Customer Reviews

Last Hostage, The

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Unconventional and untested rookie FBI agent Katherine Bronsky is thrusted into the middle of a skyjacking of a Boeing 737 over the Rocky Mountains. The hijacker has a bizarre list of demands that Kat attempts to fill before the plane crashes and burns. The hijacker does not want money or free passage to an extradition-free country; the perp wants another perp brought to justice for an alleged capital crime. The irony is not lost on Kat and the others involved.

The tension and suspense climbs constantly until the story line lands on a clever note. Maybe not necessarily a plausible landing, but one that is entertaining and satisfying. This is a fun quick read. Arthur John Nance has made THE LAST HOSTAGE the reader, from start to finish.

Ken Wolfe, an experienced airplane pilot utilizes his skills to achieve justice for his daughter Melinda. Bradley Lumin, vindicated from charges of kidnapping, rape, and the murder of Melinda, helps Wolfe to realize that his duty to find justice for his daughter will solely occur by convicting Lumin. Wolfe assumes that hijacking a plane will ensure justice for his daughter. Once in the air Wolfe convinces his co-pilot David Gates that an engine in the plane needs repair. An emergency landing in Durango forces the copilot off the plane thus allowing Ken to hijack the plane successfully. While airborne, Wolfe informs his passengers that a person has slipped into the cockpit with a gun and has threatened to obliterate the plane by the use of explosives, which are secured in cargo. Annette Baxter, the head airplane stewardess, converses with Ken only to realize that Wolfe lied earlier in regards to the "other" person in the cockpit. Annette concludes that Wolfe, the only person in the cockpit, has hijacked the plane. Ken Wolfe was startled to hear that Rudy Bostitch, the former District Attorney of Connecticut and soon to be Attorney General, has boarded flight 90. Bostitch, the District Attorney that presided over Melinda's case, exonerated Lumin due to a technicality. In response to the current event, the Federal Bureau of Investigation hires Katherine Bronsky, a rookie to negotiate with Wolfe. While refueling, Bronsky manages to sneak onboard the plane without proper consent from the FBI. After discovering more about the affair, Bronsky speculates whom the victim in this situation is, due to the fact that all Wolfe desires is justice for his daughter Melinda.

John J. Nance, the author of this suspenseful novel keeps one at the edge of their seat. Nance, an airline correspondent as well as an Air Force Officer ingeniously creates this novel, with the intention of exciting his audience. The author's writing style keeps one enticed due to its simplicity; for example, the limited usage of technical jargon and the facile ability to follow the main storyline efficiently assist in keeping the reader captivated. This book will satisfy anyone who seeks an action filled novel and an intense ride.
Candidate

I've read all of Nance's books (fiction and non fiction). This one is not as gripping as his others, and I noticed the useage of the word "snort" so many times that it became annoying. If I had one share of Amazon.com stock for every time anyone "snorted" a reply, I could retire! Nance does a good job describing aircraft and flying and he is a good storyteller. I'd recommend any of his books, but be advised...he's done a LOT better than this one.

Little did I know... When I was told by a relative that this was a "must read" book and that I wouldn't be able to put it down I thought, "sure, we'll see about that." Well, they were 100% correct. I could NOT put the book down. By the time Airbridge 90 took off, I was completely hooked and wondered what would happen next. I found the storyline intriguing and found myself silently cheering for the anti-hero as I flew through the pages. What a wild ride... or should I say flight? <g>

At the beginning, I was confused. About halfway through, I started getting a little tired of the repetitive dialogue. About 3 chapters from the end, I decided that the circumstances in the story were pretty ridiculous. By the end of the book, I actually shook my head at the weird ending. But I did read the whole thing because I wondered what would happen next. So all in all, it was good mindless reading - just don't think too hard about the ramifications of everyone's actions. That's about par for all the Nance books I've tried to read.

I typically finish every book I start. The only reason I didn't give up on this book was due to an unwavering prayer that all of the silliness would lead to a dramatic conclusion. It was up to me, the dear reader, to accept that a trusted pilot could shatter federal laws, threaten to blow up the plane, fly wrecklessly, and otherwise endanger every passenger because he did not find justice in the case concerning his slain daughter. As I was forcing this premise down my throat, I had to endure lip-biting characters and an endless stream of far-fetched coincedences. I found it all too hard to accept. By the books end, I was as tired and airsick as though I had been on the plane. THE LAST HOSTAGE is the LAST book I would recommend to even the most casual reader.

Nance is my favorite author. I am not sure if it is his writing style or that I love aviation thrillers, but together I am totally immersed from page one until I flip the last page of each of his books. I have read at least eleven of his books and two of them, Medusa's Child and Pandora's Clock: Hour By Hour, The Terror Is Rising, But One Man Won't Be Denied are my all time favorites of all books.

This book had constant surprises and kept focusing your attention in different directions. I especially liked the rookie lady FBI hostage negotiator that kept violating procedures even after becoming a hostage. An excellent book that draws you into the middle of the action, no matter where it was taking place. You are there. You see it. You feel it.

Author of al-Qaeda Strikes Again

The Last Hostage is another classic by Nance. The aviation details are excellent as usual. The storyline is extremely gripping as well, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end, when the story stops abruptly, but convincing. I recommend it to anyone, if you can stand the fact that there aren't as many aviation scenes as in recent books Pandora's Clock and Medusa's Child.

Ok, being a pilot myself, at first, I found that the book was VERY accurate on the terms (+20 points). NExt, the plot was great as well (Another 20 points). It went on, and, on, and all the while, I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN!!! It is AMAZING!

This is a great thriller. I found the characters to be very complicated and interesting... I couldn't put this book down waiting to find out what would be discovered next! Nance takes you on a wild thriller of a ride, you never know where you may end up, and it keeps you guessing the entire flight! I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a great adventure!