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13th out of 29 books
—
125 voters
A Matter of Honor
It seems innocent enough. A disgraced British colonel bequeaths a mysterious letter to his only son. But the moment Adam Scott opens the yellowing envelope, he sets into motion a deadly chain of events that threatens to shake the very foundations of the free world.
Within days, Adam's lover is brutally murdered and he's running for his life through the great cities of Europ...more
Within days, Adam's lover is brutally murdered and he's running for his life through the great cities of Europ...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
December 28th 2004
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
(first published December 30th 1986)
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Apr 27, 2013
Tea Jovanović
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-for-pleasure
Malo je reči da obožavam ovog autora i da sam pročitala sve njegove knjige... Sada ga u Srbiji objavljuje Laguna... I da po meni, spada u one pisce koji ne umeju da napišu lošu ili neinteresantnu knjigu... A dobar deo njegovih knjiga je i vrhunski ekranizovano...
My friend had never heard of Jeffrey Archer. I told her he lived near Cambridge and wrote bad novels.
"But have you ever read one?" she asked. I was forced to admit I hadn't.
On Christmas Day, I found this book tucked inconspicuously under the tree. I felt honor-bound to read it.
So, now I know what I'm talking about, and I can give you a more nuanced picture. Jeffrey Archer lives near Cambridge. He writes appallingly bad novels.
"But have you ever read one?" she asked. I was forced to admit I hadn't.
On Christmas Day, I found this book tucked inconspicuously under the tree. I felt honor-bound to read it.
So, now I know what I'm talking about, and I can give you a more nuanced picture. Jeffrey Archer lives near Cambridge. He writes appallingly bad novels.
7 likes · like · see review
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This is the First Archer book I ever read. I was hooked after this one.
I am a fan of a number of Jeffery Archer's other books such as 'As the Crow Flies', however this is not up to that same standard.
The book started off with great promise, and by the quarter-way point I was getting into it, convinced that some big plot points were on their way.
Unfortunately though, it was a great disappointment. There are allusions and tantalising hints to intensity and intrigue, but at the end, you always knew what the outcome was going to be for each sub-plot/character, despit...more
The book started off with great promise, and by the quarter-way point I was getting into it, convinced that some big plot points were on their way.
Unfortunately though, it was a great disappointment. There are allusions and tantalising hints to intensity and intrigue, but at the end, you always knew what the outcome was going to be for each sub-plot/character, despit...more
1 like · like · see review
ISBN 067164159X - Ironically, I picked this one up right after I finished Ludlum's The Gemini Contenders, and they have a lot in common - a secret hidden during WWII comes to light and becomes the responsibility of a later generation and the chase is on. I gave Ludlum 4 stars and give this one 5 for two reasons; Archer's book is an easier read and the hero of his book is around long enough to care about.
Thought to be a traitor, Gerald Scott resigned his commission from the army. When he died, he...more
Thought to be a traitor, Gerald Scott resigned his commission from the army. When he died, he...more
I picked this book up while half drunk on Bristol station with more than an hour to waste until my train back to Bridgwater. So given the circumstances in which I choose it I guess this book as achieved a pretty good rating. I enjoy reading thriller books, they are always page turners and always an easy read which is often exactly what you want from a book, however with this book I had a number of problems.
Firstly the plot was overly contrived, I know most thriller books edge towards the unbelie...more
Firstly the plot was overly contrived, I know most thriller books edge towards the unbelie...more
The first Archer novel I read, and to-date the only novel I've read more than once (I've read this twice). This book made me look forward to going to my post-SPM job, a water-seller on a golf course (where the drinks are RM2.50 a pop, so no one really came to buy them). I'm a slow reader, and it took me more than a week of daily reading to finish this one, but I enjoyed every bit of it the first time, and even more so the second time round. I recommend this anyone who enjoys a good, fast-paced,...more
A most delightful book by Jeffrey Archer except for the torture of Adam at the Soviet embassy in Paris which is truly revolting. Even the ordeal of physical torture Adam overcomes with his principle 'fitness is not in how fast you tire out but in how fast you recover'!
So much about the Swiss bank security. The bank in Geneva connives with the Soviet Central Bank's chairman to surreptitiously transfer millions worth of gold and precious stones left behind in its safekeeping by an ancient Russian...more
So much about the Swiss bank security. The bank in Geneva connives with the Soviet Central Bank's chairman to surreptitiously transfer millions worth of gold and precious stones left behind in its safekeeping by an ancient Russian...more
Apr 21, 2012
Therese
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
spy thriller (i.e.Jason Bourne) fans, etc.
Shelves:
suspense-thriller
$2.99
You can read what this book is about, and I'm glad I got it because I haven't read a page turner like this for a long time. Adam Scott is a likable fellow and fortunately has the training to be running for his life and making things right because it is a matter of honor, at least to begin with.
