The Judas Gate [Hardcover]

Filled with international intrigue, great action and scene setting, this is a very good book.

Would probably have enjoyed it more if I had read earlier books in the Sean Dillon series, but that is no reason not to read this fine work. There were just times, early on, as characters were being introduced, that I sensed I was missing something in their relationships and interactions, references to earlier adventures, challenges and books.

Frankly, reading this book, its quality, suspense and mystery, has convinced me to go back and start at the very beginning of the series.

What's this book about? Supposed good guys helping the definitely bad guys kill Allied soldiers (good guys), Dillon's tracking them down with suspense, surprises,twists and turns on every page.

Even if this is your first Higgins/Dillon book, go for it. You won't regret it!!!

A cerebral action read.
Ambivalence is my general feeling about Jack Higgins' latest novel Judas Gate. It was not what I expected from the several book synopses that I read. I was thinking this would be about a manhunt in Afghanistan or the surrounding region for the British turncoat known a Shamrock. Instead, it was a drawn out story about the legacy of the Irish "Troubles". Most of the usual Higgins characters were involved as they plotted and discussed the who, what and where of Shamrock. Included was the normal cast of Muslim terrorists but missing was the action. Much of Higgins' tale was verbal interaction between the cast of characters. Now don't get me wrong, there were some action scenes but they were few and far between with lots of characters talking, planning, and discussing a variety of issues. All in all this was more of a cerebral thriller: Lots of mental gymnastics with short spurts of physical action.
The plot was an interesting one involving the voice of a turncoat British agent heard on a dead American's hot mike after the ambush of 12 American Rangers and responding British helicopter medical team. All were killed. The hot mike tape was analyzed and the findings sent to British Intelligence for review and action. Sean Dillon is summoned and put on the case to find the traitor. From there, the story very slowly unfolds.
Again, The Judas Gate is more about thinking than doing, searching than finding. Thus, my ambivalence about this novel. I was expecting something else as the thesis was a very good one. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the story but to a lesser extent. I've read other Higgins novels and have come to the conclusion that this is just the way he writes: Not quite totally cerebral like John Le Carre, and most definitely not in the action genre of Vince Flynn--an interesting in between. I pound on this to make sure new Higgins readers knows what they are going to get. Still, overall I did enjoy The Judas Gate.
Character development was good. Jack Higgins does a more than adequate job of developing his characters. This helped save this novel.
No gratuitous language, sex, or violence. Mainly dialog interaction between the main players.
Mediocre recommend. Best to wait for the paperback or get the hardback from your local library. Again, Not an action thriller but more of a cerebral action read.

The Judas Gate is another great offering from Jack Higgns featuring one of the best protagonists evr, Sean Dillon. If you never read Jack Higgins before read The Judas Gate then go back and start from the begining. You will be richly rewarded.