The Kremlin's Candidate: A Novel (3) (The Red Sparrow Trilogy) Hardcover – February 13, 2018

This is the third book in a series of three, preceded by the original Red Sparrow and the follow-up Palace of Treason. They were written by a guy who spent many years working for the CIA in real life, and the books absolutely reek of authenticity and insight into the spy world. The first I described as the best espionage novel I have ever read, and the second was at least as good. This one, however, doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by the first two.The cast from the two earlier books returns, including CIA officer Nathan, a young guy entering the prime of his spy career, and Dominika, the Russian secret agent who by this time has risen to lofty heights within her country’s turbulent, vicious, highly effective intelligence system. Other characters return as well, likeable, lovable, and despicable, including veteran CIA officers, plotting and ruthless FSB operatives, and government leaders from both countries. Also returning is none other than Vlad Putin, Russia’s self-proclaimed restorer of Russian greatness and, through subterfuge, coercion, and sanctioned murder, Russia’s ‘elected president for life’. Also present in this book is a collection of senators, congressmen, and others who are lacking in scruples, one of whom will become “The Kremlin’s Candidate”.In this book, Putin hatches a plot to identify an American who is likely to be selected as the next director of the CIA. After finding three likely candidates, at least one is approached and compromised by skilled, sneaky Russian secret agents.The story progresses on many levels. We see Russian agents working diligently in America, and vice versa. We see the workings of the FSB, with insight into how they go about their business of spying, how they recruit agents, how they perceive their duty, and how they fight amongst themselves (apparently just like any government organization that has ever existed). We see into the personal lives of the three candidates, learning their motivations and weaknesses, and understanding how they may be compromised. We watch Nate as he furthers his career in the CIA in various assignments; we see Dominika as she leads the dual life of Russian spymaster and American spy; and we watch as she and Nate pursue their improbable, fiery, apparently doomed love affair. We also spend time with the likeable, experienced, highly competent officers we have followed from the first book.A lot of things are going on in this book, but the central story is the effort on both sides of the ocean to discover the plot and to interrupt it. We watch the efforts of people who are risking their lives to foil the plot, and we meet people who surprisingly want the plot to succeed. Nate and Dominika’s relationship is strained to the breaking point, and at the end things turn out very differently from what you expect. Dramatically different.Like the others, this book is very well written, with accurate, literate, readable prose. The author’s experience is reflected in the superb amount of detail about spy operations, and his unique writing style is entertaining in itself. However, while reading this book you get the recurring impression that it was written perhaps in too much of a hurry, or perhaps to fill a contract requirement. Although it is highly readable, and much better than a lot of the drivel out there, it isn’t as highly polished as the first two books. The banter between the operatives, an enjoyable part of previous books, is not present to the same degree. Some of the missions performed by the operatives are not integral to the story, and one ends in a way that seems to be unnecessary and present only for ‘shock value’. The pursuit of the ‘candidates’ is not explored as deeply as it could have been, and the final disposition of the one who becomes compromised is largely ignored. The ending comes abruptly and is not at all satisfactory. The book goes on and on and on, and then suddenly it resolves in the last few pages, and bang it’s over.And then there is the author’s preoccupation with food. I think I covered that sufficiently in my review of book two.Still, this is a readable book, and you have to read it to finish the series. Unfortunately, while the first two left you clamoring for more, this one ends on a note that makes you feel “enough is enough”.

I read the first two books in the series and enjoyed them. I enjoyed the third book (The Kremlin’s Candidate) as well, but not to the same extent as I did the first two. Here’s why. I believe the third volume was way too technical, and as a result, the storytelling suffered. Matthews is a brilliant writer, there’s no doubt about that. But I believe that his former career as a CIA handler/controller is both a gift and a curse, when it comes to his fictional writing. His extensive knowledge about tradecraft oftentimes encroaches on the fiduciary duty that he owes to his readers—which should always be to entertain, rather than educate.Huge segments of The Kremlin’s Candidate read like a thesis on espionage tradecraft, rather than a novel. I believe that is the biggest challenge for spy novelists who actually used to work in the trade, prior to becoming writers of fictional literature. Finding the balance betwen being accurarate and being entertaining probably doesn’t come easy. I believe Matthews navigated those waters superbly in Red Sparrow (the first book in the series). But I believe that with each subsequent novel in the series (Palace of Treason and The Kremlin’s Candidate), the author’s penchant for sound, technical analysis hurt the actual storytelling.I am pretty sure that Matthews’ colleagues in the trade thoroughly enjoyed The Kremlin’s Candidate, as they are all well-versed in the detailed nuances of tradecraft, and probably NEED the sort of detailed information expounded in this novel in order to become emotionally vested in the plot. But for the lay reader who’s never actually worked a day in CIA, such detailed information can be plodding at times. When, as a lay reader, you find yourself wanting to skip passages and whole pages of heavily-researched information, simply to get back to the plot of the story, I don’t think it bodes well for any of the parties involved.Having said that, this third novel does a wonderful job of wrapping up the story and character arcs that we all fell in love with over the course of the series. And the series itself is worth reading, especially if you’re like me and you enjoy learning new things about new topics (in this case, the trade of espionage). But I hope that in his future works, Matthews focuses more on entertaining, rather than educating, his readership, by writing more plot-driven, rather than research-focused, prose. And that doesn’t mean that he needs to go off the deep end, either (like, say, an Ian Fleming, the author of the sensational and over-dramatic James Bond series). But rather, like a Daniel Silva, or a John Le Carre, or even (to a lesser extent) a Robert Ludlum. I believe that if Jason Matthews can distill his work just a tad bit more, and do away with the cumbersome, research-infused prose (without losing his literary voice, of course) he can be the preeminent authority in fictional espionage literature. He’s definitely got the talent to pull it off.

I put this book down with great regret and - without giving away any spoilers - not a few tears as well.This is the final part of the great trilogy of novels relating the relationship between Nate (or Neyt), Nash and Colonel Dominika Egorova, the FSB Counter Intelligence chief who has been a CIA asset for many years.The author's working knowledge of the espionage game is again apparent and shines through and the book is relentless in its excitement but is also sensitive in the way it portrays human emotions and relationships as well as the in-fighting, jealousies and backbiting within the top echelons of the respective intelligence services.As always there is a mole to discover and neutralise before he or she can reveal Domenika's true identity to her colleagues and the denouement is taken to the wire.It could work as a standalone read but why deny yourself the pleasure and relentless rollercoaster excitement of the two previous books in the series? Take my advice and start with Red Sparrow first, follow it up with Palace of Treason before tacking The Kremlin's Candidate.I am an avid reader of spy thrillers and this is one of the best books in this genre that I have been fortunate enough to read.

Oh dear, what a terrible let down for a series of books that started well. Red Sparrow was entertaining, a decent enough read to make me buy the second in the series, which was readable enough, which led me to buy the final instalment .... which was terrible.I won't give any spoilers, but Jason Matthews is incapable of writing an erotic sex scene (which are just deeply unpleasant) and incapable of writing a gripping action scene (which descend into pornographic levels of visceral violence).The characters, always a bit two-dimensional, become even sketchier, all guilty of acting out of character without even a hint of common sense, making them totally unconvincing.Worst of all is the portrayal of Putin - again, no spoilers - but the Putin depicted here is a ridiculous caricature of the Russian leader, utterly unbelievable, stretching credulity way beyond breaking point.If you enjoyed the first book, I'd stop there - the second and third are just, well, pap.

The third (final?) instalment in the Red Sparrow series is perhaps the weakest of the novels.What made the series readable was the personal chemistry between Dominika Egorova - a Russian SVR operative - and Nate Nash - a CIA operative. And specifically, it was their chemistry as they engaged in a series of field engagements in and around Europe.In The Kremlin's Candidate, Dominika has become ever more senior in the SVR and has personal access to President Putin. This means much of the narrative is pitched at a strategic level rather than in spy-ops on the streets. Frankly, it is not as interesting. Readers want to know about hairs on drawers, hidden bugs, spy dust. They don't necessarily want to know about the strategy behind supporting the PKK to destabilise the Turkish Government, thereby undermining the NATO alliance.And as Dominika has become more senior, she has left Nate behind. He is a bit part player in The Kremlin's Candidate as Dominika deals with a revolving cast of more senior CIA players. It's just not the same.There are also some bizarre continuity errors. Dominika's ability to see people's aurae, for example, starts to wobble as Nate variously has a purple and a crimson aura. We are told that Dominika has only ever seen one black aura before when we know she has seen more. The timeline also seems to be wobbly as Dominika seems to have aged whereas Nate is still on probation. And there are some things that happen quite obviously as plot devices, there is expository dialogue and the recipes at the end of chapters have become quite tiresome.Despite these failings, there is still a broadly competent story set out - if the reader can turn a blind eye to the occasional gratuitous and puerile sexual references. The pacing is as slow as in the previous texts which does offer space for scene setting. This scrapes into 3 star territory, but it is a disappointing end to a series that started off much better.

I can understand readers being disappointed. The literary devices used in the previous books are repeated. (except at the end). Perhaps it is not the most sophisticated of spy stories. Maybe designed to be made into a TV or Movie. Lots of sex, a heavy dose of vicarious violence. A fairly interesting plot and some intriguing bluffs and tradecraft. Writing style and language is strangely old-fashioned. Lots of references to Domi's breasts and cleavage. Some pretty stereotypical characters in Russia.Altogether a plausible storyline but one lacking in real intreague. If it has one flaw, and that is that reality and contemporary conspiracy theories now have upstaged it. If only the author had hinted at the contemporary leadership, brought in more about dysfunctional management and the power games between institutions that go wrong. Clearly, Putin's it's global agenda and he has the ability to outwit the west. This could have been used to great effect but I guess the west would not come over too well.A good holiday read and not as bad as some say.

I never write reviews. I loved Palace of Treason. This thing is an abomination of a final chapter, poorly written, very thin plot, immensely displeasing ending. I can’t stress enough how disapointing this book was to read, the only reason I read to the end was for a love of the characters, who had equally been betrayed by the authors eagerness to presumably publish a book associated to the Red Sparrow film name at the same time as a major film release. Seriously Jason, put down the pen and find something else to do, your material has expired. Really sad, could have been so much more.