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Silver Bear #2
Columbus
Never look back. — He's methodical, unerring and he always succeeds. His targets are criminals the law can't touch. The elite assassin known only as Columbus never leaves a trace or loses his icy focus. Until he meets the one woman he can't forget...and his fence - the man who hides the assassin's identity from those who hire him - is killed.
Now, Columbus has become the hunted. Survival means exposing powerful clients, taking down unforgiving enemies and staying desperate seconds ahead of the merciless rivals fast closing in. But the memories Columbus can't erase and a lethal desire are turning his well-honed instinct and brilliant strategies against him. And the second chance he'll risk everything to protect may be the one trap he'll never escape...
Now, Columbus has become the hunted. Survival means exposing powerful clients, taking down unforgiving enemies and staying desperate seconds ahead of the merciless rivals fast closing in. But the memories Columbus can't erase and a lethal desire are turning his well-honed instinct and brilliant strategies against him. And the second chance he'll risk everything to protect may be the one trap he'll never escape...
252 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 17, 2009
13 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Derek Haas
15 books102 followersDerek Haas is the author of five books about an assassin and one about a spy. He co-created the show CHICAGO FIRE, and executive produces PD and MED. He also co-wrote the screenplays for 3:10 TO YUMA, WANTED, and 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS. Derek lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 21, 2017
I read the Silver Bear series some time ago, finishing the series either last year or maybe the year before. I see that I haven't rated them and without going into details, this is a good, good book.
December 10, 2018
A quick read but very enjoyable suspense. I like the character of Columbus and would like to read more.
October 22, 2025
★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)
I picked up Silver Bear on a whim from a discount shelf and lowkey glad I did. No expectations, just vibes, and it delivered. It’s bingeable, fast, and legit suspenseful.
The main character is wild and messed up in the best way. If you’re into sniper/killer tropes and morally gray leads, this will stick with you. Worldbuilding and backstory felt solid and gave the plot real texture. Haas writes cinematic scenes that keep you flipping pages.
Heads up, you need to be cool with an unhinged protagonist. If that’s your jam, you’ll have a blast. If not, skip it. For me it was tight, entertaining, and exactly the kind of dark thriller I didn’t know I needed. Four stars.
Bottom line: entertaining, well-crafted, and bingeable. Four stars because it delivers exactly what it promises — great for readers who enjoy dark, stylish thrillers with an uncompromising lead.
I picked up Silver Bear on a whim from a discount shelf and lowkey glad I did. No expectations, just vibes, and it delivered. It’s bingeable, fast, and legit suspenseful.
The main character is wild and messed up in the best way. If you’re into sniper/killer tropes and morally gray leads, this will stick with you. Worldbuilding and backstory felt solid and gave the plot real texture. Haas writes cinematic scenes that keep you flipping pages.
Heads up, you need to be cool with an unhinged protagonist. If that’s your jam, you’ll have a blast. If not, skip it. For me it was tight, entertaining, and exactly the kind of dark thriller I didn’t know I needed. Four stars.
Bottom line: entertaining, well-crafted, and bingeable. Four stars because it delivers exactly what it promises — great for readers who enjoy dark, stylish thrillers with an uncompromising lead.
June 14, 2021
Great second book in the series. You really have to enjoy an evil and twisted main character for this series to resonate, but Haas is an amazing writer. The pace is great, as usual, and the symbolism is always on point. Sometimes, you might struggle with the fact that the twists and turns are far more sadistic than your mind is comfortable contemplating. The dark and mysterious mind of Derek is once again on full display.
September 23, 2020
Second book in the series - solid effort. Liked the first a bit more , but still cold, hard and brutal. Haas writes very well and sucks you in to a very black world. 4 stars and awaiting the next one!
April 30, 2022
Very good thriller, about a professional assassin. The writing style, like the action it depicts, is lean and effective. The story is as long as it needs to be, but no longer. Early in the narrative, the protagonist tells the reader, "I told you not to like me." I did anyway.
December 29, 2018
Great author, totally hooked. Columbus is a great character and I am looking forward to many more novels with him.
February 9, 2013
The second of the Columbus Trilogy.
The plot is nothing special, but Derek Haas' writing, for the most part, is superb. I felt the end game was a little bit boiler plate, but other than that it was a pretty good novel about a hit man. Haas keeps the dialogue (story is in the first person) moving and injects a little back story for some of the supporting characters. That is more of a case of being a page filler, but it was interesting anyway.
In my review of The Silver Bear, the first of the trilogy, I mentioned that Columbus was not a very likeable character. In the first chapter of this continuation, Haas has the character verbalize that with "I told you not to like me".
The plot is nothing special, but Derek Haas' writing, for the most part, is superb. I felt the end game was a little bit boiler plate, but other than that it was a pretty good novel about a hit man. Haas keeps the dialogue (story is in the first person) moving and injects a little back story for some of the supporting characters. That is more of a case of being a page filler, but it was interesting anyway.
In my review of The Silver Bear, the first of the trilogy, I mentioned that Columbus was not a very likeable character. In the first chapter of this continuation, Haas has the character verbalize that with "I told you not to like me".
January 11, 2013
Excellent; Continuing character: Columbus; while he contemplates leaving the life of a hitman for a woman he's falling for, other hitmen are after Columbus
June 8, 2013
I love Derek's writing. This is the sequel to The Silver Bear, which is amazing.
January 2, 2016
My god i love this series my favorite along with the will robie series by david baldacci....i read them in m fast pace because their are so well written authors 5 star
March 16, 2016
Great series. Fast, good reads.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews