First rate exciting adventure much better than the movie - even though the movie was quite faithful. This is in part because the first person narration is well done - he has a wry self deprecating sense of humour; the character's mind is a lot more effective than when people talk to him. Also because MacLean's description of the Scottish coast is excellent, full of atmosphere and evocative flavour - you really feel like you're clambering over those rocks, swimming through that freezing ocean, copping those winds, etci.
You can feel the influence of James Bond on this book - the lead, Calvert, is an agent, and he has an "M" type figure, Uncle Arthur, who at times is amusing at other times is annoying. There's a couple of girls - a one time film star and a hot young thing - who recoil from Calvert's violence but understand. There is a reveal of a traitor (is it the millionaire? the film star? Uncle Arthur? There's only a few suspects), some very smart ruthless opponents who manage to get busted, an awful lot of people being kidnapped to make other people keep silent. Entertaining.
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