Robert Ludlum's 'Bourne' series has made waves in recent years as film versions of each novel have exploded onto the big screen. But his numerous other works have long held an appeal among readers of popular fiction. Published in 1978, The Holcroft Covenant follows a New York architect who inherits several hundred million dollars as part of a covert Nazi pact.
In the final stages of World War II amidst the downfall of the Third Reich, Nazi financiers secretly made plans for a futur
e they'd never see. The plot, involving hundreds of millions of dollars, would involve their descendants in a worldwide effort to 'reconcile' with the victims of Hitler's atrocities. Over three decades later, Noel Holcroft (son of the chief financier) is summoned to Geneva to be let in on the pact. Together with the descendants of the other two financiers, Holcroft is bequeathed the money to be incorporated--supposedly--in compensating war victims and their families.
In the final stages of World War II amidst the downfall of the Third Reich, Nazi financiers secretly made plans for a futur
e they'd never see. The plot, involving hundreds of millions of dollars, would involve their descendants in a worldwide effort to 'reconcile' with the victims of Hitler's atrocities. Over three decades later, Noel Holcroft (son of the chief financier) is summoned to Geneva to be let in on the pact. Together with the descendants of the other two financiers, Holcroft is bequeathed the money to be incorporated--supposedly--in compensating war victims and their families. .
Such a noble purpose is indeed worth the time and effort--removed from his job as a New York City architect--needed to connect with his two co-inheritors. But things are hardly as straightforward as the Swiss banker made it sound in Geneva. 'Other' people, apparently in on things all along, now seek to alter the pact's 'intentions' by eliminating its major players--essentially marking Noel as a wanted man. With every step a potential pitfall, Noel embarks on seeking out the other two benefactors--both still in Germany--to help follow through on his father's wishes, doing his best to navigate a maze of treacherous leads and misinformation along the way.
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The 'spy' label tagged to this book may not work as well as 'thriller'; a not just action-packed but action-paced story, riding one adventure into another up until the final confrontation. Even as it relegates the plot's finer points into the background leaving its share of stones unturned, readers won't have a problem attaching interest to the protagonist throughout his various escapades, compelled along by the action and suspense toward a worthy climax. Those familiar with Ludlum will recognize his tried-and-true methodology of interweaving characters and multiple settings, a combination always making for a gripping page turner.
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