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A Matter of Honour
When Adam Scott opens the letter left to him in his father's will, he realises life can never be the same again. This letter brought dishonour to the family name and forced his father out of the regiment in disgrace. Now it leads Adam to a priceless Russian icon left hidden in a Swiss bank vault since World War II, and to a revelation so explosive that it could change the balance of power between America and the Soviet Union.
A Matter of Honour is Jeffrey Archer's most exciting novel yet – a story of relentless suspense that no reader will be able to put down until the final page.
A Matter of Honour is Jeffrey Archer's most exciting novel yet – a story of relentless suspense that no reader will be able to put down until the final page.
429 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1986
1497 people are currently reading
6258 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
646 books12.3k followersJeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 611 reviews
February 19, 2009
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.
March 4, 2021
A number 1 international bestseller when it was first published,"keeps the pages turning like a stiff wind."
It is a chase story about a priceless Russian icon,across Europe.The Americans,the Soviets and the British would all like to get their hands on it.
Adam Scott wonders why his father left the army under a cloud,after World War II.As his father dies,a mysterious envelope turns up with his will.
But as Scott tries to clear his father's name,he finds himself caught in a web of international intrigue and espionage.His adversary is the formidable and ruthless Soviet agent,Romanov.
Romanov would not hesitate to commit multiple murders to get his hands on the Russian icon,which Scott has been left with,under his father's will.
And not just the Soviets,but the Americans want it too.Lots of action,violence and plenty of thrills.Not the most plausible of stories,but a great deal of fun.
First read in 1989,nice to find it again.
3.5 stars,rounded up.
It is a chase story about a priceless Russian icon,across Europe.The Americans,the Soviets and the British would all like to get their hands on it.
Adam Scott wonders why his father left the army under a cloud,after World War II.As his father dies,a mysterious envelope turns up with his will.
But as Scott tries to clear his father's name,he finds himself caught in a web of international intrigue and espionage.His adversary is the formidable and ruthless Soviet agent,Romanov.
Romanov would not hesitate to commit multiple murders to get his hands on the Russian icon,which Scott has been left with,under his father's will.
And not just the Soviets,but the Americans want it too.Lots of action,violence and plenty of thrills.Not the most plausible of stories,but a great deal of fun.
First read in 1989,nice to find it again.
3.5 stars,rounded up.
April 27, 2013
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...
November 24, 2019
A stand alone novel by Jeffrey Archer first published in 1986.
For no reason I can think I have always dismissed Jeffery Archer’s work. I had never read any of his novels, not one.
Then a couple of months ago a neighbour asked me if I would like a box full of books, if not he would take them to the opp shop. I couldn’t help myself, I took the lot. In the box were half a dozen books by Jeffery Archer. So far this is now my second book by Jeffery Archer and much to my surprise I have really enjoyed both of them.
Not to go into too much detail, a young man, ex British Army, gets left a Russian Icon painting after his fathers’ death. Unknown to the father there is a secret compartment in the icon that contains a contract between the Americans and the Russians that was signed at the time when Russian sold Alaska to the Americans. The contract states that if the Russians want Alaska back they must pay America an enormous amount of money on or before a given date and now that date is only four weeks away. The Russians want Alaska back and their only means to achieving this is to get their hands on the contract. The Americans on the other hand are not about to hand over Alaska with out a fight.
Once the, now owner of the Icon, understands what’s at risk his life as knew it is over.
The KGB has sent one of their best, and cruellest, agents with orders to stop at nothing to get the contract back in Russian hands before time runs out.
It all sounds a bit James Bondish but it made for page turning entertainment.
Recommended 4 star reading.
For no reason I can think I have always dismissed Jeffery Archer’s work. I had never read any of his novels, not one.
Then a couple of months ago a neighbour asked me if I would like a box full of books, if not he would take them to the opp shop. I couldn’t help myself, I took the lot. In the box were half a dozen books by Jeffery Archer. So far this is now my second book by Jeffery Archer and much to my surprise I have really enjoyed both of them.
Not to go into too much detail, a young man, ex British Army, gets left a Russian Icon painting after his fathers’ death. Unknown to the father there is a secret compartment in the icon that contains a contract between the Americans and the Russians that was signed at the time when Russian sold Alaska to the Americans. The contract states that if the Russians want Alaska back they must pay America an enormous amount of money on or before a given date and now that date is only four weeks away. The Russians want Alaska back and their only means to achieving this is to get their hands on the contract. The Americans on the other hand are not about to hand over Alaska with out a fight.
Once the, now owner of the Icon, understands what’s at risk his life as knew it is over.
The KGB has sent one of their best, and cruellest, agents with orders to stop at nothing to get the contract back in Russian hands before time runs out.
It all sounds a bit James Bondish but it made for page turning entertainment.
Recommended 4 star reading.
April 8, 2016
I was lent this when I was a schoolboy and the spectre of how bad it was haunts me yet. Set in the 1960s it has a deeply silly plot about needing to stop the Soviets from getting the title deeds to Alaska because otherwise there wouldn't be any kind of a story at all. Well maybe it wasn't the title deeds exactly, but it was something along those lines, Herman Goring and a Swiss bank deposit box were involved, what more needs to be said ?
It rattles along. I remember there was a moment when the hero knew he was being captured by the Russians because he saw the British Union flag on their false diplomatic car was upside down. I don't think I would have realised that (not that his knowledge saves him, it's just a hook of doom to drag the reader into the next chapter). So the one upside to this book was that I realised I lack the flag recognition skills to be able to cut it as an international man of mystery in the 1960s.
I don't think that there is a sequel in which the Soviets have to be stopped from laying their hands on the title deeds to the White House. Perhaps someone should write it. The Americans could strike back by finding unpaid bills for the construction of the Kremlin wall in the Vatican Archives. It could just be the worst book ever.
It rattles along. I remember there was a moment when the hero knew he was being captured by the Russians because he saw the British Union flag on their false diplomatic car was upside down. I don't think I would have realised that (not that his knowledge saves him, it's just a hook of doom to drag the reader into the next chapter). So the one upside to this book was that I realised I lack the flag recognition skills to be able to cut it as an international man of mystery in the 1960s.
I don't think that there is a sequel in which the Soviets have to be stopped from laying their hands on the title deeds to the White House. Perhaps someone should write it. The Americans could strike back by finding unpaid bills for the construction of the Kremlin wall in the Vatican Archives. It could just be the worst book ever.
January 24, 2024
Perhaps I was too enthusiastic some years ago, as Mr. Archer is ( and will be!) in Top 5 My Favourite Writers. But this one looks more like a James Bond story, with all its usual exagerations and lack of respect for human lives, rather than a warm and profound genuine Archer story.
So, at least one star is more mine's rather than the author's ...
So, at least one star is more mine's rather than the author's ...
August 6, 2024
Reading it again after long time, cannot avoid appreciating the twists and thrills. The magic of Europe time travel is fascinating. Even after so many years, in the era of visual impact with devices, the charm of well written novel by the author is priceless.
January 30, 2008
This is the First Archer book I ever read. I was hooked after this one.
December 9, 2017
Adam Scott has been left an unopened envelope in his father’s will. Should he open it or let sleeping dogs lie? Well, if Adam had not opened the envelope, Jeffrey would not have been able to write this novel. So Adam opens this mysterious envelope and has to deal with the consequences!
This novel was written over 30 years ago and I have not read a novel by Jeffrey Archer before. The author had a long political career with the Conservative Party and has been imprisoned for perjury and perverting the course of justice. But as this book was featured as a Kindle Daily Deal for just £1.09p - I thought I would turn a blind eye to his history, grab a copy and read his book with an open mind.
I was very surprised by A Matter of Honour. It is set in 1966 and is a thriller involving fakes, lies and secrets. Modern thrillers contain a lot of detail about email, the internet and mobile phones. But over 50 years ago things were very different! No email, no internet and telephones were connected by copper cables, were not cordless and people used public call boxes by inserting coins in the booth. But people still told lies and bad guys still had to be tackled.
Although this novel was set over 50 years ago, it is still easy to relate to - easy for me as I had used pounds, shillings and pence in my childhood! So in my mind I thought about the time I was a child when I wondered what the adults were doing and what the fuss was all about.
I liked the style of how Jeffrey Archer told his story and for the written word, sounded like Ian Hislop on the BBC television comedy panel show, Have I Got News For You. The character development of Adam Scott was spot on and you could imagine his accent to be similar to Ian Hislop.
I liked the plot of A Matter of Honour and how you developed suspicions of all the characters. The pace was good and the story was engaging. I liked how all the little details sparked in your head making you think, “this is relevant”.
I found this book to be a joy to read, as I was transported back in time and into another world. For all the modern technology we have today, I can imagine these things still going on because of the way people are underneath. I was fully entertained by the depth of this story.
I liked the way Jeffrey Archer wrote this novel and how the characters told lies so easily, making me chuckle because of his own imprisonment for telling porkies. I thought his writing was very clear and the story easy to understand.
A Matter of Honour was a pleasant surprise for me and very different from my usual current day crime thrillers. I enjoyed it as my daily read and the quality of this novel gets the top score of 5 stars from me. I suggest readers forget the time period this novel is set in and just enjoy this story for what it is.
A Matter of Honour was published in 1986 and is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook.
This novel was written over 30 years ago and I have not read a novel by Jeffrey Archer before. The author had a long political career with the Conservative Party and has been imprisoned for perjury and perverting the course of justice. But as this book was featured as a Kindle Daily Deal for just £1.09p - I thought I would turn a blind eye to his history, grab a copy and read his book with an open mind.
I was very surprised by A Matter of Honour. It is set in 1966 and is a thriller involving fakes, lies and secrets. Modern thrillers contain a lot of detail about email, the internet and mobile phones. But over 50 years ago things were very different! No email, no internet and telephones were connected by copper cables, were not cordless and people used public call boxes by inserting coins in the booth. But people still told lies and bad guys still had to be tackled.
Although this novel was set over 50 years ago, it is still easy to relate to - easy for me as I had used pounds, shillings and pence in my childhood! So in my mind I thought about the time I was a child when I wondered what the adults were doing and what the fuss was all about.
I liked the style of how Jeffrey Archer told his story and for the written word, sounded like Ian Hislop on the BBC television comedy panel show, Have I Got News For You. The character development of Adam Scott was spot on and you could imagine his accent to be similar to Ian Hislop.
I liked the plot of A Matter of Honour and how you developed suspicions of all the characters. The pace was good and the story was engaging. I liked how all the little details sparked in your head making you think, “this is relevant”.
I found this book to be a joy to read, as I was transported back in time and into another world. For all the modern technology we have today, I can imagine these things still going on because of the way people are underneath. I was fully entertained by the depth of this story.
I liked the way Jeffrey Archer wrote this novel and how the characters told lies so easily, making me chuckle because of his own imprisonment for telling porkies. I thought his writing was very clear and the story easy to understand.
A Matter of Honour was a pleasant surprise for me and very different from my usual current day crime thrillers. I enjoyed it as my daily read and the quality of this novel gets the top score of 5 stars from me. I suggest readers forget the time period this novel is set in and just enjoy this story for what it is.
A Matter of Honour was published in 1986 and is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook.
October 2, 2024
Mr. Archer is and will be among my favorites ( at least a place in Top5), but this one is surely his among worst products ever.
The plot looks interesting but there are far too many casualties, too many coincidental facts, even our main character is not the nicest man on earth. As of the "bad boy" from the story, Major Alexander Petrovich Romanov, he's unnecessary cruel and far too stupid, as he has Adam Scott in his hand, only to lose the game. And his life too...
The plot looks interesting but there are far too many casualties, too many coincidental facts, even our main character is not the nicest man on earth. As of the "bad boy" from the story, Major Alexander Petrovich Romanov, he's unnecessary cruel and far too stupid, as he has Adam Scott in his hand, only to lose the game. And his life too...
October 19, 2019
Synopsis:
Adam Scott, a British civilian, has been left a letter with specific instructions in his father's will. Thinking it to be some sort of inheritance, he is eager to receive this bequest which he has to retrieve from a Swiss bank.
On the other side of the world, the Russians are after an icon, said to be the famous Tsar's icon, which contains an important document. If found within the specified time, it would change the course of history. And Alex Romanov has been assigned to the task of retrieving it.
What happens when their paths cross?
Review:
Divided into four parts, this is another riveting thriller by the celebrated author Jeffrey Archer.
Part One starts in May of 1966 in The Kremlin, Moscow. General Secretary Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev is commanding the KGB Chairman Comrade Yuri Efimovich Zaborski to search for an original Rublev after carbon dating reveals that the one in their possession since before the Revolution at the Winter Palace is a fake. Assuming that Tsar Nicholas II may have hidden an important document in what they call 'the icon' which is presumably in the painting, to save his family from execution, is what leads Brezhnev to immediately put the State Security on the issue. Because it is a much bigger issue. Seeing that only a month is left as per the late Tsar's testimony in order to make the US a mere pawn on the Russian chessboard.
In Appleshaw, England, Captain Adam Scott is with his sister and their mother at their solicitor's, to get to know the contents of his father's will. It is now June 1966. And there's a surprise, a yellowed envelope, containing a letter mentioning a gift that has been placed in a Swiss bank in 1938. The same envelope that held the whispers of treachery by his father which he had to endure while growing up.
Part Two starts in 10 Downing Street, London on June 17, 1966, and Part Three is based in The White House, Washington DC on the same date. While Part Four has us returning to The Kremlin, Moscow, but it is now June 19, 1966. Once Adam is in possession of the icon, the story takes place within three days, spanning Russia, England, America, and a couple of European countries.
Initially, the chapters alternate between Russia and England. Then they start intermingling. I loved the character descriptions that Archer provides just after one of the main characters is introduced. About one to two pages long, there's nothing by then that you don't know about them. I don't know why but I was very surprised to see the subtle shades of humour all throughout the story. Maybe because I am coming back to thrillers after a long time and have quite forgotten how they exactly work. I had read this one some six-ten years back when my father got a copy from the office library, but I don't even remember anything about it!
The first few chapters build up the story after which the action starts, with a few deaths of course. (How will it be a thriller otherwise, huh?) There are layers and layers of mystery. Initially, it was a bit amusing to see Adam's unawareness about the situation, a man who's on the run for his life without even knowing why. What he thinks of as inheriting a mere painting to be auctioned off and earned money from, unknown to him is actually a worldwide political drama, where no one is to be trusted.
I had quite forgotten what a thrill it is to read thrillers. Oof... Waiting with bated breath for the next move, sometimes even forgetting to breathe till being sure about the safe passage of the protagonist. How exhilarating it all is! It certainly is impressive how intelligence works. It was really interesting to see the cat and mouse game between Romanov and Scott. While the former thinks the latter's not as good at escaping as he looks to be, the latter is so resourceful that even as a reader I couldn't have imagined at first. Adam does keep getting help along with some great advice from unexpected quarters but here I have to agree with some of the reviews that I have read on Goodreads. It seemed pretty convenient at one point about taking innocent people for a ride and for them to believe in what he says and helping him on top of that. Also, some things didn't add up, even after I went back and forth trying to find the links.
This is Archer's sixth novel, and I couldn't quite agree with the views of Belfast Telegraph about the novel (yep, I read every single page of a book, including the scores of views and reviews):
"Jeffrey Archer has style … a rollicking good yarn … turns the clock back to the days when books were for curling up with, not for churning our stomachs with a surfeit of violence and sex"
Okay, so this book didn't have sex, at least not the graphic kind. But then again, this is hardly a romance novel 'for curling up with'! Because yes, it has violence, and of the kind that will churn your stomach. So, read at your own peril!
Nevertheless, a tale of the East vs the West of powers that be, it was a thrilling ride from the get-go. There was also talks about a movie being made, I wonder when it would materialise.
P.S. I don't exactly remember but I have read this book sometime back in 2010. Maybe during the summer holidays when I was in twelfth standard, my father had got a different edition from the library.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Adam Scott, a British civilian, has been left a letter with specific instructions in his father's will. Thinking it to be some sort of inheritance, he is eager to receive this bequest which he has to retrieve from a Swiss bank.
On the other side of the world, the Russians are after an icon, said to be the famous Tsar's icon, which contains an important document. If found within the specified time, it would change the course of history. And Alex Romanov has been assigned to the task of retrieving it.
What happens when their paths cross?
Review:
Divided into four parts, this is another riveting thriller by the celebrated author Jeffrey Archer.
Part One starts in May of 1966 in The Kremlin, Moscow. General Secretary Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev is commanding the KGB Chairman Comrade Yuri Efimovich Zaborski to search for an original Rublev after carbon dating reveals that the one in their possession since before the Revolution at the Winter Palace is a fake. Assuming that Tsar Nicholas II may have hidden an important document in what they call 'the icon' which is presumably in the painting, to save his family from execution, is what leads Brezhnev to immediately put the State Security on the issue. Because it is a much bigger issue. Seeing that only a month is left as per the late Tsar's testimony in order to make the US a mere pawn on the Russian chessboard.
In Appleshaw, England, Captain Adam Scott is with his sister and their mother at their solicitor's, to get to know the contents of his father's will. It is now June 1966. And there's a surprise, a yellowed envelope, containing a letter mentioning a gift that has been placed in a Swiss bank in 1938. The same envelope that held the whispers of treachery by his father which he had to endure while growing up.
Part Two starts in 10 Downing Street, London on June 17, 1966, and Part Three is based in The White House, Washington DC on the same date. While Part Four has us returning to The Kremlin, Moscow, but it is now June 19, 1966. Once Adam is in possession of the icon, the story takes place within three days, spanning Russia, England, America, and a couple of European countries.
Initially, the chapters alternate between Russia and England. Then they start intermingling. I loved the character descriptions that Archer provides just after one of the main characters is introduced. About one to two pages long, there's nothing by then that you don't know about them. I don't know why but I was very surprised to see the subtle shades of humour all throughout the story. Maybe because I am coming back to thrillers after a long time and have quite forgotten how they exactly work. I had read this one some six-ten years back when my father got a copy from the office library, but I don't even remember anything about it!
The first few chapters build up the story after which the action starts, with a few deaths of course. (How will it be a thriller otherwise, huh?) There are layers and layers of mystery. Initially, it was a bit amusing to see Adam's unawareness about the situation, a man who's on the run for his life without even knowing why. What he thinks of as inheriting a mere painting to be auctioned off and earned money from, unknown to him is actually a worldwide political drama, where no one is to be trusted.
I had quite forgotten what a thrill it is to read thrillers. Oof... Waiting with bated breath for the next move, sometimes even forgetting to breathe till being sure about the safe passage of the protagonist. How exhilarating it all is! It certainly is impressive how intelligence works. It was really interesting to see the cat and mouse game between Romanov and Scott. While the former thinks the latter's not as good at escaping as he looks to be, the latter is so resourceful that even as a reader I couldn't have imagined at first. Adam does keep getting help along with some great advice from unexpected quarters but here I have to agree with some of the reviews that I have read on Goodreads. It seemed pretty convenient at one point about taking innocent people for a ride and for them to believe in what he says and helping him on top of that. Also, some things didn't add up, even after I went back and forth trying to find the links.
This is Archer's sixth novel, and I couldn't quite agree with the views of Belfast Telegraph about the novel (yep, I read every single page of a book, including the scores of views and reviews):
"Jeffrey Archer has style … a rollicking good yarn … turns the clock back to the days when books were for curling up with, not for churning our stomachs with a surfeit of violence and sex"
Okay, so this book didn't have sex, at least not the graphic kind. But then again, this is hardly a romance novel 'for curling up with'! Because yes, it has violence, and of the kind that will churn your stomach. So, read at your own peril!
Nevertheless, a tale of the East vs the West of powers that be, it was a thrilling ride from the get-go. There was also talks about a movie being made, I wonder when it would materialise.
P.S. I don't exactly remember but I have read this book sometime back in 2010. Maybe during the summer holidays when I was in twelfth standard, my father had got a different edition from the library.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
July 5, 2015
Finished reading: October 21st 2014
“Adam took one hand off the handlebars and fingered the envelope in his inside pocket like a schoolboy the day before his birthday feeling the shape of a present in the hope of discovering some clue as to its contents.”
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
June 22, 2020
If someone had a gun to my head and asked me to sit through this book, I wouldn't. I simply can't.
The writing is below mediocre, character development is a concept unheard of, and the only thing holding me glued to the first 200 pages was a desire to get this over with so that I can move onto fresher pastures.
Safe to say, I couldn't. Since this doesn't really count as a 'complete' read, I'll probably compensate for it by adding a few more books into my reading challenge.
If you're looking to read fiction, don't do it. It's not worth it. There are better things in life, I promise.
The writing is below mediocre, character development is a concept unheard of, and the only thing holding me glued to the first 200 pages was a desire to get this over with so that I can move onto fresher pastures.
Safe to say, I couldn't. Since this doesn't really count as a 'complete' read, I'll probably compensate for it by adding a few more books into my reading challenge.
If you're looking to read fiction, don't do it. It's not worth it. There are better things in life, I promise.
June 10, 2023
This book takes me back to my teens, when my brother was in uni and I would borrow his Jeffrey Archer & Sidney Sheldon novels… too young to comprehend much but devoured the books all the same
This one stands the test of time and love it just as I did back then!
This one stands the test of time and love it just as I did back then!
November 30, 2008
If you like DiVinci Code you will like this one.
July 28, 2009
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 quite comprehend why the readers need to know how to kill someone if they may sometime will. Or maybe, Archer didn't have that in mind, he is just narrating what goes on behind those bars and locked cells. All in all a good read. My thumbs up to it!!
Sometimes I feel the description of various modes of torturing gets exaggerated, I don't quite comprehend why the readers need to know how to kill someone if they may sometime will. Or maybe, Archer didn't have that in mind, he is just narrating what goes on behind those bars and locked cells. All in all a good read. My thumbs up to it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2018
There are two books of Archer that I have read more than ten times - Prisoners of Birth and A Matter of Honour.
I think I personally connect to the protagonists of both books.
I am a big fan of his work. I love courtroom drama and lawsuit thrillers. Nobody does it better than Archer. No offense to others who write under the same genre.
I think I personally connect to the protagonists of both books.
I am a big fan of his work. I love courtroom drama and lawsuit thrillers. Nobody does it better than Archer. No offense to others who write under the same genre.
February 7, 2023
Un colonel britanic dezonorat lasa mostenire o scrisoare.
Adam Scott desi este mai mult interesat sa inteleaga de ce tatal sau a parasit armata dupa cel de-Al Doilea Razboi Mondial si sa incerce sa ii spele renumele, deschizand scrisoarea misterioasa, pune in miscare o adevarata aventura pe viata si pe moarte.
Prins in lupta intre cele doua mari puteri, America si Rusia, Adam alearga prin Europa urmarit de KGB, CAI si multi altii ce ii doresc moartea.
Intrigi, spionaj international, violenta, tradare si multa, multa actiune o sa gasiti in aceasta carte captivanta.
Adam Scott desi este mai mult interesat sa inteleaga de ce tatal sau a parasit armata dupa cel de-Al Doilea Razboi Mondial si sa incerce sa ii spele renumele, deschizand scrisoarea misterioasa, pune in miscare o adevarata aventura pe viata si pe moarte.
Prins in lupta intre cele doua mari puteri, America si Rusia, Adam alearga prin Europa urmarit de KGB, CAI si multi altii ce ii doresc moartea.
Intrigi, spionaj international, violenta, tradare si multa, multa actiune o sa gasiti in aceasta carte captivanta.
May 7, 2020
I Hate to admit it but I just could not be bothered to work out several key bits of this story. Was the book so boring that I didn’t realise they were not, in fact, key bits? Maybe I’m just trying to flog a dead ISO Brain 🧠 Was it me I ask or did I just not bother because it was so very lacking in lustre?
