Double Tap - by Cindy Dees

Book Synopsis

A government assassin. A sociopathic killer. Both hunters--and both hunted--in the ultimate game of deception, double-cross, and death. Retired CIA agent Helen Warwick returns in this electrifying thriller from New York Times bestselling author and former spy Cindy Dees.

As an elite assassin for the CIA, Helen Warwick was trained to keep a low profile, blend into the crowd, and eliminate her targets swiftly, silently, and efficiently. But now that she's retired, Helen is 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 . . .

Code named Scorpius, he's a Russian mole embedded in the CIA who recruits dangerous sociopaths and trains them to kill at command. None of his CIA colleagues know his true identity. But when members of his kill team begin to disappear, he realizes his entire operation may be at risk. His greatest threat, Helen Warwick, has agreed to rejoin the CIA to help expose Scorpius. 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 . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for the Helen Warwick Thriller series:

"Assassins and agents, like fine wines, improve with age." --Kirkus Reviews on Double Tap

"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 on Second Shot

"Sharp as an assassin's bullet, Second Shot is a must-read for every spy novel enthusiast out there!" --Lisa Jackson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author on 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 on Second Shot

"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 and NYPD Negotiators series on Second Shot

"[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 on Second Shot

"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 on Second Shot

"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 on Second Shot

"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 on Second Shot

"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 on Second Shot

About the Author

Cindy Dees is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose suspense, romance, fantasy, and alternate history novels have sold more than two million copies. She is the recipient of the Golden Heart Award and Holt Medallion, and a five-time finalist and two-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award. An Air Force veteran, Dees enlisted after earning a degree in Russian and East European Studies, becoming the youngest female pilot in the history of the Air Force. She's flown supersonic jets, VIP airlift, and the C-5 Galaxy, one of the world's largest cargo airplanes. She also worked in intelligence, traveling to forty-two countries on five continents. She was detained by the KGB and East German secret police, got shot at, flew in the first Gulf War, and amassed a lifetime's experiences to fuel her stories of life on the edge of danger. A member of ITW, she lives near Ft. Worth, Texas, and can be found online at CindyDees.com.