The Last Agent

Robert Dugoni is one of my go-to authors. I love his Tracy Crosswhite series, his coming-of-age story The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and even though spies and espionage aren't usually my cuppa tea, I really enjoyed reading The Eighth Sister last year. It was the impressive first installment of the Charles Jenkins series that had non-stop, edge-of-your-seat action and a 'more seasoned' protagonist readers could root for.

The Last Agent picks up shortly after the first book ends and continues the story of spies and espionage with a strong Russian focus. But the story started off very s-l-o-w-l-y and it wasn't until the 40% mark when the plot gained traction for me and the action ratchets up big time. At that point, readers are given exhilarating, almost 007-esque action scenes that, while technically plausible, require readers to stretch and possibly suspend disbelief. If there's an action-packed escape, you can be sure Jenkins will go for it in the last half of the book. Buckle up, readers!

There is an interesting cast of secondary characters - some we've met before, some with baggage and a nefarious baddie with a giant axe to grind which keeps things interesting. There are a lot of Russian characters to keep track of (I found it a bit daunting at first) and Dugoni uses a lot of Russian text throughout, but its inclusion is handled without slowing things down, yet enabling readers to understand what was said.

This was a good addition to the new series. Jenkins is a likable main character who is part family man, part international spy and along with the Seven Sisters project, I'm eager to see where Dugoni will take future story lines.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Robert Dugoni

Genre: Suspense, Espionage, Action

Series: #2 in Charles Jenkins series

Type and Source: eBook from NetGalley

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

First Published: September 22, 2020

Opening Line: Men rushed into her hospital room, 

yanking her from the bed without uttering a single word.

Book Description from GoodReads: An American operative in Russia is on the run for his life in a thriller of heart-stopping betrayal and international intrigue by the New York Times bestselling author of The Eighth Sister.

Betrayed by his own country and tried for treason, former spy Charles Jenkins survived an undercover Russian operation gone wrong. Exonerated, bitter, and safe, the retired family man is through with duplicitous spy games. Then he learns of a woman isolated in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo Prison.

If it’s Paulina Ponomayova, the agent who sacrificed her life to save his, Jenkins can’t leave her behind. But there’s no guarantee it’s her. Or proof Paulina is still alive. To find out, Jenkins must return to Russia. Next move: blackmail Viktor Federov, a former Russian officer with his own ax to grind, into helping him infiltrate Lefortovo. The enemy who once pursued Jenkins across three continents is now the only man Jenkins can trust.

Every step of the way—from Moscow to Scandinavia to the open ocean—they’re hunted by a brutal Russian agent on a killer quest of his own. Out of loyalty to Paulina—dead or alive—Jenkins is putting everyone’s life on the line for a new mission that could be his last.