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The Negotiator
'Thriller writing of the highest quality. A masterful blend of excitement and tension.' Sunday Telegraph
The kidnapping of a young man on a country road in Oxfordshire is but the first brutal step in a ruthless plan to force the President of the United States out of office. If it succeeds, he will be psychologically and emotionally destroyed. Only one man can stop it - Quinn, the world's foremost Negotiator, who must bargain for the life of an innocent man, unaware that ransom was never the kidnapper's real objective . . .
The Negotiator unfolds with the spellbinding excitement, unceasing surprise and riveting detail that are the hallmarks of Frederick Forsyth, the master storyteller.
The kidnapping of a young man on a country road in Oxfordshire is but the first brutal step in a ruthless plan to force the President of the United States out of office. If it succeeds, he will be psychologically and emotionally destroyed. Only one man can stop it - Quinn, the world's foremost Negotiator, who must bargain for the life of an innocent man, unaware that ransom was never the kidnapper's real objective . . .
The Negotiator unfolds with the spellbinding excitement, unceasing surprise and riveting detail that are the hallmarks of Frederick Forsyth, the master storyteller.
505 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1989
406 people are currently reading
4473 people want to read
About the author
Frederick Forsyth
334 books4,312 followersFrederick Forsyth, CBE was a English author and occasional political commentator. He was best known for thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil's Alternative, The Fist of God, Icon, The Veteran, Avenger, The Afghan, and more recently, The Cobra and The Kill List.
The son of a furrier, he was born in Ashford, Kent, educated at Tonbridge School and later attended the University of Granada. He became one of the youngest pilots in the Royal Air Force at 19, where he served on National Service from 1956 to 1958. Becoming a journalist, he joined Reuters in 1961 and later the BBC in 1965, where he served as an assistant diplomatic correspondent. From July to September 1967, he served as a correspondent covering the Nigerian Civil War between the region of Biafra and Nigeria. He left the BBC in 1968 after controversy arose over his alleged bias towards the Biafran cause and accusations that he falsified segments of his reports. Returning to Biafra as a freelance reporter, Forsyth wrote his first book, The Biafra Story in 1969.
Forsyth decided to write a novel using similar research techniques to those used in journalism. His first full length novel, The Day of the Jackal, was published in 1971 and became an international bestseller and gained its author the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel. It was later made into a film of the same name.
The son of a furrier, he was born in Ashford, Kent, educated at Tonbridge School and later attended the University of Granada. He became one of the youngest pilots in the Royal Air Force at 19, where he served on National Service from 1956 to 1958. Becoming a journalist, he joined Reuters in 1961 and later the BBC in 1965, where he served as an assistant diplomatic correspondent. From July to September 1967, he served as a correspondent covering the Nigerian Civil War between the region of Biafra and Nigeria. He left the BBC in 1968 after controversy arose over his alleged bias towards the Biafran cause and accusations that he falsified segments of his reports. Returning to Biafra as a freelance reporter, Forsyth wrote his first book, The Biafra Story in 1969.
Forsyth decided to write a novel using similar research techniques to those used in journalism. His first full length novel, The Day of the Jackal, was published in 1971 and became an international bestseller and gained its author the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel. It was later made into a film of the same name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
August 7, 2014
Awesome is the word for this book. This is a book from a person with high IQ, likely to be over 120. Here are my reasons: (1)The story unfolds within a period of one year with a large number of charecters playing their role. Frederick Forsyth has shown an unparelleled skill in crafting their roles carefully and the timing for bringing them into the story. (2) His understanding of US, Europe and Middle East is so great that places and cultures fit very well into the story line. (3) The story is not just interaction between humans, but governments, particularly the police and secret services, and writing a story on such a not so known platform neeeds much more than superficial knowledge. Great Work.
March 7, 2011
A 1998 Forsyth thriller has the US and Russia worried about the supply and cost of oil which is pushing $20 a barrel. The US President and Russia’s Gorbachev are about to sign a disarmament treaty that has Military hardliners on both sides angry at loss of funds and material. A US oil Barron who talks to God and gets personal responses has gathered a group of oil men and industrialists, all who stand to loose big money if the treaty goes through, in a plot to get the US President out of office.
When the President’s son is kidnapped in England, the White House contacts a retired American who had great success in negotiating hostage releases. Going by the sole name of Quinn, this negotiator reluctantly agrees to help with the recovery, but only if is allowed to do it his way. This is reluctantly agreed to, but certain members of the US task force have doubts and suspicions which at times compromise Quinn’s efforts. This tale ranges from England to the US and Europe in non-stop action. Kept me up late last night to get it finished.
December 12, 2013
Read it for Quinn the main protagonist. This novel is spine chilling with twists and turns, that will make you lose your way deep inside the novel. When you come out of it, you ll feel like the one who built the maze. Hats off to "the master story teller".
October 7, 2024
Negociatorul este unul dintre romanele mai puțin cunoscute ale lui Forsyth; poate că la acest lucru a contribuit și faptul că nu a fost ecranizat până acum. Însă, deși nu este un roman de spionaj, ci un thriller în adevăratul sens al cuvântului, are numeroase puncte tari și o acțiune bine închegată, dar și unele detalii mai puțin convingătoare - spre exemplu o scenă ce se desfășoară într-un aeroport în care o tentativă de asasinat pusă la cale de patru corsicani furioși este oprită prin intermediul unor cărucioare pentru bagaje - , ce însă nu afectează major coerența narațiunii.
Romanul a fost publicat în 1989, însă acțiunea principală are loc în 1991. Mihail Gorbaciov este președintele URSS, iar SUA este condusă de ficționalul președinte John J. Cormack. Lumea se află în schimbare, cei doi președinți care conduc superputerile mondiale vor să ratifice un tratat în care este prevăzută o reducere drastică a armamentului (inclusiv cel nuclear). Dar există și o amenințare teribilă, mai exact faptul că rezervele globale de țiței sunt aproape de epuizare.
Planul președintelui american de a reduce drastic bugetul apărării nu are cum să entuziasmeze pe toată lumea; așa că se pregătește o conspirație teribilă ce urmărește să-l răpească pe fiul președintelui, aflat la studii la Oxford. Cel mai bun "negociator" la nivel global este Quinn, ce însă s-a retras din activitate, fiind măcinat de regrete de tot felul pentru că nu toate negocierile la care a participat au avut un final fericit pentru victime. Lectură plăcută!
Romanul a fost publicat în 1989, însă acțiunea principală are loc în 1991. Mihail Gorbaciov este președintele URSS, iar SUA este condusă de ficționalul președinte John J. Cormack. Lumea se află în schimbare, cei doi președinți care conduc superputerile mondiale vor să ratifice un tratat în care este prevăzută o reducere drastică a armamentului (inclusiv cel nuclear). Dar există și o amenințare teribilă, mai exact faptul că rezervele globale de țiței sunt aproape de epuizare.
Planul președintelui american de a reduce drastic bugetul apărării nu are cum să entuziasmeze pe toată lumea; așa că se pregătește o conspirație teribilă ce urmărește să-l răpească pe fiul președintelui, aflat la studii la Oxford. Cel mai bun "negociator" la nivel global este Quinn, ce însă s-a retras din activitate, fiind măcinat de regrete de tot felul pentru că nu toate negocierile la care a participat au avut un final fericit pentru victime. Lectură plăcută!
April 4, 2022
While the premise of kidnapping a President's son to help USA and USSR gain control of the oil market and stop a deal to get rid of nuclear weapons is so farfetched as to be credible, the action that ensues is pure Forsyth. Add double crosses, a fem fatale and more brawling that you see in any night of watching wrestling shows and you have a 4-star novel.
January 19, 2020
I pulled this one from my book store because I was looking for a Cold War era thriller and have not yet read much from Mr Forsyth. I understand that he does an enormous amount of research for his books and that certainly showed here. This was a well-thought out novel and well-structured even though it suffers from amazingly bad publishing timing. It was written in the late 1980s and the traditional Cold War relationship between the US and USSR continues throughout the novel. Of course the author could no more see the incredible events of 1989 (the Wall coming down, the desolution of the Soviet Union, etc.) than the rest of us.
I was a little worried as I read the first several chapters as the author spends a lot of time building the background for the story. We get a lot of back story on numerous characters, including high ranking politicians in both countries as well as businessmen, Senators, etc. but it was unclear just who the POV character would be. It isn't until around page 100 or so that we meet Quinn, the Negotiator himself and the novel settles down into a nice coherent plot. On the surface, the story centers around the kidnapping of the US president's only son but there is so much going on here that it is not at all predictable. Very enjoyable and now, of course, I want to read more from this author, especially his more famous works such as "Day of the Jackal".
I was a little worried as I read the first several chapters as the author spends a lot of time building the background for the story. We get a lot of back story on numerous characters, including high ranking politicians in both countries as well as businessmen, Senators, etc. but it was unclear just who the POV character would be. It isn't until around page 100 or so that we meet Quinn, the Negotiator himself and the novel settles down into a nice coherent plot. On the surface, the story centers around the kidnapping of the US president's only son but there is so much going on here that it is not at all predictable. Very enjoyable and now, of course, I want to read more from this author, especially his more famous works such as "Day of the Jackal".
