Nazi spies, genetic engineering, and the Fourth ReichNear the end of World War II, a German U-boat deposited two Nazi saboteurs on the coast of Maine. History tells us they were quickly captured. But what if there was a third man? An ultrasecret agent with a long-term mission known only to a select few in the Nazi high command. Men who anticipated the ways that genetic engineering could someday be used to help launch a Fourth Reich. Amidst the turbulent events of twentieth-century America, the third man partners with a geneticist and the Ku Klux Klan to weaponize the emerging science of molecular biology. First to develop lethal bacteria and ultimately to engineer modifications of the human genome. Until years later, an accidental discovery at the U-boat’s landing site provides a glimpse of their mission. Drawing Professor Brad Parker and Maine State Police Lieutenant Karen Richmond into a struggle to stop the creation of a new class of neo-Nazi warriors.
Geoffrey M. Cooper is an award-winning author of medical thrillers and a 2023 Maine Literary Award Finalist in Crime Fiction. His experience as a former cancer researcher and scientific administrator, having held positions at Harvard Medical School and Boston University as professor, department chair, and associate dean, now provides extensive background for his novels. He lives in Ogunquit, Maine.
Cooper does it again with this latest addition to his Brad Parker and Karen Richmond series: he weaves an engrossing tale that goes down as smooth and easy as the scotch his main character enjoys.
What’s so entertaining this time around is that much of the story is told from the POV of the antagonists, and it works wonderfully because their motivation is so frightening: Nazi spies intent on using the emerging science of molecular biology for nefarious purposes. Given Cooper’s own research background, the scientific details are accurate and sound but delivered in an easily understandable fashion. The rest of the story is told from the ever-likable Brad Parker’s POV, as he and Karen try to solve the mystery of this biological sabotage that started so many years earlier.
As always, Cooper’s prose is crisp and clear, making his books effortlessly readable. I loved and devoured each and every page of this one. Kudos to the author for penning such page-turning fiction! (Review based on an Advance Review Copy.)
I like it when a book ties two eras together. What’s better than a mystery? A mystery that spans generations, that’s what! And that is what the latest Brad and Karen thriller from Geoffrey Cooper delivers.
The story begins with a plan to plant a Nazi spy in the U.S. in the waning days of World War II. His mission is to act as a sleeper agent; first establishing himself as seemingly an ordinary citizen and then, using his knowledge of chemistry and biology, gaining access to American laboratories and beginning work on a Nazi genetic warfare program.
The book then flashes forward to the present day, where the medical researcher and the veteran investigator are notified of a lead from a retired FBI agent, who has picked up the trail of the scheme hatched in the 1940s.
Not that there’s much to go on. The Nazi sleeper cell hasn’t left many clues, but from the bits and pieces available, they begin to put things together. Combined with flashbacks that fill in the details for the reader, we start to learn the full extent of the conspiracy. Not to spoil too much, but let’s just say that even though Nazi Germany is long gone, the operation hasn’t stopped.
Fans of Brad and Karen’s past adventures will enjoy the familiar dynamic between the two. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy the decades-spanning plot that sees the Nazi plan evolve across the eras. There’s plenty here for long-time readers of the series and newcomers alike. Cooper delivers another enjoyable yarn, with some interesting scientific info artfully woven into it as usual.
Geoffrey M. Cooper's The Third Man is a compelling medical thriller that flawlessly combines historical fiction with cutting-edge science. The plot revolves around Nazi agents infiltrating the United States in the last days of World War II with the goal of launching a genetic engineering program to produce a "master race". The story shifts between the 1940s and the current day, when detectives Brad Parker and Karen Richmond unearth a decades-old conspiracy.
Cooper's thorough research comes through, as he expertly combines historical data and scientific concepts into a captivating, page-turning story. The author's scientific knowledge is evident in his precise and understandable presentation of the developing area of molecular biology and its potential for misuse. What makes The Third Man so compelling is the author's ability to construct complicated, well-developed characters on all sides of the battle. Readers are lured into the reasons and challenges of Walter and Ellen, Nazi operatives living covertly in America. Simultaneously, the familiar relationship between Brad and Karen, the investigative partnership contributes to the story's familiarity and likeability.
Overall, The Third Man is an essential read for aficionados of historical fiction, medical thrillers, and gripping mysteries. Cooper's superb narrative and attention to detail make this a very entertaining and thought-provoking book.
I won this book in a Good Reads raffle. I have read dozens and dozens of books about World War 2, Germany, the Nazi's, The Holocust and the Jewish people. The stories have ranged from true accounts of life in the concentration camps, stolen art work from the Jewish community, secret German spies working for NASA and more. This story was something I had never heard of before. Though it is considered "fiction" I could 100% absolutely see this as being a true story that actually happened. I realized that this book was in a series so I was worried I was going to not know what was going on. However it was an independent story in itself. I'm sure there is a back story about 2 of the characters (they seem to be in every book) but I was able to follow along and reading the book out of order did not seem to matter.