July 30, 2018
What surprised me reading Jeffrey Archer’s A Matter of Honour was how quickly I was reading it because there was nothing to detain me; it was all plot. The writing was plodding if the reading wasn’t. It was a thriller that didn’t thrill. A murder didn’t affect one, nor a torture because no character was engaging. The writing’s bad. A character is blonde so the reader shouldn’t be told her hair’s fair. Is ‘three sombre old men in grey suits trying to look like three sombre old men in grey suits’ an effort at wit? One simply can’t take ‘fast mincing strides.’ I did find Rosenbaum’s following of Scott, the hearty hero, interesting because that was Goering who was long dead. Hitchhiking as a means of hidden travelling for his hero doesn’t come readily to the author’s mind. A car is taken to Paris instead of crossing the country to Calais. Read the collected works of Proust? The author means the one big work. He’s right though: the Swiss did become rich fleecing both sides in the war. The author’s not keen on using the subjunctive and his hero has less French than any educated Brit. It’s the kind of book if you put it down, you didn’t want to pick up again. I’d reached p 296 before bed and did pick it up again to finish it next day. It’s a junk book, to be picked up at an airport for the flight and, as the author observed, by the time you realise how bad it is, it’s too late; you’ve paid for it. It’s been well-researched, the kind of book my publisher might publish.
April 21, 2020
I am a big fan of Jeffrey Archer and decided to read A Matter of Honour.
It's a typical spy-action thriller but falls short of a page-turner. The setting is during the Cold War in the year 1966 whereby Archer does a great job of blending history with his own storytelling and creates a tale that satisfies. I felt intrigued from the start.
There were some plot holes I struggled to look past i.e lady luck seemed to play a huge role, excuse the pun.
In my opinion his other books are better.
Nevertheless, if you are interested in espionage that involves the KGB, CIA and Swiss banks, this novel will suffice.
It's a typical spy-action thriller but falls short of a page-turner. The setting is during the Cold War in the year 1966 whereby Archer does a great job of blending history with his own storytelling and creates a tale that satisfies. I felt intrigued from the start.
There were some plot holes I struggled to look past i.e lady luck seemed to play a huge role, excuse the pun.
In my opinion his other books are better.
Nevertheless, if you are interested in espionage that involves the KGB, CIA and Swiss banks, this novel will suffice.
December 1, 2012
An excellent novel from one of my favourite writers.
He writes such good original stories that have strong characters and believable plots.
He writes such good original stories that have strong characters and believable plots.
December 17, 2023
While one might find certain plot points predictable or the storytelling style conventional, The pacing is brisk, ensuring a page-turning experience from start to finish
May 4, 2024
Good simple storytelling. Nothing more, nothing less. If I read 100 books like this I’d be quite content.
Gotta love a book with twists and turns.
Gotta love a book with twists and turns.
August 12, 2012
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 unbelievable and stupendous but this one was way to far over the top. There is no way that there needed to be anywhere near the number of set backs that this book contained and as the novel went on these set backs were seemingly appearing at the end of every chapter and therefore lost their shock value completely.
Also although thriller rarely contain fantastic descriptive language this book did not contain any descriptive language whatsoever, I genuinely cannot remember a single scene in the book that had any description of the location beyond such trivialities as the existence of trees or buildings. I would have preferred the book if the chase throughout europe had been simplified to a more realistic level and some of the locations and people were developed more fully.
Also what was with the ridiculously pompous attitude of everyone British throughout the whole book?
Firstly the plot was overly contrived, I know most thriller books edge towards the unbelievable and stupendous but this one was way to far over the top. There is no way that there needed to be anywhere near the number of set backs that this book contained and as the novel went on these set backs were seemingly appearing at the end of every chapter and therefore lost their shock value completely.
Also although thriller rarely contain fantastic descriptive language this book did not contain any descriptive language whatsoever, I genuinely cannot remember a single scene in the book that had any description of the location beyond such trivialities as the existence of trees or buildings. I would have preferred the book if the chase throughout europe had been simplified to a more realistic level and some of the locations and people were developed more fully.
Also what was with the ridiculously pompous attitude of everyone British throughout the whole book?
February 11, 2013
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, despite your hopes for a plot change of some sort along the way.
Another big problem is that the main character is made more and more inhuman as the plot develops, removing all affiliation you feel towards him at the start of the book.
