First Sacrifice, The

John Cooper #2

by Thomas Gifford

Twenty years ago John Cooper almost single-handedly shattered the underground rise of the Fourth Reich (The Wind Chill Factor, 1976). He now lives quietly in Boston, watching old movies in his theater, until he receives a plea for help from his estranged sister in Berlin, whose daughter is missing. Thus, Cooper heads back to Germany and into a maelstrom of murder and mayhem. Neo-Nazis roam the streets, and a billionaire industrialist named Wolf Koller -- who just so happens to be married to Cooper's sister -- offers a vision for a new, powerful Germany. Soon, Cooper and Koller are pitted against each other, for Lee Koller and her daughter are but pawns in Wolf's deadly game.

Genres: Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

467 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Thomas Eugene Gifford was a best-selling American author of thriller novels. He gained international fame with the suspense novel The Wind Chill Factor and later with the Vatican-based thriller The Assassini .

After graduating from Harvard he moved to the Twin Cities, MN where he and his wife, Kari Sandven, had two children (Thomas Eaton, Rachel Claire). Divorced in 1969, he went on to marry Camille D'Ambrose, a local actress. They moved to Los Angeles for a few years, then returned to Orono, MN. Novels continued to flow from his fountain pen through the years. Gifford eventually moved to New York--a city he loved whose people were of infinite importance to him.

In 1996, he turned his attention to renovating his childhood home in Dubuque, spending more time in Iowa than New York during his last years. He embraced the community of Dubuque, as they embraced their prodigal son. Featured in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Gifford recounted his every day occurrences, from learning the pleasure of getting a dog (Katie Maxwell, the Scottie) to peeves and pleasures of the town.

Diagnosed with terminal cancer in February, 2000, Gifford spent his remaining months reading, watching old movies, and chatting with friends and family. He passed away on an unseasonably warm Halloween, just as the ghosts and goblins started their tricks.

Gifford lived life large, had friends throughout the world, and lived life by his favorite credo--we're not here for a long time; we're here for a good time.

Gifford also published under the names Dana Clarins and Thomas Maxwell.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really compelling story set in the early 90's around the cold war ending, but not really - along with the return of the Nazi's, but not really. There's a lot going on at all times and along with the "trying to figure out the global conspiracy" angles, there's a very strange love triangle and non-stop action.

I realized about a third of the way through this that the constant referencing back to a big event 20 years prior probably wasn't an accident - and yes, turns out this is somewhat a sequel. You definitely don't need to read the first (Wind Chill), which is mostly based in the US from what I could gather while this one takes the fight to Germany, but after reading this, I plan to track a copy of that one down as if at all up to the level of the more recent, going to be a good read.

[Aaron Polish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little to long and there was also incest, but the story was good all the way to the end, why three stars, read it and tell my why.

[Judith Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has spies, neo-Nazis, and dysfunctional families: there's something for everyone to pursue. A large cast of well-drawn characters adds to the fun. I want to get more books by this author!

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1995. A really compelling story set in the early 90's around the Cold War ending.

[Connie Tuggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Wind Chill

[Bob G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Wind Chill Factor many years ago. Did not remember the story other than it was a good intrigue. I then read Assassini by Gifford. I remember it being good as well. This book is about the principal characters of the former 20 years later. This was a good read. Not great, but the intrigue was good. A good read. A break from the heavier stuff I have been reading.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sequel to Wind Chill Factor. Hard to read, characters hard to keep track of, coincidence. How could Cyril be alive? Loose ends.
John Cooper summoned to help Lee find her daughter.
Nazis.
Disappointing.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thriller about a right-wing German plot for world domination.

[Anita Mott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hard to get into, but once there, I could't put it down. I know my husband will love this one.