I have to say movie always made me feel dizzy because I was never able to figure out what is up and what is down. And this kept me away from this gem of a thriller.

So I picked it up recently and I have to say movie does not make it justice at all.

In a center of the story are 4 married couples - Ostermans, Tanners, Cardones and Tremaynes. All good friends and all joining on almost regular basis during their regular gathering, weekend called Osterman weekend.

All couples are pretty successful in their fields - economics, news, movies - and have good career and personal lives (some even living in same area).

In a rather elaborate plan to capture elusive KGB sleeper cell in USA, CIA contacts Tanners and explains that their regular hangout weekend with other couples will turn into a surveillance mission and KGB sleeper cell hunt. Apparently one (or all) of the couples is working for the Russians and there is no other way to flush them out. Tanner of course cannot believe it but very soon he will start wandering if CIA is on target.

And here story kicks in. What I liked the most is the way couples are portrayed - these are people that love each other, actually behave like they are in marriage and are ready to do whatever is required to help their spouse. There is no usual modern marriage issues and I liked this a lot. Do they quarrel, sure do but they always try to solve the problems which was quite refreshing when compared with modern view of "that other annoying one" which I find silly.

In any case it is clear form the start that couples have secrets they keep from their friends (who does not lets be honest) but this only helps fomenting the suspicion and constant thinking what was meant by this or that expression or word. Everyone is a suspect.

Level of paranoia, constant second guessing [by Tanner] who of his friends is a bad guy, coupled with some serious mind messing stuff makes this story quite a thriller that does not stop until the very end. This one had me glued from the start.

Highly recommended to all fans of good thriller story. ( )

Omega es el nombre clave de una organización secreta procedente del bloque comunista. Sus fines son provocar el caos en el mundo occidental.

Different from the movie but an intriguing alternate ending. Considering that it was written in the 1970s, I thoroughly enjoyed it. ( )

I really liked the movie back in the 80s. Hard to say why. Great cast and a kid with a crossbow. The book is more detailed and complex. Great story of a Soviet plot to break business and professional leaders through blackmail. The idea was to release damaging data or turn people in attempt to destroy the American economy. Misdirection and suspicion drives four couples to the edge. Friends mistrusted friends all caught up in finding out who among them worked for the Soviet Project called Omega.

(Written on my iPhone) ( )

I hadn't read any Ludlum in years and years and years. I don't know if my tastes have changed or if this one just wasn't one of his best, but I found the plot to be a bit ludicrous and the suspense extremely underwhelming. I don't recall that it was ever characterizations that were Ludlum's forte, but I do recall some really exciting plots. I'm going to keep re-reading these, though, since I recall really enjoying the heck out of him back in the day. Stay tuned! ( )