''The Matlock Paper'' is the third suspense novel by

Robert Ludlum Robert Ludlum (May 25, 1927 – March 12, 2001) was an American author of 27 thriller novels, best known as the creator of Jason Bourne from the original '' The Bourne Trilogy'' series. The number of copies of his books in print is estimated b ...

, in which a solitary protagonist comes face to face with a massive criminal conspiracy. Its protagonist, James Barbour Matlock, is an English professor in his 30s who is recruited by the

Department of Justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

to investigate a drug smuggling ring, led by a mysterious figure named "

Nimrod Nimrod (; ; arc, ܢܡܪܘܕ; ar, نُمْرُود, Numrūd) is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis and Books of Chronicles. The son of Cush and therefore a great-grandson of Noah, Nimrod was described as a king in the land of ...

". The novel is set at the fictitious Carlyle University in

Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its capita ...

, a thinly disguised

Wesleyan University Wesleyan University ( ) is a private liberal arts university in Middletown, Connecticut. Founded in 1831 as a men's college under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church and with the support of prominent residents of Middletown, the col ...

in Middletown, Ludlum's alma mater.

Publication history

*1973, US, Dial Press , Pub date April 1973, Hardback *1974, US, Dell , Pub date April 15, 1974, Paperback *1973, UK, Grafton Pub date July 9, 1973, Hardback *2002, UK, HarperCollins , Pub date April 15, 2002, Paperback Novels by Robert Ludlum 1973 American novels Novels set in Connecticut Wesleyan University Nimrod {{1970s-thriller-novel-stub