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Dan Shepherd #ss
The Sandpit: An Action-Packed Spider Shepherd SAS Novella
Who was Dan 'Spider' Shepherd before he signed up as an undercover cop and began working for MI5? The Sandpit rewinds with an action-packed rollercoaster to his days in the SAS...
Dan Shepherd and his SAS team are sent into the badlands of Afghanistan to train the rebels who are battling Taliban fanatics.
But what starts as a training mission in The Sandpit turns into a life or death struggle with Shepherd and his team very much in the firing line.
Soon they are caught up in an international intrigue that threatens the stability of the whole Middle East.
Dan Shepherd and his SAS team are sent into the badlands of Afghanistan to train the rebels who are battling Taliban fanatics.
But what starts as a training mission in The Sandpit turns into a life or death struggle with Shepherd and his team very much in the firing line.
Soon they are caught up in an international intrigue that threatens the stability of the whole Middle East.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2016
321 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
247 books1,531 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 35 reviews
April 14, 2017
Exciting and Enthralling
An excellent war adventure, full of thrills and surprises. Stephen Leather's books are always a delight and a must for me.
An excellent war adventure, full of thrills and surprises. Stephen Leather's books are always a delight and a must for me.
July 10, 2016
I have been enjoying reading Stephen Leather books for quite some while now and the 'Spider Shepherd' series in particular so when I was offered the opportunity to read this novella I had no hesitation. Although I have consistently enjoyed the full length books in this series it has not always been the case with the shorter books where I have felt that they have are not always fully developed for obvious reasons. This book however was very enjoyable and gives a good introduction to any new reader to this series.
This action packed novella is based in Afghanistan where Dan Shepherd and his SAS team are sent to train the rebels who are battling Taliban fanatics. This book introduces any new reader to many of the characters that pop up in other Spider Shepherd novels and gives a general feel for the books.
An enjoyable read that leaves you wanting to read more from this series.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Lawsome books for supplying me with a copy of this novella in exchange for a honest review.
This action packed novella is based in Afghanistan where Dan Shepherd and his SAS team are sent to train the rebels who are battling Taliban fanatics. This book introduces any new reader to many of the characters that pop up in other Spider Shepherd novels and gives a general feel for the books.
An enjoyable read that leaves you wanting to read more from this series.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Lawsome books for supplying me with a copy of this novella in exchange for a honest review.
March 1, 2024
Stephen Leather's "The Sandpit" kicks off the Spider Shepherd SAS series with a high-octane mission in Afghanistan's dangerous terrains. While the novel excels in delivering intense action scenes and detailed depictions of military operations, it falls short on character depth and cohesive plot development. Protagonist Dan "Spider" Shepherd and his team are thrust into life-threatening scenarios, yet the book provides little insight into their inner lives or the complexities of the conflict they're embroiled in. As a result, "The Sandpit" reads more like a sequence of missions than a fully fleshed-out story, appealing to fans of action but leaving readers seeking emotional resonance and character growth wanting more.
October 23, 2016
Dan “Spider” Shepherd is one of my all-time favourite characters created by Stephen Leather and I have read all of the full-size novels featuring this complex and interesting character so to get a chance to find out a little bit about how he became the “person” I feel I know … well, I couldn’t pass that up could I ... Reading Stuff 'n' Things.
April 11, 2019
All action Spider!
This is yet another brilliant novel from Stephen Leather. This story features Spicer's earlier career in the SAS before he joined MI5. The story is all action and seems very well researched by an excellent author.
I have read nearly all of Stephen Leather's books and I have enjoyed them all particularly the earlier ones like The Vets, The Tunnelrats and The Eyewitness and they are all worth reading.
This is yet another brilliant novel from Stephen Leather. This story features Spicer's earlier career in the SAS before he joined MI5. The story is all action and seems very well researched by an excellent author.
I have read nearly all of Stephen Leather's books and I have enjoyed them all particularly the earlier ones like The Vets, The Tunnelrats and The Eyewitness and they are all worth reading.
October 18, 2018
It’s a full on army action book. Very mucho but and enjoyable an easy read. He clearly knows his stuff about combat, the book is full of army lingo and felt like you were right there.
I was looking for another ‘lee Child’ Jack Reacher type of story, this isn’t quite the same but good if you want some full blown action
I was looking for another ‘lee Child’ Jack Reacher type of story, this isn’t quite the same but good if you want some full blown action
March 24, 2020
Mission Impossible
A one hundred miles an hour by a dedicated SAS team to take and destroy a nuclear facility which is under construction in Iran.
Despite the hostile environment in which they are forced to operate, they manage to achieve their objective against considerable odds.
A one hundred miles an hour by a dedicated SAS team to take and destroy a nuclear facility which is under construction in Iran.
Despite the hostile environment in which they are forced to operate, they manage to achieve their objective against considerable odds.
June 20, 2017
Fun and eye opening
Really enjoyed this book will buy the complete collection now, Stephen leather sure knows his stuff with the SAS and middle east politics, really fun book great page Turner took me all but half a day to read
Really enjoyed this book will buy the complete collection now, Stephen leather sure knows his stuff with the SAS and middle east politics, really fun book great page Turner took me all but half a day to read
November 20, 2022
Good SF TALE
Well written & well paced read, that kept you engaged. The detail that’s entered into makes for believable encounters & people who waged a war we should never have entered
Well written & well paced read, that kept you engaged. The detail that’s entered into makes for believable encounters & people who waged a war we should never have entered
April 22, 2024
Didn't really know what Ii was expecting, but this was a little disappoting. Very little plot and a little too gung ho without any real explanation. Also, it has not passed the sands of time, which is not the falt of Mr L, just political events.
August 22, 2024
Dan Shepherd story SAS
Another great story in the Dan Shepherd spin offs, going through his adventure with his SAS troop. Easy reading, enjoyable if you like the range of stories by Stephen Leathers
Another great story in the Dan Shepherd spin offs, going through his adventure with his SAS troop. Easy reading, enjoyable if you like the range of stories by Stephen Leathers
July 15, 2025
captivating read
A creative writer with his finger on the pulse. A throughly enjoyable read with a good plot that keeps you engaged to the final page.looking forward to many more from this talented author.
A creative writer with his finger on the pulse. A throughly enjoyable read with a good plot that keeps you engaged to the final page.looking forward to many more from this talented author.
October 11, 2025
Early Spider adventure
Spider is with "The Regiment" when his team is tasked with some training for Afghan insurgents. What follows is an unscripted trip into Iran to partly halt progress on an Iranian secret project. Good story with plenty of Spider antics.
Spider is with "The Regiment" when his team is tasked with some training for Afghan insurgents. What follows is an unscripted trip into Iran to partly halt progress on an Iranian secret project. Good story with plenty of Spider antics.
January 23, 2018
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book. I mainly read at night a good light read.
I would recommend it as a starter book for action.
I enjoyed reading this book. I mainly read at night a good light read.
I would recommend it as a starter book for action.
June 7, 2018
Great Story, another classic
The book takes you back to his SAS days but seems very current. Spider and his team do everything but start world war 3
The book takes you back to his SAS days but seems very current. Spider and his team do everything but start world war 3
July 20, 2018
A compelling story of an SAS patrol sent to Afghanistan to train local anti-Taliban fighters, and then undertakes a deniable mission in Iran. Fast-paced and violent.
August 28, 2019
Really enjoyable read and draws you in from first chapter
March 10, 2020
Action packed
Really good book to read,action packed from start to finish,chapters are not too long either,so make it easier to read one or two chapters a day with ease
Really good book to read,action packed from start to finish,chapters are not too long either,so make it easier to read one or two chapters a day with ease
May 28, 2020
Easy read. Not much depth to the story. Little to far fetched to be believable.
August 3, 2020
Good read
I enjoyed it.. It was a bit predictive..very much like the early spider books.
Even so i t was good
I enjoyed it.. It was a bit predictive..very much like the early spider books.
Even so i t was good
May 7, 2022
Great read
As always a gripping story from Stephen Leather. Spider at his bravest. Drama from beginning to the end. Well worth a read.
As always a gripping story from Stephen Leather. Spider at his bravest. Drama from beginning to the end. Well worth a read.
June 8, 2022
Good read
Spider shepherd and his crew are just what we expect from the sad the most elite force in the world
Spider shepherd and his crew are just what we expect from the sad the most elite force in the world
October 25, 2022
A page turning exciting novella where Spider and co are sent into Afghanistan on a do or die mission. The action is frantic with surprising results. A great holiday read
March 22, 2024
Really enjoyed this book exciting storyline looking forward to more adventures with Spider and the team
September 28, 2024
Great story ... quick read.
Read
July 31, 2025Enjoyed this book - the author keeps you interested throughout - another one of a good series
December 29, 2025
Fantastic read as always from Stephen Leather!
June 9, 2016
The Sandpit is a prequel to the Spider Shepherd series. Just a heads up, I'm not an impartial reviewer of any of Leather's Spider Shepherd books - it's my favourite series. Over the past couple of years, Leather has been releasing short stories of Dan 'Spider' Shepherd's time in the SAS before he stumbled into his life undercover. The novels follow Dan as he goes undercover and brings down a criminal or terrorist organisation using the skills taught to him by the SAS, and to a lesser extent, the police.
The Sandpit is similar to those short stories, as opposed to the traditionally published series. That's not to say The Sandpit is a short story - it has body and is longer than some thriller books out there. It's just not a 500page heavyweight that the Spider Shepherd books usually are. There is more plot and intrigue in The Sandpit than any of the short stories written so far in this series.
The plot was interesting, if far fetched - it took us back in time to Afghanistan, and followed an interesting plot that although simple, drove the story forward. The best part of The Sandpit had to be returning to some of my favourite characters from previous Spider Shepherd novels, like Jimbo, Geordie and Jock. There were also the right amount of Andy McNab jokes for a book about the SAS.
The Sandpit excited me for the next Spider Shepherd novel, to the point I pre-ordered it. I also think it could be a good introduction to the series to people who usually read Andy McNab or Chris Ryan style books - the character of Dan Shepherd is similar to the protagonists from military thrillers, but he'd been dropped into the police force and assorted intelligence agencies. In The Sandpit we get Shepherd being a soldier, but still with his unique personality.
The book seemed longer than the stated 160p, it felt more like a 250p novel, but I'm not sure if that is because it was marked wrong on Amazon or that it wasn't as easy to read as Stephen Leather's previous books. I will happily buy any more books that Leather writes in this universe, including ones set before the 'main' series of books.
The Sandpit is similar to those short stories, as opposed to the traditionally published series. That's not to say The Sandpit is a short story - it has body and is longer than some thriller books out there. It's just not a 500page heavyweight that the Spider Shepherd books usually are. There is more plot and intrigue in The Sandpit than any of the short stories written so far in this series.
The plot was interesting, if far fetched - it took us back in time to Afghanistan, and followed an interesting plot that although simple, drove the story forward. The best part of The Sandpit had to be returning to some of my favourite characters from previous Spider Shepherd novels, like Jimbo, Geordie and Jock. There were also the right amount of Andy McNab jokes for a book about the SAS.
The Sandpit excited me for the next Spider Shepherd novel, to the point I pre-ordered it. I also think it could be a good introduction to the series to people who usually read Andy McNab or Chris Ryan style books - the character of Dan Shepherd is similar to the protagonists from military thrillers, but he'd been dropped into the police force and assorted intelligence agencies. In The Sandpit we get Shepherd being a soldier, but still with his unique personality.
The book seemed longer than the stated 160p, it felt more like a 250p novel, but I'm not sure if that is because it was marked wrong on Amazon or that it wasn't as easy to read as Stephen Leather's previous books. I will happily buy any more books that Leather writes in this universe, including ones set before the 'main' series of books.
June 4, 2016
I received an e-ARC of this novella through NetGalley and Lawsome Books
When I found this novella offered on NetGalley I thought it would be a great way for me to sample a military adventure thriller from Stephen Leather. I've been promising myself to try one for a long time so this suited me just fine.
This story takes place when Shepherd was still serving in the SAS. Spider, Jock, Geordie and Jimbo are assigned to an embedded operation in Afghanistan helping a faction of mujahideen fighters who were loyal to Ahmad Shah Massoud before he was assassinated. They are to go in unarmed (at least without British weaponry) to the Panjshir Valley to teach some SAS methods of fighting to junior officers who fought for the late Massoud. This was supposed to be for one summer only, but then they happened upon a secret that simply could not be ignored.
I liked this novel and the way the author set up the mission and then when the mission changed, the way Leather had the fighting group carry out a seemingly impossible task. I read a lot of military thrillers and this one is very different in that there isn't nearly as much blood, brains, and gore described. Almost as if the reader can already imagine those things so the author describes more important things to his story such as tactics. I appreciated that difference very much. The result was the same, just without me getting all squeamish.
The final 10% of this digital download is a sneak-peek at the next Dan "Spider" Shepherd adventure called DARK FORCES which will be available in July 2016. DARK FORCES will take the reader back to the more modern stories where Spider has moved away from the combat battlefield and into the modern world of espionage.
When I found this novella offered on NetGalley I thought it would be a great way for me to sample a military adventure thriller from Stephen Leather. I've been promising myself to try one for a long time so this suited me just fine.
This story takes place when Shepherd was still serving in the SAS. Spider, Jock, Geordie and Jimbo are assigned to an embedded operation in Afghanistan helping a faction of mujahideen fighters who were loyal to Ahmad Shah Massoud before he was assassinated. They are to go in unarmed (at least without British weaponry) to the Panjshir Valley to teach some SAS methods of fighting to junior officers who fought for the late Massoud. This was supposed to be for one summer only, but then they happened upon a secret that simply could not be ignored.
I liked this novel and the way the author set up the mission and then when the mission changed, the way Leather had the fighting group carry out a seemingly impossible task. I read a lot of military thrillers and this one is very different in that there isn't nearly as much blood, brains, and gore described. Almost as if the reader can already imagine those things so the author describes more important things to his story such as tactics. I appreciated that difference very much. The result was the same, just without me getting all squeamish.
The final 10% of this digital download is a sneak-peek at the next Dan "Spider" Shepherd adventure called DARK FORCES which will be available in July 2016. DARK FORCES will take the reader back to the more modern stories where Spider has moved away from the combat battlefield and into the modern world of espionage.
July 28, 2016
“The Sandpit” eBook was published in 2016 and was written by Stephen Leather (http://www.stephenleather.com). Mr. Leather has nearly 50 publications.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set mostly in the Middle East. The primary character is Dan “Spider” Shepherd.
This story does a flashback to when Shepherd is a member of a British SAS team sent into Afghanistan to train rebel fighters to battle the Taliban. The team must infiltrate as quietly as they can then follow a local fighter and his colleagues to their mountain village.
Shepherd and his team train the fighters and are involved in more than one confrontation with the Taliban or their supporters.
I enjoyed the just shy of 5 hours I spent reading this 246 page Thriller novel (novella?). I liked the view into the Middle East from the perspective of the SAS, and I liked the character of Spider Shepherd. While this is not the first Spider Shepherd story, it read well as a stand-alone book. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set mostly in the Middle East. The primary character is Dan “Spider” Shepherd.
This story does a flashback to when Shepherd is a member of a British SAS team sent into Afghanistan to train rebel fighters to battle the Taliban. The team must infiltrate as quietly as they can then follow a local fighter and his colleagues to their mountain village.
Shepherd and his team train the fighters and are involved in more than one confrontation with the Taliban or their supporters.
I enjoyed the just shy of 5 hours I spent reading this 246 page Thriller novel (novella?). I liked the view into the Middle East from the perspective of the SAS, and I liked the character of Spider Shepherd. While this is not the first Spider Shepherd story, it read well as a stand-alone book. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews