The Golden Gate (MacLean novel)

The Golden Gate is a 1976 thriller novel written by Scottish author Alistair MacLean. The plot centers on a high-profile kidnapping that unfolds amidst the iconic backdrop of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. A group of criminals, posing as a film crew, abduct several prominent figures, including a multi-millionaire oil magnate, his family, and a US Treasury official, holding them hostage within one of the bridge's towers.

The protagonist, Peter Brannigan, a security expert working for the oil magnate, finds himself in a race against time to rescue the hostages and unravel the kidnappers' complex plan. Brannigan must navigate a web of deception and double-crosses, battling not only the criminals but also the conflicting interests of various government agencies. The novel is characterized by MacLean's signature style of suspenseful plotting, intricate twists, and a focus on action and adventure. The story explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the lengths to which individuals will go for power and wealth.