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Dan Shepherd #2
Soft Target
The second book in the bestselling Dan 'Spider' Shepherd series.
There's only one thing more dangerous than a corrupt cop . . . and that's a corrupt cop with a gun.
When a group of armed police in an elite unit turn maverick and start to rip off drug dealers at gunpoint, undercover cop Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is given his most dangerous mission so far.
Shepherd is ordered to infiltrate the tight-knit team, to gain their confidence and to ultimately betray them.
Facing men with guns is nothing new for the former SAS trooper, but it's the first time he's had to investigate his own. And the job couldn't have come at a worse time for him.
As Shepherd finds himself in the firing line, he has to decide exactly where his loyalties lie.
There's only one thing more dangerous than a corrupt cop . . . and that's a corrupt cop with a gun.
When a group of armed police in an elite unit turn maverick and start to rip off drug dealers at gunpoint, undercover cop Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is given his most dangerous mission so far.
Shepherd is ordered to infiltrate the tight-knit team, to gain their confidence and to ultimately betray them.
Facing men with guns is nothing new for the former SAS trooper, but it's the first time he's had to investigate his own. And the job couldn't have come at a worse time for him.
As Shepherd finds himself in the firing line, he has to decide exactly where his loyalties lie.
520 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 31, 2005
244 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
235 books1,517 followersStephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
January 28, 2023
This is a fine follow up to the first book in the Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd series. Shepherd is a former SAS soldier who now works as an undercover cop in London and, you’d better be prepared to pay attention because he works two undercover cases simultaneously and this means, twice the fake personas and double the fake names for us to keep straight.
His job is demanding and tends to take up the vast majority of his time, the hours are not your standard 9 to 5 day and the danger is real, all the time. This makes the fact that, since the death of his wife, he also has to be there as a good father to his 8 year old son. It’s the sort of juggling act that is almost impossible to carry out successfully.
And so to the undercover operations that are carried out through the course of Soft Target.
He plays hitman Tony Nelson, a hired killer who will take out a target for a price, provide some kind of “proof” and receive the payoff for the job. But in actual fact, he’s setting up Larry Hendrickson who had done the hiring (and ordered the hit), gathering enough evidence to make the arrest for conspiracy to murder. But instead of making the arrest a secondary job is offered when Hedrickson mentions a woman friend of his who wants her husband killed…at a price.
Shepherd, as Nelson, agrees to take on the second job putting the first on hold. But things become complicated when it’s discovered that the woman’s husband, while admittedly a wife-basher and deserving of some kind of retribution, is a gangster, a major drug dealer who has been on the major crimes radar for some time. The man is dangerous, seriously unhinged and is destined to somehow come in close contact with Shepherd.
In the meantime, a second undercover job urgently comes up and Shepherd takes the name Stuart Marsden. His role is to infiltrate a police special forces unit, SO19, to uncover some dirty cops who have been stealing money and drugs from local drug dealers. Exposing dirty cops is not high on Shepherd’s list of jobs, but it has also resulted in the murder of the drug dealers and the disappearance of one of the cops.
To add an extra wrinkle to what is already becoming a complex situation, there’s a Saudi Arabian terrorist planning a major bombing in London. It’s going to be a statement event with multiple suicide bombers involved, all heading to multiple locations to detonate at the same time. Given the undercover role Shepherd is playing and the anti-terrorist team he’s playing it with, it’s not difficult to join the dots to see where the book’s climax is heading.
I’m really enjoying the Dan “Spider” Shepherd series. Although he is an extremely capable former SAS officer working in a difficult job he’s by no means a superhero warrior. He’s likable, capable but also fallible giving him just the right touch of everyman to make him relatable. The fact that he is attempting to juggle the job with his responsibilities as a father to his 8 year old son plays testament to his down to earth character. Despite his best intentions he continually lets his boy down and appears likely to be a constant side-story to the main event as the series progresses.
It’s a police procedural that incorporates significant action thriller elements into the story. The police procedural element provides some structure to the plot and ensures there is some semblance of rules under which Shepherd is supposed to play. But the pace is relentless with high points taking place on multiple fronts creating its own sense of out of control havoc.
I enjoyed this book for the way in which all of the disparate pieces were drawn together, if not neatly, at least to create a satisfactory resolution.
His job is demanding and tends to take up the vast majority of his time, the hours are not your standard 9 to 5 day and the danger is real, all the time. This makes the fact that, since the death of his wife, he also has to be there as a good father to his 8 year old son. It’s the sort of juggling act that is almost impossible to carry out successfully.
And so to the undercover operations that are carried out through the course of Soft Target.
He plays hitman Tony Nelson, a hired killer who will take out a target for a price, provide some kind of “proof” and receive the payoff for the job. But in actual fact, he’s setting up Larry Hendrickson who had done the hiring (and ordered the hit), gathering enough evidence to make the arrest for conspiracy to murder. But instead of making the arrest a secondary job is offered when Hedrickson mentions a woman friend of his who wants her husband killed…at a price.
Shepherd, as Nelson, agrees to take on the second job putting the first on hold. But things become complicated when it’s discovered that the woman’s husband, while admittedly a wife-basher and deserving of some kind of retribution, is a gangster, a major drug dealer who has been on the major crimes radar for some time. The man is dangerous, seriously unhinged and is destined to somehow come in close contact with Shepherd.
In the meantime, a second undercover job urgently comes up and Shepherd takes the name Stuart Marsden. His role is to infiltrate a police special forces unit, SO19, to uncover some dirty cops who have been stealing money and drugs from local drug dealers. Exposing dirty cops is not high on Shepherd’s list of jobs, but it has also resulted in the murder of the drug dealers and the disappearance of one of the cops.
To add an extra wrinkle to what is already becoming a complex situation, there’s a Saudi Arabian terrorist planning a major bombing in London. It’s going to be a statement event with multiple suicide bombers involved, all heading to multiple locations to detonate at the same time. Given the undercover role Shepherd is playing and the anti-terrorist team he’s playing it with, it’s not difficult to join the dots to see where the book’s climax is heading.
I’m really enjoying the Dan “Spider” Shepherd series. Although he is an extremely capable former SAS officer working in a difficult job he’s by no means a superhero warrior. He’s likable, capable but also fallible giving him just the right touch of everyman to make him relatable. The fact that he is attempting to juggle the job with his responsibilities as a father to his 8 year old son plays testament to his down to earth character. Despite his best intentions he continually lets his boy down and appears likely to be a constant side-story to the main event as the series progresses.
It’s a police procedural that incorporates significant action thriller elements into the story. The police procedural element provides some structure to the plot and ensures there is some semblance of rules under which Shepherd is supposed to play. But the pace is relentless with high points taking place on multiple fronts creating its own sense of out of control havoc.
I enjoyed this book for the way in which all of the disparate pieces were drawn together, if not neatly, at least to create a satisfactory resolution.
July 6, 2014
I need to start by explaining that I am exactly 11 books and 9 years behind in the Spider Shepherd series so I figured it was high time I started to catch up. As soon as I started I only got as far as 5 chapters in and it was game over, nothing in my house was getting cleaned, no dinner cooked and no TV watched. I realised that I have been seriously depriving myself by not reading these and ploughed on and finished this in just 2 days (well a girl has to work and pay bills after all).
I realised that pretty early on Spider is a bloody fantastic character. He has a somewhat fractured history and with the loss of his wife he is desperately trying to balance his work life with taking care of his son. Having been so long since I read the first book it didn’t matter, as there was plenty of background info on Spider so that anybody can pick this book up and read it without having read book 1.
Spider is former SAS and now working as an undercover copper. There are two main threads to the story, one involving Spider working undercover posing as a contract killer. The second thread involves him infiltrating an elite armed police unit to try and work out who is ripping off the local drug dealers. Both threads of the story had plenty of action and it seems like Spider doesn’t even have time to breathe. It was incredibly fast paced and I found myself absorbing everything and just wishing for the best outcome. In addition to the two cases Spider works on, there is the added sub-plot of a group of terrorists planning to bomb some major places in London.
It’s been such a long time since reading book 1, I was astounded that I waited this long to read the second! Having finished this book in 2 sittings, I’m chomping at the bit to get to book 3. I actually brought books 2, 3 and 4 in one Kindle package for less than £7, which I thought was a great deal. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This was a truly exciting and utterly compelling read.
I realised that pretty early on Spider is a bloody fantastic character. He has a somewhat fractured history and with the loss of his wife he is desperately trying to balance his work life with taking care of his son. Having been so long since I read the first book it didn’t matter, as there was plenty of background info on Spider so that anybody can pick this book up and read it without having read book 1.
Spider is former SAS and now working as an undercover copper. There are two main threads to the story, one involving Spider working undercover posing as a contract killer. The second thread involves him infiltrating an elite armed police unit to try and work out who is ripping off the local drug dealers. Both threads of the story had plenty of action and it seems like Spider doesn’t even have time to breathe. It was incredibly fast paced and I found myself absorbing everything and just wishing for the best outcome. In addition to the two cases Spider works on, there is the added sub-plot of a group of terrorists planning to bomb some major places in London.
It’s been such a long time since reading book 1, I was astounded that I waited this long to read the second! Having finished this book in 2 sittings, I’m chomping at the bit to get to book 3. I actually brought books 2, 3 and 4 in one Kindle package for less than £7, which I thought was a great deal. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This was a truly exciting and utterly compelling read.
January 27, 2022
This year I wanted something different than my usual romance/suspense books and boy am I happy I found Stephen Leather!
Really enjoying his books and so far I think I know what’s gonna happen but he surprises me. Love it
Really enjoying his books and so far I think I know what’s gonna happen but he surprises me. Love it
February 19, 2020
I thought I would pick up a Stephen Leather book as I haven't read him in a while.
This one was a little over 500 pages, and for me it was too long. I did enjoy this book, like all of his stories I have read so far, they are completely action filled.
However, I didn't need to know every time Shepard was having a shower, or a coffee, or what clothes he was going to wear. There was too much detail, and I did find myself skimming over these parts.
I felt, for the first time, there was too much action. I didnt like the terrorism at the end tbh, it felt rushed like it needed to be added in. I wanted to get back to Snow White and her gang. Sometimes less, is more.
I enjoyed reading the struggles of maintaining a balanced life with work and home life. His backstory is always interesting.
I will read more, but I hope all the extra bits get cut down a bit.
This one was a little over 500 pages, and for me it was too long. I did enjoy this book, like all of his stories I have read so far, they are completely action filled.
However, I didn't need to know every time Shepard was having a shower, or a coffee, or what clothes he was going to wear. There was too much detail, and I did find myself skimming over these parts.
I felt, for the first time, there was too much action. I didnt like the terrorism at the end tbh, it felt rushed like it needed to be added in. I wanted to get back to Snow White and her gang. Sometimes less, is more.
I enjoyed reading the struggles of maintaining a balanced life with work and home life. His backstory is always interesting.
I will read more, but I hope all the extra bits get cut down a bit.
September 12, 2015
The 2nd book in the Dan Shepherd series by the underrated Stephen Leather. After I started reading this series last week I have become completely absorbed in it and can't put the books down. I finished the 2nd book this evening and immediately started reading the next one. At this rate I will have finished all 10 books by the end of the month. I had the same feeling when I first started reading the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child and I am hoping that like that series it continues to improve as the characters develop further. So close to a 5 star rating as was the last one.
March 22, 2013
Another gripping read from this author, even better than the first. Spider Shepherd is a charismatic lead character you can really get behind while he juggles an insane working life with a complicated home life. Plus he's sexy as hell!
March 7, 2018
Great read. Something happening all the time, and more than one story line to keep things moving.
August 3, 2024
Good undercover yarn with bent cops, suicide bombers and hero.
August 15, 2025
Really a 2.5. Clever, but too long.
This is not the edition I read, which was a paperback version with the same cover. I could chose only a "Mass Market" edition, but GoodReads would not let me rate the book, hence I switched to the hardback edition.
This is not the edition I read, which was a paperback version with the same cover. I could chose only a "Mass Market" edition, but GoodReads would not let me rate the book, hence I switched to the hardback edition.
April 4, 2023
Author: STEPHEN LEATHER
GENRE :THRILLER
CHARACTERS :
DANIEL 'spider' SHEPHERD aka TONY NELSON aka STUART MARSDEN; KEITH ROSE,superintendent HARGROVE, CHARLIE KERR, ANGIE KERR, LARRY HENDRICKSON, KEN SWIFT, RASHID MALIK, LIAM, MOIRA WINTOUR, TOM WINTOUR.
LOCATIONS :
HEREFORD, MANCHESTER and LONDON..
PLOT:
Daniel Shepherd is an undercover cop in Superintendent Hargrove's unit. As per his wife Sue's ((deceased in a tragic car crash)) wish, he left adventurous SAS ((Special Air Service))military unit, started working as undercover cop on different assignment given to him by Superintendent Hargrove, in different aliases and appearances. Dan's son Liam, living with his grandparents at Hereford, longing to live with his father at his London Apartment.
Shepherd killed drug mafia, drug lord Charlie Kerr, posing as TONEY NELSON a paid contract killer, using Charlie's wife Angie Kerr as a soft target, promising her to put a bullet in Charlie's head, who has a face, as an abusive, sadistic husband.Angie paid fifteen thousand pounds as advance payment was waiting for Toney to put Charlie out of her way, In return She will give all the details regarding Charlie's drug activities,,his hidden off shore money to Dan Shepherd which will help the prosecution to put Charlie behind the bars for rest of his life. The assignment ended in Toney killing Charlie , his wife Angie committing suicide in the prison.
