I've read this novel awhile back. You may be familiar with its film adaptation with Denzel Washington. If you're a film freak like I am, you've probably seen the 1987 adaptation with Scott Glenn. I have to say that it's one of the best action thrillers that I've ever read. The story concerns a former French Foreign Legionnaire and current alcoholic washout, Creasy, who's come to Italy to drink himself to death. His friend Guido gets him a job working as a bodyguard for a wealthy family, and as a result, Creasy befriends their daughter Pinta. Slowly but surely, he starts coming out of his shell... then she gets kidnapped. Then she dies during the ordeal, the perpetrators escaping justice. Creasy is not happy. After stopping in Malta to get himself back in combat shape, Creasy gears himself up for a private war...