Madame Terror
Encyclopedia
Madame Terror is a 2006 novel by Jan Guillou
, featuring the fictional Swedish spy Carl Hamilton
. It is a thriller novel about the relations between the US and the Arab world. But unlike other thriller novelists, such as Tom Clancy
, this novel is written from the Arabs' point of view, specifically the Palestinians.
(the Swedish Security Service), has (after escaping from Swedish jail, convicted of murder) for ten years been living in the USA. Here he lives under false name (Hamlon) with American citizenship, in La Jolla
, San Diego, keeping his body in shape and getting psychological help. But then on a spring day his old friend, the Palestinian intelligence officer Mouna al Hussaini comes to him with an offer...
The Palestinians have (with the help of the Russians, who want revenge on the Americans for sinking the Kursk
submarine) developed a high-tech alfa class
attack submarine designated the "U-1 Jerusalem". The crew is mixed Russian and Palestinian, but neither group wants be led by one from the other group. They need a leader that is neither Russian nor Palestinian, but who can speak Russian, supports the Palestinians and their cause, has Soviet, Russian and Palestinian medals, has (naval) military background, understands the strategies of war and is a high officer. Only one man fits that description: Carl Hamilton.
Their mission is to destroy the Israeli naval base in Haifa
along with the Israeli fleet. The Americans declare them as terrorists, and with the British, they are hunting the sub (later called "Al-Quds", Arabic for Jerusalem) -- or are they?
Jan Guillou
Jan Oskar Sverre Lucien Henri Guillou is a Swedish author and journalist. Among his books are a series of spy fiction novels about a spy named Carl Hamilton, and a trilogy of historical fiction novels about a Knight Templar, Arn Magnusson...
, featuring the fictional Swedish spy Carl Hamilton
Carl Hamilton (fictional character)
Count Carl Hamilton is a fictional spy created by Jan Guillou and appearing in a number of Guillou's spy novels, as well as film and TV adaptations.-Hamilton's life:...
. It is a thriller novel about the relations between the US and the Arab world. But unlike other thriller novelists, such as Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy
Thomas Leo "Tom" Clancy, Jr. is an American author, best known for his technically detailed espionage, military science, and techno thriller storylines set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War, along with video games on which he did not work, but which bear his name for licensing and...
, this novel is written from the Arabs' point of view, specifically the Palestinians.
Plot
Carl Hamilton, vice-admiral and former chief of SäpoSwedish Security Service
The Swedish Security Service , former name Rikspolisstyrelsens säkerhetsavdelning , is the security service of Sweden, belonging to the Swedish National Police Board....
(the Swedish Security Service), has (after escaping from Swedish jail, convicted of murder) for ten years been living in the USA. Here he lives under false name (Hamlon) with American citizenship, in La Jolla
La Jolla, San Diego, California
La Jolla is an affluent, hilly seaside resort community, occupying of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California within the northern city limits of San Diego. La Jolla had the highest home prices in the nation in 2008 and 2009; the average price of a standardized...
, San Diego, keeping his body in shape and getting psychological help. But then on a spring day his old friend, the Palestinian intelligence officer Mouna al Hussaini comes to him with an offer...
The Palestinians have (with the help of the Russians, who want revenge on the Americans for sinking the Kursk
Russian submarine Kursk explosion
On 12 August 2000, the Russian Oscar II class submarine Kursk sank in the Barents Sea after an explosion. The investigation showed that a leak of hydrogen peroxide in a torpedo led to explosion of its fuel, causing the submarine to hit the bottom which in turn triggered the detonation of further...
submarine) developed a high-tech alfa class
Alfa class submarine
The Soviet Union/Russian Navy Project 705 was a class of hunter/killer nuclear powered submarines. The class is also known by the NATO reporting name of Alfa...
attack submarine designated the "U-1 Jerusalem". The crew is mixed Russian and Palestinian, but neither group wants be led by one from the other group. They need a leader that is neither Russian nor Palestinian, but who can speak Russian, supports the Palestinians and their cause, has Soviet, Russian and Palestinian medals, has (naval) military background, understands the strategies of war and is a high officer. Only one man fits that description: Carl Hamilton.
Their mission is to destroy the Israeli naval base in Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
along with the Israeli fleet. The Americans declare them as terrorists, and with the British, they are hunting the sub (later called "Al-Quds", Arabic for Jerusalem) -- or are they?