The Custer Conspiracy: A Tom McGuire Mystery Thriller

by Dennis Koller

A week after uncovering the secret of what really happened at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, history professor Matt Conroy was lying in a morgue with the back of his head blown off. SFPD homicide inspector Tom McGuire, a long-time friend of Conroy’s, volunteers to assist the FBI in hunting down the killer. The FBI, however, is ordered to stand down for “national security” reasons. They all thought that would be the end of it. They were wrong. Tom McGuire refuses to stand down. Not for the FBI, not for the Pentagon, not for anyone. That decision puts him in the crosshairs of one of the world’s most secret and dangerous organizations – an organization whose rich and powerful members will stop at nothing to make sure their 142-year-old secret remains hidden. Drawn into a labyrinth of conspiracies over a century old, Tom McGuire has just walked into his worst nightmare. “Revealing a total mastery of the genre, author Dennis Koller has deftly crafted an inherently fascinating and original mystery that is a simply riveting read from cover to cover.” James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review “Intriguing” Publishers Weekly “What distinguishes The Custer Conspiracy from other thriller novels is a very unique setup and very surprising storyline. Looks like I’ve discovered a new world to explore and enjoy.” Dr. Wesley Britton BookPleasures.com "The Custer Conspiracy is a fast-paced crime novel, played against the backdrop of history, which races to its conclusion at a fever pitch. A must-read for fans of historical novels, with a conspiracy twist tossed in just for the fun of it." Curt Nettinga Editor, Huron Plainsman “If you like suspenseful, fast-moving detective stories, this would be an entertaining choice.” Bismark, ND Tribune

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2016

About the author

Dennis Koller is the author of "The Oath"; "The Custer Conspiracy"; "The Rhythm of Evil"; and "One Death Too Far". He came late to novel writing, spending the first 20 years of his career life in marketing. In those years, his creative urges were assuaged by writing articles for Trade Journals, and by writing direct response appeal letters for non-profit organizations, mostly in the higher education space. His company, Pen Communication, specialized in hand-written direct response pieces used by many public broadcasting television stations around the United States of America to raise funds. He lives with his wife in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Reviews

[Robert Studabaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and fast reading. Loved the short chapters, made the story go by fast. Mr. Kollers story has great action, dialogue and he gives the reader insight on each character without being boring and keeps the story and suspense going. This book will make me want to read the others he has written.

[Wesley Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Custer Conspiracy is my first experience with a Tom “Mac” McGuire mystery. Then again, it’s only the second book in the series. Looks like I’ve discovered a new world to explore and enjoy.

To be fair, San Francisco homicide detective McGuire isn’t especially remarkable on his own merits. He is principled, experienced, professional, and focused. Mostly. He’s also very human, capable of having his head turned by at least one pretty face. I’d find it hard to resist CIA agent Katellyn Murray myself. Sometimes, his judgement calls aren’t the best. Still, I’d hire the man if I needed someone with his skillset.

What distinguishes The Custer Conspiracy is a very unique setup and very surprising storyline. Is it possible a conspiracy was created back in 1876 to allow Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer to fake his death at the Little Big Horn? Why would this have happened? Why was the cover-up necessary? Could Custer really have lived in France until the outbreak of World War I?

More important than this historical mystery to McGuire and an increasingly larger and larger circle of government agents and law enforcement officers , why would keeping this 140 year old secret so important that an unknown group is killing anyone who comes close to learning the truth? All these years later, who could be harmed if this conspiracy would be revealed? And how does all this connect to post-9/11 national security?

I admit liking the supporting cast of characters very much, in particular Vinnie Delgado who essentially serves as McGuire’s number two. All the players are fleshed out and sketched with believable backgrounds and personalities. But I suspect what will draw most readers to The Custer Conspiracy is the premise, and then by the continual twists and turns that really kick in during the book’s second half. The book has the best epilogue I’ve ever read, but I’m not providing any spoilers here. I must say there ar a number of very predictable elements to the book, including the opening chapter of an assassination at the present-day Little Big Horn followed by so many elements cascading into the mix thereafter. Like many another political thriller, a murder investigation attracts the interests of powerful government figures who lend assistance to McGuire and his team while dealing with a mole in the State Department.

Looks like I got to Go back and read book one of the series, The Oath, which came out in May 2016. It might explain some of the events alluded to throughout Tom McGuire’s second mystery. Then, we can all look forward to book number three.


First published at BookPleasures.com on July 2, 2017:
goo.gl/tF17eq

[Tom Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner. The author has penned a compelling story which keeps the reader engaged and focused on “what happens next”. He does an admirable job of keeping the readers interest. He does not bog down his characters or story in mindless details which lead nowhere. And, although the story-line draws from a historical event, it does not get sidetracked by endless historical references which would only serve to bore the reader looking for a good mystery.

Some profanity is sprinkled throughout the book as is one sex scene. This scene, although explicit, is not graphic. Neither the profanity, which the author seems to include to add authenticity to his characters, particularly the San Francisco Police Inspector, nor the sex scene, overwhelm the story. If reviewing a book of recipes, you would say that these elements add “flavor”.

The story is a tantalizing one of intrigue and suspense. At each page, you are interested in seeing the next turn in the winding twisting road. Powerful interests play fast and loose with the lives of people and society in general. The military industrial complex, spoken of by President Eisenhower, gives credence to the plot behind this book. That the fundamental elements of the book could be real, makes the book that much more readable and interesting.

[Elaine Algeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific plot development. Killer has an uncanny ability to develop his characters. I had a very difficult time putting the book down.. It was pure enjoyment. This author deserves a much wideraudience!I.

I love well developed suspense. Not only is the story line compelling, but Killer clearly does a super job researching the era. a very enjoyable read!

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started 2 days ago and just finished the Custer conspiracy......it took and held me from page 1 to the last......
the intrigue of the plot was not what I was expecting, but I was totally engrossed in the book!!
I would highly recommend this book for those who like suspense and the unknown twists it took.

[Austin Wiggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid read!

Despite a mine field of clichés and unoriginal expression. Koller's book gripped my interest throughout. Its apparent Koller knows the genre well as the plot works well throughout. The Custer Conspiracy is worth a casual read.

[Rob Koller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Could be a one of my new favorite authors.

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

The Custer Conspiracy by Dennis Koller is a fun read with an interesting historical what-if twist. The book is largely plot driven in the present day, with the motivation for the thriller reaching forward in time from the Battle of Little Bighorn, or Custer’s last stand. When Matt Conroy (San Francisco Police Department homicide investigator Tom McGuire’s good friend) is killed, Tom is allowed to join the FBI investigation until they are told to stand down. Refusing to let it go, Tom works with a CIA agent, military personnel, and former military members to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy and catch the killer. The team struggles to get in front of the continued mayhem, as one of the team members is captured and held for ransom. This is a fast-paced story that takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of events, and kept me engaged up until the solving of the initial murder and disposition of the murderer. The epilogue provides information on how the Custer conspiracy developed, but for me, it took a back seat to the present-day investigation and chase.

Since this is the third in the Tom McGuire series, the focus is primarily on his character development, but it would have been nice to more fully explore the female protagonist, Katelyn, rather than portraying her as a ravishingly fabulous CIA agent who would use sex to obtain info from an American citizen. Meanwhile, the book kept me interested and paging swiftly to the end.

Review by Betsy Beard (July 2020)

[Nico · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ashamed to have paid for this.

And I am even more ashamed to have read a portion of it. Seven more words are required to end this misery....