Palace of Treason

A Novel

De: Jason Matthews

Narrado por: Jeremy Bobb

Red Sparrow is now a major motion picture starring Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton!

The thrilling sequel to Red Sparrow—CIA insider Jason Matthews’s compulsively readable New York Times bestseller and Edgar Award winner—featuring Russian spy Dominika Egorova and CIA agent Nate Nash “shimmers with authenticity. The villains are richly drawn...the scenes of them on the job are beyond chilling” (The New York Times Book Review).

Captain Dominika Egorova of the Russian Intelligence Service despises the oligarchs, crooks, and thugs of Putin’s Russia—but what no one knows is that she is also working for the CIA. Her “sparrow” training in the art of sexual espionage further complicates the mortal risks she must take, as does her love for her handler Nate Nash—a shared lust that is as dangerous as treason.

As Dominika expertly dodges exposure, she deals with a murderously psychotic boss, survives an Iranian assassination attempt and attempts to rescue an arrested double agent—and thwart Putin’s threatening flirtations. A grand, wildly entertaining ride through the steel-trap mind of a CIA insider, Palace of Treason is a story “as suspenseful and cinematic as the best spy movies” (The Philadelphia Inquirer)—one that feels fresh and so possible, in fact, that it’s doubtful this novel can ever be published in Russia.

Unexpected turns on the roller coaster

This is masterful story telling: multiple threads woven expertly together, and easy to follow; great characters, all well developed; new and exotic locations, with beauty in the detail; a fast pace with unexpected turns. Bravo! He hasn't let us down from the first book, but only gets better. I did get a little frustrated that an obvious path to unmask the mole was not even brought up, but the story was so good I had to ignore this as a minor flaw. The performance is flawless! Treat yourself and listen to this series.

Best spy series in years

I have been waiting for this follow up to the author's freshman release since I read his first novel. I was not disappointed. His books have been written with an authentication makes you feel as if you are know more about modern day diplomacy than is released in the news. Love it.

The author uses his 30 years of experience as a CIA agentto craft a great, well written series.

Oft times a sequel does not live up to the promise of the original. This is not the case with Palace of Treason! It actually surpasses and builds on Red Sparrow.
It is rare that a book combines a complex yet realistic plot with deep, vibrant, fully developed characters both male and female. On reading the story, this reader had almost physical reactions to the events be falling both major and minor characters.
The conversations between the spy and her fallen comrades, might seem strange and ghostly to some, but I think are truly in line with her Russian mysticism and portray internal discussions. Initially these are odd but as the story proceeds become totally natural.
As with Red Sparrow, each chapter ends with a recipe for some dish consumed with in that chapter. This is most unique and seems the perfect counterpoint.
Can't wait for Book 3!!!

Gaggle of Ghosts & Kaleidoscopic Hues of Character

PALACE OF TREASON follows the first in the series RED SPARROW, which was a realistic, fast paced thriller of U.S./Russia espionage, which was especially outstanding for a debut novel. While both intriguing and suspenseful, Palace of Treason is not nearly as taut and electrifying as Red Sparrow.

The talking ghosts of dead former associates (a gaggle of 3 now) who follow and talk to the U.S.'s female Russian counter-spy Dominika Egorova, are not nearly as tiresome as Matthews' utilization of Egorova's ability to see hues of colors glowing around a potential adversary's head as a sort of on-the-spot lie detector (e.g., "swirling, warm purple" [honesty], "pulsating blue" [intelligence] and so forth). The use of the latter, particularly as a literary shortcut, can be felicitous in 1, 2, maybe 3 key points in a novel. Using it every several pages though, vexes the reader and makes the writer appear either condescending or indolent. Incidentally, the growing gaggle of ghosts and chromatic characterizations seem to be drawing the series close to the border of magical realism.

Still, I have high hopes for #3 given the resonance of Red Sparrow.

This was a phenomenal sequel to Red Sparrow

I cannot remember enjoying a series of books more that Red Sparrow and Palace of Treason. The central characters, with whom the readers share a journey of intense intrigue and suspense, are captivating. The plot is entirely credible, yet laced with recent political history and modern day international affairs. I cannot wait for the next installment, which cannot arrive soon enough.
NB: The recipes are awesome and deserve their own book!

GREAT!!@

Best espionage thriller since the fall of the Soviet Union. Cold war never ended.

Great new author

Great second book! Hopefully there will be a third book. Great throughout, including the ending!

Excellent!!! Even better than the first.

Wow, that was really good. Jeremy Bobb is as good or perhaps even better than Scott Brick, and that is really saying something. The story kept me wanting more. I was actually sad that it ended. Jason Matthews is among the best writers of his genre.

Very good story..excellent writing...

A high quality, literary mystery. Very well written and a great plot. I have listened twice to the audio and I have read the print version. Highly recommended. It is a sequel to Red Sparrow, which you really should read first. Both are exceptional books...well written and highly engaging.

Excellent performance; good story for those unfamiliar with genre.

English, French, and Russian rendered flawlessly. Bobb's pacing, delivery, and characterizations are simply brilliant.

Unfortunately his performance is burdened by a mediocre and recycled tale of love struck secret agents pitted against Iranian scientists, sadistic Russian spymasters, and cameo appearance by Vladimir Putin. Our heroes failings are story book insignificant. Promising dialogue dissolves into characters monologuing each other. Intriguing super/psychic powers sustain interest at least equal to that of Good Housekeeping at a drill sergeants colloquium.

If your a fan of Furst, Le Carre, or even Stephenson or Baldacci, you'n find Palace of Treason somewhat wanting. If your looking for the pure escapism of your youth, listen on.