April 29, 2020
Whenever we talk about Fredrick Forsyth books, comparisons will always be drawn to The Afghan and the Day of the Jackal. This book is good but no where in the class of the above books. The first 1/3rd of the book where the plot is set up is extremely slow and hard to read. The middle part where the kidnapping takes place is brilliant in a way that only Forsyth can write. The ending is tame and more like a Bollywood movie. More than brilliant deductions, this book relies on luck and over the top Escape maneuvers by the protagonists. In some places it looks like the author is trying too hard to surprise the readers at the cost of the plot. Mind you, it's still not a bad read, just not as good as you expect it to be.
March 5, 2011
Just finished reading "The Negotiator" by Frederick Forsyth, an international espionage thriller involving more than a dozen countries and a plot that keeps you riveted to the book. Brilliant.
August 16, 2025
Geras forsaitiškas trileris, nors ir neišskirtinis. Gal kiek senstelėjęs vėlyvojo Šaltojo karo siužetas, kai didižiausia grėsmė - ne valstybės, o iš proto išsikraustę marginalai abiejose konflikto pusėse. Bet pasakojimas nebanalus, įtraukiantis ir parašytas su politikos, konfliktų, teisėsaugos ir žvalgybos darbo išmanymu. Jei užsibrėžėte perskaityti visus Forsytho romanus, nepraleiskit ir šito. Bet jei skaitysite tik vieną jo kūrinį, tai tikrai yra geresnių.
August 1, 2016
https://30dediferencia.com/2016/07/31...
Leer un libro de Frederick Forsyth es enfrentarte a una lectura con acción, con muchísimo ritmo, con unos personajes algo estereotipados, sin demasiada profundidad, pero ¿buscamos eso o entretenimiento sin más?
Una historia en la que se mezclan personajes reales (Margaret Thatcher o Mijail Gorbachov), supongo que con la idea de hacer más creíble la historia, con un presidente de Estados Unidos ficticio y que trata temas muy actuales en la época en la que fue escrito el libro, como por ejemplo la Perestroika. El mundo pasa por una situación complicada y los dos líderes mundiales, presidentes de las dos grandes potencias, apuestan por el desarme y por poner límites a los gastos militares entre otras razones porque no hay más dinero… Son la excusa perfecta para llevarnos a través de un thriller de ritmo trepidante, algo lento quizás al principio, con su punto culminante en la negociación para liberar al hijo de presidente de los Estados Unidos y es ahí donde comienza de verdad la historia, una caza sin cuartel y sin piedad de todos contra todos y donde te puedes encontrar con los amigos más insospechados. Una historia bastante entretenida y recomendable para los amantes de este género literario.
Un pequeño detalle antes de terminar, la traducción de la historia me pareció bastante floja, curioso como llaman al avión del presidente de los Estados Unidos, el Air Force One… y además encontré bastantes erratas a lo largo del texto, algo totalmente incomprensible cuando hay una editorial de prestigio, como se supone, detrás.
El libro, como decía al principio, está comprado en Amazon y voy a contar un pequeño detalle, otras tiendas y me refiero a Lektu por ejemplo cuando compras un libro digital si este sufre modificaciones por parte de la editorial te hacen llegar un correo avisándote de que puedes descargarte la nueva versión de forma totalmente gratuita como no podía ser menos. A veces los más grandes tienen mucho que aprender de los pequeños (sólo en tamaño).
Leer un libro de Frederick Forsyth es enfrentarte a una lectura con acción, con muchísimo ritmo, con unos personajes algo estereotipados, sin demasiada profundidad, pero ¿buscamos eso o entretenimiento sin más?
Una historia en la que se mezclan personajes reales (Margaret Thatcher o Mijail Gorbachov), supongo que con la idea de hacer más creíble la historia, con un presidente de Estados Unidos ficticio y que trata temas muy actuales en la época en la que fue escrito el libro, como por ejemplo la Perestroika. El mundo pasa por una situación complicada y los dos líderes mundiales, presidentes de las dos grandes potencias, apuestan por el desarme y por poner límites a los gastos militares entre otras razones porque no hay más dinero… Son la excusa perfecta para llevarnos a través de un thriller de ritmo trepidante, algo lento quizás al principio, con su punto culminante en la negociación para liberar al hijo de presidente de los Estados Unidos y es ahí donde comienza de verdad la historia, una caza sin cuartel y sin piedad de todos contra todos y donde te puedes encontrar con los amigos más insospechados. Una historia bastante entretenida y recomendable para los amantes de este género literario.
Un pequeño detalle antes de terminar, la traducción de la historia me pareció bastante floja, curioso como llaman al avión del presidente de los Estados Unidos, el Air Force One… y además encontré bastantes erratas a lo largo del texto, algo totalmente incomprensible cuando hay una editorial de prestigio, como se supone, detrás.
El libro, como decía al principio, está comprado en Amazon y voy a contar un pequeño detalle, otras tiendas y me refiero a Lektu por ejemplo cuando compras un libro digital si este sufre modificaciones por parte de la editorial te hacen llegar un correo avisándote de que puedes descargarte la nueva versión de forma totalmente gratuita como no podía ser menos. A veces los más grandes tienen mucho que aprender de los pequeños (sólo en tamaño).
November 19, 2023
19th November 2023
5 Stars
The Negotiator by Frederick Forsyth.
->This one's for you Glennie! 💗📖📚🙏
5th January 2019
Frederick Forsyth novels were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up, as both my parents loved his work. He was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I was drawn to at the time. So, my love affair with his books began, and over the years I have read everything he’s written- keeping up with any new release/s.
As my mother has been in and out of hospital quite a lot over the past year and a half, I am keeping her supplied with books to read, and buddy reading them with her, or reading them to her when she isn’t well enough to read for herself. We have gotten through quite a lot of books in this time and it has been wonderful to discuss each one with her as we read/finish. It has been a great bonding experience for us, and Mr. Forsyth is our current author of choice- and we have both really enjoyed revisiting all his books, again.
Mr. Forsyth has a great knack for writing wonderfully suspenseful and exciting read, there is always great tension, action, drama, some danger, intrigue, and lots more to hold your attention. I can always count on him to deliver an intriguing read.
5 Stars
The Negotiator by Frederick Forsyth.
->This one's for you Glennie! 💗📖📚🙏
5th January 2019
Frederick Forsyth novels were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up, as both my parents loved his work. He was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I was drawn to at the time. So, my love affair with his books began, and over the years I have read everything he’s written- keeping up with any new release/s.
As my mother has been in and out of hospital quite a lot over the past year and a half, I am keeping her supplied with books to read, and buddy reading them with her, or reading them to her when she isn’t well enough to read for herself. We have gotten through quite a lot of books in this time and it has been wonderful to discuss each one with her as we read/finish. It has been a great bonding experience for us, and Mr. Forsyth is our current author of choice- and we have both really enjoyed revisiting all his books, again.
Mr. Forsyth has a great knack for writing wonderfully suspenseful and exciting read, there is always great tension, action, drama, some danger, intrigue, and lots more to hold your attention. I can always count on him to deliver an intriguing read.
July 18, 2021
Centred around a proposed conventional arms reduction treaty between the USA and USSR, with plots by head bangers on both sides to kill it, and manoeuvrings to grab control of Middle Eastern oil reserves. This is the main talking point for the first 100 pages, which can drag on and become quite slow, however after that the plot starts getting really interesting with the kidnapping of the Presidents only son...
This is my first from Frederick Forsyth and I was impressed by his reaserech and intelligence. The beginning is quite boring bouncing between Russia and the US with too many characters. Then it gets into its stride with Quinn the Negotiator, who is just about expert at everything and a multi-linguist to boot, getting involved. The hero is able to travel across the world and Europe with complete ease with plenty of fresh clothes, money and weapons, cutting a swathe through the bad guys. You need to suspend belief here but it is, in fact, quite an enjoyable romp. It’s a pretty long book though, and the list of characters was so long that by the time the last bad guy was revealed I’d forgotten who he was! Good entertainment though from a very talented writer.
I would have given the book a 5* if it had been a third shorter, and some of the detail removed or lessened. Overall solid 4 star 👍😀
This is my first from Frederick Forsyth and I was impressed by his reaserech and intelligence. The beginning is quite boring bouncing between Russia and the US with too many characters. Then it gets into its stride with Quinn the Negotiator, who is just about expert at everything and a multi-linguist to boot, getting involved. The hero is able to travel across the world and Europe with complete ease with plenty of fresh clothes, money and weapons, cutting a swathe through the bad guys. You need to suspend belief here but it is, in fact, quite an enjoyable romp. It’s a pretty long book though, and the list of characters was so long that by the time the last bad guy was revealed I’d forgotten who he was! Good entertainment though from a very talented writer.
I would have given the book a 5* if it had been a third shorter, and some of the detail removed or lessened. Overall solid 4 star 👍😀
September 7, 2009
The first two chapters of The Negotiator were very slow and uninteresting and I feared that this would be a tedious read. Fortunately, the pace began to pick up and I became immersed in the story. The plot contains several sub-plots (all of which are satisfactorily wrapped up in the conclusion), a number of interesting characters (notably the protagonist, Quinn), a number of neat settings (Vermont, Washington D.C., Corsica, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Texas, and others, all of which are described in vivid detail), and dialogue which was superbly crafted. This novel is far above most books in the thriller genre because of its intelligent and gripping narrative.
June 2, 2023
A decent yarn. Plenty of suspense and surprises. Not very modern in its portrayal of women, but you sort of expect that from Forsyth, and I will say it was better than "The Dogs of War" in that regard. (It also bettered TDOW's treatment of POC... by barely mentioning them. I don't recall a single named character of color, just faceless armies of "blacks" that secondary characters had fought, with or against, as mercenaries in the Congo decades before the events of the book. [And yes, that's /better/ than TDOW. See my review for that.])
I'm not sure whether the plot really holds up or not-- it's got several very twisty threads that all weave together. And of course the main character is basically Superman, able to do whatever the plot requires him to do.
But I didn't read it to analyze it, I read it to have fun! And it was fun. I talked a lot about what's wrong with this book already, so here's a few good words about it:
I do really enjoy this kind of story. It reminds me of James Bond movies, a little bit, in that we see the quiet, shadowy high-ups make plans and plots, and then we see men of action carry out and/or ruin them. It was especially fun to follow the detective work in the latter half of the book.
One interesting narrative trick the author uses is that sometimes he'll leave out just enough detail that even though the characters know what they're going to do, the reader doesn't, so it's an awesome reveal when it happens. Conversely, sometimes the narration describes things the protagonist isn't aware of, so we feel the tension of waiting for that particular shoe to drop.
I don't think I'll be *seeking out* more Forsyth books, per se, but if I come across one I'll probably read it.
I'm not sure whether the plot really holds up or not-- it's got several very twisty threads that all weave together. And of course the main character is basically Superman, able to do whatever the plot requires him to do.
But I didn't read it to analyze it, I read it to have fun! And it was fun. I talked a lot about what's wrong with this book already, so here's a few good words about it:
I do really enjoy this kind of story. It reminds me of James Bond movies, a little bit, in that we see the quiet, shadowy high-ups make plans and plots, and then we see men of action carry out and/or ruin them. It was especially fun to follow the detective work in the latter half of the book.
One interesting narrative trick the author uses is that sometimes he'll leave out just enough detail that even though the characters know what they're going to do, the reader doesn't, so it's an awesome reveal when it happens. Conversely, sometimes the narration describes things the protagonist isn't aware of, so we feel the tension of waiting for that particular shoe to drop.
I don't think I'll be *seeking out* more Forsyth books, per se, but if I come across one I'll probably read it.
October 31, 2014
The first fourth of this book is pretty boring, but then something big happens and things liven up so that it ends up being a first class thriller.
In the book, the US President and Russia’s Gorbachev are about to sign a disarmament treaty that has conservative hard liners TICKED -- enough to do serious damage to derail this treaty and see it go away. And so the president's son is kidnapped over in England. The White House calls in the best hostage negotiator in the world, a retired commando named Quinn, who agrees to do it only if he can do it his way. They reluctantly agree and then start breaking their agreement almost from the beginning.
The first 100 pages or so of the book is a set up leading to this moment. The next, I don't know how many, numerous pages are of Quinn and the hostage taker negotiating and it's excruciating. Truly boring. But necessary to the plot and I understand that. So when, halfway through the book, the president's son is set free, I wondered what Forsyth was going to do to fill up the rest of the pages. Only to see this kid get blown sky high just as he's wandering back to the good guys. Wow! Did not see that coming. Suspicion falls on Quinn, of all people, and he takes off to Europe with Sam, his female FBI lover, to chase after the hostage takers, all of whom are being taken out before he reaches them. But how? And by whom? Something's not right and he has to get to the bottom of it. It turns into a real page turner and I've got to say, I was not disappointed. I tend to love Forsyth books, even with all of the detail. So, recommended.
In the book, the US President and Russia’s Gorbachev are about to sign a disarmament treaty that has conservative hard liners TICKED -- enough to do serious damage to derail this treaty and see it go away. And so the president's son is kidnapped over in England. The White House calls in the best hostage negotiator in the world, a retired commando named Quinn, who agrees to do it only if he can do it his way. They reluctantly agree and then start breaking their agreement almost from the beginning.
The first 100 pages or so of the book is a set up leading to this moment. The next, I don't know how many, numerous pages are of Quinn and the hostage taker negotiating and it's excruciating. Truly boring. But necessary to the plot and I understand that. So when, halfway through the book, the president's son is set free, I wondered what Forsyth was going to do to fill up the rest of the pages. Only to see this kid get blown sky high just as he's wandering back to the good guys. Wow! Did not see that coming. Suspicion falls on Quinn, of all people, and he takes off to Europe with Sam, his female FBI lover, to chase after the hostage takers, all of whom are being taken out before he reaches them. But how? And by whom? Something's not right and he has to get to the bottom of it. It turns into a real page turner and I've got to say, I was not disappointed. I tend to love Forsyth books, even with all of the detail. So, recommended.
October 21, 2020
Another classic thriller from the master of the genre. It was written in 1989 but set in 1991 when Gorbachev is set to sign a comprehensive arms deal with US President Cormack. Hawks on both side are less than keen and hatch a plot to destabilise the Middle East and personally destroy Cormack. The later involves kidnapping the President's young son, a student in Oxford. This brings in our eponymous hero, Quinn, an ex Green Beret who became a top hostage negotiator. He's retired to southern Spain but is brought back in classic style "for one last job".
It's pacey, authentic and superbly plotted, with all the author's trademark insider info and humorous touches. The global geopolitical scheming soon narrows down to a tense hostage situation and there is at least one "blimey, didn't see that coming" moment. It's even-handed politically with US right wingers and arms manufacturers co-villains with the KGB. When your debut novel is the stone cold classic "The Day Of The Jackal", it must be hard to maintain standards: this book is an entertaining action thriller that I missed on original publication but well worth reading today.
It's pacey, authentic and superbly plotted, with all the author's trademark insider info and humorous touches. The global geopolitical scheming soon narrows down to a tense hostage situation and there is at least one "blimey, didn't see that coming" moment. It's even-handed politically with US right wingers and arms manufacturers co-villains with the KGB. When your debut novel is the stone cold classic "The Day Of The Jackal", it must be hard to maintain standards: this book is an entertaining action thriller that I missed on original publication but well worth reading today.
March 31, 2017
Saya mulai menyukai pengarang ini, segala detail yang terkait dengan hubungan, intrik, maupun konspirasi internasional, teknik negosiasi, teknik spionase dijelaskan oleh Forsyth di buku ini.
Beberapa orang menganggap novel-novel yang dibuatnya merupakan "investigative journalism in fictional guise", mengambil hal-hal yang nyata terjadi, pernah terjadi, atau bisa saja terjadi yang diblurkan dengan cerita fiksi dan gabungan antara karakter nyata dan fiksi.
Sebuah novel yang sangat informatif dari mantan agen MI6 ini, tapi saya rasa novel ini bukanlah novel terbaiknya.
Beberapa orang menganggap novel-novel yang dibuatnya merupakan "investigative journalism in fictional guise", mengambil hal-hal yang nyata terjadi, pernah terjadi, atau bisa saja terjadi yang diblurkan dengan cerita fiksi dan gabungan antara karakter nyata dan fiksi.
Sebuah novel yang sangat informatif dari mantan agen MI6 ini, tapi saya rasa novel ini bukanlah novel terbaiknya.
October 21, 2013
The set up was slow, dont know whether its the book or just me. The first 50+ pages took me at least 5-6 efforts to go through. Then after the kidnapping and introduction of the negotiator it was fascinating. Spend 2 sleepless nights, just couldn't put it down! But the third act and finish was kind of disappointing, too cheesy. The resolution lacked punch, almost lame, feels like a western. Overall I would recommend it only to a patient reader. Good, but not great as it promised to be.
June 9, 2017
The book was excellent, a typical Frederick Forsyth masterpiece.... It gave me new insights into the oil scenario of the world, the vanity and selfishness of American companies in and about kidnapping in high profile cases..... Also how the inner functions of the American and British bodies like the COBRA work..In all an awesome book, a fun read, and recommended to all ...keep reading :)
May 9, 2024
There were probably few riskier times to write a near-future thriller than in 1988, just before the Berlin Wall was demolished and the Soviet Union collapsed. The writer was almost certain to get big things seriously wrong. This novel is Forsyth’s version of such an unfortunately timed faceplant.
First, the book is premised on the notion that the world was going to completely run out of oil in the next 10-20 years, and that Americans would revolt long before that if oil cost an unthinkable $20 a barrel. Forsyth was apparently convinced this was true. He depicts everyone in the novel, East and West, good and bad, believing it. Oops!
Second, the book has the good guys thinking that the only hope for a peaceful resolution of the Cold War lay with toothless paper agreements. Many thriller writers in the ‘80s made the same mistake. Adam Hall’s 1985 Quiller was another egregious example. To his credit, Forsyth does acknowledge that there is a plausible alternative plan. He has the Vice President say “Maybe we should just go on as we are and bankrupt the bastards”. In reality, this strategy triumphed only a year later, but Forsyth peremptorily dismisses it with just one line. Oops!
