Globe-trotting secret agent Jason Bourne returns in the third installment under the helm of Lustbader, who struggles to captivate as convincingly and effectively as Ludlum did in the original novels. Amid a cheesy prologue that features corny background music to set the mood, Jeremy Davidson speeds through the opening paragraphs at breakneck speed. Perhaps in an attempt to increase tension from the start, Davidson comes off sounding incredibly forced and somewhat uncomfortable. As the story progresses, he slows down but lacks any real authenticity. His characters are flat and uninspired, his performance monotonous and bland. A Grand Central hardcover. (Aug.)

Lustbader's third continuation of Ludlum's popular espionage series (after The Bourne Legacy and The Bourne Betrayal ) finds Jason Bourne trying to unravel the terrorist plot of a previously unknown Muslim group. AudieA Award nominee Jeremy Davidson does an outstanding job creating distinctive voices for the multitude of American, British, and Eastern European characters, but their sheer number and the constant switching of settings will test listeners' attention spans, and the musical cues employed during the action sequences are cheesy. Nevertheless, recommended for public libraries owing to the series' continuing popularity.-Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr. Lib.

"Don't ever begin a Ludlum novel if you have to go to work the next day."—Chicago Sun Times

"Lustbader is an excellent storyteller and is not afraid to keep the twists and turns coming in this sequel...This is an explosive addition to a series with an unrivaled heritage and storied pedigree."—Bookreporter.com on THE BOURNE BETRAYAL

"Reading a Ludlum novel is like watching a James Bond film...slickly paced...all-consuming."—ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"As twisted, dark and exciting as the others."—THE OKLAHOMAN on THE BOURNE SANCTION

"Fasten your seatbelts as the story of Jason Bourne takes off a few seconds into this audio suspense/thriller and continues all the way through. It is an excellently executed and wonderfully recorded book.... Jeremy Davidson has done a superb job....engaging and entertaining."

"Don't ever begin a Ludlum novel if you have to go to work the next day."

"As twisted, dark and exciting as the others."

"Reading a Ludlum novel is like watching a James Bond film...slickly paced...all-consuming."

"Lustbader is an excellent storyteller and is not afraid to keep the twists and turns coming in this sequel...This is an explosive addition to a series with an unrivaled heritage and storied pedigree."

"A hearty serving of meat and potatoes action adventure, just the sort of fare that both Ludlum's and Lustbader's fans relish."

Don't ever begin a Ludlum novel if you have to go to work the next day.

Reading a Ludlum novel is like watching a James Bond film...slickly paced...all-consuming.

With panache Jeremy Davidson depicts Jason Bourne—aka David Webb, linguistics professor—as Bourne rejoins Central Intelligence to search for an extreme Muslim sect suspected of murder. Davidson effectively conveys Bourne's frustration with teaching after his high-risk experiences as a CI agent. The understatement with which Davidson portrays Bourne’s return to life-and-death adventures befits the character. Soon Bourne is up to his neck in trying to stop a lethal plot against the Empire State Building and evading a black-ops assassin who is charged with eliminating him. As the tension builds, Davidson effectively depicts a variety of characters and delivers believable German and Eastern European accents. The high action is further enhanced by sound effects and musical transitions. Ludlum fans will not be disappointed. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine