The Case of D.B. Cooper's Parachute

by William L. Sullivan

Portland police detective Neil Ferguson uncovers a series of puzzling and threatening clues that lead to the identity of D.B. Cooper, the mysterious man who hijacked a plane and parachuted with $200,000 in 1971. But when Ferguson delves deeper into a web of blackmail and murder, he realizes there may in fact be two D.B. Coopers.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2012

About the author

Sullivan completed his B.A. in English at Cornell University, studied linguistics at Germany's Heidelberg University, and earned an M.A. in German at the University of Oregon.
In 1985 he backpacked 1000 miles across Oregon's wilderness. His journal of that adventure, "Listening for Coyote", topped the New York Times' year-end review of travel books and was chosen one of the 100 most significant books in Oregon history.
Since then he has written many novels, hiking guidebooks, and historical works. His memoir, "Cabin Fever", describes the 25 summers he and his wife Janell spent building a log cabin by hand along a roadless river in the wilds of Oregon's Coast Range. Each summer he still lives and writes at the cabin.
Sullivan reads in seven languages, plays the pipe organ, undertakes backcountry ski expeditions, and volunteers to support libraries.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Portland. The first chapter was iffy to me; I could have put it down then, but kept reading and was sucked in. Multiple storylines, numerous suspects and possibilities had me wondering how Sullivan was going to be able to pull it all together. Recommended to all my Oregon friends (Sullivan is a beloved local writer of numerous authoritative Oregon hiking books) for the insider thrills, but I think others who enjoy quick, complex, and snappy murder mysteries will dig this one.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but a little far fetched for me.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d rate it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This really was a fun mystery, and it really held you. My only criticism being the love scenes are TERRIBLE. They are cringe-worthy and harlequinesque…the only saving grace being that they are short. I also feel that the ending was rushed. But outside of that it was a lot of fun to read and I didn’t guess the identity of the bad guy in advance…which is a success in my book.

[Sandra Guzdek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting work of fiction by a local author speculating (and fictionalizing) who Cooper was and how he escaped, in the framework of a mystery story set in Portland and surrounds. (I don't think the person identified as Cooper in the book is a real person.) I did enjoy it; it had high points and I was eager to get to the end, though I wouldn't say it left me spellbound nor is the author a master word-weaver. There are two things that detracted from my enjoyment: the lack of attention while copy editing (typos, missing quotation marks and misplaced spaces; one of the character has his (unusual) name spelled incorrectly once), and what felt to me to be forcing in as many well-known popular references as possible (Nike, Voodoo Donuts, Portlandia; I half-expected there to be reference to Bigfoot or similar). At one point one of the characters speculates that Cooper was Matt Groening, who grew up near Portland. I just about laughed out loud. What? Still, it was a light, enjoyable, and interesting read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a murder and historical mystery and novel it’s ok. Lots of twists and turns and weaving the story of the long unsolved high jacking from 1971 is fun. The novel takes place in Portland so for those of us who live here we can picture each character’s movement. But it also got to be too much. Naming every street and restaurant or city landmark felt like too much. It didn’t add to the story enough to warrant the use.

Also the character’s were pretty good but felt like the wrong information was shared.

[Jeff Macey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Great mystery and fast moving story. Even at 411 pages it felt much shorter and was hard to put down. Loved the descriptions of the Portland area. I've been using the author's hiking guides for decades.

[Quailynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Local read

Fun easy read based on local legend DB COOPER. Lot of local spots featured. Likable detective solving the only unsolved skyjacking in America.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always found the story of DB Cooper interesting. This take on the story sucked me in and kept me reading.

[Deon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are from the Northwest and of a certain age, you remember D. B. Cooper. November 24th 1971, Thanksgiving Eve, D. B. Cooper boarded a plane in Portland heading for Seattle. Cooper hijacked the plan, demanding a $200,000 ransom and parachutes. Passengers were released unharmed in Seattle and the plane took off again, headed toward a re-fuel stop in Reno Nevada. Along the way Cooper parachuted into history with his loot. Massive manhunts failed, forty years later the FBI investigation is still very active and D.B. Cooper is part of northwestern lore.

So what really happened to D.B. Cooper? Did he survive the jump? You will have to wait and see, join us October 20th for clues. William Sullivan’s new book is an entertaining story full of northwestern detail. A fifth generation Oregonian, Sullivan writes of his setting well. The novel takes place in Portland and I could see every street he describes so accurately.

The action opens with newly promoted Lieutenant Neil Ferguson and his partner Sargent Wu on a stakeout; they are supposed to catch an art thief going by the moniker D.B. Cooper. Things to awry fast with a high speed chase through the crowded streets of Portland. Lieutenant Ferguson is an interesting guy with lots of baggage. He is grieving the passing of his wife three years ago, a recovering alcoholic, attracted to Sargent Wu, and wracked with guilt over the death of his partner. Lots going on with this guy, but he is likeable, he cares for his daughter, mourns his faults, and truly wants to do right. It just seems right can be a little bit complicated in the real world.

Lieutenant Ferguson’s daughter is autistic; she works in a recycling facility and checks in frequently with her Dad. He realizes his daughter’s independence is both fragile and hugely important. It is hard for him not to step over the boundary of becoming too protective and respect that hard won independence. There interactions give a richness and sensitivity to the story that is very appealing.

Being Sullivan, of course some of the story takes place in the out of doors. Lieutenant Ferguson is an avid bike rider, one of the bad guys likes hiking, and characters go skiing. I like reading books with the characters doing normal, out of door activities, not just the high speed chases.
There are multiple subplots with art theft and the Russian Mafia. Lieutenant Ferguson flies to Europe to check out some of the connections giving the story more great settings. Sullivan ties it all up nicely in a dramatic finale.

[Steven Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very clever complex mystery set primarily in the Portland metropolitan area. The plot involves a somewhat plausible version of what might have happened to Northwest folk legend D.B. Cooper following his 1971 hijacking of an airliner and parachuting to an unknown fate over Southwest Washington. At least the story lines up with the known facts in the Cooper case. The main character is an aging Portland police detective who becomes involved tracking stolen artworks. Some of the art includes Russian Orthodox icons and modern expressionist works by noted artist Mark Rothko.

There are many twists and turns to the story and just as I thought I had things figured out, new events changed everything. What made the story interesting to me were the many notable Portland locations mentioned such as the Rhododendron Garden, Reed College, Oyster Bar, Lotus Cafe, MAX, Portland Art Museum, and Timberline Lodge.

[John Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this novel by a prolific writer of non-fiction related to the Pacific Northwest, William L. Sullivan, it is postulated that there are more than one D.B. Coopers, with at least one of them being a murderer in Portland. Quite a few Portland references here--the Art Museum, MAX light-rail, and the Grotto. Quite a strange ride in some strange minds!

[Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read many novels, but I had no problem reading this one. I thought it started out a little slow, but got really interesting. Most of the story takes place in the Portland, Oregon area. It was really fun to read about events happening in real areas of Portland. Like I said, it starts out slow, but give in a few chapters and you will probably be hooked.

[Timmy Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, though a bit far-fetched at times it still was hard to put down. I enjoyed how Sullivan weaved in real facts and his local knowledge into the story. Certain plot twists were predictable but the lore of DB Cooper made it work.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing book about a possible D.B Cooper. Book takes place in Portland, so there are many references to Portland and surroundings. Fun read, and maybe this is really what happened to him...

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

can't say I loved this but it kept me reading until the end. I found parts of it slow and the romances weren't believable.

[Karen Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing, a quick read and fun to learn some of the facts of our Oregon history. A fictional story based on a true story.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read for Oregonians by a popular Oregon Hiking Trail author. I don't know much about DB Cooper but this was an interesting spin on the legend.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It helps to have some knowledge of Portland but it is not truly necessary to find enjoyment in the book. I can't say I was totally satisfied with the story but it did hook me so something has to be said for that. Ultimately an enjoyable read.

On a side note, I apparently picked up an advanced review copy so hopefully some of the typos and missing words got cleaned up in the later releases.