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

A fast-paced, action-packed thriller with some contentious and current subject matter

MI5 agent Dan ‘Spider’ Shephard is tasked with flying to a refugee camp in Turkey to bring the wife and son of notorious ISIS bombmaker Salam Jaraf back to the UK. Jaraf has promised MI5 information on terrorist cells in Britain, but only under the condition of asylum for him and his family. Whilst in Turkey, Spider, will also meet several jihadi brides – British born girls who set off for the Middle East to join ISIS and have subsequently been stripped of their citizenship. It is up to him to decide whether these girls are a threat or merely victims, and which of them may also have information that the government can use. However, hostile forces soon begin to descend on Spider, and his charges and safely returning to England becomes more of an urgent challenge then suspected, especially with threats of emerging terrorist activity back home.

This was a gripping and high-stakes thriller which revolved around a really interesting topical issue that divides the nation – terrorism in the UK and the problem of home-grown jihadists and how they are handled. Should they be let back into the country after the crimes they have committed, even if their information may help the government catch other criminals and save lives? Are young girls who set out to become jihadi brides’ terrorists who are guilty of betraying their country, or merely naïve children brainwashed by manipulative leaders? The answers are unclear, and the author excellently demonstrates this in Slow Burn, with arguments for both sides put forward in the actions of the characters and their consequences. The thought-provoking topic added to my enjoyment of what was a fantastic action novel, packed with guns, espionage, murder, and betrayal. The pacing was excellent, with hardly a lull at any point, and the lack of chapters meant reading the book felt watching a high-octane action film.

Unfortunately, whilst this story excelled in its whip-fast plot, it fell short when it came to the players. None of the characters was especially three-dimensional or memorable to me, and the book also lacked any major female characters, which was a slight disappointment. However, it is impressively the 17th in a series about Spider, so perhaps the characters are developed more in previous instalments. The conclusion, whilst tying up most of the loose ends, also felt extremely abrupt and some of the plotlines were resolved in quite a sloppy and unsatisfactory way. Additionally, some of the author’s political views came through quite strongly via his characters, and I didn’t agree entirely with some of them.

In conclusion, this was a better than average action thriller addressing a very controversial issue. The author is an exceptionally talented writer, and I would certainly not be averse to reading more of his work, but perhaps need to finish a few more Spider Shephard books before I truly connect with the character.

Daenerys

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.

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.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I’ve really enjoyed the previous books in this series and this one didn’t disappoint. I thought this was an excellent read, and it’s subject matter very current. The book was full of action, had quite a few twists I was not expecting which made this a thrilling read. I was hooked from beginning to the end, and highly recommend this series of books. 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

"Slow Burn:The !7th Spider Shepherd Thriller” written by Stephen Leather and published in hardcover and kindle by Hodder & Stoughton on 23rd Jyly 2020. 400 pages ISBN-13: 978-1473671973

This must be the best book by the author that I have ever read. He has written many books but this could easily be his first as the author is so adept at his craft that there is a freshness and innovation to his writing that makes it truly exceptional.

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. However, 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.

The story is very violent and bloody and there are scenes of torture that may upset readers of a more sensitive nature but they had to be included because they were very necessary to the very detailed story. The tension between the different personalities and the excellent characterisation make this a highly enjoyable thriller..

As a former journalist for ten years on newspapers such as The Times in London and The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong before becoming a novelist, the author is highly skilled in researching in depth before writing his stories and the authenticity of that highly detailed research is clearly shown in the meticulous descriptions and prose of his stories.

It is not a handicap to the new reader that this is Leather’s 17th book in the “Spider” Shepherd series as full explanations are given about all the characters and aspects of the plot.

Stephen Leather is one of the UK’s most successful thriller writers, an e-book and Sunday Times bestseller and author of the critically acclaimed Dan ‘Spider’ Shepherd series and the Jack Nightingale supernatural detective novels. Born in Manchester, he has been writing full time since 1992. His bestsellers have been translated into fifteen languages and several of his novels have been turned into films. In 2011 alone he sold more than half a million e-books and was voted by 'The Bookseller' magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the UK publishing world.

This seasoned writer is at the top of his game and immersing yourself in his world is deeply rewarding as it is a spellbinding and quite brilliant read. SLOW BURN is an extremely enjoyable book and a rattling good read. It was well written and therefore easy to read, even though it is quite lengthy at 400 pages but it is very cleverly plotted and I was completely gripped until the final exciting paragraph. I believe that this was the author's best book so far.

Extremely well recommended.

Terry Halligan,

(Advance copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair review).st him are real. The minister he is protecting is kidnapped, and it soon becomes apparent that the murder, the threats and the minister's kidnap are all interconnected...

The Dan ‘Spider” Shepherd series by Stephen Leather hits book number 17 with Slow Burn.

If you have read any of the previous books in this series you will know what to expect and Slow Burn definitely delivers with Spider juggling a number of cases and fighting foes who are looking to attack the UK.

This series ticks all the boxes for a reader who wants an action thriller with a decent amount, but not too much, technical detail and in that basis it is recommended.

I have always liked the Spider Shepherd books, so I was happy to get the chance to review this one.

I am pleased to say that Stephen Leather again doesn't disappoint. There is the usual intrigue, skulduggery and action, and some of the action seems a bit inexplicable at times, but Mr Leather again delivers a cracking read.

I was also impressed that he shows Spider becoming more contemplative and subtle as he goes through life.

Well worth a read.