Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Stephen Leather’s Spider Shepherd books are the best in this genre. I’ve read all the books in this series and they’re all brilliant, but this one is quite exceptional. This time Spider is more emotionally involved and you see his vulnerable side. It’s an unputdownable book which is heart wrenching, fast paced and just brilliant.
I love Stephen Leather’s books and this one is as good as it gets.

Hi ,

My next review is as follows:-

"Short Range(The Spider Shepherd Thrillers Book 16)" written by Stephen Leather and published in hardcover on 25th July 2019 by Hodder & Stoughton. 320 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1473671911

Dan 'Spider' Shepherd's career path - soldier, policeman, MI5 officer - has always put a strain on his family. So he is far from happy to learn that MI5 is using teenagers as informants. Parents are being kept in the dark and Shepherd fears that the children are being exploited.

As an undercover specialist, Shepherd is tasked with protecting a 15-year-old schoolboy who is being used to gather evidence against violent drug dealers and a right-wing terrorist group. But when the boy's life is threatened, Shepherd has no choice but to step in and take the heat.

And while Shepherd's problems mount up at work, he has even greater difficulties closer to home. His son Liam has fallen foul of the Serbian Mafia and if Shepherd doesn't intervene, Liam will die.

Short Range was a very exciting read and I can now fully appreciate the claim that Stephen Leather is the single most requested author by inmates of HM Prisons who want to borrow books from the library trolley in order to better pass their time to be served!!

Stephen Leather is from a journalistic background and meticulously researches the background to all his books and it is very reassuring, reading facts and background details to his stories and knowing that they must be authentic because he has such a great reputation.

I thought that this was a real adrenaline bomb of a story and easily the best that he has ever written. His keen journalistic attention to detail kept me gripped to the edge of my seat right up to the last page. As this a thriller is in his main series it was really interesting to read how the other characters that have appeared in previous stories develop such as his son Liam and his wife. Leather is aware that a reader may buy his book on impulse and the story is fully explained for such occasional readers. I found the book extremely enjoyable and would certainly recommend it.

All in all, though this is quite a lengthy book with more story on every page than previous longer books, as the author likes to write as if he was the producer of an exciting film, the pages just flew by; I was so gripped by the tensely exciting story to find Liam and the other secondary plots. The extraordinary and completely unpredictable ending of this outstanding story was so incredibly imaginative, that I cannot wait to see what the next book by this exciting author will be. If you want to read a book that you should not read on the train or bus as you will be so absorbed that you will likely miss your stop then buy this one. Very strongly recommended.

Best wishes,

Terry

Stephen Leather has done it again! What? you may ask - written another brilliant Dan "Spider" Shepherd book that's what!

I admit that I am a fan and reading an instalment in the turbulent life of Spider is like putting on a pair of comfy shoes but don't for one minute think reading one of these books is easy and boring, far from it - you need to keep your wits about you as you will be in for a bumpy ride.

With fantastic characters, a very relevant and plausible story-line and twists and turns, this is one book you won't want to miss but that ending ... oh Mr Leather, why? I almost cried!

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

Dan "Spider" Shepherd returns in Stepen Leather's Short Range and it is an adrenaline filled , page turning, action packed thriller.

As usual Spider faces a number of seemingly separate investigations and challenges with the action never stopping and the author's research showing through without distracting from the narrative of the story.

If you like your books full on then this is definitely one for you

I'm always happy to review a novel by Stephen Leather and this one was a pleasure. The story starts with Dan Shepherd while on an undercover mission gets involved in the bombing of people exiting a mosque. This doesn't go down well with his bosses as it could compromise his undercover mission.. Shepherd is tasked with protecting a 15-year-old schoolboy who is being used to gather evidence against violent Albanian drug dealers, who are killing the existing drug dealers in a takeover bid. working with his old mate Razor Sharpe. Alongside this he also has to try and infiltrate an extreme right wing group who are suspected of looking to buy arms to carry out attacks on Muslims. While Shepherd is on a trip to try high powered arms with the leaders of this group. his son Liam And Shepherds girlfriend Katra go to Serbia to try and help Katra's sister who has got into trouble with local Serbian gangsters. This doesn't go well and they find themselves kidnapped and in great danger unless Dan can save them, with help from an unexpected quarter.

As you read each chapter all comes together with many twists and turns and bodies littering the way as you read on, with a few shocks and surprises along the way.. Do not read this book if you want a story to put you in sleep mode. You won't be able to put it down to go to sleep. I kept telling myself, "Just one more chapter" but I lied. Another triumph for Stephen Leather..

This is already the 16th Spider Shepherd novel, and they just get better. I just love the way he handles the bad guys - Chuck Norris watch out. This book was gripping, thrilling from beginning to end, and I really enjoyed every minute of it.
Highly recommended.

Stephen Leather 100%, absolutely and with his usual panaché delivers once again.
Although picking up one of his novels always feels like putting comfy slippers on, in no way is this a gentle experience.
The research was outstanding and the tension palpable as it builds to a conclusion which is shocking. I was at 92%, thinking 'How on earth is he going to tie this up?' but I should have had more faith. The last 8% blew me away.
Interesting that we are now seeing Spider's son Liam growing up. I do hope this means that when Dan is ready to hang up his boots, we have another emerging hero in the background?
I think Stephen Leather is probably my favourite author, not only for the thrilling ride every single time but also for the sheer consistency of quality. I've never, in over twenty years, read even a mediocre one from him and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.