The Last Agent

The Last Agent is the second book in the Charles Jenkins series by American author, Robert Dugoni. Some months after Charlie has been acquitted from the charge of espionage, CIA agent Matt Lemore turns up at his home, wanting to talk about Russia. Already burned by the Agency, Charlie vehemently rejects any dialogue, but a statement intrigues him: "We all know you got screwed."

Lemore reveals that recent information suggests a certain female inmate of the notorious Lefortovo prison in Moscow is quite possibly the woman who sacrificed herself so Charlie could escape the clutches of the FSB, Paulina Pomonaya. If that's so, Charlie cannot abandon her to the whims of the Russian Security Service, but even going to Moscow himself will not guarantee confirmation of her identity, Her rescue will be an almost impossible mission.

For that, Charlie will need the ex-FSB agent who chased him across Russia, Turkey and into Greece, Viktor Federov. Finding Federov would be a challenge for most, but Charlie concocts a scheme that will get Federov's attention and, hopefully, ensure his assistance.

What follows is a journey back into Russia via Turkey, where Charlie first visits a Swiss bank and does something that will give him leverage over Federov but also alerts the FSB of his presence. And there are FSB agents who are very keen to capture him. But with Federov in tow, Charlie manages to elude them, and together they work a ruse to get the information they need.

Before the final, dramatic climax in the tunnels below Oslo, there is a prison break and then a trek across Russia that involves disguises, multiple decoys employed in shell games, train journeys, slogging through snow, snowmobiles, an air chase, a close call with polonium-210 and numerous narrow escapes.

The audacity and execution of Charlie's plan offer multiple occasions for jaw-dropping amazement and laughing out loud. Charlie proves himself clever and resourceful, even moreso when he has the support of the CIA. Dugoni gives his characters entertaining dialogue and doesn't require the reader to don their disbelief suspenders too often.

While there is some recap, this is a series that is much more enjoyable if read in order. The final chapter hints at another return to Russia, no doubt to be covered in the third book, The Silent Sisters. Addictive spy drama.

The Last Agent is the second book in the Charles Jenkins series by American author, Robert Dugoni. Some months after Charlie has been acquitted from the charge of espionage, CIA agent Matt Lemore turns up at his home, wanting to talk about Russia. Already burned by the Agency, Charlie vehemently rejects any dialogue, but a statement intrigues him: "We all know you got screwed."

Lemore reveals that recent information suggests a certain female inmate of the notorious Lefortovo prison in Moscow is quite possibly the woman who sacrificed herself so Charlie could escape the clutches of the FSB, Paulina Pomonaya. If that's so, Charlie cannot abandon her to the whims of the Russian Security Service, but even going to Moscow himself will not guarantee confirmation of her identity, Her rescue will be an almost impossible mission.

For that, Charlie will need the ex-FSB agent who chased him across Russia, Turkey and into Greece, Viktor Federov. Finding Federov would be a challenge for most, but Charlie concocts a scheme that will get Federov's attention and, hopefully, ensure his assistance.

What follows is a journey back into Russia via Turkey, where Charlie first visits a Swiss bank and does something that will give him leverage over Federov but also alerts the FSB of his presence. And there are FSB agents who are very keen to capture him. But with Federov in tow, Charlie manages to elude them, and together they work a ruse to get the information they need.

Before the final, dramatic climax in the tunnels below Oslo, there is a prison break and then a trek across Russia that involves disguises, multiple decoys employed in shell games, train journeys, slogging through snow, snowmobiles, an air chase, a close call with polonium-210 and numerous narrow escapes.

The audacity and execution of Charlie's plan offer multiple occasions for jaw-dropping amazement and laughing out loud. Charlie proves himself clever and resourceful, even moreso when he has the support of the CIA. Dugoni gives his characters entertaining dialogue and doesn't require the reader to don their disbelief suspenders too often.

While there is some recap, this is a series that is much more enjoyable if read in order. The final chapter hints at another return to Russia, no doubt to be covered in the third book, The Silent Sisters. Addictive spy drama.