The Bancroft Strategy by Robert Ludlum

More from the supernaturally prolific Ludlum, who died in 2001 but continues to produce books from beyond the grave (with the help of ghostwriters and uncredited manuscript polishers). This one's about a former intelligence agent who goes out on his own to rescue a colleague being held by mercenaries. Meanwhile, a banker is poised to inherit a big pile of cash, except that to get the money, she has to serve on the board of a shady family foundation. All the ingredients of overripe Ludlum are here: stodgy dialogue, overwritten exposition, and characters who seem waiting for an actor to bring them to life. For die-hard fans only.