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The Wine Broker
Each book in the Richard O'Brien Series stands alone. This latest installment is earning praise from followers:
A Pulitzer Prize nominee calls it “a clever and inventive novel.”
A voracious reader on Goodreads said “The novel features spectacular action…and romantic tension…the author brilliantly conceptualized a surprising climax that will exceed readers' expectations.” (edited for brevity).
Another said “I can’t imagine the amount of research the author had to do to write this book.”
And finally, "I am learning alot about wine!"
What it's about:
A CIA agent murdered in Cuba, several more in China, and it soon appears covert American agents are being unmasked and assassinated at an alarming rate. While the FBI investigates, Special Agent Richard O’Brien is busy chasing women again, this time an attractive sommelier. He dives deeper into the wine industry when the U.S. Coast Guard confiscates a crate of rare wines on suspicion of a criminal act, not realizing his love interest is involved.
What is this wine really worth?
Are the bottles supporting a money laundering operation?
What if the bottles aren't really full of wine, but something else?
Nobody in the Agency makes the connection between the assassination of agents and the sale of rare wines. But a stand-up Japanese comic with ties to the yakuza understands, and while orchestrating the ongoing scheme he finds himself going up against a very determined Richard O’Brien. Join O’Brien as he seeks to unravel a sinister and imminent threat to the security of agents we count on to keep us safe.
A Pulitzer Prize nominee calls it “a clever and inventive novel.”
A voracious reader on Goodreads said “The novel features spectacular action…and romantic tension…the author brilliantly conceptualized a surprising climax that will exceed readers' expectations.” (edited for brevity).
Another said “I can’t imagine the amount of research the author had to do to write this book.”
And finally, "I am learning alot about wine!"
What it's about:
A CIA agent murdered in Cuba, several more in China, and it soon appears covert American agents are being unmasked and assassinated at an alarming rate. While the FBI investigates, Special Agent Richard O’Brien is busy chasing women again, this time an attractive sommelier. He dives deeper into the wine industry when the U.S. Coast Guard confiscates a crate of rare wines on suspicion of a criminal act, not realizing his love interest is involved.
What is this wine really worth?
Are the bottles supporting a money laundering operation?
What if the bottles aren't really full of wine, but something else?
Nobody in the Agency makes the connection between the assassination of agents and the sale of rare wines. But a stand-up Japanese comic with ties to the yakuza understands, and while orchestrating the ongoing scheme he finds himself going up against a very determined Richard O’Brien. Join O’Brien as he seeks to unravel a sinister and imminent threat to the security of agents we count on to keep us safe.
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
3 people are currently reading
1090 people want to read
About the author
Ian Rodney Lazarus
3 books14 followersIan Rodney Lazarus was born into a dysfunctional family in Detroit, Michigan, and carried these scars with him throughout his life. He grew up restless, eccentric, and intensely curious. This led him to a career of endless solo business travel, across five continents, and inevitably to many situations that became recreated in his novels. In addition to three books, Lazarus has published over 50 articles in print magazines, and managed a column for a national quality journal where he critiqued everything from the process of renting a car to pouring an environmentally-friendly cup of coffee.
A father of three who barely survived his university years, Lazarus nonetheless achieved his long-held dream of living on the West Coast by the time he was 45.
He continued to take his reckless lifestyle with him when he arrived in San Diego, engaging in sailing, spearfishing, scuba diving and other pursuits where he tested the limits of common sense. Lazarus earned a “Six Sigma Blackbelt” during a brief moment of intellectual curiosity, replaced later by more questionable decisions.
After sufficient injuries to his body and pride, he now spends his time writing from the safety of his massage chair on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he serves as Staff Officer for Publications.
A father of three who barely survived his university years, Lazarus nonetheless achieved his long-held dream of living on the West Coast by the time he was 45.
He continued to take his reckless lifestyle with him when he arrived in San Diego, engaging in sailing, spearfishing, scuba diving and other pursuits where he tested the limits of common sense. Lazarus earned a “Six Sigma Blackbelt” during a brief moment of intellectual curiosity, replaced later by more questionable decisions.
After sufficient injuries to his body and pride, he now spends his time writing from the safety of his massage chair on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he serves as Staff Officer for Publications.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 16, 2026
This is a Goodreads Giveaway
The Wine Broker by Ian Rodney Lazarus is a sharp, sophisticated addition to the Richard O’Brien espionage series. Released in late 2025, this third installment successfully blends the grit of international crime with the high-society world of rare wine collecting.
The story weaves together seemingly unrelated threads—the assassination of covert agents in Cuba and China and a confiscated crate of rare wine—into a cohesive, global conspiracy.
Lazarus clearly did his homework. The details regarding the wine industry, money laundering, and the Yakuza add a layer of realism that makes the stakes feel genuine.
While O’Brien remains a compelling lead, his "lone wolf" tendencies and frequent romantic distractions can occasionally slow the pacing of the central investigation. A bit more focus on the secondary characters, such as the Japanese comic tied to the Yakuza, would have added even more depth to the narrative.
If you enjoy thrillers that offer more than just mindless action, The Wine Broker is a must-read. It’s an "inventive" novel that will leave you both entertained and significantly more knowledgeable about the world of fine wine.
The Wine Broker by Ian Rodney Lazarus is a sharp, sophisticated addition to the Richard O’Brien espionage series. Released in late 2025, this third installment successfully blends the grit of international crime with the high-society world of rare wine collecting.
The story weaves together seemingly unrelated threads—the assassination of covert agents in Cuba and China and a confiscated crate of rare wine—into a cohesive, global conspiracy.
Lazarus clearly did his homework. The details regarding the wine industry, money laundering, and the Yakuza add a layer of realism that makes the stakes feel genuine.
While O’Brien remains a compelling lead, his "lone wolf" tendencies and frequent romantic distractions can occasionally slow the pacing of the central investigation. A bit more focus on the secondary characters, such as the Japanese comic tied to the Yakuza, would have added even more depth to the narrative.
If you enjoy thrillers that offer more than just mindless action, The Wine Broker is a must-read. It’s an "inventive" novel that will leave you both entertained and significantly more knowledgeable about the world of fine wine.
January 12, 2026
I was warned ahead of time about the ending, and even with being warned, I was NOT prepared for it. I'm honestly speechless. I'm at a loss for words. Definitely go read this. It's very good. The ending alone. I am hoping the development of Daniels will be a thing. That sounds like it's own version of stories lol. 100% recommend
January 10, 2026
Spoilers: The Richard O’Brien Series has a talent for beginning as one thing and turning into something else. Con and Consequence begins with an internet scam that eventually involves international terrorism. In Cease to Exist a lab theft leads FBI Special Agent Richard O’Brien to a mystery that includes genetic engineering and government conspiracies. Now in this third go round, The Wine Broker, Ian Rodney Lazarus begins this case with a bottle of stolen wine.
O’Brien investigates a burglary in the home of Alexander Sisky, a Russian diplomat. While observing the place, O’Brien notices that Sisky’s wine collection had been tampered with like someone took a bottle or left one behind. That and a threatening note regarding one of the bottles leads O’Brien to study the wine smuggling market. This seemingly innocuous crime spirals into larger ones involving organized crime particularly the Yakuza. Meanwhile, Jack Tanaka, the Yakuza’s latest recruit ascends higher into the criminal organization going from deliveries and smuggling to mutilation and murder.
The setup for The Wine Broker is nowhere near as compelling as the previous books in the series and falters a bit here and there. Because of that it is the weakest one in the series. How many people would be interested in reading about wine theft after all?
However, there is a lot of interesting information about the wine industry and the illegal activity that is involved. Much of the insider information includes ocean fermentation, intentional mislabeling and vintaging, sneaking contraband into cases and bottles, and using the seemingly victimless crime of wine smuggling to hide greater crimes. The greater crimes are where the Yakuza come in.
Volume 3 has a lot to offer in terms of plot and character to make it a worthwhile entry. O’Brien is up to his usual tricks particularly in his relationships with women. He has an affair with a wine connoisseur who offers more perspectives than just vino expertise. He reunites with his former colleague and lover, Sarah Goodman and it becomes clear that even though Goodman is married to someone else, she and O’Brien aren't quite over one another.
As with previous volumes in the series, we get another fascinating antagonist. This book's answer to Con and Consequence’s Jelani and The Professor and Cease to Exist’s Emma Lee and Dennis Spence is Jack “Tobacco” Tanaka. He has one of the most unique introductions. He does a stand up act at a comedy club and bombs tremendously.
This shows him as a man with a lot of nerve and plenty of bravado but not a lot of sense. Tanaka is someone who wants to be noticed, wants to be wealthy, and wants to be the center of the room but is uncertain and naive about how to pursue it. He jumps into situations without any forethought over how it should go. He holds for the applause but doesn't bother with fine tuning the material to make it worth paying attention to.
Because Tanaka is in over his head with the Yakuza, many of the suspenseful and graphic scenes are seen by him. One of the early chapters shows Tanaka going through a painful induction ceremony that involves mutilation. It is a moment that makes the Reader cringe with empathetic while also yelling, “Get out while you still can, Idiot!”
Crime becomes an addiction for Tanaka. As he ascends higher, he becomes enamored with the money, glamor, fear from victims, and the reckless daring of committing crimes and getting away with it. It's quite easy to become hooked and Tanaka sacrifices everything about his former life, including his personal identity, to get his fix.
The Wine Broker has a dry, crisp taste of a psychological thriller and a hard boiled detective noir. Readers can feel the distinct aroma of suspense, high stakes, and violence in a dangerous world of criminal organizations hiding under a veneer of sophistication, wealth, glamor, and status. Overall, it has a long clean but not always pleasant finish.
The Wine Broker (The Richard O'Brien Series Book 3) by Ian Rodney Lazarus; Vintage Third Volume Has a Dry But Crisp Taste of Suspense, High Stakes, and Murder
By Julie Sara Porter
Bookworm Reviews
Spoilers: The Richard O’Brien Series has a talent for beginning as one thing and turning into something else. Con and Consequence begins with an internet scam that eventually involves international terrorism. In Cease to Exist a lab theft leads FBI Special Agent Richard O’Brien to a mystery that includes genetic engineering and government conspiracies. Now in this third go round, The Wine Broker, Ian Rodney Lazarus begins this case with a bottle of stolen wine.
O’Brien investigates a burglary in the home of Alexander Sisky, a Russian diplomat. While observing the place, O’Brien notices that Sisky’s wine collection had been tampered with like someone took a bottle or left one behind. That and a threatening note regarding one of the bottles leads O’Brien to study the wine smuggling market. This seemingly innocuous crime spirals into larger ones involving organized crime particularly the Yakuza. Meanwhile, Jack Tanaka, the Yakuza’s latest recruit ascends higher into the criminal organization going from deliveries and smuggling to mutilation and murder.
The setup for The Wine Broker is nowhere near as compelling as the previous books in the series and falters a bit here and there. Because of that it is the weakest one in the series. How many people would be interested in reading about wine theft after all?
However, there is a lot of interesting information about the wine industry and the illegal activity that is involved. Much of the insider information includes ocean fermentation, intentional mislabeling and vintaging, sneaking contraband into cases and bottles, and using the seemingly victimless crime of wine smuggling to hide greater crimes. The greater crimes are where the Yakuza come in.
Volume 3 has a lot to offer in terms of plot and character to make it a worthwhile entry. O’Brien is up to his usual tricks particularly in his relationships with women. He has an affair with a wine connoisseur who offers more perspectives than just vino expertise. He reunites with his former colleague and lover, Sarah Goodman and it becomes clear that even though Goodman is married to someone else, she and O’Brien aren't quite over one another.
As with previous volumes in the series, we get another fascinating antagonist. This book's answer to Con and Consequence’s Jelani and The Professor and Cease to Exist’s Emma Lee and Dennis Spence is Jack “Tobacco” Tanaka. He has one of the most unique introductions. He does a stand up act at a comedy club and bombs tremendously.
This shows him as a man with a lot of nerve and plenty of bravado but not a lot of sense. Tanaka is someone who wants to be noticed, wants to be wealthy, and wants to be the center of the room but is uncertain and naive about how to pursue it. He jumps into situations without any forethought over how it should go. He holds for the applause but doesn't bother with fine tuning the material to make it worth paying attention to.
Because Tanaka is in over his head with the Yakuza, many of the suspenseful and graphic scenes are seen by him. One of the early chapters shows Tanaka going through a painful induction ceremony that involves mutilation. It is a moment that makes the Reader cringe with empathetic while also yelling, “Get out while you still can, Idiot!”
Crime becomes an addiction for Tanaka. As he ascends higher, he becomes enamored with the money, glamor, fear from victims, and the reckless daring of committing crimes and getting away with it. It's quite easy to become hooked and Tanaka sacrifices everything about his former life, including his personal identity, to get his fix.
The Wine Broker has a dry, crisp taste of a psychological thriller and a hard boiled detective noir. Readers can feel the distinct aroma of suspense, high stakes, and violence in a dangerous world of criminal organizations hiding under a veneer of sophistication, wealth, glamor, and status. Overall, it has a long clean but not always pleasant finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
THE WINE BROKER by Ian Rodney Lazarus
I just finished reading the latest adventure of FBI Agent Richard O'Brien and I couldn't put the book down--I read it in 48 hours stopping only to eat and sleep.
This is the third book in the ongoing series and it did NOT disappoint!!
I've been a fan of these books and this character since the first book. Each book is deeply researched with complex plots and interesting characters. “The Wine Broker” lives up to its 2 predecessors with interesting characters, a dynamic plot, twists and turns that were totally unexpected, and an AMAZING storyline. This book is a master class in tying current 2025 events to the history of organized crime, cyber security, international espionage, contract assassins, Homeland Security, underwater harvesting of wine, office romance, and a dozen other twists and turns.
Highly Recommended.
Skip Pettit - November 2, 2025
I just finished reading the latest adventure of FBI Agent Richard O'Brien and I couldn't put the book down--I read it in 48 hours stopping only to eat and sleep.
This is the third book in the ongoing series and it did NOT disappoint!!
I've been a fan of these books and this character since the first book. Each book is deeply researched with complex plots and interesting characters. “The Wine Broker” lives up to its 2 predecessors with interesting characters, a dynamic plot, twists and turns that were totally unexpected, and an AMAZING storyline. This book is a master class in tying current 2025 events to the history of organized crime, cyber security, international espionage, contract assassins, Homeland Security, underwater harvesting of wine, office romance, and a dozen other twists and turns.
Highly Recommended.
Skip Pettit - November 2, 2025
October 27, 2025
**SPOILER ALERT**
The Yakuza, a Japanese crime syndicate, and the Mafia, the Italian mob, collaborate in a daring, nefarious scheme to instigate assassination plots against American and British espionage agents, government officials, and political leaders, utilizing encryption codes placed on wine bottles. In this third installment of the series, Richard O'Brien of the FBI leads an investigation connecting illegally distributed "vino" containers with a covert conspiracy.
While the novel features spectacular, exciting action sequences that highlight the dynamic interaction between M16 and FBI operatives, it also manages to spotlight the romantic tension between O'Brien and his old flame, newly divorced Sarah Goodman. The author brilliantly conceptualized a surprising climax and conclusion that will certainly satisfy and exceed readers' expectations.
This foolproof choice for suspense is an engrossing and gripping narrative where the complex, natural web of deception and subterfuge ratchets up to the next level of severity.
The Yakuza, a Japanese crime syndicate, and the Mafia, the Italian mob, collaborate in a daring, nefarious scheme to instigate assassination plots against American and British espionage agents, government officials, and political leaders, utilizing encryption codes placed on wine bottles. In this third installment of the series, Richard O'Brien of the FBI leads an investigation connecting illegally distributed "vino" containers with a covert conspiracy.
While the novel features spectacular, exciting action sequences that highlight the dynamic interaction between M16 and FBI operatives, it also manages to spotlight the romantic tension between O'Brien and his old flame, newly divorced Sarah Goodman. The author brilliantly conceptualized a surprising climax and conclusion that will certainly satisfy and exceed readers' expectations.
This foolproof choice for suspense is an engrossing and gripping narrative where the complex, natural web of deception and subterfuge ratchets up to the next level of severity.
November 14, 2025
Iam overwhelmed with all the information and action in this novel. To keep track of everything you must read this novel all in one sitting.
Agent Richard Brian loves chasing women but his latest love interest may be more the he can handle. He is investing a series of very expensive wine thefts and she may be involved in all the conspiracy.
If you enjoy a mystery novel full of suspense that keeps you and the FBI, M16 and the CIA guessing, and love to travel, this novel has everything for you.
Agent Richard Brian loves chasing women but his latest love interest may be more the he can handle. He is investing a series of very expensive wine thefts and she may be involved in all the conspiracy.
If you enjoy a mystery novel full of suspense that keeps you and the FBI, M16 and the CIA guessing, and love to travel, this novel has everything for you.
December 7, 2025
An amazing follow-up to the first two Richard O'Brien spy novels, The Wine Broker is easily the most interesting and unique in the series. In this story, O’Brien successfully dismantles a murder-for-hire operation, deals a serious blow to the Japanese yakuza and international mafia rings, and survives an attempt against his life while experiencing a nighttime blackwater dive. And all of this is set against the intriguing story of deep ocean aging of underwater wines and ties to a mysterious criminal ring that spans the globe. A perfect pairing for wine lovers and spy enthusiasts everywhere.
October 20, 2025
Creative, clever and compelling read. I read a lot of authors in this genre and this novel has the twists and turns that you don't see coming - for most of the book I was fooled into thinking I knew what was happening. Particularly enjoyed the vivid scenes in London, Palermo and Malta, I felt like I traveled without leaving my chair.
I learned a lot about espionage, cybercrime, and of course, wine!
I look forward to reading the first two books in this series.
I learned a lot about espionage, cybercrime, and of course, wine!
I look forward to reading the first two books in this series.
November 22, 2025
This was such an amazing read. When it comes to Ian's books, I'm always impressed by how in depth the plot goes and how well researched they are. This was such a twisted ride through Malta and Hawaii and learning about wine and mafias along with cybercrime thrown in there. As someone who is getting a degree in Information Security, I'd have to say this was my favorite of the three in the Richard O'Brian saga.
December 21, 2025
Wild imagination or clever way to get covert messages to Assasinate Undercover Agents in several locations in the world. This reads like a Tom Clancy novel. Much action, a little deceitful romance liaisons, and bottles of wine being shipped every where with questionable motive. Is it drugs? Undetected codes that are used through the web. It's a race to find out what's going on and who are all the individuals involved in the act of espionage. Thanks Goodreads and Author, enjoyed!
October 17, 2025
Ordered this book on Kindle as I was familiar with the author and enjoyed the other books in the series. This one was best of the series. Extremely well researched with the details keeping you on your toes and engaged. Got off the plane, having not finished it, and spent the first two hours of holiday finishing it off. Well worth it!
November 9, 2025
A free book from Voracious Readers. Thank you.
An entertaining read set against an interesting crime background.
Contract killings of covert agents in the CIA and FBI, money laundering, cybercrime and the sharing of interesting information. Added to that, several twists that make this a worthy read.
An entertaining read set against an interesting crime background.
Contract killings of covert agents in the CIA and FBI, money laundering, cybercrime and the sharing of interesting information. Added to that, several twists that make this a worthy read.
November 19, 2025
Ian has done it again. Having read his first two books, I was keen for the third and was excited to get my hands on it. It did not disappoint and I couldn't put it down once I started. The story is great, the writing is superb, and I enjoyed it immensely. If you like stories with unexpected twists and turns and surprises, you're going to love this book. I can't wait for the next one.
December 26, 2025
I wish I was able to put 4.5 stars on Goodreads. Ian Rodney Lazarus delivered once again with another suspenseful Richard O'Brien story. I really love the detail that is always included in his stories, you can tell a lot of research/time was put into them. I hope we can look forward to another adventure with Richard!
November 4, 2025
Very interesting story. Lots of ins and lots to connect together and action. I recommend the book.
This book was received from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was received from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 18, 2025
Great stuff. More brilliant and compelling writing from a highly capable and accomplished author. This book grabs you by the lapels and makes you beg for more. 100% recommended.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews