The Downside - Softcover

Mike Cooper is the pseudonym of Michael Wiecek, a former jack-of-all-trades whose jobs have included stints with Boston’s transit agency, on an ambulance, and at a food co-op, capped off by a graduate degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a job with Fidelity Investments. Wiecek’s work has received wide recognition, including a Shamus Award, an International Thriller Writers Award nomination, and inclusion in The Best American Mystery Stories 2010. He lives with his family outside of Boston.

“Cooper writes so convincingly about crime, I’m amazed there isn’t a warrant out for his arrest. He’s clearly done his homework; The Downside might as well be a blueprint for that one big score. It’s a propulsive, modern take on the classic heist novel, as meticulously plotted as the crime itself, topped off with an ingenious finale. Recommended!” —Owen Laukkanen, bestselling author of The Forgotten Girls

“I fell in love with this crooked tale of hardhat heisters in the modern world. Couldn’t put it down, can’t wait for the next one. Please, Mike Cooper, tell me there’s a next one!” —Nick Petrie, bestselling author of The Drifter

“Fans of Donald Westlake’ s Dortmunder novels will find a lot to like.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The inevitable complications, missteps, and double crosses are met with ever more ingenious and desperate workarounds, many involving fresh felonies, side deals, and triple crosses, till you won’t know whom to root for or what difference it makes. A taut caper whose high-tech trappings neatly complement its old-fashioned formula.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A high-tech version of Donald E. Westlake: a caper novel with a comic touch.” —Booklist

Praise for the Silas Cade Thrillers
“A blistering pace, lots of action, and some over-the-top derring-do that may attract Hollywood.” —Booklist, starred review, on Full Ratchet

“A frenetic, no-holds-barred thriller.” —The Boston Globe on Clawback

“Action, sleuthing, clever tricks . . .and far-out chase scenes . . . A fast-moving thriller leavened by wit.” —Library Journal on Clawback

“An action-packed and thrilling journey . . . Definitely worth the investment.” —The Associated Press on Clawback

“Fantastic . . . Action, suspense, and tons of insider information. This is my kind of thriller and I can’t wait for the next one. If you like Nelson DeMille, you’ll love Mike Cooper.” —Brad Thor, New York Times–bestselling author of Full Black, on Clawback

“Vivid but convincing action, a sympathetic protagonist with a specialty we haven’t seen before, and plentiful antagonists we all have reason to despise. Buy it.” —Thomas Perry, Edgar Award–winning author of The Butcher’s Boy, on Clawback

“Smart and savvy, and paced like a bull market rally! Silas Cade is part Jack Reacher, part Seal Team Six in the Madoffian canyons of power and greed.” —Andrew Gross, bestselling author of Reckless, on Clawback

Praise for Mike Cooper writing as Michael Wiecek
“As smart as a whip, as fast as a bullet, as serious as a heart attack. Read it now.” —Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher novels, on Exit Strategy