The story is centered around a man and woman who move to America in 1945 and live a secret life studying and learning to alter DNA to make a superior pure white race of Germans.
The story kept my interest and it felt like I was reading a true crime story as many of the facts, scientists and events that happened in the book were true. The story flows back and forth through the years, following the 2 main characters as they infiltrate medical labs and study the mutations of genes and DNA.
The story is a mystery that spans generations and was a genuinely good read. I would like to read the other books in the series because I enjoyed this one so much.
I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an hinest review.
The story begins in Germany with WWII coming to an end. It lays out a plan that an agent from the U.S. will put into place which will lead to a Fourth Reich. This plan will involve future impact of DNA. It begins with the agent landing in Maine and introduces another individual who was also to become involved. The story of what events came from this gathering will be reviewed along with efforts that Brad and Karen will try to stop.
Brad and Karen come into the picture when Karen is asked to meet with a former FBI agent in relationship to the discovery of a find that brings this plan to light. The FBI agent tells a story of what he discovered in his time as an agent. He also reveals that he believes that a woman in met in Paris when he was a member of the SS is associated with the plot. The more information that Brad and Karen receives provides a reason to look for the people that a still striving to fulfill the German plans. Their search narrows the search down to a specific area in Maine. With this data, the two travel to the location where they believe these individuals are located.
To learn what the FBI agent told Brad and Karen, what activities the German agents did in their effort to perform their mission and how it all worked out in the end, then you need to read this book.
I really enjoyed The Third Man by Geoffrey M. Cooper. It’s a dual timeline medical thriller set in the 1940’s and the present day. I haven’t read about this subject matter before and was interested to read the author’s notes to sort fact from fiction. The characters were so believable and I loved how the historical and scientific facts were woven into this thought provoking, suspenseful novel. Reading the antagonist’s point of view was quite unsettling – to think that such people are among us is terrifying to say the least. The author did a great job immersing me in the world of genetic engineering as well as that of living as a spy. I still think about this book several weeks after finishing it and can’t help but think ‘What if?’ The author has a background in science, which makes this a very informative medical thriller, but it's delivered in an easily understandable way. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read any other books in the series but was able to follow this one easily. I would have happily read this book in one sitting if not for life getting in the way! Thank you to Booksirens, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of this novel.
As an ARC reviewer, I'm providing my honest assessment of The Third Man by Geoffrey Cooper. This thriller unfolds as a gripping cat-and-mouse game spanning several years, diverging from the typical medical mystery genre. While the book incorporates a scientific and medical component, it primarily focuses on the ruthless tactics of its protagonists to ensure their experiments' success.
The premise holds promise with its ambitious and morally complex characters, but the lack of substantial character development detracts from the overall impact. The protagonists' relentless drive is compelling, yet their backgrounds remain underdeveloped, making it challenging to fully engage with their motivations.
The story alternates between past and present, adding layers of intrigue but also contributing to a sense of disjointedness. This shifting timeline could have enriched the narrative, but it often feels like key plot elements are missing, leaving readers yearning for more detail about the experiments and their outcomes.
Overall, The Third Man offers an engaging drama with a scientific edge. However, it might leave some readers desiring a deeper exploration of its medical aspects and more thorough character development.
The Third Man is a dual timeline medical thriller. Beginning in Germany near the end of WWII, it’s evident that the war is lost. Projecting into the future, in the hopes of establishing a new master race and a Fourth Reich, two Nazis with scientific backgrounds, Walter and Ellen, are sent to the US as sleeper agents with the intent of learning about DNA and how to alter it. Walter and Ellen become David and Catherine, a couple married in name only, who are living normal lives in Maine until their mission can be activated years later. With the intensity of undercover spies whose true identities could surface at any moment and advances in science which are now reality, Geoffrey M. Cooper has written a plausible and explosive page turner that follows advances in DNA science through the years and lands dead center in present day issues of bioterrorism and political extremism. Although part of a series involving characters who investigate cases from both a police and scientific standpoint, it is easily read as a standalone. Highly recommended. Thank you to the author, the publisher, Maine Authors Publishing, and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.
Another great installment of an exceptional series. It is a stand-alone, but this far into any series, I would highly suggest you start at the beginning. How the author figured out all the twists and connections is mind boggling.
Back at the end of WW!!, Germany sent over a super-secret agent with a long term mission. Genetic engineering to create the perfect race was always a dream, but what if they could make it a realaty. After years of living a normal life, the needed progress of DNA research starts him on the path of realizing Germany’s long held dream. He partners with a mouse geneticist, the KKK, neo-Natzi and other groups to move forward in his mission. It took one slip up to alert Brad and Karen to their new case. Full of mystery, intrigue, and science, this is a must read. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
This one was quite the thriller! I couldn't put it down. The story bounces between two timelines, one from the mid 1900s and the other at present day. Both perspectives are chock full of twists and turns, always leaving you on the edge of your seat to read what happens next! You can tell throughout how knowledgeable the author is on science. Some of the things mentioned would've been way over my head, but through storytelling I found it understandable and not disruptive or oddly placed in the story. The mid 1900s timeline does end about three fourths of the way through the book, but for good reason! You get to discover everything through the eyes of our crime fighting duo instead of having it all spelled out by the bad guys. It really kept that suspense going! This was actually the first book I've read by Geoffrey M Cooper, but I'm hooked and will absolutely buy more of his books.
I found The Third Man by Geoffrey M Cooper very interesting and suspenseful. The author did a great job with character development. Moreover, the settings befit the plot and context of the story.
Geoffrey perfectly balanced the science research with a twist of romance, making the story exciting to read. His choice of language and use of a conversational tone made the story lively and engaging.
I was so immersed in the tale of the attempt to invent a unique race through genetic engineering that I kept turning pages, eager to uncover the mystery. The book was professionally edited and contains no grammatical errors.
I enjoyed reading The Third Man and recommend it to everyone who loves romance fiction and scientific stories.
This novel would be of interest to any age group that enjoys mysteries. I am aware of the clans that are natzi supporters that still exist today, but not to the extent that Catherine and David went through. I do not know how much of this is actual, but I really hope not the extreme as the ending. I had trouble putting down this one at night. I wanted to know what trouble would get into next and the later on wanting to know what happened with Cole. Catherine was always coming up with new orders. I was hoping the end would bring Catherine and Carlson back together, but that is just the romantic in me. Karen and Brad to be the good team. Opposites of Catherine and David, but similar in teaming up and sharing ideas. Highly recommended!
What I love most about this author and series is that with each book he dives right into the story without a lot of unnecessary build up. I enjoyed how the book jumped between time periods, started in Germany near the end of World War II and moving up to the present. I thought this transition and plot worked very well. The story was fast paced, kept up with the action and moving the plot forward in an uncomplicated way. I do feel like the ending was a little rushed. The woman Catherine remained elusive for so long and then boom, she's found and it's all over so quickly. I wanted a bit more from the end versus the quick wrap up to the story and the so-called "super human" kids there were working to create. Overall I would recommend this (and the whole series).
Though this book is a bit different than what I usually read, it had me hooked from page one.
I am not giving anything away when I say that there were parts when my heart was racing. One thing I really enjoyed about it was that it switched back and forth between decades ago and present day, and how everything ties together. I remember reading books by Robin Cook years ago and I believe that those fans will also enjoy this one. I particularly loved the exchanges between the main characters which helped with a small break from a quite tense storyline.
I will be looking for more from this author and expand my library!
Brad Parker and Karen Richmond are back with another sizzling mystery to solve. This one is a cold case, dating back to the end of WWII, and two Nazi spies who have taken up residence in America on the coast of Maine and eluded authorities. The plot is as nefarious as it gets; establish themselves and be prepared when science allows for a transfer from eugenics to genome editing and begin preparing for the Übermensch of Nietzsche and Hitler to again raise the glory of the Nazis to prominence in the world again. The pace is torrid, the action is scalding, and the suspense is sweltering. Don't miss this one. Read it.
This wasa riveting and engrossing read, expertly weaving between the current day and back to the time of Nazi Germany and also the discovery of DNA. It didn't get complicated at all and the story is told from the perspectives of the German spies David and Catherine, and also Brad during the current timeline.
The story was fascinating and I found this very hard to put down. This is the second book I have now read by this author and I highly recommend them both.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Third Man combines two of my favorite genres: historical fiction and mystery. The novel flips between WWII, the cold war, and the present day using history and science to create a modern day mystery.
The characters are well developed and believable. It is apparent that Geoffrey M Cooper did his research for this novel, as the plot is based on scientific findings regarding DNA and historical data about WWII. The plot flows smoothly and doesn't leave any questions unanswered.
This is a great read for mystery lovers and WWII enthusiasts.
The Third Man: A Medical Thriller was my first leap into this kind of story, and while I was a little worried going in that it would be hard to follow, it turned out to be a great read. It was a great adventure with some memorable plot points, like when they almost got caught testing the virus by a policeman. Overall, there is plenty of great dialogue, and I loved the descriptions of the action.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good spy thriller. You won’t be disappointed.
Spies are going to land in Maine and they are quickly caught. This talks about if there was a third man who was a spy. This follows what would have happened if they had not been caught. Would it have changed the course of the war? How would it had gone? See just what may have happened I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I enjoyed this story immensely. I was immersed from the very beginning and couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what happens next. Each twist was perfectly executed and the character development was second to none. Although there was a lot of research gone into this novel, it isn’t too weighty. It’s easily digestible and at some points fascinating. If you’re looking for your next thriller, I would defo recommend this book!
This is the first book I've read in the series and it didn't exactly scream "amazing series." The book is well written, the story is solid, but I was expecting some actual sleuthing in regards to the medical field. The story ties in, strongly, to the medical field, but the main characters don't really solve anything. The main characters are pretty much just along for the ride.
As others have mentioned, the beginning of the book stalled. The concept of eugenics and time to build the superhuman was known, but intriguing in the unwitting unraveling of the cold case of immersed German agents within the US.