A King's Ransom

By: James Grippando

Narrated by: George Guidall

Two years out of law school, Nick Rey is already on the fast track at a hot Miami law firm. But his dreams of success are overshadowed when his father, Matthew, is abducted on a business trip to Colombia. The guerillas demand an impossible $3 million ransom, the exact sum Matthew insurance policy covers. The insurance company suspects fraud, however, and refuses to pay. And as Nick soon learns, it isn who hold the key to his father survival. A group of faceless lawyer sat a powerful firm has something to hide, and will stop at nothing to keep Nick from discovering the truth.

Good story well told

I enjoy Grippando's books, but this is an early one of his so I was a bit reluctant to read. In the book, he powerfully draws u into a family's torment and redemption.

Splendid!

Exciting, fast paced and unexpected. A great novel, and George Guidall fantastic as always! Absolutely recommended.

Saved by George

I think that this story, complicated and similar to other Grippando mysteries ;left me with the feeling that, if George Guidall were not reading this book, it would not work. So, once again, I thank the bookreadinggods for George Guidall. Keepem' coming.

Grippando is the best!

I loved this book. Grippando is currently my favorite legal thriller author. I wish this weren’t the last of his books for me. I’ve read every single book in his Jack Swytek series, and now all his stand-aliens. I’ll miss this author. No idea what to read next...

Just Okay

First, George Guidall is one of my favorite narrators. He can be the deciding factor in my choosing or passing on a book. In this story, though, his interpretation of the lead character is strained. Whenever there's any tension in the scene, his voice becomes high pitched, rapid, and whiney. Nick Ray sounds to me like a self righteous narcissist. It's off putting.

Second, the story is loosely constructed. There's a supposedly important "secret" in the plot which really doesn't look all that important when you discover it. And it's never tied into the plot or the resolution. In addition, I've never been a fan of the "deus ex machina" literary device. It's part of this book, although "deus" is probably the wrong word.

Finally, if you've read my reviews, you know "the parts you skip" is important to me. Those are the passages that don't move the story, or are repetitive, or just overbearing. In the second half of the book I skipped nearly all the chapters relating to the kidnap victim and missed nothing.