Hard Landing

Dan Shepherd #1

by Stephen Leather

The first book in the bestselling Dan 'Spider' Shepherd series.

Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is used to putting his life on the line. Working for an elite undercover squad he has lied, cheated and conned in order to bring Britain's most wanted criminals to justice.

But when a powerful drugs baron starts to kill off witnesses to his crimes, Shepherd is given his most dangerous assignment yet. He has to go undercover in a top security prison, a world where one wrong move will mean certain death.

As Shepherd gambles everything to move in on his quarry, he soon realises that the man he is hunting is even more dangerous than the police realise. And that he is capable of striking outside the prison walls and hitting Shepherd where it hurts most.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Action, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

376 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2004

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

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Description: Dan Shepherd is used to putting his life on the line. Working for an elite undercover squad, he’s lied, cheated, and conned in order to bring Britain’s most wanted criminals to justice. But when a powerful drug lord starts to kill off witnesses to his crimes, Shepherd has no choice but to go undercover in a high-security prison—a world where one wrong move will mean certain death. As Shepherd gambles everything to move in on his quarry, he soon realizes that the man he’s hunting is far more dangerous than the police realize—and that he’s capable of striking outside the prison walls and hitting Shepherd where it hurts most.

Opening: Trish Elliott ran her hand across her stomach for the hundredth time since she’d left the doctor’s surgery. It didn’t feel as if there was a new life growing inside her – it was far too early for any movement or kicks, for the baby to make its presence felt. But Trish had known straight away this time, after years of trying, she was pregnant. The third pregnancy test had confirmed what her body had been telling her.

The story opens out on an armed robbery at Gatwick Airport. The action is tough yet not gratuitously described in detail. In a way, it's a bit like this but a hell of a lot tougher, and without the hilarious wordplay.

An eye-scorcher of a read, especially when the 'who dares wins' gang comes into play, no wonder Leather's books are popular with inmates.



Trivia: As part of the research for Hard Landing he spent a day inside Belmarsh Prison in South London. Whilst there, he discovered that his books were very popular in the prison library. Read more...

Belmarsh Prison, London

The Listener scheme is a peer support service which aims to reduce suicide and self-harm in prisons. Samaritans volunteers select, train and support prisoners to become Listeners. Listeners provide confidential emotional support to their fellow inmates who are struggling to cope.

The first Listener scheme was introduced at HMP Swansea in 1991. Now, nearly every prison in England, Scotland and Wales has one. There are an increasing number of Listener schemes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland too. Last year there were more than 1500 Listeners in prisons across the UK and Ireland and over 74,000 requests for support from the prison population. Read more...

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. The most exciting book I've read this year. The story is about an ex-SAS soldier turned undercover policeman who infiltrates a prison to bring down a drugs baron. Dan 'Spider' Shepherd, to quote the book, has balls of steel and is an excellent main character, walking the tightrope between hard man and human being with feelings very well.

The writing is excellent, clear, concise and on the edge of your seat. I gripped my Kindle so hard while reading this book it almost snapped in two! It does contain a lot of police, prison and SAS procedure but as I have an interest in these areas I found it all fascinating while some people might not.

I am making it my mission to read all this author's books, including the entire Spider Shepherd series. I particularly enjoyed it because I have a soft spot for a soldier!

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Dan Shephard series by author Stephen Leather. Little did I know when I started this series that it would become one of my favourite action series and in my opinion rate alongside Lee Child,s Jack Teacher books. Great characters that grow with every book in the series, excellent stories complete staunchly plots. A series well worth reading and even better if read in order.

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit to having a hard time getting into this one, the first in author Stephen Leather's series featuring undercover agent Dan "Spider" Shepherd. In large part, that's because the author is British, and all of us Yanks know the British have trouble spelling words like "colour" and have other rather funky terms for some items (a "boot" here is made for walking, not looking in to find a spare tire). Fortunately for me, I've got a wonderful daughter-in-law who speaks British, so I had a bit of a head start in the interpretation department. Still, at least once a chapter I ran across some term that gave me pause.

The other problem I have with this book is that most of it takes place inside a high-security prison; although I've become a huge fan of the new TV show "Alcatraz," generally speaking, life inside the walls doesn't interest me a whit - more like scares the bloody hell out of me (see, I really have picked up a bit of that British lingo)! But once I got beyond all that, the plot, and the character, grabbed my attention and the was hard to put down. Now, I'm looking forward to reading more - at last count I found seven, so this could take a while!

[Shannon D Duprey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because I got it for a bargain and I don't regret buying it. It's very fast paced and it kept me entertained. Well Done. I am off buying the next book. Stephen leather is one of the best writers. If you enjoy thriller, you will like the book.

[eli · Rating 1 out of 5]

When JK Rowling calls your behavior "shameful", there is no way any halfway decent person will purchase your book.

[John Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Story

I have read many of the Spider Shepherd books and this was one of the best. A well written page turner of a book.

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Soft Target and loving the action pace of the book, I decided to give this series a go. And here, after finishing the first book I found that it's no different.

This first book of the Dan Shepherd series lay the grounds for his character. He's a SAS trooper who moved to undercover job to satisfy his wife. And because he's an "adrenaline junkie" he can't refuse any assignment even when it comes to his family. He is assigned to work undercover as "Bob Macdonald" in a Cat A prison, where the hardest of criminals rule everything on the inside. That means, he has to be in character 24/7 so any slip would mean his life.

I can't find fault with Stephen Leather's style of writing. He makes writing a thriller like watching an action movie if not better. That combined with his vivid description of the situations so brilliantly that it makes it so effortless.

Although I still prefer Soft Target because it was a bit more complex and fast-paced but I overlooked this book because it was like an introduction of Shepherd's life. However, I know this series is getting better.

[Martin Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good thriller that pulls you in from the start and forces you to just read a few more chapters before you put the Kindle down. I learnt a few things about prison life I did not know and shall be checking out the other books in the series.

[James Cridland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this after reading - and enjoying - The Basement.

A good thriller - cleverly written, some nice twists and turns, and rather well done. Atmospheric, very craftily written, and believable too: all the best elements of a decent thriller. Nicely done.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book which is the first in the series. I literally couldn't put it down. The characters and the plotline were superbly drawn by the author and kept me turning the pages.
The main character, Dan 'Spider' Shepherd is ex SAS and now works undercover for the Police. This book details the case he is working on. I'm really looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any of Stephen Leather's books and chose this as it was an absolute bargain on Kindle at 49 pence. I am a fan of books that are part of a series and as this was the first in the series featuring Dan `Spider' Shepherd I looked forward to it.

Dan Shepherd is a very likeable character. He is a former SAS guy who has quit the SAS to keep his wife happy. Now he works as an undercover policeman and his latest operation is not an easy one. He has to infiltrate a drug baron from within prison walls.

The story and the type of character you see as you read the synopsis may be nothing new, but he is certainly very enjoyable. Spider is a likeable guy who has a certain skill set and has been written as such. The main focus of the book is set around the story as opposed to the whole "getting to know him" kind of theme. You do get glimpses of the life Spider leads outside work as we are introduced to his wife and son, but Stephen Leather has it balanced perfectly.

The story was pretty fast paced and tended to keep me intrigued all the way through. There is lots of action as one would expect from this type of book and I found myself becoming a lot more engrossed once I was past the halfway mark. I have never (thankfully) been behind bars but as you read this book you get a real feel for it and I thought it was done really well.

Stephen Leather has a very loyal following and after reading this book I can see why. I really liked the character Dan Shepherd and certainly want to find out more about him. Although his personal life wasn't the main focus of this book, a major event relating to his personal life makes me want to find out how he deals with it next.

I am certainly looking forward to reading the second book in the series and would highly recommend this one.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tense thriller, which I read in one sitting. It is set in the maximum security prison Sheldon - remand section. Bob Macdonald caught in the act of armed robbery during which a policeman is shot refuses to co-operate in any way. He has a completely clean sheet, with nothing on file - photo, fingerprints, DNA. To say any more will be a spoiler.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty standard undercover cop in prison stuff. Very plot driven, though there was some character development in terms of the main character. I suppose this genre is to boys what chicklit is to girls - an undemanding read.

[Dave Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read,gripping story,If you Like Jack Reacher and Alex Cross your gonna love Dan Shepheard.

[Michele Tournay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive only ever read one Stephen Leather book before, I didnt like it. Im glad I gave him another chance.

[Thibaut Nicodème]

http://www.pocketfulofbooks.com/2012/...

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

Quote from author:
""One thing I have never been able to understand is why an organisation like the National Black Police Association is allowed to exist. It is by its very nature racist - hoping to promote the interests of a group solely on the basis of the colour of its members. A police officer can lose his job if he is found to be a member of the British National Party, which in the past excluded non-whites. But the NPBA, which is solely for non-white police officers, is allowed to operate with impunity. Hardly seems fair, does it?""
Source.

"Stephen Leather, who churns outs [sic] ebook and paperback thrillers, boasted at last month's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival: 'As soon as my book is out I'm on Facebook and Twitter several times a day talking about it. I'll go on to several forums, the well-known forums, and post there under my name and under various other names and various other characters. You build up this whole network of characters who talk about your books and sometimes have conversations with yourself.'

Leather was not ashamed. He crowed like a prize cock and expected his fellow crime writers to applaud his cunning.

Jeremy Duns, a British thriller writer who exposes plagiarists in his spare time, found that Leather was nastier than that. When he wanted to fake an identity, Leather picked on Steve Roach, a minor writer who had made disobliging remarks about one of his books. Leather created Twitter ""sockpuppet"" accounts in the names of @Writerroach and @TheSteveRoach. Roach described on an Amazon forum how one account had '16,000 followers all reading ""my"" tweets about how much ""I"" loved SL's books'. He was nervous. He told Duns in a taped conversation that Leather was 'very powerful' and not a man to be crossed. Roach emailed Leather and begged to be left alone. Pleased that his cyber bullying campaign had worked, Leather graciously gave Roach control of the @Writerroach account he had created, to Roach's 'great relief'."
Source.

[Miss Lakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book with good attention and description to detail of very unfamiliar situations and environments, which made it a most enjoyable read.

Ex SAS Spider Shepherd plays an undercover cop in a CAT A prison carrying out a delicate operation of finding out certain information about a fellow inmate, who is a rich and highly influential drugs dealer. The plot is good and the action surrounding it is consistent throughout the book.

The only criticism is that the highly influential drugs dealer reminded me of the character "Grouty" from the TV show Porridge, which spoilt it a little.

I have given 4 stars, based on the fact that this is a very fast paced, easy to follow and keeps your interest levels engaged until the end. I did warm to Spider Shepherd despite his hard SAS background and will now read the other books in the series.

[Wan Ni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the well-researched aspect of this book in presenting readers with a convincing remand centre setting. Character profiles are largely believable as well. However I felt that the story had two climaxes, once at the prison break-in, and once on the ship. The ship scene was less exciting, in my opinion, compared to the break-in, and hence became a somewhat failed climax that I could have done without. Nonetheless, being a fan of largely American thriller I find this novel, set in England, refreshing.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me, I'm afraid. The writing is good and the plot pacy but the plot/theme is not a favourite of mine. I am really starting to dislike enormously plots where the protagonist is spurred into action because of a threat to his family/loved ones etc.. As if there is never any other motive that would make these "heroes" act.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not read a Dan Shepherd before and thought it was well written, fast moving with lots of action.
I enjoyed it!

[Paul Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good thriller, the first of the Dan 'Spider' Shepherd series of books

looking forward to reading more of the series

[Michael L Wilkerson (Papa Gray Wolf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

After having read The Chinaman by Leather (the movie was called The Foreigner and starred Jackie Chan in a dramatic role with a bit of martial arts but much less than normal; and a very good movie at that) I then read Once Bitten, an odd but good vampire novel also by Leather. So I expected more of the same when I ordered Hard Landing.

3 stars indicate that the novel you bestow those stars on is good. I would say that's correct, but I'm disappointed that Hard Landing didn't quite live up to my expectations. I think part of it is an overload of fantastically adept while male accomplishes fantastically conflicts and comes out the winner. I've read more than my share of those recently and though some of them are still getting 4 stars or more from me (see The Fallen, Nowhere To Run, Chasing a Blond Moon to name but a few) nothing made this novel stand out. In short, it wasn't bad, which would mean, I suppose, that it was good, but still not quite on a par with previous Leather books I've read nor several others.

We have a British undercover cop who is sent to prison to get next to a drug lord who is on remand until trial but is manipulating the case against him. Bob McDonald's job (real name Dan (Spider) Shepherd) is to find out how he's effecting that manipulation without letting the bad guys (all of those around him) find out that he's a copper. How does he do that? Well, read the book if you care to. It's not a bad one but there are others that I feel are better.

Oh, I've already mentioned that.

Never mind.

This is an action thriller without a lot of mystery or suspense to it. If you read it I hope you enjoy it. I can't recommend it but I can't say it's not a good book either.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Spider Shepherd works for an undercover squad bringing Britain's criminals to justice. Now he has to do his job in a top security prison.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard Landing has a promising story and plot but its pace is too steady to feel exciting or thrilling.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Brit Special Force/UC police story. Strong characters heading into an excellent series.

[Mike Elledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story...fast paced. Twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the end.

[ElaineY · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK;
Narrator: Marty Reid

I took to Dan Shepherd quickly but because quite a bit of it takes place inside a prison and Shepherd is undercover much of the time, I went away not quite getting a good feel for his character. Best Crime Books review gives more information about the story.

Overall, I like this but I need to get through another one or two more, and see Shepherd when he's not undercover, to decide if I want to listen to more. However, since going Shepherd going undercover is what this series is about, I'm not sure if I'll ever get to know the real Dan Shepherd. Still, the book blurbs sound interesting enough for me to want to check them out.

[Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Accused of cyberbullying fellow authors. Even J.K. Rowlings has spoken up about it.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016...