The year is 1810. Napoleon meets with his engineers to discuss his dream of invading England via a tunnel under the sea. By 1812 two disastrous attempts to construct the tunnel have caused many deaths. The men now employed in the third effort have no knowledge of this.

And in the year 2001 a tragedy has taken place, 2,000, perhaps more citizens have been killed. London is ruled by martial law even though the authorities would deny this if asked. Former Royal Marine, Metropolitan police Sgt. Dave Brent begins what appears to be a rather ordinary investigation only to find himself following the trail of a terrorist group determined to stop at nothing. From the Ural Mountains and two disgruntled ‘redundant’ Russian military, to France to Spain the narrative unfolds. Twenty million dollars will change hands, the enigmatic, drug running Col LeGrande, pervert Commandant Libera, and headstrong Scotland Yard copper Detective Superintendent Alan Mearns all figure in this narrative filled with conspiracy, doom and devastation.

Dave Brent follows the twisting investigative trail wherever it travels. Mearns is not convinced when news arrives that prime suspect LeGrande is murdered. When LeGrande’s apartment is found to contain a sizeable quantity of heroin most authorities involved on this case are convinced that greed and drugs are at the determining factor of the puzzle. DNA testing will be employed by Mearns in his desperate quest to find the truth before it is too late.

Writer Alan Cooper has honed his skill. Hard on the heels of his first book Dead Greedy Cooper presents On The Eighth Day. Conflict abounds in this masterfully crafted work. With a shrewd dexterity for personality portrayal Cooper presents a full cast of well-developed characters. Cooper depicts a penetrating, focused tale centering around a hair-raising scheme. Rich settings filled with just enough detail to draw the reader into the milieu abound. Characters run the gamut of likeable to downright nasty.

From the opening paragraphs featuring Napoleon right down to the last lines as Dave Brent listens to the evening news on television the interest of the reader is held fast. Cooper draws on his experience as London Police Officer to craft a novel of exciting proportions. Just when the reader is sure they have gotten the plot all figured out Cooper takes us on another twisting turn that only proves we are on the wrong track.

On The Eighth Day is an exciting read sure to please the most discerning readers of mystery thrillers. This is a perfect book for a cold autumn evening. Watch the red herrings. Cooper is sure to trip you up if you do not take all care to follow the story details.