The Matarese CircleThe Matarese Circle
Score Classic
What it's about
Brandon Scofield of American intelligence and Vasili Taleniekov of the KGB are the best agents on either side of the Cold War, and each killed someone the other loved. Then both discover that a secret society of assassins, the Matarese, born in Corsica a century ago, is behind killings on both sides and plans to take over the world. The two enemies have to work together.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 14 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. Ludlum's thrillers are fast and twisty, and this is one of his best.
You'll love it if you liked
The Bourne Identity
The Odessa File
The Day of the JackalGood to know
It's long, with many conspiracies within conspiracies. The 1970s spy-world details are part of the fun.
By the numbers
- Readers58 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller58 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #160 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #347 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1171 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Robert Ludlum
The Bourne SupremacyThe Bourne Identity
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Icarus AgendaIf you like this, read next
The Godfather
The Pillars of the Earth
The Robots of Dawn
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Gideon the Ninth
The Tainted CupExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Matarese Circle worth reading?
Yes. It spent 14 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,171 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 71.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Matarese Circle about?
Brandon Scofield of American intelligence and Vasili Taleniekov of the KGB are the best agents on either side of the Cold War, and each killed someone the other loved. Then both discover that a secret society of assassins, the Matarese, born in Corsica a century ago, is behind killings on both sides and plans to take over the world. The two enemies have to work together.
How long does it take to read The Matarese Circle?
About 15 hours (606 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Matarese Circle?
If you liked it, try The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth or The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth.