Customer Reviews

Hostage to Fortune

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I found the book to be very tight, although with a few errors easily fixed by a good copy editor. The author doesn't waste words, unlike so many "popular" writers - no wading through pages of unecessary decriptions. Anyone who's been involved in diplomatic circles can easily recognize many of the characters and thier motivations, and for those who haven't, you may see many aspects of some regular old people you know. The local colour is indicative of the author's familiarity with his subject, and is very easily fit into the story. The plot is not a new one, but who's seen anything in the news lately which hasn't been there before? There are twists and turns, some anticiapted and many not. It's overall a good, well written story with the ability to take you into the pages, and with an uncomplicated, un-Hollywood, plot - just like real life.

I have spent enough time overseas to recognize when people write with authority. Ted Mason certainly does. He weaves plot, characterization and setting into a seamless story, which is a pleasure to read. The conflicts between the characters are amusing and keep the plot going until the action finale.

The book's plot was not original; character development could have been better. Suspense was lacking all the way through. Books by former Peace Corps volunteers tend to be more insightful than books by former Foreign Service Officers since Peace Corps volunteers were closer to the mainstream population as oppposed to the 'power elite'. The setting of the book is apropos of current events in this region.