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Silver Bear #5
The Way I Die
An explosive thriller from the acclaimed co-creator of "Chicago Fire" featuring his dynamic and compelling anti-hero, Columbus.
The way I die is two taps to the head, stuffed in the trunk of a rental sedan, my body set on fire. The way I die is both arms broken, both legs broken, tossed off a cigarette boat in the middle of Lake Michigan, bricks in my pockets to weigh down the corpse. The way I die is acid in a bathtub, pushed out of an airplane, strung up and gutted in an old textile warehouse in Boston. My name is Copeland. My name is Columbus. The way I die is a shotgun in my mouth, my finger on the trigger.
It is the middle of February on Mackinac Island, a tiny community off the northern Michigan coast. But Columbus isn't here to enjoy the picturesque surroundings. Reeling after the death of his wife and relinquishing his son, he lives in isolation—in self-imposed punishment and exile. Forgotten and alone. Nameless to his neighbors. But even if he runs and hides, Columbus is never alone for long.
Ten years after Columbus—one of the most original anti-heroes in contemporary fiction—first exploded onto the scene in The Silver Bear, Derek Haas delivers another riveting thriller that promises heart-pounding action and shocking twists until the very last page.
The way I die is two taps to the head, stuffed in the trunk of a rental sedan, my body set on fire. The way I die is both arms broken, both legs broken, tossed off a cigarette boat in the middle of Lake Michigan, bricks in my pockets to weigh down the corpse. The way I die is acid in a bathtub, pushed out of an airplane, strung up and gutted in an old textile warehouse in Boston. My name is Copeland. My name is Columbus. The way I die is a shotgun in my mouth, my finger on the trigger.
It is the middle of February on Mackinac Island, a tiny community off the northern Michigan coast. But Columbus isn't here to enjoy the picturesque surroundings. Reeling after the death of his wife and relinquishing his son, he lives in isolation—in self-imposed punishment and exile. Forgotten and alone. Nameless to his neighbors. But even if he runs and hides, Columbus is never alone for long.
Ten years after Columbus—one of the most original anti-heroes in contemporary fiction—first exploded onto the scene in The Silver Bear, Derek Haas delivers another riveting thriller that promises heart-pounding action and shocking twists until the very last page.
- GenresSuspense
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2018
18 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Derek Haas
15 books102 followersDerek 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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 26, 2017
The Way I Die is a fast-paced action-packed novel about a hitman/bodyguard existing in the edge of society and a tough, no- nonsense professional when the chips are down. This is the fifth novel in the series and there are quite a few hints regarding what made Columbus so morose and isolated and what demons still haunt him like footsteps behind him although that was something in the eArlier books in the series. The pace at the beginning is relentless, even though the plot eventually gets a little convoluted.
August 26, 2019
I'd like to thank Donna Mc for dropping this in my lap. Because of her I've found a new author with five star talent. Reminiscent of heady modern noir, like that of Matthew FitzSimmons, Haas spins a fabulous tale of loss, diminished self worth and identity, and redemption..dark, twisted, brutal redemption. I was hooked from the first paragraph and only found myself more absorbed in the story as it went on. I was delighted to discover that, though this functioned well as standalone, is part of a broader work with the same character. You can bet I'll be digging into those immediately. Great work and the promise of more from a great, new-to-me, author. Well done, sir.
March 17, 2019
The last Silver Bear book was published just 3½ years ago but it seems like I've been waiting on a new Columbus novel for far longer than that. I could grumble but having just finished The Way I Die and finding it well worth the wait, I'll just be glad that #5 was written. I hope Mr. Haas has another in his fertile (and quite busy) mind.
Derek Haas is a prolific man of arts. He is credited with 7 screen plays, is a driving force behind 4 TV series and was the publisher of popcornfiction.com, a site for short stories. This is in addition to his novels of course.
I became addicted to the Silver Bear series with his first, The Silver Bear when it first came out in 2008. I have anxiously awaited the release of every new novel and they have all been worth the wait. After A Different Lie, released in November, 2015 I didn't know if we would see Columbus again. You need to read that book to understand why.
An opinion; should these books be read in series? Yes, definitely. While each are more than good enough to be read as stand alones, from #2 on they all refer back to previous events. None more so than this one.
If you aren't familiar with this series; Columbus is a contract killer. Haas lets us see inside the mind, the work ethic and the relationships his career requires. Gore? Yes, at times but that's not overdone and much of it is suggested rather than overt. And if you're wondering how a contract killer can be a sympathetic character enough to be defined as the protagonist of a novel, you must not be familiar with Lawrence Block's Keller. Both Keller and Columbus are contract killers but they are quite different.
In this novel Columbus has been out of the game for some time. He doesn't want to be in the game at all but then Archie, his fence, draws him into being a defender if not an attacker. Columbus defines a defender as being the suit of armor and the attacker as being the sword. Columbus has never been the armor before so this is a new dynamic for him.
We meet a man who has a contract out on his life but of course not all is as it seems. Columbus is charged with neutralizing that contract. He works with Archie and with a new partner of sorts, Payton, an ex LAPD or LACSD officer (a minor blooper from Haas, he has her describing her time with LAPD but then indicates she was with the LA County Sheriff's as well) who may be a future permanent partner. You need to read the book to find out.
Complicating this is that the target is a father with 2 young sons. Why this affects Columbus is. . . well, you really need to read both this book and A Different Lie to understand.
Haas typically writes a well thought out scenario, full of thought and action. He doesn't disappoint with this story.
I feel I am rambling so let me finish by saying that if you like mystery, action, drama, complicated characters, you should like this series and certainly this edition of the series.
Derek Haas is a prolific man of arts. He is credited with 7 screen plays, is a driving force behind 4 TV series and was the publisher of popcornfiction.com, a site for short stories. This is in addition to his novels of course.
I became addicted to the Silver Bear series with his first, The Silver Bear when it first came out in 2008. I have anxiously awaited the release of every new novel and they have all been worth the wait. After A Different Lie, released in November, 2015 I didn't know if we would see Columbus again. You need to read that book to understand why.
An opinion; should these books be read in series? Yes, definitely. While each are more than good enough to be read as stand alones, from #2 on they all refer back to previous events. None more so than this one.
If you aren't familiar with this series; Columbus is a contract killer. Haas lets us see inside the mind, the work ethic and the relationships his career requires. Gore? Yes, at times but that's not overdone and much of it is suggested rather than overt. And if you're wondering how a contract killer can be a sympathetic character enough to be defined as the protagonist of a novel, you must not be familiar with Lawrence Block's Keller. Both Keller and Columbus are contract killers but they are quite different.
In this novel Columbus has been out of the game for some time. He doesn't want to be in the game at all but then Archie, his fence, draws him into being a defender if not an attacker. Columbus defines a defender as being the suit of armor and the attacker as being the sword. Columbus has never been the armor before so this is a new dynamic for him.
We meet a man who has a contract out on his life but of course not all is as it seems. Columbus is charged with neutralizing that contract. He works with Archie and with a new partner of sorts, Payton, an ex LAPD or LACSD officer (a minor blooper from Haas, he has her describing her time with LAPD but then indicates she was with the LA County Sheriff's as well) who may be a future permanent partner. You need to read the book to find out.
Complicating this is that the target is a father with 2 young sons. Why this affects Columbus is. . . well, you really need to read both this book and A Different Lie to understand.
Haas typically writes a well thought out scenario, full of thought and action. He doesn't disappoint with this story.
I feel I am rambling so let me finish by saying that if you like mystery, action, drama, complicated characters, you should like this series and certainly this edition of the series.
May 1, 2018
(3 1/2). The unbelievable noir way this book began was just fantastic. I was really hooked for the first half. The second half became a little more formulaic, but Derek Haas knows how to spin a story. I think I read one of the first installments in the Columbus series, and he is an engaging protagonist. Haas spends most of his time on his very successful (and I am sure lucrative) TV projects, but his book efforts have been wildly entertaining. A short, fun read.
May 27, 2018
I rounded this book up from a 3.5, the second one I have read by this author. I loved the first half, but the second bogs down a bit. The writing is crisp, clever and fast-paced, and it is a fun read.
The anti-hero in this series is a hitman named Columbus. The book starts out with Columbus living in isolation on Mackinac Island, grieving the loss of his wife and the relinquishment of his son (these events happened in the previous book that I happened to read). His fence (as he calls him in the book) finds him and offers him a new proposition...to protect a man that someone else wants to kill.
The author is a TV producer and movie screenplay writer. He clearly can also write action/thriller novels very well.
The anti-hero in this series is a hitman named Columbus. The book starts out with Columbus living in isolation on Mackinac Island, grieving the loss of his wife and the relinquishment of his son (these events happened in the previous book that I happened to read). His fence (as he calls him in the book) finds him and offers him a new proposition...to protect a man that someone else wants to kill.
The author is a TV producer and movie screenplay writer. He clearly can also write action/thriller novels very well.
December 15, 2018
An engaging and suspenseful thriller!
The main character is both likeable and ruthless; eliminating bad guys professionally and with malice.
