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Ikon
You are about to discover the most devastating political secret of the twentieth century.
IKON.
It's the secret for which President Kennedy was assassinated, President Johnson forced to resign and President Nixon disgraced.
IKON.
Your own life has been lived out in the apocalyptic shadow it has cast since 1962.
IKON.
Dare you discover what it means?
IKON.
It's the secret for which President Kennedy was assassinated, President Johnson forced to resign and President Nixon disgraced.
IKON.
Your own life has been lived out in the apocalyptic shadow it has cast since 1962.
IKON.
Dare you discover what it means?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
12 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Graham Masterton
423 books1,973 followersGraham Masterton was born in Edinburgh in 1946. His grandfather was Thomas Thorne Baker, the eminent scientist who invented DayGlo and was the first man to transmit news photographs by wireless. After training as a newspaper reporter, Graham went on to edit the new British men's magazine Mayfair, where he encouraged William Burroughs to develop a series of scientific and philosophical articles which eventually became Burroughs' novel The Wild Boys.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 7, 2017
“Can you imagine facing Margaret Thatcher again, after you’ve been publicly accused of urolagnia?”
Throw yer copies of "Gravity's Rainbow" and "Underworld" in the bin, lads - *this* is the real deal. 80s political action nonsense thriller, written by a Penthouse editor who got into horror writing then decided to go for the big one and tackle the conspiracies around JFK, Marilyn, Nixon, and any other shit he'd heard of. The sex scenes are... of their time. I warned you. The violence is relentless and absurd. The plot - about how the Soviets have been running America secretly since 1962 - wouldn't convince Chuck Norris for 2 seconds. It's... compelling. Look, copies cost 1p on Amazon these days, don't complain to me if you take a punt on it. Because our actual world would make about 35% more sense if this is the truth, and there are some eerie coincidences, such as the blackmail plot against a President who likes girls being very naughty indeed.
Throw yer copies of "Gravity's Rainbow" and "Underworld" in the bin, lads - *this* is the real deal. 80s political action nonsense thriller, written by a Penthouse editor who got into horror writing then decided to go for the big one and tackle the conspiracies around JFK, Marilyn, Nixon, and any other shit he'd heard of. The sex scenes are... of their time. I warned you. The violence is relentless and absurd. The plot - about how the Soviets have been running America secretly since 1962 - wouldn't convince Chuck Norris for 2 seconds. It's... compelling. Look, copies cost 1p on Amazon these days, don't complain to me if you take a punt on it. Because our actual world would make about 35% more sense if this is the truth, and there are some eerie coincidences, such as the blackmail plot against a President who likes girls being very naughty indeed.
December 21, 2013
Violent and filthy, which is not a bad thing
April 18, 2021
Греъм Мастертън е известен най-вече като автор на ужаси, но в действителност е творец, експериментирал в различни жанрове. Ikon е политически трилър, излязъл през 80-те години, когато светът все още е бил в плен на Студената война. И макар страховете в него да изглеждат опровергани от последвалите исторически събития, той си остава напрегнат и майсторски написан роман, който ще допадне на всеки почитател на качествената остросюжетна литература...
Прочетете цялото ревю на линка!
https://citadelata.com/ikon/
Прочетете цялото ревю на линка!
https://citadelata.com/ikon/
July 6, 2024
Despite being well-written for the most part, this never caught on for me so I quit after a while. The main reason is that it was kind of graphic and the character that is with you at the beginning is just a touch too matter of fact about his brutality.
March 23, 2011
GM is probably best known for his horror books, maybe lesser known for his sex manuals, but he's written a couple of thrillers too. Ikon is a thriller, and in my opinion his best novel. Another thriller, Sacrifice, is also an excellent read. While I enjoy the horror stuff, I can't help wishing GM had turned his hand to a few more thrillers. Ikon is written in the traditional GM style, there's plenty of violence, a bit of sex, stock characters and all the women are attractive in one way or another... but if you don't mind this it's a terrific pulpy thriller with an imaginative plot behind it. Great stuff!
October 9, 2022
Masterson is a skilled writer, but I really didn't like this book. Although the concept of the story is quite cool, the characters were flat. This is especially true for the female characters, whose descriptions are always explicitly sexual. I was really put off by the unnecessary sexual sadism in one scene, and almost stopped reading.
January 30, 2023
To była naprawdę dziwna książka, szeroko zapleciona intryga polityczna wije się pomiędzy poszczególnymi bohaterami tak długo, że sens tego wszystkiego rozumiemy bardzo późno. Oczywiście jako że to Masterton to sceny tortur sprawiają że czytając ma się ciarki.
Niestety nie polubiłam się z bohaterami ani ich wartościami, więc czytałam bez większego zaangażowania.
Niestety nie polubiłam się z bohaterami ani ich wartościami, więc czytałam bez większego zaangażowania.
August 29, 2025
Graham Masterton’s *Ikon* takes readers on a chilling journey into the realm of supernatural horror, featuring a narrative centered around a cursed artifact with malevolent powers. The story unfolds with a gripping premise that promises suspense and eerie thrills as an ancient evil resurfaces in the modern world.
However, it’s evident that the novel reflects its early 2000s origins. Some elements, including certain character archetypes and plot devices, come across as somewhat dated. The depiction of horror tropes and the pacing of the story may feel reminiscent of a bygone era of genre fiction, which can make the book seem less innovative by today’s standards. While the novel presents a compelling core story involving a sinister artifact and its dark influence, it’s clear that the book is a product of its era.
Despite these temporal shortcomings, the core of *Ikon* remains enjoyable. Masterton’s ability to create a tense and atmospheric setting is a highlight, and the central concept of the cursed artifact provides a solid foundation for the narrative. Readers who appreciate classic horror elements and are willing to embrace the novel’s period-specific style will find plenty to engage with. The blend of ancient fears and modern settings offers a nostalgic nod to fans of supernatural thrillers.
In summary, while *Ikon* may not fully stand up to the test of time, it still delivers an engaging and eerie experience. It’s a testament to Masterton’s skill in crafting suspenseful stories, even if the book’s execution feels rooted in a different era of horror fiction.
However, it’s evident that the novel reflects its early 2000s origins. Some elements, including certain character archetypes and plot devices, come across as somewhat dated. The depiction of horror tropes and the pacing of the story may feel reminiscent of a bygone era of genre fiction, which can make the book seem less innovative by today’s standards. While the novel presents a compelling core story involving a sinister artifact and its dark influence, it’s clear that the book is a product of its era.
Despite these temporal shortcomings, the core of *Ikon* remains enjoyable. Masterton’s ability to create a tense and atmospheric setting is a highlight, and the central concept of the cursed artifact provides a solid foundation for the narrative. Readers who appreciate classic horror elements and are willing to embrace the novel’s period-specific style will find plenty to engage with. The blend of ancient fears and modern settings offers a nostalgic nod to fans of supernatural thrillers.
In summary, while *Ikon* may not fully stand up to the test of time, it still delivers an engaging and eerie experience. It’s a testament to Masterton’s skill in crafting suspenseful stories, even if the book’s execution feels rooted in a different era of horror fiction.
August 26, 2020
Gm is one of my favourite authors. I loved the political aspect of it but why I makes it down as 4 stars where I usually put 5 is because of to much explicit sex (I skipped all that) and it is a bit complex . it seemed liked there was 2 different storylines going on at the same time. But that won't stop me wanting to read g m s books.
October 15, 2020
A Good read, nicely paced with a Good twist. Really enjoyed this book
July 23, 2021
Fantastic book! If you like Man in the High Tower you will love this book
January 19, 2024
Niestety postacie płytkie, historia całkiem ciekawa, jednak sposób jej przedstawienia nie bardzo. Przez wielki sentyment do pisarza liczyłem na dużo więcej.
January 19, 2016
This is a Graham Masterton thriller along the lines of THE SWEETMAN CURVE and FAMINE. The book begins with an encounter between a middle-aged widow and a mysterious man that ends with her brutal murder and beheading. Hints from the author let us know that this woman was Marilyn Monroe, which means that her 1962 death was a fake. Why would people want Marilyn Monroe dead 20+ years after her death? And why take her head?
The reasons are revealed gradually, and I won't spoil them. Along the way, we are introduced to numerous Masterton-type characters. Tough cops. Sexy women who like powerful men. Strong, silent types. Native Americans with chips on their shoulders. And, of course, there is brutal violence and gratuitous (and sometimes brutal) sex.
It feels like you are reading an action movie, and it's fun, if any of what I've described above sounds like you'd enjoy it.
The reasons are revealed gradually, and I won't spoil them. Along the way, we are introduced to numerous Masterton-type characters. Tough cops. Sexy women who like powerful men. Strong, silent types. Native Americans with chips on their shoulders. And, of course, there is brutal violence and gratuitous (and sometimes brutal) sex.
It feels like you are reading an action movie, and it's fun, if any of what I've described above sounds like you'd enjoy it.
February 18, 2021
What if the biggest conspiracy theory was actually true?
Ikon is the code name for the person who really runs American. It's also a secret and any chance of it being revealed is brutally dealt with. The problem is that someone wants it revealed, a rival to Ikon.
Most of the people know nothing about this and live in ignorant bliss. But when they end up in the situation where the truth is about to be revealed there lives are turned upside down. This is what has happened to Daniel, a diner owner, who's friend in the Air Force suddenly dies. Trying to find out what has happened just leads to more trouble.
This is extremely violent, but what would you expect from Graham Masterton. As entertaining as this is, it is a bit disjointed and you are left wondering why there are so many story lines at times. Then the ending is sudden and quick and oddly unsatisfying.
Worth reading as long as you can stand the blood.
Ikon is the code name for the person who really runs American. It's also a secret and any chance of it being revealed is brutally dealt with. The problem is that someone wants it revealed, a rival to Ikon.
Most of the people know nothing about this and live in ignorant bliss. But when they end up in the situation where the truth is about to be revealed there lives are turned upside down. This is what has happened to Daniel, a diner owner, who's friend in the Air Force suddenly dies. Trying to find out what has happened just leads to more trouble.
This is extremely violent, but what would you expect from Graham Masterton. As entertaining as this is, it is a bit disjointed and you are left wondering why there are so many story lines at times. Then the ending is sudden and quick and oddly unsatisfying.
Worth reading as long as you can stand the blood.
July 31, 2010
Air Force Major Willie Monahan, an expert in advanced forms of radar and guided missiles, has disappeared. Hid friend Dan Korvitz wants to find him. Instead he finds a conspiracy, which has been draining us since the sixties, and interweaving plots of mounting horror. Only immediate, drastic action can save us from a betrayal so vast, so deep-rooted that it will destroy not only America but the American Dream.
A huge plot threatens America and a journalist and diner owner do the best they can to savce their country. The book started out to be intriguing, but one storyline could have been excluded to shorten the book up, it dragged in the middle, but the end was decent.
There was one explicit sex scene that took away from the book.
A huge plot threatens America and a journalist and diner owner do the best they can to savce their country. The book started out to be intriguing, but one storyline could have been excluded to shorten the book up, it dragged in the middle, but the end was decent.
There was one explicit sex scene that took away from the book.
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
March 15, 2023
Typical political thriller with a pretty interesting conspiracy, but I just personally don’t get much out of books relating to governmental affairs.
April 18, 2017
Éste es, de momento, el mejor thriller no-sobrenatural de Masterton que he leído. La historia, que trata sobre una gigantesca conspiración soviética que controla los EUA desde la crisis de los misiles de Cuba, es tan loca y desmadrada que se la tiene que querer a la fuerza. Dobles y triples agentes, torturas y sexo usado para coaccionar y dominar son sus elementos más destacados, amén del consabido gusto de GM por el gore más chocante y esa mezcla de nihilismo y fino humor negro que le caracteriza.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews