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John Milton #13
Sleepers
When a Russian defector is assassinated in a sleepy English seaside town, Group Fifteen agents John Milton and Michael Pope find themselves in a rush to uncover the culprits and bring them to justice.
Their investigation leads them to Moscow and a confrontation with Directorate S, the agency responsible for seeding Russian sleeper agents around the world. When lies and double crossing mean that no-one is what they seem, the two agents - alone and without backup – struggle to achieve their goals under the most dangerous of circumstances.
Set one week before the opening of The Cleaner, this compulsive thriller turns back the clock to Milton as a barely functioning alcoholic, still tormented by the ghosts of the men and women he has killed in the service of his country.
Milton must fight his own demons as well as the Russian assassin sent to eliminate him. Will he be able to complete his mission and escape with his life?
Their investigation leads them to Moscow and a confrontation with Directorate S, the agency responsible for seeding Russian sleeper agents around the world. When lies and double crossing mean that no-one is what they seem, the two agents - alone and without backup – struggle to achieve their goals under the most dangerous of circumstances.
Set one week before the opening of The Cleaner, this compulsive thriller turns back the clock to Milton as a barely functioning alcoholic, still tormented by the ghosts of the men and women he has killed in the service of his country.
Milton must fight his own demons as well as the Russian assassin sent to eliminate him. Will he be able to complete his mission and escape with his life?
410 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2018
2868 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,848 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
August 21, 2018
Sleepers are Russian agents who inhabit places around the world for years, becoming a part of the neighborhood, your nice man who says hello every morning on your way to work. Until there is a plot set by men in Russia, and the sleepers are instructed to carry out the plan. This book is a prequel to 'The Cleaner', Milton, our assassin with Group fifteen, is still trying to quit booze but failing badly . He is sent with an agent he knows, Pope, and to be involved with a few he doesn't . He is always careful, learning as much as possible about the situation they are going into and those working with them, but the quickness needed to finish this objective leaves lots of unknowns!
A Russian defector has been assassinated in England , and Milton is rushed to remedy the situation by tracking down the agents that did that work. This sends him to Moscow to confront the Directorate S, those who send the sleepers, who lie and evade the truth at all costs! At this time Milton is starting to be bothered by nightmares of many he has been sent to kill, using increased amounts of alcohol just to sleep,as he subconsciously questions all he does and has become!
The characters are described wonderfully, scenes laid out so you can actually see what is happening...can smell the gunpowder and the blood as it flows from a man twisted in a broken chair..
feel Milton's anxiety and need that quick drink to set you straight..
A thrilling, suspenseful story that takes you from England to Russia with eyes open to a life you have only read about!
I received an ARC from author Mark Dawson, who I thank for the return of my favorite man of action in an engaging adventure, and I am able to put my thoughts into this review so all may see something they like and start an adventure themselves!!
A Russian defector has been assassinated in England , and Milton is rushed to remedy the situation by tracking down the agents that did that work. This sends him to Moscow to confront the Directorate S, those who send the sleepers, who lie and evade the truth at all costs! At this time Milton is starting to be bothered by nightmares of many he has been sent to kill, using increased amounts of alcohol just to sleep,as he subconsciously questions all he does and has become!
The characters are described wonderfully, scenes laid out so you can actually see what is happening...can smell the gunpowder and the blood as it flows from a man twisted in a broken chair..
feel Milton's anxiety and need that quick drink to set you straight..
A thrilling, suspenseful story that takes you from England to Russia with eyes open to a life you have only read about!
I received an ARC from author Mark Dawson, who I thank for the return of my favorite man of action in an engaging adventure, and I am able to put my thoughts into this review so all may see something they like and start an adventure themselves!!
December 9, 2022
This by far is my second favourite 😃
The writing is impeccable and so is the story I can’t believe I only learned of this author just recently. I feel like now I have an idea of who Milton is after reading this book and I can’t wait for the next adventure/“mission” I am so giddy 🤭 I feel like a bond-girl well more like a Smith-girl 😊
The covers of this series are amazing 🤩
The writing is impeccable and so is the story I can’t believe I only learned of this author just recently. I feel like now I have an idea of who Milton is after reading this book and I can’t wait for the next adventure/“mission” I am so giddy 🤭 I feel like a bond-girl well more like a Smith-girl 😊
The covers of this series are amazing 🤩
May 7, 2023
*A Step back in Time*
This instalment sees John at a time before he left the Elite ‘Group Fifteen’ who work for the Government. It also comes before the start of book one in the series.