Third, a significant subplot in the book involves a radical Islamic coup in Saudi Arabia with crucial backing from Palestinians. Their inducement is a promise of Saudi citizenship after the coup, “bringing peace to the northern Middle East”. Oops! There are good reasons why no country has ever wanted these malcontents, who ‘never miss a chance to miss a chance’.
‘Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?’ This is Forsyth’s sixth novel. He is skilled and experienced at writing thrillers, but this is the weakest of his books to date. He seems particularly offended by Christian Americans and one such character is a cartoonish stereotype described as “clinically insane”. 3.5 stars, rounded down to distinguish it from Forsyth’s earlier 4- and 5-star thrillers.
First, the book is premised on the notion that the world was going to completely run out of oil in the next 10-20 years, and that Americans would revolt long before that if oil cost an unthinkable $20 a barrel. Forsyth was apparently convinced this was true. He depicts everyone in the novel, East and West, good and bad, believing it. Oops!
Second, the book has the good guys thinking that the only hope for a peaceful resolution of the Cold War lay with toothless paper agreements. Many thriller writers in the ‘80s made the same mistake. Adam Hall’s 1985 Quiller was another egregious example. To his credit, Forsyth does acknowledge that there is a plausible alternative plan. He has the Vice President say “Maybe we should just go on as we are and bankrupt the bastards”. In reality, this strategy triumphed only a year later, but Forsyth peremptorily dismisses it with just one line. Oops!
Third, a significant subplot in the book involves a radical Islamic coup in Saudi Arabia with crucial backing from Palestinians. Their inducement is a promise of Saudi citizenship after the coup, “bringing peace to the northern Middle East”. Oops! There are good reasons why no country has ever wanted these malcontents, who ‘never miss a chance to miss a chance’.
‘Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?’ This is Forsyth’s sixth novel. He is skilled and experienced at writing thrillers, but this is the weakest of his books to date. He seems particularly offended by Christian Americans and one such character is a cartoonish stereotype described as “clinically insane”. 3.5 stars, rounded down to distinguish it from Forsyth’s earlier 4- and 5-star thrillers.
April 4, 2021
Ok, ok, ho passato la settimana in compagnia di due romanzi di narrativa leggera perché avevo voglia di niente, anzi leggerissima.
Nel caso del primo, Il negoziatore di Frederic Forsyth, vale la pena di proseguire la citazione musicale con "parole senza mistero": a differenze di altri lavori di Forsyth, che ho apprezzato molto e che hanno anche accompagnato una certa parte della mia storia di lettore, Il negoziatore pare ricalcare un po' tutti i cliché del genere senza quella capacità di sorprendere che è stata per qualche decennio un suo marchio distintivo (per intendersi, Il giorno dello sciacallo è un gran romanzo, Dossier Odessa si fa ricordare e Il pugno di Dio ha persino anticipato un po' i tempi). Ricordavo di aver recensito maluccio La Volpe per le stesse identiche motivazioni: anche ne Il negoziatore tutto è un po' scontato, dagli atteggiamenti del protagonista allo svilupparsi della trama, e in una spy story non può esserci nulla di peggio.
Ma terminato Il negoziatore ho messo le zampe su La coppia della porta accanto di Shari Lapena, un thrillerone che più thrillerone non si può e che trae avvio dall'incubo peggiore che ogni coppia di genitori potrebbe vivere: Anne e Marco Conti vengono invitati dai vicini di casa Cynthia e Graham ma durante la cena la loro neonata, pur controllata ogni trenta minuti, svanisce nel nulla.
Come giudico buono un thriller? Beh, quando non riesco ad anticipare nulla di ciò che seguirà. Non è neppure banalmente la "sorpresa": è proprio il riconoscimento della capacità dell'autore di condurti verso la un vicolo cieco, di farti pensare a una colpevolezza che non c'è, disseminando di indizi e suggestioni il suo testo. Da questo punto di vista, La coppia della porta accanto è certamente riuscito, e gode di un finale che gli fa meritare una mezza stella in più.
Nel caso del primo, Il negoziatore di Frederic Forsyth, vale la pena di proseguire la citazione musicale con "parole senza mistero": a differenze di altri lavori di Forsyth, che ho apprezzato molto e che hanno anche accompagnato una certa parte della mia storia di lettore, Il negoziatore pare ricalcare un po' tutti i cliché del genere senza quella capacità di sorprendere che è stata per qualche decennio un suo marchio distintivo (per intendersi, Il giorno dello sciacallo è un gran romanzo, Dossier Odessa si fa ricordare e Il pugno di Dio ha persino anticipato un po' i tempi). Ricordavo di aver recensito maluccio La Volpe per le stesse identiche motivazioni: anche ne Il negoziatore tutto è un po' scontato, dagli atteggiamenti del protagonista allo svilupparsi della trama, e in una spy story non può esserci nulla di peggio.
Ma terminato Il negoziatore ho messo le zampe su La coppia della porta accanto di Shari Lapena, un thrillerone che più thrillerone non si può e che trae avvio dall'incubo peggiore che ogni coppia di genitori potrebbe vivere: Anne e Marco Conti vengono invitati dai vicini di casa Cynthia e Graham ma durante la cena la loro neonata, pur controllata ogni trenta minuti, svanisce nel nulla.
Come giudico buono un thriller? Beh, quando non riesco ad anticipare nulla di ciò che seguirà. Non è neppure banalmente la "sorpresa": è proprio il riconoscimento della capacità dell'autore di condurti verso la un vicolo cieco, di farti pensare a una colpevolezza che non c'è, disseminando di indizi e suggestioni il suo testo. Da questo punto di vista, La coppia della porta accanto è certamente riuscito, e gode di un finale che gli fa meritare una mezza stella in più.
July 1, 2024
A plan is set in motion following the signing of a USSR and US disarmament treaty. It begins with the kidnapping of the US President's son. Quinn, the negotiator is called in.
3.5 stars. As usual with Forsyth, it's well researched and the historical context and situation are expertly crafted. I did find the plot to be slightly extravagant and over the top.
The first half of the novel with the actual negotiating was quite interesting, with an unexpected twist halfway. The second half began to descend into chaos which detracted from the rating. It does pale in comparison to some of Forsyth's other works (The Day of the Jackal and The Fourth Protocol). A decent read with some interesting what ifs regarding oil and its need in the modern world.
3.5 stars. As usual with Forsyth, it's well researched and the historical context and situation are expertly crafted. I did find the plot to be slightly extravagant and over the top.
The first half of the novel with the actual negotiating was quite interesting, with an unexpected twist halfway. The second half began to descend into chaos which detracted from the rating. It does pale in comparison to some of Forsyth's other works (The Day of the Jackal and The Fourth Protocol). A decent read with some interesting what ifs regarding oil and its need in the modern world.
September 10, 2023
Frederick Forsyth is my favorite writer, and this book is typical of his style. Awesome complex plot, involving people on all levels of government, places all over the world, and plenty of action. The huge amount of names and job descriptions are overwhelming at first, but the story soon starts to take place and the key characters emerge. And best of all: a satisfying ending!
June 7, 2025
A charming 80s political thriller. A good number of twists, and most story arcs were wrapped up well. One arc (the Saudi one) could have been fleshed out a little better. Forsyth also includes lots of details in his writing, some of which I found unnecessary and distracting.
April 27, 2022
The presidents son is kidnapped and they need a negotiator. Quinn is the best but he’s retired to Spain. They manage to persuade him and so the negotiations begin. There’s a lot at stake here but who are the good guys and what’s really going on. This kept me riveted from beginning to end. Not once did I have to rewind. Great story and great narration.
February 21, 2023
Bastante entretenido
May 5, 2023
Good but ending felt rushed
November 19, 2025
Ekspozycja zdecydowanie za długa i przeładowana, ale ciąg dalszy wynagradza.
May 3, 2020
Frederick Forsyth, master of the international thriller, retums with an electrifying story of a man of immense power and a conspiracy to crush the President of the United States. Only one man--Forsyth's most unforgettable hero yet--can prevent the plan from succeeding. His name is Quinn. He is the Negotiator. President Cormack is bent on a signing a sweeping U.S.-Soviet disarmament treaty, and the master conspirator is determined to stop him. The kidnapping of a young man on a country road in Oxfordshire is but the first brutal step in the explosive plot engineer the president's destruction. Enter Quinn. Quinn plays the kidnappers like a master musician. . . until, in a shocking tumabout, he discovers that ransom was not their objection after all--and that he has been lured into a cunningly woven web.
During the 70's, I read almost totally political espionage books by Forsyth, Higgins, Ludlum, Follett, and many others. I found this on my book shelf and decided to read it, and it quickly reminded me about how good a writer of this genre that Forsyth is. He has several story lines going at once and masterfully handles each one bringing them to a nail biting conclusion.
During the 70's, I read almost totally political espionage books by Forsyth, Higgins, Ludlum, Follett, and many others. I found this on my book shelf and decided to read it, and it quickly reminded me about how good a writer of this genre that Forsyth is. He has several story lines going at once and masterfully handles each one bringing them to a nail biting conclusion.
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