Red Sparrow - Tapa dura

'Matthews writes a smart, intriguing tale rooted in his own experience as an operative. He does it so well that fans of the genre's masters including John le Carré, creator of George Smiley, and Ian Fleming who gave us James Bond, will happily embrace Matthew's central spy.' USA Today

'Not since the good old days of the Cold War has a classic spy thriller like Red Sparrow come along. Jason Matthews is not making it up; he has lived this life and this story, and it shows on every page. High-level espionage, pulse-pounding danger, sex, double agents and double crosses. What more can any reader want?' Nelson DeMille

'A great and dangerous spy-game is being played today between Russian intelligence and the CIA. Very few people know about it, including many of our politicians in Washington. But Jason Matthews does, and his thrilling Red Sparrow takes us deep inside this treacherous world. He's an insider's insider. He knows the secrets. And he is also a masterful story-teller. I loved this book and could not put it down. Neither will you' Vince Flynn

'I read till 11 and woke up at 5 am to finish this book in three days. If it doesn't supplant The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as the next mammoth read, and if it doesn't take its place alongside le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, the love of literature and jaw-dropping thrills really is dead... I have not read a more exciting, gripping novel in a long time.' Doug Stanton, author of Horse Soldiers --Doug Stanton, author of Horse Soldiers

'Matthews is a 33-year CIA vet, [and] the spycraft in his well-plotted debut has the scintillating whiff of authenticity' Entertainment Weekly

'The best I've read in the genre in a long time'Publishers Weekly --Publishers Weekly

'Matthews is a 33-year CIA vet, [and] the spycraft in his well-plotted debut has the scintillating whiff of authenticity' Entertainment Weekly

'Convincing and exciting'Literary Review --Publishers Weekly

'Wow! This book is a tremendously exciting story, full of twists and turns. The personal knowledge of Jason Matthews as an ex CIA executive underpins the whole tale of the new relationship between the USA and Russia now that the Soviet Union does not exist. But there is still a huge conflict between the CIA and Russian intelligence. This is partly revealed and the truth we discover is frightening. I was enthralled by this book and I loved the characters, particularly Dominika, who is very scary as well as absolutely charming. The insights into the world of espionage are truly fascinating. One can only wonder at the appalling way people are treated by the 'bad guys', and no holds are barred in describing some of the actions of Vladimir Putin. This is definitely in the realms of John Le Carr and I wouldn't be surprised if the characters develop in more books. I sincerely hope so' Crimesquad.com

'With the exception of Charles McCarry, there hasn't been a first-rate American spy novelist who claims to have worked as an intelligence officer before turning his hand to fiction unlike the British tradition, that takes in John Buchanan, Ian Fleming, the undisputed master of the genre John le Carr , and former MI5 director Stella Rimington. Until now, that is, Jason Matthews is a 33-year veteran of the CIA who has 'served in multiple overseas locations and engaged in clandestine collection of national-security intelligence''. Lord knows how he got his manuscript past the redacting committee at Langley, but he has turned his considerable knowledge of espionage into a startling debut.... What distinguishes Red Sparrow from so many of its ilk is not merely Matthews' skill as a writer. He is smart and fluent, with a terrific ear for dialogue and a gift for quick, effective characterisation. The author also possesses an extraordinarily deep knowledge of his subject. I have rarely encountered a nonfiction title, much less a novel, so rich in what would once have been regarded as classified information' Scotland on Sunday --Scotland on Sunday

A Russian honey trap agent targets a young CIA operative to uncover a senior-ranking mole at the heart of the Russian Intelligence service. Dominika Egorov, former prima ballerina, is sucked into the heart of Putin's Russia, the country she loved, and spat out as the twists and turns of betrayal and counter-betrayal unravel. American Nate Nash, idealistic and ambitious, handles the double agent, codenamed MARBLE, considered one of CIA's biggest assets. He needs to keep his identity secret for as long as the mole can keep supplying golden information. Will Dominika be able to unmask MARBLE, or will the mission see her faith destroyed in the country she has always passionately defended?