Red Sparrow

“Not since the good old days of the Cold War has a classic spy thriller like RED SPARROW come along. Jason Matthews is not making it up; he has lived this life and this story, and it shows on every page. High-level espionage, pulse-pounding danger, sex, double agents and double crosses. What more can any reader want?”

—Nelson DeMille

“Matthews’s exceptional first novel will please fans of classic spy fiction…The author’s 33-year career in the CIA allows him to showcase all the tradecraft and authenticity that readers in this genre demand… [a] complex, high-stakes plot.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Matthews’ first novel, a globe-trotting spy thriller, features enough action to satisfy even the most demanding of adrenaline junkies… The author’s CIA background and the smart dialogue make this an entertaining tale for spy-novel enthusiasts.”

—Kirkus

“The author, a veteran CIA field agent, liberally salts his thriller with realistic tradecraft, horrific villainy, and stunning plot twists as the opponents vie for control… An intense descent into a vortex of carnal passion, career brutality, and smart tradecraft, this thriller evokes the great Cold War era of espionage… Readers of bloodthirsty spy and suspense will welcome this debut from a writer who supersizes his spies.”

—Library Journal (starred review)

“All the tradecraft and cat-and-mouse tension of a classic spy thriller—a terrific read.”

—Joseph Kanon author of Instanbul

Copyright

SCRIBNER

A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Jason Matthews

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Scribner Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Scribner hardcover edition May 2013

SCRIBNER and design are registered trademarks of The Gale Group, Inc., used under license by Simon & Schuster, Inc., the publisher of this work.

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Designed by Maura Fadden Rosenthal

Art direction by Tal Goretsky

Jacket photograph of circles by Tamara Staples

Jacket Photograph of woman by Andy Ryan/Getty Images

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012031933

ISBN 978-1-4767-0612-2

ISBN 978-1-4767-0614-6 (ebook)

JACKET DESIGN BY JAE SONG