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Mitchell Parker #1
Mastermind
You think you are just playing a game online; masterminding the perfect crime. But something is not right. A website inviting players to come up with the perfect crime is the façade for billionaire Lawrence Hackett's real-life game of an invitation-only competition for a select few to see who can perform the perfect heist, and win an enormous bounty. Special Agent Mitchell Parker and his team learn the magnitude of the international crime ring and launch an investigation. Washington, London, Paris... the clock is ticking. Can they figure out the game before it is too late? "An engrossingly compelling thriller... well-written and action-packed." - MarciaB, Book Muster Down Under This is the large print edition of Mastermind, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
674 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2010
547 people are currently reading
749 people want to read
About the author
Helen Goltz
78 books132 followersHelen is a hybrid-published, Amazon best-selling author. After studying English Literature, Media, and Communications at universities in Queensland, Australia, and obtaining a Counselling Diploma, Helen Goltz has worked as a journalist, producer and marketer in print, TV, radio and public relations. Born in Toowoomba she has made her home in Brisbane, Australia with her journalist husband, Chris, and Boxer dog, Baxter.
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Website: www.helengoltz.com
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Connect with Helen:
Website: www.helengoltz.com
BookBub:www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-goltz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenGoltz.Author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 12, 2015
This is the first book I have read from this author and it will not be the last! It turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable crime novel with lots of action, a really good story and some very interesting characters. Mitchell Parker is the star and he is as intelligent, skilled, attractive and slightly flawed as every lead character in a detective novel must be. We discover a little about his past and what made him how he is but a lot more could be developed in the sequels. The dialogue is well written and I enjoyed the humour in the banter between the different members of the team. A very readable book and one that you do not want to put down.
November 19, 2014
Billionaire Lawrence Hackett was excited – the next game of Mastermind was about to be unleashed. Once every five years a selected few would be chosen to participate – it was time again; he was sure this would fix his boredom; it was always intensely exciting. His directors joined him and they began their plotting...
Special Agent Mitchell Parker of the TransNational Crime Unit knew they would get results – his plan was flawless; he needed those security tapes. He just didn’t need the stress and tension it took to get them. But what was on those tapes made it worthwhile and exceeded their expectations well and truly. It seemed a plan was afoot regarding a gold shipment – as he assembled his team, they dug deeply. And found there was much more involved than they had initially thought.
As Parker and his team joined forces with other government agencies across the globe, the danger was immense. Stopping the crimes before they occurred was their only agenda – could they do it? Or would they be too late?
This fast moving, suspense filled novel by Aussie author Helen Goltz is full of mystery and intrigue. The plot is excellent, the characters are well crafted and the tension is gripping! Stand aside Jack Reacher, Mitchell Parker is in town! I have no hesitation in recommending Mastermind highly.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
Special Agent Mitchell Parker of the TransNational Crime Unit knew they would get results – his plan was flawless; he needed those security tapes. He just didn’t need the stress and tension it took to get them. But what was on those tapes made it worthwhile and exceeded their expectations well and truly. It seemed a plan was afoot regarding a gold shipment – as he assembled his team, they dug deeply. And found there was much more involved than they had initially thought.
As Parker and his team joined forces with other government agencies across the globe, the danger was immense. Stopping the crimes before they occurred was their only agenda – could they do it? Or would they be too late?
This fast moving, suspense filled novel by Aussie author Helen Goltz is full of mystery and intrigue. The plot is excellent, the characters are well crafted and the tension is gripping! Stand aside Jack Reacher, Mitchell Parker is in town! I have no hesitation in recommending Mastermind highly.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
March 20, 2016
This is a fast paced thriller with plenty of action. Mastermind is a competition to see which select team can pull off the perfect crime. US special agent Mitchell Parker and his team have stumbled across one plot and must race against time to find out where and when it is going to happen and somehow prevent it. The action is fast and thrilling as Mitchell and the team race around the country and around the world tracking some very clever and determined criminal minds.
The novel is mostly written in dialogue and while this is fast and often witty and moves the story along at a good pace I felt it did limit the character development somewhat. As the main character, Mitchell scores most of the dialogue and the action is centred around him so his character comes across quite well and I finished the book having a good idea of what he was like but felt the other characters were a bit flat and underdeveloped and I often had trouble distinguishing between them. However, if you like fast, plot driven thrillers you will enjoy this. 3.5★
The novel is mostly written in dialogue and while this is fast and often witty and moves the story along at a good pace I felt it did limit the character development somewhat. As the main character, Mitchell scores most of the dialogue and the action is centred around him so his character comes across quite well and I finished the book having a good idea of what he was like but felt the other characters were a bit flat and underdeveloped and I often had trouble distinguishing between them. However, if you like fast, plot driven thrillers you will enjoy this. 3.5★
August 27, 2016
This took a little while to get into - just sorting out who was who and on which side, but after I’d worked that out, I really enjoyed this. There were a few typos, which didn't detract too much from the reading experience (but enough to stop me giving it 4.5 or 5★), but it was well-written and suspenseful and I actually stayed up into the wee hours finishing this one night!
I’m looking forward to reading more Helen Goltz, but my library doesn’t have the second in the series, so I’ve requested it and hopefully they will buy it for me!
I’m looking forward to reading more Helen Goltz, but my library doesn’t have the second in the series, so I’ve requested it and hopefully they will buy it for me!
April 7, 2023
First book I read from this author and I will definitely read more! Very well written and full of surprises.
October 23, 2012
This book was kindly provided to me by the author for review.
"A website inviting game players to mastermind the perfect crime is more than a game, much more!
It is the façade for billionaire Lawrence Hackett’s real-life invitation-only competition to see who can perform the perfect heist. Only a select few are invited to play for the bounty at stake.
Special Agent Mitchell Parker and his Washington D.C. based team span the globe trying to prevent the real-life crimes before they happen!
Washington, Paris, London … the clock is on!
The book is broken up into two parts and Part 1 follows Mitchell Parker (Mitch), Special Agent with the Washington DC-based Trans-National Crime Unit as he acts on a tip-off and, along with his team, carries out a reconnaissance to pilfer security tapes from the University. Those tapes contain important images which will assist Mitch and his team in identifying the key players of the game.
After watching the footage and through various investigations and surveillance, most of the players are identified and with a plan in place, Mitch and his team trail the suspects in an attempt to figure out how they all connect and to uncover the identity of the Mastermind.
There are some nail-biting scenes, for instance when Mitch, during surveillance, comes face to face with one of his oldest friends whom he has just discovered is playing for the other side as well as a heart-stopping mid-air battle between Mitch and a member of his team who has double-crossed them.
In Part 2, the countdown begins as we see Mitch and the team widen their search for the Mastermind and the final contestants in order to bring the whole operation down before any real damage is done. The clues are few and far between but Mitch and his team do a great job of anticipating what the next move is going to be.
I really liked this book, although it had me a bit confused in the beginning as it jumped around quite a bit. Mitch’s character comes across as a bit anal, especially in relation to his work and the actions of his team members, which is not a bad trait at all for an investigator, but personally, I would have liked a bit more information on his past which would have afforded me a deeper connection to him. There are, of course, some glimpses, such as him struggling with bad memories and nightmares of a childhood with an abusive alcoholic father, but these are rare and I feel this back-story could have been expanded upon.
Aside from that fact though, for a first novel, Helen Goltz has produced an engrossingly compelling thriller which is well-written and action-packed. An elaborate and complicated plot makes this book one which is bound to keep you interested. I certainly will be looking out for the next one in this series.
Helen Goltz has worked as a journalist, marketer and producer for print and television in Australia for more than twenty years. Mastermind is the first in a series of novels featuring Mitchell Parker and his crime-fighting team.
"A website inviting game players to mastermind the perfect crime is more than a game, much more!
It is the façade for billionaire Lawrence Hackett’s real-life invitation-only competition to see who can perform the perfect heist. Only a select few are invited to play for the bounty at stake.
Special Agent Mitchell Parker and his Washington D.C. based team span the globe trying to prevent the real-life crimes before they happen!
Washington, Paris, London … the clock is on!
The book is broken up into two parts and Part 1 follows Mitchell Parker (Mitch), Special Agent with the Washington DC-based Trans-National Crime Unit as he acts on a tip-off and, along with his team, carries out a reconnaissance to pilfer security tapes from the University. Those tapes contain important images which will assist Mitch and his team in identifying the key players of the game.
After watching the footage and through various investigations and surveillance, most of the players are identified and with a plan in place, Mitch and his team trail the suspects in an attempt to figure out how they all connect and to uncover the identity of the Mastermind.
There are some nail-biting scenes, for instance when Mitch, during surveillance, comes face to face with one of his oldest friends whom he has just discovered is playing for the other side as well as a heart-stopping mid-air battle between Mitch and a member of his team who has double-crossed them.
In Part 2, the countdown begins as we see Mitch and the team widen their search for the Mastermind and the final contestants in order to bring the whole operation down before any real damage is done. The clues are few and far between but Mitch and his team do a great job of anticipating what the next move is going to be.
I really liked this book, although it had me a bit confused in the beginning as it jumped around quite a bit. Mitch’s character comes across as a bit anal, especially in relation to his work and the actions of his team members, which is not a bad trait at all for an investigator, but personally, I would have liked a bit more information on his past which would have afforded me a deeper connection to him. There are, of course, some glimpses, such as him struggling with bad memories and nightmares of a childhood with an abusive alcoholic father, but these are rare and I feel this back-story could have been expanded upon.
Aside from that fact though, for a first novel, Helen Goltz has produced an engrossingly compelling thriller which is well-written and action-packed. An elaborate and complicated plot makes this book one which is bound to keep you interested. I certainly will be looking out for the next one in this series.
Helen Goltz has worked as a journalist, marketer and producer for print and television in Australia for more than twenty years. Mastermind is the first in a series of novels featuring Mitchell Parker and his crime-fighting team.
January 27, 2015
Mastermind
is an intricately crafted spy adventure by Australian author Helen Goltz that will keep you guessing right up to the last page. The premise is quite clever and multi-layered, involving a variety of characters who are readily acceptable yet not necessarily predictable. There is quite a bit of high tech involved as this is based on the idea of a high stakes, exclusive, Internet game where entrants submit what they think is "the perfect crime" and then 6 are selected to play for keeps off-line. The mastermind behind the scheme is bored billionaire Lawrence Hackett who sends out his board members from his corporate headquarters in London, England, to supervise 6 different Mastermind teams in various locations around the world.This is Book 1 in the Mitchell Parker crime thriller series. Mitch is a team leader for the FBI's Trans-National Crime Unit. He carries some personal baggage from his childhood that surfaces in nightmares when his schedule becomes erratic and days merge one into the other. Working with him on a tip-off to strange shenanigans in a university lab in Washington, D.C., are Samantha (Sam), Ellen (Ellie), Jameson (J.J.), and their boss, John Windsor. Mitch also has a roommate, Charlotte, who is somewhat complicating his life, but in a good way.
Then, there are the players in the university lab. As Mitch and the team try to find out what kind of scam is being perpetrated, Mitch recognizes one of the players as his best friend growing up and through his air force years, Nick Everett. Even once they begin to unravel the boldness of what appears to be the planned theft of a planeload of gold, it still takes the team time to realize that the scheme extends far beyond this one bold scam in the U.S., and that there are 5 more crimes to prevent if time will allow. They have to come up with a way to uncover the involvement of a global corporation that is protected by layers of secrecy; a corporation that, in order to continue to protect themselves, will leave no witnesses behind. Mitch's team must split up, information seems to have leaked, and the life or death responsibility of the team weighs heavily on Mitch.
There are many twists and surprises as the plot develops, and the various daring crimes are wonderfully inventive. There is also some romance thrown in along the way. Goltz certainly seems to know her ordinance and there are some tense flying scenarios that keep the reader up in the air. At the beginning of the novel, I had a bit of trouble following the setting/character changes which flip around between the boardroom, the FBI team, the D.C. crime team, and Mitch's home life, as there are no asterisk divisions or anything like it other than extra spacing between them. However, I soon picked it up, and never looked back.
This is an extremely entertaining story with engaging characters, solid research, and lots of adventure. I'm looking forward to reading Book Two in the series, Graveyard of the Atlantic.
January 13, 2015
Contestants in Mastermind must plan and carry out the perfect crime. A prize pool of five million pounds will be divided among the Mastermind entrants who succeed. Entry is by invitation and only six entries will be selected to play. Each Mastermind act is allocated a supervisor and must take place in the month of November. Each Mastermind crime has to be unique, a crime that has never been carried out before. There have been two rounds of Mastermind in the past, and five crimes have been successful. The stakes are high, but the profits for the brains behind it are high as well.
Mitchell Parker's team from the FBI's Trans national Crimes Unit uncovers something suspicious during a routine surveillance of university activities, an extended booking of a high level science lab, and the rollercoaster ride of the novel begins there. The story is a thriller, a times a real page turner, a mix of ambitious plot lines and personal interest stories.
Helen Goltz is a new-to-me Australian author although she now has two books in this series published, and another one due out soon. I thought there were signs that MASTERMIND is a debut title, a few wavery plot lines, and some questions that at the end I had no answer to, but in general it is a good read.
Mitchell Parker's team from the FBI's Trans national Crimes Unit uncovers something suspicious during a routine surveillance of university activities, an extended booking of a high level science lab, and the rollercoaster ride of the novel begins there. The story is a thriller, a times a real page turner, a mix of ambitious plot lines and personal interest stories.
Helen Goltz is a new-to-me Australian author although she now has two books in this series published, and another one due out soon. I thought there were signs that MASTERMIND is a debut title, a few wavery plot lines, and some questions that at the end I had no answer to, but in general it is a good read.
March 22, 2011
I thought it was a great read with some of the best writen, credible and easily followed dialogue I have come across in this genre. The plot is fast moving and yet never confused me with usless information or irrelevant distractions. HM Goltz has captured the intrigue, mystery and power associated with international crime. Hopefully there will be more Mitchell Parker mysteries.
October 15, 2011
Excellent book. Great characters, plot and action sequences. This is one that's hard to put down once you start. Only problem I saw is the mix between American and British idiom use with the characters. It was OK in the narrative, however when an AMerican character is using British phrasing occasionally only it would make me stop and make sure I was following correctly.
February 23, 2011
I absolutely loved it! Suspense, drama, great storyline,international plot. I couldn't help imagining it as a movie someday.HM Goltz really gets the reader involved in this one! I believe HM has some other books out which I fully intend to get my teeth/eyes into!
December 18, 2016
An enjoyable, fast paced read with lots of action that kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I loved the banter between the characters. I will be reading more from this author.
April 8, 2015
A great read that kept my heart racing until the end. This would make a fantastic movie or mini series.
December 18, 2014
Too much like a boys own adventure. Flat characters, either good or bad. Lots of adventure, a bit like Matthew Reilly but not as good.
March 29, 2020
Second read of this action thriller and enjoyed it just as much as the first! More in my next Good Reads blog at www.sandiwallace.com/blog/.
August 4, 2022
2.5* (5/10)
As a debut novel, I'd say this is a pretty good start. The pacing, while not to my taste, means it doesn't get bogged down in tedious, plodding descriptive passages, & makes for an exciting atmosphere where time is short & timing is crucial. As a fast-paced thriller it's bang on the mark & the basic premise of the Mastermind "game" is fun. Money & power, hmm! What do you give the person who has too much of everything?
There's a quote on the cover: "Leaves the reader breathless and exhausted", and I agree with that. I'm exhausted by the frenetic pace of the whole thing. It's almost all dialogue, everything from Mitch Parker's point of view, & there is no reflection or time to digest. Maybe this is good in a screenplay or game, but I found it uncomfortable to read & very hard to get to know the characters. Right to the end I had to stop & think about which character was which because there was little development: Parker, Everett & Foster seemed interchangeable.
(this ed. 9/10/14)
As a debut novel, I'd say this is a pretty good start. The pacing, while not to my taste, means it doesn't get bogged down in tedious, plodding descriptive passages, & makes for an exciting atmosphere where time is short & timing is crucial. As a fast-paced thriller it's bang on the mark & the basic premise of the Mastermind "game" is fun. Money & power, hmm! What do you give the person who has too much of everything?
There's a quote on the cover: "Leaves the reader breathless and exhausted", and I agree with that. I'm exhausted by the frenetic pace of the whole thing. It's almost all dialogue, everything from Mitch Parker's point of view, & there is no reflection or time to digest. Maybe this is good in a screenplay or game, but I found it uncomfortable to read & very hard to get to know the characters. Right to the end I had to stop & think about which character was which because there was little development: Parker, Everett & Foster seemed interchangeable.
(this ed. 9/10/14)
July 7, 2022
I enjoyed the story and this may sound like nitpicking, but the aspiring editor in me can't help but point it out. The author often seemed to forget they were writing American characters and used British (Aussie? based on the bio) terms and phrases. For example: "torch" (flashlight), "hire car" (rental car), and "take the piss out" aren't things someone born and raised in the U.S. (without a British parent) would say. It was confusing and tended to pull me out of the story, especially since there's also actual British characters. I'd have to go back and reread to see who was saying what, and if it was an American I'd be puzzled. I suppose in the end it's a minor complaint, but if it ruins the narrative fidelity it's still an issue that should've been addressed before publishing.
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January 27, 2025I did enjoy this book it is well written and a fun read. I'm not sure why but it took me a long time to get through it because I kept falling asleep. Not because it was boring or drug on, it just made me sleepy. I do my reading at bedtime BTW. It helps me relax. Oh and it has the tell tail signs of the author being from the UK. While Mitch and his team are supposed to be from the US so they would use a flashlight not a torch, step into an elevator not a lift, and have a rental car. A hired car would come with a driver. Yes that's picking nits and it didn't decrease my enjoyment of the book more of an observation.
I may in the future read the second installment of the series, but there are so many books out there to read....
I may in the future read the second installment of the series, but there are so many books out there to read....
February 2, 2021
Unnecessarily Drawn Out
The meat of this book is i need you he last 300 pages. Everything else is essentially padding to lead you up to that last bit.
But those last ~300 pages don’t disappoint. Riveting.
Overall, I’d not recommend this one. Reading 660+ pages for the latter half is a port strategy.
The meat of this book is i need you he last 300 pages. Everything else is essentially padding to lead you up to that last bit.
But those last ~300 pages don’t disappoint. Riveting.
Overall, I’d not recommend this one. Reading 660+ pages for the latter half is a port strategy.
December 20, 2020
Last Minute Clutch...
Plot is a little confusing at first, then the pieces start falling into place. I was surprised that when the climax hits, the action is fast and furious. Most readers will like it.
Plot is a little confusing at first, then the pieces start falling into place. I was surprised that when the climax hits, the action is fast and furious. Most readers will like it.
January 10, 2021
Great new protagonist!
I found this first in the series book highly entertaining. The characters are so well developed and seem to inspire future reading. Action packed with lots of pace! Loved it!
I found this first in the series book highly entertaining. The characters are so well developed and seem to inspire future reading. Action packed with lots of pace! Loved it!
February 11, 2021
What a waste of my time.
The text is full of typos. Very frustrating to read. The author uses every trite, cliche idea in the thriller/procedural realm and throws it out there. The result is not pleasing. I almost stopped reading at one point. I soldiered on, my mistake.
The text is full of typos. Very frustrating to read. The author uses every trite, cliche idea in the thriller/procedural realm and throws it out there. The result is not pleasing. I almost stopped reading at one point. I soldiered on, my mistake.
March 17, 2024
Enjoyable first book in a series.
Mitch Parker leads a team of FBI agents and they are assigned to a case that turns out to be much bigger than they thought.
Good character and plot development.
Mitch Parker leads a team of FBI agents and they are assigned to a case that turns out to be much bigger than they thought.
Good character and plot development.
November 23, 2020
Thriller
An interesting twist with several different threads of the good guys chasing down the bad guys - in Us, UK and France. A great read.
An interesting twist with several different threads of the good guys chasing down the bad guys - in Us, UK and France. A great read.
November 27, 2020
Review
Gave it a 4 because the beginning was confusing. After that the story was captivating. Enjoyed it very much. Great characters and interesting plot.
Gave it a 4 because the beginning was confusing. After that the story was captivating. Enjoyed it very much. Great characters and interesting plot.
November 30, 2020
Intense High Action
The Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) is on a mission to take down the Mastermind crimes. But first they have figure out what and where they are!
The Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) is on a mission to take down the Mastermind crimes. But first they have figure out what and where they are!
December 1, 2020
Willing suspension of disbelief required, but a great page-turner.
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December 6, 2020Read 12/20
January 19, 2021
Good Book
Good writing, with good characters who develop as the story progresses. Some issues of using British vernacular by the American characters but all in all great action.
Good writing, with good characters who develop as the story progresses. Some issues of using British vernacular by the American characters but all in all great action.
January 25, 2021
Just crap. Finally slammed it shut around 50%.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews