Customer Reviews

24 Hours

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

As one might expect based on the title, this novel by Greg Iles covers a 24-hour period. I only wish that I had been able to finish it in 24 hours. The book was extremely good. In fact, it was nearly impossible to put down, continually tugging against work and family obligations. The book grabs you in the first few pages and does not let go, with a storyline of kidnapping for ransom that hits right at every parents' worst nightmare. The intensity and buildup of the story, combined with the ruthlessness of the villain make this a story that is not for the weak of heart. However, as the story progresses, the character development lets the reader understand the egos, anxieties, and motivations of a broad set of characters -- and also drives the reader to form an affinity or antipathy for most characters. It is a very compelling read. I strongly recommend this book.

This book (Trapped) is a suspenseful and thrilling book. I would read this book again and again. The main character, Joey Hickey, is a cruel and cold-hearted man, but he fits his part in the book. If you start to read this book, you will not want to put it down until your done. I think that the book keeps you thinking and its unpredictable. I think everyone who likes mysteries should read Trapped, By Greg Iles

I purchased this book before I even knew there was such a movie soon coming out. Im more into bios and true crime, but as soon as I opened it, I basically read it straight through, when I had to put it down, I couldnt wait to get back to it right away. It isnt your typical kidnapping story. The entire book which was originally titled "24 hours" is set in exactly that; 24 hours. The chapters end in the way great authors keep you reading, yearning to find out what happens next. The characters; the "good guys" are likeable and easy to relate to. The "bad guys" or the leader at least, is scary enough to be true to life, real. Although you cant help feeling bad for one of guys on the "bad" team, ...you have to read it to find out, cant give too much away. Basically if you are looking for a good read, this is it. Take my word for it, it wont last long because you really wont be able to put it down, and read it before the movie, I always thought the books were alot better then the movies, your mind will add imagination to it all. But as far as fictional crime goes, this is the way to go.

Even though I was warned to not start reading this book when I was ready to go to sleep, I figured that I could read for fifteen minutes, then call it a night. That was about 11:00 PM. A few minutes later I glanced at the clock -- it was after 3:30 AM. That is a page-turner.

24 Hours was released in paperback in July 2001, then re-released as Trapped. It is the basis for the movie starring Kevin Bacon, Charlize Theron, and Courtney Love. Many elements contributed to the book's success and ultimate destiny as a film. Paramount is the story telling that allows the reader to suspend disbelief, which is not that difficult due to due to the recent slate of child abductions and the aftermath. We see events like this happening, and our own knowledge interpreted by imagination creates the horror Iles describes.

This is more than a suspenseful thriller. It taps into the psychology of criminal and victim, woman and mother, father and hunter, prey and survivor. The characters are deep, and deeply disturbing. To play out a kidnapping and keep those involved from ever discussing it, is masterful. The villain has done this every year for five years, and it has never been reported. The plot shows the complexities of the intricate plans of a methodical and intelligent man who has turned to crime, but he when he makes a mistake and chooses the wrong target it changes all of the rules.

Unfortunately, some of the reviews of the movie indicate that it was not translated onto celluloid well, but it deserves five stars as a novel...

This is a fantastic book! As I said, I read it in one sitting, I was glued to each page. This is the first book I read by Iles, and I plan to get the rest of his books. Iles is a fantastic author. He has the ability to keep the reader hooked to the very last page. He writing style is one of many plot twists and outsandting characters that you want to read about, and care about, even the "bad guys".

This is the story of the Jennings family. They are forced to live a parents worst nightmare, the kidnapping of their child. But they aren't going to sit back and be a victim. They fight back to get their daughter. While this is going on, someone else is also helping the Jennings family, even if they don't know it. Hickey, who plays a role in the kidnapping, tells Karen that he has kidnapped her daughter, she won't be harmed. He's done this before and the child has always walked away. But something about this kidnapping is much different, Hickey isn't really interesting in moeny. What could he be interesetd in? Read this book and find out. There's a movie out now called "Trapped" that's based on this book. I highly, highly, highly suggest you read this book. I can promise you won't be sorry.

Greg Iles lives up to his "master storyteller" title in "24 Hours." The brilliant first chapter summarizes the Perfect Kidnapping-exactly how it's done and the terror it generates.

The characterizations were excellent, particularly five year-old Abby. At last, a five-year old who is neither an overly wise little owl, nor a series of clever one-liners. She is a delightful, vulnerable little girl, which makes her kidnapping all the more chilling. The author devotes considerable care to make his three kidnappers life-like. The mastermind Joe terrorizes with his unpredictability. Joe is shrewd, brutal, kind, violent, and petty by turns and is most dangerous of all when cornered. The female who acts as a lure and a keeper is more to be pitied than to be scorned and has flashes of earthy practicality and humor. Huey, 400 lbs. Of muscle and very little brain completes the trio. Huey is a gentle giant with total loyalty to Joe.

I would have been happier without the little side-story that makes this an unusual caper for the threesome. I believe the story would have been stronger if the attention were focused on a Kidnapping Gone Bad. The FBI gets raked over to a well-done turn by Mr. Iles. It's safe to say standard law enforcement does not meet with his approval. It stretches the limits of belief that all of the FBI is completely entrenched in bureaucracy and overkill. Usually, the author's southern settings give off a flavor of Mississippi, but "24 hours" could just as well have taken place in Cleveland or Omaha.

The story has a thrilling climax (just aching to be filmed-car wrecks and all), and the author keeps cranking up the velocity until you are almost begging for a little peace. A recommended page-turner.

I read this book very quickly--it has a sort of motor in it. In many ways it is well-written. My main problem with it is that it is a little over the top in terms of plausibility, especially the final part of the book. But I would still recommend this book.
Note that the movie version (screenplay also written by Iles) came out this past weekend. I did not think the movie was as good as the book, and the movie has not been getting particularly good reviews....

Iles has a natural talent for pulling the reader into the story, keeping you turning the pages, even when the plot is less than he is capable of. Such was the case with this novel.

My hope is that Greg Iles is not going the way of other writers such as Grisham and often times Crichton who seem to be writing for that "big screenplay deal" and not for the reader. Although largely predictable and sometimes maddingly unrealistic, this work was still an excellent read with some interesting takes and a truly unique plot.

If you haven't read Greg Iles before, don't make this your first one. I would strongly advise Mortal Fear, or The Quiet Game before this..... in fact I would place Spandau Phoenix ahead of this as well even though it is in a slightly different genre.

Overall, I would have rated 24 Hours 3 1/2 stars if it were possible to do so in Amazon's rating system. In 24 Hours Iles has delivered another book that moves along at a galloping pace and is packed with lots of suspense. I'd rate this book 4 1/2 stars on these qualities. Unfortunately, I found that I was able to predict much of the action and, in particular, the ending, well in advance of their occurences. Also, while the story is interesting and enjoyable to read, I found that Iles' often severely strained my ability to extend belief in his main characters. Thus, I'd give only 2 1/2 stars to 24 Hours on the dimensions of believability and credibility. Further, while not a major criticism, I would have liked 24 Hours even more if he had provided a brief epilogue to tie up some of the loose threads in the story. Having finished 24 Hours, I have now read all five books Greg Iles has written and I would recommend them all to you. However, if you are considering reading your first book by Iles, I'd recommend Mortal Fear and The Quiet Game above 24 Hours. Enjoy!

I read the hardback "24 Hours" not "Trapped" as someone else indicated below. It was the first of his books that I have read, but I understand that Dead Sleep (which I will read next) was even better. This is a story of a kidnapping, the 5th of its kind for the kidnappers, none of the previous kidnappings having been reported, all "successful" as planned, and all are children of Doctors. The kidnapper uses his real name, lets the victims see his face, and his motto is "the kid always makes it," although the story leads the reader to wonder if the current kidnapping has the same rules as the previous kidnappings, as there seems to be a real personal agenda in this one. I thought it was well done and it kept my interest, as we get to see what really motivates the main kidnapper, Joe Hickey, how he manipulates his accomplices in the crime, his wife and semi-retarded cousin, and why he commits these crimes. He never asks for exorbitant amounts of money, only what he knows the victim (Doctor) can afford and come up with in 24 hours. I disagree that it was boring, and although some of it was predictable, I still recommend it as a good book to read.