Cargo

by Mark Dawson

A failed assassination. A dead civilian. A conspiracy moving across Europe.

Charlie Cooper is in Salzburg to oversee the final stage of a new recruit's training for Group Fifteen. Her mission is eliminate a low-level trafficker involved in modern slavery. But the operation goes wrong.

A professional security team appears from nowhere. The recruit barely escapes, and an innocent bystander is killed in the chaos. The recruit swears she didn't fire the fatal shot, but one round is missing from her weapon.

When the recruit is cast out of the Group, she returns to Salzburg determined to prove the truth. Cooper follows, only to discover that the trafficker is part of something far more a covert Russian operation to smuggle killers into Britain.

Now Cooper and the recruit must go undercover to stop the cargo before it reaches UK soil.

And this time, failure won't just end a career. It could cost dozens of lives.

Fast, ruthless, and packed with twists, Cargo is a razor-sharp Charlie Cooper thriller.

Genres: Thriller

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice novella with a plotline you woukd expect full of twists and turns with a satisfying end . I wont spoil the read by divulging plot lines rest assured Mark Dawson at his best.

[Michael Garin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too often these shorter novellas don't live up to the author's standards, but fortunately that's definitely not the case with Mark Dawson's Charlie Cooper books

Having been greatly disappointed by the short books written by the wonderful writer Jeffrey Deaver, and mildly disappointed by Gregg Hurwitz's latest Orphan X novella, I'm generally reluctant to read these lesser works.
In many cases it seems these authors are trading on their well-earned reputations just to earn some extra dough.
Fortunately, that has not been the case with Mark Dawson's shorter books, and Cargo is no exception.
They are every bit as compelling as his longer, fully fleshed novels.
Enjoy.

[Ken Karcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple assignment blows up

This novel brings back Julie, the former Royal Marine Charlie befriended in Sanctuary. Charlie has sponsored her for the Group 15 team and is evaluating her final test of skill. Something goes terribly wrong resulting in the target escaping and a bystander being killed. Both Charlie and Julie feel there's something deeper going on but Control has made up his mind and turned to more pressing matters. Charlie soon discovers that Julie has gone back to finish the job and find out if she's responsible for an innocent death. These books are packed with action and are always well written. I can't wait for the next book.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing really, started well, proceeded ok, then ended with a rather stupid situation that could have been easily avoided but wasn’t, details below
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When they got to the bit where they wanted to capture the villain, why not just wait until he was securely shut in the back of the lorry and then detain him, or even drive him to the UK, which was what he was actually expecting, and then detain him there, it all seemed like a silly mistake just to end the story with a bit of action.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When training turns into the real thing

Cooper was training Julie until the last operation goes wrong, she doesn't pass through and now she's feeling guilty that she may have killed an innocent bystander. She needs to know the truth even if it gets her killed, Charlie begs to go to Austria to back her but control said no. Does he go anyway or does he wait as control wants him too. There are so many twists and misinformation to this story. I highly recommend this book fight

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Charlie Cooper thriller!

On a Group 15 mission for a trainee where Charlie Cooper is the trainer, and things go wrong and an innocent bystander is killed. This book is unputdownable and unpredictable. You don't want to miss this book! Happy reading! 😊

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read of Charlie Cooper adventures training Julie who will become #12 in Controls Group. This all takes place in Salzburg Austria. Highly recommend this book.

[Manfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very good novella in the Charlie Cooper series. This time he gets a trainee and everything goes wrong. Lots of twists and turns make you race through the pages.

[Brian Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Cooper needs to be in full book

Good read but as usual a short read. He is a favorite of mine and would love to see him in a full book

[Valerie Douthwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would have enjoyed this as a full book, it was a gripping read. More like this please Mark.

[Peter Mathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delivery On Target

Strong characters. Nice pacing. Great plot / premise. Comfortable writing style. All come together to deliver a solid escape thriller.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding as always
I’d love a full length Charlie Cooper novel

[carl clause · Rating 5 out of 5]

CC1

Excellent as always. Cooper had to keep his patience under control with Julie. But once he laid down the rules it all worked out . 10 stars plus!!! Thanks Carl Clause

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loving this series

[william shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book Brilliant author

[wilma mccann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Charlie Cooper

Another 5* read. Action packed and exciting. Reading the novella books gives you a break from longer novels. I like that. Have pre-ordered the next one.