Cooper's Loot

by Rick E. George

It's 1972, but the Neanderthal editors of reporter Bev Wikowski's newspaper don't have a clue. They've assigned her to the Women's Pages and put her desk near the door so she can greet newsroom visitors. It's a wonder they haven't asked her to make coffee.

Then Bev meets a buddy of the infamous hijacker DB Cooper. Cooper has sent him to gather a posse to find and dig up the loot he buried in the Cascade Mountains. Would Bev like to join the group?

Suddenly, Bev's looking at the possibility of a front-page story on every newspaper in the nation—and maybe a Pulitzer Prize. A young widow whose husband died in Vietnam, she leaves her four-year-old daughter with her parents, hides her work identity, and joins the group. But it doesn't take long before an even bigger challenge demands every ounce of her Survival.

Genres: Thriller, Historical Fiction, Fiction

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2019

About the author

Rick George is the author of four novels. His poetry and short fiction have appeared in numerous literary magazines.

He has worked as a wildland firefighter, a sportswriter, and an educator. He lives in the Cascade Mountains of Washington with his wife April.

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cooper’s Loot” by George E. George is average read. It did not excite me but was a not bad enough to avoid finishing.

The start plodded along without much of a direction. Gradually it increased pace and began to develop into a good read.

The overall theme is about a group who fight a blizzard for $200,000 that was lost after Cooper’s hijacked plane crashed.

The action gets more dramatic as the vice of greed takes over most of the members.

On a very positive note, the characters were done very well. As a character-driven story, the personalities held depth. My favorite was Bev and I found myself cheering for her throughout.

A fast, easy read. No recommendation.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give up on this book by the 15-20 % mark. I was not enjoying any part of it. I felt like all the characters were a bunch of dopers and drunks.
It turns out they were all a bunch of greedy liars.
I did persist and thereby the book earned 3 stars instead of 2.
A fascinating theory for a book and I was very interested in the storyline, but it just failed to ever really grab me. Yes there was death and I should have cared but with the exception of just 2 I really didn’t. It might be your cup of tea but I felt like I was the one slogging through the thigh deep snow
I was provided an e-copy of this book by Book Sirens.
The opinions and this review are mine.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved a free copy of theis book from Voracious Readers Only in return for a review.

Set in the early 1970's in the Era of Nixon and Vietnam, the book follows young widowed reporter, Bev, as she joins a bunch of strangers searching for the money paid to infamous hijacker DB Cooper. What starts as an illadvised treasure hunt turns into a fight for survival as Bev battles against both mother nature and human nature.

Reading this book, I think it would really help to be an American and to know about DB Cooper. Probably helpful to be of an age to have some recollection of the early 70's. The author could have done more to set the scene for people outside of this demographic, but it is still readable otherwise. You just might need to google or accept some things might go over your head.

I did find the book a bit dull and predictable. I suppose you don't need a twist, but I think there was supposed to be one. It's just that it was so obvious the reveal was hardly a surprise. Everytime Bev's late husband was mentioned my eyes glazed over and I ended up skipping pages. But, I thouht there was a good idea and some interesting themes were explored. What if someone offers you a lot of money to join a bunch of strangers on a secret treasure hunt that could land you in jail? What if you justified it to yourself as a story, not a payday? How far would you go to protect yourself and hang onto what you have?

The characters had enough to differenciate them that they didn't become confused, and without leaning too heavily on stereotypes - which is an achievement in a book with eight major characters. The writing was never bad as such, just some ideas/description were explored at the expense of tension.

Overall a solid 3

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having received Cooper's Loot as a review copy from Voracious Readers Only, I approached this new novel with dubiety. Several pages into this superbly written story all doubts as to the authors abilities vanished, replaced by the need to read the next chapter. Then the next, and then the one after that until I was unable to put it down until the end.

After the protagonist's serendipitous falling into the adventure, the author economically introduces the fleshed-out characters and an amazing physical environment for them to populate. Not that they remain static for long; not even they location. They are skillfully revealed, as Rick E. George sustains a rapid pace from one thrilling set piece to another.

This is a great thriller that I do not hesitate to recommend to all.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. Bev Wikowski, a reporter for the Portland Morning Chronicle, is in a small town covering a story and before leaving town stops at a bar. After hearing a tale a stranger was telling about DB Coopers buried treasure and how he knew exactly where it was buried, six people including the stranger agreed to meet up the day after Thanksgiving to go retrieve the money hidden in the mountains. Of course a blizzard is predicted to hit. Mayhem ensues. I’m not giving out any hints about what happens but its a page turner.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastically paced thriller. An interesting idea of what may have happened during and after a famous unsolved mystery in the late 20th century. The author's use of setting and weather made the story ring true and dangerous. The character development could have been better executed, but overall a captivating read.

I know a little bit about D.B. Cooper's crime. It happened before I was born, so I was decades removed from the crime before I heard about it. I am surprised I haven't come across more fictional ideas about what may have happened. This crime and perpetrator feel fraught with options.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 1970s setting in the Pacific Northwest. While my time in the Pacific Northwest was in Seattle, in the 2000s, the attitudes and landscape felt real on every page. I certainly enjoy reading books set before the Internet took over everything. No cell phones, I will enjoy this story. The forests and the mountains of Washington were carefully crafted. I could see the scene. The end of the Vietnam War was also prevalent in the story; it added to the desperation of the characters and a feel for the time.

Unfortunately, I found most of the characters were not well-fleshed out. I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. I read several times Will was the best of the lot, but honestly I couldn't remember anything distinct about the man. The women were fighting back and forth and other than Bev, I had no idea which woman was which. It took a bit away from the story for me, but Bev gave me enough of an anchor to continue enjoying the ride.

Finally, the author presented a wonderful use of weather. The unpredictability of the snow and the wind added to the overall sense of foreboding. I am pretty sure my toes froze while reading several scenes in this book.

There was a lot of strong points in this novel, and I will look to reading additional titles by this author.

Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for a free review copy. This review has been posted voluntarily, and the opinion is my own.

[Debora J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Cooper's Loot" is an interesting concept, where a group of strangers go after D. B. Cooper's bag of $200,000 following his infamous leap from a plane after hijacking the jet in 1971. As I began reading I wondered how many readers under the age of 50 would be interested in this, since Cooper is not current, nor has anything been said about it in national media in decades. I found it difficult to get into the story until about a quarter of the way through, and did not actually get interested in the plot until halfway through when mysterious happenings and strange events occurred. The story seemed to drag at times, and I had to push myself to continue reading. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! I'm not often reading thriller/mystery novels, but this book had me thinking, 'why not??' It definitely kept my interest. Lots of twists and turns, and an ending you may or may not have been expecting. Makes you wonder how far/capable the human psyche is able to go, and what lengths people will go for the sake of greed. Very good.

[Amanda Hallam-Taillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this through Voracious Readers Only.

This was an INTENSE read! Lots of twists and turns, and falliable characters. I enjoyed this read and feel it was well written.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book caught my attention straight away. A group of people head off into the wilderness to find buried treasure - the backbone of more bad books than good, probably. Thankfully , this book fell into the good pile. I absolutely loved it.

Set in the 1970's, around the time of the Vietnam war and the end of the free-love era, a group of strangers meet a mysterious adventurer in a pub (or saloon, as the Americans call them). Gathered around a corner table, the man regales them with a tale about the lost, buried loot stolen by the infamous BD Cooper after an airplane hijacking. Apparently, Cooper has asked this stranger to gather together a group of people, head off into the woods, following some specific directions, find the cash and split it amongst them. He is no ordinary thief; more of a modern-day Robin Hood.

So, that's what happens. However, as normal, what seems like a quick expedition, is hampered by a sudden, but expected blizzard, meaning our intrepid treasure hunters are stuck in the storm.

