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Joe Johnson #4
Stalin's Final Sting
The darkest secrets of a Russian oligarch—a legacy from Stalin. A hidden batch of the CIA’s Stinger missiles. And the insatiable Afghan thirst for revenge.
Ex-CIA war crimes investigator Joe Johnson is sucked into a inquiry which delves into the deadly world of Soviet and US undercover operations in Afghanistan during the ’80s—and mysterious links to current US and Russian politics.
Johnson and his ex-MI6 colleague Jayne Robinson find themselves pursuing a Russian energy industry oligarch with strong links to Putin and a past he would rather keep hidden, and an Afghan mujahideen bent on the most bloodthirsty revenge.
The investigation is thrown awry by Johnson’s crooked former CIA boss, now on the run, and by a miscalculation of the dangers lurking in the Hindu Kush mountains, ridden with heavily armed Taliban insurgents.
The story reaches a raw climax in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and in Kabul, as Johnson battles to overcome the powerful forces lined up against him, including former KGB agents.
Stalin’s Final Sting is a gripping thriller—the fourth in the Joe Johnson series—with some twists that the reader will never see coming.
Ex-CIA war crimes investigator Joe Johnson is sucked into a inquiry which delves into the deadly world of Soviet and US undercover operations in Afghanistan during the ’80s—and mysterious links to current US and Russian politics.
Johnson and his ex-MI6 colleague Jayne Robinson find themselves pursuing a Russian energy industry oligarch with strong links to Putin and a past he would rather keep hidden, and an Afghan mujahideen bent on the most bloodthirsty revenge.
The investigation is thrown awry by Johnson’s crooked former CIA boss, now on the run, and by a miscalculation of the dangers lurking in the Hindu Kush mountains, ridden with heavily armed Taliban insurgents.
The story reaches a raw climax in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and in Kabul, as Johnson battles to overcome the powerful forces lined up against him, including former KGB agents.
Stalin’s Final Sting is a gripping thriller—the fourth in the Joe Johnson series—with some twists that the reader will never see coming.
- GenresFiction
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2019
897 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Turpin
13 books131 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 41 reviews
March 23, 2020
Very basic read; conventional plot with a few too many convenient incidents and coincidences to grease the story development, underpinned by a rather dry prose.
Flat characters, with no sign of subtlety, complexity or nuances: typical case of good guys v bad guys.
Flat characters, with no sign of subtlety, complexity or nuances: typical case of good guys v bad guys.
February 9, 2021
This is the second Joe Johnson novel that I read after immensely enjoying 'The Last Nazi'. Chronologically, this is the fourth book in the series, though it isn't absolutely necessary to read them all as it works well as a stand alone thriller too. The story is set in Afghanistan in 2013 with constant references to the last days of the Soviet occupation of Afg in the late 80s.
Everything that I liked about Turpin's writing is present in this one as well- attention to detail, likeable and memorable characters(other than Joe and Jayne with CIA, MI6 backgrounds respectively, there's an Ex Mujahid fighter Javed Hasrat, ex KGB Severinov, ex ISI Haroon, Lt Col Seb Storey from the US Army) , solid research, great story, realism and real life characters like Putin and Medvedev.
The only thing missing in this one was a pulsating climax. It was just too pale and drab for my liking. But then, I read the blurb of his next book in the series and realized it was deliberate as one of the key characters makes a comeback in the next one as well. Andrew Turpin is definitely one of the better modern day writers who keeps the magic of espionage thrillers alive in the 21st century.
4/5.
Everything that I liked about Turpin's writing is present in this one as well- attention to detail, likeable and memorable characters(other than Joe and Jayne with CIA, MI6 backgrounds respectively, there's an Ex Mujahid fighter Javed Hasrat, ex KGB Severinov, ex ISI Haroon, Lt Col Seb Storey from the US Army) , solid research, great story, realism and real life characters like Putin and Medvedev.
The only thing missing in this one was a pulsating climax. It was just too pale and drab for my liking. But then, I read the blurb of his next book in the series and realized it was deliberate as one of the key characters makes a comeback in the next one as well. Andrew Turpin is definitely one of the better modern day writers who keeps the magic of espionage thrillers alive in the 21st century.
4/5.
March 6, 2021
Stalin's Final Sting by Andrew Turpin ( Book 4 ) was an excellent read. Joe Johnson, a former CIA agent in Afganistan, now a free lance war crimes investigator, tracks down evidence against an oil oligarck and former KGB agent and a former Afgan freedom fighter during the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afganistan, both of whom committed war crimes against the other side. The Russian it turns out, was an illegitimate son of Joseph Stalin who went on a vendetta when his half brother,also an illegitimate son of Stalin by another woman, was tortured and killed by the Afgan, after Soviet helicopters straffed an Afgan village, killing the Afgan's wife and daughter and the Soviet helicopter
was shot down and the crew tortured and killed. It was all about obsession with revenge. The Russian loses out on an opportunity to bid on an Afgan oil lease which infuriates Premier Putin who wanted the lease and the Afgan is captured by police for trying to assinate the Russian and imprisoned, so both are punished but neither is killed. The Russian promises Joe Johnson that he will get revenge against Joe.
was shot down and the crew tortured and killed. It was all about obsession with revenge. The Russian loses out on an opportunity to bid on an Afgan oil lease which infuriates Premier Putin who wanted the lease and the Afgan is captured by police for trying to assinate the Russian and imprisoned, so both are punished but neither is killed. The Russian promises Joe Johnson that he will get revenge against Joe.
May 8, 2019
Nothing but Four and Five Star reviews on Amazon.
As usual, Andrew Turpin keeps the plot fully grounded and real.
This is the fourth novel in the Joe Johnson series. There is a novelette – the Afghan - that is described as a prequel to the entire series. While that is valid, I strongly recommend that you read it just before starting Stalin’s Final Sting, as there is a much stronger continuity and connection between the two.
The list of sources used by Turpin, at the end of the novel, are worth the price of the novel itself. Turpin tells the story within a real-world timeline, and even makes reference to Robert Mueller in full context (“Robert Mueller was the long-serving director of the GBI, responsible for the entire organization.”)
Andrew Turpin’s readers appear to be a faithful and enthusiastic following. Those who have yet to read one of Turpin’s novels are missing out in a very good thing.
As usual, Andrew Turpin keeps the plot fully grounded and real.
This is the fourth novel in the Joe Johnson series. There is a novelette – the Afghan - that is described as a prequel to the entire series. While that is valid, I strongly recommend that you read it just before starting Stalin’s Final Sting, as there is a much stronger continuity and connection between the two.
The list of sources used by Turpin, at the end of the novel, are worth the price of the novel itself. Turpin tells the story within a real-world timeline, and even makes reference to Robert Mueller in full context (“Robert Mueller was the long-serving director of the GBI, responsible for the entire organization.”)
Andrew Turpin’s readers appear to be a faithful and enthusiastic following. Those who have yet to read one of Turpin’s novels are missing out in a very good thing.
June 27, 2020
Stalin's Final Sting is, I think a sequel to The Afghan, a kind of prequel to this series. I enjoyed it, a good story well told which tied up most of the loose ends.
I always find novels set in Afghanistan tricky with the similarity of names and the proliferation of various groups. So it took a bit of reading. It was easier following the final series of Homeland (with its sensationally satisfying ending) because the watcher is following the plot with faces!
Still Stalin's Final String is an exciting adventure and I'm looking forward to the next Joe Johnson thriller.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
I always find novels set in Afghanistan tricky with the similarity of names and the proliferation of various groups. So it took a bit of reading. It was easier following the final series of Homeland (with its sensationally satisfying ending) because the watcher is following the plot with faces!
Still Stalin's Final String is an exciting adventure and I'm looking forward to the next Joe Johnson thriller.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
February 24, 2020
This is the fourth book in the Joe Johnson Thriller series, and I have read and loved each one. There is also a mini novel that I would recommend reading before you read this book though, its called The Afghan.
Stalin’s Final Sting sees the main protagonist ex-CIA Joe Johnson take a step back into his past. His current job is investigating war crimes as well as undertaking other investigative work with long time friend and ex-MI6 Jayne Robinson. Together these two have a great network of resources and they are going to need them.
The setting is in Afghanistan, this is where Joe has a history from the late 1980’s during the Russian-Afghan Conflict. His current brief is to do background checks on some of the major players for bids on an extremely lucrative deal. Not a war crimes job, but one that sparks an interest that has links to his past.
There is one thing I recognise with this author and it is the detail and research that goes on behind the book. It is very evident as you read and then at the end of his books you get an amazing few pages of research notes that make ideal pointers for further reading.
The next thing that I find about the books is the fast pacing and it is pure action right from the outset. The author is very good at keeping everything clear and on point.
Now as for the story, for me it felt stronger and more in depth as it addresses some story lines that have been present from a previous book. If you are not up to date with the series then there is enough info to get you up to speed but in all seriousness… just read the series. The story delves into the Russian-Afghan conflict of the 1980’s. It was a brutal period where many innocents were caught up in the conflict. Many were tortured and killed. While the author does go into some details he keeps things to more of a minimum which as a reader I sometimes prefer.
