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Vin Cooper #2
A Knife Edge
In this latest internationally bestselling thriller from David Rollins, author of The Death Trust , a bizarre murder leads an ex–Air Force special investigator into a shadow world of conspiracy, cover-up, and military secrecy where the difference between friend or foe is thin as…
A scientist meets a grisly end when he falls from a military research ship and is attacked by a two-ton white shark off the Japanese coast. By the time Special Investigator Vin Cooper reaches the scene, there’s literally very little left to prove that the death wasn’t an accident. But Cooper’s instincts tell him that he’s looking at murder and that in assigning him to this case someone might just as well have shoved him, too, into shark-infested waters.
What kind of top secret project could the military be engaged in that would require the services of a foremost marine biologist and a genetic researcher? The possibilities are ominous, but not as ominous as the truth. And then the unthinkable tragedy that everyone feared since 9/11 explodes with a terrifying sense of déjà vu—in San Francisco.
Suddenly, with a second scientist presumed dead, an unidentified charred body in the morgue, and the “accidental” parachute death of a friend in a Florida training field, Cooper is following a trail as narrow and as dangerous as a knife-edge—a trail that leads to what we all fear a secret “government” within our government whose sworn duty is to kill anyone who opposes them.
A scientist meets a grisly end when he falls from a military research ship and is attacked by a two-ton white shark off the Japanese coast. By the time Special Investigator Vin Cooper reaches the scene, there’s literally very little left to prove that the death wasn’t an accident. But Cooper’s instincts tell him that he’s looking at murder and that in assigning him to this case someone might just as well have shoved him, too, into shark-infested waters.
What kind of top secret project could the military be engaged in that would require the services of a foremost marine biologist and a genetic researcher? The possibilities are ominous, but not as ominous as the truth. And then the unthinkable tragedy that everyone feared since 9/11 explodes with a terrifying sense of déjà vu—in San Francisco.
Suddenly, with a second scientist presumed dead, an unidentified charred body in the morgue, and the “accidental” parachute death of a friend in a Florida training field, Cooper is following a trail as narrow and as dangerous as a knife-edge—a trail that leads to what we all fear a secret “government” within our government whose sworn duty is to kill anyone who opposes them.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
42 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
David Rollins
21 books86 followersHiya, I'm a fiction author and I live in Sydney, Australia. I guess my best-known work is the series featuring Vin Cooper, a special agent in the United States Air Force OSI.
I have published eleven novels, which most recently includes the seventh novel in the Cooper series, the highly controversial KINGDOM COME.
I've recently discovered the joys of Substack. Come and take a look at davidrollins@substack.com where I'm also serializing BLOOD & EMPIRE, the sequel to FIELD OF MARS.
I have published eleven novels, which most recently includes the seventh novel in the Cooper series, the highly controversial KINGDOM COME.
I've recently discovered the joys of Substack. Come and take a look at davidrollins@substack.com where I'm also serializing BLOOD & EMPIRE, the sequel to FIELD OF MARS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 28, 2014
Air Force Special Agent Vin Cooper, a cross between Mitch Rapp and Lucas Davenport, is working two unrelated cases in maze-like plots that are equal parts mystery and thriller played out on a world wide stage. What I find so entertaining in David Rollins character's here, especially Vin Cooper, is their sharp and very funny, military oriented wit. After all, who doesn't appreciate good sarcasm in their fictional characters, good guys and bad guys? And it's an exceptionally good, second book in this outstanding mystery/thriller series. Onward to book #3!
May 27, 2018
"A scientist meets a grisly end when he falls from a military research ship and is attacked by a two-ton white shark off the Japanese coast. By the time Special Investigator Vin Cooper reaches the scene, there’s literally very little left to prove that the death wasn’t an accident. But Cooper’s instincts tell him that he’s looking at murder and that in assigning him to this case someone might just as well have shoved him, too, into shark-infested waters.
What kind of top secret project could the military be engaged in that would require the services of a foremost marine biologist and a genetic researcher? The possibilities are ominous, but not as ominous as the truth. And then the unthinkable tragedy that everyone feared since 9/11 explodes with a terrifying sense of déjà vu—in San Francisco.
Suddenly, with a second scientist presumed dead, an unidentified charred body in the morgue, and the “accidental” parachute death of a friend in a Florida training field, Cooper is following a trail as narrow and as dangerous as a knife-edge"
What kind of top secret project could the military be engaged in that would require the services of a foremost marine biologist and a genetic researcher? The possibilities are ominous, but not as ominous as the truth. And then the unthinkable tragedy that everyone feared since 9/11 explodes with a terrifying sense of déjà vu—in San Francisco.
Suddenly, with a second scientist presumed dead, an unidentified charred body in the morgue, and the “accidental” parachute death of a friend in a Florida training field, Cooper is following a trail as narrow and as dangerous as a knife-edge"
August 28, 2018
Vin Cooper is a rock and roll investigator. Good read in the mold of the better jack teacher style stories. Excellent holiday reading.
January 26, 2020
A colt fires a 45acp not a 357 which is a revolver round. I have trouble with such an obvious mistake.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
February 12, 2025
Entertaining
Love the humour through out the story and the obstacles vin cooper runs into along the way to solve the case at hand.
Love the humour through out the story and the obstacles vin cooper runs into along the way to solve the case at hand.
May 26, 2025
Suspenseful
July 23, 2018
It's not so bad when someone steals your name as a main character in a book, or series of books. It's also not bad when that someone also takes your job and gives it to the character they stole your name for. However, it gets a little creepy when they give the character your name, job, and puts them in your real-life office one year before you arrive there. It's a bit stalkerish at that point.
April 20, 2016
This is the second Vin Cooper novel for David Rollins and he keep the thrills coming. Cooper, a Major in the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, is assigned to investigate the apparent accidental fall of a scientist from a military research ship in the Pacific that happened to put him in the mouth of a great white shark. When a second scientist is apparently murdered during a terrorist attack in San Francisco, Cooper is fairly certain the apparent murders of the two men are connected and that it's related to the research they were doing.
However, just as Cooper thought he was making real progress, he's pulled from the case and assigned to investigate the death of an old friend in Florida. It seems his buddy, with hundreds of hours of experience skydiving, lost his chute on a training exercise and ended up a splotch of quivering jelly in the landing zone. Yes, it's suspicious.
Cooper dives into his new investigation while keeping up to speed on his original task and his quick wit and quicker tongue run him afoul of the CIA, the GAO, and most importantly a squad of British Special Air Service commandos.
While Cooper gets himself in and out of crazily improbable situations, following along with him is pure fun. When his investigations aren't giving him heartburn, his love life is. He'a a great character and I hope Rollins adds to the five novels in the series.
However, just as Cooper thought he was making real progress, he's pulled from the case and assigned to investigate the death of an old friend in Florida. It seems his buddy, with hundreds of hours of experience skydiving, lost his chute on a training exercise and ended up a splotch of quivering jelly in the landing zone. Yes, it's suspicious.
Cooper dives into his new investigation while keeping up to speed on his original task and his quick wit and quicker tongue run him afoul of the CIA, the GAO, and most importantly a squad of British Special Air Service commandos.
While Cooper gets himself in and out of crazily improbable situations, following along with him is pure fun. When his investigations aren't giving him heartburn, his love life is. He'a a great character and I hope Rollins adds to the five novels in the series.
September 2, 2010
I really liked the first Vin Cooper book. OK this is number 2. I could not go 4 stars on this one. I really like the author's writing style and all of the characters he creates and the mischief and excitement he puts them through. OK this is number 2. What happened here? The book starts good and than tends to bog down before getting started again. Almost half of the book, the middle portion again, tends to hang out on its own, seemingly unrelated to the first half, before being tied into the finale of the book. I still look forward to the next Vin Cooper book and I hope this was just one of those occasional blips that some authors tend to pull. Please don't take this review as all negative criticism. The book is good, just somewhat of a let down from the exitement inherent in the first of the series.
May 9, 2010
I liked this book, plenty of action. Vin Cooper reminds me of James Bond in the sense that he can not die. As soon as Vin is facing death something happens that allows him to cheat death. How many lives does this man have? More than a cat which tends to get old after so many chances.
Vin Coopers love life has potential, but trying to keep his girlfriend from the first book around for this one and possible future books does not work. She needs to go. I liked the Lt Col single mom that Vin hooks up with, hopefully we will see her again in future story lines.
Although his military background and job are extremely fictional, it was a good book and I look forward to his future adventures.
Vin Coopers love life has potential, but trying to keep his girlfriend from the first book around for this one and possible future books does not work. She needs to go. I liked the Lt Col single mom that Vin hooks up with, hopefully we will see her again in future story lines.
Although his military background and job are extremely fictional, it was a good book and I look forward to his future adventures.
January 3, 2012
An interesting read. This is not all about a macho super hero who can defeat all comers and who kills without blinking. The hero has issues; he vomits at the thought of a mission in one scene. Yes he is still a hero, but a flawed one and therefore a more interesting one. I compare this is to book no.4 (Ghost Watch) and they are very different. This is very much an investigation into seemingly unconnected incidents and is more thriller I guess, with the only action only right at the end. There aren't even any 'red shirts' for Cooper to vanquish along the way. Whereas Ghost Watch is very much action all the way.
