Moving Targets: Spider Shepherd :SAS

by Stephen Leather

Moving Targets is an action-packed thriller featuring Spider Shepherd during his SAS days, before he signed up as an undercover cop and worked for MI5. Not all terrorists are driven by religion or politics. Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd and his SAS team are on the trail of a terrorist whose motives are much more personal. Sabit Kusen wants revenge and doesn’t care how many innocents he kills along the way. Shepherd and his team hunt their quarry around the world – from Athens to Paris to Zurich to Singapore and on to Sydney, but the elusive Kusen is always one step ahead of them. Can Shepherd catch Sabit Kusen before he carries out his most audacious attack? And does he have what it takes to pull the trigger to end the fanatic’s reign of terror? Stephen Leather is one of the UK’s most successful thriller writers, an eBook and Sunday Times bestseller and author of the critically acclaimed Dan "Spider" Shepherd series and the Jack Nightingale supernatural detective novels. Praise for Stephen Leather’s Dan "Spider" Shepherd series - Let Spider draw you into his web, you won't regret it. The Sun The sheer impetus of his storytelling is damned hard to resist. Daily Express A master of the thriller genre. Irish Times

Genres: Fiction

362 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2018

About the author

Stephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.

Reviews

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An SAS story - I enjoyed the first half as the four man patrol pursued a long a nd dangerous Escape & Evasion exit from a firefight in Afghanistan but the second half following a Muslim Chinese dissident terrorist into other jurisdictions lacked some credibility for me.

[Phil Altimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

another ripping tale from the early days of Spider shepard
well written and action packed

[Tim Hibberd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story from Stephen Leather, but this one’s spoilt by the constant belittling of anyone who isn’t an SAS soldier, including all SAS officers, everyone in the rest of the British army (especially officers), anyone in non-British special forces, all politicians, all civil servants, etc., etc. Apparently, anyone who isn’t an SAS soldier is a complete imbecile.

[Big Bertha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should start out by saying that I'm a big fan of the authors books and in particular the Spider series of novels but this one really did not do anything for me.

As Spider, Geordie and Jimbo jetted round the world from one location to another doing their superhero bit I couldn't help but wonder if the rest of 22 SAS had taken a holiday. I love the characters of Spider and Geordie but they seemed to have had personality transplants for this novel. Gone were the characters I've come to know and love and in their place were unpleasant, arrogant men whose skills were marred by over-inflated egos. The disdainful way they spoke down to other members of the armed forces and external agencies made for quite uncomfortable reading. The disjointed storyline that at times felt like it was being used to air in-house grievances had me questioning, like others if this was really the work of the same author.

As I said previously, I'm a huge fan of the series and this book won't change that but I'll stick to the main series in future.

[Mark Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

Having read many of Stephen Leathers books I actually doubt this is his work. Story line very weak making Spider Sheppard a bit of super hero with everyone else totally dim witted. He's meant to be a Seargent . Plot as believable as a 1980s Rambo film where only the hero can shoot straigt.

[Nick Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, take a deep breath and lock yourself away somewhere quiet, because this book is an adrenaline rush. A solid length adventure with a younger Spider Shepherd during his SAS time. We start off with Spider’s team showing a few examples of their talents (both in warfare and in getting into trouble) and then they find themselves in the wrong place at the right time to help resolve a terrorist incident in Greece. Things snowball as they realise a long term plan is coming together and from an e-mail unexpected source. As the team follow the leads and action from country to country things come to a head in a violent and surprising way.
Of course it is very good, it’s Spider Shepherd and Stephen Leather, what else did you expect? The style is slightly different from the full length Shepherd books, this is all about pace and action with the team not just fighting bad guys, but also military and political bureaucracy and more than a few hidden agendas.
Great stuff. As always.

[Bob Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this early Stephen Leather book. Dan “Spider Shepard leads a team of SAS troopers in Afghanistan where they come across a young Sadib. They are then asked to act as “Eyes & Ears” for the U.K. government on some worldwide terrorist activities. Despite then being under “Courts Martial” for an incident in Afghanistan. Once again Spider and his team show there mastery of anti terrorist operations during the final battle Sadib reappears as the head of a Chinese Revenge cell. Great thriller writing and great if you are a fan of military/special forces operations.

[i.s. wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of his best.

This book started off as a typical Spider Shepherd thriller. It was extremely descriptive and well written like all of the series. Then from halfway I felt like I was reading a script from Mission: Impossible. Travelling all over the world in a private plane, carrying out numerous nearly impossible missions. It really felt more like two separate stories. I must admit to being a little disappointed as I have enjoyed all of his previous Spider Shepherd thrillers. I hope this was just a blip.

[Paul Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok but not the best

Was an ok read, but not as gripping as I was expecting. There were a few factual errors scattered amongst the read and the build up about the main villain, Sabit, ended with a good plot, but a weak encounter with Spider before he met his demise. In the build up to the story, the professional SAS team, lose a man but a rag tag team of available folk is put together and suddenly act like a mission impossible squad from zero to 100% capable in a few days! Most unlikely. Have read better

[BARBARA D HILL · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit like the first in this mini series I have to question whether this was actually written by Stephen Leather.It lacked real credibility and the second plot in Australia was so predictable I found myself skipping pages just to get to the end.
If this series is continued then I won't be one of the readers,which is a great shame because the author is so much better than what has been served up in SAS books 1&2.

[Paul]

Already read 20 of his Spider Shepherd series. Whilst waiting for the next one, I decided to read Moving Targets which as I understand is an offshoot about Spider in the SAS. What a disappointment. Very unbelievable and not a patch on his other work. I was pleased when I'd finished it which is very unusual. Tell me, why is Spider taking physical notes in one chapter. He's supposed to have a photographic memory?

[David Heritage · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish- things happen all over the world and these 3 sas guys waltz in and save the day like there are no other police or special forces there!
Enjoy a good sas based book but this is no McNab, not even close.
Now see why it was free to download.

[Alan Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider ,Jock & Geordie are in the thick of it again as terrorists attack first Athens then Oaris we follow them all the way to Australia after a dissident Chinese terrorist and his crew go after Chinas leader on a tour of Sydney.

[Trina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hadn't read this genre before so thought l'd give it a whirl. It wasn't quite what l expected as it seemed like a bunch of short stories loosely tied together, and somewhat unbelievable.

Not for me but others will enjoy no doubt.

[MALCOLM GEORGE · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like SF you’ll like this

A bouncy read that has a gripping story line. Well written from the perspective of the SF operative but as usual less forgiving of politicians & ruperts. As most books of this type go the same way must some truths. Entertainment

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Spider and the gang before he left the SAS. Usual great read from Stephen Leather

[Colin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of action, I couldn't put it down. So much so I got nagged because I didn't talk!

[N Scobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far fetched but very enjoyable non the less

[Monica Janet Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Spider Shepherd books but this was a little stolid and I had difficulty finishing it with any enjoyment

[Jo Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good detail

Like the fact that the author knows what he is writing about and he gives believable detail into the ops

[Intruder911 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Author as always

The book is an excellent read. It is well written with the twist of plots. I would definitely recommend to everyone.

[Heather Machon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

Read this book on holiday, just what was needed. Really enjoy characters and banter between them. Keep up the good work Stephen.

[MR W BRANQUET · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

1st book I have read by this author, I will now read the whole series starting at the beginning. Thanks

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

All over the place, total mess of a story.

[Craig Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. The second half is disappointing.

[Bryan Cross M.B.E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spider does it again

Another cracking take about Spider and is cohort. just a pity it does not say what happened about the Court Martial.
Or is that another story.

[Terry Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical SAS romp.

Spider Shepherd novels are always entertaining if a little predictable. Don't get me wrong but the excitement is tempered with familiarity.

[Eddie McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great storie

Read many of his book, it hard to say if one story is better than another as they are all good,
You can see he does a lot of research to compile each story.

[alan cupitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

If you want supermen Stephen Leather portrays shepherd and his team as them ,even tho they face greater odds the team train and perform to expected highs

[Sue Morcumb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Stephen Leather and Spider and his colleagues who win the day as always and do it exceedingly well. Good storyline and a thoroughly riveting story. Lots of action and good-hearted banter between them all and an excellent conclusion. I do enjoy these books and some I have read before but they are very good value for money at 99p and it is so pleasant not to have swearing and sex in the books, the detail of what the men are using as in their guns and other equipment is very detailed and I would imagine pretty true. Anyone wanting a good read, then these books will not disappoint.