An action/adventure novel set in 1962 in Death Valley, Los Angeles, Buffalo, Fort Lauderdale and Castro's Cuba. An investigation into a possible Ponzi scheme leads to trouble
In 1962 Charlie is bored with his job as a securities analyst, so after a weird weekend in Death Valley he jumps at the chance to join the fraud division of International Investments in Los Angeles. Given an assignment to uncover a possible Ponzi scheme, he and his partner, Liz, travel to Buffalo, seeking evidence, and then to Fort Lauderdale where somebody is plotting trouble for them using Spring Break madness as a cover. The country of Cuba, recently taken over by Fidel Castro, may be involved, and Charlie might soon be wishing that he’s back in his nice safe desk in LA.
Professional Reviews
A Mystery of Prodigious Games
Michael P. Hartnett
The aura of Trust Me If You Dare by Alan Cook is wonderfully old fashioned in that the storytelling is assuredly handled, yet the plot is consistently exciting. Perhaps, the impression comes from the earnest wholesomeness of the protagonist, securities analyst Charlie Ebersole or from the occasionally conflicted, beautiful working woman Elizabeth Reid. But just as prominent is the 1962 setting, one of intrigue, especially with its forays into Cuba: the aura also seems to permeate the innocent optimism of the pre-Kennedy assassination environment.
Whichever the case, Trust Me If You Dare is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Part of the novel’s interest comes from Cook’s inspired decision to follow Charlie and Elizabeth’s adventures as financial fraud analysts. That decision gives the novel different angles than say the more traditional stories featuring spies or private detectives. Their investigations come from a less hard-boiled outlook and their lack of training in say gun-play or hand-to-hand combat gives Cook the opportunity to address sticky situations from abductions to chases in original and disarming ways.
Trust Me If You Dare features many engaging characters like the ever resourceful Captain George, the world weary, yet lovely Doctor Agueros, and the spirited, attractive co-ed Stacy (she of such lines about her time at college: “My attendance record hasn’t been stellar so far. I don’t want to give my professors heart attacks by suddenly showing up for class”). Even David Christopher, who may or may not be the perpetrator of a vast Ponzi scheme, has many winning qualities. After the satisfying climax delivered yet another run of thrills, I found myself looking forward to the next adventures of Charlie and Elizabeth. I certainly hope Cook is starting a series with these financial fraud investigations set in the 1960s because I feel he’s onto something here.
Highly Recommended
Peter Yang
Trust Me if You Dare by Alan Cook is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a book featuring an engaging plot, a healthy dose of suspense, and masterful character development. I'm usually not a big fan of mystery fiction, but Cook's writing style blew me away. His ability to harmonize historical facts with an exciting storyline made Trust Me if You Dare a book I'll be putting on my most prized bookshelf. Highly recommended!
Sitting at desk all day as a securities analyst is not what Charlie desires to with the rest of his life so after spending a strange weekend in Death Valley he eagerly accepts a position in the fraud division with International Investments in Los Angeles. His new partner, Liz, is ironically someone he met in Death Valley under false pretenses. Although there is a romantic spark between the two of them, they decide to keep their relationship professional. Shortly after settling into their new job they are sent to Buffalo to investigate a possible Ponzi scheme. The trip turns into a debacle that takes them to Fort Lauderdale during Spring break where things go from bad to worse and they end up in Cuba. A series of misfortunes, including abductions, guns, and chases befall them. "Trust Me if You Dare" is a suspense-filled drama with an engaging storyline that keeps the reader on the ege of their seats. I read it in one day, I couldn't put it down. The intriguing writing style of Alan Cook is captivating. Cook writes with an easy-flow that grabs and keeps the readers attention. I really enjoyed "Trust Me if You Dare" and look forward to reading additional books by Alan Cook. In fact, I would love to see Charlie and Liz and their adventures turned into a series (hint, hint). Highly recommend!
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