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Charlie Cobb #2
Death & Back
How far would you go to save a stranger?
For Charlie Cobb, it may be all the way to the grave.
Meet the tough new antihero perfect for fans of Lee Child, Mark Dawson or James P. Sumner.
After burning his bridges in his native Manchester, UK, the ex-mafia fixer heads to London with a price on his head.
A job driving a truck is a good way to lay low—and stay on the straight and narrow.
Yet it soon lures Charlie into a deadly trap that leaves him fighting for his life.
Amira is seeking a new start, too, travelling thousands of perilous miles, in search of a safe haven. But just like Charlie, she stumbles into a terrifying web of human crimes, run by a vicious mafia network with serious connections.
In this hotly anticipated follow-up to BREAKER, Charlie’s skills and courage will be tested to the extreme on a one-man suicide mission to save a stranger’s life. Just don’t get in his way. The Charlie Cobb series of crime thrillers delivers a breathless blend of action, dark humour and suspense. All with a gritty, criminal twist. The series can be read in any order. The first book, BREAKER, is free. Contains violence and some bad language.304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2017
106 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Rob Aspinall
24 books56 followersRob has never been in a car chase, a gun battle or a fight to the death. But he does come armed with a vivid imagination. And he’s not afraid to use it.
Originally a copywriter in the shadowy world of advertising, Rob went rogue in 2016 and started to publish books under the fiendishly inventive pseudonym of… Rob Aspinall.
He currently lives in Manchester, UK, where he writes fast, funny thrillers with an original twist. Whether it’s spies, mobsters, serial killers or trained killers, Rob loads all of his books with action, humour and heart-thumping thrills.
You can find his novels in ebook, audiobook and paperback formats.
Plus, you can get your fiction fix through his Truly Deadly and Breaker podcasts. (Just check your favourite podcast player to find the shows.)
In the meantime, check out these author FUQs (Frequently Unasked Questions):
What’s it like being an author?
It’s fantastic. I get to make up stories for a living and share them with my wonderful readers. There’s a lot more to it than that, of course, with all the marketing and promotion you need to do. You have to invest a lot of time, money and energy into being an author. And I don’t always feel like writing. But it’s like any other career. There are things you love and things you don’t, but it’s well worth it.
What’s the most important thing to remember when writing a book?
You’re not writing the book for yourself. You’re writing it for someone else. So it has to make sense to the reader. And above all, it has to be entertaining. I challenge myself to make every book more engrossing, entertaining and memorable than the last. I guess this kind of thinking comes from my years working as an advertising copywriter – if I had a slogan, it would be ‘Start with the reader and work backwards’, which is a shameless rip-off of Amazon’s motto.
How would you describe your writing style?
Other than trying to keep my writing style simple and accessible, I’d describe my style more in storytelling terms. The exact way of writing may change depending on the book, the character and who’s doing the narrating. But regardless of genre, series or novel, I make sure I stick to some basic storytelling principles – that is has to be simple, gripping, fun on some level and always moving at a decent pace. My only aim is to entertain or inspire the reader at all times—not to fill the book with flowery prose or get to a certain number of words.
Do you ever get ‘writer’s block’?
I only think you get writer’s block when you start worrying about it. In fact, I would say writer’s block is more like writer’s lag. There’s sometimes a lag time between staring at the screen or page and the answer coming to you. And it’s because the ideas, stories and words don’t come from the conscious mind. The subconscious mind comes up with them and feeds them to you. But when you get uptight and start worrying, it’s easy to block the subconscious mind from serving up the ideas.
The best thing you can do is relax and let the answers come. If I’m really getting nowhere with an idea, a plot or a particular scene or sentence, I’ll skip onto the next one. Or I’ll take a short break and do something totally unrelated to writing.
It's something I've often done while working in creative advertising, coming up with campaign ideas and slogans. But I often repeat the trick when I’m coming up with ideas for books.
Originally a copywriter in the shadowy world of advertising, Rob went rogue in 2016 and started to publish books under the fiendishly inventive pseudonym of… Rob Aspinall.
He currently lives in Manchester, UK, where he writes fast, funny thrillers with an original twist. Whether it’s spies, mobsters, serial killers or trained killers, Rob loads all of his books with action, humour and heart-thumping thrills.
You can find his novels in ebook, audiobook and paperback formats.
Plus, you can get your fiction fix through his Truly Deadly and Breaker podcasts. (Just check your favourite podcast player to find the shows.)
In the meantime, check out these author FUQs (Frequently Unasked Questions):
What’s it like being an author?
It’s fantastic. I get to make up stories for a living and share them with my wonderful readers. There’s a lot more to it than that, of course, with all the marketing and promotion you need to do. You have to invest a lot of time, money and energy into being an author. And I don’t always feel like writing. But it’s like any other career. There are things you love and things you don’t, but it’s well worth it.
What’s the most important thing to remember when writing a book?
You’re not writing the book for yourself. You’re writing it for someone else. So it has to make sense to the reader. And above all, it has to be entertaining. I challenge myself to make every book more engrossing, entertaining and memorable than the last. I guess this kind of thinking comes from my years working as an advertising copywriter – if I had a slogan, it would be ‘Start with the reader and work backwards’, which is a shameless rip-off of Amazon’s motto.
How would you describe your writing style?
Other than trying to keep my writing style simple and accessible, I’d describe my style more in storytelling terms. The exact way of writing may change depending on the book, the character and who’s doing the narrating. But regardless of genre, series or novel, I make sure I stick to some basic storytelling principles – that is has to be simple, gripping, fun on some level and always moving at a decent pace. My only aim is to entertain or inspire the reader at all times—not to fill the book with flowery prose or get to a certain number of words.
Do you ever get ‘writer’s block’?
I only think you get writer’s block when you start worrying about it. In fact, I would say writer’s block is more like writer’s lag. There’s sometimes a lag time between staring at the screen or page and the answer coming to you. And it’s because the ideas, stories and words don’t come from the conscious mind. The subconscious mind comes up with them and feeds them to you. But when you get uptight and start worrying, it’s easy to block the subconscious mind from serving up the ideas.
The best thing you can do is relax and let the answers come. If I’m really getting nowhere with an idea, a plot or a particular scene or sentence, I’ll skip onto the next one. Or I’ll take a short break and do something totally unrelated to writing.
It's something I've often done while working in creative advertising, coming up with campaign ideas and slogans. But I often repeat the trick when I’m coming up with ideas for books.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 1, 2024
Solid feed the reading monster 4 stars.
May 24, 2021
Death & Back Charlie Cobb 2 by Rob Aspinall is an immensely fun time.
Cobb is trying to go straight but when a quick monkey (£500.00) comes his way to drive a truck from the coast to London it's an offer he can't refuse lets face it what could go wrong?
This is leave your brains at the door strap yourself in and enjoy the ride it's a summer blockbuster movie type book with totally over the top action set pieces and hell of a lot of fun.
The writing is what you would expect in this genre is not Shakespeare but serves it's purpose Cobb as a lead is a great character he has all the moves and charm the story is relentless as we move from one set piece to the next and they are all choreographed well.
I never wandered and wanted to keep turning the page just to see what situations Cobb would find himself in next he is a true Anti-Hero.
This won't win any awards but it is such good fun I loved it if you are a fan of Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow books this will be right up your street.
Completely bonkers totally over the top action what a rush.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
Cobb is trying to go straight but when a quick monkey (£500.00) comes his way to drive a truck from the coast to London it's an offer he can't refuse lets face it what could go wrong?
This is leave your brains at the door strap yourself in and enjoy the ride it's a summer blockbuster movie type book with totally over the top action set pieces and hell of a lot of fun.
The writing is what you would expect in this genre is not Shakespeare but serves it's purpose Cobb as a lead is a great character he has all the moves and charm the story is relentless as we move from one set piece to the next and they are all choreographed well.
I never wandered and wanted to keep turning the page just to see what situations Cobb would find himself in next he is a true Anti-Hero.
This won't win any awards but it is such good fun I loved it if you are a fan of Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow books this will be right up your street.
Completely bonkers totally over the top action what a rush.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
January 21, 2018
Gotta like Charlie "Breaker" Cobb
Thoroughly enjoyed this book by Rob Aspinall. I have read many of Rob's books, but by far his Charlie Cobb series has kept me enthralled! I do like the way Rob writes, and his characterizations are in such a manner, that I find myself thinking like Breaker wondering what we're going to do next. I read this over a weekend, and immediately opened the next Breaker story! I'm an avid reader, and up until the "Breaker" series my favorite book character was Stuart Redman from Stephen King's "The Stand". Charlie Cobb is the ultimate antihero, and I found myself believing in his story. Well done Rob Aspinall, well done!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book by Rob Aspinall. I have read many of Rob's books, but by far his Charlie Cobb series has kept me enthralled! I do like the way Rob writes, and his characterizations are in such a manner, that I find myself thinking like Breaker wondering what we're going to do next. I read this over a weekend, and immediately opened the next Breaker story! I'm an avid reader, and up until the "Breaker" series my favorite book character was Stuart Redman from Stephen King's "The Stand". Charlie Cobb is the ultimate antihero, and I found myself believing in his story. Well done Rob Aspinall, well done!
October 14, 2017
Another fun read, but a little short, and the plot seems rushed. The guy gets beaten practically to death, and then all of a sudden he's chasing people around and having another big fight. Then it happens again, and again.
Yes, I realize it's not supposed to be a super plausible story, and I did read right through, and laughed at the funny quips. Just kind of seemed like a series of action sequences pasted together without the story that goes in between.
Yes, I realize it's not supposed to be a super plausible story, and I did read right through, and laughed at the funny quips. Just kind of seemed like a series of action sequences pasted together without the story that goes in between.
August 20, 2018
After having read Breaker, the first in the Charlie Cobb series, I was over the moon to get an advance copy of Death and Back. Another fast paced action filled adventure which meant I couldn't put the book down, again. Charlie deals with the problem of human trafficking and its consequences. Try as he does to " go straight" from his criminal enforcer past , it's just not meant to be. But this time it's as one of the good guys. A thoroughly recommended read.
September 1, 2018
I like Charlie Cobb. If anyone can pull off the impossible it's Charlie. With a fast moving plot, clean editing, and lots of suspense and action, this story hits most of the marks. I would like to see Charlie get a little romance, but then he wouldn't the stoic Charlie that we've come to know so well. An entertaining read.
September 18, 2018
Good story
Is this guy Superman in disguise? Who cares the storyline is good and the writing better. Don't know how Rob thinks up the situations that Charlie gets himself into or indeed out of.
Is this guy Superman in disguise? Who cares the storyline is good and the writing better. Don't know how Rob thinks up the situations that Charlie gets himself into or indeed out of.
September 28, 2018
WOW! What a freaking read!
Move over Jack Reacher, Charlie Cobb. Is coming to America. This author is as good as Lee Childs, and the story was fantastic. Your goona love this one for sure.
Move over Jack Reacher, Charlie Cobb. Is coming to America. This author is as good as Lee Childs, and the story was fantastic. Your goona love this one for sure.
October 4, 2018
Death & Back
From the first sentence it's a none stop adrenaline high action journey of an investigation. This book is part of my top ten books read this year. I Loved it. Exceptionally well written. A must read!
From the first sentence it's a none stop adrenaline high action journey of an investigation. This book is part of my top ten books read this year. I Loved it. Exceptionally well written. A must read!
May 15, 2018
Death and Back
I give this another 5 star rating! Wow this guy can write a story that makes you feel like you are there. Love that crazy Charlie and ready for the next adventure!
I give this another 5 star rating! Wow this guy can write a story that makes you feel like you are there. Love that crazy Charlie and ready for the next adventure!
September 3, 2018
Action packed why say more???
Please make sure that you have a meal and a drink on hand before beginning this story you won't have time later.
Please make sure that you have a meal and a drink on hand before beginning this story you won't have time later.
December 18, 2021
Charlie Cobb is back but this time around he is doing everything he can to stay on the straight and narrow after living the life as hired muscle known as The Breaker.
Just when he thought he was out, an old friend pulls him back into that world he left behind for what he thought was a simple transport job. As he discovers, it's anything but simple as it turns out to be a human trafficking ring that he wants no part of. The Breaker's reluctancy to be involved results in a double cross that puts his life in peril. The masterminds behind the operation thought they killed him by leaving him for dead, but turns out to be a mistake. This puts the Breaker on the hunt of the masterminds behind it all. When he is after someone, prepare for all hell to break loose because he will not stop until he breaks them all or dies trying.
"Death & Back" was a great crime thriller told from the perspective of an anti-hero who is torn between the worlds of the criminal element and living a normal law abiding life. While he has been hired muscle most of his adult life, this story further explores the Breaker looking to do the right thing and leaving his old life which has not been easy for him especially with temptation and negative influences all around him. He is an intriguing character and someone the reader wants to root for as he risks it all to save others when it goes against his nature. Highly recommended.
Just when he thought he was out, an old friend pulls him back into that world he left behind for what he thought was a simple transport job. As he discovers, it's anything but simple as it turns out to be a human trafficking ring that he wants no part of. The Breaker's reluctancy to be involved results in a double cross that puts his life in peril. The masterminds behind the operation thought they killed him by leaving him for dead, but turns out to be a mistake. This puts the Breaker on the hunt of the masterminds behind it all. When he is after someone, prepare for all hell to break loose because he will not stop until he breaks them all or dies trying.
"Death & Back" was a great crime thriller told from the perspective of an anti-hero who is torn between the worlds of the criminal element and living a normal law abiding life. While he has been hired muscle most of his adult life, this story further explores the Breaker looking to do the right thing and leaving his old life which has not been easy for him especially with temptation and negative influences all around him. He is an intriguing character and someone the reader wants to root for as he risks it all to save others when it goes against his nature. Highly recommended.
September 16, 2018
A good follow-up to the first in this series. I rate it 4.8 stars.
July 14, 2025
As always, Charlie is a breath of fresh air
I love Charlie Cobb. I read so many action thrillers that have brooding, stormy faced heroes that it's sometimes a chore to get through them all. Cobb is none of that. He's funny, reckless, fearless, and just the right amount of crazy. The other characters are always unique and interesting and never come across as cliche or stock characters. I am so happy I found this series!
I love Charlie Cobb. I read so many action thrillers that have brooding, stormy faced heroes that it's sometimes a chore to get through them all. Cobb is none of that. He's funny, reckless, fearless, and just the right amount of crazy. The other characters are always unique and interesting and never come across as cliche or stock characters. I am so happy I found this series!
April 24, 2025
Nice and easy to listen to. I mostly followed along with the story which was really action packed and compelling. I did zone out a couple times as I often do when listening to audiobooks and did not really bother going back over. I liked the plot with the two girls, but there wasn't really any further character development or even general development within this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews