4 Heart Pounding Stars!

Charles Jenkins is an Ex CIA agent. He left the CIA 40 years ago. His old boss approaches him and asks for help with a dangerous new mission in Russia. He needs money because his security business is going bankrupt so he decided to do it. He leaves his pregnant wife, Alex, and his nine year old son, C.J. behind. He travels undercover to Moscow to locate the eighth sister. There are a lot of intense cat and mouse chases. Then Jenkins gets arrested and then we have a courtroom drama.

This is the third book that I have read by Robert Dugoni and he never disappoints. I read two books of his Tracy Crosswhite series and loved both of them. Can't wait to read the rest of that series. This one is the first book of a new series, the Charles Jenkins series. I am not a big fan of spy thrillers but this one is so different and unique. I loved it.

It had everything that I love in a thriller. It has many twists and turns. I was so intrigued. It was like a rollercoaster. My heart was pounding and there were a lot of jaw dropping moments. I was up late at night reading this one because it was so intense at times that I had to read to find out what was going to happen next. I also loved the courtroom drama.

The character dynamics were fantastic and very well done. I really loved Charles Jenkins character. Dugoni makes his characters come to life. He is an excellent writer. I love his writing style.

I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Robert Dugoni, for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent. This was the first book by Robert Dugoni that I have read, but I will definitely seek out more of them now.

Charles Jenkins used to be a spy. After leaving the CIA, he bought some property and gormed a security business. Things aren’t going well, he has one big client who isn’t paying their bills, and he is close to losing everything. So when his old boss from the CIA shows up and wants him to go back to work for them, he sees a way out of his problems.

Both the story about his adventure and the courtroom drama that follows are riveting. Highly recommended. .

This was an interesting sort of political thriller with a CIA and FBI edge. This book went from an ex case officer being reactivated and running around Russia to the courtroom in the most interesting way. Charles Jenkins left the CIA a long time ago and his previous boss has searched him out to send him out on a new case in Russia where he has had previous experience and in the mean time his boss has promised to rescue his company that is moments away from falling into financial ruin. All while his wife is experiencing a hard pregnancy and his son is growing to know what his dad does for a living.

I love a political thriller, but this was so different from the norm. It had the usual biting nails wondering if he will get out of the bind, but then it went to the court room and there was a different anxiety feeling that was unexpected for this type of book for me. With almost two stories in one, this book kept great pacing and it was almost impossible to set this one down even during a busy week.

After reading this one, I may have go to search out more from this series and see if they all stack up to this one!

I am a big fan of suspense books. There is something so addictive about reading a story that moves very quickly, with the characters in tense situations, often fighting for their lives, while I am curled up reading with my tea (or coffee or wine) in complete safety. I think this is why thrillers are so popular at the movies as well.

I have never read a book by Robert Dugoni, but The Eighth Sister will not be my last. Especially, since this is the beginning of what I can only assume will be a wonderful series. As much as I was not looking for another series to get hooked on, I’m so glad I was given the chance to read this first installment.

As you can tell by the books I compared this to above, The Eighth Sister is similar in style and pace to James Patterson; however, I feel there is more depth and emotional characterization than is typically found in JP thrillers. For instance, the personal and patriotic motivations of each person is completely flushed out. This is not easy, given the enormous back story created by each character’s experiences.

I especially liked how the “villain” in the book wasn’t one dimensional. Dugoni shifts points of view often, but not in a startlingly way. When the reader is experiencing events from the point of view of Charles, it is easy to understand his desires and root for his success. When you are reading from the antagonist points of view, you have to confront your own assumptions. patriotic service admirable if the country being served is not your own? If both people are blindly following their duties, is one person right and one wrong, or does this all depend on whose side you are on?

I especially loved the love story in this book. It’s not a typical romantic meet-cute, survive crazy circumstances which cause two people to fall in love. Instead, this is an established relationship with problems. The underlying tension provided by Charles’s wife and her difficult pregnancy really compel the story while also grounding it. There is an unborn motivator behind every movement Charles makes, reminding him and the reader what is important and what is true.

Being a lawyer myself, I was intrigued by the second half of the book and how Charles navigated his situation. I don’t want to give too much away, but rest assured, fans of James Patterson and John Grisham will not be disappointed.

* Special thanks to Robert Dugoni, Thomas & Mercer, and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of The Eighth Sister in exchange for an honest review.

When I first started reading thrillers, spy and legal thrillers were the types of books that I honestly preferred. But more recently I was reading more and more police procedural books. I was enjoying those books more than anything. So when I started reading this book, it was with a hint of trepidation. What I couldn’t enjoy spy thrillers anymore? And when I started reading a bit further I was struggling and my thoughts had come true, I was not being able to get into this book. And that was NOT down to the fact that this book was not good. I kept on pushing it as I felt it in my bones that this book was good. But in the end this book was not good, it was extraordinary!! This book made me remember why I loved spy thrillers so much. And this was such an unusual book. It is a combination of spy, government conspiracy and legal thriller all rolled into one extraordinary book!! And a tip of the hat to Robert Dugoni, for crafting such a marvelous story with such wonderful characters. I enjoyed every word and every page that was so skillfully crafted into this book. This book is going to stay with me for a long time as this book made me fall in love with spy thrillers all over again!! And a big thank you to NetGalley and Robert Dugoni and Thomas & Mercer for giving me a chance to read this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

The Eighth Sister
(Charles Jenkins #1)
by Robert Dugoni

Kindle Edition, 437 pages
Published April 9th 2019 by Thomas & Mercer




Goodreads synopsis:
Robert Dugoni is the author of the bestselling Tracy Crosswhite series. He won the 2015 Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and has written over 15 novels and short stories including The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and The Eighth Sister.

Amazon Synopsis:
A pulse-pounding thriller of espionage, spy games, and treachery by the New York Timesbestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite Series.
Former CIA case officer Charles Jenkins is a man at a crossroads: in his early sixties, he has a family, a new baby on the way, and a security consulting business on the brink of bankruptcy. Then his former bureau chief shows up at his house with a risky new assignment: travel undercover to Moscow and locate a Russian agent believed to be killing members of a clandestine US spy cell known as the seven sisters.
Desperate for money, Jenkins agrees to the mission and heads to the Russian capital. But when he finds the mastermind agent behind the assassinations—the so-called eighth sister—she is not who or what he was led to believe. Then again, neither is anyone else in this deadly game of cat and mouse.
Pursued by a dogged Russian intelligence officer, Jenkins executes a daring escape across the Black Sea, only to find himself abandoned by the agency he serves. With his family and freedom at risk, Jenkins is in the fight of his life—against his own country.

***

4 Stars

I have to admit I was a little confused by this one most of the way through it. I understood what was happening but what I didn’t get was why everyone was pursuing him so diligently across Russia. As far as I could tell, no true intel passed through his hands. It was just like he went over there told them about something they didn’t want or accept and suddenly he is on the run for his life. I knew there had to be more to all this. It felt like a set up from the get-go.

A Russian asset working for the CIA, one of the “seven sisters” women trained from when they were young to be CIA assets working in high level positions in the Russian government and passing intel to the USA, killed herself in order for Jenkins to escape. And I wondered if the whole sacrifice was really worth it. What did she kill herself for really? Jenkins’s life?

The most interesting part of this book didn’t happen until Jenkins finally made his way back to the US. His enemies were closer than he knew. The latter half of the book made up for all the uncertainty at the beginning.

I thought this book was good. Very good. The part in the courtroom especially telling. Not as intense as it could have been, but decent. I particularly liked the ending.

If you are looking for a good spy thriller, check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Last year I was introduced to Robert Dugoni when I received a copy of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell from NetGalley. Looking back at my review I was entranced by the way Dugoni wrote, so I was excited when I saw another novel pop up written by him.

There are two very different parts of this mystery thriller. The first half of the novel we follow Charlie Jenkins as he travels into Russia in order to work in undercover job for the CIA. He’s provided information by an individuals who he believes is working for the CIA and it’s in order to provoke a response to find a worm within the agency.

