Red Sparrow

A Novel

By: Jason Matthews

Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb

Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The start of a major career! A gripping, highly commercial espionage thriller written with the delicious insider detail and up-to-the-minute insight only known to a veteran CIA spook.

In today's Russia, dominated by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, state intelligence officer Dominika Egorova struggles to survive in the cast-iron bureaucracy of post-Soviet intelligence. Drafted against her will to become a "Sparrow" - a trained seductress in the service, Dominika is assigned to operate against Nathaniel Nash, a first-tour CIA officer who handles the CIA's most sensitive penetration of Russian intelligence. The two young intelligence officers, trained in their respective spy schools, collide in a charged atmosphere of tradecraft, deception, and inevitably, a forbidden spiral of carnal attraction that threatens their careers and the security of America's valuable mole in Moscow.

Seeking revenge against her soulless masters, Dominika begins a fatal double life, recruited by the CIA to ferret out a high-level traitor in Washington - hunt down a Russian illegal buried deep in the U.S. military and, against all odds, to return to Moscow as the new-generation penetration of Putin's intelligence service. Dominika and Nathaniel's impossible love affair and twisted spy game come to a deadly conclusion in the shocking climax of this electrifying, up-to-the minute spy thriller.

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©2013 Jason Matthews (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio

A chapter turner

Loved the production — including recipes at each chapter ending — stayed up all night listening to the last chapters

Captivating story written by an insider

I alternately listened and read this series and was struck by the detailed descriptions of spycraft and clandestine operations. It was obvious to me that Mr. Mathews was intimately knowledgeable of the job of the CIA and actually gave me an appreciation for what these men and women do behind the scenes to keep America protected in a dangerous world.

Dominika is recruited by the CIA officer, Nathaniel Nash, a flawed agent who is unable to control his attraction to the beautiful and elegant former ballet dancer. Dominika has been reluctantly trained in the seductive arts in order to use those particular skills to entrap persons useful as moles to the Rodina (Russia) but it is this degrading position that ultimately repels her to the point that she is willing to turn against what she sees as Putin's corruption of her homeland. In the process she and Nate develop their affair beyond sexual attraction and Nate's colleagues, Benford, Gable, and Forsyth, only tolerate the insubordination so that Dominika will continue to produce intelligence.

The bonus of a recipe at the end of each chapter was a charming touch. Actually recipes are not quite what they were because ingredients were listed but not quantities. I found myself wondering which dish would be described. The recipes seemed authentic and brought the reader into the details of the story. Mr. Mathews is a talented writer able to vividly portray the scenes and characters, especially the food.

I found out after having read the book that a movie had been made and wondered why I hadn't heard of it. I guess the movie didn't fair well and it's my opinion that casting Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton in the lead roles were poor choices. Dominika Egorova is tall, gorgeous, and elegant with deep turquoise eyes and Nathaniel Nash is the handsome dark man that she was drawn to. The directors appear to have allowed box office appeal override the descriptions of the characters in the book. I imagined a native Russian unknown to Hollywood would have been a better choice as Dominika for authenticity, if nothing else.

Well read, great story. I didn't want it to end.

I loved this story. Not sure how this can be made into a 2 hour movie!!

Very intricate and eloquent read.

I struggled to finish this book because it was so detailed, but once I started I had to finish. It was a very intricate and beautiful story. I think, had this been a book I had to read myself I wouldn't have finished it because I am a strong "F" on the Meyer Briggs, however it had just enough emotion to keep me intrigued! I highly recommend this for anyone who is a strong "T". Happy reading!

Well done!

Excellent writing & research. As a long-time Le Carre fan I found this book enthralling. I hope Jason plans a series to develop these characters further.

Wonderful first novel

This was excellent. Detailed, authentic, and suspenseful espionage. I can't wait to read more from this author.

The narration was rather drab, but I got used to it. The story more than makes up for a near-monotone narration.

Great story

What made the experience of listening to Red Sparrow the most enjoyable?

The book gave great debt to the characters. Suspenseful

What other book might you compare Red Sparrow to and why?

I would compare this story to the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I listen going to and from work.

Any additional comments?

Have not seen the movie yet, but understand movie not as good as I consider the book tobe. I think the Red Sparrow Trilogy would have made a great Netflix or Amazon series.

Great Listen!

The topic itself, international espionage, is interesting because I know these activities occur daily and this book provides some insights into how/why these activities occur. Specifically, there is a lot of action and geographical movement of the characters and the author reveals each characters strengths and weaknesses in these different environments/situations. The story is written in a way that allows it to be believable.......more realistic than an 007 novel, and follows a path that isn't easily predictable.

great!

so good they should make a movie about it
they did silly...well I bet it's good too.

VERY WELL DONE

What made the experience of listening to Red Sparrow the most enjoyable?

It is more than a quick task to write a review, but this novel is more than entertaining. The story is unusual, the characters unexpected, the experience of listening highly engaging.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I was not prepared for the turns in the plot. Both the characters and the story line kept me in the moment; I wanted to understand what was happening.

What does Jeremy Bobb bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

There is an inviting tone in the voice telling this story. I am sorry that I have finished it for now; I look forward to coming back and enjoying and being absorbed by it again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Can you trust that birds of a feather will stick together? Maybe not.