This is a direct sequel to Dugoni's excellent first spy novel, [b:The Eighth Sister|40207839|The Eighth Sister (Charles Jenkins #1)|Robert Dugoni|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1538808531l/40207839._SY75_.jpg|62421482] and somehow it's even better. The stakes are higher. The suspense is heavier. The twists are twistier. It's Mission: Impossible with a team of one.

Ex-CIA agent Charles Jenkins is home from his previous, disastrous trip to Russia, recovering physically and emotionally from the ordeal, enjoying life with his loving wife and two children. Why would he even consider taking on another assignment from the agency that abandoned him and put him on trial for espionage? Why would he ultimately insist on taking the assignment? Such are the questions of loyalty and honor that drive him to discover the truth about the woman who helped him escape Russia the first time. At least this time, he's going into the situation with eyes wide open and an apparently trustworthy ally. But all the odds are stacked against him, too.

How is a known spy, who is physically unable to disappear into the dominantly white population of Russia, supposed to infiltrate the country, get information about a prized prisoner at their most secure military and political prison that the CIA can't even obtain, possibly help that prisoner to escape an inescapable facility, and get out of the country alive? Why he turns to his previous adversary in Russian intelligence, ex-spy Viktor Federov. Along the way in and out, Charles also relies on old and new allies and friends and his top-notch spy craft. This is a non-stop thrill ride. Hold on.

Disclosure:Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing a free copy of this book in return for my honest review. ( )

This was the book I was hoping it would be.

As I've said before, I have a long relationship with Dugoni's books. Some I've loved, some I've hated (well, at least one), and most fall somewhere in between. [b:The Eighth Sister|40207839|The Eighth Sister (Charles Jenkins #1)|Robert Dugoni|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1538808531l/40207839._SY75_.jpg|62421482] was one of those in between books and that made me a bit dubious about The Last Agent. Luckily, there were no courtroom scenes. Nothing but spies and intrigue and action. And I loved it.

It seems clear from the epilogue that there'll be more in this series and I'll be right there when the next one comes out. I love me some Charles Jenkins. And Paulina, too, of course.

I obtained an ebook ARC from NetGalley but switched over to the audible version (because I'm always late finishing my ARCs) and enjoyed it even more than reading with my eyeballs. The narrator is fantastic. Such a great range of voices for the characters. I love this guy. Yes, I'm just filled with love for this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for making me aware of The Last Agent and hooking me up with a copy. ( )

I didn't really like this book as much as the first one, but I did enjoy it. It is a continuation of the first book, so if you liked the first one, you should read this one. If you didn't read the first one, you should read it first.

The first book was more of a legal thriller than a spy novel, but this one was pure spy novel. It was a bit funny at times, when the misdirections got totally carried away. It seemed a bit much to me, but it was fun to read.

All in all, a pleasant read with a satisfying ending. Nothing to write home about, but still a fun read. ( )

This book is so fast and so suspenseful. Charles Jenkins, retired CIA agent, is called back to duty,,,again! Last Agent picks up almost where The Eighth Sister ended and I have the same critique...it's too long....again! The book dragged on as Jenkins encountered hurdles at every turn. That said, on to book #3 ( )

I have enjoyed Robert Dugoni’s novels, especially his homicide detective, Tracy Crosswhite series. Last year, I decided to try his The Eighth Sister, a very different genre, and enjoyed it.
The Last Agent is a sequel that book.

Charles Jenkins, retired CIA agent, is called back to duty again to return to Russia to try to rescue Paulina Ponomayova, an agent who who saved his life in the prior novel. Paulina may or may not be imprisoned at a notorious Moscow prison and Charles’ only hope of finding out is by enlisting the help of a former Russian agent who once relentlessly pursued him. Can he trust him?

Spy stories are not my favorite, but once again Dugoni lured me in with an easy to follow, suspenseful, engrossing, fast read. As with many stories in this genre, I found some of the action a bit of a stretch and a little too convenient, but enjoyed this read and look forward to the next in the series as the ending foretells a sequel.

Although this can be read as a standalone, reading The Eighth Sister first will provide much more context. ( )