The second half of the novel was more of a courtroom drama. Charlie Jenkins makes his way back to the United States and escapes Viktor Federov, but finds that he has a new enemy — the US government. There has never been a US citizen who has successfully defended themselves in a court of law against the US government when it comes to a treason and espionage. Will Charlie be able to prove his innocence? Is Charlie innocent?

I found the first half of the novel harder to get through than the second half, which was incredibly surprising to me. I wasn’t expecting it to be 50-50% spy novel and courtroom drama. From the synopsis, I was thinking it would be more of a complete spy drama where he still had to deal with the consequences when he finally made his way back to the United States. However, when he hits US soil, the entire viewpoint of the story changes and it’s the US vs Jenkins.

But here’s the thing: I picked up the novel thinking it was going to be a spy drama the whole way through and I was excited about it… only to figure out that I really didn’t enjoy the first half of the novel.

I like Dugoni’s writing style — his characters jump off the page and he takes the time to fully develop them throughout the course of each book. I was pulled in with the concept of these sisters operating in Russia and the backstory to find out who the sisters are and what their lives were like. However, the biggest disappointment for me was that it stopped being about the sisters! How are you going to name the book The Eighth Sister and then completely dodge the rest of the story about them….

CIA' creed among its case operatives-And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall piss you off.

Charles Jenkins a former CIA operative is now a family man. A beautiful wife, a young son and another on the way. At 65 years old, he does not miss his former life as a CIA operative. But when his business is failing and he is called back his former CIA station Chief, Carl Emerson, he is cautious and intrigued. He left the CIA not trusting what they had done and the reasons behind it, but this new case has him fired up. With his Russian background, he has been asked to bring out the Eighth Sister. Seven Russian women, chosen from dissident parents, trained almost from birth to infiltrate various institutions of the former Soviet Union and provide the United States with intelligence. A mission that has required patience. The seven sisters do not know of each other nor do they know of the operation. When three are killed it is believed that Putin activated a counter agent that he refers to as an eighth sister. It has becomes Jenkins mission to identify the Eighth sister.

With his business as forefront to go to Russia, Jenkins must draw the eighth sister out. It becomes a game of cat and mouse and when he barely escapes Russia with his life, he becomes a target of treason. A page turner thriller that leaves a reader breathless and wanting more.

A Special Thank you to Thomas Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for providing me with a copy of this book so that I can give an unbiased review
I am a fan of Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series, I’ve read every book in that series. So when I saw a new ARC by this author, I immediately had to request it. I have to say that I didn’t read the description and went into the book ‘blind’.
I’m not typically a ‘spy’ type person but this book was an interesting read. There was just enough suspense to keep me reading because I needed to know what happened next. This book was a mix of a spy thriller and courtroom drama.
The ending was not what I had expected at all. It seemed to end rather quickly after a long, detailed buildup. It makes me wonder if there will be a sequel because of how it ended. It was set up to go either way, stand-alone or the start of a series.
I would recommend this book to others, especially if they are newer to ‘spy’ type books like I am. It’s not too over the top.

The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
I have read a few of Mr. Dugoni's books and am always left satisfied! What a great cat and mouse spy/espionage story! I was immediately drawn into this story and wanted to know how Charles was going to get everyone to believe the story he was telling, the truth, while the CIA denied any knowledge of what he was claiming and the FBI didn't believe him....this story flowed, the characters are interesting and this story wraps up completely. Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC book and give my honest opinion.

Former CIA spy, Charles Jenkins is anxiously awaiting the birth of his child while struggling to manage his almost bankrupt business when approached by his former bureau chief. Jenkins is unsure if he can juggle this new mission in Russia but desperately needs the money.
The plot moves quickly as Jenkins engages in a dangerous game. Back in USA, Jenkins is brought to trial for espionage. He must rush to find the truth before it is too late.
A good read and recommended for anyone who enjoys a good spy thriller.

*I received an advance reader's copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Robert Dugoni is a favorite author of mine, so I was excited about his newest book, The Eighth Sister. While Mr. Dugoni will continue to be an auto-buy for me, this book just didn’t work for me as his others have. Maybe intrigue and espionage storylines just aren’t my cup of tea, but I just didn’t care much about any of the characters. There were certainly some great moments in the book- some full of spy suspense, others emotional family moments - but overall it just moved slow, and I found myself picking up other books instead of finishing this one.

I have read and enjoyed many books by this author and this one is good too. Well written and suspenseful with twists and turns I was not expecting. Well worth my time reading it. The ending wrapped up the story nicely.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC copy. I chose to write this review of my honest opinions.

50% Spy Thriller. 50% Legal Thriller. 100% Thrilling!

Wow! Robert Dugoni you have a new fan, right here! This was a wild action packed story bursting with intrigue and adventure. I don’t read many spy thrillers, but this one was done extremely well. I was seriously on the edge of my seat this entire book and when the spy thriller turned into a legal thriller this book was just as compelling and nerve-racking. Reading this book was like watching an intense action adventure movie, but better.

Charles Jenkins is exCIA now running a security company in Seattle. Now a family Man with a loving wife, a nine-year-old son, and a baby on the way. When Charles is approached by the CIA to go back into Russia he cannot resist the paycheck, it will get his business out of the red. But the assignment and the people involved aren’t quite what they seem. Soon Charles discovers himself in the middle of a precarious situation, in terrible danger. Now he finds himself on a chase across Europe, fighting to save his life, and the lives of those he loves. What transpires is a riveting tale that will keep you glued to the pages.

This book definitely got my heart pounding. I had no idea how Charles was going to get himself out of this situation. Charles was very likable, reminiscent of the spies of old. In fact this entire book had a bit of a nostalgic feel to it, a homage to Russian spy books of the past. All the secondary characters are as interesting as Charles, even the relentless Russian.

A riveting story that will quench your thirst for action, adventure, and spies! Definitely recommend!

*** many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for my copy of this book ***

Robert Dugoni’s newest series starts off with a stellar story that will hook readers and keep them guessing until the very end. Another well-crafted story by one of the very best.

Charles Jenkins thought he had left his spy days behind him decades ago. He has a wife, son, and a new baby on the while with his security business is falling apart. Just when things are at their worst, his past comes back into the present when his former bureau chief shows up with an assignment for him that could save him financially. He must travel to Moscow to find a secret Russian agent supposed to have been killing members of a US spy cell known as the seven sisters. With no other alternative, Charles agrees to the mission and heads to Russia where he finds what he least expects, the eighth sister. His mission doesn’t go off without complications and he finds himself trying to escape with no help from his country and risks his life to get back to his family he left behind.

In typical Robert Dugoni fashion. readers are given a thriller that is unlike anything written by most authors out there. When Dugoni writes a thriller, readers are going to be pulled in and given a story they will be thinking about for days after they turn the last page. I loved the way he tied in David Sloane even though this was not a David Sloane novel. Charles Jenkins looks to be a stellar lead character for this new series and is able to bring in secondary characters that I can’t wait to see how they are further developed in future novels. The first half plays out as more of a spy thriller and the second half goes more into a legal thriller. Each are great in their own way and are still able to drive the story forward with tension between the characters and what is going to happen. This is very different from the Tracy Crosswhite series, which is my absolute favorite series. I was a little skeptical going into this that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations, but I am happy to say this was another great read by Dugoni. I really enjoyed the start to this new series and can’t wait to see what will come next. I recommend this to readers that enjoy Dugoni’s writing style and a great spy/legal thriller. If you have never read anything by Dugoni, the start of this series would be a great place to begin your journey.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read his latest book. While Russian spy novels might not typically be my go-to choice, it's Robert Dugoni! I will read anything by him. If you haven't read his books - you are totally missing out. Plus, this is the start of a new series - more to look forward to!

Charles Jenkins is happy running a security firm, living on a farm in Seattle with his wife, Alex, who is pregnant, and son CJ. Life would be good except for the fact that his client is over late paying bills amounting to over $50,000, meaning Charles can't meet his payroll. Alex's pregnancy is complicated as well, leading to more worries. Charles was in the CIA decades ago but when his old handler came to see him to ask him to do an undercover mission in Russia to save the lives of women working as US spies. Charles can speak Russian and was skilled in his old CIA life, so he was the perfect person. The fact that he would get much needed payment for the job made it impossible to resist. An exciting thrill ride ensues as Charles tries to stay one step ahead of the FSB (the modern day KGB). The second part of the book is courtroom drama - none the less exciting.

Enough said - great read and an exciting start to a new series!

The first part of this book is a very well written, action-filled and old school spy-novel. Unfortunately the plot isn't very logical (for being set in our time), and the main character is old, but sadly, not very wise. Who wants to read about a person doing stupid things, unless it's a comedy?
The second part is from the courtroom; very American, but with little action.

This is the tenth Robert Dugoni book I've read, and perhaps my favorite. As always, it was intelligent, plausible, and complex. Add to those Dugoni staples a wide geographical sweep and espionage, to boot!

The Eighth Sister seems to be a spinoff from Dugoni's David Sloane series, featuring Sloane's friend Charlie Jenkins. It's the best kind of story, in which an unremarkable character takes one seemingly logical step, then another, suddenly finding himself over his head. And then he musters hidden (or, in Jenkins' case, long-dormant) resources and keeps ahead, just barely, of catastrophic consequences.

In The Eighth Sister, the catastrophes are unleashed by both the Russian and U.S. intelligence establishments, making this a David-against-double-Goliath story. Jenkins, however, has a very competent lawyer as a friend, and their teamwork is crucial during the second half of the book.

The relationships between most of Dugoni's characters have depth and meaning, especially those forged under the extreme conditions of flight through and out of Russia. Paulina, the FSB spy, and Demir, the fisherman, are memorable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advance readers copy of this book.

Another marvellous tale from Robert Dugoni, who is fast becoming one of my go-to authors. This book is set in two parts, the first a spy tale, in the mould of the classic cold war espionage novels. As I cut my teeth on these types of books back in the day, it was fantastic to see a modern take, and Dugoni has done a great job here.

We have Charlie, former spy for the CIA, now 64years old, and running a security company with his pregnant wife. Cash flow isn't good and business is failing. Then a blast from Charlie's past turns up with a chance to activate on a mission for the CIA, and to solve his money problems at the same time. Charlie has little choice but to take the lifeline, and this plunges him into the turmoil of modern Russia, where memories are long. When the mission goes awry he has to find his way out of Russia, with the FSB, the modern KGB close on his tail.

Part two of this story takes a totally different tack, it turns legal thriller, and is classic Robert Dugoni.

I'm not going to say too much more, as I don't want to give the plot away. This is a fast paced book that you really don't want to put down. I was reading it waaaaaay past my bed time. It is a compelling and gripping read, and I recommend it to all thriller lovers.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC un exchange for an honest review.

For readers there simply isn't any other feeling more welcome than knowing that you can wholeheartedly trust an author to write endlessly compelling stories on which you can rely to capture your interest from very early on and hold you hostage until it's over; they are indeed a rare breed and for me Mr Dugoni is one of those. The Eighth Sister is the first book in the brand spanking new thriller series featuring protagonist and central character, Charles Jenkins. The narrative gets off to a flying start with more action than you can shake a stick at. There is simply no let-up and this married with the easy, highly reading readable style of writing made it an unputdownable adventure that had my nerves jangling.

The author masterfully recreates the fear and alarm surrounding the frosty relationship between Soviet Russia and The West during the Cold War era. The clandestine activity, espionage, disinformation/propaganda and topics pertaining to that epoch are woven into the very core of this story. It's a thrilling, addictive and one heck of a wild ride, and it's clear once again Dugoni knows how to give readers exactly what they crave.

If you enjoy books with a strong, relatable hero and danger lurking around every corner with a superb series of twisty surprises and misdirection then you'll have as much of a fun, entertaining time as I did throughout this novel. I am already eagerly anticipating the next instalment to be reacquainted with Charles for hopefully another nail-biting adventure.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.