You have a feeling right from the beginning that the hero of your novel (always a man) knows exactly what he is doing, (Exception- Fear is the key) and  that no matter what the villain does, the Hero always knows who his man is. (See Ice Station Zebra)

No matter who you are, I have found that it is impossible to identify the villain until the end, if MacLean desires so in a novel. (An excellent example is Ice Station Zebra). A lot of high adventure and novel ideas are usually employed by the Master. (For example, the cable-car incident in Where Eagles Dare)

Humor is not lacking in MacLean’s works. Typically English, there is that slightest nonchalant attitude that sets MacLean apart. (For example, Johnny’s attitude in The Way to Dusty Death).

MacLean’s plots usually allow a woman, to interfere with the hero. No sex or vulgarity at all. All you Nick Carter fans, watch and weep at the Master’s works! An interesting aspect of MacLean is that he has portrayed Women in very different capacities- sometimes as a “comfort” or “cause of concern” for the hero ((Brady’s daughter in Athabasca) sometimes as an accessory (Mary in Where Eagles Dare, or simply as a woman, pursued by romance (Mary in The Black Shrike).

Another oddity of MacLean is that most of  the ladies are either called Mary or Maria (Circus).

I have used the word “women” here. The reason for this is, MacLean portrays them as such! If that does not make much sense, here’s the definition by which I have understood his portrayal of the female of the species-

Noun: woman
 1. an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
 2. (informal) a female person who plays a significant role (wife or mistress or girlfriend) in the life of a particular man.

His works are fast paced, so before you begin reading, make sure you have a drink by your side, near the fireplace, on a cold winter evening and lots of quite. That’s how I like to read books, and you might try it too!