This book has nothing to do with other works from the same author. It is difficult to believe that this is the same author of bestsellers "Odessa", "Jackal", and so forth. FF even is critic against LeRoux novel, but his is worst. Rather he likes Leroux's style or not, Leroux's book is a classic, while Forsyth's book is only crap.I agree that Lloyd Weber's opera is the best expresion of art regarding the legend of the Phantom. And Leroux's novel is not a great novel, but Leroux created the Phantom, and he has the paternity over all the other books, movies, etc about the character. FF book is a waste of time and money. Don't read it.