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Helen Warwick #2
Double Tap
A government assassin. A sociopathic killer. Both hunters—and both hunted—in the ultimate game of deception, double-cross, and death. Former CIA agent Helen Warwick returns in this electrifying thriller by USA Today bestselling author Cindy Dees. . . .
She craved the shadows. Invisibility. Seeing but not being seen.
As an elite assassin for the CIA, Helen Warwick was trained to keep a low profile. To blend into the crowd. To eliminate her targets swiftly, silently, and efficiently. But now that she’s retired, Helen is forced to take on a very different, and very public, role—as the proud mother of a rising young politician. At a DC press conference for her son’s campaign, she sees the ominous green light of a gun laser fixed on her son’s head—and her CIA training kicks in. She jumps into action, pushes her son down, and saves him from a sniper’s bullet. In that moment, Helen realizes she will never escape the secrets of her past—or the deranged man she thought she killed. . . .
He is still alive—and coming for her family.
His code name is Scorpius. A Russian mole embedded in the CIA, he recruits dangerous sociopaths ejected from the military and trains them to kill at command. None of his CIA colleagues—including Helen Warwick—know his true identity. But when members of his kill team begin to disappear, he realizes his entire operation may be at risk. His greatest threat, Helen Warwick, has agreed to rejoin the CIA to help expose Scorpius after the assassination attempt on her son. She suspects that Scorpius may be one of her colleagues, part of a vast conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government. And now that her family has been personally targeted, she’s willing to break every rule in the CIA handbook to stop Scorpius and his trained killers. Unless, of course, they kill her first. . . .
She craved the shadows. Invisibility. Seeing but not being seen.
As an elite assassin for the CIA, Helen Warwick was trained to keep a low profile. To blend into the crowd. To eliminate her targets swiftly, silently, and efficiently. But now that she’s retired, Helen is forced to take on a very different, and very public, role—as the proud mother of a rising young politician. At a DC press conference for her son’s campaign, she sees the ominous green light of a gun laser fixed on her son’s head—and her CIA training kicks in. She jumps into action, pushes her son down, and saves him from a sniper’s bullet. In that moment, Helen realizes she will never escape the secrets of her past—or the deranged man she thought she killed. . . .
He is still alive—and coming for her family.
His code name is Scorpius. A Russian mole embedded in the CIA, he recruits dangerous sociopaths ejected from the military and trains them to kill at command. None of his CIA colleagues—including Helen Warwick—know his true identity. But when members of his kill team begin to disappear, he realizes his entire operation may be at risk. His greatest threat, Helen Warwick, has agreed to rejoin the CIA to help expose Scorpius after the assassination attempt on her son. She suspects that Scorpius may be one of her colleagues, part of a vast conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government. And now that her family has been personally targeted, she’s willing to break every rule in the CIA handbook to stop Scorpius and his trained killers. Unless, of course, they kill her first. . . .
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2024
53 people are currently reading
4133 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Dees
172 books1,952 followersCindy Dees started flying airplanes while sitting in her dad’s lap at the age of three and got a pilot’s license before she got a driver’s license. At age fifteen, she dropped out of high school and left the horse farm in Michigan where she grew up to attend the University of Michigan.
After earning a degree in Russian and East European studies, she joined the U.S. Air Force and became the youngest female pilot in the history of the Air Force. She flew supersonic jets, VIP airlift and the “C-5” Galaxy, the world’s largest airplane. She also worked part-time gathering intelligence. During her military career, she traveled to forty countries on five continents, was detained by the KGB and East German secret police, she got shot at, flew in the first Gulf War, met her husband and amassed a lifetime’s worth of war stories.
Her hobbies include professional Middle Eastern dancing, Japanese gardening and medieval reenacting. She started writing on a one-dollar bet with her mother and was thrilled to win that bet with the publication of her first book in 2001.
After earning a degree in Russian and East European studies, she joined the U.S. Air Force and became the youngest female pilot in the history of the Air Force. She flew supersonic jets, VIP airlift and the “C-5” Galaxy, the world’s largest airplane. She also worked part-time gathering intelligence. During her military career, she traveled to forty countries on five continents, was detained by the KGB and East German secret police, she got shot at, flew in the first Gulf War, met her husband and amassed a lifetime’s worth of war stories.
Her hobbies include professional Middle Eastern dancing, Japanese gardening and medieval reenacting. She started writing on a one-dollar bet with her mother and was thrilled to win that bet with the publication of her first book in 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 28, 2024
Once again, Cindy Dees has penned an exciting, action-packed, and suspenseful thriller with a more mature main character in her second book in the Helen Warwick series,
Double Tap.
Helen is about fifty-five and recently retired as a deadly sniper for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with many sanctioned executions. Her cover was as a foreign trade specialist for the State Department. After spending their childhood traveling overseas on assignments, Helen is still hoping to repair her relationship with her three children, Mitch, Peter, and Jayne and work on her marriage.
