The Cobalt Conspiracy: A Reyna Rushmore investigative journalist mystery crime thriller

by Richard D. Ross

To the outside world, the sleepy little town of Cobalt, nestled in Northern Ontario, barely registers a passing glance. With fewer than 1,000 residents and a landscape scarred by over 100 abandoned mines, its glory days as the epicenter of the world’s greatest silver rush in the early 1900s are long buried beneath dust and silence.
But when investigative journalist Reyna Rushmore arrives, what began as a routine assignment quickly spirals into something far more sinister. A cryptic trail of clues buried in the town’s forgotten past leads her to suspect a chilling connection between Cobalt’s desolate shafts and the sudden, suspicious rise of a billion-dollar electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor.
As Reyna digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets, corporate greed, and buried truths that powerful forces would kill to keep hidden. In a race against time, she must navigate a treacherous path through lies, legacy, and lethal intent—before the conspiracy claims its next victim.
In a town where history sleeps beneath the surface, some secrets refuse to stay buried.
At the same time, in the small Florida town of Baldwin, a tractor-trailer laden with fresh fruit and vegetables breaks down. For the owner-operator driver, it’s the last straw. Not only is he broke, but he loses his lover and partner, who’s fed up with living paycheck to paycheck.
Stranded at a truck stop, he meets a mysterious person who appears to have a simple solution to his problems. But sometimes simple solutions are too good to be true. Sucked into a web of intrigue and crime, Marco Ferrero tries to discover what he’s got himself into. As the mystery deepens, powerful and ruthless people seek his demise. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues in the search for the truth.
Reyna and Marco’s paths converge in a collision of secrets and danger, thrusting them into a high-stakes, life-threatening showdown. As the conspiracy tightens its grip, survival becomes uncertain—and Reyna must risk everything to expose the truth before it’s buried forever.

Why You Should Be Reading Richard D. Ross

If you're craving thrillers that blend high-stakes action with real-world insight, Richard D. Ross delivers a reading experience that’s both gripping and grounded. Here’s why his books deserve a spot on your

Realism Rooted in ExperienceRoss draws from decades of firsthand experience in international shipping and logistics.His stories are infused with authentic detail—corporate intrigue, global operations, and geopolitical tension feel vivid and believable.Global Scope, Personal StakesHis novels span continents, but the heart of each story is deeply personal.Whether it’s a CEO fighting sabotage (The Hybrid Enemy) or a family legacy under threat, Ross weaves emotional depth into every plot twist.Intelligent, Fast-Paced ThrillersFans of authors like Tom Clancy and Daniel Silva will appreciate Ross’s cerebral style.His protagonists are thinkers and doers—strategizing, adapting, and confronting enemies that are as complex as they are dangerous.Action That MattersRoss doesn’t rely on explosions alone. His suspense builds through layered conspiracies, moral dilemmas, and the slow unraveling of truth.Every scene pushes the story forward, keeping readers hooked from first page to last.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2025

About the author

Richard is a British‑Canadian author of family sagas, mystery crime thrillers and international suspense novels that blend cinematic tension with meticulous real‑world detail.
Born in Birmingham, England he has also lived in the Middle East and now lives in Canada, drawing on decades of firsthand experience in the global transportation and logistics industry to craft stories rooted in authenticity, high‑stakes intrigue, and richly textured settings.
For his stories to be convincing, he spends much of his time researching history and current affairs and then fuses it with his own business, travel experience and creativity. Interestingly, his wife thinks he has a criminal mind!

You can connect with him on:
https://www.richarddross.com
https:/www.youtube.com/@richarddrossauthor2612

Favorite pastime: Camping in the Canadian wilderness, campfire and a scotch.

Other pastimes: Writing, golf (can be embarrassing!)

Favorite song: 'You belong to the city' by Glenn Frey

Favorite Movie: Shirley Valentine

Other Interests: Future technology

A neat twist of fate: Lee Child and I actually attended the same primary school in Birmingham at the same time — though I was five years ahead of him.

Reviews

[Ron Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down.

I met Richard at an Indigo in Burlington, Ontario about a month ago. I was looking for a fiction and his wife came up and suggested this book. I then had a nice chat with Richard and decided I would give it a go - I’m so glad I did!

The character development is great, the storyline was relevant and local, and the ending had a fast paced edge to it which left me excited. To your question Richard - I’d love to see more Reyna stories! Hopefully you read this :)

Another thing I found grappling was (being from and working downtown Toronto/Ontario) I have been to many of the locations mentioned in this book (Earls, the offices on Adelaide, places in Ottawa/Windsor, etc). Furthermore, I work for an engineering consulting firm in the metals space and I work directly with companies similar to Revault.. less fraud however! But I could very much relate to the industry, the lingo of corporate finance, and other details that made this story interesting. That was a cool little addition and quite the coincidence of picking this book up!

I look forward to reading another investigation by Bren and Reyna!

[Daryl J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an ARC of THE COBALT CONSPIRACY by Richard D. Ross. This is the second novel I’ve read by Mr. Ross. Most of the action takes place in Canada, specifically in the province of Ontario. The more I read, the better THE COBALT CONSPIRACY got. Interesting plot (with sub-plots that are neatly tied together by Mr. Ross). Good writing, maintaining my interest throughout the book. The familiarity I have with Ontario added to my enjoyment of the book. If you like thrillers with an interesting plot, subplots, and twists, I highly recommend THE COBALT CONSPIRACY.

[Ruffina Os · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard D. Ross delivers a gripping, intricately plotted thriller with The Cobalt Conspiracy. Reyna Rushmore’s investigation into the hidden truths behind Cobalt’s historic mines uncovers a tangled web of corporate corruption and political intrigue. The story’s rapid pace and clever use of time amplify the suspense, creating a pulse-pounding experience. Parallel to Reyna’s story is Marco Ferrero’s dangerous entanglement with criminals, heightening the stakes. Ross’s vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue bring the characters vividly to life, especially the ruthless Slade. The novel’s themes of environmental ethics and greed resonate strongly, adding depth to the action. This book is a compelling blend of mystery, danger, and social commentary—an electrifying read that keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.

[Christian Sia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cobalt Conspiracy by Richard D. Ross delivers a compelling thriller filled with twists and tense moments. Reyna Rushmore’s uncovering of secrets beneath abandoned mines leads her into a dangerous political and corporate conspiracy involving a billion-dollar EV battery initiative. Simultaneously, Marco Ferrero’s struggle against criminal forces adds a gritty, visceral layer to the story. Ross expertly balances character development with a breakneck plot, using time as a device to build suspense. The novel’s exploration of environmental issues and corporate greed feels timely and impactful. With sharp dialogue and memorable characters, especially the menacing Slade, this book is a masterclass in suspense. It’s a riveting, thought-provoking read that kept me hooked from start to finish.

[Trfdc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved seeing my former hometown Windsor, Ontario come to life in The Cobalt Conspiracy. As someone who lived in the city for six years, it was a real treat to recognize landmarks and feel the authentic atmosphere of the Windsor Post newsroom and familiar streets.

Richard D. Ross delivers a fast-paced, tightly woven narrative centered on a mysterious EV battery plant scandal. The alternating storyline, set partly in Florida with a desperate trucker, adds depth and keeps the tension high throughout.

What I appreciated most was the book’s blend of investigative journalism, corporate intrigue, and ethical dilemmas. It’s more than a thriller, it makes you reflect on powerful organizations and uncovered secrets.

Even as someone who typically avoids fiction, I found it hard to put down. The Windsor setting gave me nostalgic vibes, and the plot’s moral complexity kept me thinking long after the last page. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy smart, place‑rooted thrillers!