I don't know whether this has ever been made into a movie or not, but I can definitely picture it as a high speed chase that I cannot turn the pages fast enough because I want to find out what happens...more
You can read what this book is about, and I'm glad I got it because I haven't read a page turner like this for a long time. Adam Scott is a likable fellow and fortunately has the training to be running for his life and making things right because it is a matter of honor, at least to begin with.
I don't know whether this has ever been made into a movie or not, but I can definitely picture it as a high speed chase that I cannot turn the pages fast enough because I want to find out what happens...more
A novel I thoroughly enjoyed, just did not wanted to keep it down once I had started it. Each page turned would only arouse your curiosity and keep you glued to it. However, I just could not believe Heidi had to die. Maybe it was her character that made me like her so much. I would wish to meet a person in real life who has a pleasant personality and 'laughing eyes'. God I loved the way author described her.
Sometimes I feel the description of various modes of torturing gets exaggerated, I don't...more
Sometimes I feel the description of various modes of torturing gets exaggerated, I don't...more
Original Rating- 2.5/5
A Matter of Honor is a hard-paced story of an ex-military personnel who comes across the adventure of his life where the Americans and Russians are continuously chasing him for he holds a very significant piece of art in which is hidden a contract between the two nations... he is running and running, he doesn't even know whether he can trust his own country men or not. The suspense factor of the story is not very convincing. The reader gets the idea about the property invol...more
A Matter of Honor is a hard-paced story of an ex-military personnel who comes across the adventure of his life where the Americans and Russians are continuously chasing him for he holds a very significant piece of art in which is hidden a contract between the two nations... he is running and running, he doesn't even know whether he can trust his own country men or not. The suspense factor of the story is not very convincing. The reader gets the idea about the property invol...more
Just gone back to Jeffrey Archer after many years gap - forgotten how good he really is. I think people dismiss him for his politics and past - but they really should read his books. He is a very good story teller and an incredibly detailed writer.
I loved this book (although I do all of them so far). It was fascinating to read about the super powers in the 60's in comparison to the super powers of today. If the story had been true what a twist in history it would have been. The torture scene alt...more
I loved this book (although I do all of them so far). It was fascinating to read about the super powers in the 60's in comparison to the super powers of today. If the story had been true what a twist in history it would have been. The torture scene alt...more
This is an earlier novel by Mr. Archer. Dumb title, but I picked it up at a garage sale. I enjoy his recent stuff much more. It has a slow start about the KGB and bankers and a British Army officer (plenty of background). The story has to do with an art forgery and a document hidden in the original: about the Russkies getting back Alaska from the Americans in some old deal. The Americans and Russians really want this art and the British officer is the one who gets his hands on it first by accide...more
Another exciting adventure from Archer. This book, unlike most of his other books, really only spans a short time period. The story does refer to events earlier in history that took place but the majority of the book covers only a few weeks. I'm pretty sure this is the first Archer novel I've read that covers such a short time. Adam Scott comes into possession of an unexpected Russian icon after his father passes away and must run for his life to keep alive and keep the United States safe. Inter...more
I haven't yet made up my mind as to whether I like Jeffrey Archer's way of story-telling. Parts of each of his books have been a great read and yet there are parts that seem to drag on and on and on.
This was the best of Archer's stories that I have read in the last few months. The background and character development wasn't slow, the story had a number of twists and turns, some bad moments and some really good ones. Could be that suspense is more my type of story (the others I read were very pol...more
This was the best of Archer's stories that I have read in the last few months. The background and character development wasn't slow, the story had a number of twists and turns, some bad moments and some really good ones. Could be that suspense is more my type of story (the others I read were very pol...more
Nothing deep or thought-provoking here, just good ol' fashioned entertainment! Adam Scott inherits an old letter from his impoverished father. Reading the letter sends him on a "quest" to restore his father's honor and find his inheritance, a missing Russian icon stolen by the Nazis. Unfortunately, it's also being sought desperately by the Russians and the Americans (this takes place in 1966, so it's a different world back then) while the Brits are trying to keep them from killing Adam. Quite an...more
Once again I wished for half stars. This book, while entertaining, wasn't my favorite book written by Jeffrey Archer. Three and a half stars, between "liked it" and "really liked it" would have been my choice. The plot was vintage Archer; the characters, not so much. It is always interesting to read the solutions he finds for the impossible/improbable problems he sets in his plots. His protagonist in this book was less clever, less deft than some of his other protagonists. Therein lies my disapp...more
Very entertaining even though I listened to the abridged version. Adam Scott's father is a dishonored retired British Colonel of the WWII era. When he dies his Adam inherits and envelope given to his father many years ago but never opened. Adam opens it and learns of a supposed treasure in a Swiss Bank safe deposit box. As he heads out to claim it he enters one dangerous situation after another as it seems the Russians want it too. He survives by good wit and lot of good luck. All in all, and en...more
I am definitely a Jeffrey Archer fan, but I thought this book was just ho hum. It is definitely not one of his better books, although an enjoyable read. Archer took his normal two main characters and intertwined them through the plot of the story. But in this particular book, you found that you were continually pulling for the good guy and hating the predictable bad one. At the end, you find that good always triumphs over evil, but at the cost of several good, innocent lives. And the very end is...more
I was lent this when I was a schoolboy and the spectre of how bad it was haunts me yet. It struck me at the time that the response of the USA to the Soviets claiming legal title to Alaska in the middle of the Cold War needn't exceed two words, the second of which would be "off". A man who can write something like this, a story built on a foundation of nothing, is capable of saying anything. In that sense I suppose it was prescient.
It does rattle along. I remember there was a moment when the hero...more
It does rattle along. I remember there was a moment when the hero...more
When Adam Scott is left an envelope that contains details of "an important document", little does he know that he would be right in the middle of the cold war. Armed with only his wit and courage, Adam Scott attempts to elude the ever-persistent KGB agent Romanov, while keeping the document away as well as saving his own life.
If you are in the mood of a good cat-and-mouse-like story, this is probably the one you want to read. A prime example of how even a leisure read can be hard to put down.
If you are in the mood of a good cat-and-mouse-like story, this is probably the one you want to read. A prime example of how even a leisure read can be hard to put down.
I usually read non-fiction but I enjoy a nice diversion now and then. Jeffrey Archer's storytelling prowess shines through in 'A Matter of Honor.' The plot's twists, complete with hair raising chases, political intrigue, and murder make this a fine novel to escape into -- and one that will keep you up well past your usual bedtime.
I gave this book a four-star rating only because Archer leaves a couple of questions unanswered.
This is a highly recommended read from one of my favorite novelists.
I gave this book a four-star rating only because Archer leaves a couple of questions unanswered.
This is a highly recommended read from one of my favorite novelists.
Overall this was a good book. It is a pretty quick read and if you are looking for a light summer read this is the book for you. I might have even increased my rating to 4 stars except for one fact..and I won't give away the plot...but anytime the main character "got in a jam" he seemed "saved" by the implausible help of total strangers. It just got to be a bit far fetched. But it moved along, it read easy and if you can't make up your mind some time what to grab and read, this would fill the bi...more
This book is one of the finest you would find on the shelves. For the first 100 pages of it, it seems like an ordinary novel but after 110-120 pages, the book takes another turn and the chase starts. The next 300 odd pages are so damnn interesting that you would not want to keep the book down. I believe this is one of the best I have ever read !! It's a MUST READ for everyone.. MUST READ !!!
I liked this book, enough action to keep it interesting.
A great big chase around Europe, mystery, suspense. Each chapter ending in a hook that makes the book hard to put down.
The main character seems to be able to woo every female character he meets (a little unrealistic, but it made for some fun situations). My favorite female lead was the spunky cellist, I wish she had a bigger role.
A great big chase around Europe, mystery, suspense. Each chapter ending in a hook that makes the book hard to put down.
The main character seems to be able to woo every female character he meets (a little unrealistic, but it made for some fun situations). My favorite female lead was the spunky cellist, I wish she had a bigger role.
My first venture in many years into this type of book. It was Ok, if not a bit predictable. I was really ready to read something that didn't require a lot of deep thought, and this hit the spot. More typical of the cold war thrillers of years past. I will continue to look for other authors in this genre when I need a break from my normal fare of history and biographies.
It seems innocent enough. A disgraced British colonel bequeaths a mysterious letter to his only son. But the moment Adam Scott opens the yellowing envelope, he sets into motion a deadly chain of events that threatens to shake the very foundations of the free world.
Within days, Adam's lover is brutally murdered and he's running for his life through the great cities of Europe, pursued not only by the KGB, but by the CIA and his own countrymen as well. Their common intent is to kill him before the...more
Within days, Adam's lover is brutally murdered and he's running for his life through the great cities of Europe, pursued not only by the KGB, but by the CIA and his own countrymen as well. Their common intent is to kill him before the...more
Its a typical Jeffrey Archer novel. Fast paced with quite a lot of twists and turns. The novel is a chase story where multiple people across continents are chasing an ancient icon which has a diplomatic significance. At one point, the novel feels a bit stretched with the chase ongoing and losing practicality. However Archer fans will love this one as well.
I literally could not put this book down and if I did I kept thinking when I would pick it up back to finish it. Archer over delivered, this book is what you call a thriller. It is fast paced, exciting, dramatic and filled with suspense. Truly an exciting read, had my heart pumping while flipping pages to get to the end as soon as possible. If you like thrillers and suspense novels you will not be disappointed. I Recommend It!
I enjoy Archer's thrillers, in spite of the fact they are illogical and the correct outcome is often a matter of luck. In this one, a unemployed ex British officer inherits an unopened letter from his father, leading him on a wild adventure with British, Russian and American agents chasing him across Europe.
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Jeffrey Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare (born 15 April 1940) is an English author and former politician.
He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and became a life peer in 1992. His political career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married...more
More about Jeffrey Archer...
He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and became a life peer in 1992. His political career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married...more
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