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.

This was a fast paced and enjoyable read that definitely had me at the edge of my seat. I really liked that along with the thriller aspect of the book there was an exploration of the family dynamics between many of the characters and adding more depth to the novel. There were definitely a lot of loose ends left unanswered at the end of the novel but that just means that I can't wait for the next installment in the series to come out.

"Second Shot" is a new series featuring Helen Warwick, a retired CIA assassin. The story is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Helen's past as a CIA assassin is revealed as the story progresses and the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns as Helen tries to stay alive and protect her loved ones from her powerful adversaries. The plot is well-crafted and the characters are well-developed, making it easy for readers to become invested in the story. Overall, "Second Shot" is a must-read for fans of action-packed thrillers and fans of series featuring strong female leads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Kensington for this advanced copy

I am ready for the sequel to Second Shot! This will be a series that I will follow and recommend. I enjoyed Helen being an older character who could still get the job done. And a bonus that it is a she and not a he! I found this book thoroughly entertaining with well written characters and a fast moving plot. Cindy Dees has written a winner!

Really good story of retired CIA assassin/analyst, Helen Warwick, who gets pulled right back into the targeted kill business when her son and his partner's brand new home is shot up by killers targeting her. While babysitting their new puppy, she manages to kill 3 of them but 1 escapes. She is off on a mission to find the fourth and more importantly, the name of the person who ordered the kill while working hard to keep her grown children from discovering what she really did for the CIA.
Great plot with intriguing parallel storylines running along with it. Characters are richly developed with a couple of her kids quirky/self righteous enough to offer up some moments of comedic release reading.
Definitely interesting enough to pull me right into the next one.
Bring on #2👍

It’s tough being Helen Warwick. She’s 55yo. Recently retired from the CIA, not of her own accord. She was a highly accomplished field agent. She’d get her assignment and go wherever in the world she was needed. Kill America’s enemies. Escape by any means necessary. Plenty of kills to her credit. One of the CIAs most valued assets. Toss aside because of some arbitrary date on a calendar.

Now she’s at home in the DC suburbs. A field of fire where she isn’t accustomed. Her CIA job was a secret. Her cover story with her family was that she was as a State Department analyst of international trade agreements. She was an absent parent while her husband raised their 3 children. Her new mission is to repair her relationship with her family. A mission she is uniquely unqualified to undertake.

First chore: dog-sit her son Peter’s and his boyfriend/fiancé Liang’s new puppy on New Year’s Eve. Peter is a fine art dealer and Liang has a hush hush job with the NSA. No sooner than they leave a 4-man hit squad hits the house. Helen puts her old skills to good use by taking out 3 bad guys and protecting the dog. When the cops arrive, she goes into full desperate/frightened middle-aged woman saying she was shooting blindly. Someone is after her even though she is no longer in the game.

Her other son, Mitchell, is an ADA in Washington, DC. He tells mom that a friend of his, a defense attorney, has noticed a troubling trend in some murder convictions. He asks his mother to see this lawyer, review the evidence and offer an opinion.

Unrelated (at this time at least) is the resurfacing of a serial killer. Make that a serial killer and a copycat killer. The identity of each may contain clues about the attack on her at her son’s house as well as those wrongly imprisoned.

And with any luck, just might open a tiny crack in the wall between her and her family.

I picked up this on a lark solely based on it’s cover jacket description. I’d never heard on Cindy Dees. After reading her webpage bio, I’m not surprised I’d never heard of her. Her catalogue of books is primarily a unique corner of the market. Her books might be best described as romantic thrillers. Romantic novels involving spies/SEALs/detectives, etc. This effort is part 1 of a series of Helen Warwick novels that is decidedly not a romance book.

Further down the bio are interesting details about Dees . . . licensed pilot before she got her driver’s license . . . left high school at 15 to attend University of Michigan . . . graduated in Russian and eastern European studies . . . joined the USAF upon graduation . . . one of the first female fighter pilots . . . piloted the big C-5 Galaxy . . . did some intelligence work during her time flying for Uncle Sam . . . who now is a craft loving gardener who, based on her literary productivity (20+ books with well over 2 million sold), must constantly be writing. Safe bet to say that her primary subject matter isn’t something any of the MRB boys would pick up, but I’m here to say that when part 2 of the Helen Warwick books gets published, betting 2024, I’ll be first in line. Why? Because Dees writes an entertaining story about a middle-aged women, albeit one with ‘a particular skill set’, that moves along at a brisk and unpredictable pace. One that kept me reading almost non-stop during a car trip to/from Disney World with the family. Travel entertainment at its best. Great fun. Worth checking out.

Publication date: May 23, 2023.

ECD

While I was reading this book I thought well this book is very interesting but not really my type of book?! I couldn't really explain what I didn't like too much but! As I went farther on in the book it got really interesting! I definitely enjoyed reading this book! At first no but I'm so glad I went through with the whole book! I think maybe I thought it was too intricately woven?! Anyway! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, action, serial killers, bloodshed, murder and mayhem! It was a bit gruesome at times, I did really like the main female character! She was awesome! The storyline was very interesting and very detailed! I highly recommend reading this book! Its a bit different to me but definitely recommended! It was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! I will definitely continue with this series!

Helen Warwick is a retired CIA assassin, or so she thinks until someone tries to assassinate her in her son's home and she is forced to take matters into her own hands.
With an explosive beginning, this highly entertaining novel brings together spies and serial killers. The only downside is that it ends in a cliffhanger but also ensures that there will be a continuation.

Quite good. I suspect more women will enjoy this than men, since they might relate more to the MC. Regardless, it's well constructed and has good pacing. I stayed engaged and wan't able to predict what comes next.

Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!

This is definitely one of those books you can't put down until you've finished it.

Second Shot finds former CIA assassin, Helen Warwick's plan to spend her retirement years with her family out the window. That's because there are adversaries, the DaVinci killer whose after her, and spies. It's not easy, but if she doesn't do something soon...she may just end up dead.

Great read and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Wow just wow. It’s not often you read a book about a 55 year female former CIA assassin. Helen tried to retire but trouble just keeps coming her way and she will do anything to protect her family. Even if it means getting back into the killing business. There is definitely going to be a sequel and I can’t wait. Loved it!

She’s been an absentee parent. She’s fifty-five, her kids are grown, and now she’s retired. But a retired urban assassin carries baggage. She’s attacked by a crew of four while she’s puppy-sitting for her son; she’s called to assist with some murder scenes; she investigates on her own; she saves the life of her former boss. And those are just for starters as she also investigates serial murders and a conspiracy involving a high level person of interest. How’s that for getting a second shot at a career she really wasn’t ready to end?

I really enjoy Cindy Dees' work and am always excited to read more from her. This had a great plot going on and did everything that I was hoping for from the description. I really had a great time reading this and enjoyed the characters and getting to know them. I look forward to read more from the author and hopefully this series.

"Aren’t you the guy who told me we have to draw lines in the sand from time to time and not back away from them, not one inch?” “Yes, but I also am the guy who tells you over and over not to take action until we are certain we have the right person. It’s worth taking the extra time to be sure we have the right target in your sights before you pull the trigger.”