We see john on a mission and with his team. The team come together when a Russian defector is assassinated in the U.K. in a seaside town.
The team are investigating and they end up in Russia. That in itself is something but Milton wants out of the Agency and he feels the demons inside him building up as he has spent so long killing. In order to counteract this his drinking is almost out of control and he is not as sharp. No one ever leaves the agency and he needs to up his game as he is The Agency’s top man.
Will he be able to get his act together or will his drinking get on top of him. He needs to sharpen up as there are double crossers and more to deal with
As much as I liked this instalment, I enjoy Milton working on his own and putting things in place to help others, quite often getting into tricky situations and I enjoy the tension of how he will ever get out of his many tight spots.
This instalment sees John at a time before he left the Elite ‘Group Fifteen’ who work for the Government. It also comes before the start of book one in the series.
We see john on a mission and with his team. The team come together when a Russian defector is assassinated in the U.K. in a seaside town.
The team are investigating and they end up in Russia. That in itself is something but Milton wants out of the Agency and he feels the demons inside him building up as he has spent so long killing. In order to counteract this his drinking is almost out of control and he is not as sharp. No one ever leaves the agency and he needs to up his game as he is The Agency’s top man.
Will he be able to get his act together or will his drinking get on top of him. He needs to sharpen up as there are double crossers and more to deal with
As much as I liked this instalment, I enjoy Milton working on his own and putting things in place to help others, quite often getting into tricky situations and I enjoy the tension of how he will ever get out of his many tight spots.
August 15, 2018
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC to help in editing and then review.
Timeline is directly ahead of the events of The Cleaner, the first of the Milton thrillers. Milton is tasked with tracking down and eliminating a Russian hit team. The journey takes him and Pope to Russia. Also in the mix is getting a Russian defector out of the country before the internal security can find her.
A couple of twists make for a very good read. Milton fans will want to grab a copy. New readers to the series don't have any concerns about not understanding, as this is a prequel. No undue references to past actions.
Timeline is directly ahead of the events of The Cleaner, the first of the Milton thrillers. Milton is tasked with tracking down and eliminating a Russian hit team. The journey takes him and Pope to Russia. Also in the mix is getting a Russian defector out of the country before the internal security can find her.
A couple of twists make for a very good read. Milton fans will want to grab a copy. New readers to the series don't have any concerns about not understanding, as this is a prequel. No undue references to past actions.
November 12, 2018
Not your run of the mill spy thriller but enjoyable nonetheless. I am not altogether convinced that someone so tortured, psychologically, would have been permitted to continue in such operations. Regular readers of post-Cold War espionage thrillers will probably work out everyone's true identities by two-thirds of the way through but even then there are some huge leaps of faith in the final chapters as the story lurches towards it's climactic conclusion. I've read a number of works by this author and I came into the John Milton saga at about #6, so it was quite nice to find out what he was like earlier in his career.
August 20, 2018
A history lesson for John Milton fans. Here's a look at Milton before he left Group 15, before he started his road to redemption. Milton starts this mission with a hangover, and it goes terribly wrong. He is sent to Russia to fix things with fellow agent, Pope. Now the intrigue, action and deceit starts. As always the characters are well written and the plot was great. The pace was fast, with lots of suspense to keep you turning pages. Already waiting for the next book from my favourite series.
August 20, 2018
I have read all of the John Milton books and this one is just as good, if not better, than the previous ones. I love the fact that we get to see what happened previously to The Cleaner, which is one of my favorite books.
If you haven't read anything by Mark Dawson, click over to your etailer of choice and get the The Cleaner. Better yet, pre order Sleepers!
If you haven't read anything by Mark Dawson, click over to your etailer of choice and get the The Cleaner. Better yet, pre order Sleepers!
January 8, 2019
Mark Dawson's story of defectors has resonance with the Salisbury poisoning and takes us back to near the end of John Milton's career as a goverment agent as he starts to confront his conscience and his alcoholism. The story maintains a rapid pace throughout London, Southwold, Winchester, Moscow and Komsomolsk.
January 12, 2020
I did enjoy the book the information at the end of the book should of Been at the start (Audio book) it would of made more sense to the story being based on the Salisbury Russian spy story other than that Milton at his best
October 29, 2019
Read this at the beginning of the year, forgot to mark it as read. Woups. Another great read, this time going back to the beginnings, before The Cleaner took place.
December 2, 2019
Although this one is a prequel I think it's in its right place. After reading 12 books in the series it is nice to get a little background. I like Dawsons idea of his main character and his struggle with the Twelve steps but it works. It is never boring with these books, first of all you never know where John Smith will go. I really recommend that you try this series.
August 16, 2018
I was lucky enough to have gotten a ARC copy of this book from the author. Great book plenty of action and suspense.
May 11, 2022
I had a difficult time getting into this book. I’ve loved all of the others but this one didn’t do it for me.
May 29, 2022
Out of sequence … confusing.
February 26, 2019
Another Great Milton Book!
Do yourself a favor and stop reading the reviews, buy the book. Then go back and buy the rest of them as you will no doubt be on the hunt for all of them in the series once you have read this work. For fans of Clancy, Thor, Flynn, Greany, etc. these books are for you. A Recent review of mine was posted and commented on by a fellow reader who implied that I must have been paid for my review (the review was of a different author’s work). My problem with that accusation was that my review was now ‘questionable’ and I could do nothing about it. Therefore I have pledged to include in every review I post (I post a review for about 1/5 of the books I read) the following “this review was given by an average reader who does not know the author, the publisher or anyone associated with this book. I have not been paid for this review, I simply post what I would think I would want to read from someone who enjoys the types of books by the authors I mentioned in my review - if I liked the book. I do not know any authors personally nor any publishers- for the idiot who made that comment about me being paid for my pre ious review I apologize that you now have had to read this disclaimer). Buy the book, it is a great read.
Do yourself a favor and stop reading the reviews, buy the book. Then go back and buy the rest of them as you will no doubt be on the hunt for all of them in the series once you have read this work. For fans of Clancy, Thor, Flynn, Greany, etc. these books are for you. A Recent review of mine was posted and commented on by a fellow reader who implied that I must have been paid for my review (the review was of a different author’s work). My problem with that accusation was that my review was now ‘questionable’ and I could do nothing about it. Therefore I have pledged to include in every review I post (I post a review for about 1/5 of the books I read) the following “this review was given by an average reader who does not know the author, the publisher or anyone associated with this book. I have not been paid for this review, I simply post what I would think I would want to read from someone who enjoys the types of books by the authors I mentioned in my review - if I liked the book. I do not know any authors personally nor any publishers- for the idiot who made that comment about me being paid for my pre ious review I apologize that you now have had to read this disclaimer). Buy the book, it is a great read.
August 31, 2019
STRANGE
I fail to understand why book 13 in the John Milton series goes back before book 1 with no logical explanation, beyond peculiar and detracted from my enjoyment.
I fail to understand why book 13 in the John Milton series goes back before book 1 with no logical explanation, beyond peculiar and detracted from my enjoyment.
September 2, 2018
You always know what you are going to get with a Mark Dawson book. He is a very gifted story-teller. He researches his work thoroughly and he writes high-action books that flow easily from chapter to chapter and section to section. The plot propels the reader forward to a satisfying and sometimes surprising resolution.
Wash, rinse and repeat.
I have enjoyed every Mark Dawson book that I have read and this was no exception. I could easily have given this five stars, which I do not often do. But I dinged it just a little bit. The main character in the novel learns key information about 2/3 of the way through the book and then acts as if this has not happened. Plausible? Perhaps, to a degree. But when the story is told through his eyes, and then he does further research AFTER finding out the key information, it did not quite ring true to me. Yes, it provides a nice twist near the end. But I thought it was a bit disingenuous.
There was also a scene near the end that I do not think would have or should have taken place, given the information that had been previously obtained.
This is a bit different Milton than readers are used to. He is more damaged and at times, incapacitated, by the buildup of both the nature of the work as well as his own addictions. To a certain degree, this is totally understandable. To another degree, however, I am not sure it rings true. Where are the people who are supposed to be on top of this kind of stuff?
The fact that I can niggle on these issues and still wrestle with giving the book five stars is something. I will say that this is far from my favorite Milton book, and I really hope that he does not continue down this road. A debilitated Milton is not much fun.
Wash, rinse and repeat.
I have enjoyed every Mark Dawson book that I have read and this was no exception. I could easily have given this five stars, which I do not often do. But I dinged it just a little bit. The main character in the novel learns key information about 2/3 of the way through the book and then acts as if this has not happened. Plausible? Perhaps, to a degree. But when the story is told through his eyes, and then he does further research AFTER finding out the key information, it did not quite ring true to me. Yes, it provides a nice twist near the end. But I thought it was a bit disingenuous.
There was also a scene near the end that I do not think would have or should have taken place, given the information that had been previously obtained.
This is a bit different Milton than readers are used to. He is more damaged and at times, incapacitated, by the buildup of both the nature of the work as well as his own addictions. To a certain degree, this is totally understandable. To another degree, however, I am not sure it rings true. Where are the people who are supposed to be on top of this kind of stuff?
The fact that I can niggle on these issues and still wrestle with giving the book five stars is something. I will say that this is far from my favorite Milton book, and I really hope that he does not continue down this road. A debilitated Milton is not much fun.
August 29, 2025
I didn't have access to the blurb about this book at the time I started listening to it and I was so confused.
It took a little while for me to work out that this was set in the past, before John left Group 15. Even then, I kept waiting for it to loop back around to present day (figuring there must be some relevance to it). Because of this confusion, I didn't really enjoy it as much as I probably otherwise would have, although thinking back on it now, it was a good story (it just took me several days to get past the confusion to absorb that), hence the 4-star rating in the end.
My advice to anyone reading it would be to be aware ahead of time that this is like a prequel to all the prequels.
My suggestion to the author would be that they could have added a few sentences somewhere at the beginning to let us know that this was going to be a story that happened in the past. For example, John could have been at an AA meeting where someone was talking about when they first realised they had a drinking problem, which got him thinking about when it had been that he first realised he might have a problem with drinking and that would have been an easy segue into the story with everyone now realising they were about to hear a story from his past (even if they hadn't read the blurb).
My end take on this one is that it is a bit of a retcon to allow the introduction of some new characters or ideas that will make more sense further down the line in this series.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - yes.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - maybe.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
It took a little while for me to work out that this was set in the past, before John left Group 15. Even then, I kept waiting for it to loop back around to present day (figuring there must be some relevance to it). Because of this confusion, I didn't really enjoy it as much as I probably otherwise would have, although thinking back on it now, it was a good story (it just took me several days to get past the confusion to absorb that), hence the 4-star rating in the end.
My advice to anyone reading it would be to be aware ahead of time that this is like a prequel to all the prequels.
My suggestion to the author would be that they could have added a few sentences somewhere at the beginning to let us know that this was going to be a story that happened in the past. For example, John could have been at an AA meeting where someone was talking about when they first realised they had a drinking problem, which got him thinking about when it had been that he first realised he might have a problem with drinking and that would have been an easy segue into the story with everyone now realising they were about to hear a story from his past (even if they hadn't read the blurb).
My end take on this one is that it is a bit of a retcon to allow the introduction of some new characters or ideas that will make more sense further down the line in this series.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - yes.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - maybe.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
September 16, 2018
I love all Mark Dawson's books and this is no exception. I cannot choose a favourite because they are all equally good while being so different, his protagonists being recovering alcoholic ex-assassin John Milton, broken ex-assassin mother Beatrix Rose and her young assassin-in-training teenage daughter Isabella. This book, though, is definitely up there near the top, just because Mark gives us some of Milton's defining moments that sets him on a different path from his life at Group Fifteen under the odious Control.
I have long wondered exactly what caused Milton's self-destructiveness and the events that led to him changing his life so dramatically and this story, set just before The Cleaner, shows us just how badly he is physically and mentally impaired at this stage of his life and career.
We also meet other operatives of Group Fifteen and the aforementioned evil overlord, Control. It makes for interesting reading seeing how the members of the Group view each other at this stage, having already met them later in their collective timeline in the earlier books.
I liked the story very much but I'm a sucker for books that feature Russia (hooked ever since I read Noel Streatfeild's Lisa Goes To Russia when I was very young!) which is why I particularly enjoyed Ghosts (John Milton #4) as well.
You can't go wrong with a Mark Dawson book so if you haven't already read the Milton series, start with The Cleaner and work your way through. I envy you and then you've still got the Beatrix Rose books and the Isabella Rose series to go after that.
I have long wondered exactly what caused Milton's self-destructiveness and the events that led to him changing his life so dramatically and this story, set just before The Cleaner, shows us just how badly he is physically and mentally impaired at this stage of his life and career.
We also meet other operatives of Group Fifteen and the aforementioned evil overlord, Control. It makes for interesting reading seeing how the members of the Group view each other at this stage, having already met them later in their collective timeline in the earlier books.
I liked the story very much but I'm a sucker for books that feature Russia (hooked ever since I read Noel Streatfeild's Lisa Goes To Russia when I was very young!) which is why I particularly enjoyed Ghosts (John Milton #4) as well.
You can't go wrong with a Mark Dawson book so if you haven't already read the Milton series, start with The Cleaner and work your way through. I envy you and then you've still got the Beatrix Rose books and the Isabella Rose series to go after that.
January 9, 2023
Really had to check a few times to see if I had gotten wrong book or was unable to read the order in which they were published. Sure enough, it is a misnumbered prequel that belongs before The Cleaner so as not to F with peoples heads. I was annoyed to the point of distraction to have him getting drunk and forgetting stuff, may as well had him in the tattoo chair getting his damned ink if you want flashback. Nice to see Ziggy and Pope, though nothing to connect them with, and unfortunately due to phantoms or ghosts or some supernatural BS the usually flawless Milton Fs up and a woman agent gets killed. Nice going Smith. Oh yeah, he is human and makes mistakes which when dealing with Kasparov , Molotov , and Antonov is really not a great idea provided you can figure out who the hell they are and why you give a crap. Sleeper comes out, wants to see daughter who has magic plans for magic plane that can specifically shoot down American MIGS or something but his handler gets offed as does he, so much for reunion, then just walk on into the old hideout without Ziggy telling you where they are, clear empty rooms and get nailed. Weak story, no one buying Ross tale either and where did she get idea for flipping and lipstick bullet, Red Scarlet? Well she didn't , Pope and Milton handle the exchange and for the 54th time we hear he is getting out of the biz if he can only find a way. Binged this one in one day as I had some cabin time, probably best to take in smaller bites and not fall asleep and have to go back on audio book to finish....better luck next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2018
I received this book in order to provide an honest review. Mr. Dawson's writing is just getting better as time passes. I have always commented on his attention to detail, even from his noir series days. The Milton series are the story of John Milton and his adventures. This book dates back to when John made his decision to quit Group Fifteen, a black-ops, wet-ops branch of the British intelligence services. After a former Russian spy and his former handler are killed in a small Suffolk town, they start after the Sleepers, Russian agents that have been in England for a while and are considered British by those around them.
John and Pope, #1 and #5, go to Russia to kill the two sleepers who managed to escape in England. They meet up with Ross, a agent with MI6, and split up after their missions changed. Milton and Ross go to meet up with a defector who is the daughter of the former Russian agent who was killed.
There is excitement all through the book. It is written with a great plotline and is concise in its writing. That makes the book shorter than most of his others, but it makes for better reading.
John and Pope, #1 and #5, go to Russia to kill the two sleepers who managed to escape in England. They meet up with Ross, a agent with MI6, and split up after their missions changed. Milton and Ross go to meet up with a defector who is the daughter of the former Russian agent who was killed.
There is excitement all through the book. It is written with a great plotline and is concise in its writing. That makes the book shorter than most of his others, but it makes for better reading.
July 24, 2020
This Is The Back Story
Book 13 provides the background that leads to book number 1. Perhaps it might be better to read this first to learn more about John Milton. I enjoyed reading it last, however. Milton is more flawed in this book. It’s harder to read about his back story. I like the current Milton, clear headed and righting wrongs as he come across them. But reading this prequel last allows us to see the issues that drive Milton forward in the subsequent novels. Flawed, unsure, even more human, Milton encounters a series of events that solidifies his decisions that ultimately change his life. Milton says to Ross, in this story, we make decisions, and those decisions shape our lives. After these events, Milton makes choices that will change his life forever. Reading this story last allows Dawson to color in the areas of Milton’s life that heretofore were left in the grey. A good story with less action and more insight, the flow is different than the previous books. As a first read I would no doubt continue to the others. But where this book lands in the series allows greater reflection on the life and decisions of John Milton. Try to read it last, if you can.
Book 13 provides the background that leads to book number 1. Perhaps it might be better to read this first to learn more about John Milton. I enjoyed reading it last, however. Milton is more flawed in this book. It’s harder to read about his back story. I like the current Milton, clear headed and righting wrongs as he come across them. But reading this prequel last allows us to see the issues that drive Milton forward in the subsequent novels. Flawed, unsure, even more human, Milton encounters a series of events that solidifies his decisions that ultimately change his life. Milton says to Ross, in this story, we make decisions, and those decisions shape our lives. After these events, Milton makes choices that will change his life forever. Reading this story last allows Dawson to color in the areas of Milton’s life that heretofore were left in the grey. A good story with less action and more insight, the flow is different than the previous books. As a first read I would no doubt continue to the others. But where this book lands in the series allows greater reflection on the life and decisions of John Milton. Try to read it last, if you can.
October 27, 2018
Ripped from the Headlines
This 13th John Milton novel owes heavily to the assassination attempt by the Russians in Salisbury, England last year - a fact noted by the author in the afterward. There is also a good dose that appears to be inspired by the television series The Americans.
It makes for what, to me, is a rather unusual entry in the John Milton series. This novel is far less about Milton than usual. I haven't read the entire series, but the entries I have read were very similar in setup to Jack Reacher novels. Here, Milton is involved in an operation for Group 15 rather than a random encounter. There is still a good dose of Milton's internal turmoil and repeated mention of his determination to leave the Group. But that definitely takes a back seat to the mission. We also get to see other members of Group 15 play a role, including an interesting new recruit that I suspect will be more thoroughly developed in a future story.
I found the story intriguing and recommend it to fans of the spy thriller genre.
This 13th John Milton novel owes heavily to the assassination attempt by the Russians in Salisbury, England last year - a fact noted by the author in the afterward. There is also a good dose that appears to be inspired by the television series The Americans.
It makes for what, to me, is a rather unusual entry in the John Milton series. This novel is far less about Milton than usual. I haven't read the entire series, but the entries I have read were very similar in setup to Jack Reacher novels. Here, Milton is involved in an operation for Group 15 rather than a random encounter. There is still a good dose of Milton's internal turmoil and repeated mention of his determination to leave the Group. But that definitely takes a back seat to the mission. We also get to see other members of Group 15 play a role, including an interesting new recruit that I suspect will be more thoroughly developed in a future story.
I found the story intriguing and recommend it to fans of the spy thriller genre.
August 23, 2018
I enjoyed ‘Sleepers, my new second-favorite of the Milton series (#1 – The Cleaner, #3 – The Ninth Step).
• I appreciated Milton’s background story as provided through this prequel.
• The action is fast-paced as always, but with a good opening and set-up focusing on the sleeper agents and a retired UK handler.
• The focus on Milton’s realization that his drinking is out of control and that the job was drink- and nightmare-inducing provides a continual drumbeat as the field actions ebb and flow.
• Given his issues, Milton’s struggles to gain control of his life make him a sympathetic character.
• The “bad guys” are smart and not bumbling as in so many other thrillers.
• The ending very nicely dovetails into the opening scene of The Cleaner.
Having read all of the books in the John Milton series as an ARC, I find that I appreciate most the development of Milton's rather gritty character, more so than the thriller story lines themselves.
• I appreciated Milton’s background story as provided through this prequel.
• The action is fast-paced as always, but with a good opening and set-up focusing on the sleeper agents and a retired UK handler.
• The focus on Milton’s realization that his drinking is out of control and that the job was drink- and nightmare-inducing provides a continual drumbeat as the field actions ebb and flow.
• Given his issues, Milton’s struggles to gain control of his life make him a sympathetic character.
• The “bad guys” are smart and not bumbling as in so many other thrillers.
• The ending very nicely dovetails into the opening scene of The Cleaner.
Having read all of the books in the John Milton series as an ARC, I find that I appreciate most the development of Milton's rather gritty character, more so than the thriller story lines themselves.
October 7, 2018
Fans of Mark Dawson's John Milton series of books will need no telling from me how enjoyable they are. This latest offering takes us back to the days before Milton abandons his chosen profession and tries to live a better life.
Call iut a prequel if you want, but it's successful as a stand alone novel and if you are new to these books then you might like to start here, rather than with The Cleaner (Book 1 of the series).
A former MI5 agent and a former Russian spy are killed in sleepy Suffolk. Was it a coincidence, or was it more? John Milton must find out and then deal with the killers.
Last year this plot would have been hard to belive in, but events earlier this year in Salisbury and the Sergei Skripal affair give it a whole new level of believeability. If Mark Dawson started to write this before that, he must be psychic. If not then he got lucky.
This is a hugely readable book that adds flesh to the charcater of John Milton. I have no problem recommending it.
Call iut a prequel if you want, but it's successful as a stand alone novel and if you are new to these books then you might like to start here, rather than with The Cleaner (Book 1 of the series).
A former MI5 agent and a former Russian spy are killed in sleepy Suffolk. Was it a coincidence, or was it more? John Milton must find out and then deal with the killers.
Last year this plot would have been hard to belive in, but events earlier this year in Salisbury and the Sergei Skripal affair give it a whole new level of believeability. If Mark Dawson started to write this before that, he must be psychic. If not then he got lucky.
This is a hugely readable book that adds flesh to the charcater of John Milton. I have no problem recommending it.
October 1, 2019
One of the Best Action Spy Novels!
I've read the entire John Milton series this far and all have been very good but each very different as John Milton's life experiences continue to evolve. Some of Dawson's stories are very believable and some have been somewhat far fetched though there was the possibility that what transpires could happen. This book however, was the one you could see happening at the movies! Set as a prequel of events happening before the events of the first book in the series, the cast of supporting characters is amazing in their intertwined roles and actions! The book has that action movie appeal that you just don't want to put it down. The story adds a better foundation to the entire series! The twists and turns in the plot keep the action moving along at a good pace and keep you on the edge waiting for the next body to drop! The end you really don't see coming until you get there! It's good and gripping!
I've read the entire John Milton series this far and all have been very good but each very different as John Milton's life experiences continue to evolve. Some of Dawson's stories are very believable and some have been somewhat far fetched though there was the possibility that what transpires could happen. This book however, was the one you could see happening at the movies! Set as a prequel of events happening before the events of the first book in the series, the cast of supporting characters is amazing in their intertwined roles and actions! The book has that action movie appeal that you just don't want to put it down. The story adds a better foundation to the entire series! The twists and turns in the plot keep the action moving along at a good pace and keep you on the edge waiting for the next body to drop! The end you really don't see coming until you get there! It's good and gripping!
February 24, 2019
Close to home
In afterwards Mark describes the polonium ? poisonings of a the couple in Salisbury, Eng. These treacherous acts were undertaken by a totalitarian regime taking advantage of the freedoms that a vibrant democracy bestows on its citizens.
This hit home for Mr. Dawson. Salisbury is a beautiful English Town with a rich history going back millennia. I’ve had the good fortune to stay several times in a 15 th century Inn in Salisbury and the idea that this poison existed anywhere in Salisbury is shocking. As Mark’s fictional spy characters don’t believe in coincidences, Mr. Dawson should not believe in them either.
Sleepers by the way is an excellent spy tome and, perhaps, Dawson’s best. His character development and plotting is superb. On to the next one
In afterwards Mark describes the polonium ? poisonings of a the couple in Salisbury, Eng. These treacherous acts were undertaken by a totalitarian regime taking advantage of the freedoms that a vibrant democracy bestows on its citizens.
This hit home for Mr. Dawson. Salisbury is a beautiful English Town with a rich history going back millennia. I’ve had the good fortune to stay several times in a 15 th century Inn in Salisbury and the idea that this poison existed anywhere in Salisbury is shocking. As Mark’s fictional spy characters don’t believe in coincidences, Mr. Dawson should not believe in them either.
Sleepers by the way is an excellent spy tome and, perhaps, Dawson’s best. His character development and plotting is superb. On to the next one
March 29, 2020
A gripping read as usual..... BUT...........
I was looking forward to a continuation of the John Milton series and was very annoyed when I opened the book to find out that it was a prequal!!!! So I delayed reading it as I thought it was a bit of cop out by the author. However I then decided to give Dawson the benefit of the doubt and read the book.
It was a great read and kept me guessing throughout as to which of the characters was really who they were portrayed to be.
Dawson certainly knows how to weave convincing thrillers and I hope that this book is relevant to the following books ........
OTHERWISE I WILL BE WRITING TO Mr MARK DAWSON REQUESTING MY MONEY BACK!!!!!! AS HE SHOULD HAVE STIPULATED THAT IT WASN'T NECESSARY TO READ IT AT THIS STAGE OF THE SERIES.
I will come back to this review in due course 🤔
I was looking forward to a continuation of the John Milton series and was very annoyed when I opened the book to find out that it was a prequal!!!! So I delayed reading it as I thought it was a bit of cop out by the author. However I then decided to give Dawson the benefit of the doubt and read the book.
It was a great read and kept me guessing throughout as to which of the characters was really who they were portrayed to be.
Dawson certainly knows how to weave convincing thrillers and I hope that this book is relevant to the following books ........
OTHERWISE I WILL BE WRITING TO Mr MARK DAWSON REQUESTING MY MONEY BACK!!!!!! AS HE SHOULD HAVE STIPULATED THAT IT WASN'T NECESSARY TO READ IT AT THIS STAGE OF THE SERIES.
I will come back to this review in due course 🤔
July 11, 2024
This takes us back to before the ‘first’ instalment of the Milton series, The Cleaner, when Milton is still part of Group 15 and takes us through one of his regular missions (which feel similar to the other stories, but with backup).
We start with the death of a Russian defector and handler, and John Milton and Michael Pope are rushed to the scene to try and catch the murder. However, it quickly becomes evident this is no ordinary murder, but the work of a sleeper agent working for Moscow. Milton and Pope are dispatched to Moscow, but nothing goes as planned.
This takes us back in time, and Milton is clearly a very troubled man. Tormented by the guilt of his profession, his drinking is barely under control (perhaps is not), and we are led right up to the days before The Cleaner. This is not a bad outing, an improvement on a few of the recent books in my opinion.
We start with the death of a Russian defector and handler, and John Milton and Michael Pope are rushed to the scene to try and catch the murder. However, it quickly becomes evident this is no ordinary murder, but the work of a sleeper agent working for Moscow. Milton and Pope are dispatched to Moscow, but nothing goes as planned.
This takes us back in time, and Milton is clearly a very troubled man. Tormented by the guilt of his profession, his drinking is barely under control (perhaps is not), and we are led right up to the days before The Cleaner. This is not a bad outing, an improvement on a few of the recent books in my opinion.
October 11, 2018
By now, you are familiar enough with Milton to no the Sleepers is anything but a sleeper. A Sleeper is a foreign agent or group of agents working in a friendly country. In this case, Russian agents are in England. An expatriate is murdered and it is somewhat of a mystery as he was an old man and not really in play anymore. However, his daughter is an engineer working on the most advanced fighter plane to date and she is willing to give up the plans in order to defect. She is hiding in Russia and Milton needs to go get her. There appear to be leaks on both sides and SVR knows he is coming, where and when. Could this be the end of Number 1? The reader gets a good geography lesson on Russia as well as a lot of action and at least one surprise!
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