Outlaw: A Robin Monarch Novel

Written by Mark Sullivan

Narrated by Jeff Gurner

From the author of the bestselling Beneath a Scarlet Sky comes Robin Monarch "A true juggernaut . . . pure adrenaline in print . . . a Jason Bourne for the new millennium." —James Rollins

While conducting top-secret negotiations aboard a tanker in the South China Sea, the U.S. Secretary of State and the foreign ministers of China and India are kidnapped, and the tanker they are on is hijacked. The "Sons of Prophecy" take responsibility and issue an ultimatum: If their demands are not met in seven days, the three will be beheaded live on the Internet.

With the presidential election in only eight days, sitting President Sands, about to leave office, calls in former CIA operative and master thief Robin Monarch and convinces him to save the diplomats before the threatened execution.

In Outlaw, Monarch and his counterpart, a mysterious Chinese agent named Song Le, embark upon a dangerous journey into the underbelly of Southeast Asia, a world of corrupt Vietnamese Army officers, fanatical pirates, Hong Kong triad leaders, and volatile mercenaries living around the red light districts of Thailand. As they get closer and closer, with time quickly running out, Monarch learns that the daring kidnapping and ransom pot diabolical plot is only a front. Behind it is another plot, one designed to alter the outcome of the election itself, a conspiracy that reaches deep inside the White House, back to the very people who hired Monarch in the first place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Oct 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781427233066

Mark Sullivan

Mark Sullivan is the acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, including the #1 Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky, which has been translated into thirty-seven languages and will soon be a limited television series starring Tom Holland. Mark also writes the #1 New York Times bestselling Private series with James Patterson. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his writing, including a WHSmith Fresh Talent selection, a New York Times Notable Books mention, and a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year honor. He grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Hamilton College with a BA in English before working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa. Upon his return to the United States, he earned a graduate degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and began a career in investigative reporting. An avid skier and adventurer, he lives with his wife in Bozeman, Montana, where he remains grateful for the miracle of every moment. For more information visit www.marksullivanbooks.com.

Reviews for Outlaw

[juliew121 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as an early review from LibraryThing. Upon doing some research, I realized it is the second in a series of novels that also has some shorts stories. I really dislike starting series in the middle, so I read the first book first - Rogue - which I am glad I did. Understanding the background of the main character, Robin Monarch, was very important to following some of the inferences in this book.With that being said, I enjoyed this book. I enjoy high action books that always end well - with a twist! The twist in the case was GREAT and unexpected and unseen.Monarch and his team are at it again, to save (steal) something for someone else. Monarch relies on some previous connections and locals to find the kidnapped government officials from the US, China and India. This high action, clue-filled story was a fairly quick, easy read that was hard to put down in the end. I like the character development of Monarch - yet giving some small insights to his team that reveal - they are human and superheroes!I highly recommend for someone who also likes James Patterson, Daniel Silva, etc!

[leonardingram · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It has been a while since I've read a book in 2 days and I certainly never thought it would be this one. But it was. This book held my interest from start to finish. Very fast-paced and engrossing. I have already bought the 1st book in the series and started on it.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mark Sullivan's Outlaw is an action packed and suspense laden political thriller. This second installment starring Robin Monarch is full of unexpected twists and turns that culminate in an unpredictable but very satisfying conclusion.

The non-stop thrill ride begins immediately as Robin Monarch enlists the aid of his eclectic but multi-talented crew to assist him as he begins his search for U.S. Secretary of State Agnes Lawton and the foreign ministers of China and India. Accompanied by Song Le and Bashir Rhana, agents from China and India, Robin and his team are quickly immersed in a race to save the kidnapped victims before the fast approaching deadline.

Robin is one of those characters that is impossible to not to like. He might be a thief and a mercenary, but in this outing, he is not using or selling his services for personal gain. Robin is quick thinking with a vast array of skills that he puts to good use on numerous occasions saving not only himself but his compatriots as well. His daring risks are breathtakingly ingenious and yield key information that proves to be invaluable as they search for the diplomats.

While one of the adversary's identity is revealed early in the novel, his co-conspirators remain shrouded in mystery. The kidnapping plot is quite complex and the reason for the unfolding events is nearly impossible to decipher. Trusted contacts prove to be unreliable and lead the team into dangerous, life-threatening situations.

Outlaw is an intricately plotted and shrewdly executed novel. Mark Sullivan brings readers a unique story that is incredibly fast paced and full of fiendishly clever plot twists. All of the loose ends are neatly wrapped up but a worthy opponent and a few niggling doubts continue to plague Robin Monarch and I cannot help but wonder if they will play a role in the storyline of the next book in the series.

[nursewidener · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I got this as an early review book and didn't know it was a follow up book but that didn't stop me from enjoying the fast neck paced of the book. I was just glad I had the next day off as I read this in one setting over a long night. If you like mystery/thriller this is a book series to read. I did go back and read the first book and am looking forward to any more books in the series

[chgstrom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book through the Early Reviewers, not knowing it was #2 in a sequel. I took the time to read Rogue, the first int the series. Although it wasn't absolutely necessary, it did help to understand the main character. These books have a lot of action and are a quick read. This book would be a good one to take along on vacation - nothing too deep, but enough to keep you want to continue.

[sable677 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Outlaw through LibraryThing, and I am so glad that I did. I don't read a whole lot of espionage/thriller type books, but the ones that I have I usually enjoyed. Outlaw just blew me away, and I found it very hard to put down. The action starts at the very beginning and the thrill ride never stops. Sullivan does a great job at keeping the story moving at a breakneck pace while still making the reader care about these characters. Despite all these horrible things going on, the reader gets to know Monarch and his team as well as the other major players especially Agnes Lawton, the woman they are trying to save. I really enjoyed how Sullivan showed what motivated all of these characters including the villain, Moon Dragon. Outlaw was full of many twists and turns and was able to keep the reader guessing until the end. Overall Outlaw was an amazing read that I would most definitely recommend, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[stanski_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the things I really like about "Early Reviewers", is trying out new authors. This is the first Mark Sullivan book for me, but won't be the last. This Robin Monarch thriller takes you on a whirlwind trip accross Southeast Asia, from the rice paddies of Vietnam, through the muslim world of Kuala Lumpur, to the brothels of Thailand, and onto the opulent mansions high above Hong Kong.No this is not a travelogue, but a never-slow thriller, full of action and intrigue. Now I have to go out and get a copy of Rogue, the first Robin Monarch book. If you like action, read this one. You won't be disappointed.

[rdurant1217 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I guess I should have known by the comparisons to Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum that I might not love the writer's style (spoiler: I didn't). The overly detailed descriptions and way too talkative bad guys give way to "been there, done that" bad boy storylines with the reluctant agent back for more case. Clive Cussler did it better with his earlier Dirk Pitt novels - even though his dialogue was cheesy, the stories were more unique. I couldn't make myself get into this book, even though I sure tried. What else should we expect from a James Patterson "co-author" but more tired plots, lazy dialogue and overly descriptive scenes that get you nowhere? I won't be reading Mark Sullivan again.

[readafew · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One exciting book. It starts off with a bang, when officials from three of the largest and most powerful countries are kidnapped from a secret meeting on a ship in the South China Sea. One is the Secretary of State from the US. Robin Monarch is called in to find and rescue all three officials before their scheduled executions in 7 days. The deeper Robin digs, the more dirt he finds.This is a very fast paced book and the author tried very hard to calculate and keep the timeline within the realm of possibility. Robin and company were running all over South East Asia and the clock was ticking ever down. The story was engaging and well told. I think I'm going to have to look for some more of this authors work. Very fast read.

[bill_11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Definitely a thriller as we follow Robin Monarch the thief in his quest to save the world and the U.S. Secretary of State from the "Sons of Prophecy." The writing flows quickly from action scene to action scene and one wonders how Monarch can still stand and recover in quick succession. Outlaw is the second book in a new series. I have not read the first, so maybe I am missing something, but I found it difficult to care about any of the characters. We know something about their lives, but I found I knew very little about them as characters. At one point, a mother and son reunite after years apart and I was unmoved. It just felt like a convention to move the plot along. I found that unfortunate since both characters could have been better developed and it would have had a more emotional impact. I enjoyed the read and will likely read other books in the series, but I won't be drawn to it automatically like I am to other series that I follow faithfully.

[deaconbernie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

No dull spots. A really crackling story. Probably the weakest part is the basic premise. At best it is greed with a small g. Even so, we have a likable hero and a good supporting cast who make good use of technical gadgets. I clearly would recommend this story.

[jjking_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just finished the book,,,what a wild ride...loved ever minute. Read the two books for the Private Games and Private Berlin he wrote with James Patterson...loved them too.Can't wait the Private L.A....but getting back to this book.....LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT... if you love the Jame Bond movies,this is something I would love to see as a movie...it would work...This may have been my first Mark Sullivan (along) but it will not be my last.....

[mysterymax_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An action thriller with great pacing, a hero, Monarch, you can care about, a strong female sidekick and a 'save the world from chaos' deadline.The U.S. Secretary of State is kidnapped while on a secret mission to meet with the foreign ministers of China and India. Monarch, a retired CIA operative is called in as a free-lance agent, to find the three before the deadline eight days away. Monarch is teamed with a Chinese agent and an Indian agent as well as his own team. The story flies from Washington, DC, to Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.Monarch is know as "Rogue" by his crack team. This is the second in the Rogue series. I had not read the first, but I will now and I will follow the series as I like Monarch more than I liked Jason Bourne, to whom he is being compared.