The Second Instalment in the Charles Jenkins series.

I was delighted to review ‘The Last Agent’ as this is the sequel to ‘The Eighth Sister,’ and it followed on superbly. Having read other books by Robert Dugoni featuring Tracy Crosswhite, I knew that I was in for a great read!

Sure enough, I was not disappointed. Charles Jenkins, a former CIA agent, has decided to come out of retirement and to accept the dangerous mission to return to Russia. Although Charles had retired back in the USA and returned to a more simple way of life with his wife and two children, he felt morally obliged to undertake the task.

His quest is to find out if Paulina Ponomayova, a double agent who risked her life for Charles, is still alive. The intel is that a woman is ensconced in Moscow’s infamous Lefortova Prison. Could it possibly be Paulina?

The plot is very high octane . . . a must for all lovers of spy thrillers! Charles, AKA Charlie, certainly hasn’t lost his professional skills. He very cleverly enlists Viktor Federov from his previous mission, but close on his heels is the ruthless Adam Efimov. Will Charlie manage to succeed in this seemingly impossible mission? Well. . . I suggest you read ‘The Last Agent’ and relax, enjoy this roller coaster ride. Thank you, Mr Dugoni.

Galadriel.

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.

A sequel that is just as good as the original! An international espionage thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat throughout! A must read for all book lovers!

Robert Dugoni, best known for his Tracy Crosswhite series, revisits his newest protagonist, former CIA agent Charles Jenkins, in THE LAST AGENT.

Picking up almost exactly where he left off with THE EIGHTH SISTER, Dugoni reintroduces Charles Jenkins, an astute and capable former spy who was betrayed in every sense of the word by his country. Having survived an undercover Russian operation gone wrong and lived through a harrowing treason trial, Jenkins has fewer reasons than ever to trust the CIA or the U.S. Though he harbors no deep love for Russia either, he is fully aware that he owes his life to at least two Russians: Viktor Federov, a former FSB agent, and Paulina Ponomayova, who sacrificed her own life to get him out of Russia safely.

Since the explosive finale of THE EIGHTH SISTER, Jenkins has been working hard to repay his former employees and to fully separate himself from all things related to the government and the agency. His only goal now is to raise his children, make his wife happy and pay his taxes. But when a CIA officer approaches him with the rumor that Paulina may be alive, and suffering in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo Prison, he finds the only thing that could ever draw him back into Russia: loyalty.

Employing his trademark taut and lightning-fast pacing, Dugoni quickly sets the scene and lets Jenkins loose to do what he does best: infuriate nearly everyone around him. With a few brainstorms and a “now or never” attitude, he devises a plan to get himself back into Russia to verify the rumors about Paulina and hopefully bring her to America safely. To accomplish the first task, he calls upon an old friend: fan-favorite Federov, a man who was cast out of the FSB as a scapegoat and is in a unique position to understand Jenkins’ anger and need to prove himself. Banking --- quite literally --- on Federov’s greed and love of money, Jenkins wastes no time stealing a major fortune from him and using it to blackmail him into helping infiltrate Lefortovo. But if we’ve learned anything about Russia from international politics, the current climate of American-Russian relations and Dugoni’s own books, it’s that infiltrating Lefortovo will be easy. Making use of the information will be hard...very, very hard.

Breathing down the necks of Jenkins and Federov is an entirely new villain: Adam “The Brick” Efimov, a Neanderthalian hulk of a man who is known for his ability to crack anyone --- emotionally and physically --- for information. His favorite tool? You guessed it: a brick. Born into a common blue-collar family, Efimov grew up on the streets of Leningrad, playing alongside a young Vladimir Putin. Though Putin has given him a job, he has made it clear that he has no trouble eliminating it --- and him --- if Efimov does not maintain a successful track record. When word spreads that Jenkins is back in the country, Efimov becomes laser-focused on the only man to have escaped Russian authorities so thoroughly. Working alongside Efimov is Federov’s former partner, Arkady Volkov. With the two pairs of men equally matched in passion and familiarity, Dugoni sets his characters loose on the playing field of Russian politics, bribery-fueled businesses and even the open sea.

I have said it before, and I will say it again: When I open a new Dugoni novel, I always know to expect a “ripped from the headlines” plot that will engage me as much as it will inform me. And yet, somehow, I remain thoroughly in awe of his ability to drive these big international issues home in such a relatable and immediate way. What happened to Jenkins in THE EIGHTH SISTER was unthinkable and horrifying, yet he maintains a sense of pride in his country and an even deeper loyalty to those who protected him when he needed it most.

As readers, we know that Jenkins is extraordinary --- akin to the Jason Bournes and Jack Reachers of the literary world --- but by focusing on the smaller moments of his life at home and the all-encompassing “no man left behind” mantra that fuels him, Dugoni makes the plot feel like it could be unfolding right now, right next door. At the same time, he weaves in some serious research, a lot of information and an understanding of international politics that makes you feel like you are playing a learning game. How else could education be so fun and fast-paced? As always, Dugoni has done his research and infused his writing with it, without ever once information-dumping or overloading the plot.

When I read THE EIGHTH SISTER, I was immediately drawn to Jenkins, and I looked forward to seeing him again in future installments. But Federov was my absolute favorite Dugoni character since Tracy Crosswhite. I never thought he would reemerge in this series, and seeing him reunite with Jenkins, trading barbs, playing chess and bastardizing English idioms made my heart soar. Much like Sherlock and Moriarty, these are two men with similar intellects and skill sets, engendering a quiet mutual respect within each of them --- but they are also enemies politically and nationally, which makes for some pitch-perfect tension and humor. For a series ostensibly about international intrigue, spies and espionage, Dugoni still manages to create very credible and human characters who positively burst off the page, even when the action has stilled for a moment.

This is not a series that you can jump into blind; reading THE EIGHTH SISTER first is a must before diving into THE LAST AGENT. And how lucky for you! You get to go on two heart-stopping, pulse-pounding thrill rides, and you won’t have to wait a year for the next installment --- at least until you finish book two.

Rating: 3 🍷 🍷 🍷 !!!!!!!
Book: The Last Agent (Charles Jenkins, Book 2)
Available NOW -Release Date: September 22, 2020
Author: Robert Dugoni
Genre: Thrillers, Mystery, Suspense/General Fiction

The Last Agent is a book that is for anyone that loves spy, espionage, Russian spy extravaganza, and anything of the sort. I, myself, am not one of those people. I just saw it was a Robert Dugoni book and had to read it because I love him as an author. I actually enjoyed the book. There were parts that did get too “spy-ey” but I followed the story just fine and was very intrigued as to what would happen.

This is the 2nd book in the series. I hadn’t read the first, but I didn’t get too lost. They were many references, but I felt Dugoni gave enough background to help the reader keep up. I could see the scenes play out in my head like a movie and I really LOVED the main character, Charles Jenkins. I just might go back and read the 1st one and look forward to a 3rd book.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @ThomasAndMercer for an advanced copy of @TheLastAgent.

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Robert Dugoni has been on my must-read list of authors for past 5 years or so, and I have read most of his books. His series of legal thrillers centered around defence lawyer David Sloane was replaced by a series of crime thrillers centered around police detective Tracy Crosswhite, and in between the recent Crosswhite books, Dugoni has developed a new series of spy thrillers centered around Charles Jenkins, who was actually a minor character in some of the David Sloane books.
My initial enthusiasm about the first books in the Crosswhite series has been replaced by a growing disappointment of the latter books in the series, so the Charles Jenkins series has been a welcome addition to Dugoni's authorship as Dugoni is simply a brilliant storyteller with a fantastic ability to draft interesting plots. Crosswhite has just turned into a less interesting character than she was initially.
Well, back to this book. Charles Jenkins is a former CIA spy that has been burned by the Agency, and he is therefore more than reluctant to help out on a mission in Russia - a country that Jenkins only barely escaped from in the first book. Being a tall African American, Jenkins stands out in Russia, but he nonetheless still accepts to go under cover and get back in the field to save an important asset, facing formidable opponents with ambitions and agendas of their own.
Dugoni sets a breathtaking pace for his story and despite some not super realistic developments here and there, he nails the book, and I hope that Dugoni will focus on more Jenkins books in the future and put the Crosswhite series to rest.

[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]

I thought this was a good read, had some times when the plot slowed and I thought scenes ended prematurely but I can really see the talent in this author. My First review of any of his work but I enjoyed it.

This book was the definition of a spy thriller! I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it end it kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were compelling and the plot was interesting and kept me on my toes. Great suspense! I highly recommend this book, 5 stars.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Agent by Robert Dugoni is book 2 in the Charles Jenkins series. The first book in this series was "The Eighth Sister" and you don´t need to have read that one before grabbing "The Last Agent" but with all series, you get a little bit more background story and information about the characters.
The Last Agents is just as detailed and well structured as The Last Agent, as any Robert Dugoni book really, and if you keep every detail straight in your head just follow along on an amazing journey.

I really like Robert Dugoni's books. This one is the next after the Eighth Sister. Would be good alone but many of the characters are in both books. Charles Jenkins finds out Paulina who he thought had sacrificed her life so he could escape Russia and be home to see his daughter born may still be alive. He is willing to work with the CIA to get her out if possible. Charles finds out where she is and forms a plan. The story takes us through a blizzard when they are ready to make their move. The story is exciting and keeps you wondering if they will make it out ok. This was a job he could not do without many people helping.

Another great reading by Robert Dugoni. This story is fast paced with relatable characters who very much put their families in first place although always working under peril and pressure. The plot is full of twists and turns, deception, friendship at the most unexpected moments and from most unexpected people, crime and love. It´s a book that keeps you engaged till the last page. Very entertaining!
I downloaded a free copy of this book through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

I usually put the gratitude part of my review as the last paragraph. I am making an exception in this case. I wish to express my wholehearted gratitude to NetGalley, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and author Robert Dugoni, for granting my request for a digital copy of the book which allows me to write my honest and unbiased review. Who am I kidding? I'm a big fan of Robert Dugoni! While I may be partial about that part, the book still needs to be worthy of merit.

I am still reeling from one hell of a ride I experienced from reading this book! Robert Dugoni's The Last Agent is an edge-of-your-seat, fast-moving, espionage thriller! There is no resting for our protagonist Charles Jenkins until he got what he came for in Russia. It is the second book in the Charles Jenkins series. A sequel to The Eight Sister. No worries! Even if you have not read the first book, the author was able to insert the necessary details from the past so you won't feel lost. I, who have read the first book, appreciated the recollection.

Dugoni has introduced new characters we would love to hate but will feel sympathy towards them at the same time—Adam Efimov, The Brick. They say he is a ghost. His primary goal is to get information out of the woman in Lefortovo prison.

Jenkins is known for his counterintelligence skills. He used a lot of that skill in this book. At first, I was wondering how Dugoni able to know all of the places described in this book? I thought he had to have visited the locations. Well, he explained that in the Acknowledgements section. I am not well-read about espionage and operatives sent to Russia, which is why I wouldn't exactly know for sure if everything is feasible in real life. In particular, the plan to extract someone out from the Lefortovo prison is something I imagine would be close to impossible. Dugoni had done his research (too well, I suppose); for that, I am giving this book five stars.

Most of the characters, including Jenkins, have been neutral to me. One of the things I like is how the author's writing style includes facetious dialogue that makes me chuckle out of the blue despite all the uncertainty and danger. In my opinion, no part of the book is distressing enough to cause a trigger warning. The ability to write a plot that's dangerous and serious without causing too much distress to readers with no vulgar words is a great skill to have.

You will read a lot of Russian dialogue and foreign places. Maybe this would be a reason to also listen to the audiobook to appreciate the correct pronunciation and accent we will get from the story. I learned a lot about Russia, its metro, as well as it's transportation systems reading this book.

I also like the way the author describes the feelings and sensations in a scene to help me to understand what the characters are experiencing. For example, "...like when he'd been a kid riding one of the big roller coasters at Coney Island." and "...like a marionette dropped from his strings by his puppeteer." Describing it to me this way, I can better picture what exactly happened, and best of all, what sensations are the characters feeling in the book.

Seriously, I can go on and on. However, I'd like to end my review by sharing with you my favorite character in the book. The pilot, Rod "Hot Rod" Studebaker. A man in his 70s, has a girlfriend two decades younger than him, speaks Finnish, insanely incredible pilot (focus on the insane). I didn't notice I was gripping my tablet tighter after I've finished this chapter. Besides the adrenaline, I like Studebaker's character. He remained positive and calm despite the desperate situation. I've bookmarked Chapter 42. Whenever I feel like I'm in a hopeless circumstance, I will read this chapter and remember how this character had so calmly and positively handled a panicky situation and maybe, just maybe, start singing Light My Fire by The Doors.

If you like fast-paced espionage thrillers between the US and Russia, then you'll enjoy this book.

If you enjoy reading spy thrillers, this is the book for you. Left in debt by a covert operation and betrayed by the CIA, former agent Charles Jenkins was tried for espionage and released. He wants to farm his land and provide for his wife and young children but the day he pays his last debt a CIA operative appears, asking Charles to get involved in an operation in Russia. Again. The Russian agent who saved his life is in an infamous Moscow prison. In return for what she sacrificed for him, he must trust the agency that abandoned him and rescue her from prison, bringing her to safety. The odds are against him, but he’ll do it. I enjoyed the book’s plot twists and, after our hesitant hero accepts his mission, fast-paced writing filled with adventure, racing across countries pursued by Russian agents. This book follows The Eighth Sister but can be read as a standalone novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

have enjoyed Robert Dugoni’s novels, especially his homicide detective, Tracy Crosswhite series. Last year, I decided to try his The Eighth Sister, a very different genre, and enjoyed it.
The Last Agent is a sequel that book.

Charles Jenkins, retired CIA agent, is called back to duty again to return to Russia to try to rescue Paulina Ponomayova, an agent who who saved his life in the prior novel. Paulina may or may not be imprisoned at a notorious Moscow prison and Charles’ only hope of finding out is by enlisting the help of a former Russian agent who once relentlessly pursued him. Can he trust him?

Spy stories are not my favorite, but once again Dugoni lured me in with an easy to follow, suspenseful, engrossing, fast read. As with many stories in this genre, I found some of the action a bit of a stretch and a little too convenient, but enjoyed this read and look forward to the next in the series as the ending foretells a sequel.

Although this can be read as a standalone, reading The Eighth Sister first will provide much more context.

The Last Agent’ by Robert Dugoni (Thomas & Mercer)

One of the most anticipated of the most anticipated novels of the fall, Robert Dugoni’s “The Last Agent” picks up where “The Eighth Sister” (https://tinyurl.com/yc3ja8xk) left former spy Charles Jenkins — in limbo, following a failed undercover Russian operation that was so top secret he is betrayed by the United States and tried for treason. Exonerated but bitter, the last thing that Jenkins would have entertained would be being reactivated and sent back to Russia on a new mission. Except — this is a Dugoni thriller, and the best-selling author is a master of plot twists and turns. His latest is no exception.

When Jenkins discovers that the woman who sacrificed her life to get him out of Russia is actually alive and in the infamous Lefortovo Prison, he accepts that he can’t leave her behind. Heck, he’s even named the baby he never thought he’d see when on that former mission after the agent, Paulina, so he’s vested and onboard.

The trick then is not only getting Jenkins — he’s now on Russia’s most wanted list — back into the country, but getting him to not only infiltrate the notorious Moscow prison, get Paulina out alive and then get them both to the United States. For added fun, this all will take place while the pair are being hunted by an obsessive Russian agent — he’s likened to Captain Ahab — who has personal motives for wanting them dead.

Under lesser pens, that trick would fall apart a third of the way into the novel. Under Dugoni’s tight plotting, the story is stretched but plausible and laden with enough action to keep the pages turning in a single reading.
That’s good news for Jenkins, but even better news for Dugoni’s readers. This second in the series is a self-contained story — reading “The Eighth Sister” is not required, but does enhance the experience of “The Last Agent” — and it takes until the final pages to find out whether or not we’ll have more of Jenkins’s excellent diversions while awaiting the next Tracy Crosswhite novel.

A final word on the new book is about the Brilliance Audio version of the novel. As in “The Eighth Sister,” Edoardo Ballerini again narrates the new Jenkins’s title, and with the same masterful reading of Dugoni’s work. Ballerini’s tone and timbre are perfectly paired for a Dugoni thriller, and this is perhaps to be expected — the voice artist has narrated voluminous works from the varied likes of James Patterson, Dean Koontz and Thich Nhat Hanh, and apparently has a penchant for the Russian classic — you’ll even find Ballerini’s talent narrating a nearly 56-hour audio version of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.”

Published by Thomas & Mercer on September 22, 2020

The Last Agent follows The Eighth Sister as the second book to chronicle the exploits of Charles Jenkins, an unretired spy. Jenkins came out of retirement in the last novel because he needed the money. In this one, Jenkins returns to Russia to repay a favor.

Jenkins escaped from Russia in The Eighth Sister thanks to the sacrifice of Paulina Ponomayova. She provided a distraction that gave Jenkins time to get away from his pursuers. Jenkins assumed she died. It turns out that she is alive (at least for the moment) and in prison, where she will certainly be tortured on the premise that she knows the identities of spies who have passed information to the CIA for decades.

Naturally, the CIA decides that it would be smart to send Jenkins, a tall black guy who stands out in Russia, to rescue Paulina. Jenkins coerces a retired Russian spy, Viktor Federov, into providing an assist, playing both on Federov’s greed and on his competitive nature. After they confirm that Paulina is still alive, Jenkins concocts a plan to bust her out of prison and smuggle her out of Russia.

Farfetched? Of course it is, but improbability doesn’t get in the way of entertainment in a novel that is largely a setup followed by an extended chase scene. Much of the fun derives from the novel’s tradecraft, the various deceptions and ruses that the CIA employs to keep Jenkins and Paulina from being captured or killed. As for the chase, on roads and trains and boats and foot, Robert Dugoni delivers the excitement that a thriller should generate. The outcome is predictable and the story is bit light on drama, but the last half moves too quickly to allow time for contemplation of the novel’s faults.

The very last scene sets up a return to Russia to save the surviving spies whose identities Jenkins tried to protect in the first novel. Jenkins might want to stay unretired because he hasn’t felt this young in years, chases apparently serving as a tonic for youth until you get caught. I fear that Dugoni will go to the well once to often if he sends Jenkins back to Russia — by now, every cop in Russia must know that a tall black guy should be detained with no questions asked — but it isn’t fair to judge a novel I haven’t read. Maybe the formula will work a third time. I can attest that it worked well enough the second time to earn a recommendation.

RECOMMENDED

Accidental CIA agent Charles Jenkins is back in Russia in The Last Agent, the second book in his spy thriller series.

Charles is exonerated from charges of espionage in a US federal court. In the last book, his former company, CJ Security, had unknowingly worked for a CIA shell company. That led Charles to Russia. Once there, he was lucky to escape with his life. And he wouldn’t have been so lucky without the CIA clandestine agent Paulina’s help.

