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The Wrong Hostage  By  cover art

The Wrong Hostage

By: Elizabeth Lowell
Narrated by: Maria Tucci
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Publisher's summary

Orphaned at 13, Grace Silva clawed her way out of poverty and violence to become one of the most respected judges on the federal bench. Grace believes in the rule of law, lives it, breathes it. She has always been buttoned up and buttoned down.

Except once.

Joe Faroe has learned that laws are made by politicians, and politicians are all too human. He believes in the innocents, the ones getting ground up by governments that are too polarized or too corrupt to protect their own citizens. He's been through the political meat grinder himself. It cost him his career, his freedom, and the woman who still haunts him. Since then Faroe has worked outside the rules and politics of government as a kidnap specialist for St. Kilda Consulting, a Manhattan-based global business that concentrates on the shadow world where governments can't go. He is good at his work: intelligent, confident, ruthless.

Until a friend dies trying to kill him.

Now Faroe is out of the business. Retired. He's through trying to save a world that doesn't want to be saved.

Then Grace comes to him, past and present collide, and Faroe finds himself sucked back into the shadows, tracking a violent killer who holds the life of Grace's son in his bloody hands.

©2006 Two of a Kind, Inc. (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The payoff is solid." (Publishers Weekly)
"Lowell brilliantly mingles danger, deception, and desire to create a captivating story that is edgy, sexy, and completely satisfying." (Booklist)

What listeners say about The Wrong Hostage

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

The Wrong Narrator

I tought the story and dialogue were excellent, and the book was entertaining, but I thought the main character was a little far-fetched. I don't get how a judge, with "balls and brains", from La Jolla, can put her kid in the situation that is the basis for the story. I also thought the writer used a lot of the same metaphors and phrases over and over again, which I think is just lazy.

But my main objection is with the choice of narrator. I thought she sounded too old for the character she was portraying. Her volume level was also uneven so I had to keep adjusting my iPod.

Still, except for a section in the middle that dragged on and on, I thought it was basically a good and entertaining listen.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

The Wrong Narrator & Producer

I've always enjoyed Elizabeth Lowell's books as I did this one ... only If I had read it. First, let me give you my opinion of the book, It was an enjoyable plot; some nice action and descriptive. However if you are looking for a mystery this is not it. There is no mystery it's all upfront of the good the bad and the ugly. The hero was well likable, sexy, dangerous and informed with his politics. As a hostage negotiator he was good at his job. As far as the heroin; well ... for a federal court appointed judge she was a bit stupid about the ways of the world. Sometimes i'd pictured her with her 'pinky finger' in her mouth while she spoke. She takes the title of "BORN YESTERDAY" attitude. I think this was a bit of a mistake on the Authors part because she made the book not believable due to this major foe-pa.

Now let me tell you about this narrator. She reminded me of my grandmother on Thanksgiving after she's knocked back a few bottles of wine and was too tired to sit up after all the turkey she ate. She was in a word: HORRID. I have never heard a narrator so bored and indifferent with an edge of annoyance while reading & acting out the parts. She spoke like she was annoyed and you could actually hear her sigh when she started a new sentence. She mumbled half the time and her words were slurred. I honestly don't know who produced this audiobook, but she/He too didn't do their job. It's a shame because this could have been a pretty decent listen. So I recommend you READ this particular book and avoid this narrator in the future. Sorry to be so blunt but I feel the author had a real disservice done to her with this production.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Where's the real Elizabeth Lowell?

I mean all of her fans are well familiar with her suspense filled, funny, sexy, can't put it down and OMG he did not just say that! scenes. All I can say is that this time she must have been sleep-writing. The book just drags on, tedious and overly filled with details that I as a reader did not need. Even in the action scenes you feel like taking a nap for an hour or two. I love her books, I own all of her books and have never been disappointed. But this one is not going on my to be re-read list.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Simply Awful

I was looking for good escapist summer listening...what I got was a badly written, badly read waste of time. A trite story, cardboard characters, and an overly emotive reader makes for a simply awful audio book experience.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

Loved the story although I am not sure I would want to listen to another with this narrator.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

50/50

A good story ruined by mundane narration. The narrator sounded bored which distracted from the story. Its hard to get into the tension of the plot when it is read with no emotion. Had I read this before Blue smoke and Murder another story about the St Kilda operatives I would not have gotten it and that would have been a shame as it is another good story but with much better narration.I often wonder if the Author knows just what an awful job some of the narrators do. end result. Get the second book and forget this one.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Dreadful narrator

Pretty typical Elizabeth Lowell suspese/romance worth 4 stars but ruined by awful narration - 2 stars so ave 3. I appreciate there must be different tones for different people and moods but the narrators loud and soft tones are not just irritating, it was difficult to hear the softer parts. No use turning up the volume as it would make the rest of audiobook too loud.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Grace

Finally! An entertaining book featuring an assertive woman uses her brain, asks for help when necessary, doesn't take crap from macho jerks or whine about her troubles.

Grace, a federal judge and single mother of a teen, was definitely one of the most interesting characters I have read in a long time. While flawed (her ex-husband was a waste of oxygen) Grace was determined to rescue her son Lane, showing incredible strength and a wicked sense of humor.

Lane's biological father Joe (ex-DEA & security specialist) was my idea of the perfect man; he supported Grace without being a bully, applauded her intelligence & spunk, and risked death for his newly discovered son. Most importantly, Joe was not intimidated by Grace's success or intelligence - he enjoyed having an equal partner who challenged him.

Even 15 year old Lane was engaging and believable; often teens are either portrayed as snotty brats or too adult-like. The plot and suspense were well done, with some graphic violence but enough humor and romance to keep it balanced. Excellent work!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read

Usual great read from Elizabeth Lowell can’t rate this highly enough the rest in the series r just as good

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Don't waste the money or time

Poor characters,story development , juvenile writing, unable to complete will not buy another from this author

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