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, despite your hopes for a plot change of some sort along the way.
Another big problem is that the main character is made more and more inhuman as the plot develops, removing all affiliation you feel towards him at the start of the book.
March 7, 2019
I previously was of the opinion that Jeffrey Archer wrote trash books, as that is what I've heard whenever people speak of his writing. Whilst from a literary stand point they may be trash, I am pleased to come to the realisation that from an entertainment standpoint they really are quite entertaining and enjoyable. I previously liked The Eleventh Commandment and seeing this, A Matter of Honour, buried in a pile of paperbacks I thought I'd dig it out and give it a shot - I was not disappointed. Not at all.
Set in 1966 A Matter of Honour is quite the spy romp, whilst the main character himself isn't a spy per se, he nonetheless is thrust into the world of international men of mystery when his father bequests to him an envelope within which is a letter from Hermann Goring (the German Reichsmarschall) containing instructions enabling him to collect a Russian artifact which was seized by the Nazis.
Whilst the plot itself is out there, it's not so out there that it ruins the story with a lack of belief, instead the reader is drawn into a battle between the average ordinary man and forces he doesn't initially understand and that have vastly more resources at their disposal.
The story stretches across Europe as the protagonist tries desperately to get home to England with seemingly the world on his heels.
One might even dare to say the finale of the book was even exciting.
Set in 1966 A Matter of Honour is quite the spy romp, whilst the main character himself isn't a spy per se, he nonetheless is thrust into the world of international men of mystery when his father bequests to him an envelope within which is a letter from Hermann Goring (the German Reichsmarschall) containing instructions enabling him to collect a Russian artifact which was seized by the Nazis.
Whilst the plot itself is out there, it's not so out there that it ruins the story with a lack of belief, instead the reader is drawn into a battle between the average ordinary man and forces he doesn't initially understand and that have vastly more resources at their disposal.
The story stretches across Europe as the protagonist tries desperately to get home to England with seemingly the world on his heels.
One might even dare to say the finale of the book was even exciting.
September 18, 2017
It has been a while since I have read a Cold War mystery / thriller, and I was pleasantly surprised I enjoyed it seeing as how the Cold War is allegedly over and we know how it ended - but then again this is Jeffrey Archer we're talking about so it was worth a try.
Needless to say, I was not disappointed. In true Archer fashion, he quickly gets you into the heads of the characters - both the good and bad guys - and you can really relate to their perspective on life. Archer has finely crafted action scenes, as well as the buildup to the "dramatic conclusion" that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I was traveling a lot when I started this one, and I had to start and stop a lot of times as I just didn't have my normal amount of time to read. That wasn't a good thing, as Archer had hooked me pretty good and I kept getting impatient on wanting to get back to the tale. If you're looking for a good page-turner of a mystery, I highly recommend this one!
Needless to say, I was not disappointed. In true Archer fashion, he quickly gets you into the heads of the characters - both the good and bad guys - and you can really relate to their perspective on life. Archer has finely crafted action scenes, as well as the buildup to the "dramatic conclusion" that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I was traveling a lot when I started this one, and I had to start and stop a lot of times as I just didn't have my normal amount of time to read. That wasn't a good thing, as Archer had hooked me pretty good and I kept getting impatient on wanting to get back to the tale. If you're looking for a good page-turner of a mystery, I highly recommend this one!
September 9, 2011
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 businessman in 1916.
Finally, after much adventure, the armature does beat the professionals of Russia, the US and England and survives inspite of not knowing whether the secret service of his own country is leaking his whereabouts to the Russian Romanov and manages to bring the icon back to England and disposes it off in the best manner possible.
Delightful reading!
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 businessman in 1916.
Finally, after much adventure, the armature does beat the professionals of Russia, the US and England and survives inspite of not knowing whether the secret service of his own country is leaking his whereabouts to the Russian Romanov and manages to bring the icon back to England and disposes it off in the best manner possible.
Delightful reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2012
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 although gorey was very well written. His characters are very believable.
Now intend to work my way through all his books that i haven't already read.
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 although gorey was very well written. His characters are very believable.
Now intend to work my way through all his books that i haven't already read.
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