A Different Lie: A Novel

Silver Bear #4

by Derek Haas

Now a new dad, the infamous Silver Bear finds himself staying up late for feedings and changing diapers—all while leading the double life of a contract killer.
The struggle is not with his conscience. He enjoys his gig. But a child forces him to weigh selfishness versus safety. Continue his line of work, and he’ll always wonder if he’s putting his child’s life at risk. His partner, Risina, serves as his fence. Like Columbus, she’s good at her job and likes doing it. An unusual take on working motherhood . . .


When the next assignment comes in, both Columbus and Risina are surprised to find that the mark is another assassin: a brash, young killer named Castillo. Castillo is an assassin on the rise. Even Columbus is impressed by his tenacity and talent—and as he closes in on his target, he realizes that Castillo is a younger version of himself. It’s almost like looking in a mirror. Castillo has even studied Columbus’s work.


But Columbus’s assignment is clear: kill the young man.  However, Castillo learns that his hero and unwitting mentor has a family—a revelation with enormous ramifications.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2015

About the author

Derek Haas is the author of five books about an assassin and one about a spy. He co-created the show CHICAGO FIRE, and executive produces PD and MED. He also co-wrote the screenplays for 3:10 TO YUMA, WANTED, and 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS. Derek lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Always Pouting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Columbus is a contract killer and a new dad, taking contracts because he has to, but worrying about the danger he's putting his child in through his profession. His wife, Risina, is also in the business and works as a go between, bringing him contracts and information about the targets. When they get a hit for Castillo, another assassin, one whose youth and skill have begun to bring him infamy, they face a challenge in tracking him down. Things get tense when Castillo manages to locate information on Columbus, endangering his family.

Apparently this is part of a series, but it can stand alone because I haven't read any of the other books in the series and I enjoyed this one. It's a face paced thriller and it may not be new or original but it still kept my attention and I got pretty into the book. Especially as things unraveled more and more between Columbus and Castillo. I was confused about the whole situation concerning Columbus being forced to work for the government and wanted to know more but clearly since it's the fourth book in the series that might be why there was only passing mention of it and not really a formal explanation of the situation. I might actually go and read the other three books as well.

[Alecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up rather randomly in the library. I saw afterwards that it is #4 in a series called Silver Bear. But it was quite a good stand-alone. I would categorize it as a hybrid thriller/spy novel. The protagonist, code-named Columbus (and also the Silver Bear, I gather), is a new husband and father. He adores his family. But although he and his wife (who is also his "fence"), have employed various safeguards, he knows they are in a precarious position. When his next assignment as a contract killer comes in, it is for another assassin. This turns into a very dangerous job and it's all rather gruesome, but it's a page-turner.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Haas has written three previous novels featuring the hitman Columbus. Like this one they are well written, cinematic, violent and suspenseful. And they are about two hundred pages each. In this era of the bloated thriller these compact novels are a welcome relief. But they're not good because they're short they're good because they are exciting and different. Read this one and the others. Haas will slowly become better known. Get in on the ground floor.

[Mindy Kannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is action-packed. Not my usual type of read but it was really really good. It's part of the series but it's definitely a stand-alone novel. I can't wait to read the rest of them. What fun!

[Amona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descent story with the exception of the author trying to narrate from the perspective of an American,and a biracial American at that. The odds were not in his favor and neither was the superimposed European-ish dialogue. Not entirely believable but catchy enough for sex appeal.

[Alexander Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silver Bear is a contract killer. He is given an assignment to kill a younger killer. Over time he has started a family. Will his soft family life with its attendant concerns, a wife and child allow him to win when the younger man is stalking him? A tense tale of hunter and hunted follows.

[Handpicked Books by Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heavier read, but I really did like it. IT was moire than your average spy novel, it had a deeper sort of connection with the characters. What really stood out to me was the author's unusual style of writing, which was refreshing.

[John V. Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, great series.

[Jorge Vega Fabela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely didn’t expect nothing from this book, it was my first time reading something from this author and I really enjoy it.
Very easy to follow, quite entertaining and 100 recommended.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derek Haas books are always a good read. I finished this one in 3 sittings, and would have just read it in one, had I not had other things to do in my life (lol). The Silver Bear books never disappoint! The writing style is really natural/conversational, and despite the intense situations, the interjection of humor keeps me on the pre-order list for all the Columbus books. In addition to the clever details and colorful characters, it's exciting, suspenseful, a bit gruesome in parts... but that's expected in stories about contract killers, right? It's hard to keep rooting for this murderer, but after four books, you can't help it. Highly recommended for a fun read, and lively conversations for Book Clubs.

[Pammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently, this is No. 4 in a series about an assassin for hire. It's my first and the book reads just fine as a stand-alone.
I liked that it's relatively short.. a quick read as to number of pages AND as to how the writer gets your attention and keeps you turning those pages!!
The narrator style of writing works well for the author. A quote, right from the "get-go" sets the theme in A DIFFERENT LIE: "I've already lied to you, countless times. I will go on lying because that's what my life is........I will tell you what happened, because I need to tell someone. You can choose which parts you want to believe."
Bonus trivia information: Haas co-created and produces Chicago Fire and Chicago Med for TV.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I didn't realize that this was the fourth installment in a series-- but the story is so clear and well-told that it didn't matter. You can read this as a stand alone with almost no problem. Fast-paced adventure involving Columbus, a career assassin, who has been tasked with taking down Castillo, a younger and more deadlier foe. There's a lot at stake for Columbus, and he pays steep (and often unexpected) prices for his past. Violent and suspenseful, very well-written. I wonder why this series isn't more popular?

"Some people live their lives like it's made of minutes. A few of us know it's the split seconds that count." p. 49

"And isn't the truth just a different lie?" p. 117

[Patricia Wchman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say anything bad about this book. It is a concise, well written, suspenseful thriller that keeps you in its grip and punches you in the gut. It is clear that when the protagonist Columbus, a contracted killer, goes after another equally skilled contracted killer, he does not have his best day. I'm an art teacher and I would have told him that his plan was disjointed and complicated since he mans up with another killer who is clearly not his equal. But the writer skillfully weaves the story to expose Columbus' humanity while painting a gripping, believable yarn. I am definitely reading his Assassins Trilogy: Silver Bear, Columbus, and Dark Men as soon as I can get ahold of them.

[Steve O'Keefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the Silver Bear thrillers, but another solid entry in the series nonetheless. Like all of Haas' books, it is fast-paced and full of action with plenty of unique locations and fight sequences (both gun and hand-to-hand) throughout. I like how Hass explores how having a family can weigh on the conscience of Columbus, but sometimes the reactions and decisions feel too impulsive and too far-fetched for someone of his experience. Overall though, that's just a slight damper on this otherwise fun ride.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know that this was part of a series of a hit man turned father, but it didn't matter. Haas writes so beguilingly and sharply that you can't help but care for the assassin, even as he is beating a man bloody. I loved that his wife was his fence and they were in it together -- there was no bad man with a heart of gold or damsel in distress, only a man whose job happened to be hit man, a wife whose job happened to be fence, and a son who happened to have two kick ass parents. A fun, quick read.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced and cinematic thriller, told in the first-person narrative of a contract killer protagonist, Columbus.

Smartly written and to the point - the author is a TV procedural screenwriter, so the story flows well and is action packed.

A quick and escapist read, recommended if you like espionage and action! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Lorin Cary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hired killer with a wife, who serves as his "fence," and child. He now works for the government, the dark men as he calls those who direct him. His next contract, to his surprise, is another assasin, and it gets personal. Geez, it's hard to sum this up without giving away much. Good tension, good action, a conflict between family responsibilities and "job." A tense read.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story goes deep into the thoughts and feelings of the main character whose life is unlike anyone I would normally learn about.
This is one of the few books I have ever read that has left me unsure of truth and fiction. Or maybe it has given me more awareness of both.
A story of life, love and how quickly they are gone.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

The author has a way to pull you in, and make you care about the protagonist, no matter how flawed he might be.

This book is a prime example of that. It is therefore worth the read.

[Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, this book did not disappoint! Hoping we see Columbus and his son "appear" again someday.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A real page-turner. Also loved the narrator.

[Chet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, a VERY fast read. The author is one of the creators of the "Chicago Fire", "Chicago PD", "Chicago Med(?)" TV series.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great underrated series 5 star

[John Wintersteen]

Named one of the best books of 2015 by Kirkus Reviews. High rating. Haven't read the silver bear number 3 yet

[Marti Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Derek Haas touches turns to gold. if you like books that travel faster than rocket sleds on rails, this is the book for you!

[Brucie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is a character, a career people-killer, who pretends to have relationships with other people, but can not. Not so thrilling, not so interesting, not so different.

[Dan Raimondi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in two short sittings. Breezes by and locks you in to the thriller narrative instantly. Great read.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had been able to read the earlier books of this series before this one.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent; Continuing character: Columbus; now working for the dark men / government, Columbus's latest assignment is to find and kill a younger version of himself who is out for him as well

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and readable, but the plot is ridiculous, and the writing and characters less than special.