Hostage

3rd in the Todd Mills Mystery series. This is after Todd has come out and is a well paid reporter for a local tv station. He is set to interview a bigoted congressman who is there on a book tour. However the interview is pre-empted when there's a fire and the congressman is kidnapped. The kidnappers are self proclaimed AIDS activists. Todd starts working on the investigation as to what happened and the whereabouts of the congressman with some obscure leads from his past. The book is well written and the mystery is good. The views on HIV/AIDS is still disturbing to this day. Although not to everyone's taste necessarily it certainly is a view of the time that the book was written and how closed/narrow minded some people can be. That being show more said parts of it are like a punch in the gut and may make you want to put the book down. Stick with it, it's worth the read. show less

This was an interesting story which highlights the hysteria and prejudice that the onset of AIDS caused. The fear experienced by those diagnosed with this disease as well as the horror felt by those watching their friends dying around them are captured well in this easy to read novel. Noone who reads this could be unmoved by the plight the gay community found themselves in. Blamed for the disease, ostracised and told it was a 'punishment from God', how could these men help but be angry and want to fight back? I highly recommend this book.

Once again a very thrilling story about Todd Mills, the investigational reporter. A homophobic politician is kidnapped by three persons with aids during an interview with Todd. In his personal life, too, Todd is confronted with hiv and aids. This takes us on a thrilling rollercoaster till the grand finale with all those people. While reading the book you keep wondering who is guilty and who is a victim here. Getting to know the three kidnappers helps you to understand their situation and the gravity of this disease.
The story may be overdone at times but the general focus on aids and the prejudices about this disease are very interesting. Although this detective is about 10 years old, it still could happen today. Hostage is more than show more just a Who's-done-it but a disturbing novel that offers an insight in the US society. show less