The Escape Artist

Robin Monarch #0.3

by Mark T. Sullivan

"A compelling, page-turning blend of spy and caper fiction: it's Robin Hood for the twenty-first century." –Jeff Abbott

Mark Sullivan, the co-author of James Patterson's Private Games, has, in Robin Monarch, created a compelling new hero. Monarch is a world-class thief and a highly skilled operative––a man with skills, a rigid code of honor, powerful friends and implacable enemies.

In ‘Escape Artist,' Monarch's abilities––and his nerve––are both tested when he's sent deep into the jungles of the Congo, into the encampment of an army of boy-soldiers under the leadership of a man calling himself Lieutenant Zed. He's undercover as a black market diamond dealer. His job is to steal the largest, most perfect diamond yet seen before Zed is able to sell it and use the proceeds to continue waging war. But as any thief could tell you, getting in is the easy part. Getting out, however, from the heart of an unfamiliar jungle with a hostile ‘army' at your back, requires more skill and luck that even Robin Monarch can count on.

Robin Monarch––called "one of the most compelling heroes since Jason Bourne" (Lisa Gardner)––is introduced in this chilling, nerve-wracking story. Presented with a special excerpt from Rogue, the first Robin Monarch novel, coming in Fall of 2012.

Genres: Short Stories, Suspense, Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2012

About the author

Mark T. Sullivan (b. 1958) is an author of thrillers. Born in a Boston suburb, he joined the Peace Corp after college, traveling to West Africa to live with a tribe of Saharan nomads. Upon returning to the United States, he took a job at Reuters, beginning a decade-long career in journalism that would eventually lead to a job as an investigative reporter for the San Diego Tribune.

Sullivan spent the winter of 1990 living with a group of skiers in Utah and Wyoming, and used the experience as the foundation for his first novel, The Fall Line (1994). In 1995 he published Hard News, a thriller based on his work as a reporter, and a year later he released The Purification Ceremony, which won the WH Smith Award for Best New Talent. His most recent work is Private Games (2012), which he co-authored with James Patterson. Sullivan lives with his family in Montana, where he skis, hunts, and practices martial arts.

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to The Escape Artist on audiobook after reading my first Mark Sullivan book, The Last Green Valley and rating it five stars. I then put all of Mark Sullivan books on my TBR, including those that he wrote with James Patterson.

The Escape Artist is an action packed large diamond jewelry heist story based in the Congo. It is a short story that clips along like a runaway locomotive.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again we have Robin on a job, one that makes him think back to a pivotal time in his youth with the Brotherhood. I hated that Robin felt like he lost during his current mission, he did the best he could.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This adds some to Monarch's backstory, but not as much as I'd hoped. The basics were there in the first book, Rogue. I see there are now at least 2 more short stories dealing with this period in his life. This one is done via flashbacks while he is on another mission that is more interesting.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably should have researched first before I started my random audiobook search, but it makes more sense that it’s a prequel now. Definitely short enough that I could revisit it if I were starting the series out. It was a quick listen with suspense and thievery. Nothing really stood out to me in particular to praise or hate on.

[Kathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really short. Another prequel. This one was more difficult to follow because the items being stolen were diamonds in both past and present, not to mention the protagonist is the thief in both. Plus, I agree with Robin on his assessment of the current situation. He is in a terrible situation.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story – introducing the character of Robin Monarch, a thief with great skills. His mission: go into a jungle camp in the Congo where boy-soldiers have been coerced into mining diamonds, then get the big diamond and get out. Thriller. Ok.

[Kally Sheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent and Entertaining

Decently plotted and entertaining with an ending to pick your interest for more, or not…
I am willing to give it another go,

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good beginning to a novel series

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulsing with suspense and weaving together threads of the past and present, this short story introduces Robin Monarch, an operative with a dark past, who is thrust into the Congo to steal the world's largest flawless diamond.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet and full of action.

[Jason Fryer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story that gives you some insight into Robin's mindset before the first main novel takes place.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interest-keeping plot well-narrated by Jeff Turner.

[Springtxman · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Robert Monarch, explained is background