This title is acceptable in most respects. It is part of a series. But honestly, I started why this protagonist keeps heading back into trouble. I am buying his reasoning anymore.

The Silent Sisters

by Robert Dugoni

Spy thrillers are not my go-to genre, but I read The Last Agent, the second book in the Charles Jenkins Series, thinking it was a standalone. I was hooked. I returned to read the third in the series, The Silent Sisters, when it was published recently. Both were page turners.

Charles Jenkins, the protagonist, is a semi-retired spy with quite the reputation in Russia where The Silent Sisters takes place. It is Putin’s Russia so the book brings together some of recent Russian history with current events. Moscow is covered with cameras as Jenkins goes in to rescue the two remaining deep undercover plants known as the Seven Sisters. Before he begins his mission, he works with specialists in disguise techniques at Langley because, as a large Black man on Russia’s top 10 kill list, he is easy to spot, especially given their expertise in facial recognition technology. His perhaps fatal error is trying to help an abused stranger in a seedy bar on his first night there. His principled act begins a manhunt by the police, the Russian spy agencies, and the mafia.

At home in Washington state, he has left a wife who formerly worked for the CIA, two children, and a retirement he hasn’t really gotten to enjoy yet. Thoughts of his family keep him going when things get brutal.

Descriptions of the physical settings and the atmosphere of suspense and tension are achieved with excellence. The reader is immersed in each setting from the Trans-Siberian train making its way to freedom to the offices where directors of intelligence agencies compete for power and for their lives. Each setting has its own gripping tenor.

Author Robert Dugoni is a master at keeping all the balls in the air until it is time to draw things to a conclusion. Then he works the circumstances to arrive at a satisfactory ending that is hopeful, but realistic.

I believe this set of books was originally conceived as a trilogy. The author hints in the Acknowledgments that his upcoming trip to Egypt could be the impetus for more adventures featuring Charles Jenkins. I hope so!

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thriller

Notes: 1. #3 in the Charles Jenkins Series, but could be read as a standalone.
2. There is some Russian included for atmosphere, but unless the meaning is obvious, it is seamlessly translated for the reader in the text.
3. There is a small amount of swearing, including one word in Russian.
4. It is a spy novel involving Russian agents and the Russian mafia so you can expect some torture, but the descriptions are not detailed or extensive.

Publication: February 22, 2022—Thomas & Mercer

Memorable Lines:
The pain shattered his skin like splinters of broken glass passing through his body.

She’d learned long ago, when her father had died, that vengeance did not bring satisfaction. It didn’t even temper the pain of death. It would not temper the pain of Eldar’s death. It only let others know that killings would come at a heavy cost. Retribution. An eye for an eye.

When you can have everything, you appreciate nothing.

Another fantastic addition to the Charles Jenkins series full of all the fun, espionage action we have come to love from Dugoni!

After his last mission where he barely escaped Russia alive, Charles Jenkins thinks he can finally settle down with his family and put the spy game behind him. When the final two of the seven sisters, assets who have been deep undercover, have cut off communication and Charles is tasked with finding out if they have been turned, or in hiding. A job that becomes harder as he has been placed on the Russian kill list. Immediately after he arrives, his plans fall apart when he gets involved in the death of the son of one of Russia’s most powerful crime leaders. Now, he must watch every move he makes even more carefully and try to accomplish his assignment without getting caught and killed. All he wants is to make it back home to his family in one piece before his luck runs out.

Every time I pick up a new Robert Dugoni book, I know I am going to be in for a fantastic read. The Charles Jenkins books would normally not be ones I pick up being set in Russia, not what pulls me in usually, but when Robert Dugoni writes it all bets are off and I’m in for the duration of the story. Charles is a character that is full of strength, determination, and will to live and return to his family. He is written in a way that readers will be able to relate to him and want to cheer him on to achieve his mission and return to his family. Each character in this book has a place and purpose; even with several different storylines and many characters it was easy to follow with Dugoni’s smooth writing.

The world of espionage is fun to read about with different settings and people the characters encounter, but it can also be confusing depending on how well it is written. If you pick up a Robert Dugoni novel, doesn’t matter if it is one of the Charles Jenkins novels or one of his Tracy Crosswhite novels, you know you are going to be in for a story that is well written with characters that will pull you in and keep you intrigued by what they are going through and sucked into a really great story. There are some mature themes throughout this book, but it is written so well it never bothered me or took away from the story. I recommend this to those that enjoy thrillers and mysteries, but you will need to have read the first two in the series to get the most out of this one.

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

Dugoni never disappoints.

If he writes it, I am going to read it.

Charlie Jenkins has been called upon once again when an American sleeper cell in Russia goes silent, it is his job to go in and find them. But first, there is that opening scene in the prologue! Holy Moly! I mean, come on, that was brutal and instantly had me sitting up a little straighter in my chair, eyes glued to the pages, pulse pounding, and heart thumping in my chest.

Just when Jenkins thought he was done and could relax with his family at their farm, the CIA comes knocking. Assumed identity in place, Jenkins goes to Russia where he gets caught up in some nastiness at a bar that ends with the death of the only son of a powerful organized crime leader. Because when Charlie does danger - he goes all in! But this time he may have stepped in the you-know-what a little too much.

I really think you need to read the first two books in this series prior to reading this one. They really set the stage and readers will not feel as if they are missing out on information. Plus, the previous books are amazing so why not, go back and read them.

Fans of spy books, espionage books will not be disappointed. Plus, Charlie Jenkins is a very likeable main character who is no spring chicken. Nope, he wants to retire. But he is just so good at his job, the CIA keeps calling. Plus, there are other characters who are in their 60's. It was refreshing to read a book where most of the characters are middle age or above.


As with all his books, The Silent Sisters was well written and kept me on my toes. There is action, there is danger, there is retribution, there is intrigue, and there are complications. You will like some characters, dislike some characters, be amused by some characters, and shake your head at others.

If you have not read Dugoni, what are you waiting for????? He has so many amazing books, you may have difficulty choosing what to read first!


Dugoni once again explains in his author's note about spending 3 weeks in Russia and how that inspired this series.


Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Exceptional cold war espionage thriller with superb characters. This was a great read, and the best of the trilogy. Dugoni is such a great storyteller and hopefully there will be more Charles Jenkins books in the future.

Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced copy.

Dugoni is the master of the chase/evade capture scene in espionage fiction.
This finale to the Jenkins trilogy did not disappoint.
He captures the Brutality and ugliness of the Putin regime and beware anyone who gets in his way.
Hopefully we will see more of Dugoni in the espionage writing arena.
The character development of CIA recruit Jenkins and his FSB antagonists was outstanding. I found myself fully invested in the mission and rooting for the last of the Silent Sisters.

If you have read any of the previous installments in the Charles Jenkins’ series you will recognize the man who will risk all and step in when someone is harmed unnecessarily. As Jenkins follows his conscience his task and situation mutates from a rescue to a life threatening, cliff hanger, where someone, if not everyone, is going to be tortured, maimed and everything in between. While rarely, if ever, being mentioned by name Putin’s fingerprints are all over this story and the music to which his lackeys are dancing. Dugoni has bested his last effort albeit with a bit more brutality, ugliness, and craziness employing a man who needs to be needed, who needs to help those who need while trying to find a balance in his life and history.

If the spy genre is your tonic nobody does it better than Dugoni. I encourage anyone interested in the mechanics of the espionage game to crack the pages and see how it is done. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy.

The last on the sisters trilogy and a fitting end. Charlie Jenkins is needed to rescue the last of the sisters. He returns to Russia while on a Russian kill list. You get a long back story on one of the sisters and her work and add in a fearless Russian detective who wants to solve his last case before retirement. A compelling read. I hope somehow the series continues beyond the trilogy.
I was given a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Loved this book, part of a trilogy by Robert Dugoni. Although it was a "continuation" of the previous tales, it had it own twists and turns. It was very complicated for the spys , government officials, gangster families, as all was intertwined. Made for a great read. Especially at this time when Russia is constantly in the news.

Holy Smokes!! What an amazing ending to an action packed series!!

There are 2 sisters left in Russia, one has gone silent and one sends explosive information to the CIA. They both need to be extracted and Charles Jenkins is the only agent these women will trust, armed with new disguises he heads back to Russia to complete his mission.

I started reading this book on my kindle, but I enjoyed the audio versions so much in the past I waited until the 22nd and bought the audiobook. The narration of Edoardo Ballerini brought Charles to life for me and I had to complete this series with Edoardo. Once again my heart was pumping and I was knitting as fast as I could while listening to the action packed story!

I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and most of all Robert Dugoni for creating characters that have become old friends!

Absolutely enjoy book #3 in this series! This is my 4th Robert Dugoni book (started with The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - which was fantastic!) ....This series begins with The Eighth Sister then onto The Last Agent and now the Silent Sisters. I love his character development, plot twists and overall suspense! His stories leaving you always wanting more!

