Writing other books - including the excellent and entertaining Tracy Crosswhite series - Robert Dugoni has taken a 7-year break from his first major series about lawyer David Sloane and his investigator and friend Charles Jenkins. Actually, this book doesn't seem to be acknowledged as part of the Sloane series, which makes sense as Sloane has but a rather large supporting role in the book where Jenkins is the absolute main character.
This time around, Dugoni takes us - along with Jenkins - to Russia on an adventure that is nailbitingly exciting and gives us new insights on Jenkins that has only played a minor part in the "real" Sloane series.
Dugoni masters both the international parts of the story as well as the domestic and courtroom parts, and the book grabs the reader straight away and doesn't let go until the very end.
One thing in the book annoyed me quite a lot: Dugoni includes quite a lot of transcribed Russian dialogue in the parts taking place in Russia (as Jenkins revives his Russian from his days as a CIA agent), and then spends the next sentence explaining the meaning to readers that don't understand Russian. That is unnecessary showing off, boring for people who don't understand Russian, and a simple waste of letters, if you ask me - and also a little embarrassing when the translation is wrong (which I found to be the case on at least one occasion).
Well, summing up, Dugoni continues his line of brilliant books - both thrillers and "other fiction" - and has added an international spy dimension to his Sloane series - or almost. New readers can easily jump into this book without having read any of the Sloane books due to the independent nature of this book.

Another winning storyline by Robert Dugoni. I was pleasantly surprised to see some familiar characters in this book as David Sloan is one of my favorites. An exciting first half of the book takes the main character, Charles Jenkins, to Russia and back when he is supposedly reactivated by the CIA. The second half brings back David Sloane’s ecpertise in the courtroom. I loved it all as I always do with Dugoni’s books. I definitely recommend this book.

I have really enjoyed Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series so when I saw a new book from him I jumped on the chance to get an ARC from netgalley.

The blurb describes this book as a spy novel, but its really 60% spy novel and 40% courtroom drama. This complete change was a bit of a turnoff for me and I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if it had stayed in the spy genre and explored those topics instead of turning into legal proceedings. The main lawyer, David Sloane, is the main character in another series by Dugoni and it feels more like this should have been another book in that series instead of being billed as a standalone spy novel.

The plot was interesting though its a bit of stretch that after only 2 years in the CIA in the 1970s the protagonist would still be so valuable and skilled at spying 40 years later. My biggest beef with the spy part is soooooo many threads left unresolved. The title is Eighth Sister yet we never find out anything about her because once stuff blows up we end up in a courtroom. The motivations and reasons for the antagonist causing the main conflicts in the book are left completely unexplained. These kind floating questions left me pretty unsatisfied and is my main reason for a low rating.

Perhaps the intent is that this the first of a series and more will be explained in a future book, but thats not what I thought I was getting and I am not sure I care enough to read a follow up to find out more of the why behind the story.

In “The Eighth Sister” by Robert Dugoni we are introduced to Charles Jenkins, a former CIA agent, who is asked to help his former employer with a case. He agrees, for a price, since he is having money problems. What Charles faces after he agrees is a race for his life – both in Russia and on American soil.

This book is fast paced and very realistic – a definite read. As a huge fan of the authors Tracy Crosswhite Series I had high expectations and they were all met.

I received this book through Net Galley and this is my honest review.

This is only the 2nd book of Dugoni's that I have read and really enjoyed it. The storyline is gripping and the imagery is fantastic. Another fast-paced well-written story! Looking forward to more.

Intriguing Spy Thriller

Charles Jenkins, who retired from the CIA years earlier because he did not agree with some of the activities being undertaken by his agency, now runs his own private security company. His company is struggling financially. So when his former bureau chief appears on his doorstep and offers him a contract to go to Moscow to try to determine who is betraying seven embedded spies known as the Seven Sisters Charles accepts the assignment. When he arrives in Russia Charles discovers that the situation is much murkier than he was led to believe. As he attempts to track down who the seven sisters are(were) and reveal the so-called Eighth Sister (the betrayer), he becomes a person of interest to Russian intelligence and has several encounters with a senior Russian intelligence manager Victor Federov . Charles becomes embroiled with another Russian who is digging into these secrets. Soon Charles realizes that he has been betrayed by someone who knows his mission. Aided by the Russian he sets out to flee Russia but cannot fly out through the usual airports. So he and his companion drive to an obscure location on the Black Sea, with Turkey as his destination. In mad pursuit is the Russian intelligence chief Federov. With the assistance of a Turkey fishing captain Charles makes his way to Turkey and from there back to the States by subterfuge to elude his pursuers. Back in the States hefindst he has been framed for espionage on behalf of Russia. He has to fight his accusers and seek to uncover the person who set him up and then betrayed him.

Well plotted and well written spy thriller with byzantine twists and turns. Highly recommended.

Outstanding! Everything you need for a fantastic thriller. Russians. Spy’s. A chase. Deception. Likeable characters and brilliantly described settings.

I've become an avid reader of Robert Dugoni's novels. This latest The Eighth Sister combines the action and adventure of a spy novel - our hero is asked to return to Russia on a mission for the CIA - with the surprises and tension of a legal thriller. It has humor and characters that I found myself caring about and cheering for.

Dugoni does not disappoint with The Eighth Sister.

This novel is a gripping and thrilling read from beginning to end. Well developed characters take readers deep into the espionage world. Well written and thoroughly researched prose keeps readers engaged on a razor's edge of suspense. I highly recommend this book to fans of the fictional suspense genre.

