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Justin Hall #16

Resident Spy

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When terrorists attack a black site, they burn it down and kill everyone, except for two CIA operatives who disappear. Were they kidnapped, killed, or complicit?

As the CIA's foreign liaison, spymaster Justin Hall is called in. He's not in the best physical or mental state, a fact he's hiding from almost everyone.

A fact that could dangerously affect the entire mission.

Alone, with no evidence, no leads, and only enemies, Justin must find out what happened before the terrorists use the ill-gotten intel to attack other black sites and free the detainees the agency has worked so hard to capture. Fighting on all sides, including his own, will Justin survive the overwhelming odds against him?

Resident Spy is the last installment in this best-selling series, featuring CIS spymaster and assassin Justin Hall in the deadliest mission of his entire career. The series has thousands of five-star reviews and hundreds of thousands of sales and downloads. Each book is a self-contained story without cliffhangers and can be enjoyed on its own.

If you like Flynn, Baldacci, or Greaney, you'll love this pulse-pounding international espionage thriller.

Resident Spy is a nod to a previous novella, The Diplomat, which is no longer in circulation. The full-length novel, Resident Spy, is an electrifying read, completely revamped, revised, and expanded with new material, characters, and storylines.

Get ready for a heart-racing, pulse-pounding, action-packed novel and enjoy Justin's final exhilarating mission from bestseller Ethan Jones now.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2020

13 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

Ethan Jones

110 books663 followers
Ethan Jones is an international bestselling author of over 50 assassin thriller and suspense novels. His books have sold over two hundred thousand copies in over seventy countries. Ethan has lived in four continents. He has worked for the American Embassy and does mission work around the globe. He’s a lawyer by trade.

His goal is to provide clean, clever and white-knuckled entertainment for his valued readers. Free of sex, language, or excessive violence, but full of fast-paced, action-packed suspense with unsuspecting twists and turns.

When he’s not writing or researching, you can find Ethan helping, hiking, hanging out with family/friends, or traveling the world.

Check out Ethan's website ethanjonesbooks.com to learn more and to sign up to Ethan's Exclusives which includes updates, deals, and a free starter pack.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Meenaz Lodhi.
1,022 reviews86 followers
January 27, 2021
“Facta non verba. Deeds, not words.”
“See, good things come to those who wait...”

Ethan Jones has once again showed his knowledge and dominion in the art of fine writing. A masterful spy thriller, tightly plotted, filled with unique characters, tackling contemporary issues of international politics. This is a brilliant read. Wonderful well-written plot and storyline that had me engaged from the start, with great suspense and action and wonderful world-building. An internal debate, a thirst for revenge, a conflictive moral battle to decide what’s wrong and what’s the correct procedure could bring atrocious consequences,, this instalment brings out the worst and best of the main protagonist. This has been a very exciting, emotional and thrilling adventure with Justin Hall. A perfect ending for a fabulous series! I highly recommend this series, and all the other series written by this excellent author.
Can't wait to read what Ethan Jones brings out next!
Profile Image for Ethan Jones.
Author 110 books663 followers
Currently reading
October 22, 2020
Resident Spy (Justin Hall Book 16) will come out on November 12, 2020. This will be the last book in the series.

Have you entered my Giveaway to win an e-book of Resident Spy? You can do so now by clicking on the link below and adding the book to your TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/event/show/...

Then, enjoy an excerpt from Chapter One of Resident Spy.

Chapter One

Three Months Ago
Outskirts of Nouakchott
Mauritania, West Africa

The fighters’ trucks outside the schoolyard meant trouble, serious trouble. The teacher looked up from his desk as the loud rumble broke his concentration. He glanced through the dusty, cracked window at six young men, barely in their teens, stepping out of the trucks. Most brandished AK rifles and PKM machine guns. One had a rocket-propelled grenade launcher over his shoulder.

The teacher frowned. He recognized the bandana-wrapped face of the boy carrying the launcher. He was Mostafa, who had been a smart, kind student. Until three years ago. A drone attack had obliterated a house next to the mosque, right behind the school funded and operated by the mosque’s Imams. The Americans had claimed they targeted an Al-Qaeda terrorist cell operating in the city. The teacher was there when frantic family members and emergency crews dragged out the dead bodies of Mostafa’s father, as well as two of his uncles and their wives and children. There were no al-Qaeda terrorists in the house. The Americans had blamed bad local intelligence, but had not compensated the families of the dead or even offered an apology.

A slight commotion came from the back of the classroom. A few of the children sitting next to the windows were looking at the fighters, who were running toward the school. The teacher stood up and pushed his black-rimmed glasses to the bridge of his nose. What’s going on? What are they doing? He said to the class, “Quiet. Everyone, be quiet. Let’s pay attention and work on the exercise.”

The teacher looked at the boy standing by the blackboard. He had stopped writing with the white chalk and had stepped closer to the window. “Why haven’t you answered the question? Do you not know the answer?” He gestured at the board, where he had written the question: What are the primary export industries in our country?

The boy looked down at the concrete floor, then at the class. “I know. I just… I don’t remember.”

“You know more than you think.” The teacher walked closer to the boy and tousled his black hair. “What does your father do?”

“He works for BP, at the refinery,” the boy replied in a weak voice.

“Refinery. And what do they refine there?”

“Oil.”

“What do they produce?”

“Gas.”

The teacher smiled and tipped his head at the question. “Where does that go?”

The boy hesitated for a moment and smiled. “Europe. We export gas.”

“Good, very good. Write that down. And think of what else…”

He looked at the students and smiled at the boy sitting in the front row next to the wall. Ndioko was the teacher’s firstborn son. He had turned ten a month ago, and as a birthday present, he had asked for a special pen and a notebook. “I want to be a teacher, like Father,” he had announced in the presence of the large family gathering.

Ndioko returned the smile and looked out the window. Harsh shouts sounded very close. The teacher stepped near the window as a short burst of rifle gunfire erupted not far away. He looked at one of the gunmen firing in the air. Another one, who the teacher knew was their leader, was arguing with the school’s principal and the guard. They were all standing outside the entrance to the small school.

“Father, what’s going on?” Ndioko said.

“Nothing, it’s nothing to worry about.”

He didn’t know the reason for the conflict, but it didn’t seem the gang were leaving any time soon. The leader, a tall, skinny man dressed in full black fatigues, pointed at the entrance, and pushed the principal away. When the guard intervened, the man who had fired the rifle aimed it at the guard’s chest.

The teacher shook his head and removed his glasses. He tossed them onto his desk and dashed toward the door. He glanced at the worried looks on his student’s faces and said, “It’s alright. Everything is alright. Stay away from the windows, and don’t go out of the classroom. Okay?”

A few nods, then someone asked, “What’s going on, Teacher?”

“I’m going to find out. Stay inside the classroom.”

He closed the door behind him and ran through the hall. The school building had only eight classrooms, his being the third one on the right side of the building. When he came to the area connecting the halls, he faced four gunmen who were running toward him. “Hey, where are you going? This is a school…”

“Out of the way, old man,” yelled one of them.

“Old man? Who do you call old man?”

“You. You’re a scared old man.”

The teacher looked at the gunman who was just passing him. “Mostafa, what’s going on?”

The boy slowed his steps for a moment and shook his head.

“Come on, tell me, what’s going on?”

Mostafa waited until the rest of the gunmen had rounded the corner. “The Americans, they’re chasing us.”

“What? I didn’t see any vehicles outside.”

Mostafa shook his head. His small beady eyes were alarmed, and he kept looking at the school’s entrance door.

“It’s a helicopter, one of the army ones.”

The teacher frowned. “Why? What did you do?”

“We attacked their embassy and—”

“You fools! Why did you do that?”

Mostafa’s eyes shot an angry look at his former teacher. “Because we’ve had enough. Enough with the Americans telling us what to do; enough with them taking all our riches and resources. Enough with being their slaves.”

The teacher shook his balding head. No time to educate and correct Mostafa’s misunderstandings of the region’s geopolitics. “You can’t hide in the school—”

“We are. The Americans will not think we’re here—”

“They’ll see your vehicles outside. They’re not stupid.”

Mostafa shrugged. “They might, but they’ll never attack the school. The children…”

A shiver went through the teacher’s body. Yes, the children, all one hundred of them. And Ndioko. Especially Ndioko. We’ve got to get them all out of here.

Mostafa began to walk away, but the teacher grabbed his arm. “Mostafa, you’re different. You’re not like them—”

“I am.” He pushed away the teacher’s hand. “I was a sheep, learning submission and comp… compliance. No more. I’m a wolf now. I determine my own fate.”

The teacher shrugged. “Okay. Please determine to help these poor children. Help me get them to safety, before the fighting starts—”

“What fighting?”

The teacher opened his mouth to reply, but a long volley came from behind them. He looked toward the school’s entrance. One of the gunmen fired through the open door and slid inside.
Profile Image for Stacy.
1,003 reviews90 followers
May 19, 2021
Good, thrilling action book. Justin Hall is an operative for CIS and is involved in a couple different missions in West Africa involving terrorists, but he has a secret that he is unwilling to share. He has been having trouble with his leg due to ABS and it causes him some worry because sometimes it does not do what he wants it to do and is worried that it may fail him when he needs it most. He has been needing surgery for a while but has been putting it off. Even though he loves the excitement of his profession, he is torn, wanting to be with his girlfriend in Europe. When she is hit by a car and is in serious condition, he is further torn between wanting to be by her side and finishing his job.
I received this book in a giveaway-- thank you!
Profile Image for Martin Pingree.
1,013 reviews15 followers
November 10, 2020
In the last book of this Series, Justin is once again chasing the bad guys when a Canadian oil executive is kidnapped. At the same he’s trying to reconcile with his father who is dying of cancer, dealing with some leg issues and his girlfriend is injured in a car wreck. Carrie enters the picture and helps him resolve the kidnapping and then they both help a CIA operative friend finish his mission. I’m gonna miss Justin. As always an exceptional cast of characters, non stop action and a fantastic series ending story line bring an end to a great character.
12.7k reviews189 followers
February 17, 2021
When Justin Hall is involved the work gets done. He’s one awesome detective. A story that involves Terrorists and more. Totally intriguing.
230 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2020
From the first Book - Arctic Wargame to the final book Resident Spy - Ethan Jones has taken me on many adventures and traversed throughout the globe and has outdone himself with another awesome book.

Justin is still dealing with a previous injury and is tasked with rescuing a Canadian Oil Exec, finds out Karolin was in an accident and a friend, Scott with the CIA has asked Justin for assistance in rescuing two CIA agents from terrorists . Justin asks for Carries help and arrives just in time to show us a little dark side of hers
Resident Spy is action packed read with a strong storyline,characters and is full of suspense and intrigue. Mr Jones always makes me feel like I’m part of the adventure and smack in the middle of the action.

Thank you Mr Jones for another great book

Another must read
275 reviews4 followers
November 12, 2020
It is hard to believe the Justin Hall adventures have come to an end. I hope he will pop up again in one of the other series.

Like Ethan Jones' other works this one will grab you at the beginning and keep you wanting more. This time Justin is in Africa trying to rescue a Canadian oil executive while at the same time trying to assist the CIA on a mission nearby. While all this is going on, Justin is also dealing with some serious personal issues. So much going on to keep you turning the pages well past bed time! I really liked the way the series was concluded. I wont spoil it with details but I will say it all ties up nicely. While it is sad to see the Justin Hall chronicles come to an end Ethan Jones has other series you will also enjoy.
168 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2020
The final book of the series has all the action we’ve come to expect as well as plenty of misdirection and questionable loyalties. There are two ops in this story; are they connected? It is fitting that Carrie comes to help after Justin is blindsided by the hostage-takers of a Canadian diplomat and the CIA mission he’s assisting with becomes more complicated. Justin’s health, which has been a concern in the last few books, needs to be addressed and an incident involving girlfriend Karolin force changes he’s been considering for awhile. I thought I’d be sadly saying farewell to Justin but the clever ending has me wondering if we’ll be seeing him again in the not too distant future. A satisfying conclusion to an exciting series.
Profile Image for David Porter.
19 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2020
Jones has again written a thriller that Justin Hall fans will find riveting. Even though he is bruised , and is in pain, Justin carries on in the mission at hand even though he wants to help another agent who is looking for another terrorist. Compounded with the fact that his girl friend has been critically injured in a car accident and he wants to be by her side Justin carries on to a successful conclusion. Hall ponders his future with his love and in the end all comes to a surpising conclusion. I great story and a must read for Justin Hall fans.
Profile Image for Alex.
60 reviews
November 23, 2020
A must read for fans of Vince Flynn, Kyle Mills, Brad Thor, Mark Greeny, and Ted Bell.Ethan Jones has finally delivered a spectacular ending to one of the most explosive Justin Hall series up-to-date. The endings of residence spy will blow your mind! A good conclusions! If you don't follow Ethan Jones, you're missing out!
160 reviews
October 25, 2020
Great end of series for Justin. Well written fast paced thriller that kept me reading until I finished. I love all the Ethan Jones books but Justin is my favorite and this maybe the end of the series but I’m pretty sure Justin will be back.
202 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2020
Great finish to the Justin Hall series. Justin is in it deep as he gets involved in multiple cases. Lots of action and the story kept me reading to the end. Love the intrigue and diplomacy to go along with the action.
Profile Image for Clive Willcocks.
292 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2020
Another great story from Ethan, which I found very hard to put down. Highly recommended
659 reviews4 followers
October 27, 2020
Ethan Jones’ Justin Hall series has always been full of action, suspense and interesting characters wrapped up in compelling stories. This final instalment to the series is no exception. It’s another first class spy thriller from one of the best in the business. Initially, Justin is in Africa helping free a Canadian oil executive who has been kidnapped. At the same time he’s promised to help a friend in the CIA who is running his own mission in the same country. If all that weren’t enough for Justin to handle there’s also the added worry of some personal news. That’s not all though as our man is also trying to come to terms with his father’s cancer and imminent death. So, you see he’s stretched pretty thin and also not in the best shape physically either as he deals with an ongoing leg injury. Ethan Jones weaves all of this together brilliantly and adds his trademark awesome action scenes too. What more could you ask for? An appearance by Carrie O’Connor Justin's long time spy partner? Yes, she too makes an appearance, although that might be considered a spoiler I’m leaving it in! This is a very satisfying conclusion to the series but I’ll not give away why, or how. Great writing from a great writer that is at the top of his game.
600 reviews4 followers
October 23, 2020
We have travelled a long exciting road with justin and joined him on many adventures. This seems to be his last for the moment as he wants to take a break to pursue other avenues and take a break. This last mission is a tricky one as it is really two combined as he is helping a friend who is also on a mission in the same area. I think it is hard to plan an operation when several operatives have different ideas how to go about things. Also one needs to have complete trust in one's colleagues. That is not always easy as they can sometimes be less than honorable. It must be so hard to know who can be trusted when you are putting your life on the line. Often only your gut and a sixth sense is between you and certain death. Justin has really good natural instincts and they guide him well and seem to protect him when others fail. I always breath a sigh of relief when he completes a successful operation and comes home safely. At the end of this mission I wish him well with everything he decides to do in the future.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,885 reviews71 followers
November 13, 2020
Resident Spy - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Resident Spy starts with a gunfight with CIA and CIS agents trying to capture fleeing terrorists, who've taken cover at a primary school, which ends in tragedy for one of the staff.

Simultaneously, Justin, fellow-agent Carrie O'Connor and a local Nigerian asset must work together to rescue a kidnapped Canadian diplomat. Whom can they trust when nobody is exactly as they purport to be?

Ethan Jones is the Prince of Espionage Thrillers and his much-loved Justin Hall Spy Thriller Series, is brought to a satisfactory and unmissable conclusion in Resident Spy.

Without losing perspective, while teasing the possibilities for Justin and Karolin's future together, the eager reader will be satisfied that the couple will still be able to serve and defend Canada - the country they're proud to call their own. Get your copy as soon as you can!
68 reviews
November 12, 2020
This is supposed to be the last book in the Justin Hall series; if so, it's been a fantastic ride & Resident Spy is a fitting epitaph. Justin is called in to get a Canadian oil exec who has been kidnapped. He's teamed up with CIA operative Scott & helps him rescue some captured CIA agents. The action is all over the African continent. A CIA black site is attacked by terrorists. Justin is still suffering from some injuries on his last mission. He's also dealing with some personal issues. Things keep going astray & the question becomes who can we trust. Carrie O'Oconnor is available & comes to help. As if all this isn't enough, Justin learns that his girl friend (fiance - ?) has been injured by a drunk driver. In typical Ethan Jones fashion, this book has non-stop action & puts you in the middle of it. Read it ... you'll like it!
364 reviews8 followers
November 12, 2020
Sadly, we come to the last book in this great series. This is just another normal day in the office for Justin...! He’s in Nigeria, trying to locate and rescue a kidnapped Canadian Oil industry diplomat. A CIA friend, has asked him for help in freeing two CIA agents from terrorists. He’s also juggling reconciling with his father, who is battling cancer; his fiancée is recovering in the hospital, having been struck by a drunk driver; and an old leg injury is threatening to give out, possibly jeopardizing his life in the middle of a mission. It was nice to see Justin call in his former partner Carrie O’Connor, for help in what is proving to be his last mission. There is a lot of action, strong characters and vivid descriptions to put the reader right in the middle of the story, fully engrossed. This is a great ending for the series, ending on a high note!
74 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2020
Another extraordinary novel from the great spy novelist Ethan Jones. And this is without a doubt the best in his Justin Hall series.  The writing is tight, with interesting and well-developed characters, along with dueling dangerous and thrilling storylines that provide high paced tension and action throughout.  The consistency of plot and characters is remarkably well done, leaving you with a clear, clean understanding of Jones' story. In Resident Spy the reader is rewarded with Carrie O'Conner's return to Justin's world. The ending to this series is beautifully executed, but you'll have to read it to understand how. Truly hope to see the new resident spy appear in a subsequent novel. Thank you for taking us all on Justin's many journeys, Mr. Jones.
Profile Image for Julian White.
1,715 reviews8 followers
November 8, 2020
ARC - epub, 175 pages

I had previously read the first four chapters as part of The Diplomat (Book 4.5 - no longer available, as noted in the blurb) so the opening was an unsettling experience, especially as I hadn't a reference in my book logs... That opening is now rewritten, introducing a new plot thread and changing some names to reflect later books.

The new novel is a stylish end to the series: the mixture is much as before, including Carrie O'Connor and a convoluted plot. Virtue triumphs, of course, though not without cost and Justin bows out as a field operative. His future moves may allow an appearance in future books... or is that just wishful thinking?

















39 reviews
October 26, 2020
Is this the last book in the Justin Hall series? Justin is in Africa working to free a kidnapped Canadian oil industry diplomat; plus he is lending help to a CIA friend to free two captured CIA operatives. Then his girlfriend is hit by a drunk driver in Vienna and in the hospital. Thank goodness his former partner Carrie is able to join him to get through all this. But will they be able to close these cases? What does the future hold for Justin? This book keeps your total interest clear up to the end!
483 reviews8 followers
November 10, 2020
Another fast paced, action filled story for Justin Hall involving a kidnapped Canadian government minister, the Nigerian oil industry, black sites, joint operation with the CIA and a very dangerous terrorist, so there are many plot lines woven together. It was also fitting to see Carrie joining Justin during the action for the last in the Justin Hall series. But is it the last we will hear of Justin? The extra short story at the end was both interesting and suggests the possibility of a new series with Justin in a different role - a clever twist.
172 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2020
It's sad that the Justin Hall series has ended.

Ethan Jones reaffirms his status as an excellent author in Resident Spy, the last one in this spy series of books. The characters are well-developed; you find that Justin Hall deals with personal issues; and there are more than enough plots twists to keep the readers from stopping reading.

This is a great book and you will find yourself more than satisfied when you have finished it. In addition, you will be disappointed that the series has ended!
1,477 reviews25 followers
November 24, 2020
Resident Spy. Ethan Jones

Two operatives have been taken from a black site in Africa by terrorists. Everyone else was eliminated. Justin Hall , Canadian CIS operative has been called in to hopefully rescue the two agents. The CIA, whom the kidnapped agents belong two have also joined in the search and rescue mission. Justin is also tasked to deal with a kidnapped Canadian executive. Two deadly assignments at the same time. Non stop riveting action from the first to last page. Enjoyed immensely!!! Another excellent read by Ethan Jones!!
154 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2020
Two agents disappear after terrorists attack a CIA black site. Justin Hall is called in to see what happened and to find out if these agents are dead or taken. Justin and his team must find the Jihadist, The Teacher, and also find the missing agents. Lots of action and adventure in this book that keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a must read if you like book that keep you wanting to see what happens next.
1 review3 followers
November 1, 2020
In typical Ethan Jones fashion, a pretty thrilling ride from start to finish. I kept having to check my Kindle status as I felt like I must be nearing the end. The intrigue and action kept building and seemed to reach a peak, but then stepped up past that. SPOILER ALERT: The ending of this book will hit you with quite the finish.
678 reviews11 followers
October 24, 2020
Justin Hall is going to make a huge decision.. This book is another great one from Ethan and is full of action. The epilogue is really where you will understand. A great book with a clue as to what Justin's future will bring.
The name Resident Spy also give us a clue about Justin.
Profile Image for Barbara.
141 reviews
November 11, 2020
All of the Justin Hall books are fantastic. I really enjoyed this one, as well. It may be the best of all of them. There's lots of action and intrigue. And best of all, the author keeps it clean. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys spy thrillers.
Profile Image for Sanford Archer.
19 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2020
Ethan Jones has another homerun with his latest and final story in the Justin Hall saga. It has all the makings have a great read including suspense, espionage and plenty of action. I look forward to reading some of his other series. This is definitely a story worth being told, so enjoy!
684 reviews9 followers
October 26, 2020
Another thrilling story from a great author. I couldn’t put it down, other than overnight, full of action and suspense. Sorry to see Justin ‘retire’ but look forward to reading more of Carrie etc.,
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