The Silent Sister by Robert Dugoni
Charles Jenkins #3

This is a series I believe would be best read from the beginning rather than jumping in at what I believe could be the last book of a trilogy. It deals with women spies sent in decades earlier to live deep undercover in Russia. I felt I was out of my depth and needed more about Jenkins, the women, the original reason they went in and didn’t feel up to wading through all four hundred well written pages too see if enough of the backstory would be provided. That said…

The writing drew me in, the characters were well developed, the plot intense and intriguing, my emotions were engaged, and yet…I ended up skimming BECAUSE I wanted to know how things turned out for Charles and Maria and the other “sister” but found I was not invested in this story strongly enough to read word for word having missed two books worth of words I should have read before.

With this in mind, I would probably read book 4 in this series, if there is a book 4, because I believe all of the “sisters” are accounted for by the end of this book and if Charles were to go out to work again the book would be a new story I would be able to follow more easily.

So…how to rate a book like this? I guess I will rate it on how much I know I will enjoy it once I have read books one and two of the series and THEN read this one afterward.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – this is my honest review.

5 Stars

The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni is the third instalment in the Charles Jenkins series but it holds up well as a stand-alone although I now wish to read the two preceding novels. The silent sisters are Russian women who have dedicated their lives to passing on secrets to the U.S. After two of them have not been heard from for an unrealistic length of time, Charles Jenkins is dispatched to Russia to find out what happened to the women and, if possible, bring them to America in order for them to begin a safe new life. Charles is on a death list in Russia and will be in grave danger while there. And then the action heats up. This is a well-paced cat-and-mouse thriller. What I found especially fascinating are the varied Russian settings. The characters are convincingly well-drawn and the plot moves at a break-neck pace. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the conclusion. This is a definite bad-guy, good-guy yarn. As usual, a Robert Dugoni novel never disappoints and I look forward to his next novel. This is a thriller well worth the time. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2022/02/22/%f0%9f%8e%a7the-silent-sisters-by-robert-dugoni/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

I am really enjoying the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/258568-charles-jenkins" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Charles Jenkins</strong></em></a> series, which begins with <strong>The Eighth Sister</strong>, which was a heart-stopping fire hose of action and life-or-death danger.  Charles Jenkins is unusual in that he is older, in his 60s, and left the CIA 40 years ago.  He has a young son and a newborn daughter.  I think you should read it is order due to the character and plot development as it progresses.  Definitely some of the same people and goals are still in play in <strong>The Last Agent.  </strong>

In spite of his complete distrust for the CIA, Jenkins still loves his country.  He also has his own sense of honor and compassion which clearly have him going into a new life-threatening situation.  In fact, his sense of honor make things extremely difficult on this mission. He's already on a kill list for the Kremlin and now pretty much everyone is after him.

The action and danger were non-stop.  There are several after him, and the silent sister he is here to save.  Some of the players are familiar from earlier books and others are not.  I was on edge throughout.  This author really knows how to write layered, compelling stories. I have loved every one.

“When you can have everything, you appreciate nothing.”

After a harrowing escape from Russian agents on his last mission, Charles Jenkins did not think he would have to make another covert trip to Russia but the last two of the Seven Sisters - deep cover American assets - have cut off communication and it is up to him to find out why. Pursued by mafia henchmen, Russian agents, and a particularly dogged Moscow police detective, Jenkins is determined to track down the final two sisters and get them to America — or die trying. As various forces close in, Jenkins fears this time he might’ve pushed his luck too far.

There are spy thrillers which is my favourite thriller genre and then there is this trilogy, set entirely in Russia. I've learnt more about espionage involving old fashioned spycraft from these books than all the others combined.

While most fictional spies I’ve read in books are in their 40s, Jenkins is a sixty something, retired CIA case-officer. He is unlike any of the usual spies, both professionally and as a family man, and Jenkins’s antics prove age is just a number.

My favourite character in this book after Jenkins and Maria Kulikova-one of the silent sisters-is Senior Investigator Arkhip Mishkin of Moscow. Throughout the book he doggedly pursues Jenkins. It was interesting to see where that leads him as he gets caught up in mafia-spy love triangle.

I definitely recommend this Charles Jenkins-Seven Sisters trilogy. With a delectable mix of spycraft and adventure, the intense thrill you experience as you follow the events across Russia is unmatched.

This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

Tense, fast paced, and whip smart! This is espionage on the deadliest stage, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Talk about a mission impossible… Charles Jenkins is at the top of the Kremlin kill list. He has snuck into Russia one too many times in his CIA career. Yet he’s back again determined to ex-filtrate the last 2 sister spies.

But just as his mission begins, he goes off plan. In a quest to do what’s morally right, he lands in the sites of the Russian mafia, and they may be a bigger threat than the Kremlin. Two women counting on him. Two powerful, cunning enemies

After reading The World Played Chess last year, I became a *huge* Dugoni fan. I don’t usually read (or watch) spy fiction. But I knew that if anyone could get it right, it would be Dugoni. (And boy did he.) This is the 3rd book in the Jenkins series. I wish I’d read the other two for background, but I didn’t find that it impeded my enjoyment not having done so.

What most intrigued me was how brutal, violent men were on both sides of this game. Is it possible for ruthless, cruel individuals to also have a sense of good? A sense of morality?

If you are a fan of an intense game of chess…but one that involves actual life and death, this should be your next read. It’s an intense adrenaline rush that will have your mind working overtime.

Many thanks to Robert Dugoni, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

This is the third book in the Charles Jenkins spy series and it seems to wrap up the story of the Seven Sisters, deep-cover moles from the Cold War that need extraction from Russia. The last two women have gone silent and the CIA needs to find out why and get them out, if possible. They turn again to Charles. He's barely survived his previous two forays into the country and is now on a Russian kill list. Surely another mission is pushing his luck too far. Except this mission calls for his very specific type of vintage spy craft.

Off he goes to do his duty. All seems to be going almost too well when he gets involved in a confrontation in a bar and makes a tactical error, putting him on the run from not only Russian agents, but a relentless Moscow police detective and a Russian mafia family. It will take all of his skills and allies old and new to find and extract the final two sisters to America. Dugoni keeps the story driving at a frantic clip and keeps the twists coming. Recommended!

Loved this book, could not put it down! I'm a huge Robert Dugoni fan but my fave of his is the Tracy Crosswhite series. However, I was immediately grabbed with the first Seven Sisters novel, and this one is just as good if not better!

Once again Charles Jenkins finds himself in Russia, after learning that there are two sisters still alive, but have gone silent. With his strong need to protect these women who have given so much for the US, Charles is on a plane to Russia for what he hopes is the last time. Prepared with numerous disguises and identities, Charlie's plan is to get in, get the sisters and get out, but he's sidetracked in a sleazy bar one night when a scumbag mistreats a woman. A fight ensures and someone ends up dead. And it's not just any someone, it's someone related to a powerful mafia figure. Now Charles not only has to get the sisters out alive, he has to worry about keeping himself alive as well.

Replete with all the action, drama and suspense of Dugoni's previous novels, this one kept me turning pages long after I should have turned out the light. I always think that his books are a fast read, but that's just because I can't put them down and just keep reading!

The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni is the third book in the Charles Jenkins series.
In short, we follow American spy Charles Jenkins return to Russia to check on the final two of the seven sisters, this time his mission is even more precarious as he has been added to a Russian kill list. The danger very quickly escalates when he is involved in a random event and the victim saying “what have you done!”
I thoroughly enjoyed this explosive espionage thriller, delivering fast packed action, well written interesting characters, oodles of tension and the stakes as high as humans should be asked to endure…retribution on steroids! “Guns and bullets could kill, but information could destroy!”
It was a clever use of duplicating part of the written story into the prologue, especially with the great one liner, “Nor will be the person who gets a sausage made out of me!” I also liked that the real Charles Jenkins was a dear friend of the author and that he had told him he would someday put him in a novel…so he did.
I need to read more escapades involving Charles Jenkins so hopefully as suggested by Mr Dugoni he will return!
Big thanks to Robert Dugoni, Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for this eARC which is what I chose to read in return for my honest review.

Charles Jenkins decides to take on another mission in Russia. He is sent to exfiltrate the last two of the seven sisters. A chance encounter in a bar exposes him to the Velikayas, a large mafiya family, and the leader, Yekaterina, hold Charlie responsible for her son's death. Now he is on the run from the Velikayas, the FSB and the police. Lots of characters to keep track of but in the end it all pulls together. I liked all the characters especially Maria who sacrificed so much, and Arkhip, the soon to be retired policeman who was determined to find out the truth. The action was easy to follow and Russia was brought to life for me. While not normally a genre I am drawn to Robert Dugoni always comes through for me.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a copy.