Great story telling (The Abduction - Mark Gimenez)

Member Name: stayleyvegas

Product:	The Abduction - Mark Gimenez
Date:	19/05/07 (471 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fast paced, great characters, superb story, lots of sub plots that come together nicely

Disadvantages: relies on some strange coincidences to keep the story running at times but enjoyable nontheless

The follow up novel to the fantastic The Colour Of Law. The author is an ex lawyer turned author but to compare him to John Grisham would be a bad thing.

The Abduction is about the kidnapping of a ten year old girl, Gracie Ann Brice. Her mother, hotshot lawyer Elizabeth Brice (who is a very aggressive, manipulative and frankly not very nice person who has no relationship with her daughter as work comes first) comes to collect Grace from soccer practice to be told she has been collected by her uncle. Unfortunately, Grace does not have an uncle.

This is then the start of the nightmare for Elizabeth and he husband John (who owns a software company about to go public and has little parenting skills other than the love for his daughter). However, it's John's dad, Ben Brice who is hit hardest. Ben is ex Vietnam Vet and recovering alcoholic who has no relationship at all with his son although grand father/grand daughter have a very close relationship and are devoted to each other. It is John's aim therefore to get Grace back..

The Abduction actually is not a legal thriller and this is a brave move by the author to move away from his genre (or what you expect to be his genre after only one book) and take things in a slightly different direction.

The characters are big, brash and in your face although this does not detract from the book. In fact this aspect is probably pretty crucial to the plot. The three main adult characters all have issues and the worries of the world on their shoulders but it becomes clear why the further you go (and it would be difficult to guess why until it becomes clear).

When you read the synopsis re Vietnam Vet comes to the rescue of a kidnapped relative the plot could be predictable although this one isn't. There are lots of sub plots linked mainly around some coincidences but they all come together beautifully. However, there are a couple of coincidences that requires the reader to take a little leap of faith, mainly relating to the Vietnam Vet meeting a pilot and a local police chief that are connected to his past but the author, overall, just about gets away with it.

This was a fantastically enjoyable read which for me was as good as his debut novel and the author should be applauded for going in a slightly different direction and carrying it off. However, I suspect the "technical" critics could be critical but who cares! I really enjoyed the book and so will lots of people.

Without a doubt, Gimenez is a superb storyteller.

Product details

Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: Sphere (8 Mar 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1847440061
ISBN-13: 978-1847440068
Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 4.6 cm

Summary: Great follow up novel and good to see an author move away from his genre.