Bev Wikowski, our main protagonist, is about to find out. Bev is a single mother, a struggling journalist stuck in a sexist, male dominated world of newspapers. She is a regular writer of the "women's pages", but she wants more. She wants a big story which will win her a Pulitzer prize and catapult her career. So she agrees to go along with the ragtag bunch. Here starts a study of human nature. How far would she go when faced with sudden riches? What would she be capable of doing just to survive?

I thought this book was so well written. The characters were quite relatable, and could have been set in any era. Having been set in the 70's was quite apt, though, as the characters were without mobile phones or EPIRBs to be able to save themselves with, which added to the tension. A great read.

Thank to the publisher and author for a free review copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the 70’s, and Bev, widow of a soldier killed in combat, struggling to make ends meet for her and her young daughter, finds herself in a situation many would envy. Just about everyone is fascinated in some way by the tale of D, B. Cooper, who famously parachuted from a plane, a with bundle of money, never to be seen or heard of again. In this story, Bev and bunch of others, are invited to join Andy, who says he is a friend of DB, to look for the loot D.B. carried with him when he parachuted out of the plane that day, in the Cascade mountains. People will sometimes do strange things for money. It is a motley crew, each with his/her own reason for joining, but, really, they are there for the adventure or the money. As they search, a bad blizzard traps the group in the area where they are searching, which only adds to the story.

The author takes the reader on this trip, without much information of the group except for Bev, who seems to be telling the story. Nevertheless, you get a good sense of who the characters are, from their conversations, interactions and events. The story of this search was well done. The characters are believable and relatable and could fit in anywhere at any time, though the book is set in a different, long- ago era. Thus, a lot of questions arose in my mind as I read book: why look for just $200 K, why not use a GPS, why not use cell phones, etc. However, none of these existed back then. The story line flowed well, though at times I did find it slowed a bit. I kept wondering if Bev would ever get back to her young daughter or to file what she hoped would be the block buster story of the year with her newspaper employer. The backstory about D.B. Cooper was a clever trick the author used to pique interest in a story that, in many ways, resembles others that abound. I think a reader will be impressed with this unique take on things. I know I was. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

[Buttercupp77 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spite of taking place largely in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, this novel is a claustrophobic read. At it's heart, it's the story of a group of strangers, for all intents and purposes up to no good, who become trapped in inclement weather. Given the penchant of some characters to consume mood-altering substances, it is no surprise when they fall prey to paranoia and mistrust. This is couched in the still-unsolved hijacking of a plane by the mysterious D B Cooper.

The setting was clearly and well established. Owing that it is set in the early 1970s, the author was very careful to remove references to today's technologies, and made a point to include current events of the era - the draft, the Vietnam war, free love, etc. I thought this was well-executed, and I didn't notice any overt anachronisms (not that I was around during the period).

The pacing was excellent, with circumstances getting more and more claustrophobic as the novel progresses.

We experience the events of the novel through the eyes of Bev, widow of a soldier killed in action, and single mother to a young daughter. Bev is also an aspiring journalist and is frustrated by her editor's refusal to consider her for harder-hitting assignments. While I found that Bev was generally well fleshed-out, I did feel that the other characters were much less well-developed. This is not surprising, given that Bev knows nothing about them before she joins their quest, and with the focus so strongly on Bev, there isn't room to allow the other characters to flourish. I don't necessarily think this was a bad choice.

Personally, I didn't feel that the reveals were particularly shocking, but I did find the whole novel was plausible and realistic - again, not a criticism. I found this to be a refreshing take on this sort of story and I enjoyed reading the novel. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.

