Last Chance: A stunning all-action thriller from the legendary SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author

by Stephen Leather

Professional killers are carrying out hits for the Iranian government across the European continent, hitting targets amongst the wealthiest and most privileged.

After a slew of killings in London, the UK government hits code red.

In a feat of desperation, they send for the one man who might be able to prevent further bloodshed... Dan 'Spider' Shepherd

Genres: Thriller

416 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2026

About the author

Stephen 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.

Reviews

[XOX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Spider Shepherd is on the case. Someone has taken out a contract to kill someone. An assassin called Dutchman took up the contract and pretended to kill someone. 

Dan is there. This person is under protection. Yet the protection failed the contract was completed. 

Another hit was taken out of an Iranian descendant. Now the Five is getting interested in the case. 

Dan asked Lex Harper to protect him, as he thinks he is on the list, too. 

There is some humour, a car chase, gun fight. The violence is in moderation. 

The real bad guy is working for a consulting company, the Office. Shepherd's boss in Five wants this to be handled by subcontractors. 

Who are the people behind the Office? That's part of the mystery and thrill to have this unfold. 

Details like how blood is easily cleaned on a waxed hardwood floor. Or someone who got teased would sometimes pissed themselves and make it hard to clean off from leather car seats. It gives a more realistic feel to it. 

Dan is more mature and thoughtful. Not easy to get angry. Lex Harper is loyal but might believe in some conspiracy theory that Dan sometimes corrects. The bad guys are more ruthless and not afraid of law enforcement. All these add dimensions to the overall story. 

4.5 stars read. 

[Mrs S M Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real good read but I feel that this book was too short. I’ve been reading the Agent Richter books by James Barrington and I prefer the length of them. Plus he’s a good author so if you like Stephen Leather you’ll love these.

[Nick Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest top notch thriller from one of the UK’s top thriller writers.
Astonishingly, this is the 22nd book in the “Spider Shepherd” series, all topical and clever thrillers. Shepherd has grown older and gained much experience over the 22 books, here he is comfortable working for MI5 and using that experience and his many skills to keep the country safe.
A number of killings are being co-ordinated by the mysterious organisation called The Office, when it appears a foreign Government might be behind things, MI5 sends in their best man to put a stop to things by any means necessary.
As always, much to enjoy, very current and multi layered. Shepherd is joined by some familiar faces as he tracks down The Office. Quite a lot of this is about the skills and ability of our intelligence agencies but with the real world situation of budget cuts and resourcing. Also, when the enemy is not playing by the rules, how can you keep your hands clean?
I’m a massive fan of the series and amazed how fresh each book is, there is no rinse and repeat in a Stephen Leather book. This is a welcome addition to an outstanding series.

[Nick Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest top notch thriller from one of the UK’s top thriller writers.
Astonishingly, this is the 22nd book in the “Spider Shepherd” series, all topical and clever thrillers. Shepherd has grown older and gained much experience over the 22 books, here he is comfortable working for MI5 and using that experience and his many skills to keep the country safe.
A number of killings are being co-ordinated by the mysterious organisation called The Office, when it appears a foreign Government might be behind things, MI5 sends in their best man to put a stop to things by any means necessary.
As always, much to enjoy, very current and multi layered. Shepherd is joined by some familiar faces as he tracks down The Office. Quite a lot of this is about the skills and ability of our intelligence agencies but with the real world situation of budget cuts and resourcing. Also, when the enemy is not playing by the rules, how can you keep your hands clean?
I’m a massive fan of the series and amazed how fresh each book is, there is no rinse and repeat in a Stephen Leather book. This is a welcome addition to an outstanding series.

[Nick Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest top notch thriller from one of the UK’s top thriller writers.
Astonishingly, this is the 22nd book in the “Spider Shepherd” series, all topical and clever thrillers. Shepherd has grown older and gained much experience over the 22 books, here he is comfortable working for MI5 and using that experience and his many skills to keep the country safe.
A number of killings are being co-ordinated by the mysterious organisation called The Office, when it appears a foreign Government might be behind things, MI5 sends in their best man to put a stop to things by any means necessary.
As always, much to enjoy, very current and multi layered. Shepherd is joined by some familiar faces as he tracks down The Office. Quite a lot of this is about the skills and ability of our intelligence agencies but with the real world situation of budget cuts and resourcing. Also, when the enemy is not playing by the rules, how can you keep your hands clean?
I’m a massive fan of the series and amazed how fresh each book is, there is no rinse and repeat in a Stephen Leather book. This is a welcome addition to an outstanding series.

[Nigel P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings

Some of this was great unfortunately a similar amount wasn’t. This is the first book by Stephen Leather I have read and it’s possible that this particular character is getting ’tired’.
I’m not put off however, I think another try at something earlier or different is worth a go before I make up my mind.

[P S · Rating 5 out of 5]

last Chance: The Spider Shepherd Series

The series has been great so far but this has really took it to another level, this has got to be the best one yet and just getting stronger what a read...

[Martin Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, Tense, and Impossible to Put Down

Last Chance is another fast, gripping entry in the Spider Shepherd series. It’s packed with tension, sharp action, and that addictive pace Stephen Leather does so well. A brilliant read that’s genuinely hard to put down.

[Jacqueline Rawlins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've now read a few Stephen Leather books. A competent author who knows his subject and how to draw in his audience. Good characters and fast paced.
A very enjoyable MI5 / secret agent type thriller.

[Kirsty Maule · Rating 5 out of 5]

read it really fast.

I raced through this book. Had all my favourite characters in and felt really current. Would highly recommend. Great book.

[Garry Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Good story and not at all predictable but could have been a lot shorter and a few less characters as it got hard to remember them all.

[Victoria Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read.

It's amazing how a good writer can make a story flow. I always enjoy a Spider novel. I did have a laugh at some of the character's names.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say…Stephen leather ….the best

[Keith Imeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gripping spy story ... if only it were true? 🤔

[Big Bertha · Rating 5 out of 5]

He's back! Twenty second in the series and not bored with reading the Dan 'Spider' Shepherd novels yet. My thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy to review.

This novel opens with Dan stood at the edge of an open grave a gun in his hand, next to him is long time friend Geordie 'Razor' Sharp.

A compelling read from the start, its the perfect mix of drama, action and tension as MI5's Dan Shepherd with help from some familiar faces from previous novels take on 'The Office' an outfit that have been carrying out contract killings on UK soil.

One of the best in the series, a great read from start to finish.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Master Storyteller Stephen Leather this 22nd book in the Spider Shepherd series is possibly the best yet. I was hooked from the very first minute, With a relentless, up to date plot that feels frighteningly real, I found it very difficult to put down. It was great seeing Spider’s old colleagues return to assist him in hunting down the bad guys. Paul Thornley’s masterful narration is superb. Well worth 10 Stars.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series. This time Spider needs help and who better to help than his old mucker Harper. Not only him but Sharpe, Button and even Liam make an appearance, which is such a treat for us long time Spider fans.
As always a brilliant rollercoaster of a ride, a great plot, and lots of lovely tech courtesy of Amar too.

[John Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started with a slow and measured pace building up the picture and plot. Then it feels like the author went 'crap I need to finish this' and suddenly it all got wrapped up and finished in about the last 50 pages.

[Own Timis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Leather is back on top form! A fantastic Spider Shepherd story featuring a whole host of characters from books past.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent, one of his best Spider books
Spider ages, how old is he now?
Lex as well! Brilliant.

Read it !!!

[Richard Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what you'd expect from Dan "Spider" Shepherd and just what I was in the mood for.

I don't know if anybody else noticed it but I really liked the Mitch Flynn homage 👊💥

[Vita Tatarinova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tikėjausi įdomesnio trilerio. Aprašymas žadėjo daug daugiau.

[Mrs E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual read but still kept me on the hook until the end