Outerwear Edit from Shopbop
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Out of Print--Limited Availability.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Specialist: The Costa Rica Job Paperback – January 1, 2013

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

After barely surviving thirty-nine days of hell in Costa Rica-the site of his first-ever botched assignment-the Specialist is just coming off a six-month hiatus when the beautiful Mimi Sabo contacts him. Desperate to find her kidnapped father and with just days to come up with millions in ransom, Mimi needs the Specialist's expertise, and quick. But there is only one problem: she is from Costa Rica-the last place the Specialist ever wants to be again. The Specialist is prepared to decline the job until Mimi slaps a fat check on his desk. When he begins his investigation, he enlists the help of his friend and former Israeli secret service member and soon discovers that things are not as they appear. Swept up in a life-or-death mission, the Specialist heads to Costa Rica, where he must walk a path of corruption and betrayal, pitted against drug cartels, dirty cops, turncoat agents, and a terrorist bomber. But even the Specialist could never have predicted what happens next. In this gripping thriller, one man must return to the place that has given him so much trouble and face his demons in order to solve a case for a beautiful client.
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Editorial Reviews

Review





From the Inside Flap


"The greatest strength can be a weakness, if properly exploited."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Archway (January 1, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1480800171
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1480800175
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Charles Peterson Sheppard
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

"Flint of Dreams” is the story of a Native American dream walker with incredible mental abilities and a troubled past. If you like adult mystery thrillers with humor, mysticism, bloodshed, and lots of inspirational lore, this book is for you! I hope you experience Flint’s unique personal journey, as so many others have. The story is based in upstate New York, the Finger Lakes Region where I grew up. I also authored The Specialist: The Costa Rica Job (2013 Smashwords / Archway Editions). It's loaded with great characters and fast-paced thriller-style action, and I invite readers to give it a try! It has seldom failed to please. And thanks for stopping by!

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
29 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book an exciting adventure with many twists and turns. They describe it as a page-turner that they enjoy reading. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written and easy to understand. They appreciate the author's skill in capturing the essence of the Specialist character. Overall, customers find the book an enjoyable read that they recommend.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

11 customers mention "Action packed"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book exciting and suspenseful. They appreciate the plot with many twists and turns, including true events that keep readers guessing. The ending has intriguing surprises that make the book entertaining like the show Survivor.

"...In fact, it was fast paced and filled with enough twists to keep my head spinning. The ending had some intriguing surprises, so get ready!..." Read more

"...I'm halfway done. It's a pretty good story so far. It is definitely a book written by a man for a man...." Read more

"...Phillip Sheppard is the star of this fantastic action-packed novel, bringing us with him to Costa Rica as he embarks on a mission to save a man who..." Read more

"...It is very exciting and informational - so true to life I could picture all the action! I recommend The Specialist: the Costa Rica Job to everyone...." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it a page-turner that starts out well but ends prematurely. The writing is described as good, though some readers feel the story gets choppy in parts.

"...Very short book. Started out good then rushed to a premature finish...." Read more

"...What a fantastic page-turner!" Read more

"I enjoyed this book immensely - it is the genre I normally read (military-based action) and I thought it was very well written...." Read more

"...thank you very much goys. keep up the good work. now u need to come for a visit and sign my books." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality. They find it easy to read, with local details that help them visualize the setting. The characters are well-written and given meaning throughout the story.

"...This story was fantastic and the writing top notch. I can't wait to read Mr. Sheppard's next book!!!" Read more

"...I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was written. I will order the next books in the series...." Read more

"...There is so much 'local' detail written into it that I could easily visualize it...." Read more

"...Not only with Phillip's character but every character was well written and given meaning throughout...." Read more

3 customers mention "Intelligence"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book intelligent. They say the author did a great job capturing the essence of the story and that the Sheppard brothers are smart.

"...I think Charles Sheppard did an amazing job capturing the essence of The Specialist...." Read more

"...The Sheppard brothers are extremely smart and it certainly shows in this book. Highly recommend!" Read more

"The Specialist is awesome. Just saying" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2015
    This book is so cool for so many reasons. For one, the main character of the book, a former federal agent, is actually inspired by the author's brother and former Survivor contestant, Phillip Sheppard.
    The story itself is quite an exciting tale! I've been busier than I would have hoped this week, so I had to read it slowly. I found myself hurrying back to it whenever possible, eager to dive back into the adventures of The Specialist. This is an action-packed adventure you won't want to stop reading!
    After finishing a grueling assignment, the last place he wanted to go back to was Costa Rica. But the specialist can't resist the pleas of Mimi Sabo. Her dear father has been kidnapped, and who better to find him than the specialist himself?
    Only...her father isn't quite the sweetheart or dear old man I expected. In fact, he's downright corrupt.
    I loved the plot and the constant intensity. There was never a dull moment. In fact, it was fast paced and filled with enough twists to keep my head spinning. The ending had some intriguing surprises, so get ready!
    Mr. Sheppard, your brother may be famous, but you are a true star! This story was fantastic and the writing top notch. I can't wait to read Mr. Sheppard's next book!!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2013
    Never would of bought it if I wasn't a huge Survivor fan. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was written. I will order the next books in the series.

    Edit: I was part way through the book when I wrote the above. Didn't realize I was almost done (kindle version). Very short book. Started out good then rushed to a premature finish. I actually rolled my eyes (may be a first for me at a book) when the character did the Phillip Sheppard feather from his grandfather bit. I won't be ordering another book.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2013
    I'm not done with the book, but Amazon is prompting me to fill out this darn review. I'm halfway done. It's a pretty good story so far. It is definitely a book written by a man for a man. I feel like an intruder, or interloper, when The Specialist gets specific in his bedroom conquests. I could have done without those "scenes". All humans have sex, this we all acknowledge. It is part of the human condition, but so is having a daily bowel movement. The book doesn't benefit with a word picture of either activity.

    So that is the part of the book that is off-putting to me. If you want to join The Specialist in the bedroom as well as the field, this is just the book for you on all counts.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2013
    For those of you (like me) who can’t get enough of The Specialist, Phillip Sheppard, your answer has arrived. Phillip’s devious strategy and Stealth-R-Us skills on Survivor give you only a taste of what you’re about to enjoy in this book.

    Phillip Sheppard is the star of this fantastic action-packed novel, bringing us with him to Costa Rica as he embarks on a mission to save a man who was captured and imprisoned by terrorists. Survivor didn’t give Phillip many opportunities to show of his kung fu skills, but this novel certainly does! The strategic intelligence that Phillip Sheppard revealed to us on Survivor is out in full force as he matches wits against an opponent that both outnumbers him and outguns him, by a wide margin.

    This is the first book in a series, and I’m anxiously awaiting the release of The Specialist’s next novel. What a fantastic page-turner!
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2014
    The book starts out great, but then turns into a confusing mess. Not something I would recommend very highly despite the promise of the plot.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2013
    I enjoyed this book immensely - it is the genre I normally read (military-based action) and I thought it was very well written. There is so much 'local' detail written into it that I could easily visualize it. It is very exciting and informational - so true to life I could picture all the action! I recommend The Specialist: the Costa Rica Job to everyone. I am anxiously awaiting the next next book from these very creative brothers!The Specialist: The Costa Rica Job
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2016
    Hokey and poorly written. The author had his undeserved 15 minutes of fame on the television show.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2013
    If you're a fan of Phillip Sheppard on Survivor, you'll enjoy this book written by his brother Charles. Where do we draw the line between reality and fiction when it comes to The Specialist? That's the nickname of both the man and the character in "The Specialist" The Costa Rica Job".

    I think Charles Sheppard did an amazing job capturing the essence of The Specialist. I literally could picture Phillip in the situations laid out in the book. Not only with Phillip's character but every character was well written and given meaning throughout. The twist in the end was surprising but was logical all the same. I really hope this is just the beginning of more books detailing the adventures The Specialist will get himself into over the years.

    Highly recommended.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report