Customer Reviews

The Pied Piper (Lou Boldt/Daphne Matthews Series)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Pied Piper by Ridley Pearson Published by Hyperion, New York

This is the first book I've read by Ridley Pearson but it definitely won't be the last. The book is filled with believable characters with interesting lives outside of their work and relationships that makes the skin tingle with tension.

The plot is skillfully crafted and moves quickly from the kidnaping of young children to the internecine competition between the FBI and the Seattle Police Department. Someone within the two groups is giving the kidnapers inside information and when Lou Boldt's child is kidnaped and he is told to slow down the investigation or he won't see his child again, the tension rises to unimaginable heights. For those who are parents and perhaps even those who arnt, the thought of losing a child to kidnapers brings a dimension and intensity to the plot that is at times unbearable.

This is a well written and carefully crafted book filled with excitement and enough twists and turns of plot to hold anyone. I can't wait for the next one.

About two months ago I read The Coffin Dancer and became hooked on Jeffery Deaver's novels. (As 7 reviews of his novels in under a month and a half will prove) But since I have read most Deaver novels I decided it was time to look for another author worth reading, and I finally found him in Ridley Pearson.

The Pied Piper is a fast paced thriller that touches a very sensitive subject, child abduction. Pearson is able to keep the suspense all throughout the novel and this novel contains many twists that will keep you guessing and thinking all thoughout that the kidnapper is this or that character.

This novel will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat particularly because you will be able to identify yourself with Lou Boldt and his actions and you will confront yourself asking what would I have done. The modus operandi of the pied piper is very unique and he actually becomes great villain. The only setback I could find in this novel (When compared to Deaver novels) is that we never get a glance at the villains point of view. One of the great things about Deaver is that you get to know what the bad guys are thinking, even if you do not know who the bad guy is. However, setting this small detail aside this novel was a very enjoyable read and I am getting ready to read my second Pearson novel.

Lou Boldt is a great character and I'm glad to find out that there are many more Lou Bold't novels out there because I will certainly read them all.

This was the first book by Ridley Pearson that I have read. I found this book to be a real page turner with a story that keeps you interested all the way through. Children go missing and you don't know who's taking them....Then just when you think you might know who it is and you get closer to figuring out the mystery, the conclusion is nothing what you expected........It was an excellent book!

Ridley Pearson has done it again. Written another good book. This one has people going after kids. One of the kids is even named Boldt. They have to be caught before harm comes to them. Te trail leads to many different places. Lou Boldt and company also have to fight the Feds. all the way. Politics is played between many people. The people and the way it plays out, on page 283, paperback, will nearly make you cry. What a warm feeling. From page 428 on I was realy caught up in the action. I could not read fast enough. If you want a good mystery, with lots of action and many good characters you will like this book.

As it says on the book backing...."Who's that knocking at your door?...Do you always look?...Do you always know?", I kept asking myself those piercing questions throughout this horrific yet fascinating read.

In "The Pied Piper", Pearson gives us a twisting plot that hits home hard, especially if you have children. Seattle detective Lou Boldt and Daphne Matthews, a forensic specialist team up to hunt down the penne flute leaving abducter.

Well woven plot that grips you in terror and does not let go, not even after the last page is read.

Thanks--CDS

what a great book! i could put it down, but i couldn't stop thinking about it, because mr. pearson has such a subtle touch. his characters are finely drawn, his plot is intricate but not overly done, his motivations are beleivable and his writing... well, other writers are first-rate, but mr. pearson is on a plane all by himself. his characters, particularly the women, are strong, unique and beleivable, not reincarnated caricatures of some old suspense novel. if you only read one book this year, make sure it's The Pied Piper.

What a TERRIFIC read!

I work in a bookstore, so every day I have customers talking to me about "great reads." When one of my favorite customers told me that she COULD NOT PUT DOWN Ridley Pearson's The Pied Piper -- that she literally only got 1+ hours sleep because she HAD to finish the story -- I knew that I had to give Ridley's story a try.

BIG MISTAKE!

Now I am going to have to wade my way through his backlist because I absolutely, POSITIVELY have to read more stories with Lou & Daphne & Company!

Sheesh, the nerve of authors for writing FABulous reads.

PIPER did start slowly for me -- but when Lou's daughter, Sarah, became a victim of the Piper, I was caught hook, line, & sinker.

Ridley Pearson threw so many twists & turns throughout the story that I had to go back & reread spots to make sure I understood what was happening. It also seemed as if there was a red herring on every page -- so much so that you soon will enter the world of paranoia that Lou is feeling as he is desperately trying to save his daughter & solve the kidnapping.

The ending builds to superb climax -- I was so into the story that I was literally yelling at the characters to DO SOMETHING!

Wonderful stuff. If you like Sandford's Lucas Davenport, Patterson's Alex Cross, and Cornwell's Scarpetta, you'll LOVE Ridley Pearson's Lou Boldt.

BTW, I just picked up & started to read Ridley's BEYOND RECOGNITION ... the first chapter grabs you by the throat & doesn't let you go ... but that's for another review!

A superbly written thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the very last page. Wonderful characters and plot. And he explains what has driven the criminal to crime which ties things up nicely for the reader. Now I have to read everything he's written. Thanks!

I usually read stories that take me to another place and another time, reality isn't an issue. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Ridley Pearson's Pied Piper. It brings to light a problem in the world, albeit an important one; missing/abducted children. This story is from the perspective of those involved attempting to recover the children and break the cycle of this horrible crime. It's a must-read!

I'm rating the audio edition of this title. The reader's halting, stumbling, faltering delivery of this text completely detracts from the story, plot and action. I suffered through the second side of tape one, boxed up the tape and took the "book" to the used book store and traded it for the paperback! The story is ventage Pearson -- you either like his writing or not. I do.