Sleepers

John Milton, Book 13

By: Mark Dawson

Narrated by: David Thorpe

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?

©2018 Mark Dawson (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

great story

wraps up all the previous books! cant wait for the next one. I will be sad when the series is over

A younger John Milton

Those who follow this excellent espionage series will quickly realize that Sleepers goes back into a period of a younger John Milton's life before he left the Group 15 espionage agency. Up until this novel the Milton series was in chronological order of John Milton's life. The author explains why if a short afterward. I wish he had brought back Beatrix Rose also, Although now long dead she remains my favorite Mark Dawson character.

I seemed to me that the last several novels in the John Milton series while quite good were not up to Dawson's prior standards. This one definitely is. Narrator David Thorpe was excellent as usual.

Mark Dawson's Latest Triumph

Mark Dawson has written a believable and vibrant tale based on the backstory of his John Milton character; not an easy feat to achieve after having written 12 previous novels. This story does not disappoint.

Dawson's gift, especially in the military, suspense, thriller, espionage genres, is creating characters that bring relevance and relatable human traits. Every component of a Dawson story adds value while avoiding gratuitous elements only for their shock value. His stories live.

Dawson's research and knowledge of his subject carry throughout all of his works; Sleepers included. I now measure all other writers in these genres by Mark Dawson's rule. There are a few who measure-up, but not many. Dawson has raised the bar for my reading pleasure.

David Thorpe's delivery is perfection, providing the personality and voice masterfully to all of the characters, and yes, David Thorpe is John Milton for me.

I suggest you read some (if not all) of the John Milton stories before you read Sleepers. Why? Because in hindsight, since I have read all of the Milton stories, Sleepers has engaged my heart more profoundly with my love of the Milton character, and drama. It brilliantly supports the meaning of his life--in the now.

P.S. John Milton stories are not just for male readers. As a woman, I appreciate the heart Mark Dawson successfully delivers within the suspense and intrigue of his stories and their characters. (I know, what a female thing to say! And I'm proud of it.)

Congratulations to Mark Dawson. I picked up Sleepers, and couldn't stop reading until the last word in your After Word!

Well written

This book is well written and engaging. I enjoyed it as I have many of the others in this series.

Mark Dawson has written another great novel!

The author has written another great novel with plenty of intrigue and suspense! The narration is superb, bringing the characters to life!

Another Exciting Read

Milton is as fantastic as always. Read this in one day because I couldn’t put it down. John Milton never disappoint me or let me down. Highly recommended.

Not loud enough

Not loud enough the reader is amazing just doesn’t seem to be mixed at a loud enough level

This book should have been book 1.

Melton Left group 15 in Book 1! So I’m really confused. Why did you do this?

Love John Milton..

This was a good book that should have been written a long time ago, since it's all about how John Milton was a drunk when he was in Group Fifteen. However, better late than never. It was still a really good read.

This was all about Russia, the murder of two retired Russian agents and the man who was having all these men killed in order to protect his young-agent-mistress. AND about a Russian double agent in the SIS and an American agent in Russia.

One romantic scene that was fade-to-black and the F-bomb was used 17 times.

As for the narration: David Thorpe was as wonderful as ever.

Dawxon's Napping with Story Continuety and some Facts

I generally love Dawson's Milton novels, but Sleepers didn't bring it for me.
The novel/writer doesn't explain how main character John Milton has magically returned to the Group after quite a few novels, over quite a few years, had hin in Alcoholics Anonomous and ditching his alcoholic backouts and violent assassin duties, in favor of sobriety, giving back, and living simply. Sleepers has him drinking, blowing a job, and hallucinating wildly again.


Also, even in 2018, when Sleepers was written, no foreigner, especially a few dark-world British assassin spys were allowed to wander freely in Russia. Photographers off to see the sights, not happening.

And, someone fleeing from numerous murders would not easily get a rental car, much kess drive 12 hr to catch on a ferry to Japan. Suspending reality is fine, but Sleepers trips over it!! NARRATOR saves the day though. David Thorpe's familiar voice(s), strong, deep voice, flexibility, and vocal expressions have made the JOHN MILTON series/novels come to life. Looking forward to the next novel.