I say this with every book I've read by Robert Dugoni, but I have to say it again: I could not put this book down!
Charles Jenkins is a retired CIA agent with a wife and son and another child on the way. He runs a security firm but when his major clients stops paying it's bills, Charles is hurting. Out of the blue appears Christopher Emerson, an agent that Charles knows from his past, with an improbably proposition: the CIA needs Charles back on an ultra secret project. Shades of Mission Impossible, if Charles is discovered he will be disavowed, the project will be denied, and he will be on his own. So off to Russia flies Charles and meets an interesting cast of characters.
He is masquerading as a disenchanted CIA agent looking to sell secrets to the Russian, but he is in fact is looking for the 8th sister...the other 7 sisters are American mole who have been providing the US with vital intelligence for many years. These sisters are suddenly dying, and Charles is tasked with finding the 8th sister, who may be a Russian tracking down the other seven. Charles has to convince the Russians that he can tell them who they remaining sisters are, for which they will pay him a lot of money. Long story short the Russians don't come through with what they've agreed to, but then neither does Emerson. And Charles ends up on the run in Russia, attempting to evade a wily Russian foe.

The tempo of the book is fast, the suspense builds rapidly, you wonder how on earth Charles is going to get out of this pickle (and Russia) alive. The tradecraft is well researched (well it seems that way to me anyway!), and the characters are well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read all of Dugoni's Tracy Crosswaithe series, and now I hope that Dugoni will continue with Charles Jenkins and the other characters in this book. An excellent read!

The Eighth Sister is the first Robert Dugoni book I've read that wasn't part of the Tracy Crosswhite series. The Eighth Sister has lots of edge of your seat moments where your heart will be pounding. This book is difficult to put down. I was given an early copy to review.

Totally different from the Tracy Crossthwaite series but every bit as good and totally engrossing. Twists and turns and a nail biting finale.

Slow start that evolves into a spy thriller that involves Russia then and now. Issues of character and the dishonesty of goverment policies also figure in. Good read.

I really like Dugoni's writing style - he's engaging and devises intriguing characters that jump to life off the page. This story had everything I enjoy - besides great characterization, there were spies and secret identities and lies and betrayal, which all make for a great tale. My only complaint is that this felt rather like two books cobbled into one.... (Hence only three stars.)

The first portion is all about the spy stuff - and it was EXCELLENT. Absolutely spot-on in recapturing the cold war spy thriller feel of Le Carre or DeMille. There's action, adventure, palace intrigue, people being left out in the cold... No one is who they seem, everyone has an agenda of their own. GREAT stuff. Then the book shifted tone and the rest was pretty much courtroom drama - which is not usually my forte. That was also well done, don't get me wrong, but the shift threw me a bit and left me wondering exactly what happened to the plot line from the beginning...

There was an implication of more to come (sort of), but I got the sense that was more about keeping possibilities for the main characters open than revisiting the spy plot that largely felt unfinished by the end. Still, an afternoon with a Dugoni novel is never time wasted - just don't be surprised if you wind up with more than a few bits of unfinished business at the end...

So far I have loved everything I have read by Robert Dugoni! I felt that The Eighth Sister started just a bit slow but after a few of chapters it found the groove and everything began falling into place. Great job!! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity.

A really well written book about a former spy who hasn't worked since the 70's who is being activated for one mission to earn enough to save his business from almost certain bankruptcy. It turns out to be a high risk situation where he barely escapes with his life. It turns out he is not really sure who the good guys are. I love these type of books and can't believe I haven't read this author before. I plan on reading more by Dugoni in the upcoming months.
Thank you Robert Dugoni ,Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A great thriller of mind games and espionage. Charlie Jenkins thought he left his old life with the CIA behind, but here he is back in Russia and facing some very serious situations. Fast paced and a very enjoyable read. I do hope to hear more about Jenkins and his wife.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for a copy of the book to read and review.

I have loved every book that I have read from this author and this was no exception. This was absolutely a wonderful, action packed spy thriller. I found myself reading so fast that I would have to backtrack to see what I missed, but I couldn't slow down because I was so anxious about what would happen next. I loved the characters and was especially glad that we were able to get things all tied up with a nice little bow.

Thank you Mr. Dugoni for giving me another wonderful story. I only wish that this was already out in hard copy because I know my Uncle would love this for Christmas.

As I was reading this book I kept thinking that this would make a wonderful movie, HINT HINT

I have read every book by Dugoni and consider myself a huge fan. And while I will keep picking up his books, I did not enjoy this one. A combination of the led character just annoying me and the pacing seeming off to me, I pushed to about halfway. When I realized I didn't care enough about the conclusion to keep going, I threw in the towel. If you love espionage stories, give it a go. Not for me.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni. This is a standalone novel and I think fans of Dugoni will enjoy it.
The lead character is Charles Jenkins, a sixty-something man who owns a security company. Charles is a man who takes charge and is quite capable running his own business but he has alot on his plate, including a baby on the way.
When a risky assignment falls into his arms, he is eager to take it. Not only will this mission give him exposure, but also some money that he desparately needs. But this is risky and will led him to work with some savory characters and he is in search of a Russian Agent who is killing United States agents.
This assignment leads Charles into a risky game with our government and Russian assasins. He risks the life of his family but will not give up even when it seems that he has been abandoned by everyone he trusts.
This is a good novel, good writing, and will keep you on your toes till the end.
Recommend.