Hostage Taker
A Novel
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
An electrifying thriller featuring Eve Rossi, head of a secret division of the FBI—one made up of ex-convicts with extraordinary talents, oversized egos, and contempt for the rules
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY LIBRARY JOURNAL AND SUSPENSE MAGAZINE
In the hushed quiet of early morning Manhattan, in front of the towering bronze doors of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, a young woman holds a sign that reads: HELP ME. For one FBI agent, a madman’s terrified hostages, and an entire city, a long and harrowing day is about to unfold.
The hostage taker’s identity is unknown. But he knows who FBI agent Eve Rossi is—and everything about her past. Along with her presence, he demands five witnesses: ordinary people with some hidden connection. Defying her superiors, Eve begins a deadly dance with an adversary whose intentions are surely sinister, whose endgame is anything but certain, and whose cunning keeps him one step ahead at every turn.
As Eve manages a taut hostage situation, she relies on the combined skills of her team—a secret unit inspired by France’s most notorious criminal and made up of ex-convicts with extraordinary talents, oversized egos, and contempt for the rules.
Eve is up against a rapidly ticking clock. But the dangerous man calling the shots has a timetable of his own—and a searing question for his targets: What are you guilty of? As shocking revelations surface, so does another crisis nobody could anticipate—one not even Eve and her team may be able to stop.
Praise for Hostage Taker
“A high-voltage game of parry and thrust.”—New York Daily News
“The perfect blend: an urban thriller as modern as tomorrow’s New York Times, driven by a two-hundred-year-old idea, with a main character to die for. I hope we see plenty more of Eve Rossi and her team.”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Personal
“The concept is great. . . . The twists are good, and the emotion level climbs higher and higher. . . . Pintoff has serious potential to go into waters already charted by the likes of Lisa Gardner, Tami Hoag, and Allison Brennan.”—Sarah Weinman, The Crime Lady
“Amazing . . . [Hostage Taker] will keep you awake nights. . . . The book boasts a dynamic heroine. . . . You will never look at the beauties of the complicated structure that is St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York quite the same again.”—Liz Smith, New York Social Diary
“A high-velocity roller coaster of a thriller!”—Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author of The Skin Collector
“A brilliant thriller from a gifted writer . . . Pintoff is one of the best crime writers at work today.”—Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Wish Me Dead
“A gripping conclusion . . . tense and thoughtful . . . a sharp new crime series.”—Nights and Weekends
“Pintoff skillfully ratchets up the tension and throws more than one curveball into this twisty, exciting read.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Strong writing, a well-paced plot, and intriguing characters make this one of the best thrillers of the year. Fans of Lisa Gardner will find much to like here.”—Library Journal (starred review)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With this entertaining but superficial series opener, Edgar-winner Pintoff (Secret of the White Rose and two other historicals featuring Det. Simon Ziele) shifts to present-day Manhattan. On the day of the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, a man barricades himself and an unknown number of hostages inside St. Patrick's Cathedral and requests as negotiator FBI agent Eve Rossi, who's on bereavement leave following her stepfather's death. Over the next hours, Eve and her Vidocq team a group of criminals who chose law enforcement rather than prison confront a hostage taker who has shown his willingness to kill and wired the historic cathedral with explosives. Their efforts are undermined by Eve's ambitious, politically motivated boss and a church hierarchy that values the building over people's lives. Pintoff tosses out crumbs of mystery related to Eve's stepfather that may be developed in further installments, but references are too cryptic to engage most readers. Still, those seeking a light late-summer read will be satisfied.
Customer Reviews
Great read with a lot of suspense!!!
I was literally holding onto my seat while riding the rails on this journey! I'm finally able to breathe now that I've finished the book. Someone takes over St. Patrick's Cathedral holding hostages and why? The reason was totally jacked up, but apparently the hostage taker was as well. And, you will never guess who it is.
This book was entertaining almost from the very first page. I just sped through this one, it was that good. And the way he would do the hostages was very different and intriguing. They were looking to find one smarter son with this guy. This book kind of reminded me of the TV show "Scorpions", which I love. They are all smart in their own ways and are using their illegal passions to track down other criminals.
Thanks Random House/ Dell and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book. I found it very entertaining and highly recommend it!