Kirkus
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Higgins?s heroes save Western Civ for the umpteenth time (most recently in The White House Connection, 1999). Now it?s the filthy rich, incredibly powerful, mindlessly fanatical Rashid family that poses the threat. Half-English, half-Arab and certainly half-mad, these are people for whom hating is an imperative. In particular, they hate the US, ?the Great Satan,? and have decided it?s a good idea to assassinate popular President Jake Cazalet. Or, rather, family head Paul Rashid has decided. His sister and two younger brothers just hang around striking properly worshipful attitudes until Paul assigns them one dirty job or another. But, curses! Even though Higgins?s heroes are at the moment elsewhere deployed, the president?s wonder dog, Murchison, sniffs out and foils the assassination plot in the nick. Undeterred, Paul is instantly ready to plot again, a multiple target this time. Twelve unfortunate sheiks called the Council of Elders have managed to displease him; a bomb should do nicely for them, he informs his biddable sibs. Cue Sean Dillon! Once a terrorist, now England?s ablest counterterrorist, he collects the rest of Higgins?s heroes. First, they save the Elders, then, later, they save the Russian premier?plotting Paul never runs dry. But at last Paul?s hate falls on the recipient Higgins always intended: Sean Dillon. Mano a mano on the roof of Paul?s manor house, they battle ferociously. One of them goes over, one survives. You can guess which? Of course you can, but will this be a case of Moriarity revisited? Guns pop, body bags fill, and featureless characters spout pseudo profundities as impenetrable as: ?You know, I love old movies. So often they depict life in a way life doesn?t.? Your move.