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Dan Shepherd #14
Light Touch
Working undercover is all about trust - getting the target to trust you and then betraying them in order to bring them to justice.
But what do you do when you believe an undercover cop has crossed the line and aligned herself with the international drugs smuggler she was supposed to be targeting?
When a deep-undercover cop stops passing on intelligence about her target, MI5 sends in Dan 'Spider' Shepherd to check that she is on the straight and narrow.
Now two lives are on the line - and Shepherd discovers that the real danger is closer to home than he realised.
As Spider finds his loyalties being tested to the limit, an SAS killer is on a revenge mission in London and only Spider can stop him.
But what do you do when you believe an undercover cop has crossed the line and aligned herself with the international drugs smuggler she was supposed to be targeting?
When a deep-undercover cop stops passing on intelligence about her target, MI5 sends in Dan 'Spider' Shepherd to check that she is on the straight and narrow.
Now two lives are on the line - and Shepherd discovers that the real danger is closer to home than he realised.
As Spider finds his loyalties being tested to the limit, an SAS killer is on a revenge mission in London and only Spider can stop him.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2017
279 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
245 books1,528 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 73 reviews
January 31, 2018
This is the 14th novel in the Dan Shepherd series by author Stephen Leather. Dan Shepherd is a former SAS trooper turned detective and now a member of the elite undercover squad.
These novels are full of action and make a welcome change to the thriller / mysteries I normally read. Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is never far from danger and I enjoy the thrills and spills each book gives me. In this story Dan is sent undercover to investigate whether another undercover cop has crossed the line and aligned herself with the international drugs smuggler she was supposed to be targeting. Suspicion arises when she stops passing on intelligence about her target, so MI5 send in Dan 'Spider' Shepherd to check that she is on the straight and narrow.
Does exactly what it says on the can, lots of action, great characters, exciting plot and a thoroughly good entertaining read. Stephen Leather rarely disappoints.
These novels are full of action and make a welcome change to the thriller / mysteries I normally read. Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is never far from danger and I enjoy the thrills and spills each book gives me. In this story Dan is sent undercover to investigate whether another undercover cop has crossed the line and aligned herself with the international drugs smuggler she was supposed to be targeting. Suspicion arises when she stops passing on intelligence about her target, so MI5 send in Dan 'Spider' Shepherd to check that she is on the straight and narrow.
Does exactly what it says on the can, lots of action, great characters, exciting plot and a thoroughly good entertaining read. Stephen Leather rarely disappoints.
August 11, 2018
I am a huge fan of this series and am so pleased to say that this is another great read in it.
The story has two threads. One following Dan as he is on a new mission and another one following Matt Standing. The story line to do with Matt was very much a heart wrenching one. I think it will have readers questioning what they would do if they were in the same situation. In a way I was really routing for Matt. I'm not sure if the author has any intentions of bringing this character back in future books but I am really hoping so as I would love to see more of him.
Dan, well what can I say? Was great to be back reading about him. As usual he is on a mission that puts himself in more than a few tricky situations. I think the story line reinforces why readers love this character as much as we do. He doesn't put up with rubbish from anyone, even when it's his boss. There is a lot of tension between him and his boss with this mission and it makes for a real page turner of a read.
Light Touch has to be one of my favourite books in the series. To say this book is the fourteenth in the series, the author can still hook his readers and leave them desperate for more. Definitely a sign of a great writer.
The story has two threads. One following Dan as he is on a new mission and another one following Matt Standing. The story line to do with Matt was very much a heart wrenching one. I think it will have readers questioning what they would do if they were in the same situation. In a way I was really routing for Matt. I'm not sure if the author has any intentions of bringing this character back in future books but I am really hoping so as I would love to see more of him.
Dan, well what can I say? Was great to be back reading about him. As usual he is on a mission that puts himself in more than a few tricky situations. I think the story line reinforces why readers love this character as much as we do. He doesn't put up with rubbish from anyone, even when it's his boss. There is a lot of tension between him and his boss with this mission and it makes for a real page turner of a read.
Light Touch has to be one of my favourite books in the series. To say this book is the fourteenth in the series, the author can still hook his readers and leave them desperate for more. Definitely a sign of a great writer.
July 22, 2017
An annual highlight is the arrival of a new Spider Shepherd thriller. And you know, before you even turn the first page, you are not going to be disappointed.
We start with an action packed reminder of what Spider is all about and his role in a team watching some bad guys. But then Spider is given a new mission, an undercover agent may have gone over to the bad guys and Spider is going to have to insert himself into the world of drug dealing to find if she has really gone over.
If there is a running theme here it is about trust. The world Spider operates in needs trust, but it is also one of differing agendas and “need to know”, but ultimately you have to know that someone has your back.
While Spider is getting closer to his target, an active SAS Sergeant is sent on leave to find his sister has died of a drug overdose, and nobody seems to care. As Matt Standish starts to ask questions and knock heads, he comes to the attention of some very dangerous people, and some of those very dangerous are those that should be the good guys.
As always a lot is packed into the book and the author never lets you (or his characters) get into a comfort zone, and there is a twist here I certainly never saw coming.
I can’t wait to see where we go next with the series (and I hope we see more of Matt Standing too! If there is a better British thriller writer about, I’d like to know who it is. Highly recommended.
We start with an action packed reminder of what Spider is all about and his role in a team watching some bad guys. But then Spider is given a new mission, an undercover agent may have gone over to the bad guys and Spider is going to have to insert himself into the world of drug dealing to find if she has really gone over.
If there is a running theme here it is about trust. The world Spider operates in needs trust, but it is also one of differing agendas and “need to know”, but ultimately you have to know that someone has your back.
While Spider is getting closer to his target, an active SAS Sergeant is sent on leave to find his sister has died of a drug overdose, and nobody seems to care. As Matt Standish starts to ask questions and knock heads, he comes to the attention of some very dangerous people, and some of those very dangerous are those that should be the good guys.
As always a lot is packed into the book and the author never lets you (or his characters) get into a comfort zone, and there is a twist here I certainly never saw coming.
I can’t wait to see where we go next with the series (and I hope we see more of Matt Standing too! If there is a better British thriller writer about, I’d like to know who it is. Highly recommended.
October 15, 2017
This double story with Last Man Standing being the main person Matt Standing on one man crusade to seek vengeance against Muslim men who defiled his 16y sister.The other story is drug crazed boat ploy under cover job for Spider.The biggest thing here is that the main character is not best story.This a Dan Spider Shepard book were he isn't the main front liner.You end up wanting his story to pass so get back to Standing's.as it race to last page
September 24, 2023
Outstanding.
Full circle moment. I actually discovered and read the Matt Standing series book 1 through to 3. Loved the book, loved the character. I read reviews and comments, everyone kept talking about Spider Shepherd, so I decided to go through the spider series and I have not just finished book 14.
Except series and excellent characters. It was clear the rising tension between Spider and Willoughby-Brown. Definitely missing his Mrs Barton, Shepherd’s former boss, an excellent character that I hope returns to the series. Couldn’t help but sympathise with Matt.
I do wish there was more of Shepherd’s home life as it were earlier in the series. Understand of course that Liam is not fully grown and away from home, however Shepherd’s love life has changed significantly. It would be good to explore more of that side too.
Still very much loving the series, 14 books in and looking forward to the next one.
Full circle moment. I actually discovered and read the Matt Standing series book 1 through to 3. Loved the book, loved the character. I read reviews and comments, everyone kept talking about Spider Shepherd, so I decided to go through the spider series and I have not just finished book 14.
Except series and excellent characters. It was clear the rising tension between Spider and Willoughby-Brown. Definitely missing his Mrs Barton, Shepherd’s former boss, an excellent character that I hope returns to the series. Couldn’t help but sympathise with Matt.
I do wish there was more of Shepherd’s home life as it were earlier in the series. Understand of course that Liam is not fully grown and away from home, however Shepherd’s love life has changed significantly. It would be good to explore more of that side too.
Still very much loving the series, 14 books in and looking forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2022
Another great read in the Spider Shepherd series. I enjoyed the introduction and the rampage of Matt Standing hopefully we will see more of him in future books
August 18, 2017
Dan Spider Shepard after a successful operation in London which resulted in 14 jihadists in custody and 8 dead in a planned machine gun attack on London tourist buses, in the debrief with his boss Jeremy Willoughby – Brown, Shepard is given his next assignment, an undercover operative who is deep undercover, has suddenly stopped sending updates to her handler and the powers that be are worried she’s gone over to the dark side. Shepard’s job is to get close to the Meyer the drug dealer, make a case against him, and to check up on Lisa the undercover operative.
Matt Standing an SAS operative is sent home from Syria in disgrace after decking a senior captain, when Standing deliberately sabotaged an operation meant to kill one of the worlds most wanted terrorists. After returning to Hereford, he’s sent away for a month to see a therapist to seek help with his anger issues.
After finding out his sister had died from a heroin overdose while in Syria, with the police no help and the coroner calling it death by miss adventure, Standing finds her best friend and her missing mobile phone, finding a list of messages and photos from an older man called Frankie.
After being introduced to Meyer and Lisa by playing a good Samaritan, saving Meyer and Lisa from a mugging by MI5 actors. While waiting for Meyer to make contact Shepard observes him meeting a Columbian cocaine exporter from the Hernandez group and one of the cartel’s enforcers.
After finding out that the police operation into Asian men grooming white girls was shut down by MI5 because the police operation was threatening an anti-terrorism case, Standing goes on the rampage finding Faisal the man from the photo and the one who gave her the drug she overdosed on, while interrogating him on top of a housing block he falls of the roof to his death.
Shepard finally gets offered a job by Meyer moving cocaine around in the hull of a catamaran, Meyer also tells him he knows the truth about Lisa Wilson being an undercover cop and has plans for taking care of her.
Standing is told to back off from the Asian grooming gang, the mini cab office they use by two spooks, and that know where Standing was when Faisal fell off the roof. Standing doesn’t take the threats too well and the spooks end up in hospital. Shepard is pulled off the Meyer job by Willoughby – Brown to go and see his ex SAS boss to get a mobile number for Standing. After seeing to men get in a car with two school girls at the taxi office Standing follows them to a house to find a gang of men raping them.
Shepard in a bond between men from the SAS phones Standing and meets up with him to give him a heads up and to mark his card about MI5 and Willoughby – Brown thinking he’s gone rouge, killing Asians, beating up the police and putting spooks in hospital. Afterwards Standing confides in Shepard about his sister’s death the drugs, the grooming gang, and how he was told to back off because of a major anti-terrorism operation going on.
After the meeting Shepard is worried that Willoughby – Brown hadn’t filled him on the motive Matt Standing had for killing and beating up those responsible for his sister’s death. Which means that Willoughby – Brown is deliberately withholding information from Shepard, which is a worrying because trust between operator and handler is important in the undercover business, it’s also a two-way street, and with Willoughby – Brown being less than forthcoming it suggests Willoughby – Brown has his own agenda and Shepard can no longer trust him.
Willoughby – Brown tries to abduct Standing off a London street with an armed snatch squad but ends up with two of the team in hospital and a missing firearm.
While in St Lucia after being forced to throw Lisa over the side of a catamaran into the sea attached to a concrete block Shepard shoots Meyer and the men from the Hernandez drug cartel dead before saving Lucy.
When Standing eventually catches up with Ali Hussain, from the grooming gang he is shocked to find out he’s an MI5 informant, after making Ali organise a meeting with Willoughby – Brown, Standing kills him in a fit of revenge over his sister.
As Shepard and Willoughby – Brown argue outside the safe house where Willoughby – Brown was meant to meet Ali Hussain, about Ali on the one hand being an informer and on the other hand because of it having a free pass to rape, abuse and kill young girls. Shepard walks away after hearing how the intel about the London attack came from Ali and the ends justify the means Standing appears in front of Willoughby – Brown with the missing firearm.
Matt Standing an SAS operative is sent home from Syria in disgrace after decking a senior captain, when Standing deliberately sabotaged an operation meant to kill one of the worlds most wanted terrorists. After returning to Hereford, he’s sent away for a month to see a therapist to seek help with his anger issues.
After finding out his sister had died from a heroin overdose while in Syria, with the police no help and the coroner calling it death by miss adventure, Standing finds her best friend and her missing mobile phone, finding a list of messages and photos from an older man called Frankie.
After being introduced to Meyer and Lisa by playing a good Samaritan, saving Meyer and Lisa from a mugging by MI5 actors. While waiting for Meyer to make contact Shepard observes him meeting a Columbian cocaine exporter from the Hernandez group and one of the cartel’s enforcers.
After finding out that the police operation into Asian men grooming white girls was shut down by MI5 because the police operation was threatening an anti-terrorism case, Standing goes on the rampage finding Faisal the man from the photo and the one who gave her the drug she overdosed on, while interrogating him on top of a housing block he falls of the roof to his death.
Shepard finally gets offered a job by Meyer moving cocaine around in the hull of a catamaran, Meyer also tells him he knows the truth about Lisa Wilson being an undercover cop and has plans for taking care of her.
Standing is told to back off from the Asian grooming gang, the mini cab office they use by two spooks, and that know where Standing was when Faisal fell off the roof. Standing doesn’t take the threats too well and the spooks end up in hospital. Shepard is pulled off the Meyer job by Willoughby – Brown to go and see his ex SAS boss to get a mobile number for Standing. After seeing to men get in a car with two school girls at the taxi office Standing follows them to a house to find a gang of men raping them.
Shepard in a bond between men from the SAS phones Standing and meets up with him to give him a heads up and to mark his card about MI5 and Willoughby – Brown thinking he’s gone rouge, killing Asians, beating up the police and putting spooks in hospital. Afterwards Standing confides in Shepard about his sister’s death the drugs, the grooming gang, and how he was told to back off because of a major anti-terrorism operation going on.
After the meeting Shepard is worried that Willoughby – Brown hadn’t filled him on the motive Matt Standing had for killing and beating up those responsible for his sister’s death. Which means that Willoughby – Brown is deliberately withholding information from Shepard, which is a worrying because trust between operator and handler is important in the undercover business, it’s also a two-way street, and with Willoughby – Brown being less than forthcoming it suggests Willoughby – Brown has his own agenda and Shepard can no longer trust him.
Willoughby – Brown tries to abduct Standing off a London street with an armed snatch squad but ends up with two of the team in hospital and a missing firearm.
While in St Lucia after being forced to throw Lisa over the side of a catamaran into the sea attached to a concrete block Shepard shoots Meyer and the men from the Hernandez drug cartel dead before saving Lucy.
When Standing eventually catches up with Ali Hussain, from the grooming gang he is shocked to find out he’s an MI5 informant, after making Ali organise a meeting with Willoughby – Brown, Standing kills him in a fit of revenge over his sister.
As Shepard and Willoughby – Brown argue outside the safe house where Willoughby – Brown was meant to meet Ali Hussain, about Ali on the one hand being an informer and on the other hand because of it having a free pass to rape, abuse and kill young girls. Shepard walks away after hearing how the intel about the London attack came from Ali and the ends justify the means Standing appears in front of Willoughby – Brown with the missing firearm.
August 26, 2019
Yet another Spider novel and Stephen Leather is now my favourite “quick-read-no-shit-all-adrenalin” author for his Spider series of fiction stories. This is the 14th book in the instalment and a typical Spider novel. We have two protagonists, San Spider Shepard (ex-SAS) and Matt Standing (current SAS) chasing two seemingly plots separate plots but we will see they are entwined at the base in the end.
Spider is asked by his slimy conniving Boss, Jeremy to go and “check-on” another agent Lucy who is working undercover for a drug trafficker and off-late the intel coming back from her seems to have dried up both in quantity and quality, which throws open the possibility that Lucy maybe have turned rogue. What makes this mission sensitive and tricky for Spider is that Lucy is reporting into NCA head Sam Hargreaves who is Spider’s former boss and Spider doesn’t want to become an instrument for Jeremy to bring down yet another of his former boss. Unfortunately, Jeremy mentions that gone are those days where Spider could “choose” his projects, now he works for Jeremy who makes the decisions. Bastard, typical blood sucking boss, this Jeremy! Anyway, Spider penetrates the gang as a sailor (lots of pages in the book on how to become a sailor, a tutorial Spider went through which was a bit too much details and boring read for me), finds out what’s happening there and in the process nails the bad guys and saves Lucy from getting killed.
The second plot is much more sinister. Matt Standing, a decorated member of the SAS has a temper and authority problem. He has been found slugging a few of his seniors and has been demoted from Sergeant position due to insubordination. Much of it goes back to his childhood, being abused by his father who hit him all the time and then ended up killing his wife (Standing’s mother) in a fit of rage. All Standing had in way of family was a younger sister who was adopted by a family who didn’t want Standing visit her sister, even had an avo out on him due to a former incident. After finishing a mission in Afghanistan which went rather bad, Matt was asked to go on an anger management course with a break from SAS till he was reported fit for duty by the psychiatrist. When Matt goes to London to meet his sister, he finds out that she died the previous week on drug overdose. And Matt wants to find out killer and punish them. He discovers a big drug induced flesh trading ring. Some Asians who were part time cab drivers working out of small offices used drugs to lure girls of 14 above and then traded them amongst people for money, after they were hooked onto the drugs. Same thing had happened to Matt’s sister. The plot becomes more sinister when he finds the source as Jeremy, the MI5 officer and Spider’s boss, who knowing everything still turns a blind eye to protect one of the Asian who is his informer and who, from time to time, shares important terrorist information with Jeremy that has resulted in saving London a few times from terror attacks. But that’s not good enough excuse for the heinous act which the Asian does to these young English girls, hence Standing kills them all, even Jeremy in the end. Shepard was called in my Jeremy to help him find Standing and then take him out, but knowing everything from Standing, Spider didn’t follow on the order. There was a nice piece of showdown better the two SAS men where each sizes the other up before deciding what they wanted to do with each other.
Great book, loved Spider as always, I think I enjoyed Standing’s character and plot more in this book.
Spider is asked by his slimy conniving Boss, Jeremy to go and “check-on” another agent Lucy who is working undercover for a drug trafficker and off-late the intel coming back from her seems to have dried up both in quantity and quality, which throws open the possibility that Lucy maybe have turned rogue. What makes this mission sensitive and tricky for Spider is that Lucy is reporting into NCA head Sam Hargreaves who is Spider’s former boss and Spider doesn’t want to become an instrument for Jeremy to bring down yet another of his former boss. Unfortunately, Jeremy mentions that gone are those days where Spider could “choose” his projects, now he works for Jeremy who makes the decisions. Bastard, typical blood sucking boss, this Jeremy! Anyway, Spider penetrates the gang as a sailor (lots of pages in the book on how to become a sailor, a tutorial Spider went through which was a bit too much details and boring read for me), finds out what’s happening there and in the process nails the bad guys and saves Lucy from getting killed.
The second plot is much more sinister. Matt Standing, a decorated member of the SAS has a temper and authority problem. He has been found slugging a few of his seniors and has been demoted from Sergeant position due to insubordination. Much of it goes back to his childhood, being abused by his father who hit him all the time and then ended up killing his wife (Standing’s mother) in a fit of rage. All Standing had in way of family was a younger sister who was adopted by a family who didn’t want Standing visit her sister, even had an avo out on him due to a former incident. After finishing a mission in Afghanistan which went rather bad, Matt was asked to go on an anger management course with a break from SAS till he was reported fit for duty by the psychiatrist. When Matt goes to London to meet his sister, he finds out that she died the previous week on drug overdose. And Matt wants to find out killer and punish them. He discovers a big drug induced flesh trading ring. Some Asians who were part time cab drivers working out of small offices used drugs to lure girls of 14 above and then traded them amongst people for money, after they were hooked onto the drugs. Same thing had happened to Matt’s sister. The plot becomes more sinister when he finds the source as Jeremy, the MI5 officer and Spider’s boss, who knowing everything still turns a blind eye to protect one of the Asian who is his informer and who, from time to time, shares important terrorist information with Jeremy that has resulted in saving London a few times from terror attacks. But that’s not good enough excuse for the heinous act which the Asian does to these young English girls, hence Standing kills them all, even Jeremy in the end. Shepard was called in my Jeremy to help him find Standing and then take him out, but knowing everything from Standing, Spider didn’t follow on the order. There was a nice piece of showdown better the two SAS men where each sizes the other up before deciding what they wanted to do with each other.
Great book, loved Spider as always, I think I enjoyed Standing’s character and plot more in this book.
March 15, 2021
“Light Touch” by Stephen Leather (2017) First Edition
Overall Rating 8/10 – Trip the Light Fantastic!
Plot
Dan “Spider” Shepherd is sent undercover to infiltrate a major international drugs baron who operates at sea. At the same time, another member of his old SAS troop appears to have gone rogue in London on a killing rampage. There are more people “in play” than usual and our protagonist’s handler, Jeremy Willoughby-Brown has a difficult juggling act to maintain a balance.
Writing Style
As with all his earlier works in this series, Leather writes with short, punchy prose with “bang up to date” elegance. Easy to read, nothing extraneous – just relax and let the story unfold around you. So easy to feel you are actually there with Shepherd.
Point of View
Written in the 3rd Person / Past Tense (standard convention)
Critique
A change from the previous books of this series. Not in “style” but in “plot”. It is very common for an author to swot up on certain specialist areas especially when it is necessary to make a story more convincing. However, in this, it is quite clear that the author took the time to learn all about “sailing” and all the various terms and quirks. Fair enough. It was not, however, necessary to imbue the reader with extraneous lengths of unnecessary detail about how a sailing boat functions – it felt like a classroom lecture that, frankly, went on and on and on and …
That said, the story was very good.
In this, there were two plots running side by side and they were interspersed very well. It was a reasonable assumption (from the beginning) that the two threads would sew together. Of course, they did. But not in the way I had imagined.
The first half of the book was slow to develop and was filled with way to much detail (mostly about how to sail a boat and the names of every single bloody rope on it) but once I hit the midway mark, I was totally hooked and found myself reading faster and faster in a desperate attempt to keep up with the characters.
Irritations aside (the damn sailing lectures) this plot was extremely well written and certainly had me focused and gasping until then end, when …
Overall Rating 8/10 – Trip the Light Fantastic!
Plot
Dan “Spider” Shepherd is sent undercover to infiltrate a major international drugs baron who operates at sea. At the same time, another member of his old SAS troop appears to have gone rogue in London on a killing rampage. There are more people “in play” than usual and our protagonist’s handler, Jeremy Willoughby-Brown has a difficult juggling act to maintain a balance.
Writing Style
As with all his earlier works in this series, Leather writes with short, punchy prose with “bang up to date” elegance. Easy to read, nothing extraneous – just relax and let the story unfold around you. So easy to feel you are actually there with Shepherd.
Point of View
Written in the 3rd Person / Past Tense (standard convention)
Critique
A change from the previous books of this series. Not in “style” but in “plot”. It is very common for an author to swot up on certain specialist areas especially when it is necessary to make a story more convincing. However, in this, it is quite clear that the author took the time to learn all about “sailing” and all the various terms and quirks. Fair enough. It was not, however, necessary to imbue the reader with extraneous lengths of unnecessary detail about how a sailing boat functions – it felt like a classroom lecture that, frankly, went on and on and on and …
That said, the story was very good.
In this, there were two plots running side by side and they were interspersed very well. It was a reasonable assumption (from the beginning) that the two threads would sew together. Of course, they did. But not in the way I had imagined.
The first half of the book was slow to develop and was filled with way to much detail (mostly about how to sail a boat and the names of every single bloody rope on it) but once I hit the midway mark, I was totally hooked and found myself reading faster and faster in a desperate attempt to keep up with the characters.
Irritations aside (the damn sailing lectures) this plot was extremely well written and certainly had me focused and gasping until then end, when …
August 23, 2017
The 14th book in this series and no let up in the action!
Working undercover is all about trust - getting the target to trust you and then betraying them in order to bring them to justice. But what do you do when you believe an undercover cop has crossed the line and aligned herself with the international drugs smuggler she was supposed to be targeting? When a deep-undercover cop stops passing on intelligence about her target, MI5 sends in Dan 'Spider' Shepherd to check that she is on the straight and narrow. Now two lives are on the line - and Shepherd discovers that the real danger is closer to home than he realised. As Spider finds his loyalties being tested to the limit, an SAS killer is on a revenge mission in London and only Spider can stop him.
This is the 14th book in this great series and I continue to enjoy the latest instalment as much as any of the previous ones. This Spider novel drew me into its web (had to get that one in somehow) and didn't let up apart from a few dodgy chapters where not a lot happened. The plots are always realistic whilst still being exciting and sometimes a tad unbelievable and this keeps me coming back for more. The book has several plotlines and includes an undercover cop who has gone bad and an evil jihadist who is being protected by MI5, a recipe for a rollicking good read.
Recent events have made the opening of this latest novel very topical and Leather, as always, deftly works real life news stories and contemporary fears into his plot to give it added realism. The action is relentless and convincing with great depictions throughout of unarmed combat as well as close up gunfights. Spider is not really a hard man like Jack Reacher and he is entirely human, affected badly by his past and what he envisages in the future. In summary, this is an in-your-face British thriller that races between global locations without losing the reader along the way. Another top effort from this master storyteller.
Digger 95
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Working undercover is all about trust - getting the target to trust you and then betraying them in order to bring them to justice. But what do you do when you believe an undercover cop has crossed the line and aligned herself with the international drugs smuggler she was supposed to be targeting? When a deep-undercover cop stops passing on intelligence about her target, MI5 sends in Dan 'Spider' Shepherd to check that she is on the straight and narrow. Now two lives are on the line - and Shepherd discovers that the real danger is closer to home than he realised. As Spider finds his loyalties being tested to the limit, an SAS killer is on a revenge mission in London and only Spider can stop him.
This is the 14th book in this great series and I continue to enjoy the latest instalment as much as any of the previous ones. This Spider novel drew me into its web (had to get that one in somehow) and didn't let up apart from a few dodgy chapters where not a lot happened. The plots are always realistic whilst still being exciting and sometimes a tad unbelievable and this keeps me coming back for more. The book has several plotlines and includes an undercover cop who has gone bad and an evil jihadist who is being protected by MI5, a recipe for a rollicking good read.
Recent events have made the opening of this latest novel very topical and Leather, as always, deftly works real life news stories and contemporary fears into his plot to give it added realism. The action is relentless and convincing with great depictions throughout of unarmed combat as well as close up gunfights. Spider is not really a hard man like Jack Reacher and he is entirely human, affected badly by his past and what he envisages in the future. In summary, this is an in-your-face British thriller that races between global locations without losing the reader along the way. Another top effort from this master storyteller.
Digger 95
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
August 4, 2017
"Light touch" is Stephen Leather's 14th thriller featuring hard as nails MI5 operative Spider Shepherd, and once again its one helluva yarn. This time Spider is sent on an undercover case to find out why a female cop also undercover seems to have been turned by the drug runner she is targeting. The target lives the life of riley, mainly hanging out on enormously expensive boats and yachts.
Utilising his photographic recall Spider is put through a crash course in sailing a yacht before cunningly introducing himself to the crook in Mareblla. After sussing each other out Meyer, the bad guy warms to his new acquaintance and uses his many contacts to verify Spider's identity, which of course stands up to the scrutiny.
Meantime there's a parallel story happening with an SAS sergeant who has been placed on a month's furlough to undergo therapy after a tangle with a senior officer. His name is Standing and when he learns of the death of his younger sister from a drugs overdose he sets out to find out who supplied her and to take them out.
Stephen Leather is the master of this style of thriller and both strands of the story rush headlong forward with a temporary meeting of Spider and Standing built into the plot. It gets nasty at times but that's a key part of Leather's modus operandi.
Utilising his photographic recall Spider is put through a crash course in sailing a yacht before cunningly introducing himself to the crook in Mareblla. After sussing each other out Meyer, the bad guy warms to his new acquaintance and uses his many contacts to verify Spider's identity, which of course stands up to the scrutiny.
Meantime there's a parallel story happening with an SAS sergeant who has been placed on a month's furlough to undergo therapy after a tangle with a senior officer. His name is Standing and when he learns of the death of his younger sister from a drugs overdose he sets out to find out who supplied her and to take them out.
Stephen Leather is the master of this style of thriller and both strands of the story rush headlong forward with a temporary meeting of Spider and Standing built into the plot. It gets nasty at times but that's a key part of Leather's modus operandi.
August 25, 2017
Another Spider book - this one clearly split into 2 stores - one a new SaS soldier's vigilante experience in London and the other Spider infiltrating a drug smuggling crook's marina based lifestyle.
They are both good interesting stories - the London part is pretty close to the bone and a bit racially stereotyped (but not wildly improbable so I would not say it is done purely for shock value) and Spider's story was OK if a little underdeveloped. A top notch paranoid smuggler king would not have lasted so long if he acted like he did! I kind of think this could have been 2 novels expanded into each other - but as an easy to read thriller I am on quibbling slightly, I enjoyed the book
As always the violence and underworld/terrorism/military/spycraft all seems plausible if slightly James Bonded and there is a moral undertone of what is right and wrong, clearly suggesting that morality only really counts based on your individual beliefs and that across the board breaking the law is OK if it supports your idea of the greater good.
They are both good interesting stories - the London part is pretty close to the bone and a bit racially stereotyped (but not wildly improbable so I would not say it is done purely for shock value) and Spider's story was OK if a little underdeveloped. A top notch paranoid smuggler king would not have lasted so long if he acted like he did! I kind of think this could have been 2 novels expanded into each other - but as an easy to read thriller I am on quibbling slightly, I enjoyed the book
As always the violence and underworld/terrorism/military/spycraft all seems plausible if slightly James Bonded and there is a moral undertone of what is right and wrong, clearly suggesting that morality only really counts based on your individual beliefs and that across the board breaking the law is OK if it supports your idea of the greater good.
June 9, 2022
I picked this book at random in hopes to discover new authors.
Therefore, this is my first read of what has turned out to be a sequel.
What I did not like:
Few minutes into this book I can feel myself gradually getting furious by the amount of misinformation about Muslims. Deep into the story, another involvement of the Muslim community in London comes up but one that portrays the Muslim community as one that normalized abnormal behavior.
I am a person who hates violence and the book did have very, in my opinion, gruesome details of violent incidents.
Too much unnecessary details about sailing.
What I liked:
The novel was a true thriller and I enjoyed the book. I did like the author’s smooth style of writing. At some point, it felt as if I was traveling along with all the characters. Moreover, the plot was interesting and I never got bored given the author kept switching between the 2 tales.
Therefore, this is my first read of what has turned out to be a sequel.
What I did not like:
Few minutes into this book I can feel myself gradually getting furious by the amount of misinformation about Muslims. Deep into the story, another involvement of the Muslim community in London comes up but one that portrays the Muslim community as one that normalized abnormal behavior.
I am a person who hates violence and the book did have very, in my opinion, gruesome details of violent incidents.
Too much unnecessary details about sailing.
What I liked:
The novel was a true thriller and I enjoyed the book. I did like the author’s smooth style of writing. At some point, it felt as if I was traveling along with all the characters. Moreover, the plot was interesting and I never got bored given the author kept switching between the 2 tales.
August 17, 2022
This book was slow to read because while it does have a brilliant ending which makes you evaluate whether the end justifies the means and the line between good and bad, the first half or so of the book is incredibly slow.
The insanely long and in-depth explanation of how boats work really tested my patience, and then it had no future relevance soI think it should've been at the very least shortened.
Also I don't really see the need for such an in depth dive into Shepherd's POV since the story is really about Matt and he's not even mentioned in the blurb?? makes no sense since a woman who is literally in 5 pages of the book max IS mentioned as if she´s a MC.
Loved the military aspects of the book, definitely thoroughly researched but maybe too much detail?? It does help to grasp the totality of the situation that Matt is in, but I think less focus on meaningless details would've made this a more enjoyable read.
The insanely long and in-depth explanation of how boats work really tested my patience, and then it had no future relevance soI think it should've been at the very least shortened.
Also I don't really see the need for such an in depth dive into Shepherd's POV since the story is really about Matt and he's not even mentioned in the blurb?? makes no sense since a woman who is literally in 5 pages of the book max IS mentioned as if she´s a MC.
Loved the military aspects of the book, definitely thoroughly researched but maybe too much detail?? It does help to grasp the totality of the situation that Matt is in, but I think less focus on meaningless details would've made this a more enjoyable read.
August 11, 2017
Another Spider Shepherd adventure and another cracking story! I don't know how Stephen Leather does it but the timing is perfect as one of the story arcs is ripped from today's headlines. In fact the entire story is so current it is still raw. Asian child grooming gangs, terrorist plots, a rogue SAS soldier and in the middle of it MI5 agent Dan Shepherd undercover and trying to stop a drug trafficker with ties to the Columbian cartel while wanting to nip home and see his lady love. Whew! The author ties it all together so well it is packaged like Dynamite on a hot day!
Another winner.
PS looking forward to Jackie Chans take on "The Chinaman" one of Leathers best early books.
Another winner.
PS looking forward to Jackie Chans take on "The Chinaman" one of Leathers best early books.
August 27, 2017
Despite being billed as a Spider Shepherd thriller, I'm not sure that's completely accurate. There were two 'A' stories told concurrently, one with a new character, Nick Standing and the other with Dan. It certainly felt to me as if far more thought had gone into the Standing plot, whereas the Shepherd one was fine, but didn't really consist of very much. It's possible that Stephen Leather had written a novella and fitted the Spider plot around it.
However, taken as a whole it was very enjoyable. I twigged what was going on, but it took me a while. Now , I'm wondering if Spider is about to make another career change, back to NCA.
It wouldn't surprise me if we encounter Nick again.
However, taken as a whole it was very enjoyable. I twigged what was going on, but it took me a while. Now , I'm wondering if Spider is about to make another career change, back to NCA.
It wouldn't surprise me if we encounter Nick again.
October 11, 2017
Have been a big fan of the Dan Shepherd series for a long time, but felt that it had got very stale in recent books. Those stories felt very formulaic, and had not progressed the character in a long time (if I had to read about Spider putting some bricks in a backpack and going for a run once more I would have cried!). Thankfully this story gave Dan a most welcome shot in the arm, and has definitely given the character a fresh lease of life. A lot of interesting characters have been introduced over the years that I wish we heard more of, so I hope Lastman doesn't disappear completely in the way of others.
A welcome return to form for Spider!
A welcome return to form for Spider!
January 18, 2018
Overall, as a fan of Stephen Leather, I loved this book. It is very up to date and topical dealing with terrorism, jihadists, drug smuggling and the grooming on teenage girls. It grabs hold and never let’s go. While it does have two main plots, they run alongside each other very well and don’t confuse the story. While both plots were absorbing I found the Standing plot to be far superior, compelling and much more thrilling.
The only issue I had with this book was that they were no chapters, just breaks in the story. That said, it wasn’t exactly a big issue and I would still rate Light Touch as 5/5.
Thrilling, well-written and a fast-paced read.
The only issue I had with this book was that they were no chapters, just breaks in the story. That said, it wasn’t exactly a big issue and I would still rate Light Touch as 5/5.
Thrilling, well-written and a fast-paced read.
Read
April 19, 2021Blue on Blue.
Yet again Spider finds himself fighting on two fronts,the first is against drug dealers and cartel members who he has to stop before they murder an undercover police officer who has integrated herself into the gangsters world,and the second is against an SAS soldier with anger issues,who's looking for revenge after his young sister is murdered by an Asian gang of drug dealers and rapists who have already killed at least 4other girls.
Spider is put in a place where he has to either side with his boss who knows what was going on or a fellow SAS soldier.
Gripping from start to finish.
Yet again Spider finds himself fighting on two fronts,the first is against drug dealers and cartel members who he has to stop before they murder an undercover police officer who has integrated herself into the gangsters world,and the second is against an SAS soldier with anger issues,who's looking for revenge after his young sister is murdered by an Asian gang of drug dealers and rapists who have already killed at least 4other girls.
Spider is put in a place where he has to either side with his boss who knows what was going on or a fellow SAS soldier.
Gripping from start to finish.
October 9, 2017
I love the Spider Shepherd series and this book didn't disappoint.
The book begins to describe what Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is involved in and then goes on to tell the story of what Matt Standing (SAS) is involved in.
I did wonder why there were two stories but all becomes clear in the end.
Willoughby-Brown is as sneaky as ever and really made my blood boil at times!
I can't say too much else about the story as I don't want to spoil it but if you like this series, then you'll love this book.
The book begins to describe what Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is involved in and then goes on to tell the story of what Matt Standing (SAS) is involved in.
I did wonder why there were two stories but all becomes clear in the end.
Willoughby-Brown is as sneaky as ever and really made my blood boil at times!
I can't say too much else about the story as I don't want to spoil it but if you like this series, then you'll love this book.
December 12, 2017
4.5 Stars
I was disappointed when I started this only to find the story following yet another rag head terrorist plot 🙄. I really think Stephen has exhausted that plot. I did like some of the opinions, though, and a few of the ideas were thought-provoking.
My feelings soon turned to joy when the story developed into an undercover Shepherd on the tail of a drug baron in Spain. This is the kind of Spider story I like the most, like the ones set in Thailand.
It turns out everything is tied in to the start and Stephen winds it up very well, and the introduction of a new character is refreshing.