I really enjoy the thrill of this series, it is fast, action packed and things get deeper and deeper as the intrigue and the mystery builds. It is one I sit and read and don’t try to work things out. I never know how the author is going to use his characters and what twists there are up his sleeves.
If you are a fan of historical, thrillers, mysteries and action reads then you really do need to check this series out. It is a brilliantly fast-paced and intensive ride. I would definitely recommend the series as well as this book.
Stalin’s Final Sting sees the main protagonist ex-CIA Joe Johnson take a step back into his past. His current job is investigating war crimes as well as undertaking other investigative work with long time friend and ex-MI6 Jayne Robinson. Together these two have a great network of resources and they are going to need them.
The setting is in Afghanistan, this is where Joe has a history from the late 1980’s during the Russian-Afghan Conflict. His current brief is to do background checks on some of the major players for bids on an extremely lucrative deal. Not a war crimes job, but one that sparks an interest that has links to his past.
There is one thing I recognise with this author and it is the detail and research that goes on behind the book. It is very evident as you read and then at the end of his books you get an amazing few pages of research notes that make ideal pointers for further reading.
The next thing that I find about the books is the fast pacing and it is pure action right from the outset. The author is very good at keeping everything clear and on point.
Now as for the story, for me it felt stronger and more in depth as it addresses some story lines that have been present from a previous book. If you are not up to date with the series then there is enough info to get you up to speed but in all seriousness… just read the series. The story delves into the Russian-Afghan conflict of the 1980’s. It was a brutal period where many innocents were caught up in the conflict. Many were tortured and killed. While the author does go into some details he keeps things to more of a minimum which as a reader I sometimes prefer.
I really enjoy the thrill of this series, it is fast, action packed and things get deeper and deeper as the intrigue and the mystery builds. It is one I sit and read and don’t try to work things out. I never know how the author is going to use his characters and what twists there are up his sleeves.
If you are a fan of historical, thrillers, mysteries and action reads then you really do need to check this series out. It is a brilliantly fast-paced and intensive ride. I would definitely recommend the series as well as this book.
October 21, 2020
Doesn’t Fail to Deliver
l Having grown up in Australia in the 1980s, the Afghanistan war was a regular feature on the television news. it was interesting to read another Joe Johnson thriller which included a lot of scenarios and background from that time. The appendix at the back leads to a lot of extra reading if interested, and also shows the amount of research Andrew Turpin has included. I enjoyed the book immensely.
l Having grown up in Australia in the 1980s, the Afghanistan war was a regular feature on the television news. it was interesting to read another Joe Johnson thriller which included a lot of scenarios and background from that time. The appendix at the back leads to a lot of extra reading if interested, and also shows the amount of research Andrew Turpin has included. I enjoyed the book immensely.
November 20, 2019
4th one and looking for more
Forget James Bond, his gadgets and women . Joe Johnson is a real man, working hard in difficult situations, and using intelligence to reach his goals. Turpin adds enough truth and current events to spin a believable story. Generally, I am not a series reader.but this was my fourth Joe Johnson and I'm hungry for more.
Forget James Bond, his gadgets and women . Joe Johnson is a real man, working hard in difficult situations, and using intelligence to reach his goals. Turpin adds enough truth and current events to spin a believable story. Generally, I am not a series reader.but this was my fourth Joe Johnson and I'm hungry for more.
December 29, 2019
I love Andrew Turpin’s books.....
And this one is no exception. I felt like “Stalins last Sting” kind of dragged about a third of the way in but the next thing I knew I was 95% finished with the book. These stories have become a bit formulaic but still a great read. I will definitely stick with the series and am about to start the next in series.
And this one is no exception. I felt like “Stalins last Sting” kind of dragged about a third of the way in but the next thing I knew I was 95% finished with the book. These stories have become a bit formulaic but still a great read. I will definitely stick with the series and am about to start the next in series.
November 24, 2023
Andrew Turpin has made the Joe Johnson series a must read spy novel readers. In this book, he’s able to make the past present easily flow together. Joe and his colleague Jayne Robinson make a strong team unraveling this mystery that goes back 70 years. Jayne Robinson is an unsung female in the genre. This is the fourth story in the series. I read about one a year.
May 18, 2019
Riveting
Plot and characters were so well developed. The suspense was due not only to the plot but also to the historical facts contained within. I was glued to the very end.
Good research before writing this book. Keep it up.
Plot and characters were so well developed. The suspense was due not only to the plot but also to the historical facts contained within. I was glued to the very end.
Good research before writing this book. Keep it up.
May 19, 2019
Hunting for the truth again
That's one thing I really like about this series. The pursuit of justice. An old nemesis comes into play while Joe is trying to follow the money on the bids for developing Afghanistan 's oil fields.
That's one thing I really like about this series. The pursuit of justice. An old nemesis comes into play while Joe is trying to follow the money on the bids for developing Afghanistan 's oil fields.
April 15, 2020
Good reading
Enjoying following the story of Joe Johnson. I like the snippets of backstory that helps you to understand him. Just can't quite understand how am ex CIA operative gets caught so frequent!y!!
Looking forward to reading the next book.
Enjoying following the story of Joe Johnson. I like the snippets of backstory that helps you to understand him. Just can't quite understand how am ex CIA operative gets caught so frequent!y!!
Looking forward to reading the next book.
June 27, 2021
Face paced
Enjoyed the book and finished it up in a few days. The fast pace had you thinking ahead on what was to follow. Most times I was wrong. The scenes in Brooklyn showed a real insight and detail into the area and it’s transportation grid.
Enjoyed the book and finished it up in a few days. The fast pace had you thinking ahead on what was to follow. Most times I was wrong. The scenes in Brooklyn showed a real insight and detail into the area and it’s transportation grid.
December 8, 2022
Great series
The next installment of the Joe Johnson saga did not disappoint. The hero finally nails a long time nemesis is this chapter. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
The next installment of the Joe Johnson saga did not disappoint. The hero finally nails a long time nemesis is this chapter. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
October 15, 2023
Another Great Adventure
I absolutely love Andrew Turpin's books and this one is no exception. Like most people, I've never been to Afghanistan and I am unlikely to do so, but you can imagine clearly what it's like through this brilliantly descriptive writing. A great read!
I absolutely love Andrew Turpin's books and this one is no exception. Like most people, I've never been to Afghanistan and I am unlikely to do so, but you can imagine clearly what it's like through this brilliantly descriptive writing. A great read!
June 23, 2025
Fascinating.
Like the other books by Andrew Turpin, the book started at a snail pace and changed to a Stinger missle.. The story in Part Four raced to a good finale. I wish one of the characters had remained in Afghanistan and gone to prison. Maybe in the next one.
Like the other books by Andrew Turpin, the book started at a snail pace and changed to a Stinger missle.. The story in Part Four raced to a good finale. I wish one of the characters had remained in Afghanistan and gone to prison. Maybe in the next one.
February 5, 2019
Stalins final sting
I’ve read all the books and the plot is excellent. I hope more books will be written. A must to read.
I’ve read all the books and the plot is excellent. I hope more books will be written. A must to read.
October 9, 2020
This is a very good, fast paced read. I really enjoyed it. Andrew Turpin keeps the level of quality of storytelling in the series up to his very high standard.
October 12, 2020
Good story
Very well written! Joe and Jayne have become two of my favorite characters. Looking forward to their next adventure against Yuri.
Very well written! Joe and Jayne have become two of my favorite characters. Looking forward to their next adventure against Yuri.
April 25, 2021
Great story
Really enjoying this series and this entry as well. The title takes time to reveal itself, but the. You realize, of course. On to the next book in the series.
Really enjoying this series and this entry as well. The title takes time to reveal itself, but the. You realize, of course. On to the next book in the series.
December 12, 2021
An adventure novel for a rainy day when other pressing things should have been done
August 15, 2022
Joe and Jayne again find themselves in Afghanistan...!
Old ghosts come out to play as Joe and Jayne Robinson find out not alot has changed in Afghanistan in two plus decades...!
Old ghosts come out to play as Joe and Jayne Robinson find out not alot has changed in Afghanistan in two plus decades...!
September 25, 2022
A great yarn.
Read
December 8, 2022excellent book, great writer
February 9, 2023
I have read all his novels in this series and find them hugely compelling with a sense of both history and current events - both of which taste of authenticity.
October 25, 2023
A Good Story
More twists and turns then the Sidling in Northeast Tasmania. I look forward to the next book in the series.
More twists and turns then the Sidling in Northeast Tasmania. I look forward to the next book in the series.
November 28, 2023
Thrilling
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could not put it down. I found this book very exciting at times. Hope you will enjoy it as I did.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could not put it down. I found this book very exciting at times. Hope you will enjoy it as I did.
July 23, 2024
very realistic read
Found this book to be one of the better ones I have read so far.
Looking forward to reading the next book
Found this book to be one of the better ones I have read so far.
Looking forward to reading the next book
July 24, 2024
I really liked the first 2 better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews