Those magic words in a title: "connection," "transfer," "exchange." We know immediately where we stand before opening the book, and so it is in ["The Rhinemann Exchange"]…. Not the details of the plot, of course, but there has to be espionage, counterespionage, action, supermen types (even if supermen in reverse), complication of plot, double-dealing.

"The Rhinemann Exchange" is going to be a paragon in the field. It has everything—espionage, professional killing, the Gestapo, the German High Command, Zionists, Big Business, supercapitalists, infiltration, double-crossing. Name it and it's there. Romance, too….

"The Rhinemann Exchange" is a little too thorough. Ludlum has written a big and ambitious book. He has been loath to drop anything out so it is a bit undisciplined and could have benefited from some cutting. And it is written in breathless, edge-of-Armageddon prose that pants relentlessly along. But … a real storyteller is at work. You'll...