Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book

The surprising follow up to "Payback", the debut thriller in the Dan Stone Assassin series.


"I dreamt of you many nights. You fell down from the sky." 
The old Indian shaman spoke to Dan. He stared at Dan, his eyes burning with an inner fire. 
"I gave you back your life. Now you owe me a life."

With that he sets Dan Stone, a CIA contractor, out on a dangerous mission that challenges not only his skills as an assassin but his world view and his sanity.

In this book #2 in the Dan Stone series, Dan is dropped into the Chihuahuan desert to assassinate a Mexican drug lord. When things go wrong a desert shaman intervenes. But can Dan survive the tasks the shaman gives him and get out alive?

If you're a fan of Mitch Rapp or Jack Reacher, you'll enjoy this action-packed and surprising follow up to "Payback".

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2018

1063 people are currently reading
66 people want to read

About the author

David Nees

26 books56 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,443 (61%)
4 stars
714 (30%)
3 stars
170 (7%)
2 stars
21 (<1%)
1 star
16 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Reggie Parker.
53 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2018
Highly recommend

I highly recommend reading his novel. I’ve had a difficult time finding a read that held my attention past the first two chapters. However, my only regret with this novel is that I have to wait for the next one. I’ve been struggling with the religion taught to me as a child and young man of late and then, out of nowhere this book found me. Thank you for such an amazing read!
3,198 reviews26 followers
April 26, 2019
A DN. Mystery Thriller (DSAS. - 1)/Mexico/ The Cartels/Terrorists

DN. has. penned the second novel in the San Stone series. This assignment takes place in Mexico. He is to interfere with the Cartels as much as possible. He is successful until trying to escape, but is found by a Shaman who teaches him of the soul, the spirits and humanity. During the work assigned he stumbles into a terrorist group. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
2 reviews
February 21, 2021
Exciting to the very end. Loved the Shaman and how he made the story interesting with what can really happen in life. At 81 it keeps me reading daily your books. I would recommend this book and others if you want a great author and stories that keep you going till you finish the book in a day.

I gave it a 5 star as it is unequal in books such as this keeping you reading till the last page.
16 reviews
June 18, 2021
Fast paced reading.

There is a certain mixture of fantasy and reality that are somehow brought together. I wouldn't go as far as stating that if Garcia Marquez had written crime stories, it would be something similar to this story. The war between the good and the bad spirits. The "watchers" vs Santa Muerte and somehow throw the jihadists in the mix, ultimately, it will keep your non judgemental mind entertained.
11 reviews
October 30, 2019
Dan survives

Great action and story line...but...I was disappointed with the ending. I wanted to see an encounter between Dan ,&, the assassin. Stillento?, who was sent to kill Rianaldo? I probably got those names wrong...oops. the assassin killed his sister in Monterey. I'm looking forward to a fourth book!
1 review
November 14, 2020
It was action packed and enjoyable. The main character Dan is like a realistic James Bond.If James Bond met the Supernatural world.
The only issue being is it left too many unanswered questions. What happened to Rodrigo and his family? Does Dan get across the border safely? Who is the mole?
I hope all will be revealed in the next book.
3 reviews
August 8, 2021
Appropriate Assassinations with hint of the Supernatural

Justice with otherworldly support from Shamans. These"watchers" are spread throughout the world and seem poised to assist , with "eyes" and wisdom in Dan's future endeavors. This alone should make this series more interesting than most. I recommend starting with the first book PAYBACK.
12 reviews
January 14, 2022
Good read.

I read for pleasure and after reading the first book in this series I bought the rest if the series. I rarely do this especially after reading only one book. Action filled, no nonsense and little filler pages. I'd recommend it to others who read for the same reasons I do.
Profile Image for Mags Shaw.
132 reviews
March 16, 2023
After reading Healy, Maslen and Haury I was looking for a good author with a series of books. ¡Por Fin! Nees is filling the bill. Great suspense, new twists, believable plots and excellent research for character backgrounds. Two of seven down in only three days. Gonna fill my annual reading target but may run out of authors.
10 reviews
November 5, 2023
The Shaman - review of the second book in this series of Dan Stone

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, particularly because of the introduction of the Shaman and related traditions of Mexican culture and folklore. It was very different to what had gone before. I now look forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for John Rumery.
392 reviews13 followers
May 14, 2024
Only #2 but this series is perilously close to jumping the shark. I admit, I never saw Dan Stone the Assassin getting lost in the Mexican desert, eating peyote with a Shaman, friending a coyote and a raven and then killing almost 100 cartel and terrorists before swimming back to the USA over the Rio Grande.

Nope. Never saw it coming.
Profile Image for Shawn W.
62 reviews
June 20, 2024
Another awesome book in this series. Because of the introduction of the “watchers” & the spiritual/magical “powers “ used I felt it took away from the book a little (thus the 1 star deduction ) but it was still a great book nonetheless. Lots of action throughout the book. I definitely look forward to the next book in this series.
489 reviews7 followers
February 11, 2025
Solid Action Thriller

Entertaining fast paced thriller with an interesting protagonist, plenty of action, and an intriguing plot. The writing is very good, and attention to details is consistent throughout the book. There is no romance though there are hints at times that something might develop between Dan and Jane down the road. Solid Entertainment!
53 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2025
Could not put it down!!!

Came across this series by chance and read through book 1 in less than two days (one must sleep and work). Initially worried the storyline would follow something previously done but no, it does not. Dan is such a likable character you can't help but root for him through the twists and turns. Not your typical read , strongly recommend. On to book 3!!!!
698 reviews
September 29, 2018
Maybe something happening here.

This is only the second book in the series and already I'm hooked. Can't wait for the next book to hit the shelves and will definitely buy it when that happens. This series and author might just join my list of favorites if he keeps this up.
Profile Image for Uncle  Dave Avis.
433 reviews8 followers
November 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book by a gifted wordcrafter. The action is fast paced. The characters well developed. The mysterious Shaman very well done.
I believe that anyone who likes action / adventure will enjoy this exciting read.

I highly recommend it !
26 reviews
August 22, 2019
Captivating

I read many series books but these books are a cut above. Believable, well developed plotting, and a strong, sympathetic main character to root for. This is not typical adventure fodder.
101 reviews
September 14, 2019
This Series Gets Better!

The first book was good, the second one is better. This is not just a sniper book. It has other things in the story that I won't mention that make this book very good. I look forward to reading book 3.
69 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2019
Awesome Series

I love these books and book 2 is even better than book 1! Dan Stone is back and fresh from his training. He heads to Mexico for a mission that grows larger with each turn of events. Great novel.
39 reviews
August 2, 2020
Exciting

This was a very different & exciting read. I recommend this to all readers of great stories. The twists & turns keep you always guessing, making this a very interesting read, thank you author.
9 reviews
October 9, 2020
Another well written story with a strange twist I am sure will be in future stories.
Keep up the great writing !
Mitch Rabb look out we have a replacement, so you can retire now!
Haha, both protagonists are awesome.
Great reads all!
999 reviews23 followers
December 4, 2020
The shaman

Spooky, but who says it might not be true and more prevalent than we realize. The follow-up story of the assassin is a good one but spent more time in the past than necessary. Looking for the next installment.
3 reviews
January 22, 2021
Loved It!

yes there were some rough spots and a few typos, but I honestly had to put the book down a few times so I wouldn't read it too quickly! It was that good, and we all know what it's like to look for another good book 🙂
92 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2021
Captivating and exciting

After reading payback I concluded that the shaman had to be as good as the first Dan Stone series. I started it and could not quit. I recommend thisGor all action readers
114 reviews
February 18, 2022
A Good Read, Full of Surprises

Interesting throughout with twist, turns, some unexpected spiritual elements and plenty of action.
A couple of inconsistencies, but generally a riveting read.
Thank you David Nees
18 reviews
March 16, 2023
Enticing mix

This is a marvelous story that adds an unexpected supernatural element. It helps that I agree with this world view. Good and evil on a vast plain doing battle amidst the clueless humans.
1,124 reviews3 followers
September 14, 2024
HIGHLY INTRIGUING ADVENTURE

A rather bizarre and intriguing adventure for an assassin who finds himself in a foreign country seeking to complete an undercover mission. This is a griping adventure that will hold a readers interest until the very end.
4 reviews
November 27, 2024
Great read ! Ness hit a home run

Easy read and the second in the series, I think. Despite an easy read the twists and substance was a surprise! No spoilers here but if you enjoyed the first book you'll like this one even more
Profile Image for michael fissori.
33 reviews
February 23, 2019
Loved it

Such a great book. The action is great and keeps you turning the pages. The stories and the plot thicken and make it even harder to put down. Such a great book.
113 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2019
Review of: the Shaman

A little hard to believe some of the story, but interesting enough to finish the whole book, or I would have stopped and deleted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.