The Death Trust

By David Rollins

Book Overview

As shocking as today's headlines... In this no-holds-barred thriller, David Rollins plunges readers deep into the heart of a terrifying conspiracy of absolute power at its absolute worst. Who can you trust when those you're taught to trust are perpetrating the ultimate act of betrayal? As evil as your worst fears... For Special Investigator Major Vin Cooper, it begins with a sniper's bullet that claims the life of a young G.I. on a routine patrol in Iraq. It's an all-too-familiar tragedy, not a crime, until it's linked to the bizarre death of a four-star general...who just happens to be the dead soldier's father and the son-in-law of a powerful U.S. vice president. Cooper's investigation will uncover a trail of "accidental" deaths that leads from the war-torn streets of Baghdad to sex slavery in Latvia to a celebrated political marriage that began in the White House Rose Garden. But as he pieces together the most shocking conspiracy in history, Cooper begins to wonder if his superiors really want him to uncover the truth...or become the next victim of the most murderous lie of all.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553590006
• ISBN13: 9780553590005
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Bad Germans

Rollins has done an excellent job as an Australian writing about US military intrigues and set in US installations. His plot is believable and moves swiftly. Characters are well defined. The story begins in Iraq and moves to Germany, where the true villain resides. At all times, Rollins is faithful to both the current day and a believable scenario. A very good read and well worth the effort.

Intense and gripping page turner

I could not--I repeat--could not put this book down. Just when you think the plot couldn't get more complex and enthralling, Rollins throws you another delectable bone to chew on. If you're looking for a good page-turner that really will keep you up at night, this is it.

Funny and entertaining

You gotta read this. I loved it. Fast. AND funny. I gave my copy to my dad who thought it was like Ludlum crossed with Chandler, whoever he is. The main character in the book is a Special Agent in the US Air Force called Vin Cooper whose life is messed up by his ex-wife - the way she dumped him is classic. Think shower and wife and marriage counsellor...Anyway, it's a little sick and dark in places, but then Cooper makes some comment and you just find yourself laughing. And the conspiracy angle packs a punch too. Looking forward to the next one.

An impressive debut

THE DEATH TRUST, Australian author David Rollins's debut novel, is just seeing its publication in the United States in 2007, but he is already very well known elsewhere in the world for his work, which combines military thriller hardware with traditional and contemporary mystery elements. Once one has read this book, Rollins's worldwide popularity will become wholly understandable. The novel introduces Special Investigator Major Vin Cooper, who is assigned to look into the apparent accidental death of Abraham Scott, a four-star general who died while hang-gliding in Germany. Scott's death has attracted attention, given that his father-in-law is the Vice President of the United States and his son had died in combat a year previous. Cooper has no such pedigree; he has been shot up in combat, chewed up and spit out in relationships, and flirts with alcoholism when not making a total commitment to it. Oh, and he is also afraid of flying, an unusual phobia for an Air Force officer. Cooper's assignment is either going to keep his career on life support for a while longer or disconnect it entirely. It does not take Cooper long to discover that General Scott's death was the result of sabotage. As he begins his murder investigation, however, Scott's widow (whose post-mortem lack of bereavement is noteworthy) produces a suicide note. End of investigation. Well, not really. Cooper and Special Agent Anna Masters smell several rats and are not about to give things up so easily. They begin following a shadowy and dangerous trail that leads them from the explosive streets and alleys of Iraq to the sensuous nightlife of Latvia to the harrowing, war-torn countryside of Chechnya, even as they themselves are pursued by an enigmatic and powerful group known as The Establishment. Trail's end for Cooper, however, takes him to the most surprising location of all where everything is revealed, even as those revelations may well cost him his life. THE DEATH TRUST is an impressive debut, exquisitely paced and well-balanced between military and mystery. Rollins's characterizations are uniformly interesting as well; Cooper, in particular, is an impressive protagonist, not overly likable but reasonably so, an individual who oftentimes is his own worst enemy. Here's hoping that publication of the remainder of Rollins's books catches up on these shores soon. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Great Read

Mr. Rollins first book is as good as any of the the established writers in this genre. His character development along with a plot with its many twists and turns keeps you on your toes and makes this a one sitting read. I am eagerly awaiting his next book.