The Kobra Manifesto

I agree with the reviewer from Ohio that this isn't Hall's finest Quiller novel, but I think he is being much too harsh overall. Kobra Manifesto is still vintage Quiller, with all the psychological and technical detail we've come to expect from this premiere "thinking man's" spy series. I especially enjoyed the 1970's perspective on international terrorism; Carlos the Jackal, the PLA, airplane hijackings, etc. seem positively chic compared to the grim islamic suicide bombers of today. The scene in Phnom Penh as the Khmer Rouge was closing in on the Cambodian capital was another great snapshot of that turbulent era, very vivid and well done. I agree that the ending lacked a certain punch, and the terrorists weren't the most interesting characters (other than the Polish nymphomaniac). Still, for me this was another solid Quiller adventure, which takes us from Italy to London to Cambodia to Washington to Brazil, with assassinations, skyjackings, honey traps and explosions along the way. What's not to like?