Double Tap

by Cindy Dees Narrated by Alex Picard

Overview

As an elite assassin for the CIA, Helen Warwick was trained to keep a low profile. But now that she's retired, she's forced to take on a very different, and very public, role-as the proud mother of a rising young politician. At a DC press conference for her son's campaign, she sees the ominous green light of a gun laser fixed on her son's head-and her CIA training kicks in. She jumps into action, pushes her son down, and saves him from a sniper's bullet. In that moment, Helen realizes she will never escape the secrets of her past-or the deranged man she thought she killed.



He is still alive-and coming for her family. His code name is Scorpius. A Russian mole embedded in the CIA, he recruits dangerous sociopaths ejected from the military and trains them to kill at command. None of his CIA colleagues-including Helen-know his true identity. But when members of his kill team begin to disappear, he realizes his operation may be at risk. His greatest threat, Helen Warwick, has agreed to rejoin the CIA to help expose Scorpius after the assassination attempt on her son. She suspects that Scorpius may be one of her colleagues, part of a vast conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government. And now that her family has been personally targeted, she's willing to break every rule to stop Scorpius and his trained killers. Unless, of course, they kill her first.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

05/06/2024

Retired CIA assassin Helen Warwick tracks down an old foe in Dees’s entertaining if far-fetched sequel to Second Shot. When a sniper nearly takes out her politician son at a campaign event, Helen recognizes the assassination attempt as the work of Scorpius, a Russian mole embedded in the CIA whom Helen thought she’d killed decades earlier. Her former bosses entice her to take over the agency’s “Scorpius-hunting team,” but warn her that Scorpius may have infiltrated the squad. Meanwhile, a string of young women across D.C. are being kidnapped, tortured, and murdered, and Helen tries to determine whether the crimes have anything to do with Scorpius. As in the previous installment, Dees keeps things brisk, with the middle-aged Helen ably stabbing, shooting, and outsmarting her foes at every turn. Certain plot developments strain credibility, but most readers will be having too much fun to care. This will hold special appeal for thriller fans of a certain age. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency. (June)

From the Publisher

Praise for Second Shot
 
“A pitch-perfect adventure, filled with nuance and dire exploits. Take a breath, hang on, and enjoy the ride with this smart and clever heroine.” —Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author
 
“Sharp as an assassin’s bullet, Second Shot by Cindy Dees is a must-read for every spy novel enthusiast out there! I couldn’t put it down!” —Lisa Jackson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
 
“[A] rollicking mystery thriller . . . Dees's background (intelligence work and detainment by both the KGB and East German police during her military career) and the nuanced writing of Second Shot suggests more exciting adventures to come.” —Shelf Awareness
 
“A breathless thrill ride from the explosive opening scene, Second Shot delivers both high action and a twisted murder mystery. Helen Warwick is a refreshingly mature heroine who uses her extensive experience and sharp wits to turn the tables on all who come gunning for her. Definitely a series to watch!” —Sara Driscoll, author of the FBI K-9s series

“CIA assassin Helen Warwick’s hopes to ease into retirement are dashed when she’s pulled back into the business. . . . This will mainly appeal to readers who like their thrillers light.” —Publishers Weekly

“What a fabulous start to a new series! Cindy Dees has created an exciting action-packed and suspenseful thriller with a more mature main character. This fantastic novel is shocking, emotionally charged, and pulse-pounding. Readers who enjoy action thrillers and espionage thrillers will likely enjoy this book.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine

“You won’t want to stop reading Second Shot once you start. It’s heart-stopping, ironic, humorous, and entirely believable. . . . I can’t wait for the next Helen Warwick thriller.” —Criminal Element

“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. Second Shot is fascinating and irresistible!” —Steve Netter, Best Thriller Books
 
“Second Shot is full of exciting and dangerous twists and turns . . . Such a fun read! Cindy Dees has a clear and pleasing writing style. This gets my vote for most entertaining thriller of the year. If you liked Deanna Raybourn’s Killers of a Certain Age, you’ll love this one.” —Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160151519
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	05/21/2024
Series:	Helen Warwick Series , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged

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