SO 19 Trojan unit officer, Keith Rose and Firearms Inspector Ken Swift were shocked to know that "STUART MARSDEN" who they thought was their beloved buddy, a fellow officer who participated with them in the Big Ben terror operation, then in the shoot-up at the pizza palace is actually an undercover cop sent to investigate them. They were involved in killing two black drugs-dealers in a crack house, wearing dark clothing and rubber masks.Robbed the drugs from the dead, sold them to drug lords in Dublin-Ireland ; hidden the drug money in offshore. Andy Ormsby, a third SO 19 officer involved in the attack was killed in the ambush, his body buried in The New Forest wooded area.
Keith Rose needed money to treat her dying daughter Kelly, suffering from an inoperable tumor, has an 80% chance of survival, only if operated by an American based Chicago doctor. Firearm Inspector Ken Swift has to pay
Alimony money to his two ex-wives with a third divorce on the way.
Keith Rose and Ken Swift actually included Stuart Marsden as a third member of their rogue cop group and confessed everything they have done so far to him. Stuart Marsden staged a drama by asking Keith Rose, financial help of 30 grands to clear his gambling debt with Interest. Rose in turn took Stuart to Ken Swift, the inspector with Firearms Team Amber.
When Dan Shepherd was about to expose these two corrupt officers to Superintendent Hargrove and to the commissioner, and was about to finish his undercover, an unexpected terror struck London city.
An Al-Qaeda terrorist wearing a vest full of high explosives was found dead in a pavement near Brixton, with a map of underground tube stations.He was stabbed to death by an unidentified mugger. The dead terrorist was a Palestinian, his intended target to blow King Cross Station exactly at 5 PM.It seemed unlikely, that King's Cross would have been the only target, which means there are other suicide bombers heading towards other intended targets tobe there exactly at 5 PM.
To stop this terror attack, every BTP ((British Transport Police)), SO 19 Trojan unit officers, control officer at the Management Information and Communication all headed by Major Allan Gannon and Anti-terrorist squad commander Ronnie Roberts, were assigned special tasks to monitor CCTV cameras to look for Young ,male Muslim, wearing clothing capable of hiding explosives at the tube platforms where thousands of passengers and commuters were going home at 5 PM.
Undercover cop
Dan Shepherd, SO officer Keith Rose and Firearms inspector Ken Swift were assigned to evacuate the Victoria Station. The terrorist identified as Rasheed Malik was handcuffed and kneeled down at a safe distance from the passengers. In a brave attempt to defuse the high explosive vest, worn by the terrorist, both Malik and Keith Rose were vaporized as the ten kilos of Semtex exploded, not leaving a fragment of bone or soft tissue of Keith Rose and Malik.
Keith Rose, died as a National hero, his family receiving the insurance,his pension and the medal of honor on his behalf. Metro Police decides to send Rose's daughter to America for her surgery and treatment, all expenses to be borne by Them. The undercover mission, its findings,accusing both Keith Rose and Ken Swift as rouge cops, their involvement in ripping the drug dealers were all dropped as per the decision of the commissioner. " One should let the sleeping dogs lie forever " was his final words.
The Firearm inspector Ken Swift can't be charged without revealing Rose's wrongdoing, was asked to take early retirement with pension.
This crispy Novel ends with superintendent Hargrove telling his undercover cop Dan Shepherd "all is well that ends well".
MY COMMENTS :
with a honest undercover cop ,bunch of corrupt police officers,suicide bombers roaming London city with detonators, stylish sadistic drug mafia.... this novel is a crispy page turner from the very word go.
Though there are Lotz a heart-palpitating action gingered by mystery and intrigue which makes reading absorbing and gripping ,my favorite part of the novel is the portions between Dan Shepherd and his son Liam. The author portrays the soft corner, fatherly affection of a tough undercover cop, towards his school going son, in a soul touching manner, without diluting the main plot.
The only frustrating thing, is the reader has to come across a lot of Metro Police units mentioned in the form of abbreviations, throughout the novel. The author must have given the expanded form at least in the brackets, so that the readers can easily understand without any ambiguity.
EXAMPLE :
SAS - Special Air Service.
DEA -Drug enforcement Administration.
SO 19 Police: Metropolitan police specialist Firearm command.
CPS - Crown Prosecution Service.
NCIS-National Crime Intelligence Service.
SOCO- Scene of Crime Officers.
IIC -Internal Investigation command.
ARV - Armoured Recovery Vehicle
CRV-Compact recreation vehicle
BTP -British Traffic Police.
SOFT TARGET....TARGETED TO ENTERTAIN.
GENRE :THRILLER
CHARACTERS :
DANIEL 'spider' SHEPHERD aka TONY NELSON aka STUART MARSDEN; KEITH ROSE,superintendent HARGROVE, CHARLIE KERR, ANGIE KERR, LARRY HENDRICKSON, KEN SWIFT, RASHID MALIK, LIAM, MOIRA WINTOUR, TOM WINTOUR.
LOCATIONS :
HEREFORD, MANCHESTER and LONDON..
PLOT:
Daniel Shepherd is an undercover cop in Superintendent Hargrove's unit. As per his wife Sue's ((deceased in a tragic car crash)) wish, he left adventurous SAS ((Special Air Service))military unit, started working as undercover cop on different assignment given to him by Superintendent Hargrove, in different aliases and appearances. Dan's son Liam, living with his grandparents at Hereford, longing to live with his father at his London Apartment.
Shepherd killed drug mafia, drug lord Charlie Kerr, posing as TONEY NELSON a paid contract killer, using Charlie's wife Angie Kerr as a soft target, promising her to put a bullet in Charlie's head, who has a face, as an abusive, sadistic husband.Angie paid fifteen thousand pounds as advance payment was waiting for Toney to put Charlie out of her way, In return She will give all the details regarding Charlie's drug activities,,his hidden off shore money to Dan Shepherd which will help the prosecution to put Charlie behind the bars for rest of his life. The assignment ended in Toney killing Charlie , his wife Angie committing suicide in the prison.
SO 19 Trojan unit officer, Keith Rose and Firearms Inspector Ken Swift were shocked to know that "STUART MARSDEN" who they thought was their beloved buddy, a fellow officer who participated with them in the Big Ben terror operation, then in the shoot-up at the pizza palace is actually an undercover cop sent to investigate them. They were involved in killing two black drugs-dealers in a crack house, wearing dark clothing and rubber masks.Robbed the drugs from the dead, sold them to drug lords in Dublin-Ireland ; hidden the drug money in offshore. Andy Ormsby, a third SO 19 officer involved in the attack was killed in the ambush, his body buried in The New Forest wooded area.
Keith Rose needed money to treat her dying daughter Kelly, suffering from an inoperable tumor, has an 80% chance of survival, only if operated by an American based Chicago doctor. Firearm Inspector Ken Swift has to pay
Alimony money to his two ex-wives with a third divorce on the way.
Keith Rose and Ken Swift actually included Stuart Marsden as a third member of their rogue cop group and confessed everything they have done so far to him. Stuart Marsden staged a drama by asking Keith Rose, financial help of 30 grands to clear his gambling debt with Interest. Rose in turn took Stuart to Ken Swift, the inspector with Firearms Team Amber.
When Dan Shepherd was about to expose these two corrupt officers to Superintendent Hargrove and to the commissioner, and was about to finish his undercover, an unexpected terror struck London city.
An Al-Qaeda terrorist wearing a vest full of high explosives was found dead in a pavement near Brixton, with a map of underground tube stations.He was stabbed to death by an unidentified mugger. The dead terrorist was a Palestinian, his intended target to blow King Cross Station exactly at 5 PM.It seemed unlikely, that King's Cross would have been the only target, which means there are other suicide bombers heading towards other intended targets tobe there exactly at 5 PM.
To stop this terror attack, every BTP ((British Transport Police)), SO 19 Trojan unit officers, control officer at the Management Information and Communication all headed by Major Allan Gannon and Anti-terrorist squad commander Ronnie Roberts, were assigned special tasks to monitor CCTV cameras to look for Young ,male Muslim, wearing clothing capable of hiding explosives at the tube platforms where thousands of passengers and commuters were going home at 5 PM.
Undercover cop
Dan Shepherd, SO officer Keith Rose and Firearms inspector Ken Swift were assigned to evacuate the Victoria Station. The terrorist identified as Rasheed Malik was handcuffed and kneeled down at a safe distance from the passengers. In a brave attempt to defuse the high explosive vest, worn by the terrorist, both Malik and Keith Rose were vaporized as the ten kilos of Semtex exploded, not leaving a fragment of bone or soft tissue of Keith Rose and Malik.
Keith Rose, died as a National hero, his family receiving the insurance,his pension and the medal of honor on his behalf. Metro Police decides to send Rose's daughter to America for her surgery and treatment, all expenses to be borne by Them. The undercover mission, its findings,accusing both Keith Rose and Ken Swift as rouge cops, their involvement in ripping the drug dealers were all dropped as per the decision of the commissioner. " One should let the sleeping dogs lie forever " was his final words.
The Firearm inspector Ken Swift can't be charged without revealing Rose's wrongdoing, was asked to take early retirement with pension.
This crispy Novel ends with superintendent Hargrove telling his undercover cop Dan Shepherd "all is well that ends well".
MY COMMENTS :
with a honest undercover cop ,bunch of corrupt police officers,suicide bombers roaming London city with detonators, stylish sadistic drug mafia.... this novel is a crispy page turner from the very word go.
Though there are Lotz a heart-palpitating action gingered by mystery and intrigue which makes reading absorbing and gripping ,my favorite part of the novel is the portions between Dan Shepherd and his son Liam. The author portrays the soft corner, fatherly affection of a tough undercover cop, towards his school going son, in a soul touching manner, without diluting the main plot.
The only frustrating thing, is the reader has to come across a lot of Metro Police units mentioned in the form of abbreviations, throughout the novel. The author must have given the expanded form at least in the brackets, so that the readers can easily understand without any ambiguity.
EXAMPLE :
SAS - Special Air Service.
DEA -Drug enforcement Administration.
SO 19 Police: Metropolitan police specialist Firearm command.
CPS - Crown Prosecution Service.
NCIS-National Crime Intelligence Service.
SOCO- Scene of Crime Officers.
IIC -Internal Investigation command.
ARV - Armoured Recovery Vehicle
CRV-Compact recreation vehicle
BTP -British Traffic Police.
SOFT TARGET....TARGETED TO ENTERTAIN.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2013
While in the first book of the series the plot was pretty much focused on ONE undercover operation of Spider in this one we have at least THREE parallel stories.
One: Dan having to deal with his 'real life' and the aftermath of his wife's death and how delicate his relationship with his eight-year-old son has become : he feels guilty, he wants to be a present Dad, his actions are being closely followed by the Unit's psychologist, he takes his son back to their house (where his wife had lived) and the hiring an au pair to look after his son while he's working in several operations, etc...
Two: He's Tony Nelson the hitman, who's hired to kill Sewel by his business partner, Hendrickson, who recommends Nelson's services to Angie Kerr, wife of an abusive psychopathic gangster/mobster..
And..
Three: Stu Marsden, undercover agent to investigate 'good cops gone bad'.
In this fast paced action thriller all these stories end up intertwined and parallel, setting off a sort of 'chain reaction' that threatens to expose Dan's real identity, ruining his operation and putting his son's life at risk.
It would have been a 5/5 for me, and although I admire Stephen Leather style and creativity, some 'solutions' seemed a bit either too unrealistic or simplistic for my taste.
TOTALLY ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND it!
One: Dan having to deal with his 'real life' and the aftermath of his wife's death and how delicate his relationship with his eight-year-old son has become : he feels guilty, he wants to be a present Dad, his actions are being closely followed by the Unit's psychologist, he takes his son back to their house (where his wife had lived) and the hiring an au pair to look after his son while he's working in several operations, etc...
Two: He's Tony Nelson the hitman, who's hired to kill Sewel by his business partner, Hendrickson, who recommends Nelson's services to Angie Kerr, wife of an abusive psychopathic gangster/mobster..
And..
Three: Stu Marsden, undercover agent to investigate 'good cops gone bad'.
In this fast paced action thriller all these stories end up intertwined and parallel, setting off a sort of 'chain reaction' that threatens to expose Dan's real identity, ruining his operation and putting his son's life at risk.
It would have been a 5/5 for me, and although I admire Stephen Leather style and creativity, some 'solutions' seemed a bit either too unrealistic or simplistic for my taste.
TOTALLY ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND it!
March 27, 2012
I loved this! I read it in a day as I couldn't put it down. This book is the second in the Dan 'Spider Shepherd series but it didn;t matter that I had not read the first one, the story was easy to follow and the characters background is explained throughout.
The story was action packed and perfect example of how 'loose lips sink ships' I loved that it kept me on the edge of my seat and I was also really nervous for Dan. As well as being an excellent crime thriller writer, the author also has an excellent ability of giving the characters real lives, lives you can identify with and really feel you are getting to know the characters. The ending was brilliant, not what I expected at all.
There was one fault, I wanted to know what happened to one certain character (Sewell) That said, it did not take away my enjoyment of this book. I will definately be reading the rest in this series, and have just downloaded the first one, Hard Landing.
Highly recommended, anyone who likes a good exciting thriller - but set some time aside, it is hard to put down!
The story was action packed and perfect example of how 'loose lips sink ships' I loved that it kept me on the edge of my seat and I was also really nervous for Dan. As well as being an excellent crime thriller writer, the author also has an excellent ability of giving the characters real lives, lives you can identify with and really feel you are getting to know the characters. The ending was brilliant, not what I expected at all.
There was one fault, I wanted to know what happened to one certain character (Sewell) That said, it did not take away my enjoyment of this book. I will definately be reading the rest in this series, and have just downloaded the first one, Hard Landing.
Highly recommended, anyone who likes a good exciting thriller - but set some time aside, it is hard to put down!
June 17, 2011
Sometimes, choices aren't really choices
I picked this book randomly and because I needed more thriller books in my book collections. Fortunately, This wasn't a disappointment. I instantly liked the story and its tone, which was clear and not confusing. I liked the multiple narrations from different people as I went through the pages. And most importantly, I really admired Daniel Shepard's character. He's an undercover cop, widow and a father to an eight years old boy, cliche I know, but as the story unfold we got to understand that he's dealing with more than that. He's a multi-dimensional character and an interesting one for sure.
However, I expected the ending to be a lot different than what it was. But after all, It was a great story.
I picked this book randomly and because I needed more thriller books in my book collections. Fortunately, This wasn't a disappointment. I instantly liked the story and its tone, which was clear and not confusing. I liked the multiple narrations from different people as I went through the pages. And most importantly, I really admired Daniel Shepard's character. He's an undercover cop, widow and a father to an eight years old boy, cliche I know, but as the story unfold we got to understand that he's dealing with more than that. He's a multi-dimensional character and an interesting one for sure.
However, I expected the ending to be a lot different than what it was. But after all, It was a great story.
August 22, 2013
I quite enjoyed this novel with it's many story arcs and characters. Their collective actions set of a domino effect that threatens to undermine Dan Shepherd's undercover operations.
For the most part the story line was unpredictable and kept me guessing as to what would happen next (except for the ending). It ties everything up in a neat little bow, which is why this doesn't receive a 5.
I would recommend however, if your a fan of fast paced action thrillers.
For the most part the story line was unpredictable and kept me guessing as to what would happen next (except for the ending). It ties everything up in a neat little bow, which is why this doesn't receive a 5.
I would recommend however, if your a fan of fast paced action thrillers.
August 11, 2016
Firstly the book is not divided into chapters but just continues scene after scene.
Its based on the life of the hero, what emotional crisis he has to go through at work and at home. Liked it. It was pretty slow in the beginning, I took ages to read the first half but I read the second half in only two days.
Its based on the life of the hero, what emotional crisis he has to go through at work and at home. Liked it. It was pretty slow in the beginning, I took ages to read the first half but I read the second half in only two days.
June 2, 2025
A hit-man , a group of rogue cops and a terrorist threat in London, and spider shepherd is right in the thick of the action.
another great book and a great follow up to the spiders first adventure
this books gives us more of spiders life to bring the stories togethers
a fast paced , well write book, cant wait for the third book !
another great book and a great follow up to the spiders first adventure
this books gives us more of spiders life to bring the stories togethers
a fast paced , well write book, cant wait for the third book !
Read
December 4, 2009a good friend (which also my boss) is avid Dan 'Spider' Shepherd fan and i've converted myself :-) Mr Leather always manages to build up the heat and yes, since Tango One (was it?) Dan Shepherd's adventures always got into me. Rite now I'm finishing Live Fire, already long overdue (sorry boss hehe)
November 9, 2011
Enjoyable follow up to the first in the series. Plot is enhanced by the insight into Shepherd's complex life, juggling home and multiple work personas. That part is really well done. Good action story as well for those who like the style.
March 30, 2008
Picked up a couple of these -- a cut above the usual crime formula; nice character development with the main character.
January 5, 2013
This book had my heart in my throat! Hard Landing was fast paced and nail biting but this book exceeded it in complexity. I'm very much looking forward to starting the next book in the series.
February 19, 2014
See, I knew the series would get better. Enjoyed this a lot.
June 18, 2014
Enjoyed every word.
July 25, 2022
Me ha gustado bastante, es bastante entretenido, con la temática de los agentes infiltrados y el terrorismo. Muy ameno. 9/10
June 15, 2010
Really cool, best 'Sheppard' novel yet.
April 29, 2011
i don't like mystery novels, but you can't say that i didn't give this one a chance.
February 11, 2020
Book 2 in the Dan(SPIDER) Shepherd series By Stephen Leather and what a book this is.
Leather continues the good work and world building he established in book one (Hard landing) of the story of ex SAS and now undercover cop Dan Shepherd as he tries to juggle life raising a young child and keeping his neck above water as he infiltrates the organised crime world.
Leathers writing is good and easy to follow and the plot he weaves here keeping 3 storylines going that ultimately end in a domino effect bring all three storylines spectacularly colliding together.
The book has no chapters which I first found off-putting but you soon get used to this and if anything it adds to the tension and the pressure that Spider feels throughout the entire book trying to keep up his cover and being a good father to his 8-year-old son.
If you are a Lee Child fan you will enjoy this series of books but this is not a copy it stands on its own two feet in its own world, Leather keeps the action scenes tight and authentic and the tension and stress that Spider is under oozes from the page.
This is a great thriller with action sprinkled throughout you wont be disappointed.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash a very good read.
Leather continues the good work and world building he established in book one (Hard landing) of the story of ex SAS and now undercover cop Dan Shepherd as he tries to juggle life raising a young child and keeping his neck above water as he infiltrates the organised crime world.
Leathers writing is good and easy to follow and the plot he weaves here keeping 3 storylines going that ultimately end in a domino effect bring all three storylines spectacularly colliding together.
The book has no chapters which I first found off-putting but you soon get used to this and if anything it adds to the tension and the pressure that Spider feels throughout the entire book trying to keep up his cover and being a good father to his 8-year-old son.
If you are a Lee Child fan you will enjoy this series of books but this is not a copy it stands on its own two feet in its own world, Leather keeps the action scenes tight and authentic and the tension and stress that Spider is under oozes from the page.
This is a great thriller with action sprinkled throughout you wont be disappointed.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash a very good read.
October 4, 2020
"There's only one thing more dangerous than a corrupt cop...and that's a corrupt cop with a gun". What a stupid and misleading tagline.
Supposedly, our main character is to infiltrate a group of corrupt cops. Cool concept... but first we're treated to half a book where the main character argues with his MIL about his son, tries to find a babysitter, and where he pretends to be a hitman.
There seems to be countless characters with multiple story lines that don't have anything to do with the corrupt group of cops. Like a suicide bomber, the constant raping of the female character, needless pages devoted to some office bum who's worried about his company... what does that have to do with the plot????
It tries to be too much and ends up being a waste of time.
Supposedly, our main character is to infiltrate a group of corrupt cops. Cool concept... but first we're treated to half a book where the main character argues with his MIL about his son, tries to find a babysitter, and where he pretends to be a hitman.
There seems to be countless characters with multiple story lines that don't have anything to do with the corrupt group of cops. Like a suicide bomber, the constant raping of the female character, needless pages devoted to some office bum who's worried about his company... what does that have to do with the plot????
It tries to be too much and ends up being a waste of time.
November 29, 2020
Stephen Leather does an excellent job of twisting his plot threads together, creating an engrossing read. It is well researched. If you need to know how a drug dealer should armour plate his front door or the best way to find a wholesale drug buyer, this is the book for you.
Despite the compelling details, there were times when the story was a little far fetched. Can an undercover policeman really commandeer an army helicopter so he can wave at his neglected son? I struggle to get my boss to lend me his company car.
Where the book wins out is in the ethical questions it poses. It will leave you wondering whether the police are spending your taxes as well as they could.
A little more at https://crimebooks.uk/?books=soft-target
Despite the compelling details, there were times when the story was a little far fetched. Can an undercover policeman really commandeer an army helicopter so he can wave at his neglected son? I struggle to get my boss to lend me his company car.
Where the book wins out is in the ethical questions it poses. It will leave you wondering whether the police are spending your taxes as well as they could.
A little more at https://crimebooks.uk/?books=soft-target
January 11, 2021
4.5 stars
Once I picked up this book, it was impossible to put down.
There were several strands to the story which made it a great read. I like the way that everything doesn't work out perfectly but that's what keeps you turning the pages.
In my opinion, Stephen Leather is very underrated and all the books I've read by him have kept me engrossed.
In this book, Dan 'Spider' Shephetd is undercover on 2 different cases. Both roles become compromised through no fault of his own and at the same time he has to try and manage relationships with his son, his in-laws and deal with the grief of losing his wife.
Once I picked up this book, it was impossible to put down.
There were several strands to the story which made it a great read. I like the way that everything doesn't work out perfectly but that's what keeps you turning the pages.
In my opinion, Stephen Leather is very underrated and all the books I've read by him have kept me engrossed.
In this book, Dan 'Spider' Shephetd is undercover on 2 different cases. Both roles become compromised through no fault of his own and at the same time he has to try and manage relationships with his son, his in-laws and deal with the grief of losing his wife.
May 16, 2019
A great story
I do love these books.
The character of Dan Spidey Shepherd is a favourite of mine.
He's ex sas and now an undercover cop, coping with the loss of his wife and bringing up his young son, whilst holding down a demanding job. Dan puts himself in the front line continually and calls on his ex sass General Gannon from time to time.
The story sees Dan go undercover to reveal bad cops but there are other storylines going on at the same time.
Lots to keep you reading to the end.
I am looking forward to Book 3
I do love these books.
The character of Dan Spidey Shepherd is a favourite of mine.
He's ex sas and now an undercover cop, coping with the loss of his wife and bringing up his young son, whilst holding down a demanding job. Dan puts himself in the front line continually and calls on his ex sass General Gannon from time to time.
The story sees Dan go undercover to reveal bad cops but there are other storylines going on at the same time.
Lots to keep you reading to the end.
I am looking forward to Book 3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews