On Dangerous Ground

by Jack Higgins

Book Overview

As 1997 approaches, England's prime minister learns of a secret document signed by Mao Tse-tung that could delay the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong for an additional 100 years. The British hire former terrorist Sean Dillon to keep the document from coming to light, before parties in Hong Kong retrieve it and destroy the balance of world power.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399139338
• ISBN13: 9780399139338
• Release Date: March 1994
• Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A rattling good yarn!

In China, in 1944, in the waning days of WW2, a document was signed by Mao Tse Sung and witnessed by Lord Louis Nountbatten, on behalf of Winston Churchill. This document, the Chungking Covenant, guaranteed continued rights to the British to accupy Hong Kong for yet another 100 years. The plane on which Scottish Officer, Ian Campbell and the Covenant was flying, crashed but Campbell , barely alive, was rescued by his batman and returned to England, never to regain his wits.Fifty years later as the time approaches for the handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese, the now aged batman reveals the presence of the Covenant to be hidden somewhere in the grounds of Campbell's castle in the Highlands of Scotland and both British Intelligence forces and the Mafia, who hold huge interests in Hong Kong, are anxious to acquire the document. The Brits hire Sean Dillon, former IRA operative and general mercenary to many countries (but definitely an almost good guy) to act on their behalf and to vie with a mysterious American millionaire, to get the document. If you like action thrillers with plenty going on, you'll love this as I did...it would make a marvellous movie!

James Bond

The plot of the book will keep you reading, at first the three stories will make you ask many things about the real plot, but when the three stories merge and start the main story of the book you won't be able to leave the book, nevertheless, at the end of it is like a James Bond movie with a new star Sean Dillon instead of Sean Connery.The story is good but it has his details that any secret agent would never do, for example to trust blindly Asta and try her to be against her step father.Read it!

This book, of all of Higgins' is the best, and ive read them

This book is an easy read.It is fast paced and I lovbe it

An action packed novel from start to finish

This was the first Jack Higgins book I've read and it certainly won't be the last! The characters were well developed from the start and seemed likeable... although they don't act morally all the time. The plot concerns the handing over of Hong Kong in 1997 and with HK just being handed back to China, it's a timely read. Our main character is Sean Dillion, a former notorious mercenary and gifted thespian, who now works for the British government. His boss is Charles Ferguson, an astute man with worldly experience in international matters. Making up our trios of heroes is Hannah Bernstein, appointed secretary to Ferguson and also chief of Scotland Yard. The foes they come up against are the Mafia in the form of Carl Morgan, his step-daughter Asta and other assorted baddies around to thwart the deeds of our gallant protagonists, who are trying to recover a signed form stating that HK will stay independent until another 100 years. This letter of priceless importance is located in the highlands of Scotland. There, the two forces battle it out with wits and a deadly game of cat-and-mouse until there is only one winner! A great novel with enough twists to make a dry martini drunk! Read it and expect to be thrilled... until you read it again, anyway!

Best Jack Higgins Book

I only read this book because I was bored one day. It was my husbands and he had never read it yet. I started and could not put it down. Dillon is an incredible character Asta, was equally good. One of the best books I have ever read. It only took me a few hours to read it cover to cover. Keep them coming this good