CIA assassins, serial killers and Russian hitmen…oh my! Second Shot is an adrenaline-filled thrill ride straight from the jump through the conclusion that begs for a sequel. Cindy Dees has crafted a highly entertaining tale that’s part espionage thriller and part murder mystery with an incredibly deadly quinquagenarian woman at the center of it all.
Helen Warwick is recently retired from a long and distinguished career as one of the CIA’s premier assassins. But her well-deserved chance at a second act is rudely and brutally interrupted when she’s attacked by four gunmen while dog sitting for one of her grown children. Helen knows she has no shortage of enemies from decades of successfully eliminating this country’s most dangerous adversaries. Not one to sit idly by while she remains a target, she sets off an investigation that pulls her back into the life she thought was behind her and brings her into contact with Russian Bratva muscle, serial killers and a shadowy figure known as Scorpius. Now she must use her special set of skills to protect those she loves while bringing justice to those hellbent on bringing violence and death to her front door.
Second Shot grabbed a hold of me quickly and wouldn’t let go, mainly because of the uniqueness of Helen Warwick as a protagonist. It’s not often that a thriller features a 55-year-old female former assassin, but the genius of Cindy Dees pulls it off incredibly well. By having the main character be of an advanced age for the wet work game, it adds dimension to the story that other thrillers featuring younger characters can’t replicate. Like the conflict between Helen and her grown children who resent her for having been away most of their childhood. And the strain on her marriage because her husband wasn’t able to travel to do the research he wanted while he was raising the kids during her absence. Or how Helen is trying to make amends but keeps getting sucked back into dangerous situations in order to find a resolution to the situation so she can move on with her life. All of which add depth and relatability to her character and another layer of intrigue to the story.
Additionally, the inclusion of a serial killer on the loose as a parallel plot is enthralling. On its own, it’s a captivating storyline that could carry a book. But as it gets interwoven with Helen’s search for who’s trying to harm her, it enhances the story by providing another dimension that’s gripping while increasing the uncertainty of how events will end.
Second Shot is fascinating and irresistible! Cindy Dees delivers in a big way with this novel and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Because the way this book ends clearly teases a sequel in the works. Which is great news because Helen Warwick is a character worthy of starring in her own thriller series.
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