I received a copy of this novel through Voracious Readers Only.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

How far will people go for money? Cooper's Loot will give you an inside look at just how greed can change people. This book is the story of an outlaw who stole a large (for the time) amount of money and hid it somewhere in the dense Washington forest. But the book isn't about the outlaw really, its about the money. A stranger shows up in a town pub and talks of his grand plan to go back and find the loot with the help of a few volunteers. Their journey is seemingly ill-fated from the start when a sudden blizzard shows up a day earlier than predicted. Then one by one, the scouting party starts dying. Is one of their own looking for a bigger cut of the prize or are they being followed? The reader is left guessing until the very end.

I enjoyed reading this story but found myself forgetting at times it was set in a different era. Why don't they use their GPS, phone light, call for help... Why are they bothering with all of this for $200K? Yeah i've been reading too many contemporary novels lately. I felt the storyline was good but at times it felt a little slow. At points you wondered if Bev would ever get home to her daughter. Definitely a good read though, especially for lovers of a good thriller/mystery.

* I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. *

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

DB Cooper and his airplane hijack for ransom have been the subject of many a book and/or television show. Everyone has a theory of how he managed to get away or did he die and someone else take the money? Rick George has taken this story and given it a twist...one that could be possible. Enter our journalist. She's working hard against a good old boy system designed to keep her at the bottom of the ladder when she's offered a chance to go along with a group to recover the hijacking loot. As the group works closer to the supposed site, events will make you wonder if there is more to the story than meets the eye. The twist in Cooper's Loot makes it a unique back story to an old story that has been told and retold. You will find yourself wondering why in 50 years, no one else had ever thought of this!

[Genevieve Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this was an intense read! I have a love/hste relationship with protagonist versus nature stories. I love them, but they stress me out. This was no exception, and it was made even more stressful because it involved the additional conflict of being trapped with an unknown killer. The tension was high throughout, and I read it at a breakneck pace. I needed to know how it was going to turn out. I wasn't disappointed.
This was a very well written book. The characters were believable, even if the circumstances that they found themselves in were not. The story was solidly plotted and, like I said, unrelenting tense.
Overall, this was a good one, and a sure bet for folks who like survival stories, or even Poirot-style whodunits.

[Gwen A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. Mostly, I like the way the plot line twisted and turned and I was trying to constantly figure out where is the rider was going to take the characters or change the scenery. I really felt the characters were well defined, but only after a few chapters. I really wish that the introduction of the characters were more than just a physical description but even just a little touch point of what the character was like before just placing them in the microcosm of the story.

The overall piece of the story was great; however, it was slow to get into the plot line. The descriptions of the characters and the scenery was brilliant and the language was wickedly good. Overall, I would recommend this book, especially if a reader preferred mystery novels.

[Diane Secchiaroli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept the antagonist a secret until the very end which made for a good read. There were a couple of sections that were unrealistic (Clint being sent out into the blizzard without any clothes and surviving). It was a good suspense novel. Bev, a reporter, joins a group of people searching for DB Cooper’s $200,000 haul from a plane hijacking (true story about the hijacking). Bev thinks this would be a good story that would propel her from the woman’s section to more challenging news reporting. While out in the forest a blizzard comes up and the story relates their harrowing time. Bev at different times suspects each of her companions. Bev is forced to do something that goes against her morals. Thank you to BookSiren for sending me the copy for my honest review.

[Leigh F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through voracious readers and I will say this right off the bat... I would highly recommend this to anyone. When I first read the synopsis I wasn’t sure what to expect or if I would even end up getting into a book about a subject I know so much about, but my mind was quickly put to rest the second I started reading the story. The story was fast paced, the characters richly developed and had depth and the final ending really completed the story I felt. Would highly recommend this book to anyone who either grew up during the time of DB Cooper or like me has heard about his story through family members that were around when the story of his escapades first broke.

Grab this book. You won’t be disappointed.

[Kath Mardle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book via voracious readers. A well written, faced paced story about a group of strangers getting together to search for a hijackers loot. Honestly, I found it hard work to read but only because it differed from the type of book that normally appeals to me. I didn't gel with the characters or find any of them likeable apart from maybe Will. However; it has to be said it was a very good action book which people who like this type of story would enjoy. Plenty of action, plenty of twists and turns, give it a go, it is well worth reading and very well written.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my review.
I couldn’t put this book down. I’m a sucker for And Then There Were None styled plot lines and unsolved mysteries, so this book was right up my ally. I thought it was an interesting take on the DB Cooper mystery that still left a lot of questions up in the air and didn’t end in a way that takes away from the real life mystery at all.
I thought the pacing of the book was spot on. It didn’t rush through events to try increase the tension, nor did it drag at any point in the story.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper's Loot sees seven people from different walks of life come together in search of money that was buried after a heist and which the authorities never recovered, despite a massive search.
They find the money but also find themselves in a lot of trouble when the forecast blizzard arrives early, hindering their attempts to leave.
The first death is an accident but the rest?
Only two people will survive this ordeal but which two and were either, or both of them, murderers? You'll need to read Cooper's Loot to find out.
Happy reading. Annemarie
I received an ARC of this book through BookSirens and have chosen to leave a review.

[Julie Rhinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do for a share of $200,000? Bev is a columnist at the local paper when she learns of the excursion to go and file the money DB Cooper buried and those who go will get a share of what is recovered. The honking like a reporter Bev wonders if she should go and if they will make it back before the big blizzard they are expecting. Fast paced, exciting and adventure packed this book keeps you guessing who you can trust and what will happen next until the very end.
Thank you BookSirens, Rick E. George and The Wild Rose Press for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

[Jennifer Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically read young/new adult books or ones with a paranormal aspect, so this was a pleasant change from that. At times, the story line was a bit dull, particularly in the beginning. I wish there was a little more background on what DB Cooper did (apparently it was based on an actual event??), but it didn’t necessarily detract from the story. It got interesting towards the end of the story with a couple of plot twists I didn’t see coming! It was an enjoyable read!

Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newspaper reporter Bev Wikowski hooks up with an eclectic group to go in search of the money stolen by the infamous D B Cooper. The group is soon trapped in the mountains by a snowstorm. Then, of course, people start dying mysterious deaths. The story relentlessly pushes forward, much like the storm. Bev’s original intent was to write a newspaper story about the adventure and win a Pulitzer Prize, but now she is having second thoughts. Plot twists abound and alliances shift. This is a first class whodunnit that will keep you turning pages all night.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved a copy of this book from the Author through Vercious Readers Only in exchange for a review. This review is my own opinion.
Coopers Loot a somewhat disturbing story of the way money can change peoples behaviour and how they react to situations. Icant say l felt a connection with any of the characters infact l found myself disliking them immensly as the story unfolded. I liked the book but was left feeling like the conclusion was a little underdone.

[Paula Ptomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coopers Loot is a great read. Just as you think you have started to figure out what is going on and who is who, another curveball is thrown. Following Bev and her adventure in this story, you see what truly motivates someone to keep on going. This story will keep you guessing until the end. Great story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action packed thriller based on D.B. Cooper's lost treasure. Six strangers leave on an expedition to find Cooper's loot. You won't believe what happens along the way. I loved it, but I didn't expect the ending.I would recommend this book. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a complimentary copy of Cooper's Loot from Voracious Readers Only. It was a fast paced novel that had my heart racing hoping they would make it out. Bev is an amazingly strong woman. Her character had me cheering and hoping for her to get back to her daughter. I also liked Andy's character. I wish there was an epilogue telling us what happened to the money

[steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book I was unsure if it was going to be my kind of book. The story starts with a group of people who don't know each other agreeing to 'trust' a group of dubious strangers in suspicious circumstances, why? Money. From then the story moves fast and I could not put the book down. Thank you for a good read. I was given a copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only, thank you.

[Pamzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and imaginative reinterpretation of DB Cooper’s Caper

I enjoyed the quirky story, interesting characters, and references to Washington places and flora. These outweighed the more than occasional questionable metaphor.