Code Blue

Charlie Cooper Thrillers #5

by Mark Dawson

A kidnapped agent. A race against time. A deadly conspiracy that could shatter global security.

Former MI6 officer Charlie Cooper is thrust into a high-stakes mission when a fellow operative, codenamed NORTH STAR, vanishes in Macao. The trail leads to a shadowy team of Russian mercenaries with a chilling to expose Group Fifteen, the clandestine organisation that operates beyond the reach of conventional intelligence agencies.

Cooper races to New York, believing the Russians will unveil their shocking plan at the upcoming UN General Assembly. Operating undercover as a lowly IT technician, he infiltrates the Russian delegation and forms a dangerous alliance with Irina, a disillusioned diplomat trapped in a brutal relationship with a ruthless intelligence officer.

As the clock ticks down, Irina's loyalty is tested, Cooper's cover is threatened, and NORTH STAR's true allegiance remains a mystery.

Will Cooper expose the Russian plot and escape with his life? Or will the Group's secrets be revealed to the world?

Genres: Thriller

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2024

About the author

For news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:

http://eepurl.com/Cai5X

Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.

He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).

The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.

Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.

You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet secret agent romp, over before I knew it really. Little ‘obvious’ in places but enjoyable on the whole.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper the Chameleon is Back - Better Than Ever!
4.5 / 5 ⭐️↗️
The fifth Charlie Cooper novella is a return to form and one of the highlights of the series. Cooper is back in top shape – focused, sharp, and as capable as ever. The story unfolds in a thrilling setting, with vibrant and well-drawn side characters that add depth and energy to the narrative. A must-read for fans of the series!

[Ken Karcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm growing alarmingly fond of Charlie

Our favorite chameleon is still trying to recover from disobeying orders and is sent undercover to New York to recover a kidnapped agent by the Russians. As always, Charlie takes the lead and is close to finding the victim when his inner code of honor moves him to risk his career for an abused Russian secretary. Charlie is a competent agent with a kind heart that causes his superiors much consternation. I'm still interested in how this connects to the Milton world at large, some of the breadcrumbs being dropped are very subtle. I enjoy reading these novellas, Charlie is a complex character with a good heart, which is a terrible combination for an assassin. A gentle man in a savage world, I'm curious to where this is going and can't wait to see what's next.

[John A. Sillasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now This Is Espionage!

In the truest sense of the word, an asset is in the field performing one of his first solo missions. He goes missing, loudly and Charlie Cooper is sent to find how took him and why. The tale goes across multiple countries and involves multiple nations until finally... You are going to need to read on in Code Blue. This one is a stand alone story that won't need the previous 4 books, but why not read them too!

[carl clause · Rating 5 out of 5]

CC1

This Charlie Cooper was excellent . Cooper pulled Controls but out of sling. After Cooper found out hosts far was double agent and trap by being caught. The Russians were trying to expose the Group at the UN. Cooper was able to break free and escape. But Control was blaming his self for ruse. Excellent plot!!!! 10 stars plus!!!! Thanks, Carl Clause

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful with twists and turns thriller!

Charlie Cooper has been sent by Control to find an agent, North Star, who has been kidnapped to rescue him or kill him. Mark Dawson leads the reader along the trail to find North Star with a surprise ending! If you like exciting thrillers, you will definitely like this book. Happy reading! ☺️

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

My to be read pile might be huge but of course this jumped to the top.
Another action packed ride from this oh so talented author.
Great twist that I didn't see coming and set up for number 6 in the series.
Charlie, Control et al at their best

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

New York, New York.

Wow so Charlie Cooper has managed to survive the wrath of Control and keep his job within the group and this time he is assigned the task of find a kidnap victim associated with the Control but not all is what it seems to be.
Happy Reading

[Carl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale about Charlie, by Mark Dawson. Quick read novella, but packed with action. Charlie is fighting Russian spies in this one, and takes all his wits and physical training just to stay alive. Great ending & leads into “what’s next”!

[Manfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Cooper is still in the game. When an operative who knows about the Group vanishes, Control sends Charlie to Macao. From there the trail leads to New York, the UN and Russian operatives. A very quick read with an ending. I'm waiting for the next one.

[Graham Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story but..

Yet again another excellent story from an author that I have read everything he has written. Great plot and plenty of action but being a short story 10% is given over to blurb about all the other books instead of just a list. Apart from that it was great.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again a thriller that you can't put down

A member of group goes missing and Cooper is sent to find him but comes across some dirty dealing and is in the right place to get the truth. Danger at every level will he survive. I recommend this book to thrill seekers

[Kevin Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A winner

This was a brilliant addition to the Charlie Cooper series, and as usual with Mark Dawson's writing the action comes thick and fast, All Marks books are very addictive and come very highly recommended.

[Vivienne French · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where is the rest of the book?

138 pages and it stops, now you have to buy another book to get the end of what looked be a good story. What is going on here?????

[Graham Trelfa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but very sweet.

Charlie Cooper rides again.
Mr Dawson never fails to entertain.
I don't do spoilers and so this is just advise, but it, read it and enjoy it.

[James Malcolm Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good yarn but far too short.

[Michael L Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie's still no angel!

Another can't put it down book from Mr. Dawson. Looking forward to the next installment. It will be a Merry Christmas indeed!

[alexander silagin · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad

Not the best one from one of my favorite authors. But still good enough. Maybe too short and not developed fully

[Ann Keeran]

Another reason to love Charlie Cooper and Mark Dawson

[David Highton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good novella length espionage story, mainly set in New York, ahead of a key UN meeting

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one where Cooper Amost flubs it. Leads into Cooper tracking down North Star which is the next title. Kept my interest. Up as Dawson has the ability to do.

[Mia Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Atticus Priest and John Milton series, this one didn’t hit the spot too much for me.

[Taju Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sudden twist, What a twist!

[David Patsel · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun and quick read

Mark Dawson has a winner in his Charlie Cooper character. He’s fun to read. A good operator with a conscience too. This series is a must read.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper at his best

Cooper has an assignment to either rescue or assassinate Northstar but as usual plans never work out as you would like

[Paul Devall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this year but not added to Goodreads from Amazon