIt is a contribution to Peace Talks.I will reread it.

As I had only read Pillars and world without end , I was not sure what to expect from this book . This is the first modern Follet book and it was a bit slow to start but pickled up later could not put it down and for £1:99 it was a bargain . Very enjoyable and not sure which one next

Sehr spanned die Geschichte um die Schaffung und Festigung des Staates Israel erzählt und in einer Handlung untergebracht die zu jeder Zeit im Verlaufe der Existenz des Staates Israel hätte ablaufen können!

Knowing that it's a true story... Is thrilling!Even if Ken Follett inveted some characters: they all could be so true because of the great art of the writer!!Such a great book!!!

The threads of this story wrap themselves into a complicated and intricate knot.The ending was a bit abrupt but fitting.