I do feel that Stephen needs a good proofreader/editor, though. He used the ‘Father Christmas Naughty or Nice’ line three times (two too many for one book) and changed a character’s name in one mention. In the past I wrote to him pointing out similar mistakes and he promised a signed copy of a book...that never arrived unfortunately.
Great book, and if Stephen could drop the terrorist angle and do more undercover adventures, I’d be very happy.
I was disappointed when I started this only to find the story following yet another rag head terrorist plot 🙄. I really think Stephen has exhausted that plot. I did like some of the opinions, though, and a few of the ideas were thought-provoking.
My feelings soon turned to joy when the story developed into an undercover Shepherd on the tail of a drug baron in Spain. This is the kind of Spider story I like the most, like the ones set in Thailand.
It turns out everything is tied in to the start and Stephen winds it up very well, and the introduction of a new character is refreshing.
I do feel that Stephen needs a good proofreader/editor, though. He used the ‘Father Christmas Naughty or Nice’ line three times (two too many for one book) and changed a character’s name in one mention. In the past I wrote to him pointing out similar mistakes and he promised a signed copy of a book...that never arrived unfortunately.
Great book, and if Stephen could drop the terrorist angle and do more undercover adventures, I’d be very happy.
April 23, 2019
Yet another well written, easy reading and compelling read from Stephen Leather. This is an interesting diversion in that Leather is running two stories in one with, of course,the obligatory convergence. In addition to Dan Shepherd, Leather introduces us to Matt Standing, who is following up the death of his sister. I wonder if the author is trying out another central character, I could see the two leads working together in the future. As always, if you are looking for a book which is difficult to put down then Stephen Leather offers another novel to fit the bill.
February 27, 2018
‘Light Touch’ by Stephen Leather - MI5 Operative Spider Shepherd is assigned the task of investigating the possibility an undercover cop has gone over to the dark side. At the same time a disaffected SAS soldier is on the trail of the drug dealers responsible for his sister's death and those government officials who have protected them. Spider finds his mission inexorably linked to the planned revenge. Fast paced with well drawn characters this is a helter skelter read.
April 4, 2018
Back in the groove
After reading a shed load of historical fiction it was good to get back to Spider. Great sub plot with the drug runners and undercover operation, but the interaction between between Spider and Standing was believable and I could almost sense a spin off novel with the two working together (hint to author!). Didn't guess the ending until Standing described the agent running Hussein. Then there was only one real ending. Great enjoyable book.
After reading a shed load of historical fiction it was good to get back to Spider. Great sub plot with the drug runners and undercover operation, but the interaction between between Spider and Standing was believable and I could almost sense a spin off novel with the two working together (hint to author!). Didn't guess the ending until Standing described the agent running Hussein. Then there was only one real ending. Great enjoyable book.
April 6, 2018
Another Spider Shepherd thriller - two stories going on at the same time under the umbrella of MI5 and both very interesting in that you want to get back to both of them to see what is happening! And, at long last, Daniel Shepherd and Katra are finally, finally, together! That took 14 books to come about! Always enjoyable, always topical, and a good read. Thank you Stephen Leather. Looking forward to Tall Order coming out this year.
March 3, 2022
These books are getting a little bit samey Stephen Leather.
From the use of language to the plot. It's all getting a bit predictable.
Yet again the same old characters come out to save the world. How old are some of these guys, they were near retirement when SL started this series about 20 years ago.
A fresh look is needed. They are an easy read and i was through it in 3 days. Maybe its time this spider was stamped on and ended.
From the use of language to the plot. It's all getting a bit predictable.
Yet again the same old characters come out to save the world. How old are some of these guys, they were near retirement when SL started this series about 20 years ago.
A fresh look is needed. They are an easy read and i was through it in 3 days. Maybe its time this spider was stamped on and ended.
May 13, 2022
Big improvement by Mr L on some of the earlier reads. This was the Spider books getting back to their best with about 3 storylines (Shepherd, Standing and Kattya) all rolled into a single book. Very well brought together and Willoughby Brown got his upper lip comeuppance at long last. Matt Standing cannot just disappear now. he must have his own storyline. So a great read, topical issues and now I look forward to the next book .... wondering who will be Dan's new boss.
September 14, 2017
This is another great read in the Spider Shepherd series. A fifth star was withheld because I found the sections about sailing a bit tedious. I also found Matt's dealings with the psychiatrist slowed down the action. However, as with most of Stephen Leather's books you really sit back and think whether these things could really happen. Great stuff!
November 8, 2017
Great book - one of the best of the series!
Stephen Leather does it again. Spider, Standing and Suspense.
The two storylines are expertly told and merged together with a shocking ending. I did find one of the subjects very hard and disturbing to read.
I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book in the series which I think Stephen Leather is writing at the moment.
Stephen Leather does it again. Spider, Standing and Suspense.
The two storylines are expertly told and merged together with a shocking ending. I did find one of the subjects very hard and disturbing to read.
I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book in the series which I think Stephen Leather is writing at the moment.
July 15, 2018
Quality if you like action books
I’ve been reading Stephen Leather books for many years and they rarely disappoint. This is definitely one of his better ones and I liked the parallel story line. Maybe we will see “last man standing “ again as he is a great addition to the plot lines. Give it a go if you like novels with action and not too much else.
I’ve been reading Stephen Leather books for many years and they rarely disappoint. This is definitely one of his better ones and I liked the parallel story line. Maybe we will see “last man standing “ again as he is a great addition to the plot lines. Give it a go if you like novels with action and not too much else.
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