Mitch is the acting district attorney for Washington D.C. and is announcing his candidacy for the permanent position. When Helen sees a laser light on his forehead during the press conference, she knocks him and his wife down to save their lives. While Helen prefers to keep a low profile and blend into the background, she’s been forced into a different role. Who is coming after her family and why? Is it the Russian mole embedded in the Central Intelligence Agency or is it someone else? Helen agrees to rejoin the CIA and lead a team looking for the mole. Who, if anyone, can she trust and is this related to the threat to her family?
Helen is mentally tough, aggressive, an excellent sniper, and able to compartmentalize her emotions, but she hasn’t been working out as much lately and is slightly claustrophobic. She’s also a proud mother, but her children resent her absence during their childhood years. Her flaws make her more relatable. Readers learn more about Mitch in this novel as well as Yosef, Helen’s handler before she retired.
This is a strong and impactful tale. This book demanded my attention during its entirety. The twisty plot is layered with plenty of angst, action, and suspense that kept me engaged and rapidly turning the pages. There was a terrifying realism to some of the scenes. The story grabs your attention in the first chapter and doesn’t let up until its astonishing conclusion. This novel is fast-paced with a strong female main character. The antagonist’s psychosis is terrifying and memorable. It features death, murder, spies, secrets, lies, politics, family relationships, friendship, power, and much more. The ending didn’t resolve everything so I can’t wait to read book three in the series.
Overall, this fantastic novel is shocking, emotionally-charged, and pulse-pounding. Be aware that there is plenty of danger, violence, intrigue, and references to child abuse and torture in this story. Readers who enjoy action thrillers and espionage thrillers will likely enjoy this book.
Kensington Books and Cindy Dees provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 21 2024.
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My 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Mitch is the acting district attorney for Washington D.C. and is announcing his candidacy for the permanent position. When Helen sees a laser light on his forehead during the press conference, she knocks him and his wife down to save their lives. While Helen prefers to keep a low profile and blend into the background, she’s been forced into a different role. Who is coming after her family and why? Is it the Russian mole embedded in the Central Intelligence Agency or is it someone else? Helen agrees to rejoin the CIA and lead a team looking for the mole. Who, if anyone, can she trust and is this related to the threat to her family?
Helen is mentally tough, aggressive, an excellent sniper, and able to compartmentalize her emotions, but she hasn’t been working out as much lately and is slightly claustrophobic. She’s also a proud mother, but her children resent her absence during their childhood years. Her flaws make her more relatable. Readers learn more about Mitch in this novel as well as Yosef, Helen’s handler before she retired.
This is a strong and impactful tale. This book demanded my attention during its entirety. The twisty plot is layered with plenty of angst, action, and suspense that kept me engaged and rapidly turning the pages. There was a terrifying realism to some of the scenes. The story grabs your attention in the first chapter and doesn’t let up until its astonishing conclusion. This novel is fast-paced with a strong female main character. The antagonist’s psychosis is terrifying and memorable. It features death, murder, spies, secrets, lies, politics, family relationships, friendship, power, and much more. The ending didn’t resolve everything so I can’t wait to read book three in the series.
Overall, this fantastic novel is shocking, emotionally-charged, and pulse-pounding. Be aware that there is plenty of danger, violence, intrigue, and references to child abuse and torture in this story. Readers who enjoy action thrillers and espionage thrillers will likely enjoy this book.
Kensington Books and Cindy Dees provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 21 2024.
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My 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
June 14, 2024
Ex-CIA assassin Helen Warwick is back and this time she’s officially out of retirement and on the hunt for the Russian mole known as Scorpius seated deep within the CIA. Firmly embedded in the highest echelons, he has been providing Russia with US secrets for decades and has spies in every division reporting back to him, so the agency needs someone they can trust to flush him out.
At fifty five, Helen is no spring chicken but she’s worked to keep fit and is still a damn good shot. Always proficient at keeping a low profile, her age has become an extra asset, allowing her to pass as nearly invisible when wearing grandmotherly attire. When her son, Mitch, currently acting DA for Washington DC, opens his campaign to run for the permanent position, Helen has to attend his press conference in the role of his mother, leaving her gun backstage. However, when she spots a laser fixed on him, her reflexes send her into CIA mode and she pushes him off the stage, saving his life. Now she must hunt down Scorpius, the man she thought she had killed, who has set his sights on her family.
Helen agrees to come out of retirement to head a team hunting for Scorpius and the team of specially trained psychopathic killers he has been quietly building up. Although she’s been provided with a team to assist her, she doesn’t know if she can trust any of them not to report on her actions to the very man they are hunting. Yosef, her CIA handler for thirty years is the only one she fully trusts, but she is cautious about putting him and his wife, now gravely ill in the final stages of ALS, in a dangerous position.
This is excellent contemporary spy fiction. Action packed and full of intrigue and suspense, Dees has woven a complex network of lies and deception where no one can be trusted. Often quite dark and violent with first rate spy craft and a high body count, it’s also tinged with humour. Helen’s family have no idea that her career involved more than working as a trade representative for the State Department and put her frequent ‘business trips’ overseas ahead of caring for a family. A running joke is that she is yet to master baking an apple pie for her family. On the other hand, she is a tough, intelligent spy and, as a mother protecting her young in this very personal battle, she’s unbeatable. As she closes in Scorpius becomes more and more dangerous as his desperation to remain undercover sets in.
A definite must read for all those who enjoy thrilling, heart pounding espionage novels. Although this should work well as a stand alone, readers may first wish to read Second Shot, the first in the series to get to know the characters and set the scene.
With thanks to Kensington Books via Netgalley for a copy to read. This original review was first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/do...
At fifty five, Helen is no spring chicken but she’s worked to keep fit and is still a damn good shot. Always proficient at keeping a low profile, her age has become an extra asset, allowing her to pass as nearly invisible when wearing grandmotherly attire. When her son, Mitch, currently acting DA for Washington DC, opens his campaign to run for the permanent position, Helen has to attend his press conference in the role of his mother, leaving her gun backstage. However, when she spots a laser fixed on him, her reflexes send her into CIA mode and she pushes him off the stage, saving his life. Now she must hunt down Scorpius, the man she thought she had killed, who has set his sights on her family.
Helen agrees to come out of retirement to head a team hunting for Scorpius and the team of specially trained psychopathic killers he has been quietly building up. Although she’s been provided with a team to assist her, she doesn’t know if she can trust any of them not to report on her actions to the very man they are hunting. Yosef, her CIA handler for thirty years is the only one she fully trusts, but she is cautious about putting him and his wife, now gravely ill in the final stages of ALS, in a dangerous position.
This is excellent contemporary spy fiction. Action packed and full of intrigue and suspense, Dees has woven a complex network of lies and deception where no one can be trusted. Often quite dark and violent with first rate spy craft and a high body count, it’s also tinged with humour. Helen’s family have no idea that her career involved more than working as a trade representative for the State Department and put her frequent ‘business trips’ overseas ahead of caring for a family. A running joke is that she is yet to master baking an apple pie for her family. On the other hand, she is a tough, intelligent spy and, as a mother protecting her young in this very personal battle, she’s unbeatable. As she closes in Scorpius becomes more and more dangerous as his desperation to remain undercover sets in.
A definite must read for all those who enjoy thrilling, heart pounding espionage novels. Although this should work well as a stand alone, readers may first wish to read Second Shot, the first in the series to get to know the characters and set the scene.
With thanks to Kensington Books via Netgalley for a copy to read. This original review was first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/do...
June 6, 2024
Double Tap by Cindy Dees
Helen Warwick series #2. Mystery, thriller, spy games.
Helen Warwick is an ex CIA elite assassin. She tried to retire and walk away to be with family and future grandchildren. With her son in the public eye as a political candidate, Helen is right onstage when he’s targeted by a laser from a rifle scope and she jumps into action to save him. Helen is drawn back into the espionage life and the hunt for Scorpius, a threat that reaches the highest levels of the government.
Fast moving action, lots of high tech weaponry and unraveling of secrets and cover-ups. For her age, Helen is amazingly fit and keeping up with the younger spy set. She’s got the training and experience, and most importantly, the instincts to out-spy and at least come out alive. So far.
Some resolution but not everything so yes, cliffhanger.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Helen Warwick series #2. Mystery, thriller, spy games.
Helen Warwick is an ex CIA elite assassin. She tried to retire and walk away to be with family and future grandchildren. With her son in the public eye as a political candidate, Helen is right onstage when he’s targeted by a laser from a rifle scope and she jumps into action to save him. Helen is drawn back into the espionage life and the hunt for Scorpius, a threat that reaches the highest levels of the government.
Fast moving action, lots of high tech weaponry and unraveling of secrets and cover-ups. For her age, Helen is amazingly fit and keeping up with the younger spy set. She’s got the training and experience, and most importantly, the instincts to out-spy and at least come out alive. So far.
Some resolution but not everything so yes, cliffhanger.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
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January 3, 2025
1-Star DNF for Double Tap!
I heard #1 Second Shot in June 2013, gave it 4-Stars and the comment "A mostly enjoyable listen!" but no review.
So I thought #2 Double Tap was worth a try.
Ha! What was I thinking🤔? Cindy Dees's main genre listed in her GR bio is Romance!
Not a promising start to 2025! Dreadfully corny, clueless writing, lacking plausibility for a supposed "Assassin" novel.
DNF'd @ 37% and same-day return to Audible.
I heard #1 Second Shot in June 2013, gave it 4-Stars and the comment "A mostly enjoyable listen!" but no review.
So I thought #2 Double Tap was worth a try.
Ha! What was I thinking🤔? Cindy Dees's main genre listed in her GR bio is Romance!
Not a promising start to 2025! Dreadfully corny, clueless writing, lacking plausibility for a supposed "Assassin" novel.
DNF'd @ 37% and same-day return to Audible.
March 11, 2025
What an exciting book this was! Mrs. Warwick is all action and the plot keeps getting better and better. I complained about the insufferable “children” on book number one but in this installment Peter continues to be annoying but have less lines, the daughter seems to have grown up and Mitch is put in its place. Gray and Yosef continue to be my favorite characters.
This book is full of espionage, intrigue and action with a bit of humor. The cliffhanger screams buy my next book but if you purchase it you will not be sorry. I am so ready for book three!
This book is full of espionage, intrigue and action with a bit of humor. The cliffhanger screams buy my next book but if you purchase it you will not be sorry. I am so ready for book three!
May 14, 2024
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thrillers / Espionage / Suspense
*Rating* 4
*Thoughts*
Double Tap, by Cindy Dees', is the second installment in the authors Helen Warwick series. As an elite assassin for the CIA, Helen Warwick was trained to keep a low profile. To blend into the crowd. To eliminate her targets swiftly, silently, and efficiently. After 30 years, she was told that she was too old (55) to continue, and that it was time for her to retire. But now that she’s retired, Helen is forced to take on a very different, and very public, role—as the proud mother of a rising young politician.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thrillers / Espionage / Suspense
*Rating* 4
*Thoughts*
Double Tap, by Cindy Dees', is the second installment in the authors Helen Warwick series. As an elite assassin for the CIA, Helen Warwick was trained to keep a low profile. To blend into the crowd. To eliminate her targets swiftly, silently, and efficiently. After 30 years, she was told that she was too old (55) to continue, and that it was time for her to retire. But now that she’s retired, Helen is forced to take on a very different, and very public, role—as the proud mother of a rising young politician.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
June 4, 2024
My 2nd Helen Warwick thriller, and I love them both. Can't wait for the 3rd.
December 1, 2024
I'm really enjoying this series. Long may it continue!
June 3, 2024
Could be 4 stars except for a couple things.
First the good points: plenty of action, suspense and intrigue.
I like the Helen Warwick character and her family and the good guy characters in the CIA.
I like the way the books are written for the most part.
I didn’t like the way Danny Bell, his sister and his father were written - I didn’t like any of the scenes involving Danny. For one thing it seems like Dees can’t write teens or 20-year-olds well. A lot of the book is of course unrealistic but almost all of the action involving Danny is even more over the top
Helen displays strong intuition and instincts. Yet when her dinner companion and CIA colleague seems to have pain, trouble breathing etc, she never thinks that he may have been poisoned. That is out of character.
Also this is again a cliff hanger (which I expected) and it seems that the way things have developed at the end of book 2, the next edition will be just too much and probably less enjoyable. But it’s not even published yet so we’ll see.
First the good points: plenty of action, suspense and intrigue.
I like the Helen Warwick character and her family and the good guy characters in the CIA.
I like the way the books are written for the most part.
I didn’t like the way Danny Bell, his sister and his father were written - I didn’t like any of the scenes involving Danny. For one thing it seems like Dees can’t write teens or 20-year-olds well. A lot of the book is of course unrealistic but almost all of the action involving Danny is even more over the top
Helen displays strong intuition and instincts. Yet when her dinner companion and CIA colleague seems to have pain, trouble breathing etc, she never thinks that he may have been poisoned. That is out of character.
Also this is again a cliff hanger (which I expected) and it seems that the way things have developed at the end of book 2, the next edition will be just too much and probably less enjoyable. But it’s not even published yet so we’ll see.
June 3, 2024
Double Tap by Cindy Dees
I was excited to read Double Tap after devouring the first Helen Warwick novel, Second Shot by Cindy Dees . I simply saw the cover, read the description and had to read it so I bought the e-book never having read Ms. Dees before. The second book did exactly what the first one did; made me anxious to read the next one.
The plot revolves around Helen Warwick, a former CIA agent who has retired but it isn’t sticking. Helen wants to be retired and give all the time and attention to her grown children and husband but somehow she gets pulled back in and the past is never buried. This novel takes place within weeks of the last so the continuity is solid. Her family and colleagues, old and new, are all intriguing. Who can be trusted? Who’s telling the truth?
I felt the first book had more humor and Double tap is more sinister. Double Tap has some touching moments that are satisfying especially if you read the first book. The author gives Helen a good grasp of instincts and tells you why she makes the split decisions she does. The more we find out about Helen and how she relates to the other characters, the more fascinating she and they become. Looking forward to the next Helen Warwick adventure. Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author for an advanced copy.
I was excited to read Double Tap after devouring the first Helen Warwick novel, Second Shot by Cindy Dees . I simply saw the cover, read the description and had to read it so I bought the e-book never having read Ms. Dees before. The second book did exactly what the first one did; made me anxious to read the next one.
The plot revolves around Helen Warwick, a former CIA agent who has retired but it isn’t sticking. Helen wants to be retired and give all the time and attention to her grown children and husband but somehow she gets pulled back in and the past is never buried. This novel takes place within weeks of the last so the continuity is solid. Her family and colleagues, old and new, are all intriguing. Who can be trusted? Who’s telling the truth?
I felt the first book had more humor and Double tap is more sinister. Double Tap has some touching moments that are satisfying especially if you read the first book. The author gives Helen a good grasp of instincts and tells you why she makes the split decisions she does. The more we find out about Helen and how she relates to the other characters, the more fascinating she and they become. Looking forward to the next Helen Warwick adventure. Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author for an advanced copy.
June 23, 2024
I enjoyed another fun, action-packed read featuring ‘retired’ CIA mom, Helen, and an interesting cast of characters.
February 1, 2025
Had to download this book because I enjoyed the first book in the series so much!
May 6, 2024
You hear the word spy and somehow your mind goes to a place where that spy is a Bond character and wet work is physically strong individuals between 25 and 35 who live out of a suitcase with no family. In this book, Cindy Dees took all these stereo types and threw them out the window. Instead, she can use a new but no less touch, she gave us a mama bear spy protecting her kids. To really shake things up, she made that mama bear middle aged or not as young as she once was.
All it takes is a shot, a shot to the heart of that mana bear former spy to have her throwing away the word former and jumping back into her old life. You had to laugh when she used her age to her advantage to hide a quick meeting. Nothing like mentioning a bodily function to make the questions stop. While that was by no means the heart of the heart of the action, we found out quick that Helen could think on her feet. Back to that shot, it only took one shot to set into motion a course of events that spanned from the past rife with scandal to present. And only one shot to bring a mana bear spy out of retirement and back into the action which there was a lot of. Along the way, we got a character with guts, brains, and her priorities straight. Family first and if you mess with Helen’s family she is coming for you.
There were a couple of witty moments when the deaths began in her presence and even her mentor had to confirm she did not drop the body. In addition to the action, there are plenty of questions. Some of it felt like typical spy stuff with nothing being truly private. We also get some darkness that serves as a stark reminder of the pain humans can inflict on each other. Those dark moments were necessary without being gratuitous. This is a longer book with plenty of action to keep the pages turning and plenty of drama along the way. We get a partial ending and while only partial, it is very important at least to a mama bear spy. However, the big bad is still out there so we can guess that another book is coming. Helen may have the enemy in her sights as he has her in his but it is not yet the end game. I’ll be back for what comes next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
All it takes is a shot, a shot to the heart of that mana bear former spy to have her throwing away the word former and jumping back into her old life. You had to laugh when she used her age to her advantage to hide a quick meeting. Nothing like mentioning a bodily function to make the questions stop. While that was by no means the heart of the heart of the action, we found out quick that Helen could think on her feet. Back to that shot, it only took one shot to set into motion a course of events that spanned from the past rife with scandal to present. And only one shot to bring a mana bear spy out of retirement and back into the action which there was a lot of. Along the way, we got a character with guts, brains, and her priorities straight. Family first and if you mess with Helen’s family she is coming for you.
There were a couple of witty moments when the deaths began in her presence and even her mentor had to confirm she did not drop the body. In addition to the action, there are plenty of questions. Some of it felt like typical spy stuff with nothing being truly private. We also get some darkness that serves as a stark reminder of the pain humans can inflict on each other. Those dark moments were necessary without being gratuitous. This is a longer book with plenty of action to keep the pages turning and plenty of drama along the way. We get a partial ending and while only partial, it is very important at least to a mama bear spy. However, the big bad is still out there so we can guess that another book is coming. Helen may have the enemy in her sights as he has her in his but it is not yet the end game. I’ll be back for what comes next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
May 30, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
“Double Tap” by Cindy Dees is a riveting addition to the thriller genre, showcasing the author’s knack for crafting a narrative that’s as intense as it is intelligent. The novel follows the formidable Helen Warwick, a retired CIA agent whose past refuses to stay behind her. Dees masterfully intertwines Helen’s personal struggles with her professional expertise, creating a character that is relatable and awe-inspiring.
The story opens with a heart-stopping scene that sets the tone for the entire book. Helen’s maternal instincts are juxtaposed with her lethal skills when she’s thrust into a situation that requires her to protect her son at a public event. This incident propels her back into the clandestine world she thought she had left behind, as she’s tasked with unmasking a mole within the agency.
Dees’s writing is sharp and evocative, with a narrative pace that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The plot is a labyrinth of deception and double-crosses, where every character’s allegiance is questionable. The author’s background as a former military pilot adds a layer of authenticity to the operational details, making the story all the more gripping.
The novel’s strength lies in its central character. Helen Warwick is a paradox—a mother with the heart of a lioness and the calculated mind of a spy. Her journey is not just about espionage; it’s about reconciling her past actions with her present life, and Dees captures this internal conflict with finesse.
“Double Tap” is a story about the sacrifices one makes for family and country. It’s about the invisible battles fought by unsung heroes and the personal costs of such a life. Dees from explores the darker aspects of spy work, including the psychological toll it takes on operatives.
In conclusion, “Double Tap” is a must-read for fans of the genre. It’s a novel that combines heart-pounding action with deep emotional resonance, all while offering a window into the complex world of intelligence. Cindy Dees has delivered a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, solidifying her place as a powerhouse in thriller literature.
“Double Tap” by Cindy Dees is a riveting addition to the thriller genre, showcasing the author’s knack for crafting a narrative that’s as intense as it is intelligent. The novel follows the formidable Helen Warwick, a retired CIA agent whose past refuses to stay behind her. Dees masterfully intertwines Helen’s personal struggles with her professional expertise, creating a character that is relatable and awe-inspiring.
The story opens with a heart-stopping scene that sets the tone for the entire book. Helen’s maternal instincts are juxtaposed with her lethal skills when she’s thrust into a situation that requires her to protect her son at a public event. This incident propels her back into the clandestine world she thought she had left behind, as she’s tasked with unmasking a mole within the agency.
Dees’s writing is sharp and evocative, with a narrative pace that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The plot is a labyrinth of deception and double-crosses, where every character’s allegiance is questionable. The author’s background as a former military pilot adds a layer of authenticity to the operational details, making the story all the more gripping.
The novel’s strength lies in its central character. Helen Warwick is a paradox—a mother with the heart of a lioness and the calculated mind of a spy. Her journey is not just about espionage; it’s about reconciling her past actions with her present life, and Dees captures this internal conflict with finesse.
“Double Tap” is a story about the sacrifices one makes for family and country. It’s about the invisible battles fought by unsung heroes and the personal costs of such a life. Dees from explores the darker aspects of spy work, including the psychological toll it takes on operatives.
In conclusion, “Double Tap” is a must-read for fans of the genre. It’s a novel that combines heart-pounding action with deep emotional resonance, all while offering a window into the complex world of intelligence. Cindy Dees has delivered a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, solidifying her place as a powerhouse in thriller literature.
August 19, 2024
The second book in the Helen Warwick series, Double Tap, does not disappoint. I know that it is said that authors tend not to live up to the hype of their first novels, but this is definitely not the case with this series. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have no trouble saying I loved it. Helen Warwick is an amazingly written character. She has flaws, especially if you ask her three adult children. However, she had a job that kept her away from her husband and children when they were a young family. She retired and had plans to make up for her absence from each of them. As seen from the start of the series, Second Shot, she has trouble breaking away from her government employers.
As you read through Double Tap you keep wondering if the people who do this job in real life have the same family life issues, i.e., inability to bond due to extensive absences from her family’s everyday life. Do government assassins usually have families? Do they spend their lives spinning lies to everyone around them? How successful are they at retiring? Do they spend their retirement years with a target on their back? Helen Warwick is trying to find out what retired life is like. She has had several pointed conversations with her Russian nemesis about what is expected after they hang up their guns. The expected respect for their private lives once their government career ends. Helen’s problem is that despite all the new talent that has come on board after her retirement, they just do not seem as good as she is at dark work. I have to admit I sure hope that the entire series will not always be about Scorpius and the Russians. It would be good to see her measure up against different foes. Either way, I look forward to the next Heken Warwick book. This review can also be read at Ladytechiesbookmusings.blogspot.com.
As you read through Double Tap you keep wondering if the people who do this job in real life have the same family life issues, i.e., inability to bond due to extensive absences from her family’s everyday life. Do government assassins usually have families? Do they spend their lives spinning lies to everyone around them? How successful are they at retiring? Do they spend their retirement years with a target on their back? Helen Warwick is trying to find out what retired life is like. She has had several pointed conversations with her Russian nemesis about what is expected after they hang up their guns. The expected respect for their private lives once their government career ends. Helen’s problem is that despite all the new talent that has come on board after her retirement, they just do not seem as good as she is at dark work. I have to admit I sure hope that the entire series will not always be about Scorpius and the Russians. It would be good to see her measure up against different foes. Either way, I look forward to the next Heken Warwick book. This review can also be read at Ladytechiesbookmusings.blogspot.com.
May 21, 2024
A thrilling second story for former CIA Agent Helen Warwick who will be forced out of retirement to take on a special assignment…find Scorpius and eliminate him! Over the many years, Helen’s family has no idea that she is anything more than a clerical agent for the CIA. They would be horrified to learn that she has served in a much more dangerous capacity, as a fixer and assassin. When her son is running for District Attorney, she is there when an attempt is made on his life, which she foils. As other high-level CIA officers are slowly being targeted, the search for Scorpius becomes more and more dangerous as she is now one of his targets. When she gets a hint of what and who Scorpius has developed, she fears not only for her families’ safety, but for the nation’s. An absolute roller coaster of emotion and danger as Helen tries to protect her family and continue to investigate while someone is trying to frame her for other deaths. She realizes that she is no longer the younger agent that she once was, but she still has the skills and her age becomes a plus as they underestimate her time and time again. WOW! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
March 15, 2024
Helen Warwick continues to capture and entertain the reader's imagination in this terrific read.
Helen, who is supposed to be retired from here undercover CIA operative days, is really not.
Ot so it seems.
when her son is targeted with a laser dot from an assassin's gun, as he appears at a campaign event, Helen
starts the thrilling and very entertaining story off as she dives into him on stage, in front of hundreds, to save
him from the shot.
The story just takes off, like a shot (from the shot) and never slows down.
Helen's nemesis, Scorpius, whom she thought had been killed, apparently had not died and is back hunting
her and her family, once again..
Great characters and a terrific forward heading plot that keeps you whipping those pages to see what happens next.
Helen's kids are their usual mish mash of spoiled entitled kids with an occasional brush back from mom or one another and
serves up some amusing moments. And her mother's appearance truly adds to the eye rolling experiences.
Just a rally good story and so now, bring on the next one.
Viva Helen.
Never. Back . Down.
Helen, who is supposed to be retired from here undercover CIA operative days, is really not.
Ot so it seems.
when her son is targeted with a laser dot from an assassin's gun, as he appears at a campaign event, Helen
starts the thrilling and very entertaining story off as she dives into him on stage, in front of hundreds, to save
him from the shot.
The story just takes off, like a shot (from the shot) and never slows down.
Helen's nemesis, Scorpius, whom she thought had been killed, apparently had not died and is back hunting
her and her family, once again..
Great characters and a terrific forward heading plot that keeps you whipping those pages to see what happens next.
Helen's kids are their usual mish mash of spoiled entitled kids with an occasional brush back from mom or one another and
serves up some amusing moments. And her mother's appearance truly adds to the eye rolling experiences.
Just a rally good story and so now, bring on the next one.
Viva Helen.
Never. Back . Down.
August 22, 2024
Not much was accomplished reading this book. Scorpius was alive in the beginning and is alive at the end. Read almost 400 pages just to learn his identity.
Most of the book made no sense to me. The assassins could kill people easily with high tech scopes that could see through walls but they couldn't kill Helen at any point when she was walking around freely.
Helen also had great fighting skills but her deduction skills were lacking. After finding that Scorpius was alive and someone tried to shoot her son, Helen was eating with a healthy CIA person who died suddenly and she fought the assassin in the restaurant she was stunned to learned he was poisoned.
And people were dying around her & she was being hunted, but she refused to kill the assassin on 2 occasions, the 2nd because she didn't want to clean up blood in her kitchen after he broke in.
And did she really think Richard would come by himself not thinking he was being setup & she walked away think he was dead just because she saw a big person walk in to the barn ... booooo.
Guess I didn't know beforehand I had to read all future books in the series for closure.
Most of the book made no sense to me. The assassins could kill people easily with high tech scopes that could see through walls but they couldn't kill Helen at any point when she was walking around freely.
Helen also had great fighting skills but her deduction skills were lacking. After finding that Scorpius was alive and someone tried to shoot her son, Helen was eating with a healthy CIA person who died suddenly and she fought the assassin in the restaurant she was stunned to learned he was poisoned.
And people were dying around her & she was being hunted, but she refused to kill the assassin on 2 occasions, the 2nd because she didn't want to clean up blood in her kitchen after he broke in.
And did she really think Richard would come by himself not thinking he was being setup & she walked away think he was dead just because she saw a big person walk in to the barn ... booooo.
Guess I didn't know beforehand I had to read all future books in the series for closure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2024
About a 3.5. Retired CIA assassin Helen is asked to come back to find the treasonous Russian mole within the agency known as Scorpius. She's given a clandestine group to help her but quite a few of them seem "off" from the start. At a dinner meeting with a deputy in the CIA who is to be her liason, he dies suddenly- how does a trained assassin not see he was poisoned!. She ultimately finds that Scorpius has trained a small army of sociopaths to be killers and to do his dirty work .
Meanwhile,Helen's son Mitch is running for DA and there are shootings at two of his events both targeting him and his wife. While both sons (Mitch and Peter) are pretty unlikeable, they are still her sons and she will do anything to help them and keep them safe. She cannot decide if the shootings were aimed at her and missed or if they were aimed at Mitch to deflect her attention.
Helen does discover Scorpius identity,however she is unable to bring him down thus a cliff hanger which I assume leads to the next book.
Meanwhile,Helen's son Mitch is running for DA and there are shootings at two of his events both targeting him and his wife. While both sons (Mitch and Peter) are pretty unlikeable, they are still her sons and she will do anything to help them and keep them safe. She cannot decide if the shootings were aimed at her and missed or if they were aimed at Mitch to deflect her attention.
Helen does discover Scorpius identity,however she is unable to bring him down thus a cliff hanger which I assume leads to the next book.
August 16, 2024
Goodreads Giveaway. Helen Warwick recently retired as a trained assassin for the CIA and just wants to help her son in his political campaign and learn to make an edible apple pie. When shots are fired at her son's rally she fears that a ghost from her past code named Scorpius is back in the game. As colleagues begin to disappear and come under threat she suspects it is someone within her small circle. I have never been a big fan of espionage novels and found it refreshing to have a relatable protagonist....a woman of a certain age who struggles with an aging body and changing priorities. The author works forensic details, a murder investigation and family dynamics into the standard spy vs. spy narrative making for a fast paced engaging read. This is the second entry in the but worked as a strong standalone. Strong character development with solid plotting.