August 10, 2010
A murder mystery/ thriller. Good, fast Light reading. Some really improbable situations, but who knows. Could happen.. Good reading for Air Force aficionados...they would recognize all of the transports mentioned. Author did a good job of identifying anacronyms. A good movie role for a youngish actor...please not Tom Crise, Matt Damon or Bruce Willis (he's way too old for it anyway, but it is a "Eiehard" kind of role). Wrapped up nice & tidy, with an opening for the next book in the series.
October 29, 2013
This wasn't a bad book, but to be honest I had a bit of trouble getting into it for the first quarter. Maybe it's because I started here on the second book.
Once going however it's a good tale that although at times a little absurd (surviving a fall with no parachute due to sheer luck) it comes across as blessedly lucky as opposed to cheesy action.
The pace quickens for the final quarter and it becomes hard to put down as it moves from investigation to action.
All in all, a good military police/investigation novel, although might be worth starting from #1.
Once going however it's a good tale that although at times a little absurd (surviving a fall with no parachute due to sheer luck) it comes across as blessedly lucky as opposed to cheesy action.
The pace quickens for the final quarter and it becomes hard to put down as it moves from investigation to action.
All in all, a good military police/investigation novel, although might be worth starting from #1.
January 7, 2010
This is a fine read by an Australian author whose character, Vin Cooper, is an operative for a US governmental agency. In the sea off the coast of Japan a scientist on a research ship is thrown overboard and soon is devoured by a 2200 pound great white shark. Later another scientist is burned to death in an apartment complex fire supposedly set by terrorists. It's a bit overwritten but still worth 3 stars.
January 13, 2015
This is the 2nd of the 6 Vin Cooper novels...I've read 1 & 3 & thoroughly enjoyed both & this one as well...Cooper is an Air Force OIS investigator looking into the death of a scientist & a SF instructor friend...Cooper has the cockiness and skills of both Brian Haig's Sean Drummond and DeMille's Paul Brenner...a fun read, but the Deus Ex Machina plot devices that show up & this one is a doozy makes me move to 3 stars...all in all, I'll continue to read the series
June 2, 2014
Spoiler alert: read at your own peril.
I'm quite disappointed with this book. From slow, snail's pace to ridiculous, unrealistic plot, I mean, computer eating bugs?, to big, dumb oaf of a protagonist. What kind of an idiot forgets that he has a second gun stuck in his belt? Common, give me a break! This book was rather frustrating and in IMHO on a significantly lower level than the first book in this series, Death Trust. I'm only left with the hope that the next one will be better.
I'm quite disappointed with this book. From slow, snail's pace to ridiculous, unrealistic plot, I mean, computer eating bugs?, to big, dumb oaf of a protagonist. What kind of an idiot forgets that he has a second gun stuck in his belt? Common, give me a break! This book was rather frustrating and in IMHO on a significantly lower level than the first book in this series, Death Trust. I'm only left with the hope that the next one will be better.
March 19, 2011
This is the second book in Rollins' Vin Cooper series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kept me up reading entirely too late. Since I actually had a hard time finding a copy of it at all, I had already read the third book in the series, but there was certainly no harm done in reading it out of order. Looking forward to his fourth, "Ghost Watch," when it is released in the US.
March 17, 2011
Book #2 in the Vin Cooper series. Definitely not as good as the first, but all in all entertaining. There were a few to many far fetched situations for this reader. David Rollins has a gift to tell a story and I will continue to read the Vin Cooper series, I'm hoping the next installment is a bit more believable. Read the book to keep up with the series, but don't expect to much from this one.
May 14, 2010
Not as good as the first book in the series. The action was good, but there was too much superflous sex for my liking. Still trying to wrap my head around the plot as well.
I will read book 3, however. That's the one I saw in the library first, but I prefer to read books in series order.
I will read book 3, however. That's the one I saw in the library first, but I prefer to read books in series order.
April 19, 2014
This is the second book in the Vin Cooper series. Mostly unbelievable and slow. then the last 80 pages are exciting but not surprising. Not as good as the first book and the third is borderline great.
March 30, 2016
Really liked the creativeness of this book. Sending Vin off to investigate a possible murder on a ship, then a possible murder of a friend,and then a bombing of San Francisco. Never getting to complete his assignment because he goes where he's told. All of it interconnects. Fast paced read.
April 24, 2009
Ridiculous how everything tied up SO neatly, but good for brainless 2am reading.
February 7, 2010
couldn't finish it. lame.
August 1, 2011
read like a series of news reports with no texture
August 20, 2012
good thriller about a military detective with a little humour thrown in
January 2, 2013
Easy to listen to, original story line.
Vin Cooper is like Jack Reacher (current movie)
Vin Cooper is like Jack Reacher (current movie)
August 18, 2013
Lots of twists and turns, and I loved the sarcastic humor, just my speed.
March 25, 2014
Good story, but too many moving parts, including unnecessary sex.
June 18, 2014
didnt read beyond 36 pages, didnt like the authors style of the character having what to me seem innane thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews