"Breakheart Pass" by Alistair MacLean

After I started this book I was surprised to find out it was a western. I did not expect it from this author. It was a very slow start and the plot was predictable. It was not a bad story but not what you call exciting. Not too many surprises. 

"The Way to Dusty Death" by Alistair MacLean

Behind the scenes Formula 1 racing. A background of criminal activities, rather than about the racing. Lots of mystery until we finally figure it out. An arrogant hero and a leading lady who acts like someone from "The Perils of Pauline".Their conversations are like those from a Sat. afternoon serial movie.

"Bear Island" by Alistair MacLean

This was a very difficult book to keep an interest in. Most of the book seemed to drag along. I wonder why he would have two characters with the same name, with a silly way to tell them apart. Made it difficult to know who he was talking about. Peaked my interest only at the end. Needed a long monologue to explain all that went on.

"Circus" by Alistair MacLean

This is a book of Cold War intrigue but not a book to keep you up late to read the next chapter. To steal plans from a lab in eastern Europe, you would expect an elite team to be sent in or at least a James Bond. In this story, they are sending in a circus. The first thing I noticed was that the author was getting rid of characters fairly soon, narrowing the field for heroes. 
The main character is an aerialist and mentalist whose feats are far-fetched and greatly exaggerated. I find the character unlikable. The main female character is an inept CIA agent, chosen for her looks rather than her intelligence. It's an easy read and might even be considered a YA yarn.

"Caravan to Vaccares" by Alistair MacLean

When I saw a synopsis of this book I thought it had possibilities. In Provence, with Gypsies, might be a good read. But, I'm afraid, I couldn't get through it. Had to quit at 15% read. 

"Puppet on a Chain" by Alistair MacLean

"Puppet on a Chain" is another MacLean spy novel set in the 50's. I did like that it had the morals of the era and a lack of swearing. That's as far as it went. Mjr. Sherman is an ass. I don't know how anyone could work for him or how he got prompted in the first place. Lots of gruesome murders to read about and a drug culture you would expect in Amsterdam. 

"When Eight Bells Toll" by Alistair MacLean

"When Eight Bells Toll" is a spy novel. It is characteristic of that genre written in the 50's. If you replaced the main character Calvert with James Bond, you would get a similar take on the book. It involves piracy on the coast of Scotland with the Secret Service to the rescue. The first part reminds me of the opening of a Bond film, instant excitement before the credits start rolling. Although the action was fairly fast paced, I was not too excited about the ending. The explanation for the sequences of events was long drawn out and tiring. Four stars for me.

"Where Eagles Dare" by Alistair MacLean

"Where Eagles Dare," a book and a movie about British commandos on a WW 2 raid into Germany. I saw the movie more than once and decided to see if the book was anywhere close. I was not disappointed. The book and movie ran along the same lines, although I found the book much more exciting. The start was slow but then it was non-stop action, intrigue and twists to the plot. What I did not like was the continuous flippant remarks by the second in command. Too much for a mission fraught with danger. For those interested in WW 2 commandos, I highly recommend this book.

The Golden Rendezvous by Alistair MacLean

The Golden Rendezvous is a modern tale of pirates. A tramp steamer, with the absurd idea of having A1+ cabins for the ultra rich, meanders from port to port. It is hijacked by some of its own passengers and sails on with murder and mayhem to an expected destination. After a slow start, it is fast paced with excitement reminiscent of James Bond.