The Chancellor Manuscript

A Novel

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

“[The Chancellor Manuscript] exerts a riveting appeal, as it seems to justify our worst nightmares of what really goes on in the so-called intelligence community in Washington.” (The New York Times Book Review)

Did J. Edgar Hoover die a natural death? Or was he murdered?

When a group of high-minded and high-placed intellectuals known as Inver Brass detect a monstrous threat to the country in Hoover’s unethical use of his scandal-ridden private files, they decide to do away with him - quietly, efficiently, with no hint of impropriety. Then best-selling thriller writer Peter Chancellor stumbles onto information that makes his previous books look like harmless fairy tales.

Now Chancellor and Inver Brass are on a deadly collision course, spiraling across the globe in an ever-widening arc of violence and terror. All roads lead to a showdown that will rip the nation’s capital apart - leaving only one damning document to survive.

Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Chancellor Manuscript:

“Ludlum stuffs more surprises into his novels than any other six-pack of thriller writers combined.” (The New York Times)

“A roaring ride on a roller coaster of suspense.” (The Pittsburgh Press)

“Powerhouse momentum...as shrill as the siren on the prowl car.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“A complex scenario of inventive double-crossing.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

©2012 Robert Ludlum (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[The Chancellor Manuscript] exerts a riveting appeal, as it seems to justify our worst nightmares of what really goes on in the so-called intelligence community in Washington." (The New York Times Book Review)

“Ludlum stuffs more surprises into his novels than any other six-pack of thriller writers combined.” (The New York Times)

“Engrossing... pure, adrenaline-raising escapism.” (King Features Syndicate)

Ludlum is Terrific

It had been awhile since reading a Ludlum novel. Listening to this book reminded me of the great skill and writing style he has. Truly a masterfully written story. A page turner you hate to have end.

A little dated

I used to like these books, but I remember the super convoluted stories and it requires patience.

Ludlum is the master sortteller

Ludlum was the ultimate story teller of the last century with plots that are so real today.

page-turner par excellence

not just mystery, but much food for thought about the nature of Good and Evil. Well worth the read.

Good listen

I love Ludlem. Read all his books when I was a kid. I really enjoy listening to them now. Though this reader was a little less entertaining than the others

Dated

Many years ago I read several Ludlum books and loved them. Now decades later I have picked up a couple including Chancellor Manuscript and am left wondering what I saw in this author at the time.

This book misses on several levels.

ONE: the writing style is very dated. Thrillers have gone through a metamorphosis over the last 40 years. Writers like James Patterson have changed how we the audience interact with the written word. The Chancellor Manuscript reads like the 39 Steps. The language is stilted and the dialog far removed from daily life.

TWO: The plot. Its structured around Hoovers death and the files he kept on people in order to hold sway over them. This was news back in the day and the readers must have had that extra involvement, but now its ancient history and so much of the plot centers around this and a conspiracy that feels bland.

THREE: Story structure. The story is told mostly in the 3rd person. Its raw. The story moves from one character to another in strange ways. Its slow. The story meanders from one point to the next not giving the audience very much.

So...
- Narration is not great. I think this narration might be 30 years old. I remember this narrator from back in the day. He's not very good.
- Dialog is poor. No one talks like the characters here do. Very badly done.
- Female characters are 2 dimensional. Think James Bond babe and nothing else.
- Protagonist is dumb. The main character here 'Peter Chancellor', is a smart author uncovering international conspiracies, but he acts like a dupe from page to page.

Skip this book. Its not good.