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Dan Shepherd #17
Slow Burn
Should we bring them back?
There are thousands of jihadi brides in refugee camps in the Middle East. Some of them were once British before they were stripped of their citizenship. Were they brainwashed or simply naive when they set out for Syria as teenagers? And, if they were allowed to return, would they pose a threat to our country?
Spider Shepherd is about to be sent on an extraordinary mission to the Syrian border by his MI5 boss. There he will have to decide which of the women he meets is still a threat, and if not, which of them has information useful to the Secret Service and can be allowed back. His are life or death decisions.
But there is one bride he must take back to the UK whatever her circumstances. She is the wife of a notorious ISIS bombmaker, Salam Jaraf. Jaraf is an asylum seeker who has information on terrorist cells in Britain. But the bombmaker will only tell MI5 what he knows if his wife and son are brought to him. But it soon becomes obvious that hostile forces are following Spider and Mrs Jaraf across Turkey. Bringing this woman back from the warzone will become one of the most dangerous missions Spider has ever undertaken.
There are thousands of jihadi brides in refugee camps in the Middle East. Some of them were once British before they were stripped of their citizenship. Were they brainwashed or simply naive when they set out for Syria as teenagers? And, if they were allowed to return, would they pose a threat to our country?
Spider Shepherd is about to be sent on an extraordinary mission to the Syrian border by his MI5 boss. There he will have to decide which of the women he meets is still a threat, and if not, which of them has information useful to the Secret Service and can be allowed back. His are life or death decisions.
But there is one bride he must take back to the UK whatever her circumstances. She is the wife of a notorious ISIS bombmaker, Salam Jaraf. Jaraf is an asylum seeker who has information on terrorist cells in Britain. But the bombmaker will only tell MI5 what he knows if his wife and son are brought to him. But it soon becomes obvious that hostile forces are following Spider and Mrs Jaraf across Turkey. Bringing this woman back from the warzone will become one of the most dangerous missions Spider has ever undertaken.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2020
313 people are currently reading
264 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 76 reviews
August 4, 2020
I can't believe this is the 17th Spider Shepherd book! Another exciting action thrilled novel by the prolific Stephen Leather. I have loved these books from the very start and it was good to read the latest instalment in this excellent series.
Spider Shepherd is sent to the Syrian border by MI5 to speak to jihadi brides in refugee camps in the Middle East to decide if any of them can return to Britain in exchange for information that may prove useful to the Secret Service. This is no easy task and the decisions he makes could prove life threatening.
With one of the brides there is no decision for him to make, she must be returned back to the UK. She is the wife of a notorious ISIS bombmaker, Salam Jaraf who is an asylum seeker and has information on terrorist cells in Britain. Jaraf will only tell MI5 what he knows if his wife and son are brought to him. This is no straightforward operation and there are people who are out to stop Shepherd bringing them back.
This is typical of the other books in the series, great characters and a fast paced plot that will keep the reader gripped to every word. Action filled thriller that will have you racing through it to the very end.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Spider Shepherd is sent to the Syrian border by MI5 to speak to jihadi brides in refugee camps in the Middle East to decide if any of them can return to Britain in exchange for information that may prove useful to the Secret Service. This is no easy task and the decisions he makes could prove life threatening.
With one of the brides there is no decision for him to make, she must be returned back to the UK. She is the wife of a notorious ISIS bombmaker, Salam Jaraf who is an asylum seeker and has information on terrorist cells in Britain. Jaraf will only tell MI5 what he knows if his wife and son are brought to him. This is no straightforward operation and there are people who are out to stop Shepherd bringing them back.
This is typical of the other books in the series, great characters and a fast paced plot that will keep the reader gripped to every word. Action filled thriller that will have you racing through it to the very end.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2020
Whoever told me I would love this author and this series was right, 100% right, I was worried starting at Book 17 and only a few weeks ago I commented on a thread in a book group that I NEVER go back to start a series past 3 books, tbh I don’t think I ever have wanted to, until now
Spider Shepherd is ex SAS, now working for MI5 and this book has him travelling to Syria to meet ISIS brides ( and on the day Begum was on the news again I was reading about her in this book ) whilst collecting a wife and child of an ISIS trainer turned informant who has landed in the UK ready to tell all if he gets his family back, plus dealing with Chinese spies working as escorts in London....a heady mix of current affairs, top action, secret worlds and fast paced adventure, told in a straight no nonsense way that obviously appeals to readers
His writing is great, characters ( on each side ) bold, real and provocative and the main man ‘Spider’ I liked instantly
The story builds to what could be a shocking end to NY’s Eve ( on my street ) and it really did have me captured right up until the last word
I want to write more but my Amazon wish list is calling to add the previous 16 books plus anything else by the author
Short version I LOVED IT
10/10
5 Stars
Spider Shepherd is ex SAS, now working for MI5 and this book has him travelling to Syria to meet ISIS brides ( and on the day Begum was on the news again I was reading about her in this book ) whilst collecting a wife and child of an ISIS trainer turned informant who has landed in the UK ready to tell all if he gets his family back, plus dealing with Chinese spies working as escorts in London....a heady mix of current affairs, top action, secret worlds and fast paced adventure, told in a straight no nonsense way that obviously appeals to readers
His writing is great, characters ( on each side ) bold, real and provocative and the main man ‘Spider’ I liked instantly
The story builds to what could be a shocking end to NY’s Eve ( on my street ) and it really did have me captured right up until the last word
I want to write more but my Amazon wish list is calling to add the previous 16 books plus anything else by the author
Short version I LOVED IT
10/10
5 Stars
August 8, 2020
I can't believe this is the 17th Spider Shepherd book! Another exciting action thrilled novel by the prolific Stephen Leather. I have loved these books from the very start and it was good to read the latest instalment in this excellent series.
Spider Shepherd is sent to the Syrian border by MI5 to speak to jihadi brides in refugee camps in the Middle East to decide if any of them can return to Britain in exchange for information that may prove useful to the Secret Service. This is no easy task and the decisions he makes could prove life threatening.
With one of the brides there is no decision for him to make, she must be returned back to the UK. She is the wife of a notorious ISIS bombmaker, Salam Jaraf who is an asylum seeker and has information on terrorist cells in Britain. Jaraf will only tell MI5 what he knows if his wife and son are brought to him. This is no straightforward operation and there are people who are out to stop Shepherd bringing them back.
This is typical of the other books in the series, great characters and a fast paced plot that will keep the reader gripped to every word. Action filled thriller that will have you racing through it to the very end.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Spider Shepherd is sent to the Syrian border by MI5 to speak to jihadi brides in refugee camps in the Middle East to decide if any of them can return to Britain in exchange for information that may prove useful to the Secret Service. This is no easy task and the decisions he makes could prove life threatening.
With one of the brides there is no decision for him to make, she must be returned back to the UK. She is the wife of a notorious ISIS bombmaker, Salam Jaraf who is an asylum seeker and has information on terrorist cells in Britain. Jaraf will only tell MI5 what he knows if his wife and son are brought to him. This is no straightforward operation and there are people who are out to stop Shepherd bringing them back.
This is typical of the other books in the series, great characters and a fast paced plot that will keep the reader gripped to every word. Action filled thriller that will have you racing through it to the very end.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2020
Stephen Leather is an astonishingly consistent and talented author, certainly one of the UK’s best thriller writers. Slow Burn is the 17th in the Spider Shepherd series and maintains that consistently high standard.
As always the books are astonishingly topical. There are three themes here, a minor (but interesting one) about Chinese intelligence gathering in the UK, but the main two are about the use of drones as a terror weapon and the issue of whether to recover widowed jihadi brides from the Middle East. Are these women innocent victims or are they a potential danger? Spider is sent out to make an assessment and to bring back the wife of an asylum seeker who has information he will only share if his family is brought back. What should be a simple job gets complicated when a sophisticated enemy seems to be on his tail.
We do have the usual twists and revelations but also as a reader you are asked a few questions about right and wrong, the greater good and the fine balance that the world’s intelligence agency have to keep.
Spider is a good guy working in the shadows. As a character he believes in truth and justice but is uncomfortable with themes of sacrifice and the big picture, he is an interesting contrast to quite a few other characters that have an opposite view that the end always justifies the means. There are also a few other treats in here for regular readers that I won’t spoil.
Anyway, in summary, he’s only gone and done it again. Thoughtful, intelligent and fast moving thriller of the highest order.
I’m grateful to the publishers for an advance copy.
As always the books are astonishingly topical. There are three themes here, a minor (but interesting one) about Chinese intelligence gathering in the UK, but the main two are about the use of drones as a terror weapon and the issue of whether to recover widowed jihadi brides from the Middle East. Are these women innocent victims or are they a potential danger? Spider is sent out to make an assessment and to bring back the wife of an asylum seeker who has information he will only share if his family is brought back. What should be a simple job gets complicated when a sophisticated enemy seems to be on his tail.
We do have the usual twists and revelations but also as a reader you are asked a few questions about right and wrong, the greater good and the fine balance that the world’s intelligence agency have to keep.
Spider is a good guy working in the shadows. As a character he believes in truth and justice but is uncomfortable with themes of sacrifice and the big picture, he is an interesting contrast to quite a few other characters that have an opposite view that the end always justifies the means. There are also a few other treats in here for regular readers that I won’t spoil.
Anyway, in summary, he’s only gone and done it again. Thoughtful, intelligent and fast moving thriller of the highest order.
I’m grateful to the publishers for an advance copy.
December 22, 2021
Another brilliant book in the Spider Shepherd series.
Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd is asked to fly over to Syria to bring back the wife and child of a terrorist who is prepared to give them information on active terrorists in the UK.
Things don’t go quite to plan and lives are in danger in Syria and also back in the UK.
This is a gripping thriller.
Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd is asked to fly over to Syria to bring back the wife and child of a terrorist who is prepared to give them information on active terrorists in the UK.
Things don’t go quite to plan and lives are in danger in Syria and also back in the UK.
This is a gripping thriller.
October 13, 2023
Spider back at his best.
September 21, 2025
The
The latest Shepherd novels are fairly pedestrian offerings in the thriller genre.
The latest Shepherd novels are fairly pedestrian offerings in the thriller genre.
September 17, 2025
Suspenseful, terrorists are bad
November 15, 2020
A former soldier working for MI5, Spider Shepherd is the hero of many thrillers by Stephen Leather.
In his latest outing, Spider travels to a Syrian refugee camp to meet some teenage jihadi brides who claim they were brainwashed and now want to return to the UK. He is also there to collect the wife and son of an ISIS bombmaker, who is willing to share what he knows with MI5 but only when his wife and son are safely by his side. Spider is pursued on his return to the UK and there are some enjoyable car chases and excitement.
On his return Spider begins to collect intel and uncovers a terrorist plot that must be stopped at all costs.