So when the CIA approaches Charles again, he isn’t interested until he learns Paulina is in danger in the infamous Russian prison, Lefortovo. There is only one problem. To save Paulina, Charles must rely on Victor Federov. Victor was the Russian agent who had chased Charles after his escape from Russia in the last book. Now fired from his agency, Federov insists there are no hard feelings between him and Charles. But is he telling the truth?

The Last Agent is an exhilarating thrill ride into the hidden Russian world of espionage. The book is highly recommended for its genuine characters, full throttle pacing and exciting conclusion. 4 stars!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Now this is how you write a non-stop, adrenaline-pumping, action spy thriller. The Last Agent is the 2nd book in the Charles Jenkins series. I think it can be read as a stand-alone since the author did a great job telling the backstory but I recommend reading the first book before this one. You will feel a better connection with Jenkins, Paulina and Federov better. A fascinating plot with great characters. The book is totally addictive, and if you love thrillers, then this is a series not to miss. I can already picture Denzel Washington in this action movie.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Robert Dugoni for a copy of "The Last Agent" in exchange of an honest review.

There is something about a book dealing with spies and counterespionage set in Russia that immediately raises my heartbeat and respiration rate. At least that applies to Dugoni’s latest Charles Jenkins’ installment. I admit to being apprehensive and occasionally looking away from the page fearing what was coming next. I also admit to a modicum of incredulity from time to time, but hey, who is to say what is plausible in the current mood of the world and Putin’s Russia.

There is an extraordinarily strong subtext that deals with men who want to win at any cost and who will admit loss only upon death. They are driven beyond reason; they live for the cat and mouse manipulation, hunt, and ultimate victory. Some of these men are well intentioned even though they are deluded, some not even close, some are self-absorbed, some are malcontents, some just evil. Beside the strong personalities, twists and turns abound along with many elaborate sliding doors and timing so tight that a heartbeat can decide the ending.

Great writing, terrific plot development, intense situations – Robert Dugoni is a master of this thrill a minute genre. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy.

Thanks NetGalley for giving me an ARC of The Last Agent by Robert Dugoni in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. This is the second book in the Charles Jenkins series, this spy thriller is a must read and a great sequel to the first book.

The Last Agent by Robert Dugoni is a fantastic tale of strength, obsession, dedication, and trust. I love this series. Charlie is such a fabulous character.

Will Charlie save Paulina and get them both to America safely?

Charlie is asked to determine if Paulina Ponomayova is in the infamous Russian prison, Lefortovo, in Moscow. He agrees since he thought that Paulina gave up her life so he could return home. However, Charlie has decided that if Paulina is alive, he isn't leaving without her. So, he sets up a plan that should work if all things go as planned. However, many things could go wrong.

We see characters from the first book again and a few new ones too. The settings are so brilliantly described that it comes alive in my mind.

Things that I liked:
• Getting to know more about Viktor Federov
• Seeing the inside of Federov's apartment
• Paulina is still as tough as ever.
• Alekseyov has a conscience.
• Efimov has a great backstory that explains his attitude.
• Rod Studebaker is fabulous. I love his philosophy on life and his attitude. Flying with him would be so fun unless you get motion sickness.
• Charlie's realization of how he feels at the end of the story

Five Stars
Robert Dugoni's books take a bit to leave my brain. I know that I have another book to read, but I need time to let the characters and the story get out of my mind. Every part of the book is resonating in my mind over and over. Honestly, I feel like I was on that wild ride with Charlie. One of the things I was trying to figure out after reading The Eighth Sister was how the author would pull off another book in this series. Yet, The Last Agent by Robert Dugoni is fabulous, and my rating is five stars.

I highly recommend this to all spy and espionage thriller readers out there. It is amazing!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Last Agent by Robert Dugoni.

Until the next time,
~Jen

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