As a big fan of this author's Dan "Spider" Shepherd series, I was eager to get my hands on this book (while lamenting the fact that I somehow missed the first one in the series). My conclusion? No shortage of action and I'm looking forward to the next installment, but Spider - who's a friend of SAS trooper Matt Standing, the hero of this series - remains my favorite of the two.

Another character from the Shepherd books plays a big role in Matt's life as well; Charlotte Button, who at least at one time was Spider's controller and now works for The Pool, a nefarious sort of organization that apparently ignores legal boundaries. Setting the rest of the story in motion, she contacts Matt with an offer he literally can't refuse even though he wants to: Chase down and eliminate an old acquaintance - a former Navy SEAL who's now out of the service and gone rogue.

Once in a remote and somewhat lawless section of the country that's a potbed for illegal production and sale of cannabis - where his target is believed to be hiding out - Matt meets up with a crusty but likable self-sufficient guy named Brett (and bonds with him so much so that he feels guilty for not being able to reveal his true mission). But while Matt spends a little time looking for the man he's supposed to kill, he spends far more dealing with the realities of a robust - and cartel-controlled - marijuana industry that tromps on human rights and fiercely protects its territories.

And that is, I think, the biggest turn-off for me; the vast majority of the book centers on all these experiences (some of which nearly get Matt killed) and almost totally sidesteps his original quest to find Charlotte's man. Besides that, there are too many words spent on hot-button political issues like Big Pharma, legalization of marijuana and hemp, what's taught in public schools and such to suit me. That has nothing to do with whether or not I agree - to each his or her own, after all - but rather that I hear enough of that "stuff" in my daily life that I really don't want to read about it as well.

Since this is a series, it's no spoiler to say that Matt somehow makes it through to the end, although it's touch-and-go in a few spots. For the details, you'll just have to read it for yourself; if you love to see action heroes who don't back away from a good fight no matter what the odds, you'll love this character. As for me, I'll just say I enjoyed it very much and thank you to the publisher (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Standing Alone is a great indication of Stephen Leather’s continued reign on the action-thriller genre even after so many books. This was my first book by the venerable author and it was a blast to read.


Standing Alone features an angry SAS killing machine, Matt Standing, who’s blackmailed by an intelligence operative to fly to US and assassinate a former SEAL turned hitman and once Standing’s friend. Reluctantly, Standing enters America and visits the last known location of his target, a small town near California, where he gets involved with potheads, Russian gangsters, and a sinister conspiracy linked directly to his target.

Stephen Leather emphasizes the necessity of the economy of words when expressing details and emotions in a manner that realistically convey the gravitas of each scene without going over the top. From realistic conversations to intense heart-pounding moments with necessary bouts of levity, Stephen Leather has a way with words that’s a beautiful balance between fast-paced and wonderfully expressive.

Coming to the action, Standing Alone features some of the most fun shootouts you’ll read. Matt Standing takes on violent mobsters and terrorists with swift double taps from his Glock 19. The finale feels like a super-charged John-Woo inspired action sequence with Standing dual wielding pistols and taking out bad guys in style. You could put a cool techno music to the beat of the gunshots and it would play in sync.

The twists-filled ending presents numerous opportunities for exciting follow-up stories with a greater focus on espionage-laden narratives. I can’t wait to read more from Stephen Leather!

Full review will be posted on https://www.bestthrilllerbooks.com