I probably found this novel more engrossing than others because most of the story takes place where I live, in Portland, Oregon. But like one of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, the reader is treated to a cosmopolitan assortment of domestic and international settings as the action shifts.
The secondary characters, Peyton and Archie, make up a great team with the main character. I believe we will see them both again.
This was my introduction to the author, and the main character, who is now appearing in his fifth novel. I am definitely going to seek out the precursors to The Way I Die.
Highly recommended reading!
The main character is both likeable and ruthless; eliminating bad guys professionally and with malice.
I probably found this novel more engrossing than others because most of the story takes place where I live, in Portland, Oregon. But like one of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, the reader is treated to a cosmopolitan assortment of domestic and international settings as the action shifts.
The secondary characters, Peyton and Archie, make up a great team with the main character. I believe we will see them both again.
This was my introduction to the author, and the main character, who is now appearing in his fifth novel. I am definitely going to seek out the precursors to The Way I Die.
Highly recommended reading!
July 19, 2018
Ahhhmazing, must read!
I have been patiently waiting for this new book and literally could not put it down. Loved seeing the hint of a human side to Columbus and the introduction of Peyton. Not sure how I have fallen in love with a hit man but it has happened. My only complaint Derek Haas is now I have to wait for the next book:). This is definitely a must read, you will not put it down.
I have been patiently waiting for this new book and literally could not put it down. Loved seeing the hint of a human side to Columbus and the introduction of Peyton. Not sure how I have fallen in love with a hit man but it has happened. My only complaint Derek Haas is now I have to wait for the next book:). This is definitely a must read, you will not put it down.
August 19, 2018
Rather gory with way too much violence. Not badly written and fairly compelling, but certainly not for everyone. In fact, I will likely not read anything more by this author since I suspect violence and gore are his thing. The story has lots of lost leaders pursued by the chief character. However, none of the clues are meant to be very evident to the reader. The book was short. If it had gone much longer I would have given it one less star.
January 17, 2018
I received this book through the goodreads giveaways program.
I had difficulty getting into it at first, and then it wavered a bit in holding my interest in parts, but overall, I enjoyed it. Fast read.
Copeland, a former gun for hire, retires to the middle of nowhere. His former fence contacts him for a job helping someone who has a contract on his life.
I had difficulty getting into it at first, and then it wavered a bit in holding my interest in parts, but overall, I enjoyed it. Fast read.
Copeland, a former gun for hire, retires to the middle of nowhere. His former fence contacts him for a job helping someone who has a contract on his life.
June 8, 2018
Excellent
Bought this book accidentally but sue have enjoyed the read. Different perspective where bad guys act for good reason. Mystery, page turning story that keeps you hooked to the end and leaves you wanting more.
Bought this book accidentally but sue have enjoyed the read. Different perspective where bad guys act for good reason. Mystery, page turning story that keeps you hooked to the end and leaves you wanting more.
July 17, 2018
Outstanding; Continuing character: Columbus; interrupting his focus on how and when he'll die, Columbus' handler gives him a new kind of job, where he is protecting someone instead of focusing on killing - though plenty of that comes into play regardless; outstanding pace and characters
January 15, 2018
Columbus is back, yet he isn’t really. After the previous book, he is now in Michigan, trying to figure out how he’s going to live his days. He is pulled back in by his friend/fence to do something different. He travels to Los Angeles and London to finish the job. Filled with ruthless but flawlessly-executed scenes, it’s not hard to like how this character acts. He is the epitome of a cool assassin.
Access to review copy provided by the publisher.
Access to review copy provided by the publisher.
April 13, 2018
Just got it. Just read it. Couldn't put it down. Man, Haas's novels are fun to read.
wish-list-possibles
May 5, 2018We’ve read one and two. Marilyn writes up number five in May 2018. Don’t know if we’ll get to number three. These are entertaining books.
July 3, 2018
Really good, will look for his other books. Great characters and story
November 17, 2018
Good read
January 4, 2019
I have binged all of the Silver Bear series and now I am onto The Right Hand - can't put them down!
February 9, 2019
Columbus is back
Derek Haas is such an amazing writer.the story is new and fresh. The Chester development was superb. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
Derek Haas is such an amazing writer.the story is new and fresh. The Chester development was superb. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
May 24, 2019
4.3*; Slick, fast paced, action packed....can’t ask fo more
March 27, 2025
Best book I've ever read dude like honestly the writing style is insanely good like please if your looking for a new book read this like rnrnrn
November 3, 2019
I didn't realize that this was deep in a series when I picked it up. so it left me a bit lost. it's action packed but if you haven't read the first few, you are kind of scrambling to fill in the blanks.
Want to read
May 7, 2018Hired assassin.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews