Scan barcode
becks444's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD narrated by Jan Maxwell.
Three-year-old identical twins Kathy and Kelly are kidnapped while their parents are out for the evening, the babysitter left gagged and unconscious. An excessive ransom is demanded of this young, middle-class couple, and Steve’s employer agrees to put up the $8 million ransom as a gesture of goodwill (and to temper the bad press of some dicey business dealings). But things do not go as planned.
This is a fast-paced thriller with a building sense of suspense. The reader is always in on the crime, knowing the identity of the kidnappers and even the “secretive” Pied Piper long before the characters catch on. But the changing points of view, keeps the novel moving forward and helps maintain that sense of suspense.
My main problem with this book is how the twins are portrayed. I get that they have a sort of “twin telepathy” but I think Clark takes this to extremes. Also, their speech (although stated as advanced) seems just too complicated in both grammar and vocabulary for their age and experience.
Still it kept me interested and entertained, and certainly meets the standards of the genre.
Jan Maxwell does a fine job narrating the audiobook, though I did read the last half in text version. She sets a good pace and has sufficient skill as a voice artist to differentiate the many characters. I particularly liked the way she voiced Angie/Mona …. Really brought out her psychopathology.
Three-year-old identical twins Kathy and Kelly are kidnapped while their parents are out for the evening, the babysitter left gagged and unconscious. An excessive ransom is demanded of this young, middle-class couple, and Steve’s employer agrees to put up the $8 million ransom as a gesture of goodwill (and to temper the bad press of some dicey business dealings). But things do not go as planned.
This is a fast-paced thriller with a building sense of suspense. The reader is always in on the crime, knowing the identity of the kidnappers and even the “secretive” Pied Piper long before the characters catch on. But the changing points of view, keeps the novel moving forward and helps maintain that sense of suspense.
My main problem with this book is how the twins are portrayed. I get that they have a sort of “twin telepathy” but I think Clark takes this to extremes. Also, their speech (although stated as advanced) seems just too complicated in both grammar and vocabulary for their age and experience.
Still it kept me interested and entertained, and certainly meets the standards of the genre.
Jan Maxwell does a fine job narrating the audiobook, though I did read the last half in text version. She sets a good pace and has sufficient skill as a voice artist to differentiate the many characters. I particularly liked the way she voiced Angie/Mona …. Really brought out her psychopathology.
chartsh's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
devansbooklife's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars
This was my first Mary Higgins Clark book. I can see why she is popular but I wasn't blown away. I felt that there were a ton of distractors that were placed into the plot to give the story more intrigue. I didn't connect with the characters and found myself just reading but not really feeling. I am not saying I won't read another book by her, because the book itself was entertaining, I just won't be rushing to do so.
This was my first Mary Higgins Clark book. I can see why she is popular but I wasn't blown away. I felt that there were a ton of distractors that were placed into the plot to give the story more intrigue. I didn't connect with the characters and found myself just reading but not really feeling. I am not saying I won't read another book by her, because the book itself was entertaining, I just won't be rushing to do so.
theqbb's review against another edition
2.75
What an interesting thriller that keeps you on your toes and eager to find out who the kidnapper, aka the Piped Piper, was! This was a very engaging read. The short chapters made the novel kind of choppy with things all over the place but it was a treat to learn who the bad guy was.
mary00's review against another edition
I took this to Hawaii because I wanted an easy, light read for the beach. I could never really get into it and didn't even read the whole thing. I used to love Mary Higgins Clark as a teenager. I don't know if I've just outgrown her work or if this novel just wasn't up to the standards of the others that I've read.
raquel46's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a great book. I do think they made the 3 year olds seem a lot older than 3 though.
foofers1622's review against another edition
3.0
A very fast read. Figured out who the kidnapper was before we were told.