The Last Frontier

Written by Alistair MacLean

Narrated by Richard Trinder

An undercover mission beyond the Iron Curtain to recover a defected scientist goes disastrously wrong – a classic early Cold War thriller from the acclaimed master of action and suspense.

Doctor Jennings, a noted scientist in possession of a precious secret, has gone over to the Soviet Union. It is Michael Reynolds’ mission to get him back.

To penetrate behind the Iron Curtain and reach his quarry will be difficult enough, especially with the fearsome Hungarian Secret Police watching his every move.

Then, from inside that terrifying organisation, comes the offer of help – the question is: can it be trusted?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9780008461843

Alistair MacLean

Alistair MacLean, the son of a minister, was brought up in the Scottish Highlands. In 1941 he joined the Royal Navy. After the war he read English at Glasgow University and became a teacher. Two and a half years spent aboard a wartime cruiser gave him the background for HMS Ulysses, his remarkably successful first novel, published in 1955. He is now recognized as one of the outstanding popular writers of the 20th century, the author of 29 worldwide bestsellers, many of which have been filmed.

Reviews for The Last Frontier

[antiquary_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A British agent is sent to kidnap and return a British scientist who has defected to the Communists.

[ponsonby_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I first read this book many years ago and have not forgotten it so recently reacquired it after some searching. It is one of MacLean's earliest books, and consequently one of his best. The story of an English agent's attempt to recover a defected scientist, it is also a detailed description of cold war secret police tactics but also a work urging rconciliation as the only way forward. Set in Hungary just after the 1956 uprising (and written in 1959) it is authentic in atmosphere and moves swiftly with a cast of finely drawn characters. Just one query - miuch is made in the book of the winter snow and cold everywhere - why does the cover of my edition shows green hillsides? Don't they read the books before designing covers?

[.monkey.-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An action-packed thriller, if you've read any MacLean you know how it goes. Witty banter, heroic men, impossible challenges, fun for all!

[tadad_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite MacLean books. It was also published as The Last Frontier.

[nwdavies-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first spy thriller I've read by Alistair Maclean and I really enjoyed it. Here's another author I can get going on. The list grows :)

[jeffome · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am reading all the MacLean adventures in order of publication, and this being number 4, was quite a disappointment compared to the previous 3. That's not to say that there were no exciting moments, because there were.....but it was really long on the question of moral authority of Westerners passing judgement on the proper way to assist in the ending of Communism behind the iron curtain, in this case, Hungary. A fascinating look at what may have been happening in Hungary....sad for sure.....and maybe it is dated to the point that it no longer has the impact with that iron curtain gone that it had when this was written. I just found myself working at keeping the book going rather than being unable to put it down. A little sappier than the others, but the moral argument did make me think......it was just too much....but i know there are many others to go and i will hope this is the anomaly.

[wfzimmerman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Early Maclean. Gripping story of spy undercover in Communist Hungary. One of his best.