A King's Ransom

Nick Rey is climbing the ladder at a huge law firm in Miami. His Dad is a partner in a small fishing company. They aren't close. And then his Dad is kidnapped on a trip to Columbia and everything changes. This is one of the best books I've read in a while. The author swaps chapters reporting from the son's voice (in the 1st person) and the father's voice (in the third person) which not only makes it easy to read it adds a special creepiness that only enhances the story.

Matthew Ray is working on his fishing boats in Columbia when they are suddenly attacked by thugs with automatic weapons. Despite killing one of them, Matthew is taken captive--one of the many people who are abducted for ransom in Columbia. His son, lawyer Nick Ray, is shocked and angered by his father's abduction, espcially when both the FBI and the insurance company he had kidnap and ransom insurance with refuse to help him. They accuse Nick's father of drug smuggling, insurance fraud, and conspiring with the kidnappers. The only people who seem to be willing to help Nick are Alex Cabera, a hostage negotiator from Columbia, and Jenna--his ex-fiance. They must find out the truth behind how Matthew's kidnappers knew he had insurance and show more come up with the money for his release--before it's too late.
Grippando writes a taut thriller that kept my interest throughout the entire book as I listened to it. Narrator George Guidall was excellent as always, affecting the personas of Columbians and Americans with equal ease. show less

A book that follows the kidnap and release of a father and the son who is doing everything he can to get his father home. The story takes a good look at the harshness of the kidnap trade, but also weaves an interesting action plot through the story. The plot was overwhelming at times, slow at others, but in the end a good book.

THis is the first book of James Grippandos that I have read. I found his writing very exciting. The story is action packed. I was amazed at the complexity of kidnapping and how easy it was to double cross many times during such a ransom transaction

very suspenseful story of a kidnapping in Columbia - similar to Proof of Life movie.

Fresh out of law school, Nick Rey lands a job with a prestigious Miami law firm, and he's at the top of his game. But a dark cloud of misfortune is moving in - his fiancee breaks off their engagement, and his father Matthew is kidnapped while tending to his fishing boat business in Columbia. Demanding three million dollars, the guerrilla captors can be dealt with easily enough. The real threat comes from men in suits - the lawyers, the insurance company, and the FBI.

VERY GOOD