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Sean Dillon #17
The Wolf at the Door
On Long Island, a trusted operative for the president nudges his boat up to a pier, when a man materializes out of the rain and shoots him. In London, General Charles Ferguson, adviser to the prime minister, approaches his car on a side street, when there is a flash and the car explodes. In New York, a former British soldier, who is also a bit more than that, takes a short walk in Central Park to stretch his legs, when a man comes up fast behind him, a pistol in his hand.
And that is only the beginning. Someone is targeting the members of the elite intelligence unit known as "the Prime Minister's private army" and all those who work with them, and whoever is doing it has a lot of resources at his command. Sean Dillon has an idea of who it may be, an old nemesis who has clearly gotten tired of their interference in his schemes. But proving it is going to be a difficult task. And surviving it the hardest task of all. . .
And that is only the beginning. Someone is targeting the members of the elite intelligence unit known as "the Prime Minister's private army" and all those who work with them, and whoever is doing it has a lot of resources at his command. Sean Dillon has an idea of who it may be, an old nemesis who has clearly gotten tired of their interference in his schemes. But proving it is going to be a difficult task. And surviving it the hardest task of all. . .
306 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2009
321 people are currently reading
1063 people want to read
About the author
Jack Higgins
484 books1,280 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
May 25, 2010
Thought that this book was enticing from the preview, but then was disappointed once I started reading this book.
The beginning was basically the ending of the story, but then there wasn't much in terms of action as all the characters were not harmed (it seemed too easy).
Was hoping for a twist at the end, but it never came.
The beginning was basically the ending of the story, but then there wasn't much in terms of action as all the characters were not harmed (it seemed too easy).
Was hoping for a twist at the end, but it never came.
January 23, 2021
45 - 2021
April 1, 2010
Another fun thriller from Jack Higgins. If you're a fan of his work, this book is great. It's interesting because it is mostly told from the perspective of the villain, and it really sends an interesting message about good & evil being a matter of perspective. I found myself cheering for the bad guy, and at the end of the book realizing that the villain isn't really that much different than Higgins' heroic characters.
November 11, 2023
Great story 👏
October 2, 2025
I wanted “The Eagle has Landed”, but the library didn’t have it so I tried this. It was pretty bad. I like a little more cloak in my Cloak & Dagger. This had all the subtlety of an ICE raid.
November 17, 2012
Perhaps this was not the best introduction to Jack Higgins. The story was confusing. Too much talk. Too little action. And a host of paper thin characters I couldn't keep up with or care about. The plot was just barely intriguing enough to keep me reading through.
February 25, 2010
Read his series with recurring characters Sean Dillon, Roper, etc. As always, taut drama. A real page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for what happened next. Hope there's another.
never-finished
October 13, 2016Lost interest.
August 21, 2024
The hero of my youth, former IRA militant, my dearest Sean Dillon has aged. Moreover, although the book is marketed as a Sean Dillon adventure, Sean Dillon plays nothing more than a minor, insignificant role.
Our usual heroes—General Ferguson, British secret service agent Harry Miller, and American agent Blake Johnson (and a few others)—are all simultaneously targeted in assassination attempts, but none of them are harmed. Sean reveals that the perpetrators behind these attempts, carried out by different individuals, all have IRA connections. Additionally, we learn that the matter involves a Russian agent previously protected by our team (presumably in earlier books).
From this point on, the book entirely shifts its focus to Russia, going back to the events leading up to the assassination attempts. The orders for the assassinations come from Putin, passed down to a GRU colonel, and then to another former IRA militant, Daniel Holley, who is currently imprisoned in Lubyanka. The journey begins with Holley’s life story, how he became an IRA militant, received training in Algeria, and conducted arms smuggling operations in the Arabian Peninsula. Now, Holley must kill our team and reach the Russian agent held by the British to secure his release from Lubyanka. To achieve this, Holley activates the IRA's long-dormant 'sleeper cells.'
As you can see, the book is essentially Holley's story. The 'Lone Wolf' refers to Holley. It feels like the publisher forced Higgins to turn this into a Dillon book and hastily added a short Dillon section at the beginning as if patching it onto the book. Skip the first part; the second half is good.
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Gençliğimin kahramanı, eski IRA militanı, canım Sean Dillon yaşlanmış. Dahası kitap aslında bir Sean Dillon macerası olarak lanse edilmesine rağmen, Sean Dillon uyduruk bir yan rolden öteye geçemiyor.
Her zamanki kahramanlarımız General Ferguson, İngiliz gizli servis ajanı Harry Miller ve American ajanı Blake Johnson (ve birkaç kişi daha) aynı anda süikaste uğruyorlar ama hiçbirisine bir şey olmuyor. Farklı kişiler tarafından gerçekleştirilen suikast girişimlerinin faillerinin hep IRA bağlantısı olduğunu Sean ortaya koyuyor. İlaveten konunun bizim ekip tarafından önceden (önceki kitaplarda zannımca) korumaya alınmış bir Rus ajanıyla ilgili olduğunu öğreniyoruz.
Bu noktadan sonra kitap tamamen Rusya'ya dönüyor ve suikastlerin öncesine kadar gidiyor. Suikastlerin talimatı Putin'den GRU albayına, oradan da halihazırda Lubyanka hapisanesinde bulunan bir diğer eski IRA militanı olan Daniel Holley'e geliyor. Daniel Holley'in hayat öyküsüyle başladığımız yolculuğa, nasıl IRA militanı olduğuyla, Cezayir'de eğitim görmesiyle, Arap yarımadasında silah kaçakçılığı operasyonu yürütmesiyle devam ediyoruz. Şimdi Holley, Lubyanka'dan çıkmak için bizim ekibi öldürtmek ve İngilizlerin elindeki Rus ajanına ulaşmak zorundadır. Holley bu iş için IRA'nın yıllardır uyuyan 'sessiz hücrellerini' uyandırıyor.
Anlayacağınız kitap aslında Holley'in öyküsü. Yalnız Kurt ile de Holley kastediliyor. Higgins yayıncının zorlamasıyla bu kitabı bir Dillon kitabına dönüştürmek zorunda kalmış ve başına kısa bir Dillon bölümü yazarak kitaba yama yapmış gibi hissettim. İlk bölümü atlayın, ikinci kısım güzel.
Our usual heroes—General Ferguson, British secret service agent Harry Miller, and American agent Blake Johnson (and a few others)—are all simultaneously targeted in assassination attempts, but none of them are harmed. Sean reveals that the perpetrators behind these attempts, carried out by different individuals, all have IRA connections. Additionally, we learn that the matter involves a Russian agent previously protected by our team (presumably in earlier books).
From this point on, the book entirely shifts its focus to Russia, going back to the events leading up to the assassination attempts. The orders for the assassinations come from Putin, passed down to a GRU colonel, and then to another former IRA militant, Daniel Holley, who is currently imprisoned in Lubyanka. The journey begins with Holley’s life story, how he became an IRA militant, received training in Algeria, and conducted arms smuggling operations in the Arabian Peninsula. Now, Holley must kill our team and reach the Russian agent held by the British to secure his release from Lubyanka. To achieve this, Holley activates the IRA's long-dormant 'sleeper cells.'
As you can see, the book is essentially Holley's story. The 'Lone Wolf' refers to Holley. It feels like the publisher forced Higgins to turn this into a Dillon book and hastily added a short Dillon section at the beginning as if patching it onto the book. Skip the first part; the second half is good.
------------
Gençliğimin kahramanı, eski IRA militanı, canım Sean Dillon yaşlanmış. Dahası kitap aslında bir Sean Dillon macerası olarak lanse edilmesine rağmen, Sean Dillon uyduruk bir yan rolden öteye geçemiyor.
Her zamanki kahramanlarımız General Ferguson, İngiliz gizli servis ajanı Harry Miller ve American ajanı Blake Johnson (ve birkaç kişi daha) aynı anda süikaste uğruyorlar ama hiçbirisine bir şey olmuyor. Farklı kişiler tarafından gerçekleştirilen suikast girişimlerinin faillerinin hep IRA bağlantısı olduğunu Sean ortaya koyuyor. İlaveten konunun bizim ekip tarafından önceden (önceki kitaplarda zannımca) korumaya alınmış bir Rus ajanıyla ilgili olduğunu öğreniyoruz.
Bu noktadan sonra kitap tamamen Rusya'ya dönüyor ve suikastlerin öncesine kadar gidiyor. Suikastlerin talimatı Putin'den GRU albayına, oradan da halihazırda Lubyanka hapisanesinde bulunan bir diğer eski IRA militanı olan Daniel Holley'e geliyor. Daniel Holley'in hayat öyküsüyle başladığımız yolculuğa, nasıl IRA militanı olduğuyla, Cezayir'de eğitim görmesiyle, Arap yarımadasında silah kaçakçılığı operasyonu yürütmesiyle devam ediyoruz. Şimdi Holley, Lubyanka'dan çıkmak için bizim ekibi öldürtmek ve İngilizlerin elindeki Rus ajanına ulaşmak zorundadır. Holley bu iş için IRA'nın yıllardır uyuyan 'sessiz hücrellerini' uyandırıyor.
Anlayacağınız kitap aslında Holley'in öyküsü. Yalnız Kurt ile de Holley kastediliyor. Higgins yayıncının zorlamasıyla bu kitabı bir Dillon kitabına dönüştürmek zorunda kalmış ve başına kısa bir Dillon bölümü yazarak kitaba yama yapmış gibi hissettim. İlk bölümü atlayın, ikinci kısım güzel.
March 31, 2024
Kurbsky olayı kapanmış gibi görünür ancak bir akşam Blake Johnson, Harry Miller, kız kardeşi Monica Sterling, Ferguson, Salter'lar aynı gece saldırıya uğrar. Amerika'daki Harry ve Blake ucuz atlatırlar. Diğerleri de ufak tefek şeylerle atlatırlar. Ancak saldırganların hepsinde aynı kilise kartı vardır. Sean Dillon kartı görür görmez tanır. Yıllar önce babası ölünce kendisi de almıştır. Bu yüzden herkes olayın IRA ile bir ilgisi olduğunu düşünür. Papaz Murphy'yi ziyarete gidip ona kartları soran Sean, yardımcısı Caitlin Daly tarafından hakaretler ile kovulur. Aslında olay Kurbsky ile ilgilidir. Josef Lermov, Londra'ya tayini çıkmadan önce yardımcısı Peter Ivanov ile Greta ve diğerlerini terletmiş, Ali Selim'in başına gelenlere kadar her şryi öğrenmiştir. Putin'den yetki belgesi alan Lermov, zamanında 2 adamını öldürdüğü için hapse tıktığı Daniel Holley'i hapisten çıkarır. Öğrenci iken Rosaleen adlı kız arkadaşını öldürdükleri için 4 kişiyi öldüren ve amcası Liam Coogan sayesinde IRA'nın Cezayir bağlantısı olup iş yapan Daniel yakalanmıştır. Ama Caitlin'in hücresinde emir verecek kadar da büyümüştür. Lermov ile anlaşan Daniel hazırlıkları yapar ve İngiltere'ye sivil olarak gelir. Kripto telefon ile Caitlin ile konuşur ve uyuyan hücresini uyandırmasını ister. Oligark Max Chekov'a da talimatları verir. Son anda vazgeçip Monica'yı listeden çıkarır. Ama Ivanov rahat durmaz ve onu kulağından vurmak zorunda kalır. Operasyon başarısız olu ama Daniel Kurbsky'nin evdeki yaşlı görünen adam olduğunu öğrenir. Kendisine yardım eden Selim'den arabasını alır. Ivanov Caitlin'i öldürmüş Monica'yı doğru yola çıkmıştır. Daniel ne yapacaktır? Onu kurtarıp Ivanov'u öldürecek midir? Sean ile konuşacak mıdır? Kurbsky olayına nasıl bir çözüm getirecektir? Ferguson'un aramasına ne cevap verecektir? Lermov ne olacaktır? Keyifle soluksuz okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2023
Sean Dillon vol 17 and the clearest indication yet that Higgins had become bored with his anti-hero. Not that you’d think it from the first 90 pages. A series of coordinated attacks narrowly fails to take out Dillon’s closest associates and everyone’s favourite ex-IRA enforcer goes looking for those responsible. So far so exciting, then Higgins pulls a flashback and details how the plot was set in motion and the set-a-killer-to-kill-a-killer conspiracy engendered by the chief antagonists. Enter an admittedly engaging new character, Daniel Holley, albeit at the cost of another flashback to cover his backstory. The focus then shifts to Holley for 180 pages (the third POV that Higgins adopts throughout the course of the novel). Dillon reappears, sort of (the scene is a phone call), four pages from the end. It’s frustrating novel, then, in that the character you bought the book to read about disappears from it for nearly three quarters of its length; there’s also a weird narrative deceleration in the last act - traditionally the point in a thriller where everything should be moving at top speed. Five titles left in the saga, so no reason not to stay the course, but I can’t shake the feeling that Dillon has all but been pensioned off.
December 30, 2023
This is a very easy book to read, taking only a few hours for 300+ pages.
It was probably also a very easy book to write, taking only a few days I would guess. This is very formulaic stuff. The characters are all, essentially, the same. They even talk the same, whether they are Algerian, Russian, American, or some form or other British. The whole plot is somewhat unbelievable but this is obviously part of a longer series; I was probably missing a lot of the back story.
So, it was OK for a rainy and miserable winter day to pass a few hours but I don't think anyone will be using it as the basis for a Master's thesis.
It was probably also a very easy book to write, taking only a few days I would guess. This is very formulaic stuff. The characters are all, essentially, the same. They even talk the same, whether they are Algerian, Russian, American, or some form or other British. The whole plot is somewhat unbelievable but this is obviously part of a longer series; I was probably missing a lot of the back story.
So, it was OK for a rainy and miserable winter day to pass a few hours but I don't think anyone will be using it as the basis for a Master's thesis.
August 15, 2022
A real page turner and like most of the books in Sean Dillon series, it gets right to the action. A man who killed four men for raping and killing a young woman in Northern Ireland and became a killer was captured by the Russians in the Middle East. He was in Lubyanka prison, but released to kill Ferguson, Dillon and associates, but the plans go awry and he finds himself in danger of returning to prison. He helped rescue Monica Starling and Ferguson is in debt to him. He flees to the Middle East, but I am certain he will appear in coming books.
January 26, 2023
I’ve enjoyed Jack Higgins for many years. As you travel through his novels you find that the characters (good and bad) are repetitive and therefore less and less interesting. Every character wears a titanium bullet proof vest, shoots half an ear off when threatened and has a. Soft spot for women. Sadly I think this might be my second last Higgins novel - that is of course only if the next serves up more of the same. We live in hope.
July 23, 2024
The Russian proverb at the front of the book tells the theme of this book. The threat is always there; one side gets the upper hand for a bit, then the other side rises. This book is a snapshot of the continual back and forth of mortal enemies. The story is told from back to front, the strikes are made, the story behind the strikes are explained.
I like Jack Higgins knowledge and insight into British and Northern Irish relations; an insight I never had until now.
I like Jack Higgins knowledge and insight into British and Northern Irish relations; an insight I never had until now.
May 5, 2023
I listened to the audiobook on a long drive and it was pretty entertaining. Rather testosterone-soaked, but had a good sense of humor about it. Plenty of action and interesting characters. I haven't read any of the others in the series, but I didn't have any trouble keeping everything straight, so I think it is fine to read them out of order.
August 11, 2018
Given the size of the cast of characters and their complicated history together, I probably should have started at #1 instead of #17, which I randomly grabbed at the library today. It flew past easily regardless, and I enjoyed that even the bad guys were plagued by other bad guys.
May 31, 2019
Having read The Eagle Has Landed recently, this was disappointing. I can't believe it was written by the same person. The book just follows a plot, with no character quirks or interests. Almost like they were forgotten. It's a pity, because I was hoping for more.
October 28, 2020
Bloody, complex, intriguing, disturbing affirmation that there really is no such thing as the right side of a conflict and that nobody is just a good guy or a bad guy. Entertaining enough for listening - especially because it was the abridged version.
January 14, 2021
Timing was an issue!?
The first 4 chapters tell the story, then a life story for some unknown character w/supporting "bad guys", and " What's going on?" ! But, all in all, a good read.
The first 4 chapters tell the story, then a life story for some unknown character w/supporting "bad guys", and " What's going on?" ! But, all in all, a good read.
April 14, 2023
I have to admit, I loved this book. Lots of twists and turns. Characters are colorful. I truly enjoy Higgins' writing style. The flow between the two sides really help understand the plot as it slowly unfolds.
Read
May 1, 2023A book with the Anti Hero getting the best part. Danial Holley is magnificent. He overshadows Furguson and his merry men with his sheer grit and honour. Hope that he resurfaces in another book by Higgens.
May 5, 2024
Stunning book
I find that I am enjoying the back to front type of story that Jack Higgins writes, as the storyline develops from the outcome to how it is ended.
Thoroughly enjoy political aspect using real life figures and fictional figures
I find that I am enjoying the back to front type of story that Jack Higgins writes, as the storyline develops from the outcome to how it is ended.
Thoroughly enjoy political aspect using real life figures and fictional figures
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2017
This has got to be the most cliche-ridden book ever. Higgins novels used to be first class, but he must have written this one just to pay the bills.
November 28, 2017
Interesting plot construction and layout. I found myself cheering for Daniel Holley.
April 29, 2018
Like all Higgins books, a good 👍read but this has a different twist! Fast paced and exciting, the new characters are good! Enjoyed it!
June 20, 2018
Ferguson and the gang are at it again
A fun read with the international twist of the east versus west. Throw in a group of Irish and we have an interesting mix.
A fun read with the international twist of the east versus west. Throw in a group of Irish and we have an interesting mix.
January 26, 2019
Unexpectedly good. Fast paced page turner, convincing plot, dialogue and main character. Subsidiary characters less 3 dimensional but consistent.
February 1, 2019
International intrigue with the Russians employing a jailed killer to eliminate the British group causing them problems. Very well written.
March 8, 2019
I know it is a very good book when I am sympathetic to the baddest of the bad guys. Another Dillon in the making? Excellent plot masterfully worked out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews