A solid piece of spy fiction that recalls the best of the classic spy fiction of the past.

At least the first 75% of the book did. The last 25%, sadly, bogged down into a lengthy, tedious, and sometimes downright silly series of courtroom scenes that are utterly out of sync with the intelligence and pace of the rest of the book.

I'd give the first 75% of the book a solid five stars, but the last 25% gets one star (at best). Averaging that out, takes us to three stars, I guess, but I'm making it four stars because I enjoyed that first 75% so much.

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.

I’m a fan of Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series so I was really looking forward to this book. The characters were intriguing. The plot well thought out. I’m generally not a fan of spy thrillers but I enjoyed this one.

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.

Another masterpiece from Dugoni! One of my favorite things about this author is how he uses recurring characters. First seen in the David Sloane series, Charles Jenkins takes over the lead role in the Eighth Sister.

Jenkins gets an offer that seems too good to be true, just when he needs it and jumps back into the spy game. - this time in Russia The action scenes are written so well your mind can picture each twist and turn.

In the end, Jenkins and old friend Sloane take on the government and public opinion. It’s a great story from beginning to end. Make sure to read the acknowledgments to read about the author’s own interesting trip to Russia.

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.

Having enjoyed most of Dugoni's work and his writing style, I had a hard time getting into his latest story, a spy novel featuring an ageing main character who takes on a challenging assignment. Unfortunately, when this very lead character is mostly just annoying, the plot full of predictable clichées, the minor characters flat and the pacing out of kilter, there is not much left to like. In the end, I could not bring myself to finish this offering, as I found myself devoid of any interest in the conclusion, That said, I am not a fan of spy novels, so others may enjoy this more. Sorry, but this was not for me.

Charles Jenkins is a family man and former spy. He’s now enjoying retirement in Washington State, running his own security firm and expecting a new baby. Despite all this, he’s in financial trouble. He therefore can’t believe his luck when his old CIA boss shows up with a seemingly genuine opportunity: a mission for the CIA to save the lives of some undercover operatives inside Russia. Jenkins needs the money, so he accepts. Unfortunately, all is not what it seems and before long, Jenkins is on the run from the Russian authorities and can’t expect any help from home. When he finally makes it home, he find himself charged with espionage and facing multiple life terms. His only hope is to somehow prove that he was on a legitimate mission for the CIA and that will only happen if he can outwit those who want to silence him.

The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni is almost the perfect spy novel. From a secret spy network to a retired spy coming out of retirement, this novel just doesn’t quit. My favorite literary spy is a tossup between Ludlum’s Jason Bourne and Bell’s Alex Hawke. That said, a close second would be Dugoni’s Charles Jenkins. Dugoni has also done a yeoman’s job of creating the Russian character who doggedly pursues Jenkins across Russia and Southern Europe. I highly recommend this book to thriller fans and give it 5/5 stars.

*A copy of the ebook is the only compensation received in exchange for this review.*

What an amazing read! I loved this book!
I love anything written by this author!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you netgalley for an exchange of this title for my honest opinion

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...