This book was billed as an action spy comedy. Unfortunately, I did not really find it to be any of those things. The best thing about this book was the interesting names, but the writing was so generic that I wondered if it was AI and it dragged so badly that I had trouble staying awake. If you like Mick Herron or Richard Osman- well, then don't read this book and go read one of theirs because this one was truly not good.

Skwerl was once an elite member of the CIA's paramilitary unit, was cast out after a raid gone wrong in Afghanistan. Big Cheese Aziz, a former Afghan pilot of legendary skill, now works the graveyard shift at a gas station. Recruited into a shadowy network of "sheepdogs," they embark on a mission to repossess a multi-million-dollar private jet stranded on a remote African airfield. But as they go through a labyrinth of lies and hidden agendas, they discover that nothing is as it seems. Their contact vanishes, their handler's motives are suspect, and the true source of their payday remains a mystery. With the stakes skyrocketing and the women in their lives drawn into the fray.

This novel was excellent. It’s an action and adventure story with a great cast of characters. It is globe-trotting and page-turning, full of heart and humor, Sheepdogs is a perceptive, wild ride through the underbelly of modern war and intelligence.

Surprisingly charming. A bit like a Carl Hiassen with more military intel. Altogether satisfying and I would read more by Ackerman.

What a fun, twisty romp of a book! (No, there are no actual sheepdogs in the book.) Thanks so much to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Skwerl (not his real name) was a CIA operative until a raid in Afghanistan went wrong and he went rogue, sharing details about it with the media. Now he’s had to pay back the government for his loose lips, and is hoping for something more exciting to come along.

Cheese, an Afghani pilot once known for his flying prowess, escaped with his wife to Austin, where he works the late shift at an Esso gas station. When Skwerl approaches him with a million-dollar mission, Cheese can’t resist. They need to “repossess” (err, steal) a luxury jet from a deserted airfield in Kampala and “return” it to Marseille, and they’ll receive their $1 million commission.

Of course, nothing goes as they planned. They find themselves with an unstable handler, they don’t seem to get paid, and then their handler winds up dead. Who was behind this job? And why do they suddenly find themselves in danger?

Their taking the plane has set an elaborate scheme in motion that both men are unprepared for. They want to know who was behind the mission in the first place, and as each new wrinkle reveals itself, Skwerl desperately tries to turn the situation to their advantage. It’ll take the help of Skwerl’s girlfriend Sinéad, who is a very successful dominatrix, an old CIA buddy of Skwerl’s, and an Amish client of Sinéad’s.

This was an entertaining and really compelling departure from my usual reads. It got a little technical at times, but the characters cracked me up, even as the tension ratcheted up. Is a sequel on the horizon? I’m in if so!

When you have two former military main characters whose nicknames are Skwerl and Cheese, you’ve just got to see where the story goes. Add in a pregnant wife, a dominatrix girlfriend, an off grid ‘survivalist’ and a disgraced Amish man, your curiosity has to be peaked even more. What should have been a straightforward ‘repossession’ (some would say theft) of a plane, ends up going sideways and Skwerl and Cheese scramble to stay one step ahead of people who seem to want them dead. This was an entertaining read!

With characters named Skwerl andBig Cheese, I was NOT sure where this story was going. Was I supposed to take them seriously, or was the whole book a joke? I quickly discovered that they were characters worth rooting for.

Skwerl and Cheese are disgraced operatives on a mission together, a mission that doesn't exactly go as planned.

The characters were endearing and I didn't want to put the book down.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A heist gone wrong leads into a deeper maze of espionage than our main characters prepared for. What will it take to survive not only the stakes at hand, but the rest of their futures?

Sheepdogs is a gripping spy novel with plenty of comedic relief, and has already been optioned by Apple TV. The characters are more than a little rough around the edges but as we learn more about them and their reasons, they become more lovable and will have you rooting for them! I loved both of their significant others especially, being strong women who can handle things for themselves and help the operatives throughout the story.

I do have one complaint that almost made me DNF in the first chapter, so be warned. A dog is shot and I feel like that is never necessary and will always reduce my willingness to recommend a book.

This book is a breathless, wild ride, a high-octane thriller laced with wit, grit, and a surprising dash of heart. When disgraced CIA operative Skwerl and ex-Afghan pilot “Big Cheese” Aziz are thrown together for an off-the-books heist, what starts as a quick payday careens into a world of double-crosses and blurred allegiances.

The action races from working in a gas station on the graveyard shift to Marseille. But beneath the adrenaline, the book delivers wry humor and moments of real vulnerability. Skwerl and Cheese, outsiders, and survivors, make for a duo as unlikely as they are unforgettable.

Twisty, propulsive, and unafraid to crack a joke even as bullets fly, “Sheepdogs” is both a send-up and a love letter to the classic spy caper. I tore through it in a single sitting.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This just wasn’t for me. I think it has a very interesting premise, I was just not into it unfortunately. I didn’t give up though. I did finish it, but by the time it picked up for me at about 60%, it was a bit too late to put the pieces together. Maybe I’ll give it another go at a later time and see if I feel any differently.

This story was a little different from me and it was my the first time reading from this author! I did enjoy it and it kept me engaged throughout the entire story.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

With characters named Skwerl and Cheese, you know this duo is taking you into a story with no limits. Both have seen better times and have the skills, but not the luck, required to complete any job thrown their way. Together, it's a question of if they're better or not. A very entertaining thriller (?) that I enjoyed a little too much. Plenty of chuckles along the way made the hijinks worthy of 4 stars.

Fast paced intel thriller with oddball characters and tight plotting. Fans of Carl Hiaasen will appreciate this take on post military life mixed with international crime and comedy. Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an advanced copy for a honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and Borzoi Books/Alfred A. Knopf for the ARC of 'Sheepdogs' in exchange for an honest review.

For everyone who thrills to a trip into the twisting, dangerous and sometimes crazily funny world of paramilitary mercenaries, here's a first class ticket. Did I really just say funny? Yes I did, which turns out to be the bonus surprise in addition to a full roster of memorably quirky (but sometimes lethal) characters.

'Sheepdogs' plunges right into the shadowy morass of deep cover CIA operations to control global chaos to achieve.....uh....well, let's say acceptable outcomes. Yes, they could tell you about it but then they'd have to kill you. And that puts a lot of wear and tear on battle hardened veterans who choose to make a living trying to survive these off-the-books super secret, this-never-happened capers.

Two such individuals are disgraced operative 'Skwerl' and expert pilot 'Big Cheese' Aziz, both currently down and out for various reasons. They've been recruited by the anonymous, mysterious 'Sheepdog' to 'repossess' (als0 known as 'swipe') a jet plane and fly it to Marseilles........for a big fat fee. But nothing about this mission is what it seems and nobody involved in it is to be trusted. In no time at all, there's a poisoned dead body, a ravaging bear, priceless dishes, a surprise assassin, a formidable woman known as 'The White Russian and the boys' significant others, - Skwerl's professional dominatrix girlfriend and Cheese's beloved (and very pregnant) wife.

There's also no shortage of government agencies and bigwigs (with an alphabet soup of acronyms) more than willing to disavow all knowledge of any anybody's actions......and come to think of it, nobody here's entirely sure of anybody's actions anyhow.......

It's very clear that author Elliot Ackerman well knows the world he's describing and decided to have some fun with it. Armed with dry wit, he pepperis the novel with moments of deadpan comic absurdity, along the lines of 'Dr. Strangelove' or Carl Hiaasen books. A good thing, too, because that's exactly what kept me engaged and entertained all the way through to the irony-filled finale.

I loved the idea of bending the 'clandestine-mercenary-worldwide-chaos' thriller with a skewed, less than serious look at the untrustworthy participants. Here's hoping Skwerl, Cheese and the other assorted rogues they deal with stumble into further misadventures.

Sheepdogs is a globe-trotting thriller that pairs high-stakes espionage with sharp wit and unexpected heart. Ackerman brings Skwerl and Cheese to life as two misfits drawn into a mission that’s equal parts chaos and cunning. The action is nonstop, the dialogue crackles, and the twists keep coming. Every single character in this book has major quirks. This was a super entertaining blend of spy drama and dark comedy.

Thank you Elliot Ackerman, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

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“Sheepdogs” is a captivating read that skillfully weaves multiple timelines and narrators, offering a nuanced exploration of military life and its intricate complexities. Ackerman’s background and experience infuse the narrative with authenticity and depth, making each character and their experiences truly relatable.

The book was okay but not my cup of tea. I read it completely and it was not a bad story. It just didn't catch my interest.

A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
They are realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

Two misfit operatives on a mission that goes sideways in a hurry

Skwerl and Big Cheese Aziz are talented operatives who for differing reasons (Skwerl due to a raid in Afghanistan went bad, Big Cheese thanks to the fall of Kabul) are having a hard time finding legitimate work in their chosen professions. Skwerl is part of an off-the-books network of "sheepdogs", those who take jobs that fall into a moral grey zone, and has convinced a reluctant Big Cheese to partner with him on a job repossessing a private jet currently on an airfield in a remote part of Africa. With a promised commission based on the jet's value ($5 million) upon completion of the assignment), its too tempting to pass up. It doesn't take the pair too long to figure out that all is not as it should be with this job...the person they were to use as a contact is nowhere to be found, the person who hired them and the money they're offering are at best suspect...and if thats not bad enough the women in their lives decide to get caught up in the mission. As the pair finds their way through a maze of complications they hop around the globe, call upon some odd compatriots, and where they'll end up is anyone's guess.
Sheepdogs is a mash-up of espionage thriller and comedic novel (with names like Skwerl and Big Cheese, its clear from the onset that this isn't Le Carré territory) full of wit and quirky characters, reminding me a little of the 1979 movie The In-Laws with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. It's certainly a unique take on the spy story, with a cast of morally dubious outcasts that rival those in Slow Horses but who are hard not to like. They are operating in the underbelly of the intelligence game after all, and the stakes are far higher than they anticipated. If you're looking for traditional spycraft this may not be for you, but if you're open to a new and humorous twist on the genre (one which is in development by Tom Hanks' production company for Apple TV, no less) written by an author whose experience both in the Marines and in CIA special ops is used to good effect, you should grab a copy of Sheepdogs. Readers of Mick "Slow Horse" Herron and Carl Hiassen will likely enjoy this as well. My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor/Knopf for allowing me access to this twisty, twisted tale in exchange for my honest review.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t totally sold on this book at first—it started a bit slow for me. But the Marine Corps references kept me turning pages (SEMPER FI!), and once the story found its footing, it did not let up. I read the entire thing in one sitting—eight hours straight, only pausing for nature breaks. It was that good.

Sheepdogs delivers everything I want in a mystery/thriller: action, espionage, covert hits, fake friendships, hinted romance—it’s all here. The standout for me? Skwerl. His narration brought the story to life with a fresh, entertaining voice. One scene that really stuck with me was his emotionally raw moment with Toots. Watching her drop her usual defenses to be there for him? Beautifully written and deeply human.

The book reads like a movie, packed with morally grey but incredibly likable characters (well… except for Ali Safi. Could not stand that guy!). The humor leans more into chaotic cosmic irony than laugh-out-loud jokes, and it works. Ackerman’s attention to detail makes every scene vivid and immersive, and the character backstories are easy to get invested in.

I don’t typically reach for espionage novels, and this was my first by Elliot Ackerman—but now I’m absolutely diving into his backlist. And that ending?! WHAT?! I seriously hope there’s more to come from this world and these characters.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf, and of course, Elliot Ackerman, for the exciting ARC!

I can’t help but think that maybe this book but was good but it went over my head? In fairness to the author it was well written. I just think maybe I missed the point? It was supposed to be funny but it took itself way too seriously for me to find the lightness that I wanted. I wanted it to be more thrilling of a thriller too. Squirrel and Cheese? It was like a military scooby doo. Maybe I needed to be high. ::shrug::

I dk. If you have an odd sense of humor but still want to solve a mystery - this one could be for it. It just wasn’t for me.