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Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Revenge
Not yet published
Expected 20 Jan 26The identity of a deadly Chinese spy lies hidden in Jason Bourne’s lost memory in this latest entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Shadow – the head of Treadstone – has found evidence of massive Chinese espionage activity in the U.S. The spy running the operations is a shadowy American known only by the codename Bai Ze. No one knows who he is, but when Shadow consults the Files – the hacked AI database she stole from the Chinese – she discovers that Jason Bourne encountered Bai Ze during an operation eight years earlier.
The trouble is, Bourne doesn’t remember him.
As Bourne hunts for the elusive spy, he meets a reporter named Laney Reese who shares his strange eight years ago, Laney lost her entire memory, too. For Bourne, that can’t be a coincidence. He’s convinced that whatever happened to both of them is at the heart of the Chinese espionage operation.
With Laney at his side, Bourne follows a zigzagging trail of clues to a quirky billionaire and his ex-wife, both of whom may have ties to Bai Ze. As he gets closer to his shadowy adversary, Bourne begins to suspect that he’s walking into a trap. But it’s a trap with an almost irresistible bait – the chance to recover his forgotten memories.
Now Bourne must decide how far he’ll go to get his life back.
Shadow – the head of Treadstone – has found evidence of massive Chinese espionage activity in the U.S. The spy running the operations is a shadowy American known only by the codename Bai Ze. No one knows who he is, but when Shadow consults the Files – the hacked AI database she stole from the Chinese – she discovers that Jason Bourne encountered Bai Ze during an operation eight years earlier.
The trouble is, Bourne doesn’t remember him.
As Bourne hunts for the elusive spy, he meets a reporter named Laney Reese who shares his strange eight years ago, Laney lost her entire memory, too. For Bourne, that can’t be a coincidence. He’s convinced that whatever happened to both of them is at the heart of the Chinese espionage operation.
With Laney at his side, Bourne follows a zigzagging trail of clues to a quirky billionaire and his ex-wife, both of whom may have ties to Bai Ze. As he gets closer to his shadowy adversary, Bourne begins to suspect that he’s walking into a trap. But it’s a trap with an almost irresistible bait – the chance to recover his forgotten memories.
Now Bourne must decide how far he’ll go to get his life back.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 20, 2026
1 person is currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Brian Freeman
61 books3,113 followersBrian Freeman is a New York Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride and Frost Easton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his "you are there" settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots. Brian was also selected as the official author to continue Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series, and his novel THE BOURNE EVOLUTION was named one of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020 by Kirkus.
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 6, 2025
I am a long time fan of Jason Bourne and The Bourne Revenge by Brian Freeman is the latest installment in the series about him. Even though some details from the original has changed it is still a really good adventure. I am normally not a fan of authors picking up a character after the original author has passed but most times they do a great job. This is one of those. Bourne has once again trouble with his memory but that doesn't stop him and the deception he faces are many and hard to figure out when it comes to what is true and what isn't. Freeman is a solid storyteller and I wish I could find the time to read more of his work. I will however recommend this one and I thank Penguin Random House , G.P. Putnam's Sons and Edelweiss for letting me read this thrilling adventure that hits the shelves on January 20th.
October 20, 2025
Fabulous next edition in the Jason Bourne saga.
Jason is still trying to find his past when Shadow, the Treadstone director, who he never trusts completely, seeks his help in finding and outing the head of a Chinese espionage ring with possible ties to the US govt.
The ring is tied in with Jason's past and as he looks for clues to the ringleader's identity, he cones face to face with someone who has ties to his own past and most recent loss of memory.
Non stop suspense, intrigue and riveting mystery.
Another excellent installment in the Bourne story and possibly, one step closer to the key.
Great read.
Jason is still trying to find his past when Shadow, the Treadstone director, who he never trusts completely, seeks his help in finding and outing the head of a Chinese espionage ring with possible ties to the US govt.
The ring is tied in with Jason's past and as he looks for clues to the ringleader's identity, he cones face to face with someone who has ties to his own past and most recent loss of memory.
Non stop suspense, intrigue and riveting mystery.
Another excellent installment in the Bourne story and possibly, one step closer to the key.
Great read.
December 5, 2025
A good addition to the Bourne series with a lot of deception and action. The mystery of the book, who is Bai Ze and can Jason stop him? The cast of characters is really good, the plot is fast paced, and the ending will have you saying WTF!! Looking forward to the next installment of the Bourne saga. The book might have 5 stars, but the author kept telling the reader about Jason's memory loss and it seemed like almost every other chapter he brought it up. I got it the 1st time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC. Book release on Jan. 20, 2026 and I totally recommend reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC. Book release on Jan. 20, 2026 and I totally recommend reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I recently had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Bourne Revenge, Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Revenge, written by Brian Freeman, is published by Penguin Publishing Group (including imprints like G.P. Putnam's Sons in the US and Penguin Random House Canada) and Bloomsbury Publishing (Head of Zeus imprint in the UK/Australia) for different markets, with a general release around January 2026. I had received the ARC copy of the novel from the fine folks at NetGalley.com, and for that, I am grateful.
I had been fortunate enough to have been able to read the previous two entries in the Bourne Universe (The Bourne Vendetta and The Bourne Escape), which had been released earlier this year (January 2025), written by Brian Freeman. Imagine my surprise when I open my email and the publisher has reached out and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the latest entry, The Bourne Revenge, in the Bourne-Universe. This book is scheduled to be released on 22 January 2026.
"Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Revenge," the 22nd book in the Jason Bourne series written by Brian Freeman, continues the fast-paced, action-packed narrative fans expect.
_______________________
I had been introduced in the latter half of the 1980s when I saw the cover for Robert Ludlum’s “The Bourne Identity”, which was a spy thriller, originally written in 1980, that centered on an amnesiac man who must uncover his true identity while evading a global conspiracy and the world's most dangerous assassin, Carlos the Jackal.
In the original Robert Ludlum books, Jason Bourne's real name is David Webb, a career Foreign Service Officer and a specialist in Far Eastern affairs. The "Jason Bourne" identity was an alias created as a cover for a covert operation.
His past as David Webb includes a personal tragedy: his wife and children were killed in Cambodia during the Vietnam War. This led him to join an elite Special Forces unit known as "Medusa," where he was called "Delta One".
Years later, a black ops CIA program called Treadstone Seventy-One created the "Jason Bourne" identity as a fictional assassin named "Cain" to draw out the terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal. David Webb was chosen to embody this alias for the mission. The first novel begins when Webb, operating as Bourne, is found with amnesia, unaware of his true identity and mission.
Bourne is a series of spy novels originally written by American author Robert Ludlum, featuring the fictional spy Jason Bourne. Ludlum wrote the first three novels: The Bourne Identity (1980), The Bourne Supremacy (1986), and The Bourne Ultimatum (1990).
Regretfully, I had thought that the Bourne series was finished with the death of Robert Ludlum (and I had missed a large chunk of the series, only picking it back up recently in 2025)
After Ludlum's death on 12 March 2001, the series was continued by author Eric Van Lustbader, who wrote several additional novels expanding the character’s story. Van Lustbader departed the series in 2019 while working on a planned novel titled The Bourne Nemesis, which was ultimately abandoned.
Following Van Lustbader’s departure, the Robert Ludlum literary estate selected author Brian Freeman to continue the series. Brian Freeman’s venture into the Bourne-verse began with The Bourne Evolution in 2020, and has continued through his latest, the eighth novel, “The Bourne Revenge”.
_______________________
In Brian Freeman's eighth novel, Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Revenge, Jason Bourne's quest for vengeance after the murder of his lover, Johanna, entwines with a high-stakes search for a powerful Chinese spy as the plot forces Bourne to confront secrets buried in his own fragmented past.
Synopsis
The story begins as Jason Bourne is on a boat with his lover, Johanna, seemingly at peace, when an explosion rips through their location, killing Johanna. Overwhelmed by grief and a familiar darkness of memory loss, Bourne vows revenge and is drawn back into the world of espionage.
Concurrently, Shadow, the current head of Treadstone (the agency that trained/created Bourne), has discovered evidence of a massive Chinese espionage ring operating in the United States, led by a mysterious American spy code-named Bai Ze. The spy running the operations is a shadowy American known only by the codename Bai Ze.
No one knows who he is, but when Shadow consults the Files - a Chinese AI software engine that collects trillions of data points on just about everything and will convey unlimited power to its possessor – that had been stolen from the Chinese (strangely, there is only one irreplaceable copy—what, no backups?) in a previous edition in Freeman’s version of the Bourne-verse (and now the Chinese will do anything to get it back, and Bai Ze intends to get it) – and discovers that Jason Bourne encountered Bai Ze during an operation eight years earlier. We learn that Bai Ze is an agent for the Chinese espionage group Volt Typhoon, which spies in the U.S.
The trouble is, Bourne doesn't remember him.
Shadow dispatches Bourne to hunt down Bai Ze and retrieve or destroy the Files. As Bourne follows the trail, he meets Laney Reese, a journalist who, coincidentally, also lost her memories in the same town eight years ago. Convinced their shared amnesia is at the heart of the conspiracy, Bourne and Laney team up to uncover the truth.
Soon, Bourne is back in the Midwest (as the bulk of the story occurs in Fish Creek, WI), trailing his quarry and trying to stay alive as he puzzles out the mystery of his amnesia. Aiding him in his search is Wisconsin journalist Laney Reese, who’s guarding a game-changing secret of her own.
Their investigation leads them to a reclusive billionaire and his ex-wife, both potential links to Bai Ze. As Bourne gets closer to his target, he realizes he is walking into a trap with the promise of recovering his lost memories as bait. The narrative escalates into a high-stakes chase where Bourne must utilize his skills to expose the web of lies and murder, all while deciding who to trust in a world where everyone has a hidden agenda, including his own handler, Shadow.
On my self-determined five-star scale, I would rate Brian Freeman’s latest offering, The Bourne Revenge, worthy of the vaunted five star rating.
The Bourne Revenge by Brian Freeman (part of the Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series) is best enjoyed by readers who are fans of action-packed espionage thrillers, spy fiction, and psychological suspense, as ultimately, the book explores the themes of memory, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to for the truth and revenge.
Specifically, this novel appeals to:
Fans of Robert Ludlum's original Bourne novels: The book is written in a style that aims to match the authenticity and tone of Ludlum's work, building on the established lore and characters.
Readers who enjoy non-stop action and high stakes: The narrative is known for its relentless pacing, vivid action sequences (car chases, shootouts), and intricate plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Espionage enthusiasts: The story immerses readers in a world of international intrigue, covert operations, CIA plots, double agents, and political conspiracies.
Those interested in psychological thrillers: A core theme in the Bourne series is the protagonist's struggle with identity, memory loss, and betrayal, adding a personal and psychological depth to the action.
Newcomers to the series: While it is part of a larger series, the book is written to stand alone, providing enough character details and backstory for new readers to jump right in without feeling lost.
Fans of similar authors: Readers who enjoy the works of Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp series), Brad Thor (Scot Harvath series), Mark Greaney (The Gray Man), and Daniel Silva (Gabriel Allon series) will quickly appreciate the fast-paced, high-stakes style of Brian Freeman's Bourne books.
As with all my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents’ worth.
I had been fortunate enough to have been able to read the previous two entries in the Bourne Universe (The Bourne Vendetta and The Bourne Escape), which had been released earlier this year (January 2025), written by Brian Freeman. Imagine my surprise when I open my email and the publisher has reached out and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the latest entry, The Bourne Revenge, in the Bourne-Universe. This book is scheduled to be released on 22 January 2026.
"Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Revenge," the 22nd book in the Jason Bourne series written by Brian Freeman, continues the fast-paced, action-packed narrative fans expect.
_______________________
I had been introduced in the latter half of the 1980s when I saw the cover for Robert Ludlum’s “The Bourne Identity”, which was a spy thriller, originally written in 1980, that centered on an amnesiac man who must uncover his true identity while evading a global conspiracy and the world's most dangerous assassin, Carlos the Jackal.
In the original Robert Ludlum books, Jason Bourne's real name is David Webb, a career Foreign Service Officer and a specialist in Far Eastern affairs. The "Jason Bourne" identity was an alias created as a cover for a covert operation.
His past as David Webb includes a personal tragedy: his wife and children were killed in Cambodia during the Vietnam War. This led him to join an elite Special Forces unit known as "Medusa," where he was called "Delta One".
Years later, a black ops CIA program called Treadstone Seventy-One created the "Jason Bourne" identity as a fictional assassin named "Cain" to draw out the terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal. David Webb was chosen to embody this alias for the mission. The first novel begins when Webb, operating as Bourne, is found with amnesia, unaware of his true identity and mission.
Bourne is a series of spy novels originally written by American author Robert Ludlum, featuring the fictional spy Jason Bourne. Ludlum wrote the first three novels: The Bourne Identity (1980), The Bourne Supremacy (1986), and The Bourne Ultimatum (1990).
Regretfully, I had thought that the Bourne series was finished with the death of Robert Ludlum (and I had missed a large chunk of the series, only picking it back up recently in 2025)
After Ludlum's death on 12 March 2001, the series was continued by author Eric Van Lustbader, who wrote several additional novels expanding the character’s story. Van Lustbader departed the series in 2019 while working on a planned novel titled The Bourne Nemesis, which was ultimately abandoned.
Following Van Lustbader’s departure, the Robert Ludlum literary estate selected author Brian Freeman to continue the series. Brian Freeman’s venture into the Bourne-verse began with The Bourne Evolution in 2020, and has continued through his latest, the eighth novel, “The Bourne Revenge”.
_______________________
In Brian Freeman's eighth novel, Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Revenge, Jason Bourne's quest for vengeance after the murder of his lover, Johanna, entwines with a high-stakes search for a powerful Chinese spy as the plot forces Bourne to confront secrets buried in his own fragmented past.
Synopsis
The story begins as Jason Bourne is on a boat with his lover, Johanna, seemingly at peace, when an explosion rips through their location, killing Johanna. Overwhelmed by grief and a familiar darkness of memory loss, Bourne vows revenge and is drawn back into the world of espionage.
Concurrently, Shadow, the current head of Treadstone (the agency that trained/created Bourne), has discovered evidence of a massive Chinese espionage ring operating in the United States, led by a mysterious American spy code-named Bai Ze. The spy running the operations is a shadowy American known only by the codename Bai Ze.
No one knows who he is, but when Shadow consults the Files - a Chinese AI software engine that collects trillions of data points on just about everything and will convey unlimited power to its possessor – that had been stolen from the Chinese (strangely, there is only one irreplaceable copy—what, no backups?) in a previous edition in Freeman’s version of the Bourne-verse (and now the Chinese will do anything to get it back, and Bai Ze intends to get it) – and discovers that Jason Bourne encountered Bai Ze during an operation eight years earlier. We learn that Bai Ze is an agent for the Chinese espionage group Volt Typhoon, which spies in the U.S.
The trouble is, Bourne doesn't remember him.
Shadow dispatches Bourne to hunt down Bai Ze and retrieve or destroy the Files. As Bourne follows the trail, he meets Laney Reese, a journalist who, coincidentally, also lost her memories in the same town eight years ago. Convinced their shared amnesia is at the heart of the conspiracy, Bourne and Laney team up to uncover the truth.
Soon, Bourne is back in the Midwest (as the bulk of the story occurs in Fish Creek, WI), trailing his quarry and trying to stay alive as he puzzles out the mystery of his amnesia. Aiding him in his search is Wisconsin journalist Laney Reese, who’s guarding a game-changing secret of her own.
Their investigation leads them to a reclusive billionaire and his ex-wife, both potential links to Bai Ze. As Bourne gets closer to his target, he realizes he is walking into a trap with the promise of recovering his lost memories as bait. The narrative escalates into a high-stakes chase where Bourne must utilize his skills to expose the web of lies and murder, all while deciding who to trust in a world where everyone has a hidden agenda, including his own handler, Shadow.
On my self-determined five-star scale, I would rate Brian Freeman’s latest offering, The Bourne Revenge, worthy of the vaunted five star rating.
The Bourne Revenge by Brian Freeman (part of the Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series) is best enjoyed by readers who are fans of action-packed espionage thrillers, spy fiction, and psychological suspense, as ultimately, the book explores the themes of memory, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to for the truth and revenge.
Specifically, this novel appeals to:
Fans of Robert Ludlum's original Bourne novels: The book is written in a style that aims to match the authenticity and tone of Ludlum's work, building on the established lore and characters.
Readers who enjoy non-stop action and high stakes: The narrative is known for its relentless pacing, vivid action sequences (car chases, shootouts), and intricate plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Espionage enthusiasts: The story immerses readers in a world of international intrigue, covert operations, CIA plots, double agents, and political conspiracies.
Those interested in psychological thrillers: A core theme in the Bourne series is the protagonist's struggle with identity, memory loss, and betrayal, adding a personal and psychological depth to the action.
Newcomers to the series: While it is part of a larger series, the book is written to stand alone, providing enough character details and backstory for new readers to jump right in without feeling lost.
Fans of similar authors: Readers who enjoy the works of Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp series), Brad Thor (Scot Harvath series), Mark Greaney (The Gray Man), and Daniel Silva (Gabriel Allon series) will quickly appreciate the fast-paced, high-stakes style of Brian Freeman's Bourne books.
As with all my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents’ worth.
November 7, 2025
The Bourne Revenge is an interesting and intriguing story which keeps the reader guessing as to who the “good “ guys and the “bad” guys are. As with all the novels in this series, there is a lot of killing, secrets and clandestine operations going on. This one is unique in that the hero with a plethora of names and identities finds another individual who has had memory completely wiped out. The book is fast paced and action filled and is recommended for anyone who enjoys this genre. I thank NetGalley and Putnam Books for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication.
November 19, 2025
This was a gripping, fast-paced story in the Jason Bourne series.
Plot summary: David Webb is at a Miami hotel when he spots a Chinese assasin. He follows him, but then time blurs and he wakes up in the hotel in Miami with no recollection of the past few days.
Eight years later, an AI program discovers that David, now Jason Bourne, was in Wisconsin. He heads over to try to reconstruct what happened there and ends up in the middle of a spy ring. Who wants him dead? What happened eight years ago? And can he get his memory back?
This was easy to follow, but you never know what's going to happen next. Who's on Bourne's side? Who's against him? As his company motto goes, Trust no one.
I was a huge Ludlum fan back in the day, but I haven't read any other books in this series that he didn't write. So I know to keep my expectations in check going in. I enjoyed reading this and wanted to know what happens next, but it wasn't quite the same Ludlum experience. I didn't find the spy stuff super compelling. Bourne is meant to be this top spy, but he seemed to evade capture and killing more by luck than smarts. Most of the things he found out should have been discovered by the enemy first. The ending was excellent, though, and I did not figure out who the head spy was.
I didn't love some objectification of women, with unclothed or nearly unclothed women throwing themselves at him.
3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Brian Freeman for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
Plot summary: David Webb is at a Miami hotel when he spots a Chinese assasin. He follows him, but then time blurs and he wakes up in the hotel in Miami with no recollection of the past few days.
Eight years later, an AI program discovers that David, now Jason Bourne, was in Wisconsin. He heads over to try to reconstruct what happened there and ends up in the middle of a spy ring. Who wants him dead? What happened eight years ago? And can he get his memory back?
This was easy to follow, but you never know what's going to happen next. Who's on Bourne's side? Who's against him? As his company motto goes, Trust no one.
I was a huge Ludlum fan back in the day, but I haven't read any other books in this series that he didn't write. So I know to keep my expectations in check going in. I enjoyed reading this and wanted to know what happens next, but it wasn't quite the same Ludlum experience. I didn't find the spy stuff super compelling. Bourne is meant to be this top spy, but he seemed to evade capture and killing more by luck than smarts. Most of the things he found out should have been discovered by the enemy first. The ending was excellent, though, and I did not figure out who the head spy was.
I didn't love some objectification of women, with unclothed or nearly unclothed women throwing themselves at him.
3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Brian Freeman for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This latest installment in the Jason Bourne series opens with a flashback to eight years ago. After a grueling mission, Jason is on a company mandated vacation at a Florida resort. While there, he spots a wanted Chinese agent and follows him all the way to Door County, Wisconsin. But after the pursuit, Bourne suddenly wakes up back in his Florida hotel room, his memory of the past few days completely erased.
Fast-forward eight years, Shadow, the enigmatic head of the secret spy agency, orders Bourne to track down the same Chinese operative. The hunt takes him back to Door County, where Jason struggles to piece together the missing fragments of his past while closing in on his target.
Brian Freeman delivers another fast-paced, twist-filled Bourne thriller that’s nearly impossible to put down. The plot is sharp, the suspense relentless, and the surprises keep coming. This novel dives deep into Bourne’s memory loss, making it a central element of the story. Freeman uses this theme brilliantly, weaving it into the action and intrigue.
The dynamic between Bourne and Shadow, his boss and lover, adds an extra layer of complexity and tension, enriching the narrative. Freeman has done an exceptional job revitalizing the Jason Bourne franchise, and The Bourne Revenge is no exception. Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Freeman, and GP Putnam and Sons for a free advance readers copy for an honest review.
Fast-forward eight years, Shadow, the enigmatic head of the secret spy agency, orders Bourne to track down the same Chinese operative. The hunt takes him back to Door County, where Jason struggles to piece together the missing fragments of his past while closing in on his target.
Brian Freeman delivers another fast-paced, twist-filled Bourne thriller that’s nearly impossible to put down. The plot is sharp, the suspense relentless, and the surprises keep coming. This novel dives deep into Bourne’s memory loss, making it a central element of the story. Freeman uses this theme brilliantly, weaving it into the action and intrigue.
The dynamic between Bourne and Shadow, his boss and lover, adds an extra layer of complexity and tension, enriching the narrative. Freeman has done an exceptional job revitalizing the Jason Bourne franchise, and The Bourne Revenge is no exception. Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Freeman, and GP Putnam and Sons for a free advance readers copy for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
4* My 2nd read by this author featuring Jason Bourne, giving me more of an insight into the character and his personal mission.
This is a fast-paced read picking up where the previous left off, but, I think, some 6 months later. There's still the major 2-way 'I don't trust you' with Shadow/Marlen and JB, totally understandably given their past and his memory removal.
The identity of the Bae-Wotzisname character, when it was mentioned that he was American and had a huge knowledge database at his fingertips, and was using Chinese memory-removal practices, pretty much became apparent. It took JB a long while to figure it out, and sadly, it was a huge betrayal.
The other betrayer I hadn't at all seen coming. But, the storyline felt believable. I was glad that both got what they deserved.
There's a touch of sadness that JB-Marlen is over, but they really can't be anything else with the distrust and handler-agent relationship. Plus her Shadow-side's ruthlessness and power quest.
The billionaire billionaire tech guy? A barely disguised Muskrat. Down to the last detail, other than the guy's physical fitness compared to the dough-boy Muskrat. Brave of the author, and probably freakily close to the truth. World, beware of egomaniac, megalomaniac, entitled white saddos.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury for my reading pleasure.
This is a fast-paced read picking up where the previous left off, but, I think, some 6 months later. There's still the major 2-way 'I don't trust you' with Shadow/Marlen and JB, totally understandably given their past and his memory removal.
The identity of the Bae-Wotzisname character, when it was mentioned that he was American and had a huge knowledge database at his fingertips, and was using Chinese memory-removal practices, pretty much became apparent. It took JB a long while to figure it out, and sadly, it was a huge betrayal.
The other betrayer I hadn't at all seen coming. But, the storyline felt believable. I was glad that both got what they deserved.
There's a touch of sadness that JB-Marlen is over, but they really can't be anything else with the distrust and handler-agent relationship. Plus her Shadow-side's ruthlessness and power quest.
The billionaire billionaire tech guy? A barely disguised Muskrat. Down to the last detail, other than the guy's physical fitness compared to the dough-boy Muskrat. Brave of the author, and probably freakily close to the truth. World, beware of egomaniac, megalomaniac, entitled white saddos.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury for my reading pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read this as a NetGalley ARC and this review is my honest opinion of the book based on my reading it.
Brian Freeman knows the machinery of spy fiction and he moves Bourne through smart set pieces and knotty conspiracies. The book opens with loss and a search for answers and Freeman uses Bourne memory gaps to layer mystery and motive. Action sequences are vivid and kinetic and there are scenes that return to the adrenaline that made the character famous.
At times the plotting feels overstuffed with modern tech and competing agencies and certain revelations strain credulity. The pacing can wobble in the middle where explanation overtakes momentum. Still Freeman excels at voice and atmosphere and he writes credible emotional stakes when Bourne confronts grief and identity. Supporting characters are useful though some are sketchy and needed more room to breathe.
This entry will satisfy many series fans while not fully converting skeptics. It updates Bourne for a contemporary arena with intelligence trade craft social surveillance and an international cast of adversaries. I am giving it 3.5 stars for strong set pieces memorable moments and an earnest attempt to deepen a beloved figure overall even if the plotting occasionally trips itself up.
Brian Freeman knows the machinery of spy fiction and he moves Bourne through smart set pieces and knotty conspiracies. The book opens with loss and a search for answers and Freeman uses Bourne memory gaps to layer mystery and motive. Action sequences are vivid and kinetic and there are scenes that return to the adrenaline that made the character famous.
At times the plotting feels overstuffed with modern tech and competing agencies and certain revelations strain credulity. The pacing can wobble in the middle where explanation overtakes momentum. Still Freeman excels at voice and atmosphere and he writes credible emotional stakes when Bourne confronts grief and identity. Supporting characters are useful though some are sketchy and needed more room to breathe.
This entry will satisfy many series fans while not fully converting skeptics. It updates Bourne for a contemporary arena with intelligence trade craft social surveillance and an international cast of adversaries. I am giving it 3.5 stars for strong set pieces memorable moments and an earnest attempt to deepen a beloved figure overall even if the plotting occasionally trips itself up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The latest book in the Jason Bourne franchise created by Robert Ludlum. This is the 22nd book in the Jason Bourne series and the 8th by Brian Freeman. 8 years earlier Bourne, aka David Webb, went through an event of which he has absolutely no memory. A black ops CIA program called Treadstone Seventy-One ‘created’ and trained Jason Bourne. This book picks up where the previous book ended.
Briefly, Bourne is recovering after his last operation in Switzerland and the death of his lover, Johanna. He is undergoing more therapy with the Treadstone specialist Mo Panov and has recovered some memory. When Shadow, the current head of Treadstone, asks him to look into Chinese spying activities in the US it also allows him the chance to find out what happened all those years before.
In the usual high octane adventure Bourne works his way through quite a few bodies, male and female, some dead and some very much alive, until he is faced with an enormous dilemma. It offers him recovery of his memory but a sell out to his country. A fast paced and thrilling read dealing with timely issues around Chinese intelligence and the use of AI. An excellent thriller.
Briefly, Bourne is recovering after his last operation in Switzerland and the death of his lover, Johanna. He is undergoing more therapy with the Treadstone specialist Mo Panov and has recovered some memory. When Shadow, the current head of Treadstone, asks him to look into Chinese spying activities in the US it also allows him the chance to find out what happened all those years before.
In the usual high octane adventure Bourne works his way through quite a few bodies, male and female, some dead and some very much alive, until he is faced with an enormous dilemma. It offers him recovery of his memory but a sell out to his country. A fast paced and thrilling read dealing with timely issues around Chinese intelligence and the use of AI. An excellent thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You'll have to forgive me as a reader. I read the Bourne trilogy decades ago, and then later watched the movies, so my memory is stronger about the latter. So, I was confused about this book initially given Bourne is still with Treadstone. His former employer and later enemy. But I will note, there have been a ton of books since the initial trilogy came out, that probably explains this all.
What I will say is although this book is not written by Robert Ludlum, author Brian Freeman did an excellent job of delivering a story that matched the intensity of the popular franchise.
Bourne is as sharp as a tack, despite losing his memory. Again!!
Ruthless
On guard
Calculating
But does he put his trust in others too quickly? Maybe. Because in Jason Bourne's world, or whatever name he is going by at the time, the key is to trust no one.
As I mentioned, Bourne has lost his memory again, and this book centers on the man responsible for that, known as Bai Ze. Traveling from Florida to Wisconsin, Bourne returns to the place where it was eight years prior, with no memory of what he did while there. He quickly aligns with several locals who may be the key to getting answers.
From beginning to end, this book is filled with action, new alliances, backstabbing, near misses and yes, lots of kills. Mostly at Bourne's hands. If you are a fan of the trilogy, this will be right up your alley. Make sure to check it out!
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
What I will say is although this book is not written by Robert Ludlum, author Brian Freeman did an excellent job of delivering a story that matched the intensity of the popular franchise.
Bourne is as sharp as a tack, despite losing his memory. Again!!
Ruthless
On guard
Calculating
But does he put his trust in others too quickly? Maybe. Because in Jason Bourne's world, or whatever name he is going by at the time, the key is to trust no one.
As I mentioned, Bourne has lost his memory again, and this book centers on the man responsible for that, known as Bai Ze. Traveling from Florida to Wisconsin, Bourne returns to the place where it was eight years prior, with no memory of what he did while there. He quickly aligns with several locals who may be the key to getting answers.
From beginning to end, this book is filled with action, new alliances, backstabbing, near misses and yes, lots of kills. Mostly at Bourne's hands. If you are a fan of the trilogy, this will be right up your alley. Make sure to check it out!
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Revenge continues the original authors series featuring Jason Bourne, super-spy extraordinaire who works for the government agency known as Treadstone. Brian Freeman, who has penned a good number of novels in this series, continues to offer page turning excitement.
In this entry, the plot includes the AI database know as The Files and the lengths others go to in order to get their hands on them. What fuels the plot though is one of the strengths of Freeman’s Bourne books, as the reader can never be assured who is on what side. This fact kept this reader engaged, and as always, looking forward to the next installment.
Brian Freeman accomplishes the dual task of making Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Revenge accessible to fans of the series, as well as those who pick up this novel as a stand alone. All of these factors make Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Revenge is an excellent espionage action thriller.
In this entry, the plot includes the AI database know as The Files and the lengths others go to in order to get their hands on them. What fuels the plot though is one of the strengths of Freeman’s Bourne books, as the reader can never be assured who is on what side. This fact kept this reader engaged, and as always, looking forward to the next installment.
Brian Freeman accomplishes the dual task of making Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Revenge accessible to fans of the series, as well as those who pick up this novel as a stand alone. All of these factors make Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Revenge is an excellent espionage action thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first Jason Bourne book that I've read but I was pretty sure I'd enjoy it since I liked the movies. I must say, I was not disappointed. I only wish I had started reading the books sooner.
This story is filled with action, betrayal, twists, and a great cast of characters. The main storyline could be ripped right from the headlines - Chinese espionage. We are taken along the journey with Jason Bourne as he follows the clues to an event that happened eight years ago and his loss of three days from his memory.
My attention was grabbed from the beginning and I was kept guessing as to who was behind what was happening. I can't wait to see what is in store next for Jason Bourne.
This story is filled with action, betrayal, twists, and a great cast of characters. The main storyline could be ripped right from the headlines - Chinese espionage. We are taken along the journey with Jason Bourne as he follows the clues to an event that happened eight years ago and his loss of three days from his memory.
My attention was grabbed from the beginning and I was kept guessing as to who was behind what was happening. I can't wait to see what is in store next for Jason Bourne.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
More memory problems for Jason Bourne. Following on from the previous book (which you should read first) Bourne is not in a great place having recently lost people. On top of this a memory from a few years ago seems to have been erased or manipulated. He investigates, seeking a mysterious half remembered figure, but if you can’t trust your own memory, it’s not going to be easy.
I preferred the previous novel, but the author has turned Bourne into someone who is lucky rather than lethal. I’m not sure I like this watered down Bourne.
I preferred the previous novel, but the author has turned Bourne into someone who is lucky rather than lethal. I’m not sure I like this watered down Bourne.
October 30, 2025
Another phenomenal Bourne saga! Part of the ongoing series, this dramatic novel can be read as a standalone. Facing some of his biggest challenges yet of knowing who to trust and who will betray him, Bourne deftly moves through crisis after crisis as well as woman after woman. This story leaves a great ending open to continue the fun.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.
November 17, 2025
And he's back! While the previous installment disappointed somewhat, this latest epic lived up to its billing. Jason/David continues to chase his memories but now his adversaries are using his search for their own gains, manipulating him from very direction. This was a great story of back and forth, who to believe and who to trust. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
December 4, 2025
The latest installment in the Jason Bourne series is a rollercoaster of a ride. It is action packed from start to finish and full of twists as Bourne seeks the truth about his past. I never figured out the ending and I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent addition to the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Revenge expecting a solid continuation of the series. I came out thinking this might be the best Bourne book I’ve read, and easily the strongest in years. Brian Freeman feels completely at home with this character now. The pacing is relentless without being exhausting, the tradecraft is sharp, and Bourne feels less like an invincible weapon and more like a man carrying real psychological weight. I was locked in from the start and kept pushing pages because I needed to see how it all came together.
The story leans hard into amnesia, maybe harder than any previous entry, and while it occasionally stretches believability, it also uses that familiar device in a surprisingly fresh way. Pairing Bourne with Laney Reese, a reporter who shares his same missing eight years, adds real emotional tension and raises the stakes beyond another solo manhunt. The idea that memory loss might be deliberate rather than accidental gives the plot a chilling edge, especially as it ties into modern espionage and high-tech surveillance. Bourne’s greatest enemy here isn’t just a spy hiding in plain sight, it’s the parts of his own life that were erased for a reason.
Freeman’s writing is clean, cinematic, and fast, with action scenes that snap and quieter moments that actually land. The villain feels timely, the use of AI and data warfare makes the story feel very now, and the Midwest setting adds an unexpected texture to the globe-trotting tension. I loved it. This is Bourne stripped back to nerves, instincts, and consequences. If this is the direction the series is heading, sign me up for the next one immediately.
The story leans hard into amnesia, maybe harder than any previous entry, and while it occasionally stretches believability, it also uses that familiar device in a surprisingly fresh way. Pairing Bourne with Laney Reese, a reporter who shares his same missing eight years, adds real emotional tension and raises the stakes beyond another solo manhunt. The idea that memory loss might be deliberate rather than accidental gives the plot a chilling edge, especially as it ties into modern espionage and high-tech surveillance. Bourne’s greatest enemy here isn’t just a spy hiding in plain sight, it’s the parts of his own life that were erased for a reason.
Freeman’s writing is clean, cinematic, and fast, with action scenes that snap and quieter moments that actually land. The villain feels timely, the use of AI and data warfare makes the story feel very now, and the Midwest setting adds an unexpected texture to the globe-trotting tension. I loved it. This is Bourne stripped back to nerves, instincts, and consequences. If this is the direction the series is heading, sign me up for the next one immediately.
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