From Publishers Weekly
Larkin (The Tribune) picks up the reins for the fifth entry in the Ludlum-spawned Covert-One biotech series (The Altman Code; etc.), bringing to the task a solid intelligence, some really scary nanotechnology and a writing style that sometimes lapses into cliché but always gets the job done. FBI Deputy Assistant Director Kit Pierson and her CIA counterpart, Hal Burke, are secretly working on an operation to destroy the Lazarus Movement, an environmental group run amok. Once a legitimate organization, the Lazarus Movement has been taken over by an evil scientist whose goal is—you guessed it—world domination. Thrust into the middle of this deadly struggle is series hero Lt. Col. Jon Smith, M.D., a scientist and operative for Covert-One, a super top-secret intelligence unit. When the Lazarus Movement's attack on a biotech lab releases a deadly brew of nanophages, microscopic killer devices that turn those unlucky enough to inhale them into piles of "reddish liquid sludge," some start to think that the movement's diabolical leader envisions a vastly depopulated world that he can redesign into an environmental paradise. The action careens from continent to continent, with the bad guys always a few steps ahead of the heroes. Eventually, everyone ends up on an island in the Azores, where, after a deadly firefight and some last-minute reversals, the inevitable conclusion arrives. Hand-to-hand action, intriguing science and plot speed will keep most techno-thriller readers nailed to their seats. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile
The frightening world of eco-terrorism is the focus of the fifth Covert One novel. A series of particularly horrible deaths is linked to the Lazarus Movement, a militant environmental group. Covert One task force leader Lieutenant Colonel Jon Smith discovers that Lazarus is being used as a cover for a much deadlier group of men who will stop at nothing to achieve world domination. Scott Brick continues to demonstrate that he is one of the major figures in audiobook narration. Without resorting to theatrics and unnatural vocal changes, Brick skillfully infuses all the characters with distinct personalities while keeping Larkin's balance between cutting-edge science and breathtaking action. J.L.C. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Since his death in 2001, Ludlum has joined the ever-expanding ranks of such authors as V. C Andrews, Lawrence Sanders, and William Coughlin who are writing from beyond the grave. His latest Covert-One novel (written with the able "assistance" of Patrick Larkin) proves that even being entombed six feet under has not hampered his ability to write intricately plotted, action-packed spy yarns. Bioterrorists have gotten hold of some nasty nanophages (submolecular organic machines) that cause humans to dissolve into a pool of bloody slime (described quite graphically) and have no qualms about releasing them on the unsuspecting public. As the body count racks up into the thousands, the evidence seems to point to a militant environmental group, the Lazarus Movement, as the culprit. Unfortunately for the bad guys, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Smith (last seen in The Altman Code, 2003), not only a medical doctor and an expert in molecular biology but also an operative for the president's personal, supersecret intelligence agency Covert-One, has been assigned to investigate. Assisted by CIA agent Randi Russell and Peter Howell of British MI-6, Smith rappels (literally) from one perilous situation to the next. A bit over the top but a fast read and sure to delight fans of both espionage and the technothriller. Michael Gannon
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
The thrilling new novel in the bestselling Covert-One series. The previous Covert-One audiobook, Robert Ludlum’s The Altman Code, spent three months on the Publishers Weekly Audio Bestseller list
n the increasingly turbulent atmosphere of international politics, the once-grassroots anti-globalization movement has been slowly absorbed and taken over by the underground radical anti-technology group fronted by the mysterious figure known only as Lazarus. All attempts to infiltrate the group have failed, the intelligence agents involved have all disappeared without a trace. Now a sudden surge in the “deep chatter” detected by U.S. intelligence leads everyone to believe one thing—Lazarus is preparing to make his boldest move yet.
With Lazarus bringing deadly pressure to bear against the leading research facilities focusing on nano-technology, Lt. Col. Jon Smith—publicly a researcher for USAMRIID—is activated by Covert-One to bring his skills to bear in uncovering the truth behind the terrorists. With his friend and cohort CIA agent Randi Russell missing in the field, and with the help of former MI6 agent Peter Howell and computer whiz Marty Zellerbach, Jon Smith must find and uncover the truth about Lazarus where all others have failed. For unbeknownst to the world at large, the Lazarus Movement is only the tip of the iceberg in a scheme that will risk the lives of billions and forever change the world itself.


About the Author
ROBERT LUDLUM was the creator of the Covert-One series as well as the author of more than twenty international bestsellers including The Bourne Identity—the book on which the international hit movie was based.
KEITH FERRELLwas the long-time editor of Omni as well the author of a wide variety of fiction, most recently the novel Passing Judgment.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the increasingly turbulent atmosphere of international politics, the once-grassroots anti-globalization movement has been slowly absorbed and taken over by the underground radical anti-technology group fronted by a mysterious figure known only as Lazarus. All attempts to infiltrate the group have failed; the intelligence agents involved have all disappeared without a trace. Now a sudden surge in the "deep chatter" detected by U.S. intelligence leads everyone to believe one thing--Lazarus is preparing to make his boldest move yet. With Lazarus increasingly bringing deadly pressure to bear against the leading research facilities focusing on nano-technology, Lt. Col. Jon Smith--publicly a researcher for USAMRIID--is activated by Covert-One. With his friend and cohort CIA agent Randi Russell missing in the field, and with the help of former MI6 agent Peter Howell and computer whiz Marty Zellerbach, Jon Smith must find and uncover the truth about the mysterious figure known as Lazarus where all others have failed. For unbeknownst to the world at large, the Lazarus Movement is set to unleash a deadly scheme that will threaten the lives of billions and forever change the nature of the world itself.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile