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Robert Ludlum
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The Matlock Paper Paperback – August 1, 1989

by Robert Ludlum (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 574 ratings
See all formats and editions
The name on the computer screen is James Barbour Matlock, college professor and Vietnam veteran. He’s Washington’s choice to stop a far-reaching conspiracy in an undercover assignment destined to put his neck against the razor’s edge of danger. But the faceless men behind the scenes don’t care if it means savaging the woman he loves or trapping him in a maze of unrelenting terror. They just care about one thing: Matlock is the perfect man for the job—and the reason why is disturbing, explosive, and extremely deadly.
 
Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Matlock Paper
 
“A sure winner . . . fast paced, suspenseful, and bound to keep you turning the pages.”—The Denver Post
 
“A 110% story all in overdrive . . . Ludlum writes better and better.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
“Suspense, violence, and total readability.”—Chicago Tribune
Previous page
  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bantam
  4. Publication date
    August 1, 1989
  5. Dimensions
    4.21 x 1.01 x 6.87 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0553279602
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0553279603
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Matlock Paper
 
“A sure winner . . . fast paced, suspenseful, and bound to keep you turning the pages.”—The Denver Post
 
“A 110% story all in overdrive . . . Ludlum writes better and better.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
“Suspense, violence, and total readability.”—Chicago Tribune

From the Publisher

The name on the computer screen is James Barbous Matlock. Vietnam veteran. College professor. He's Washington's choice to stop a far-reaching conspiracy, an undercover assignment destined to put Matlock's neck against the razor's edge of danger. And the faceless men in Washington don't care if it means savaging the women Matlock loves, or trapping Matlock in a maze of unrelenting terror. They care about just one thing: that Matlock is the perfect man for the job...for a reason that is disturbing, violent, and extremely deadly.

"A sure winner...fast paced, suspenseful, and bound to keep you turning the pages." --The Denver Post

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bantam (August 1, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0553279602
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553279603
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.21 x 1.01 x 6.87 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 574 ratings

About the author

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Robert Ludlum

Robert Ludlum

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Robert Ludlum was the author of twenty-seven novels, each one a New York Times bestseller. There are more than 225 million of his books in print, and they have been translated into thirty-two languages. He is the author of The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and the Jason Bourne series—The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum—among others. Mr. Ludlum passed away in March, 2001.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
574 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Erika in Santa Fe
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular! At least 6 stars.
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
So much more than a thriller. Incredibly well written; couldn’t put it down. But what. Made it spectacular were the insights into forces that have been, and still are, prevalent in America - lack of support for excellent higher education, racism, drugs and ... money, money, money. Highly, highly recommend!
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Christian D. Orr
4.0 out of 5 stars NOT to be confused with Andy Griffith’s Matlock!
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2021
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Another Ludlum page-turner, filled with the late great author’s typical shadowy & sinister conspiracies, melodramatic (dare I say borderline naive) protagonist, and violent, bloody action (true to form, at least one character gets his throat ripped out by a bullet).

Also provides an interesting snapshot (albeit a fictional one) of campus radicalism, campus drug usage, and organised crime in the early 1970s. And even though Ludlum was decidedly liberal in his political leanings, this novel is nonetheless chockfull of terminology that would be considered way too politically insensitive by today’s PC Cancel Culture standards.

Random Observation: out of the 11 different Ludlum novels I’ve read thus far, this is only the third one in which the entire storyline takes places within the confines of the US of A, a sharp contrast to the international locales of most of his books.

CENTRAL CASTING:

—Matthew McConaughey as James Matlock

—Daniel O’Herlihy as Herron

—Daniel Day-Lewis as Sealfont

—Ali McGraw as Pat Ballentyne
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AntiochAndy
3.0 out of 5 stars Thin Paper
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2005
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I've read a lot of Ludlum's other books. Some of his early works, i.e. RHINEMAN EXCHANGE, GEMINI CONTENDERS, OSTERMAN WEEKEND, are among my favorites. By comparison THE MATLOCK PAPER, another early effort, is somewhat disappointing.

The story is based around an eastern college campus. Matlock, a popular local professor, is tapped by the FBI to infiltrate a crime conspiracy. Like any Ludlum story, there's plenty of action, but the plot was predictable and some of the story elements (especially the local mafiosi and the campus black caucus group) struck me as pretty corny. As a result, despite the fast pace, I never felt the kind of tension that comes with a good Ludlum book.

THE MATLOCK PAPER will keep you turning the pages, but I don't feel it's up to the standard Ludlum usually sets. There are plenty of worse books you could read, but I can't really recommend this one. In my judgement, it's a mediocre three stars.
12 people found this helpful
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Bonnie
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2019
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Ludlum never disappoints! Great story full of suspense and intrigue! Somewhat haunting as it seems so real! Loved the Bourne series as well!
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Dennis W. Taylor
4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining book
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2022
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A very suspenseful thriller.
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Victor
2.0 out of 5 stars Confusing yet predictable, not up to Ludlum standards
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2019
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I did not like this book. The plot was confusing, the characters were predictable and shallow. The whole book was rather annoying
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Paul Matlock
5.0 out of 5 stars and enjoyed it very much
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2017
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This was the first Robert Ludlum novel I read in the early 70s. I bought it as a lark because of the title of the book, and enjoyed it very much. I bought this copy for my son's birthday because of the title.
One person found this helpful
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Senior90
3.0 out of 5 stars It's Ludlum, but....
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2019
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I didn't like the story line. Too far fetched. Somewhere between fantasy and science fiction. Not my kind of thing. I've read several of Ludlum's books. Although excellent writing, this one I could have done without.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Mr Graham Barlow
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2022
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Superb book with many interesting and surprising twists. Its highly recommended. Shows the American university campass in a different light
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Marco
4.0 out of 5 stars Special novel
Reviewed in Italy on August 17, 2017
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In my opinion this is one of the best Ludlum' novel. When you start to read this novel you go into another world. Amazing!
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V.Madhusudhan Reddy
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in India on July 12, 2015
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Good
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Flashback Haresears
3.0 out of 5 stars Reasonable read, but disappointing end
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2020
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The middle to 3rd quarter of the book was probably the best. The climax was disappointing, with the revealing of the bad guy feeling rushed and smudged. Moving on to Ludlum's next...
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Ph BRETON
5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed the story and the way it's written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2013
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I did like it. Not conventional but could be so close to reality. The writer knows how to give you some good happy moments of reading
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