First Strike cover art

First Strike

Spider Shepherd, Book 21

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First Strike

By: Stephen Leather
Narrated by: Paul Thornley
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About this listen

MI5 officer David White was always a good father, so when his daughters want to go to a music festival in Israel, he agrees to take them. But his daughters are killed in the Hamas massacre that left 1,400 innocent civilians dead. White is taken hostage down in the tunnels under Gaza and Dan 'Spider' Shepherd and a crack SAS team are sent in to rescue him. Back in London, White is a changed man. He wants revenge for what happened to his family and wants to kill the men who planned and financed the Hamas attacks.

And as White embarks on a killing spree, Shepherd is the only man who can stop him.

©2024 Stephen Leather (P)2024 Isis Audio Espionage Genre Fiction Military Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War & Military Exciting Middle East

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As the hostage crisis in Gaza is still ongoing, I found it a bit unsettling to find a novel incorporating some of what happened when terrorist group Hamas invaded Israel on October 7th 2023 killing, raping and burning more than 1000 people and taking over 200 men, women and children hostage into the tunnels of Gaza. Initially I wondered at the wisdom of writing such a novel but as it was still a rather good story, concluded that Stephen Leather perhaps had a message to convey to those who like reading "nice stories" but would rather not watch or follow the news. In that respect, and if that is true, I believe that this book is at best a useful way of presenting the various sides of a much publicised conflict.

Unusually current story

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Loved it from the beginning. Spider, Razor and Last man standing all together outstanding stuff

Outstanding

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I have always liked Paul Thornley’s narrations but for some reason he has put long pauses between sentences in this book. I don’t know if it’s to lengthen the book but it took away some of the enjoyment for me. It’s a good Stephen Leather ‘Spider Shepherd’ story however, particularly as it is loosely based on recent events. Worth listening to if you grit your teeth over the narrative pauses.

Oh dear Paul!

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This was a current story, (as of reading). The back story was managed well.
The characters were well written, almost all provoked an emotion of some kind.
Facts were interesting and used to good effect.
The performance was great by Paul Thornley, as usual.
Thoroughly enjoyable.

Fast-paced, current and exciting

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Really enjoyed the book can't wait for the next one Excellently read by Paul Thornley makes the book so real.
Great, Great, Great!

Absolutely fantastic

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Absolutely fantastic gripping thoroughly enjoyed, would recommend. Stephen leather does not disappoint. Can’t wait for the next one!

First strike

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I’ve been a big fan of Stephen Leathers books for years now, and while this one is no different in imagery, tactics and well researched information, I did find it hard listening to a fictional novel that uses the Hamas attack on Isreal as its basis. I’m not sure if I found it in bad taste or just too early after the atrocities.

The story itself was intriguing and well put together, and to be fair I get the revenge motive as I’m sure a lot of people caught up in it would be thinking what if I could do something like that!

The narrator is outstanding as always, and really brings the book to life.

As usual a good read

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Great, topical story. Thought provoking. Another excellent plot but this time woven around recent terrible events in Israel.

Brilliant and topical

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As always thrill a minute and well written never disappoints hope next book is not to far away

Gripping

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I couldn't stop listening very consuming storytelling with reality throughout the whole gripping chapters amazing insight

Brilliant

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