Dead Men (A Dan Shepherd Mystery) Mass Market Paperback – September 4, 2008

I read my first book in the Dan (Spider) Shepherd series out of curiosity and quickly became hooked. Mr. Leather has an interesting style of writing that keeps shifting focus from one character to the next. He doesn't use chapter headings or numbers so you move quickly from one character to another without warning. I found it interesting to read the attitude towards the United States and how we do things compared to the British way. In fact, the most difficult thing about reading these books is trying to understand the British slang. I find that reading these books on my  Kindle Fire  prevents me from jumping ahead to read the ending (a bad habit) and spoiling the suspense.If you enjoy good solid characters, intriguing story lines, and fast paced action then this is a series you must read. I have now read the entire series and can't wait for the next book to be written. I was looking for something different and James Leather provided it in grand style.

After the very violent and military orientated 4th installment, this book takes a different unexpected turns. There is here less violence and more investigation, along with build up of a certain love interest between Shepherd and one new character (i will not spoil the story..). There are different sub-plots (one involving IRA and another involving a hired contract killer), which comes together in the end, it is all very well thought of and written, well done again Mr. Leather!One - very - small criticism: I didn't find Sherpherd too convincing at impersonating a web designer, as he is bit too tough for this, and the thing about the calculator watch is not really convincing either.

Make sure to read these books in order. They keep getting better and better. It's danger, and excitement with a little of the author's politics as an undertone.

The story moved at a brisk pace.

I just finished reading this book and found it very entertaining. After a rather slow start, the pace picked up considerably and I was drawn fully into the plot line. "Spider" Shepherd's character is well done as it is in all the books of this series. Great job Stephen Leather!

Lots of action...love this series

Exactly what I expected

I love reading this series.

The impressive Spider Shepherd series continues with this fifth title: Dead Men. The politics of the past in Northern Ireland merges with a modern day terror-inspired assassination plot to provide the plot line for this one. As usual, it is incredibly well done. Leather knows his stuff and weaves knowledge of special forces, the police, intelligence networks and firearms into a story that never lets up in terms of pace. There is, inevitably, a formula to these books; you know what you are going to get, but in many ways that just adds to the pleasure of reading them. Leather devises plausible situations and poses his characters with moral dilemmas along the way. These are more than just fast-paced shoot 'em thrillers - they are informative on a number of topics. The quality of the series so far is impressive - another piece of great entertainment from Stephen Leather.

This is another brilliant read from this talented author. A rich Bedouin has enlisted terrorists to kill a high up American & a high up British woman. Spider is trying to stop them at the same time he is under cover in Belfast working for the British woman, his boss. An R U C policeman was knee capped several years ago & then shot by the I R A . The men who shot him were jailed but released in the good Friday agreement , some did not serve a day in jail. The killers were tracked down & shot in the same way as the R U C policeman. Suspicion falls on his widow who Spider befriends to find out if this was true.

As usual Stephen Leather at his best. I found Stephen by accident when searching for new books to read on my Kindle. I have now read all the Dan Shepherd books, and wait eagerly for the new one next year. I have now started on the Jack Nightingale series. Brilliant author, brilliant books, I have enjoyed everything I have read so far. My favourite new author. If you love excitment and love a good story then Stephen Leather is your man. Would highly recommend.

A very good read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would have been quite happy to have read it in one sitting. Fast moving, good plot though a bit predictable which tends to happen when there are numerous books involving one character.

Bought this book on audible and it took me a while to get used to the Belfast accents, probably because I'm from Northern Ireland. Wouldn't have had a problem if I had just read it. Several threads in this book, the main one based in Northern Ireland. Plenty of twists and turns and not easy to put down.