The Hostage

A Presidential Agent Novel (Presidential Agent, Book 2)

By: W. E. B. Griffin

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 17 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

By Order of the President, the first novel in Griffin's crackling Presidential Agent series, won immediate acclaim from critics and fans alike.

Charley Castillo works with the Department of Homeland Security, but more and more is the man to whom the president turns when he needs an investigation done discreetly. And no situation demands discretion more than the one before them now.

An American diplomat's wife is kidnapped in Argentina, and her husband is murdered before her eyes. Her children will be next, she is told, if she doesn't tell them where her brother is - a brother, as it turns out, who may know quite a bit about the burgeoning UN/Iraq oil-for-food scandal.

There is an awful lot of money flying around, and an awful lot of hands are reaching up to grab it - and some of those hands don't mind shedding as much blood as it takes.

Before the investigation is over..it might even be Castillo's blood.

Prolong the suspense: listen to another Presidential Agent thriller.

©2006 W. E. B. Griffin (P)2006 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"True virtuosity." ( Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
"Cutting-edge. The end leaves readers standing on the tarmac waiting for Castillo and his newly minted band of can-do compatriots to touch down and carry them away again on a new adventure." ( Publishers Weekly)

The Hostage

Excellent story line, excellent narration. The sidebars not only give one some historical background but also an insight into the characters. Would highly recommend this series

Loved it

The story and performance was excellent. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys secret agent or military based books.

great story in the WEB Griffin tradition.

Characters you grow to associate with and stories that are not so outrageous as to be unbelievable.

Excellent series

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hostage to be better than the print version?

I just love Griffin's books. I think they work well on audio.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hostage?

When his girlfriend got shot.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The moments when Charlie saw his girlfriend after she was shot. I felt like I was involved with these characters.

Any additional comments?

If you like Griffin's books definitely buy this series.

Great story

What a great story continuing Charlie’s adventures across the world. A little reparative on his back story with the first book. But if you haven’t read that it makes a great stand alone story. And set up for more…

Another Tasty Griffin Confection

Griffin's books have repetitive dialog, predictable plots, stereotypical characters...and yet they remain utterly irresistible. The Presidential Agent series follows the pattern of his other four great series. W.E.B. Griffin books have everything you would want from a guilty pleasure. Dick Hill has narrated several books from the various series and he gives a terrific performance here. If you like cliched covert/military action, well described international settings, and self-deprecating yet capable heroes who have their own wealth to rely on, then this latest series will not disappoint.

Enjoyable Adventure

Dick Hill is a wonderful narrator. My wife enjoyed the romance parts. I enjoyed the historical sidebars. The language is rough, but not unrealistic for the situation. It does prevent one from listening with children around -- not all bad! We look forward to book 3 and 4 in the series.

Another solid story. Great listen.

If you could sum up The Hostage in three words, what would they be?

Fast, fun, intense

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. The story telling is always great. Dick Hill is a master.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but my behind won't take 17 hours!!!

loved it!

It's a great yarn, filled with twists and turns. Continuously interupted by obnoxious politicoans (which only gets worse in the following books ), we flow along with the adventures of the fight for good and the blossom of love. It's a fun ride, I recommend it!

Great military novel

There are many twists and turns, interesting characters. The author is a worthy competitot to Tom Clancy.