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Charlie Cooper Thrillers #7
Collateral
In the opulent city of Dubai, a high-stakes game of espionage is about to explode. When Iranian diplomat Arash Heydari jeopardises his position as a valuable CIA asset with a drunken outburst, British operative Charlie Cooper is thrust into a mission that is as dangerous as it is complex. Tasked with monitoring the increasingly volatile Heydari, Cooper must navigate a treacherous world of secrets, lies and betrayals.
As Heydari closes in on critical intelligence, the mission becomes a desperate race against time. Cooper’s loyalties are tested as he fights to protect his cover, all while navigating a world where everyone has a hidden agenda.
As Heydari closes in on critical intelligence, the mission becomes a desperate race against time. Cooper’s loyalties are tested as he fights to protect his cover, all while navigating a world where everyone has a hidden agenda.
- GenresThriller
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2025
805 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,857 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 1, 2025
Good stand Alone Job for the Chameleon - Charlie Cooper
Cooper, #11 in Group 15, is called in to meeting with Control. For the first time in his career, Control is still in a meeting with someone and he's left waiting in an outer space where he can hear the muffled but not intelligible voices of two people talking. As the door opens, Control comes out and says, 11, come in, there is someone I would like you to meet. Already this is off any prior Playbook, Cooper as ever experienced. Even more so when is introduced to Winston Grey, of the CIA. Cooper is introduced only as 11. Cooper is asked to cooperate with a CIA operation where there asset is an Iranian diplomat working out of country. The asset has been drinking heavily, something not tolerated in Iran, especially in public. 11 is tasked with keeping the asset alive without letting on he is there as a support.
Charlie's in? Become the live in tutor for their teenage son. Something all prior tutors have not done for any length. Oh and the CIA assets contact is a paper pushing suit with no field experience. Great, just great. So Cooper has to keep the asset alive as well as himself! Everyone else is Collateral.
Cooper, #11 in Group 15, is called in to meeting with Control. For the first time in his career, Control is still in a meeting with someone and he's left waiting in an outer space where he can hear the muffled but not intelligible voices of two people talking. As the door opens, Control comes out and says, 11, come in, there is someone I would like you to meet. Already this is off any prior Playbook, Cooper as ever experienced. Even more so when is introduced to Winston Grey, of the CIA. Cooper is introduced only as 11. Cooper is asked to cooperate with a CIA operation where there asset is an Iranian diplomat working out of country. The asset has been drinking heavily, something not tolerated in Iran, especially in public. 11 is tasked with keeping the asset alive without letting on he is there as a support.
Charlie's in? Become the live in tutor for their teenage son. Something all prior tutors have not done for any length. Oh and the CIA assets contact is a paper pushing suit with no field experience. Great, just great. So Cooper has to keep the asset alive as well as himself! Everyone else is Collateral.
March 20, 2025
Another impressive outing for Charlie
I'm developing a fondness for Charlie Cooper, his unique outlook on his chosen profession, which is uncommon in his fellow agents. Charlie hasn't been co-opted into doing the things that drive John Milton to drown his disgust with himself or found the corruption that causes Control's end. He's got a code and is regularly thrust into situations calling for a top operator but successfully allows his heart to navigate the world of right and wrong. This time, he's in Dubai trying to help a CIA operative safeguard an Iranian and ends up in a mess because of a political hack running the operation. Mix in a young boy and an abused wife, and the chances of Charlie coming out with a success are minute. This version of Control seems so unlike the one we know so well, I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop since it shouldn't be much longer before Milton leaves the Group. I will definitely be waiting for the next novella, Charlie is becoming my favorite.
I'm developing a fondness for Charlie Cooper, his unique outlook on his chosen profession, which is uncommon in his fellow agents. Charlie hasn't been co-opted into doing the things that drive John Milton to drown his disgust with himself or found the corruption that causes Control's end. He's got a code and is regularly thrust into situations calling for a top operator but successfully allows his heart to navigate the world of right and wrong. This time, he's in Dubai trying to help a CIA operative safeguard an Iranian and ends up in a mess because of a political hack running the operation. Mix in a young boy and an abused wife, and the chances of Charlie coming out with a success are minute. This version of Control seems so unlike the one we know so well, I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop since it shouldn't be much longer before Milton leaves the Group. I will definitely be waiting for the next novella, Charlie is becoming my favorite.
July 26, 2025
British operative Charlie Cooper is thrust into a mission that is as dangerous as it is complex. Tasked with monitoring the increasingly volatile Heydari, Cooper must navigate a treacherous world of secrets, lies and betrayals.
As Heydari closes in on critical intelligence, the mission becomes a desperate race against time. Cooper’s loyalties are tested as he fights to protect his cover, all while navigating a world where everyone has a hidden agenda.
This is the first Charlie Cooper book I have read and thankfully this novella is a good standalone in the series.
This is a good fast paced book which shows Coopers heart whilst still being ruthless. I like that he has a heart and yet is still good enough to keep you gripped by his work and the storyline. This is only the second Mark Dawson book I've read and yet I find myself wanting to read more and more.
A great book for anyone who loves a fast paced thriller that is easy to devour in a single sitting.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quest/WF Howes for the Audiobook ARC
As Heydari closes in on critical intelligence, the mission becomes a desperate race against time. Cooper’s loyalties are tested as he fights to protect his cover, all while navigating a world where everyone has a hidden agenda.
This is the first Charlie Cooper book I have read and thankfully this novella is a good standalone in the series.
This is a good fast paced book which shows Coopers heart whilst still being ruthless. I like that he has a heart and yet is still good enough to keep you gripped by his work and the storyline. This is only the second Mark Dawson book I've read and yet I find myself wanting to read more and more.
A great book for anyone who loves a fast paced thriller that is easy to devour in a single sitting.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quest/WF Howes for the Audiobook ARC
February 24, 2025
The things we teach.
Charlie Cooper is back in yet another thrilling story. This time Charlie is required to work with the CIA to help provide one of their assets but all doesn’t go smoothly. The great thing about the way Mark presents these Cooper stories is the fact that he is giving you a different perspective of Group 15 to what he gives us with the Milton stories. Absolutely brilliant to read.
Charlie Cooper is back in yet another thrilling story. This time Charlie is required to work with the CIA to help provide one of their assets but all doesn’t go smoothly. The great thing about the way Mark presents these Cooper stories is the fact that he is giving you a different perspective of Group 15 to what he gives us with the Milton stories. Absolutely brilliant to read.
June 22, 2025
Precision over Noise
4.5 / 5 ⭐ ↗️
Another excellent Charlie Cooper book (which can be read independently). The pacing is good and the setting vivid and engaging. Cooper remains compelling, competent, and composed. What I especially liked this time was how the tension builds slowly but steady. The plot isn’t revolutionary, but it’s strongly executed. Cooper - as we know him - acts with high precision, and just the right amount of ruthlessness.
4.5 / 5 ⭐ ↗️
Another excellent Charlie Cooper book (which can be read independently). The pacing is good and the setting vivid and engaging. Cooper remains compelling, competent, and composed. What I especially liked this time was how the tension builds slowly but steady. The plot isn’t revolutionary, but it’s strongly executed. Cooper - as we know him - acts with high precision, and just the right amount of ruthlessness.
March 3, 2025
Great Charlie Cooper thriller!
I recommend this book to anyone who has read previous Charlie Cooper books before and anyone else who enjoys fast-paced, exciting thrillers. Mark Dawson is an excellent author who keeps the reader's attention to see what will happen next. Happy reading! ☺️
I recommend this book to anyone who has read previous Charlie Cooper books before and anyone else who enjoys fast-paced, exciting thrillers. Mark Dawson is an excellent author who keeps the reader's attention to see what will happen next. Happy reading! ☺️
March 5, 2025
CC1
This was an excellent Charlie Cooper chapter . He had his hands tied by the CIA to protect the Iranian asset . He became close to wife and son and noticed abuse from husband. So he devised a way to get wife and son to safety after getting the asset to CIA. 10 stars plus !!!!! Thanks , Carl Clause
L
This was an excellent Charlie Cooper chapter . He had his hands tied by the CIA to protect the Iranian asset . He became close to wife and son and noticed abuse from husband. So he devised a way to get wife and son to safety after getting the asset to CIA. 10 stars plus !!!!! Thanks , Carl Clause
L
February 25, 2025
Absolutely Awesome
The only thing bad about finishing a Mark Dawson book is waiting for the next one. This was a nail biter extraordinaire and you find that Charlie has a soft side while all heck is breaking loose around him. Charlie is a fast favorite of mine. Happy reading!!
The only thing bad about finishing a Mark Dawson book is waiting for the next one. This was a nail biter extraordinaire and you find that Charlie has a soft side while all heck is breaking loose around him. Charlie is a fast favorite of mine. Happy reading!!
February 28, 2025
Excellent as always
I never thought I'd find myself saying that Mark Dawson does not write fast enough but considering my ability to devour his books , often in one sitting, I need more! My favourite author by far. Great story with a fast pace.
I never thought I'd find myself saying that Mark Dawson does not write fast enough but considering my ability to devour his books , often in one sitting, I need more! My favourite author by far. Great story with a fast pace.
February 22, 2025
A great action story
Mark Dawson gets better.Thanks
A real page turner.
Charlie is a relatable hero.
A great story,
Thanks for the privilege of reading it
Mark Dawson gets better.Thanks
A real page turner.
Charlie is a relatable hero.
A great story,
Thanks for the privilege of reading it
February 23, 2025
These books are too short
Enjoying the series, but wish they were longer! Would like have more detail about Charlie! I will be watching for your next book.
Enjoying the series, but wish they were longer! Would like have more detail about Charlie! I will be watching for your next book.
February 25, 2025
What happens when, you have a top-notch author teaming up with a brilliant character who happens to be a British operative? Thrilling pandemonium and a suspenseful novel.
February 28, 2025
Brilliant book. Brilliant author.
March 12, 2025
Charlie Cooper is sent to Dubai to protect and Iranian asset and nothing goes as planned. Action and surprises a lot. Another very good novella on Charlie Cooper.
March 30, 2025
As always a brilliant read, just such it was longer
April 12, 2025
Surprised
I’m quite surprised how much I have enjoyed these novellas. I usually do not like short stories, but Cooper has really grown on me. I am binge reading the entire set!
I’m quite surprised how much I have enjoyed these novellas. I usually do not like short stories, but Cooper has really grown on me. I am binge reading the entire set!
July 20, 2025
Best one yet
Another rapid page turner. Charlie Cooper is a stand up hero that gets the job done. This is the best one yet.
Another rapid page turner. Charlie Cooper is a stand up hero that gets the job done. This is the best one yet.
August 22, 2025
I’m never disappointed by Mark Dawson and this one was just as good as the rest.
September 11, 2025
A race against time indeed. Close shave for The Chameleon
October 23, 2025
Dubai based novella with Cooper trying to protect a CIA Iranian asset
December 15, 2025
A good quick read where Charlie Cooper saves an Iranian women and her son from a sick husband that was a double agent spying for the CIA
April 14, 2025
Another great read, however the ending was a little abrupt! I wanted a couple more chapters!!!
July 30, 2025
This was my first ever short story audiobook, I am an enthusiastic fan of mr Dawson so I was thrilled to be allowed to review his latest work by NetGalley. I have always found that short stories somehow are not as satisfying to read as full length books so was very pleasantly surprised with Collateral, it demonstrated a skill I had not seen before in other short stories for creating a compelling story line with characters fully developed and scenes that were completely fashioned into interesting segments. I do listen to audiobooks regularly as I do travel by car long distances but this was a perfect length for a shorter journey and a story I throughly enjoyed. Mr Dawson yet again demonstrates his considerable skill and I throughly recommend this audio book to you.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews