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John Cooper #2
The First Sacrifice
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Assassini comes the standalone sequel to the unforgettable suspense classic The Wind Chill Factor
Twenty years have passed since John Cooper triggered a series of events that shattered the underground rise of the Fourth Reich. Unable to make peace with his own history, Cooper has submerged himself in the old films he plays at his Boston movie house—until a message comes from his estranged sister in Germany . . . a plea for help. Her only child is missing.
Cooper finds the Berlin of the nineties disturbingly familiar. The threat that was hidden twenty years ago is now out in the open—neo-Nazi thugs roam the streets, murdering and terrorizing. And a charismatic leader has emerged to point the way to a great new Germany. He is Wolf Koller . . . and he is married to Cooper’s sister.
The search for his niece leads Cooper into a labyrinth of half-truths and veiled warnings—and, ultimately, terrifying violence. For a new conspiracy exists in Germany, and the stakes are higher than ever before.
“Gifford, a master at building suspense . . . has written a worthy sequel to the novel that launched his career.”— Minneapolis Star Tribune
Twenty years have passed since John Cooper triggered a series of events that shattered the underground rise of the Fourth Reich. Unable to make peace with his own history, Cooper has submerged himself in the old films he plays at his Boston movie house—until a message comes from his estranged sister in Germany . . . a plea for help. Her only child is missing.
Cooper finds the Berlin of the nineties disturbingly familiar. The threat that was hidden twenty years ago is now out in the open—neo-Nazi thugs roam the streets, murdering and terrorizing. And a charismatic leader has emerged to point the way to a great new Germany. He is Wolf Koller . . . and he is married to Cooper’s sister.
The search for his niece leads Cooper into a labyrinth of half-truths and veiled warnings—and, ultimately, terrifying violence. For a new conspiracy exists in Germany, and the stakes are higher than ever before.
“Gifford, a master at building suspense . . . has written a worthy sequel to the novel that launched his career.”— Minneapolis Star Tribune
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Gifford
36 books28 followersThomas 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 21, 2020
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.
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.
October 14, 2021
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.
August 25, 2020
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!
April 4, 2021
Read in 1995. A really compelling story set in the early 90's around the Cold War ending.
January 31, 2025
Sequel to Wind Chill
September 3, 2011
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.
February 25, 2014
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.
John Cooper summoned to help Lee find her daughter.
Nazis.
Disappointing.
August 6, 2008
A thriller about a right-wing German plot for world domination.
May 4, 2015
This book is hard to get into, but once there, I could't put it down. I know my husband will love this one.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews