Customer Reviews

The Abduction

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I just finished reading this book, and Mr. Gimenez has written another great book. I have to admit, I do feel like the story takes the reader suspending belief somewhat, but it didn't matter. The story grabbed me from the beginning, and I thought it was a good book. And then something happens, to change the tone of the book a little, and it took off. I could not put it down. I had about 5 pages left, and a neighbor knocked on my door, it took all I had not to be rude to her, I HAD TO FINISH THIS BOOK!! I look forward to Mr. Gimenez's next one, and if you missed his first, The Color of Law, I suggest you read that one as well.

I too have waited impatiently for Mr. Gimenez to publish his second novel. The Abduction was worth the wait. I couldn't put it down and really appreciated his character development. His first novel, Color of Law, was also excellent but he has taken his writing to a new level in The Abduction. Great read!

I've looked through the other reviews, which seem to be either five star or one star reviews. I am somewhere in the middle.

The readers who complained that too many coincidences are needed to make the plot work are correct. I also agree that the behavior of most of the characters is exaggerated (each in his or her particular way) beyond what is believable.

That said, I nevertheless really enjoyed the story up until the point where I could see the explanation and the remainder of the story taking shape. Then I lost some momentum, but still enjoyed the finish.

One techical but to me recurrent and annoying error: Every time a character wants to know the location of another, he or she says "Where is she at?" The first time I thought it was deliberate on the part of the author, to have that character speak that way, but when all the characters did it.... Where the heck is the editor?!!

You won't be able to put this book down. And as a woman, I especially appreciated the fully and compellingly drawn characters of the formidable mother and the remarkable and resourceful kidnapped girl. Mark Gimenez does it again!

I became a fan of Mark with his first book and was VERY impatiently waiting for his second. Well it's here and............. it DID NOT let me down! This book is so extremely fast paced that you almost feel bad (almost) for finishing it so quickly. I'm not one for telling about the plot because you can read that above, I just want to tell you that this will definatly be in your 'Top 5 of favorite books I've read this year'.

I'm telling you guys, do yourself a favor and buy this book! It really is that good and Mark has a style that few authors have. He KEEPS you reading, and reading, and reading.

This book was excellent. Slow start, but well written. Don't let the initial slowness stop you from reading the entire book. Loved how the ending was done about the "coincidences"! Fun read. I will now read his other novel that everyone raves about. Love the humor that was put in at unusual places. And, I will be looking forward to another novel by this author.

This was my first Gimenez book. It won't be my last. Very clever plot manipulation. Loved the coincidences that worked out the "plan." I didn't want to put the book down once I had begun. You don't want to miss this one.

When I found out that Gimenez had written another book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. However, I have just finished reading the book and can't say I was very impressed with it. The plot was there but fairly predictable after a certain point. Also, most of the main characters were too exaggerated to be real.

I enjoyed Mark Gimenez's first novel, THE COLOR OF LAW, despite the fact that the legal plot was completely unbelievable (I should know since I am an attorney myself). My reaction to Gimenez's second offering, THE ABDUCTION, is identical -- this book is borderline ridiculous, but it's fairly entertaining for what it is.

THE ABDUCTION deals with a kidnapping of a small child, but quickly spins into a over-the-top mess involving a massacre in Vietnam, a high-profile political assassination, and a conspiracy within the FBI. Most of the characters are pretty much caricatures -- the Bill Gates nerd, his domineering wife, the grizzled war veteran -- you get the picture. If you're looking for a realistic plot with subtle, finely textured characterization, this novel will be a major letdown.

Still, Gimenez knows how to entertain. This novel has a lot of comedy, and I suspect Gimenez doesn't take his plot too seriously. The plot moves forward quickly, the dialogue is snappy, and I rarely found the book boring. Gimenez's heart is in the right place, and his books have an upbeat moral message that I find refreshing in a time of such rampant cynicism.

So THE ABDUCTION is an okay beach read, the kind of light entertainment that you will most likely forget a week later. Gimenez probably has the talent to become the next Harlan Coben, but he needs to makes his plotting and characterization more realistic before reaching that next level.

I have been waiting for Mr. Giminez's second novel with anticipation. I was blown away by his first effort, "The Color of Law" and hoped very much that his next effort would not show him to be a one trick pony.

I should not have worried. This novel has more depth, more plot twists and more surprises than one one should reaonably expect and in the process, it delivers a first rate, highly entertaining novel.

To outline the story other than to say it is about the abduction of the daughter of a Bill Gates type Dad who is married to a powerful criminal defense lawyer would be to tell you too much. Trust me, this is a book you will hate to put down and you will become so wrapped up in the search for Grace and the story that unfolds around it, that time will fly as you follow the plot that Giminez has laid out for you.

A writer to be saluted and I await again, his next effort.