"Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is a very strangely written book that kept my attention throughout.  It is filled with humor and yet deals with suicide, love, a bank robber, a hostage situation, two policemen who are father and son and a group of strangers who become friends through a crazy situation.  According to the author, this book is about idiots! 

It reminded me of a Seinfeld-type episode.  The writing was unusual.  It jumped around a lot, there are lots of characters each with their own storylines and often the reader is first exposed to new facts and then followed by an explanation about how it came to be.  I think this is a book I won't soon forget.  I loved the ending!  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review 4/8/23:
In Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, a bank robbery turns into a hostage situation.  What I liked most in this book was the interaction among all the characters.  I actually laughed out loud at some parts, it was that funny!  The storyline is good and so is the ending.  I love this one!  (5++ stars)

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"a spark of light" by Jodi Picoult

In a spark of light by Jodi Picoult, Hugh McElroy is a police hostage negotiator.  When he gets a call to go to the Center to talk to a gunman who is holding multiple hostages.  He soon finds out that his daughter, Wren, is one of the hostages.  The Center is a health service clinic.  This book tells the story backwards in time which is different for sure, but not that bad.

I enjoyed how the author told the story of all the characters in the book.  The background material brought it home to me!  This is not my favorite book of hers, but it's good enough to get 5 stars!
(Gerard's review)

Teaser from page 6:  The others held their breath with her.  They had, in the past few hours, become a single organism.

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"100 Hours" by Rachel Vincent

In 100 Hours by Rachel Vincent, Genesis and Maddie and their friends are on vacation in Columbia.  They are soon taken hostage and their parents better comply with the people now in charge or people will start getting killed.   The first 100 pages set the scene and from then on this book takes off in a good way!  There was just enough action to keep me interested and the ending makes me look forward to book 2.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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"Every Second" by Rick Mofina is Quite a Thriller!

Every Second by Rick Mofina is about the Fulton family and their dog.  One night, their home is invaded and they are taken hostage!  The dad had better do what they want or he might not see his wife and son again.  When the police get involved, this book really takes off.

I enjoyed this because it has good action and kept my interest throughout.  When you think it is over, think again because it is not!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Black Ice" by Becca Fitzpatrick (UPDATED)

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick is told by Britt who decides to do some mountain climbing with her girlfriend. When a bad snow storm forces them to seek shelter, they come to a cabin that has two young men in it.  When they are invited in, they soon become hostages!

I thought this book was very good!  I enjoyed the story line and the twists at the end that I did not see coming that really set the stage for the ending!
(Gerard's review, 10/9/15, 5++ stars)

Karen's review, 10/16/15, 4 stars:
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick was a kind of fun read because the characters were all sort of strange. It is about Britt and Korbie, senior high girls, going to hike in the mountains during their spring break and stay at Korbie’s family’s cabin. Korbie’s older brother, Calvin who is very familiar with the mountains, was going to meet them there. He is also Britt’s ex-boyfriend who she is still obsessed with after 8 months. He stood her up on prom night and she has never forgiven him, so wants to impress him with her wilderness skills that she studied about in preparation for this trip. When they get caught in a snowstorm in the mountains and have no cell phone reception, they look for shelter and find a cabin with two guys in their early 20s who let them in.

The girls both seemed ditzy to me but it was kind of fun trying to guess who was the good guy of the three in the story. The story is far-fetched and I didn’t understand why Shane and Mason aka Ace/Jude were hostile towards the girls. They could have just been nice the whole time, the girls would have willingly shared their supplies and they could all leave after the storm. Even though I didn’t care for the main character because she was a big liar, immature for a senior, and a big flirt, I stuck with it and finished the book. It’s a light psychological thriller that did keep my interest and was entertaining.


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"Wolf" by Mo Hayder" - Fantastic Ending! (Updated)

Wolf by Mo Hayder has two stories in it.  The first one is a family held hostage in their own home for reasons unknown to them.  Story two is a detective bound and determined to find the person who killed his brother.  How do these two stories connect?  You will have to read the book to find out!

Mo Hayder rocks!  This book will get its hooks into you and will not let go!  I LOVED this page turner with its fantastic ending!  It does not get any better than this! Don't let this one get past you--must read! 
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars, posted 6/12/14)

Karen read this one too (updated 6/25/14):

Wow, what a book Wolf by Mo Hayder is!  It is a thriller about revenge and betrayal with twists I never saw coming.  A couple men torture a family of three in their summer home in England.  This book has some very gruesome parts and the way the men treated the dog made me angry.  The beginning was a bit confusing and moved kind of slow but about halfway through, things picked up.  I was tempted to give up on it but am glad I didn’t because the ending was such a surprise.  I can’t say I enjoyed it because it was so disturbing, but it is a good mystery with some suspense.

 

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