abrswf's review against another edition
3.0
I found this audiobook a bit of a slog. The plot setup is convoluted and to my way of thinking not terribly plausible. I never really connected to the hero. I’ll add that although he is African American and his wife is of color, there is no insight presented on what challenges that might present, other than the obvious fact that the hero stands out visually in Russia. Much of the book is devoted to a surprisingly dull chase. But the last hour or so of listening was great and fascinating and tense. The narrator is super, too. And I enjoyed all the Seattle area detail and color. Still, not planning to continue with this series because I don’t feel a lot of interest in tracking the hero further.
karlb's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic plot that moves from spy fieldwork to courtroom drama.
reneek84's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I felt it was very well written even though I don't always understand the legal stuff with the CIA and FBI. Robert Dugoni wrote a great spy thriller and has another new fan. I would highly recommend it.
lstout456's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mojoshivers's review against another edition
4.0
My oh my, was this an intriguing read. I wanted to classify it as a spy novel in the vein of Le Carre with an intriguing plot line about seven sleeper agents living in Russia but in the service of the U.S., as well as the man sent to suss out who was killing them one by one. More importantly, this man had the more difficult task of discovering who in the U.S. who had sold out the names of the so-called Seven Sisters.
But from that set-up the novel took the first of its great twists. Instead of being about the search for the identity of the killer, the so-called Eighth Sister, and the mole who sold them out, the middle section details how our hero is found out and has to make a very clever escape from Russia through Turkey and Greece, all the while being pursued by a dogged FSB agent.
Then for its big finish the novel spins again and becomes a courtroom drama. It turns out the hero has been set up. His visits to Russia under the guise of investigation are now being used to say he’s a traitor, that he was not authorized by the US to conduct this operation, and that he’s making this whole story to hide his treachery. It literally goes from a Le Carre novel to a Grisham novel before your eyes, which is fascinating to me.
I’ve never seen a spy plot involving traitors, sleep agents, and a government willing to double-cross one of its end up being resolved in a court of law. It blew me away how you could spool out the connecting threads between a CIA business front, one of its agents conducting his own operation to wash his dirty money through that business, and pinning the blame when it all comes out on the main character all as evidence in a case.
It’s kind of like an episode of Law & Order, except the Law part was far more gritty and involved a lot of spy craft and the Order part was far more hairy as the government as usual would do everything in its power not to appear weak, foolish, or anything less than in control in relation to allowing a mole to grow rich underneath its nose the whole time—even if it meant selling out an honest man.
But everyone gets vindicated in the end. Normally I don’t buy the happy ending, preferring something more bittersweet. But this ending? I would’ve been pissed if it had involved people getting away with the crap they tried to pull. Completely pissed.
But from that set-up the novel took the first of its great twists. Instead of being about the search for the identity of the killer, the so-called Eighth Sister, and the mole who sold them out, the middle section details how our hero is found out and has to make a very clever escape from Russia through Turkey and Greece, all the while being pursued by a dogged FSB agent.
Then for its big finish the novel spins again and becomes a courtroom drama. It turns out the hero has been set up. His visits to Russia under the guise of investigation are now being used to say he’s a traitor, that he was not authorized by the US to conduct this operation, and that he’s making this whole story to hide his treachery. It literally goes from a Le Carre novel to a Grisham novel before your eyes, which is fascinating to me.
I’ve never seen a spy plot involving traitors, sleep agents, and a government willing to double-cross one of its end up being resolved in a court of law. It blew me away how you could spool out the connecting threads between a CIA business front, one of its agents conducting his own operation to wash his dirty money through that business, and pinning the blame when it all comes out on the main character all as evidence in a case.
It’s kind of like an episode of Law & Order, except the Law part was far more gritty and involved a lot of spy craft and the Order part was far more hairy as the government as usual would do everything in its power not to appear weak, foolish, or anything less than in control in relation to allowing a mole to grow rich underneath its nose the whole time—even if it meant selling out an honest man.
But everyone gets vindicated in the end. Normally I don’t buy the happy ending, preferring something more bittersweet. But this ending? I would’ve been pissed if it had involved people getting away with the crap they tried to pull. Completely pissed.
alycille's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could rate this book in two parts:
3 stars- for the parts in America (court/legal drama)
5 stars- for the international parts!! Could be a movie…so much action and suspense!!
I plan to continue this series!
3 stars- for the parts in America (court/legal drama)
5 stars- for the international parts!! Could be a movie…so much action and suspense!!
I plan to continue this series!
rmichno's review against another edition
2.0
This book started off well but then went downhill for me.
I enjoyed the early spy thriller story, although that devolved into an over-the-top action movie plot which grew boring. But the worst part is the last 1/2 of the book which suddenly became an overly detailed courtroom drama.
I felt it was all a muddled mess.
I enjoyed the early spy thriller story, although that devolved into an over-the-top action movie plot which grew boring. But the worst part is the last 1/2 of the book which suddenly became an overly detailed courtroom drama.
I felt it was all a muddled mess.
slightly_devious's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good opener. Really enjoyed the audible version.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: July 27th 2023
“In my day, you couldn't throw a rock without hitting a Russian KGB officer in Mexico City.”
I only discovered his writing last year when I binge-read the Tracy Crosswhite books, but Robert Dugoni has quickly turned into a favorite thriller author. While I don't usually read a lot of spy thrillers, I couldn't resist adding The Eighth Sister to my TBR both because of his engaging writing style and the fact that the blurb sounded fascinating. I'm glad I gave this story a chance now, because I ended up having an excellent time with it! The Eighth Sister is part spy thriller and part legal thriller, and I really enjoyed how the two subgenres were combined together. The plot is divided into parts, which was actually useful because each part had a different feel to it. We have the main character Charles Jenkins actively spying at first, then a very action-packed and fast-paced escape from the Russians and last but not least the trying to uncover the truth and a play-by-play of a trial. This might not seem like it would work together in a plot, but I personally liked this change in pace and everything evolved naturally. I love a good international setting in my stories, and The Eighth Sister offers a healthy dose of armchair travel with chapters set in Russia, Turkey, Greece and Mexico. Former CIA officer Charles Jenkins made for a great main character, and I enjoyed spending time with him and found myself rooting for him and his allies along the way. I'm definitely looking forward to read the sequel some time soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Car accident, Confinement, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
jpbronco's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled through this book. It's like a bad spy novel that turns into a worse Grisham story. The premise that the CIA needed a 65 year old former spy without any context or conversation other than someone stopping by to talk with Jenkins. We never completely conclude and catch the 8th Sister,
and then his Russian counterpart just quits and then later leaves him a life's fortune. Good thing he has a friends that can support his family in his house for months and then mount a million dollar trial for no costs.
I am a huge fan of his Crosswhite series. This fell flat for me.
and then his Russian counterpart just quits and then later leaves him a life's fortune. Good thing he has a friends that can support his family in his house for months and then mount a million dollar trial for no costs.
I am a huge fan of his Crosswhite series. This fell flat for me.