Violent groups remain unaware, however, that they are mere pawns of the Matarese. The Matarese foster chaos in governments through financial control and political upheaval, like a puppeteer. This is a lightning-paced spy thriller with more globe-trotting action than any ten others in the genre combined, yet on some level, it comes off as eerily plausible. Brandon Scofield and Vasili Taleniekov have been on a collision course for decades, but now the Russian will secretly reach out to his deadliest enemy in order to prevent the Matarese from controlling the world. Two men on opposite sides, both the best in their field, are on the receiving end of one order: unsalvageable. It began in the hills of Corsica decades before, and now moves covertly in the shadows. Two high level executions are mere tests of controlled reactions by a group whose name is not even whispered within the hallowed corridors of power in Washington or Russia. It is the perfect word to describe the narrative between the covers of this terrific thriller. Riveting is a word too often used by publishers attempting to hype their book and generate sales. A spy thriller this wildly entertaining isn't supposed to give you such pause afterward, as you look around the globe, yet it does. Written decades ago, the story-line of Matarese Circle seems almost prophetic despite it being dated, the world finally catching up to the plot. What it lacks in literary aspirations it more than makes up for in sheer excitement and fun. R Some spy novels get better and more relevant with age, and Robert Ludlum's fabulous The Matarese Circle falls into that category. Some spy novels get better and more relevant with age, and Robert Ludlum's fabulous The Matarese Circle falls into that category.