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)

Can't wait to listen to the next

Would you listen to The Hostage again? Why?

This is the sort of 'adventure' series I like... not a lot of technical background info that takes up page after page, assuming the listener is a weapons or electronics expert! Fun to listen to, good plot, and almost [I stress the word 'almost'!] makes driving in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, traffic seem enjoyable!

excellent

Would you listen to The Hostage again? Why?

great story

What did you like best about this story?

it followed the theme of the other books in the story masterfully

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

awesome as usual

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

no

Awesome

Almost didn't start this series after reading s review that it was slow paced - nonsense! Excellent character development and plot with plenty of twists to keep you guessing

I'm liking this series as much as Mitch Rapp

Keeping his Reputation in Line!

This book is amazing! as good as the first. The character development was amazing as well. And the story line hooks you and keeps you wanting more. The only thing I feel worth noting with any regard to "could have been better" is the ending. The entire book was a race from the get go and it kept you going, then the last part just kind of happened...a bit anticlimactic. But that is neither here nor there...I loved the book and cant wait to start the next!

Great story

I've long been a fan of Griffin, and have thoroughly enjoyed this series so far. My only issue revolves around the flying scenes--pilots and air traffic controllers will find themselves saying "bull" frequently. I hope (and assume) that the author is more expert in other areas!

Good book, weak ending

The ending doesn’t do justice to the book as a whole. It felt rushed and not indicative of the plot that was building to a different climax. Overall, the author does a very good job telling this story. Dick Hill does a fantastic job narrating the story. I’ve listened to him in other series and he always gives a great performance. Definitely worth reading.

Well done!

Griffin again creates a great story with outstanding narrative. Highly recommend! On to the next book in the series.

Great Story but too bad it was written by WEB G

This like all of the books I have read/listened to (15-20 at least) has a great story that is somewhat spoiled by the fact that it was written by WEB Griffin. Too bad he doesn't come up with the idea and assign it to someone else.

His stories all have the same difficult to take WEBG mannerisms such as the incessant inner thoughts and self dialogue of the main character, the WAY overused expressions such as "Jesus Christ" among many others, the actions and words of characters that real people would never do or say, etc. I could go on and on but if you have read more than one of his books you know what I mean.

Also I am soooo tired of Dick Hill. The way he reads is just hard to take. Between the Michael Connelly, Lee Child, P T Deutermann some Stuart Woods and all the WEB G books I cringe when I hear his voice. I refuse to listen to Nora Roberts books just because of him.

This book would have received 5 stars but I took 2 stars off for WEB G's bad writing and 1 star off for Dick Hill's reading.

Unfortunately the best WEB G can get in my view is a 3 because of his bad writing style. Replace Dick Hill and at least it would go up a star.

Very Tedious

I enjoyed the first half of the book and the characters are interesting enough. However, the last half of the book was so boring and drawn out I found it literally impossible to get thru. It is the first time I failed to finish a tape of any length.

More a boring tale of corporate america today

What would have made The Hostage better?

If she had a real purpose!

What was most disappointing about W. E. B. Griffin’s story?

The hero fails miserably. He even admits it. But instead, he is hailed as triumphant by the powers that be as they each pat each other's back for choosing him and giving him future assignments. Welcome to business as usual today.

What does Dick Hill bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Dick Hill is fantastic, he is usually the deciding factor in choosing some books.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

As a guide to how to get ahead if you can't do the job, get someone in power to just like you.

Any additional comments?

What was the author thinking?