Spider is by now a well loved and established character, and this is apparent in the way the character is written. Spider is complex, mysterious and strangely appealing even though he is clearly a troubled man. His character is written so well it really is the centre of the book.
The book is quite long and it is not fast paced, but there are quite a few things happening so it's not boring. The title is on the money - it is a "Slow Burn". I don't usually read these kind of SAS/spy thrillers but I did find it enjoyable. The plot is solid and interesting and together with the characters this makes for a compelling read.
In his latest outing, Spider travels to a Syrian refugee camp to meet some teenage jihadi brides who claim they were brainwashed and now want to return to the UK. He is also there to collect the wife and son of an ISIS bombmaker, who is willing to share what he knows with MI5 but only when his wife and son are safely by his side. Spider is pursued on his return to the UK and there are some enjoyable car chases and excitement.
On his return Spider begins to collect intel and uncovers a terrorist plot that must be stopped at all costs.
Spider is by now a well loved and established character, and this is apparent in the way the character is written. Spider is complex, mysterious and strangely appealing even though he is clearly a troubled man. His character is written so well it really is the centre of the book.
The book is quite long and it is not fast paced, but there are quite a few things happening so it's not boring. The title is on the money - it is a "Slow Burn". I don't usually read these kind of SAS/spy thrillers but I did find it enjoyable. The plot is solid and interesting and together with the characters this makes for a compelling read.
May 14, 2021
Flight of Revenge
Love the Spider Shepherd series. As ever Dan is in the thick of things. He is asked by his MI5 boss, Pritchard, to meet with an asylum seeker who has just arrived at Heathrow and requested asylum. He claims to be an ISIS Instructor teaching UK jihadists how to use drones for terrorism. Spider gets heavily involved, even going to Turkey to pick up the Asylum seemed wife and son. What follows is filled with political intrigue, denial, infiltration and ultimately the death and arrest of the bad guys and the good guys winning the day. Great read and as always difficult to put down
Love the Spider Shepherd series. As ever Dan is in the thick of things. He is asked by his MI5 boss, Pritchard, to meet with an asylum seeker who has just arrived at Heathrow and requested asylum. He claims to be an ISIS Instructor teaching UK jihadists how to use drones for terrorism. Spider gets heavily involved, even going to Turkey to pick up the Asylum seemed wife and son. What follows is filled with political intrigue, denial, infiltration and ultimately the death and arrest of the bad guys and the good guys winning the day. Great read and as always difficult to put down
August 11, 2020
No the best
Still the usual good read, but 17th best in the series I’d say. Very predictable and lacked the family / personal related storyline that usually runs in parallel. Would be nice to move on from Muslim related terror plots - is there no other crime out there for Spider to solve?
Still the usual good read, but 17th best in the series I’d say. Very predictable and lacked the family / personal related storyline that usually runs in parallel. Would be nice to move on from Muslim related terror plots - is there no other crime out there for Spider to solve?
September 15, 2020
Enjoyed most of this one, but the end left me expecting more. Kind of just fizzled out.
March 13, 2021
Great story but a bit rushed and a rather pointless sideline about Chinese spying that didn’t fit in at all
March 17, 2021
A typical Spider Shepherd novel by Stephen Leather, fast paced, easy reading with deep research and contemporary story line, based on problems which are currently plaguing the UK and Europe!
As usual, Leather infuses a couple of plots inside the novel - Chinese espionage and their honey trap operating model in UK, homegrown UK jihadists who get radicalised in their local mosques and then go off to get training in ISIS training camps and come back and create havoc on British soil, Muslim girls lured into becoming jihadists brides and then how unrestricted and unregistered drones can become a potential terror threat in future.
The book starts off with Spider trying to unravel a Chinese escort agency ring which in reality is a Chinese espionage den, where the girls go to clients house and place bugs in the phone to track them. And if one of the many customers turn out to be government agency workers, then bingo! The primary plot is an ISIS bomb maker, specialising in arming drones with explosives and making them IED devices which can them be flown Ofer short distances and exploded. Sharaf lands in Heathrow and seeks asylum and cooperates with MI5 to give them names and address of British jihadists whom he trained in Syria in his special field. His only request is, he will empty his knowledge coffers to MI5 only of his wife and kid is brought in from a Refugee camp in Turkey. Several attempts are made to kill him and Spider saves the day every time.
Spider then travels to the refugee camp, to pick his family. Giles Pritchard, Spider boss, also asks him to 3 girls in the camp who were British citizens but ran away a while back to become jihadist brides. One of the girl Nadia proves valuable with all the intel she has and also has a boyfriend who she claims works as MI5 undercover agent in Syria ISIS camp. That turns out to be a complete mystery as MI5 never employed anyone that deep a cover and it turns out that Richard Yokely, the CIA guy is running that agent under the false pretext of being MI5. Yokely was also the guy who features in several previous books and always wanted to recruit Spider once upon a time.
The climax of the plot comes to picture when Sharaf’s wife and kid is safely brought to the UK to the safe house where he was staying and immediately the wife kidnaps and misers Sharaf. The plot quickly unravels - before Sharaf joinined ISIS, he was part of Hezbolla on the West Bank and one of his drones had killed a Israeli General and his family, so the attempt of Sharaf’s life and the final killing was all the handiwork of Mossad and their Kidon group who are know for their vengeance and revenge.
The final climax comes in the form of 3 terror cells, who armed the drones with Semtex obtained from an ex-IRA cache, and they trying to explode them and kill hundreds in the New Year’s Eve night when central London is flooded with people wanting to witness the New Year’s Eve fireworks. 2 cells get nabbed in time but the third cell manages to get 3 drones airborne and fly them towards their pre-programmed targets, where the entire Police force along with Spiders boss is partying. As usua Spider saves the day and get the cell into custody, not before one drone exploding which due to Spiders heads up doesn’t cause any casualties.
A few of the good stuff is missing though - Spider seems to have aged a bit and he has given up his usual running routines which sacks of bricks in his backpack, he doesn’t got deep undercover any more which he was absolutely a genius in, not much mention of how he is coping up with Katra’s death, not much mention of his son Luke and not a deep involvement with Major Gannon and his SAS friends. Still the book doesn’t let off steam or thrills in any way, an absolute cracker edge of the seat read and the climax is just too racy and exciting. Good book, waiting now the for the next instalment from Mr. Leather.
As usual, Leather infuses a couple of plots inside the novel - Chinese espionage and their honey trap operating model in UK, homegrown UK jihadists who get radicalised in their local mosques and then go off to get training in ISIS training camps and come back and create havoc on British soil, Muslim girls lured into becoming jihadists brides and then how unrestricted and unregistered drones can become a potential terror threat in future.
The book starts off with Spider trying to unravel a Chinese escort agency ring which in reality is a Chinese espionage den, where the girls go to clients house and place bugs in the phone to track them. And if one of the many customers turn out to be government agency workers, then bingo! The primary plot is an ISIS bomb maker, specialising in arming drones with explosives and making them IED devices which can them be flown Ofer short distances and exploded. Sharaf lands in Heathrow and seeks asylum and cooperates with MI5 to give them names and address of British jihadists whom he trained in Syria in his special field. His only request is, he will empty his knowledge coffers to MI5 only of his wife and kid is brought in from a Refugee camp in Turkey. Several attempts are made to kill him and Spider saves the day every time.
Spider then travels to the refugee camp, to pick his family. Giles Pritchard, Spider boss, also asks him to 3 girls in the camp who were British citizens but ran away a while back to become jihadist brides. One of the girl Nadia proves valuable with all the intel she has and also has a boyfriend who she claims works as MI5 undercover agent in Syria ISIS camp. That turns out to be a complete mystery as MI5 never employed anyone that deep a cover and it turns out that Richard Yokely, the CIA guy is running that agent under the false pretext of being MI5. Yokely was also the guy who features in several previous books and always wanted to recruit Spider once upon a time.
The climax of the plot comes to picture when Sharaf’s wife and kid is safely brought to the UK to the safe house where he was staying and immediately the wife kidnaps and misers Sharaf. The plot quickly unravels - before Sharaf joinined ISIS, he was part of Hezbolla on the West Bank and one of his drones had killed a Israeli General and his family, so the attempt of Sharaf’s life and the final killing was all the handiwork of Mossad and their Kidon group who are know for their vengeance and revenge.
The final climax comes in the form of 3 terror cells, who armed the drones with Semtex obtained from an ex-IRA cache, and they trying to explode them and kill hundreds in the New Year’s Eve night when central London is flooded with people wanting to witness the New Year’s Eve fireworks. 2 cells get nabbed in time but the third cell manages to get 3 drones airborne and fly them towards their pre-programmed targets, where the entire Police force along with Spiders boss is partying. As usua Spider saves the day and get the cell into custody, not before one drone exploding which due to Spiders heads up doesn’t cause any casualties.
A few of the good stuff is missing though - Spider seems to have aged a bit and he has given up his usual running routines which sacks of bricks in his backpack, he doesn’t got deep undercover any more which he was absolutely a genius in, not much mention of how he is coping up with Katra’s death, not much mention of his son Luke and not a deep involvement with Major Gannon and his SAS friends. Still the book doesn’t let off steam or thrills in any way, an absolute cracker edge of the seat read and the climax is just too racy and exciting. Good book, waiting now the for the next instalment from Mr. Leather.
October 22, 2020
#slowburn - Stephen Leather
#hodderandstoughton (#jonathanball)
David Morrell’s ‘The brotherhood of the Rose’ has always been a firm favourite of mine and has become my benchmark for political/military/espionage thrillers. Sadly, few measured up throught the years. A common irritation was the hero pictured as some kind of superman; the plot relying on action and violence instead of intellect and the unrealistic improbabilities, ending in a huge fight with buckets of blood, flying debris and a wounded hero, smiling at a beautiful woman. Or two.
Although I have read one of the author’s novels before; I was not familiar with his Spider Shepherd series (this is number 17) so I started reading with apprehension. Within 20 pages I was hooked ! (I have already ordered 2 other books in the series as well.)
Spider (Daniel) Shepherd has a colourful history in the SAS, paratroopers, etc. In this novel he is working for MI5 in London; tasked with intelligence gathering against a Chinese spy ring as an undercover agent. But then he has to temporarily suspend his legend: a notorious ISIS explosives expert is seeking asylum in the UK and is prepared to exchange intelligence for the safe return of his wife and son - currently in a refugee camp on the Syrian border. Spider has to ensure their safe return, but several enemies are determined to prevent that. And, in London, the clock is ticking. ISIS agents are planning a bomb attack with drones; a Chinese spy wants to defect and Mossad, MI6 and the CIA have their own agendas.
Although I have not (yet) read the previous 16 novels in the series, I had no problem reading this novel as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the pace; plot and writing style and found several interesting references to various subjects: nerve agents; the difference between MI5 and MI6; the British asylum policies; counter surveillance; the grooming tactics of the jihadis, to name a few.
The novel is recommended for readers enjoying fast-paced, intellectually stimulating plots with a military twist and deserves 4 stars. (Would have given 5, but the book has no chapters and that bothered me somewhat.)
#Uitdieperdsebek
#hodderandstoughton (#jonathanball)
David Morrell’s ‘The brotherhood of the Rose’ has always been a firm favourite of mine and has become my benchmark for political/military/espionage thrillers. Sadly, few measured up throught the years. A common irritation was the hero pictured as some kind of superman; the plot relying on action and violence instead of intellect and the unrealistic improbabilities, ending in a huge fight with buckets of blood, flying debris and a wounded hero, smiling at a beautiful woman. Or two.
Although I have read one of the author’s novels before; I was not familiar with his Spider Shepherd series (this is number 17) so I started reading with apprehension. Within 20 pages I was hooked ! (I have already ordered 2 other books in the series as well.)
Spider (Daniel) Shepherd has a colourful history in the SAS, paratroopers, etc. In this novel he is working for MI5 in London; tasked with intelligence gathering against a Chinese spy ring as an undercover agent. But then he has to temporarily suspend his legend: a notorious ISIS explosives expert is seeking asylum in the UK and is prepared to exchange intelligence for the safe return of his wife and son - currently in a refugee camp on the Syrian border. Spider has to ensure their safe return, but several enemies are determined to prevent that. And, in London, the clock is ticking. ISIS agents are planning a bomb attack with drones; a Chinese spy wants to defect and Mossad, MI6 and the CIA have their own agendas.
Although I have not (yet) read the previous 16 novels in the series, I had no problem reading this novel as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the pace; plot and writing style and found several interesting references to various subjects: nerve agents; the difference between MI5 and MI6; the British asylum policies; counter surveillance; the grooming tactics of the jihadis, to name a few.
The novel is recommended for readers enjoying fast-paced, intellectually stimulating plots with a military twist and deserves 4 stars. (Would have given 5, but the book has no chapters and that bothered me somewhat.)
#Uitdieperdsebek
July 23, 2020
A welcome return for one of my favourite fictional characters, Dan 'Spider' Shepherd. I seem to have been reading this series of books for ever and when I open a new one its like catching up with an old friend. This, the seventeenth in a series that never gets old, is bang up to date with current affairs, very well researched and I found myself yet again drawn into Spiders web from the opening pages.
Its the run-up to Christmas and Dan starts this novel undercover in London on the receiving end of the expert attentions of 'masseuse' Jasmine, being monitored closely from a surveillance van round the corner by MI5 colleage Amar Singh.
But Dan has more than one string to his bow and Jasmine finds herself rudely put on hold when former ISIS trainer, Salam Jaraf steps off a plane at Heathrow and hands himself in at UK immigration. Seeking asylum in exchange for information and the safe passage of his wife and son from a refugee camp on the Turkish/Syrian border, Jaraf is only willing to identify those he trained when his family have been safely transported to UK so Dan finds himself on a plane heading out to Turkey. At the same time he's to meet with three jihadi brides, all of them wanting to return to the UK, his task to interview them and find out what they have to offer and if they'd pose a threat if allowed to return.
Of course things don't go smoothly and there's a good mix of action, intrigue and drama that kept Dan on his toes and me turning the pages right to the the adrenaline filled ending when Dan sees the New Year in with a bang.
A great read from start to finish and one of the best in the series!
My thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy for review purposes. I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
Its the run-up to Christmas and Dan starts this novel undercover in London on the receiving end of the expert attentions of 'masseuse' Jasmine, being monitored closely from a surveillance van round the corner by MI5 colleage Amar Singh.
But Dan has more than one string to his bow and Jasmine finds herself rudely put on hold when former ISIS trainer, Salam Jaraf steps off a plane at Heathrow and hands himself in at UK immigration. Seeking asylum in exchange for information and the safe passage of his wife and son from a refugee camp on the Turkish/Syrian border, Jaraf is only willing to identify those he trained when his family have been safely transported to UK so Dan finds himself on a plane heading out to Turkey. At the same time he's to meet with three jihadi brides, all of them wanting to return to the UK, his task to interview them and find out what they have to offer and if they'd pose a threat if allowed to return.
Of course things don't go smoothly and there's a good mix of action, intrigue and drama that kept Dan on his toes and me turning the pages right to the the adrenaline filled ending when Dan sees the New Year in with a bang.
A great read from start to finish and one of the best in the series!
My thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy for review purposes. I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
July 23, 2020
I've been reading Stephen Leather's books since the early 90's, he knows I'm a fan. I love all his books and they are always eagerly awaited. I feel like I know Dan 'Spider' Shepherd personally now, so obviously I was excited about the next instalment. Hats off to Leather for tackling a hot political potato with the Jihadi Brides. It was a real eye opener learning about the refugee camps and what makes these women leave the country that's given them everything to travel to Syria to support such a vile organisation as ISIS.
Shepherd is sent overseas to a refugee camp on the Syrian/Turkish border to interview three Jihadi brides to see where their allegiance lies, but that's only half the story, he's also been sent to collect the wife and child of a notorious ISIS bomb maker who's fled to the UK to pass on information about a forthcoming threat, and will only talk when he knows his wife and child are safe.
Shepherd can feel eyes on him, whilst he's there and his hunch proves right and not all is plane sailing, he has to take risk after risk to get everyone back to the UK.
Even Major Gannon and his crew have trouble keeping this important asset safe...and soon it becomes obvious that nowhere and no one is safe.
New drone technology can that can bring widespread death and destruction to the UK has come into play and around the country returning Jihadists are putting deadly bombs together, but can Shepherd find out when and where they'll strike in time. Nail biting to the last page with a twist you won't see coming.
.......
I also hope that there will be another Spider novel focusing on the secretive Chinese Government so we can discover what they are up to....!!
Shepherd is sent overseas to a refugee camp on the Syrian/Turkish border to interview three Jihadi brides to see where their allegiance lies, but that's only half the story, he's also been sent to collect the wife and child of a notorious ISIS bomb maker who's fled to the UK to pass on information about a forthcoming threat, and will only talk when he knows his wife and child are safe.
Shepherd can feel eyes on him, whilst he's there and his hunch proves right and not all is plane sailing, he has to take risk after risk to get everyone back to the UK.
Even Major Gannon and his crew have trouble keeping this important asset safe...and soon it becomes obvious that nowhere and no one is safe.
New drone technology can that can bring widespread death and destruction to the UK has come into play and around the country returning Jihadists are putting deadly bombs together, but can Shepherd find out when and where they'll strike in time. Nail biting to the last page with a twist you won't see coming.
.......
I also hope that there will be another Spider novel focusing on the secretive Chinese Government so we can discover what they are up to....!!
August 15, 2020
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
Number 17 already ... I can't believe it ... I never get bored of reading about Dan "Spider" Shepherd's escapades, scrapes and feats of derring-do! Mr Leather is extremely adept at keeping things fresh and exciting; these books never get old or feel like they are being re-hashed just for the sake of it and if you haven't yet read any of them, what is wrong with you!!! You don't even need to read them in order to appreciate them but be warned, once you read 1 you will want to read them all.
Here we have the topical and very believable and scarily plausible tale of home-grown terrorism, the use of drones as weapons by terrorists, the question of whether to allow jihadi brides to return to the UK and the minor story of Chinese spies. This sounds like a lot but don't be put off, it flows seamlessly and effortlessly and, for me, it feels like an accurate reflection of the life of an MI5 agent having to keep lots of plates in the air at once whilst trying to stop a disaster of epic proportions from happening.
This is an exciting read full of brilliant characters which is hard to put down ... yes I know this is a cliché but absolutely accurate in this instance. There is less of the personal story in this one and more action ... I wonder if this is because the next instalment sees Spider and his son, Liam, team up on an operation? Or is it going to delve into the Chinese intelligence angle? Whatever it is, I for one can't wait, so hurry up Mr Leather and write faster 😀
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
Number 17 already ... I can't believe it ... I never get bored of reading about Dan "Spider" Shepherd's escapades, scrapes and feats of derring-do! Mr Leather is extremely adept at keeping things fresh and exciting; these books never get old or feel like they are being re-hashed just for the sake of it and if you haven't yet read any of them, what is wrong with you!!! You don't even need to read them in order to appreciate them but be warned, once you read 1 you will want to read them all.
Here we have the topical and very believable and scarily plausible tale of home-grown terrorism, the use of drones as weapons by terrorists, the question of whether to allow jihadi brides to return to the UK and the minor story of Chinese spies. This sounds like a lot but don't be put off, it flows seamlessly and effortlessly and, for me, it feels like an accurate reflection of the life of an MI5 agent having to keep lots of plates in the air at once whilst trying to stop a disaster of epic proportions from happening.
This is an exciting read full of brilliant characters which is hard to put down ... yes I know this is a cliché but absolutely accurate in this instance. There is less of the personal story in this one and more action ... I wonder if this is because the next instalment sees Spider and his son, Liam, team up on an operation? Or is it going to delve into the Chinese intelligence angle? Whatever it is, I for one can't wait, so hurry up Mr Leather and write faster 😀
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
July 30, 2020
Salam Jaraf arrives in England with no passport and is claiming asylum, but unlike others he has something to bargain with. He claims he is an Isis bomb maker with information on homegrown terrorists, but will only give up his information if his wife and child are rescued from a refugee camp in Turkey and they are all given asylum.
Spider Shepherd is undercover trying to find secrets on a Chinese spying ring when he is dragged off to rescue Jaraf’s family. Soon after arriving at the camp he is asked to talk to three Isis brides begging to be allowed to return home to the UK.
When one of the brides show promise, she and Jaraf’s family are brought back to the UK. Soon a terrorist plot is revealed and Jaraf’s family are not all they seem to be.
With a race to stop a disaster of epic proportions, Spider will be pushed to the extremes and, with time running out, can he save the day?
Stephen Leather consistently produces fast paced, high impact brilliantly written stories, and Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd is his best character. No one writing in this genre gets close to Stephen Leather. He comfortably is the best in the business and ‘Slow Burn’ is a perfect example of this. Just incredible.
Spider Shepherd is undercover trying to find secrets on a Chinese spying ring when he is dragged off to rescue Jaraf’s family. Soon after arriving at the camp he is asked to talk to three Isis brides begging to be allowed to return home to the UK.
When one of the brides show promise, she and Jaraf’s family are brought back to the UK. Soon a terrorist plot is revealed and Jaraf’s family are not all they seem to be.
With a race to stop a disaster of epic proportions, Spider will be pushed to the extremes and, with time running out, can he save the day?
Stephen Leather consistently produces fast paced, high impact brilliantly written stories, and Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd is his best character. No one writing in this genre gets close to Stephen Leather. He comfortably is the best in the business and ‘Slow Burn’ is a perfect example of this. Just incredible.
August 18, 2024
In the 17th of the Dan Spider series, a number of fundamentalist Islamist cells trained and sponsored by ISIS plan drone attacks in the UK. At the same time, Dan has to go to a refugee camp in Turkey to 'rescue' the wife and child of an ISIS trainer turned informant and, at the same time, juggle an attempt by Chinese Intelligence to gain information about MI5 through him.
All in all, this is probably the worst of the Dan Spider Shepherd books so far. The story feels cliched and, at times, borderline islamophobic. There are pointless political rants and my biggest hate, unfinished or abandoned sub threads. Plus, I guessed most of the plot quite early on, particularly who the 'hostile forces' were that were following him in Turkey.
All in all, this feels like a story churned out by an author with an agenda and a looming deadline, one who has lost interest in his main character. It's OK as thrillers go, but I wouldn't recommend it.
All in all, this is probably the worst of the Dan Spider Shepherd books so far. The story feels cliched and, at times, borderline islamophobic. There are pointless political rants and my biggest hate, unfinished or abandoned sub threads. Plus, I guessed most of the plot quite early on, particularly who the 'hostile forces' were that were following him in Turkey.
All in all, this feels like a story churned out by an author with an agenda and a looming deadline, one who has lost interest in his main character. It's OK as thrillers go, but I wouldn't recommend it.
October 3, 2020
So.
I've read all the Stephen Leather books and by and large this one has left me cold. Not only does it fizzle out but there are so many plot holes and unfinished subplots to be ignored.
Mi5 agent murdered. Nothing we do.
Chinese agent recruited. Disappeared following the murder above, nothing we can do. Two subplots that ran for pages but then ended as if imagination or printer ink ran out. Or more likely the deadline was approaching.
USA recruiting a British asset. Tells them they are from a British organisation that doesn't even work in that field. I mean really?
Undercover officer, with the consent of Mi5 uses his own house (in his own name, council tax, all bills etc), to hide a terrorist whilst recruiting them as an asset. I'm ok with some leway as it's fiction, but not to these extents.
Maybe time to retire Spider and go back to the excellent stand alone books.
I've read all the Stephen Leather books and by and large this one has left me cold. Not only does it fizzle out but there are so many plot holes and unfinished subplots to be ignored.
Mi5 agent murdered. Nothing we do.
Chinese agent recruited. Disappeared following the murder above, nothing we can do. Two subplots that ran for pages but then ended as if imagination or printer ink ran out. Or more likely the deadline was approaching.
USA recruiting a British asset. Tells them they are from a British organisation that doesn't even work in that field. I mean really?
Undercover officer, with the consent of Mi5 uses his own house (in his own name, council tax, all bills etc), to hide a terrorist whilst recruiting them as an asset. I'm ok with some leway as it's fiction, but not to these extents.
Maybe time to retire Spider and go back to the excellent stand alone books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2020
I absolutely love Stephen Leather's work and the Spider Shepherd series is his flagship.
Although when the latest one arrives on the shelves it feels like putting an old pair of slippers back on at the end of a hard day, in no way does comfortable mean complacent here.
Mr Leather delivers every single time and even manages to stay topical and current whilst pushing the boundaries a little to just this side of 'Can he say that nowadays?'
In this one, we see Spider having aged a little (and are told he rarely runs with bricks in his rucksack now) but he's still the fearless hero we have come to love.
Solid thriller but still unputdownable and this one, in particular, was a novel that I never wanted to end.
Another huge tick from me. The only downside is the wait for the next one.
Although when the latest one arrives on the shelves it feels like putting an old pair of slippers back on at the end of a hard day, in no way does comfortable mean complacent here.
Mr Leather delivers every single time and even manages to stay topical and current whilst pushing the boundaries a little to just this side of 'Can he say that nowadays?'
In this one, we see Spider having aged a little (and are told he rarely runs with bricks in his rucksack now) but he's still the fearless hero we have come to love.
Solid thriller but still unputdownable and this one, in particular, was a novel that I never wanted to end.
Another huge tick from me. The only downside is the wait for the next one.
April 25, 2021
Haven't read Stephen Leather in years really enjoyed the Chinaman, The Bombmaker and Tango one.
First thing, this is very readable. An easy page turner but very readable rubbish. The main character makes James Bond seem like a work shy wimp. There are several plot strands that simply dry up without being resolved. The main character is completely unbelievable. The other point is that the author is not quiet as well versed in methodology as he would have the reader believe.
I used to think of Leather as a B version of Gerald Seymour on this book I would describe him as a C version of Simon Kernick.
Would not recommend other then to suggest it would pass a long plane journey quickly and easily without requiring the reader to think.
First thing, this is very readable. An easy page turner but very readable rubbish. The main character makes James Bond seem like a work shy wimp. There are several plot strands that simply dry up without being resolved. The main character is completely unbelievable. The other point is that the author is not quiet as well versed in methodology as he would have the reader believe.
I used to think of Leather as a B version of Gerald Seymour on this book I would describe him as a C version of Simon Kernick.
Would not recommend other then to suggest it would pass a long plane journey quickly and easily without requiring the reader to think.
May 30, 2021
“Slow Burn” by Stephen Leather (2018)
Overall Rating 9/10 – On fire!
Critique
Compulsive reading with interweaving storylines that ties you in. Lots of detail as you would expect. New boss works well. Great characters.
Plot
ISIS bomb plot in London with 3 muslim terror cells. Spider has to get a high ranking ISIS members family out of a Turkish refugee camp. Mossad and skulduggery. Drones etc.
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)
Overall Rating 9/10 – On fire!
Critique
Compulsive reading with interweaving storylines that ties you in. Lots of detail as you would expect. New boss works well. Great characters.
Plot
ISIS bomb plot in London with 3 muslim terror cells. Spider has to get a high ranking ISIS members family out of a Turkish refugee camp. Mossad and skulduggery. Drones etc.
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)
April 19, 2022
This was a good read, and a good continuation in the Spider Shepherd series.
Leather combined several plots together, leaving you guessing until the end - although the Jaraf plot seemed a little to obvious to me. The side plot of setting up a honey trap was a nice addition and a good reminder that real life is never quite as simple as doing one task at a time!
It was also nice to see a slightly more compasionate approach to some of the characters. The way that Nadia was dealt with at Thames House was an interesting and sympathetic read, especially after the questionable direction of some of the previous books.
The introduction of Warren-Madden was a fun touch, he was a good counter for Shepherd's 'no-nonsense' approach. It was also good to see more of Giles Prichard - since Charlie Button's departure from MI5 the dynamic between Spider and his boss didn't quite work for me.
Leather combined several plots together, leaving you guessing until the end - although the Jaraf plot seemed a little to obvious to me. The side plot of setting up a honey trap was a nice addition and a good reminder that real life is never quite as simple as doing one task at a time!
It was also nice to see a slightly more compasionate approach to some of the characters. The way that Nadia was dealt with at Thames House was an interesting and sympathetic read, especially after the questionable direction of some of the previous books.
The introduction of Warren-Madden was a fun touch, he was a good counter for Shepherd's 'no-nonsense' approach. It was also good to see more of Giles Prichard - since Charlie Button's departure from MI5 the dynamic between Spider and his boss didn't quite work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2020
Slow paced but mostly enjoyable this story will most likely appeal to fans of espionage / thriller novels.
The book is well written and those familiar with the Spider Shepherd series will no doubt enjoy reading this installment in what has become, a long running series.
The subject matter is current and the issues raised are certainly topical. Having said that, the action is subdued and at times the pace lags quite a bit. One of the sub-plots is not resolved in a satisfactory way and the resolution of the main plot is fairly predictable.
Overall this is worth 3.5 stars (rounded up).
The book is well written and those familiar with the Spider Shepherd series will no doubt enjoy reading this installment in what has become, a long running series.
The subject matter is current and the issues raised are certainly topical. Having said that, the action is subdued and at times the pace lags quite a bit. One of the sub-plots is not resolved in a satisfactory way and the resolution of the main plot is fairly predictable.
Overall this is worth 3.5 stars (rounded up).
February 20, 2025
My partner regularly listens to the audio books by Stephen Leather and I have often listened in! The reader is amazing and takes on the different characters brilliantly. So I thought I'd read one myself and could hear Paul Thornley's voice in my head (😍). Leather clearly knows his stuff and does his research, but it's not too in-depth or wordy that one gets bored or overwhelmed with information.
This was an easy read, but exciting and fast paced at the same time. I don't know if all the books are the same, but I quite like the fact there aren't any chapters so you just keep reading and don't get distracted by how many pages you've got left! Tempted to read more of his books.
This was an easy read, but exciting and fast paced at the same time. I don't know if all the books are the same, but I quite like the fact there aren't any chapters so you just keep reading and don't get distracted by how many pages you've got left! Tempted to read more of his books.
September 20, 2020
I’m so glad my husband and I found the Spider Shepherd series
I read this fast. Because it’s a fast book. The characters are strong and I simply wanted to know what was going to happen next.
It is always fun to read a book set in London and being able to imagine myself being there and being a part of the story.
The character of Spider again shows us the value of information. And we get to anguish with him over what information is available and what is valuable. This is quite confronting.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
I read this fast. Because it’s a fast book. The characters are strong and I simply wanted to know what was going to happen next.
It is always fun to read a book set in London and being able to imagine myself being there and being a part of the story.
The character of Spider again shows us the value of information. And we get to anguish with him over what information is available and what is valuable. This is quite confronting.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
June 1, 2021
I have never read Stephen Leather novels prior to this book so did not know what to expect and was worried to start a character series out of step. However, I had nothing to worry about - this is a standalone story with some links to the past, well written so as to give you a little information about the main character’s life. This book had been recommended to me but I was a little hesitant - there have been many ‘special forces hero’ style books published in the last twenty years or so and, most have been poor in my opinion, but this was well written, had good character definitions, and a contemporary storyline. A sub-story running through which I thought was a bit odd and unnecessary but I’ll not spoil further. A good little story and easy to read.
Read
July 30, 2020Read all (17), this was was it’s usual good pace and the Spider we have come to love (he even seemed to loose some of the higher moral stance that was a little obnoxious over the last couple of books)
The ending is comical, but you need some plot holes or obvious mistakes to create a eventful ending sometimes.
Look forward to 18 next year. Waiting for Nightingale to return and hopefully some new OrpanX or Danny Black to fill in my need for Spider type action
The ending is comical, but you need some plot holes or obvious mistakes to create a eventful ending sometimes.
Look forward to 18 next year. Waiting for Nightingale to return and hopefully some new OrpanX or Danny Black to fill in my need for Spider type action
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