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The Wrong Hostage

Review

The Wrong Hostage



Make room on your bookshelf for this daring romantic suspense novel
from Elizabeth Lowell. Add THE WRONG HOSTAGE to THE DANVERS TOUCH,
TELL ME NO LIES and the Donovan family series of books that
hopefully are already in your personal library. But whether you are
reading Lowell for the first time or are familiar with her previous
works, this story will entice you to pick up one of her books. This
reviewer was reminded of how Lowell's writing and storytelling
abilities have set her apart from the many romantic suspense
authors. She writes with an intensity and passion that few can
match.

Grace Silva was orphaned at 13. By combining her drive and
intelligence, she climbed her way out of poverty and violence to
become one of the most esteemed judges on the federal bench. Judge
Silva is a judge personified; law is her life and maybe her
religion. It is more important to her than anything, except her
15-year-old computer wizard son, Lane.

Recently divorced, Judge Silva discovers that former husband Ted
Franklin has disappeared. The wealthy businessman has not been
heard from for over three weeks. To make matters worse, she is
summoned to their son's expensive prep school in Mexico only to
learn that Lane is being held hostage. Ted's business dealings with
Hector Rivas Osuna, a ruthless, violent and powerful man in Mexico,
have put them both in jeopardy.

Grace must find Ted to get him to turn over millions of dollars
that he stole from Hector in just two days, or their son will be
killed. So she turns to ex-lover Joe Faroe. Joe recently retired
from the elite St. Kilda Consultants, a global private
investigation firm based in Manhattan. He left St. Kilda after
being betrayed by a friend when on assignment. His experience has
taught him that politicians and governments make laws, and since
people run them, they reflect the good and the bad of
humanity.

Sixteen years have passed since Joe and Grace were in the same
room. Their attraction is instantaneous, just as it was when they
first met. Their brief affair ended when Joe was arrested and sent
to federal prison. After an ugly scene Grace leaves and goes on
with her life only to find out later that Joe was innocent. Now as
a federal judge, she has the means and know-how to get him a
presidential pardon. And she hopes that this will be enough to have
Joe help her. Joe takes the job because he can't seem not to.

The pair sets out to rescue Lane, find Ted and uncover the stolen
money. And they need all the help they can get from the St. Kilda
group. The story moves quickly, delving into all of the connections
of the Mexican drug trade, the Catholic Church, and the intrigue of
international politics and organized crime. This intricate tapestry
unravels as all of the characters progress on their journeys. Grace
and Joe, who seem to operate from different points of view on laws,
governments and humanity, are tested in their encounter with Hector
and his connections. And what about their relationship?

THE WRONG HOSTAGE is a fast-paced story with smart repartee and
edge-of-your-chair suspense. As one character puts it, "the only
way to untie a knot is with a sword." Or, as in the case of this
story, the only way to untangle the many plot threads is to see it
all the way through to the end. Elizabeth Lowell knows exactly what
she is doing as she winds her way to a happy ending for Joe, Grace
and Lane.

Reviewed by Jennifer McCord on January 24, 2011

The Wrong Hostage
by Elizabeth Lowell

  • Publication Date: May 1, 2007
  • Genres: Fiction
  • Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
  • Publisher: Avon
  • ISBN-10: 0060829834
  • ISBN-13: 9780060829834