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Jayne Robinson #3
The Confessor
Cardinal sins . . . The horrific killing of four cardinals in Washington, DC, en route to the White House. Deadly threats and intrigue at the Vatican. And Jayne Robinson battling against an unknown enemy to find out the truth for a desperate pope.
Intelligence operative Robinson is deployed by the CIA to discover why the American cardinals were murdered on their way to a top-level government meeting—with a mysterious message to deliver.
At the same time, a British cardinal and key ally of the pope asks Jayne to help with his own line of inquiry—before it’s too late.
The case becomes increasingly complicated as the Israeli intelligence agency, the Mossad, is sucked into the drama in a most unexpected way as the international political stakes rise.
And tension mounts rapidly as Jayne fights for her life in the West Bank city of Ramallah against plotters ruthlessly determined to prevent the facts emerging.
The Confessor, book number three in the Jayne Robinson series, is a gripping modern spy thriller with sharp twists that will stun the reader.
Intelligence operative Robinson is deployed by the CIA to discover why the American cardinals were murdered on their way to a top-level government meeting—with a mysterious message to deliver.
At the same time, a British cardinal and key ally of the pope asks Jayne to help with his own line of inquiry—before it’s too late.
The case becomes increasingly complicated as the Israeli intelligence agency, the Mossad, is sucked into the drama in a most unexpected way as the international political stakes rise.
And tension mounts rapidly as Jayne fights for her life in the West Bank city of Ramallah against plotters ruthlessly determined to prevent the facts emerging.
The Confessor, book number three in the Jayne Robinson series, is a gripping modern spy thriller with sharp twists that will stun the reader.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2022
436 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Turpin
13 books127 followersAndrew is a former journalist who has always had a love of writing and a passion for reading good thrillers. Now he has finally put the two interests together.
His first book in the Joe Johnson thriller series, The Last Nazi, was published in August 2017, and the second, The Old Bridge, in January 2018. The third, Bandit Country, followed in February 2018. In January 2019 the fourth, Stalin's Final Sting, was published along with a prequel to the series, entitled The Afghan. Book #5 in the series, The Nazi's Son, appeared in November 2019, followed by book 6, The Black Sea, published in May 2020.
The themes behind these thrillers also pull together some of Andrew’s other interests, particularly history, world news, and travel. They explore the ways in which events and human behaviors deep into the past continue to impact on modern society, politics and business.
All of Andrew's books draw strongly on these themes. They feature Joe Johnson, an ex-CIA officer and former U.S. Nazi hunter with the Office of Special Investigations, part of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
Johnson has a passion for justice and a drive to investigate unsolved war crimes in different parts of the world.
Andrew studied history at Loughborough University and worked for many years as a business and financial journalist before becoming a corporate and financial communications adviser with several large energy companies.
He originally came from Grantham, Lincolnshire, and lives with his family in St. Albans in Hertfordshire, U.K.
His first book in the Joe Johnson thriller series, The Last Nazi, was published in August 2017, and the second, The Old Bridge, in January 2018. The third, Bandit Country, followed in February 2018. In January 2019 the fourth, Stalin's Final Sting, was published along with a prequel to the series, entitled The Afghan. Book #5 in the series, The Nazi's Son, appeared in November 2019, followed by book 6, The Black Sea, published in May 2020.
The themes behind these thrillers also pull together some of Andrew’s other interests, particularly history, world news, and travel. They explore the ways in which events and human behaviors deep into the past continue to impact on modern society, politics and business.
All of Andrew's books draw strongly on these themes. They feature Joe Johnson, an ex-CIA officer and former U.S. Nazi hunter with the Office of Special Investigations, part of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
Johnson has a passion for justice and a drive to investigate unsolved war crimes in different parts of the world.
Andrew studied history at Loughborough University and worked for many years as a business and financial journalist before becoming a corporate and financial communications adviser with several large energy companies.
He originally came from Grantham, Lincolnshire, and lives with his family in St. Albans in Hertfordshire, U.K.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 3, 2022
An action filled spy thriller set in the Vatican. 3 Cardinals in route to the White House to present starling news are killed enroute. At first it appears that the guilty party was the Mossad but independent international intelligence agent Jayne Robinson thinks differently. She goes to the Vatican to meet a Cardinal who was an old friend of her father to try to find out facts before a meeting between the Pope and the US president takes place in the Vatican. In the meantime another Cardinal is murdered in Rome before he can meet with US intelligenct agents. Jayne teams up with a Mossad agent to tackle the mess berofe it gets out of hand.I could not stop until I read the entire book even if it was early morning before I finished.
December 10, 2022
Spies for All Ages
I don't know if it is appropriate to write one review for ten books, but the continuum from The Afghan to the Confessor, from Afghanistan to the Vatican is a super novel with ten very long (400++ pages, on average) or 10 reviews that would say substantially the same thing: I like Andrew Turpin's well done books! My question is: "Where have you been, Andrew Turpin, you little devil, all my fun reading life? I had to read you straight through this November once found!". You know what? You are good, REALLY GOOD!!
These little (?) gems of books take us on a ride that we NEED to be buckled in tight to try. The events, places and people are so real, you know you'll recognize them all on sight. I can draw the faces of the Fekkai twins, and would recognize Joe's house in Portland. In fact, if Mr. Turpin were to say "fiction is simply history recorded by someone else in the room," I would be hard-put to dispute it. Each chapter in each book tells of events starkly unadorned as any good journalist should, but the language is still rich and round, replete with detail. The kind of detail that ornaments a plain factual tree of a story into an episode in the dusty mountains outside Kabul where we join Joe Johnson dodging into a cave to a avoid bullets, or meet the Pope with Jayne Reynolds and offer her Excedrin after another head cracking, shoulder banging encounter with a nasty greedy bad guy who really really deserves what he's gonna get, just you wait.
The action is hard and fast, the hero alphabet (FBI, CIA, MI6, etc., etc.), a bit befogged, but carrying on much better once Joe and Jayne get involved and objectively separate the men from their muddle. I could tell you about the insert of metaphysical wrangling you could contemplate if you just slowed up for a second and viewed the interchanges more abstractly, but frankly, why would you want to let all that good deep stuff get in the way of a wonderful fun adventure that would give Harry Potter a run for his money.
I don't know if it is appropriate to write one review for ten books, but the continuum from The Afghan to the Confessor, from Afghanistan to the Vatican is a super novel with ten very long (400++ pages, on average) or 10 reviews that would say substantially the same thing: I like Andrew Turpin's well done books! My question is: "Where have you been, Andrew Turpin, you little devil, all my fun reading life? I had to read you straight through this November once found!". You know what? You are good, REALLY GOOD!!
These little (?) gems of books take us on a ride that we NEED to be buckled in tight to try. The events, places and people are so real, you know you'll recognize them all on sight. I can draw the faces of the Fekkai twins, and would recognize Joe's house in Portland. In fact, if Mr. Turpin were to say "fiction is simply history recorded by someone else in the room," I would be hard-put to dispute it. Each chapter in each book tells of events starkly unadorned as any good journalist should, but the language is still rich and round, replete with detail. The kind of detail that ornaments a plain factual tree of a story into an episode in the dusty mountains outside Kabul where we join Joe Johnson dodging into a cave to a avoid bullets, or meet the Pope with Jayne Reynolds and offer her Excedrin after another head cracking, shoulder banging encounter with a nasty greedy bad guy who really really deserves what he's gonna get, just you wait.
The action is hard and fast, the hero alphabet (FBI, CIA, MI6, etc., etc.), a bit befogged, but carrying on much better once Joe and Jayne get involved and objectively separate the men from their muddle. I could tell you about the insert of metaphysical wrangling you could contemplate if you just slowed up for a second and viewed the interchanges more abstractly, but frankly, why would you want to let all that good deep stuff get in the way of a wonderful fun adventure that would give Harry Potter a run for his money.
July 18, 2022
Andrew Turpin is the author of 10 novels. The Confessor was published in 2022 and is the third book in his Jayne Robinson Thriller series. I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Turpin in 2018.
I received an ARC of this book from the author with an expectation of a fair and honest review. Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R. The primary character in the novel is former MI6 operative and now independent contractor Jayne Robinson.
In Washington, D.C., four Catholic Cardinals are assassinated on their way to meet with the President. Their secret message dies with them. Robinson is approached by the CIA to investigate. She is also engaged by a British Cardinal to delve into the murders.
What she uncovers is a conspiracy directed by Hezbollah. At first, the assassination seems linked to Mossad, but that is soon revealed to be a false lead. That does involve Mossad agents known to Robinson. She visits the Vatican for more information. The U.S. president is scheduled to soon meet with the Pope. Robinson and her colleagues must uncover the details of the conspiracy before it is too late.
I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 446-page thriller. Several characters from earlier Jayne Robinson novels appear here again. As it is will all of Turpin’s works, there is intrigue and action throughout. While this novel could be read stand-alone, I recommend reading the first two books (The Kremlin’s Vote and The Dark Shah) in the series before The Confessor. The cover art is a bit bland, but it fits the plot. I give this novel a rating of 5 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book from the author with an expectation of a fair and honest review. Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R. The primary character in the novel is former MI6 operative and now independent contractor Jayne Robinson.
In Washington, D.C., four Catholic Cardinals are assassinated on their way to meet with the President. Their secret message dies with them. Robinson is approached by the CIA to investigate. She is also engaged by a British Cardinal to delve into the murders.
What she uncovers is a conspiracy directed by Hezbollah. At first, the assassination seems linked to Mossad, but that is soon revealed to be a false lead. That does involve Mossad agents known to Robinson. She visits the Vatican for more information. The U.S. president is scheduled to soon meet with the Pope. Robinson and her colleagues must uncover the details of the conspiracy before it is too late.
I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 446-page thriller. Several characters from earlier Jayne Robinson novels appear here again. As it is will all of Turpin’s works, there is intrigue and action throughout. While this novel could be read stand-alone, I recommend reading the first two books (The Kremlin’s Vote and The Dark Shah) in the series before The Confessor. The cover art is a bit bland, but it fits the plot. I give this novel a rating of 5 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
June 11, 2022
Jayne Robinson returns to, once again, take on anti-Israeli terrorists and, indeed, governments. This time Hezbollah are targeting senior figures in the Roman Catholic church and much of the action is set in and around the Vatican.
Seizing our attention from the opening paragraphs, Andrew Turpin takes the reader on a roller-coaster journey in pursuit of killers who are plotting to carry out the most significant political assassination since 1914.
Familiar figures from earlier Robinson stories join Jayne in a desperate race against the clock to prevent the unspeakable from happening. The result is a thriller of the highest quality with superb location descriptions, heart-stopping near misses, undercover enemies at the heart of the Catholic church and a climax of intense excitement.
This is a terrific tale and fans of this genre should rush out today and buy their copy.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at war and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
Seizing our attention from the opening paragraphs, Andrew Turpin takes the reader on a roller-coaster journey in pursuit of killers who are plotting to carry out the most significant political assassination since 1914.
Familiar figures from earlier Robinson stories join Jayne in a desperate race against the clock to prevent the unspeakable from happening. The result is a thriller of the highest quality with superb location descriptions, heart-stopping near misses, undercover enemies at the heart of the Catholic church and a climax of intense excitement.
This is a terrific tale and fans of this genre should rush out today and buy their copy.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at war and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
April 28, 2022
This is the third book in this series and every bit as good as the first two. This is a fast paced, action packed espionage thriller that is non-stop action and is very hard to put down. Jayne is the lead character and Joe, again, joins her in the story. If you have read any of the previous books in this series or the Joe series you will be familiar with many of the characters. The author weaves fact and fiction beautifully and it makes for a very exciting story,
If you haven’t read either of the Joe series or the first two books in this series I would strongly recommend it. Each book is unique and you would not be disappointed. This is an author I highly recommend. He doesn’t come out with a book too often but when he does it is always a treat.
I am part of the advance team and this is an honest opinion.
If you haven’t read either of the Joe series or the first two books in this series I would strongly recommend it. Each book is unique and you would not be disappointed. This is an author I highly recommend. He doesn’t come out with a book too often but when he does it is always a treat.
I am part of the advance team and this is an honest opinion.
