The Wrong Hostage

By: Elizabeth Lowell

Narrated by: Maria Tucci

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

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)

Great Story

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

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!

Great read

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

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.

A Romance

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I recognized the formula for this fictional rescue tale and settled in for a fun, fast paced listen. What I ended up with was far too much of the earnest sentimental musings, erections and body part descriptions of (I assume) the romance genre.

Would you be willing to try another book from Elizabeth Lowell? Why or why not?

I might listen to another Elizabeth Lowell if she left out the romance-y elements.

Which character – as performed by Maria Tucci – was your favorite?

Lane, the son, was my favorite character. Wish there was more from/about him as it would've increased the tension and more heavily invested those looking to rescue him. The romance-y elements set the pace instead. Pity.

Any additional comments?

The narrator was quite good.

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.

Have never like Maria Tucci's reading.

I listen to audiobooks in the car, most of the time and find myself struggling to understand her narration. She has this affectation of lowering her voice to reflect pondering or add drama to the reading & it's very frustrating. I love all Elizabeth Lowell books since the moment I read the first book from her which happens to be Moving Target & it's my favorite . But I certainly won't buy any more if they are narrated by Tucci which is a shame as I like them all so much

Great Book

This is a great book. The tempo was fast paced..the only thing that got annoying was the constant date/time stamping..but at the end it did become important.

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.

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.