November 19, 2025
The plot is really good. The action is great! Didn’t see the plot twist coming and was perplexed about what would happen to the teenaged sociopath in training. All of that played out beautifully. But the silly drama in between with the apple pies and the incessant eye rolling- no bueno. I observe the absence of any swearing at all, and realize that she’s writing for a certain demographic. I admire that she can write great action without any smut or foul language. But the eye rolling just ruins the characterization of this bad ass (Excuse my French) middle aged assassin. For a couple chapters, there was eye rolling going on between characters multiple times per page. Strong interesting people don’t roll their eyes. That’s my opinion. Anyway, overall I enjoyed it.
June 4, 2024
Helen Warwick - grandma, mother, assassin and wife. She’s asked to come back from retirement and find the identity of Scorpius. It’s very cat and mouse/ James Bond. With an intense CIA storyline there is also her family, the professor husband and her son running for DA. Every one has skeletons in the closet, she just knows about some of them. This is Warwick’s second book and I highly recommend reading the first where we learn about her skills and the mastermind behind the CIA’s troubles, Scorpius. It's a long one but definitely worth sticking to, there’s a lot of build up to the end for it all to make sense. I received an advanced copy and wrote this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2024
The Helen Warwick story continues and this one may be funnier than the first. Now it wasn’t as intense a the first book, but definitely was a spy read that was hard to put down. I was genuinely interested in what techniques Helen would use as she lived her double life, and how she managed here way out of dangerous situations, and kept various parts of her family safe and thriving. Telling more would spoil the story. Keep the Helen stories coming! Thank you Net Galley and Kensington Publishers for this ARC.
February 17, 2024
At 55 she wasn’t ready to leave her job as a wet work specialist for the CIA, and now the CIA comes begging for her to return. Scorpius needs to be removed, and her politician Excellent action tale.son needs to be protected from a would-be assassin. Coincidence or are the events related? I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily sent an honest review.
June 26, 2024
Amusing yet plausible...
I first read a Helen Warwick thriller by Cindy Dees last month. I was hooked. As soon as possible I purchased Double Tap. I love the very humanity of the characters. They were relatable even though I live a life completely different than the protagonist. This is a well-constructed work. The telling of kept me up and interested. Hope Cindy Dees soon offers another Helen Warwick adventure.
I first read a Helen Warwick thriller by Cindy Dees last month. I was hooked. As soon as possible I purchased Double Tap. I love the very humanity of the characters. They were relatable even though I live a life completely different than the protagonist. This is a well-constructed work. The telling of kept me up and interested. Hope Cindy Dees soon offers another Helen Warwick adventure.
June 26, 2024
I was excited to win this in a giveaway just weeks after finishing Second Shot. I thought that was a great story and Double Shot just fueled the storyline. Everybody is after everyone and whose working for whom and who are the trusted few. I completely loved every turn and outcome of this book. I hope the ultimate vendetta is concluded in a third book but if not, I am happy with the ending of this one.
July 11, 2024
This was my first time reading Cindy Dee’s. Double Tap was filled with mystery, suspense, and action. Helen Warwick is certainly a woman to be reckoned with! Helen is brought out of retirement to hunt down Scorpious. It certainly was filled with a lot of action, and a couple of different stories, all entwined and all lead in some way to Scorpious. I was taken with the descriptions of the high tech equipment used. I look forward to reading more by this author!
July 18, 2024
Helen Warwick, retired CIA assassin is called back into action when all she wants to do is try and salvage her marriage, reconnect with her kids and bake pies. I have to say this second novel in the series is a good as the first. I really enjoy Helen and almost feel for her. Love the characters and the fast paced storyline. Sorry to see it end the way it did, and one has to wait for the next chapter in this series.
October 22, 2024
Book two in the Helen Warwick series starts off right where Helen left off. But this time Helen isn’t able to hide in plain sight as she was trained. Her oldest son is running for office in DC and in high profile social situations that also require her attendance. Finding out that in fact she didn’t kill the person thought to be after she and her family in book one, she is once again on the hunt. But who can she trust in an organization full of secrecy, deception and now espionage?
Helen is pulled out of retirement and put in charge of a team to find the mole within the government that is reporting to Russia. This enemy has an agenda of his own and tensions rise as people on both sides are killed. It’s personal for Helen now, since her family is also a target. Frightening scenarios unfold as the name of the enemy “Scorpius” is discovered along with who and how he is recruiting his army of sociopath killers. Helen gets closer and closer to the truth and Scorpius gets more and more dangerous as he is being hunted by one of the best in the field, and hell bent on protecting her family.
This is an action packed, thriller full suspense and tension. Great fun.
Helen is pulled out of retirement and put in charge of a team to find the mole within the government that is reporting to Russia. This enemy has an agenda of his own and tensions rise as people on both sides are killed. It’s personal for Helen now, since her family is also a target. Frightening scenarios unfold as the name of the enemy “Scorpius” is discovered along with who and how he is recruiting his army of sociopath killers. Helen gets closer and closer to the truth and Scorpius gets more and more dangerous as he is being hunted by one of the best in the field, and hell bent on protecting her family.
This is an action packed, thriller full suspense and tension. Great fun.
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