December 1, 2022
Book had good beginning but then in Rome the main character and CIA stepped in to help with a meeting and decided it was best if the person walked to the meeting. This planning and detail went on and on. Page after page of boring detail. Too much detail of the the people involved. All the time I was reading, I was thinking how stupid it was to have this person walk to the meeting when the previous murders were committed by riders on a motorcycle. I was about to stop reading and look for another book but I hoped it would get better. Then a motorcycle shows up.
The book continues with better parts and sections of more boring detail.
The author should have someone read his books and suggest cleaning up some parts before the book is finished.
The book continues with better parts and sections of more boring detail.
The author should have someone read his books and suggest cleaning up some parts before the book is finished.
Read
April 28, 2022It is so nice to read an action novel that has a women as the main character. She is tough, smart and very human. This book, as are all of the other Andrew Turpin books I have read, is well written and keeps you turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. It paints a movie in your mind. You "see" what is happening as it happens. It might seem as though the story starts out a bit slow, but the pace rapidly picks up. Mr. Turpin does not fill his pages with unnecessary descriptions. It's a good read. I had a hard time pausing from reading when I had other things I needed to get done. Do yourself a favor and read the other series of books that Mr. Turpin has written.
Read
April 30, 2022A fast moving story of terrorism aimed at the Catholic Church with intrigue and dirty tricks by some of those in positions of responsibility and power. Following the brutal murder of a number of high ranking clergy about to visit the American President, the story takes off and Jayne Robinson is set on the trail of the perpetrators, almost coming to grief herself.
The story takes us to Paris and also of course to Rome as it unfolds. The author again has spent a lot of time in his research of the topic and is to be congratulated on providing another story which is easy to believe could happen in this day and age and entertains the reader.
Moses.
The story takes us to Paris and also of course to Rome as it unfolds. The author again has spent a lot of time in his research of the topic and is to be congratulated on providing another story which is easy to believe could happen in this day and age and entertains the reader.
Moses.
April 10, 2022
WOW! This was the best book I’ve ever read! There was plenty of drama, action, suspense, mystery and nail biting moments! Jayne does a favor for her late fathers friend, a Vatican priest. Priests are getting targeted for death all over the world! She is on the case with her friend Rafael from Mossad! It amazed me how Andrew wrote this complicated series of events and put it all in order to make it easy to understand and in a perfect sequence with excellent flow. I can not recommend this book highly enough! It was incredible!
October 11, 2022
Another spectacular book in the Jayne Robinson series, The Confessor follows on slightly from the events in the second installment. After four cardinals are assassinated in Washington DC on their way to a top-level government meeting, Jayne is deployed by the CIA to find out what secrets they took with them to the grave. Every step she takes seems to be preempted by her enemies, and the stakes are higher than ever in this fast-paced, twisting spy thriller. I am such a big fan of this series, and look forward to seeing where it goes next.
August 1, 2023
Another great entry to the series.
I think I actually prefer the Jayne Robinson series compared to the Joe Johnson series. A very well rounded character. The story leaves no plot holes and is plausible in my opinion. I of course understand Jayne roles within the institutions she works in and has to operate in their interests.
However can’t help but feel the conflict, particularly in the West Bank region is far too one sided or at least clearly favours one side in the series.
I think I actually prefer the Jayne Robinson series compared to the Joe Johnson series. A very well rounded character. The story leaves no plot holes and is plausible in my opinion. I of course understand Jayne roles within the institutions she works in and has to operate in their interests.
However can’t help but feel the conflict, particularly in the West Bank region is far too one sided or at least clearly favours one side in the series.
June 6, 2024
What a great sorry! Well written, great characters and plot. Jayne and Joe have me hooked. The story moves along at a good pace with interesting developments along the way. There a enough touch points into their real lives to keep the characters from being fantastical. Great research and great descriptions of the scenes - I can almost see and feel the settings. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
May 10, 2022
I really like both of the Turpin Series and this latest book was no exception. Jayne finds herself working with the Israelis and US government to investigate the deaths of several Cardinals in the Catholic Church. Mostly taking place at the Vatican, this one is a real nail-biter! Don’t know if I can wait for the next one to come out…
May 11, 2022
Possibilities for evil, even in God’s institutions
Greed, corruption, and/ or revenge unite bad people from many countries, organizations, and/ or families. So too, good people collaborate to support a moral, law abiding society. Intriguing to think of frontline good people meeting f2f with the Pope and the USA President.
Greed, corruption, and/ or revenge unite bad people from many countries, organizations, and/ or families. So too, good people collaborate to support a moral, law abiding society. Intriguing to think of frontline good people meeting f2f with the Pope and the USA President.
July 10, 2022
A Very Good Confession
A spy thriller set in the heart of the Vatican: very unusual locale for a well put together plot. Strong characters and strong narrative style keep you involved. Lots of “new” here keeps everything fresh and exciting for the dependable Jayne Robinson franchise.
A spy thriller set in the heart of the Vatican: very unusual locale for a well put together plot. Strong characters and strong narrative style keep you involved. Lots of “new” here keeps everything fresh and exciting for the dependable Jayne Robinson franchise.
November 23, 2022
Gripping Suspense Laden Historical Drama
I really enjoyed this book as much because ( I m a Catholic) for its really detailed outline -f the HolySee and Vatican operations as well as a well constructed plot which was suspenseful enough to keep me engaged right up until; the last page .
I really enjoyed this book as much because ( I m a Catholic) for its really detailed outline -f the HolySee and Vatican operations as well as a well constructed plot which was suspenseful enough to keep me engaged right up until; the last page .
December 28, 2024
Great story
The mystery is so thick and fast moving you cannot cut it with a knife. This book is beyond interesting. I love the characters who get into some real messes and then get out in the nick of time. Considering Jayne age I would think forget this but she loves helping others and a puzzle to solve. I recommend this series. Can't wait for the next one.
The mystery is so thick and fast moving you cannot cut it with a knife. This book is beyond interesting. I love the characters who get into some real messes and then get out in the nick of time. Considering Jayne age I would think forget this but she loves helping others and a puzzle to solve. I recommend this series. Can't wait for the next one.
October 11, 2023
top read for the adventure minded
Super Jayne I reckon. But seriously what a cracking good read that is full of action, espionage and straightforward criminal activity, by the clergy and some murderous freedom fighters (!) for Iran.
Super Jayne I reckon. But seriously what a cracking good read that is full of action, espionage and straightforward criminal activity, by the clergy and some murderous freedom fighters (!) for Iran.
April 9, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Could not put it down ! Found myself fully engaged with the characters and plot. Looking forward to more books from Andrew Turpin.
April 13, 2022
Great action suspense adventure. Lots of twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader engaged.
Good spin involving the Vatican.
Love the Solo stories with Jayne.
Great stuff.
Good spin involving the Vatican.
Love the Solo stories with Jayne.
Great stuff.
April 25, 2022
An extremely well written story I thoroughly enjoyed. Action from start to finish with a mixed cast of characters. An edge of the seat page turner.
June 3, 2022
This was a good read. I didn't find it quite as riveting as some of the other books by this author but it was worth reading.
September 7, 2022
Entertaining!
October 20, 2022
not as good as the other two.
December 18, 2022
Scandals in the Catholic Church, Vatican secrets, Mossad, drugs and Iranian terrorists. An explosive mix. Action packed. Well researched and enjoyable
January 9, 2024
Crime book. Set up as an investigator telling the story. Third in the series but you do not have to know what the previous books say in order to follow the story.
May 12, 2024
Confession
Another good story again travelling from America to Israel and Vatican city,where you wondered who was the next victim or villain.
Another good story again travelling from America to Israel and Vatican city,where you wondered who was the next victim or villain.
June 7, 2025
Nonstop
The best of the best, yet. Jayne got into and out of bunches of trouble. Please read, soon, but have plenty of liquid standing by.
The best of the best, yet. Jayne got into and out of bunches of trouble. Please read, soon, but have plenty of liquid standing by.
December 24, 2022
A good read, interesting plot lines. Vatican, Hezbolah, Mossad, CIA the Pope and a buch of crooked cardinals - what's not to love.
June 13, 2023
very good lot
The best so far in the series. More detailed plot and character development. Good work on the details within the Vatican.
The best so far in the series. More detailed plot and character development. Good work on the details within the Vatican.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews