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Cooch is a special-operations, national security thriller. The protagonist, Alejandro Mohammed Cuchulain, called Cooch or Alex, became a Marine at sixteen and a CIA special-operations trainee at 17. His father is a wheel-chair bound former marine and Medal of Honor winner who gives Alex advice as to how to survive in a violent world. His mother is the daughter of a Bedouin sheikh who sends a young Alex off during many of his summer breaks, to experience the Bedouin life. The combination of a very young start in learning the art and craft of violence, combined with a thirst for knowledge combine to help him to become both a noted designer and user of explosives and an expert in Islamic affairs. These experiences blend into a fast-paced thriller that moves from the CIA to south Asia to the Middle East, to Wall Street and back again, as Cooch matures. Violent, yet thoughtful, Cooch represents the best in fast-moving, popular thrillers.

318 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2010

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563 people want to read

About the author

Robert Cook

5 books19 followers

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5 stars
135 (32%)
4 stars
167 (40%)
3 stars
80 (19%)
2 stars
20 (4%)
1 star
14 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
2 reviews
December 28, 2012
I enjoyed the book, found it to be a very easy and for me a page turner. Read the book in a day. The background provided on Cooch at times seemed to be sufficient, but at times left me wanting to know more. Some of what happened to him seems far fetched, but possible. I can't wait for the second book in the series to appear.

I'm new to this genre of book and am looking for more of this type to read.
Profile Image for Mike MacDonald.
129 reviews2 followers
August 30, 2023
Good man to have on your side

This is one of those chewing gum books. Lots of flavor for a while, but even when the flavor is gone, you just keep chewing, stick in another piece of gum and chew some more. I liked the action, and the ordinance detail was excellent. I’ll definitely recommend and move to the next.
313 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2017
A wonderful read! Lots and lots of action and suspense at every turn. Alex Cuchulain has a very interesting background and family, that is well explained in the book - really loved that part about the book, especially when Alex gets together with his grandfather.
38 reviews
August 27, 2018
A Patriotic Assassin

A young man with excellent skills is recruited and becomes an exceptional USA covert operative. Cook's book reads easily weaving together the impact of a young man growing into adulthood with the story of new age spycraft.


Profile Image for Cindy.
1,057 reviews
September 4, 2017
Fun - over macho, super dude book. Is first in series. Bill Gates had the second one in the series on his list of reads so I thought I would start with #1.
4 reviews
December 29, 2017
New and interesting character.

Good read. I will be interested to see how the storyline develops. I hope to see new stories but details of his personal history revealed.
Profile Image for David Highton.
3,748 reviews32 followers
November 10, 2019
An ex-Marine, ex-CIA financial wizard who also works in an undercover national security team - good escapist stuff
211 reviews
September 6, 2021
first book, obviously an introduction to a character . Not bad
1,046 reviews4 followers
January 6, 2025
Cooch is very interesting ...still not quite sure of how his political views are affected by his background which makes him a totally unique character. Definitely worth reading more of this series.
500 reviews8 followers
March 18, 2017
Very Good Adventure/Spy/Tough Guy Novel

Cook writes a very good tale as he introduces us to "Cooch", an Irish-american former Marine. After training in the Marines and CIA, Cooch gets to freelance as "a patriotic assassin " under orders. In his above-ground life, he is a financial analyst and venture capitalist. It seems like he is looking for a good woman...

The plot unfolds logically, there is constant action, and the characters seem both interesting and authentic.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:AS A SPY/TOUGH GUY/ADVENTURE STORY
Profile Image for Alan Marston.
184 reviews6 followers
January 2, 2016
An unusual name for anyone, but for a young man employed by an almost clandestine American Security Agency, it is even more strange. Cooch’s mother is the daughter of a Bedouin chieftain, a relationship which stands Cooch in very good stead. His father is a decorated veteran who is seriously disabled. Cooch himself is a little bit of a freak of nature being very strong – in fact very, very strong, and a match for any other physical specimen who might approach him. He is also, at a young age, on the verge of failing to reach any potential, until a friend of his father’s gets him to change his ways.
His first action of any great significance is to deal with drug dealers who are using their connections to attempt to steal information and equipment regarding US security and hand it over to the Chinese for a not inconsiderable amount of money. Blackmail, extortion and violence follows in the development of the plot, as does sexual power, not all of which adds to the story, but nevertheless does play a part. Cooch is assisted by a friend who is a brilliant sniper, and Cooch himself is an absolute wizard with explosives.
This is a book full of action in which the author cleverly uses flash backs, particularly in the early part of the novel, to develop his storyline. The author is himself a decorated former soldier with wide experience, and is also a successful businessman – both of these attributes he uses to further the plot. An interesting start, will reserve judgement until another book in the series has been read.
2 reviews
January 22, 2013
You'd Never Know This Is the 1ST Thriller Novel writen by Robert Cook. He's Definetly Done ALOT of Reading Thrillers 2Be Able 2Pump Out Such an Amazing Novel, His 1st Time Out! I'm a HUGE Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Robert Crais, David Baldacci, Alex Berenson, Andrew Britton, Michael Walsh, James Rollins, Brad Meltzer, Dan Brown, Tom Clancy & James Patterson Uber-Fan, & Cook Can Stand, Proudly, Amongst All of THEM!! His Protagonist, Cooch, in the book, is Like "James Bond", Flynn's "Mitch Rapp", Berenson's "John Wells", Walsh's "Devlin", Robert Ludlum's "Jason Bourne", Clancy's "Jack Ryan", Liam Neeson's Character "Bryan Mills", in the movie "Taken", Britton's "Ryan Kealey", Rollins' "Grayson Pierce", Crais' "Joe Pike", Baldacci's "Oliver Stone/aka John Carr", & Thor's "Scot Harvath" Rolled In2 1-On Steroids&Non-Stop Adreneline, With a Mensa-Caliber Intelect!
I Am Impatientlly Awaiting Follow-Up Novels About "Cooch", & CAN'T WAIT 2Read More-Yesterday!! "COOCH" Is HIGHLY RECCOMENDED By a Thriller-Book-Reading-Addict, 2ANY & EVERY1, Who's a Fan of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, David Baldacci, James Patterson, Robert Crais, Alex Berenson, James Rollins, Michael Walsh, Dan Brown, Brad Meltzer, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Or Andrew Britton! I PROMISE You WON'T Be Disappointed! Take My Advice, & You'll Add a NEW Author & Protagonist 2Your Own Reading Lists2 & Highly Anticipate Cook's Next "Cooch" Novel!!!
89 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2015
Excellent! Interesting characters, well fleshed out so you could understand what made them tick. Alex's father, now disabled, is a war hero, and Alex's mother has Beduoin ancestry - an interesting mixture. Alex is clearly very bright, but not really achieving as expected, and showing all the signs of going off the rails to a bad future. As the story unfolds Alex's terrible past experiences understandably affect his later decision making and behaviour. This was fast paced and exciting, and in some respects worryingly in line with some of today's global concerns.

I will definitely want to read future books by Robert Cook. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Richard.
177 reviews12 followers
May 25, 2015
Surprisingly Awesome!

Man am I glad I found this author and series on Bookbub. The description sounded interesting and you couldn't beat the price..Free! Anyway it's my genre spy/spec ops and a series. The book is very well written with great believable characters and nice back and subplots. Reads very much like a David Hagberg, Andy McNabb action novel. I loved this one so much I just bought the other 2 in the series. I love finding these little surprises, authors who aren't well known that turn out a nice finished enjoyable product. A very solid 4.5 Stars across the board! I will now add this author to my list of keepers. Give it a shot guys, you will thank me.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
240 reviews5 followers
October 20, 2013
Robert Cook writes so well, I wrote his initial review calling him Robin Cook, that will give you an idea of how well he writes. I honestly believe that ROBERT is a master at story telling.

This story follows a young man from a shaky youth that could have ended up with him going down the wrong path, to an amazing man mentally and physically and his life in and out of the military. It's a story that will appeal to all genders and ages.

I enjoyed it so much I will be reading it again to pick up all the little things I missed the first time around.
Profile Image for Blazeby5.
80 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2013
I really liked this book. First time author! I loved the glimpse into the inner-workings of off-the-grid-military (whether it is accurate of not). Made me want to kick some ass! Covered a good many years of Alex's life
There were some holes where the story jumped without warning, but all in all I'd read more, Robert!
Profile Image for Carol.
314 reviews5 followers
April 4, 2015
Finally a book that lives up to the hype :) If you are a fan of Tom Clancy (I am personally a long time fan of all of his books) then you will love this guy too.. For a first book it's an awesome story - well written, lots of action, great plots and I already love this new character called "Cooch".
Profile Image for Greg Stillwagon.
35 reviews31 followers
April 19, 2015
This was a pretty good book... rough and tumble.
Cooch is like a superhero, and his actions are direct and often violent.
I liked it -- the bad guys were bad and the good guys won out in the end .. in each of the historical stories about Cooch.
This gives you a good introduction to the main character and his values.
I recommend this book, but then when I grow up I wanna be like Cooch.
Greg
Profile Image for Chaplain Stanley Chapin.
1,978 reviews22 followers
April 20, 2015
Unbelievable and implausible

The description of the book was the best part of book. The main character is of the super hero fantasy type, single handles 5 or 6 bad guys, ripping tendons,breaking bones, tearing skin and does not get a scratch! This in 1st chapter, tried further and it did not get better, could not finish.
Profile Image for Lissa Wells.
392 reviews4 followers
November 19, 2015
i received this book direct from the author ,I won a prize package. This novel is his debut I found my self comparing his character to Jack Reacher of the Lee Child series! it started off great but got a little mundane for me after a while, but overall this book has lots of action and I found it a decent read!
117 reviews
March 27, 2015
Cooch....NSA....CIA...

It was an interesting read and I enjoyed the characters as well. I'm not sure when Alex's(Cooch) father died, only a mention further into the book. I would have liked a little more detail regarding his death. Otherwise a good story
Profile Image for Kathleen Horvath.
4 reviews
April 6, 2015
Definitely a thriller.

Usually I love political thrillers but this was more graphic than most. I skimmed much of it. Characters that are bigger than life are usually bigger, than a novel can handle.
3 reviews
April 5, 2015
Cuchalain indestructible hero

Fast paced thriller with interesting fleshing of characters through flashbacks. Looking forward to reading the next installment of the series and learning about Cooch's new escapades.
3 reviews
April 5, 2015
Fast paced and an exciting story line.

I looked forward to reading this book and was not disappointed....Robert Cook weaves excitement and knowledge into an enjoyable escape. Would commend it to anyone who likes a fast paced, page turning, patriotic storyline.
Profile Image for Michael.
144 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2015
Hot Damn a New man to fear.

Cooch is a more lethal Jack Reacher working in the shadows of National Security. A delightful read and full of info and action. Can't wait to read more of their exploits.
69 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2015
Exciting book

A very enjoyable book. It's a quick read with a lot of action. You're introduced to the main character and then taken into the past to see how he got there. You're then taken back to the present as he cleans up a nasty situation. Overall a good story.
2 reviews5 followers
June 14, 2016
Good Story

Good book Fast read, the action keep on coming. The beginning half of the book can get a bit confusing as back story is mixed in with the present, but it all makes sense in the end.
576 reviews
March 3, 2013
Eclectic group of characters which turn ordinary story line into one of intrigue. Truly different approach making reader think. Look forward to reading more from Cook.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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