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Willing Hostage
Leah Harper leaves behind the tragedy of her mother's suicide and heads west. Caught in a raging storm in sight of the Colorado Rockies, she takes refuge in a seedy motel only to be awakened by lightning and an ominous figure standing over her. A fast-paced mystery with danger, romance, and a Psycho-like setting.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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About the author
Marlys Millhiser
22 books114 followersMarlys Millhiser is an American author of fifteen mysteries and horror novels. Born in Charles City, Iowa, Millhiser originally worked as a high school teacher. She has served as a regional vice president of the Mystery Writers of America and is best known for her novel The Mirror and for the Charlie Greene Mysteries. Millhiser lived in Boulder, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 13, 2019
Very 1970's. Very exciting and Millhiser does have a humerous way with her writing. I searched hard for my copy of this book because I remembered it as a very enjoyable read. I was not disapointed in the rereading. Love that cat . . .
September 9, 2020
Another oldie but goodie. I'm going thru my bookshelves, deciding which to keep and which to pass on. This one is a keeper.
October 28, 2014
It seems that I have a love/hate relationship with this author's books. I despised Michael's Wife for the way the hero treated the heroine. This book lost me when the 'hero', and I say that very lightly, punched the heroine in the stomach for attempting to fight back after he pulls a gun on her.
This was published in the mid-1970's but it is not a bodice ripper. The book I read is the 1976 version. I am not sure if the 1994 reprint stays true to the content of the original.
Honestly, I don't really consider it a romance but more of a suspense yarn along the lines of an earlier Sean Connery-James Bond movie. It is an old-fashioned spy caper. In other words, no computers or cell phones. It involves a 30 year-old single woman with little self-esteem that is mistaken for someone else. You have CIA and FBI operatives, some chases, torture, murder and poor little Leah who is on hard times. Guys who like Clint Eastwood's 'Magnum Force' might enjoy this story more.
I loved Ms. Millhiser's The Mirror and enjoyed reading The Threshold but M.W. and this story were just too dated and dry in content for me.
This was published in the mid-1970's but it is not a bodice ripper. The book I read is the 1976 version. I am not sure if the 1994 reprint stays true to the content of the original.
Honestly, I don't really consider it a romance but more of a suspense yarn along the lines of an earlier Sean Connery-James Bond movie. It is an old-fashioned spy caper. In other words, no computers or cell phones. It involves a 30 year-old single woman with little self-esteem that is mistaken for someone else. You have CIA and FBI operatives, some chases, torture, murder and poor little Leah who is on hard times. Guys who like Clint Eastwood's 'Magnum Force' might enjoy this story more.
I loved Ms. Millhiser's The Mirror and enjoyed reading The Threshold but M.W. and this story were just too dated and dry in content for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2014
Such a great book. Wish this author had written many more books!
October 16, 2014
I originally read this book as a young teen in the 80s. I had forgotten most of it, including the author and title. I think I had trouble reading it; even now, the author's style seemed a bit jerky. The story is still timely now, even though some parts of it are obviously illustrative of the 70s.
One thing I had forgotten about this book was the cat, which amazes me, since I am a cat person. The story of how this couple on the run interact with and care for a stray cat is appealing. The cat, Goodyear, sometimes seems like an outlet for their words, feeling and actions when they cannot interact with each other.
One thing I had forgotten about this book was the cat, which amazes me, since I am a cat person. The story of how this couple on the run interact with and care for a stray cat is appealing. The cat, Goodyear, sometimes seems like an outlet for their words, feeling and actions when they cannot interact with each other.
November 25, 2011
I don't know why I like this book!!! my guilty secret.
March 24, 2019
Good book by one of my favorite authors. Love the 1970s era stories (which couldn't be written today) and the female protagonists of Millhiser's books. For other great reads, read "Michael's Wife" and "Nella Waits" which is a bit spookier. Also love the Iowa and Colorado settings
August 27, 2024
I loved the other two books I read by Millhiser, but this is one of her earlier works and it's disturbing in many ways--especially with its blatant sexism/ violent abuser as sexy lover plot line. At the same time it was illuminating to read a piece of pulp fiction published in 1976.
July 26, 2025
This one was super weird. I was extremely confused about what Glade and Leah were fighting for and the writing style was odd as well. It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but don't ask me to explain anything that happened.
March 8, 2017
It was different. Old school. I wasn't really into the characters besides the cat, there was some old-school-style dubious consent, and I didn't think it wrapped up at all, but I liked the writing.
June 24, 2019
Romantic suspense from the 70's. Well-plotted.
July 16, 2025
Really good mystery/romance. if you like on the run action and slow romance you will enjoy this book!
April 5, 2024
4.5 STARS 🐱
Fun and riveting romantic thriller.
Leah Harper travels solo through Colorado trying to find a sense of independence, but gets tied up in every sense of the word after being mistakenly held captive by Glade Wyndham. Leah, Glade, and an adopted Siamese cat Goodyear trudge through the wilderness after a greater mystery concerning shady governments and organizations gives them chase.
Loved this a lot! Great, engaging writing and dialogue. Real personalities. Loved Goodyear the cat. I just loved how the trio is truly embedded in this story. You feel the physicality of the characters, of the wild settings. The action/tension is second to none, even if I did find the main conflict of Glade and the Rockies vs. the world pretty flimsy, especially reading what his solution would be, in 2024... I was still hooked on every page. The romance also felt truly believable. Honestly, this was extremely readable and mesmerizing in a way. It's quite rare to find this writing in what would be a throwaway genre nowadays. I just know this would've made a great Old Hollywood film back then, or as one of those 80s action/adventure films. Feels so classic - and most of all, complete.
Fun and riveting romantic thriller.
Leah Harper travels solo through Colorado trying to find a sense of independence, but gets tied up in every sense of the word after being mistakenly held captive by Glade Wyndham. Leah, Glade, and an adopted Siamese cat Goodyear trudge through the wilderness after a greater mystery concerning shady governments and organizations gives them chase.
Loved this a lot! Great, engaging writing and dialogue. Real personalities. Loved Goodyear the cat. I just loved how the trio is truly embedded in this story. You feel the physicality of the characters, of the wild settings. The action/tension is second to none, even if I did find the main conflict of Glade and the Rockies vs. the world pretty flimsy, especially reading what his solution would be, in 2024... I was still hooked on every page. The romance also felt truly believable. Honestly, this was extremely readable and mesmerizing in a way. It's quite rare to find this writing in what would be a throwaway genre nowadays. I just know this would've made a great Old Hollywood film back then, or as one of those 80s action/adventure films. Feels so classic - and most of all, complete.
October 27, 2016
Enjoyed this but not as much as expected.
“Willing Hostage” isn’t in the same league as Ms Millhiser’s “The Mirror”, though this is no supernatural novel either. This is much more believable.
The author’s depiction of her feline character is brilliant.
In short, it was worth reading, but only the once.
“Willing Hostage” isn’t in the same league as Ms Millhiser’s “The Mirror”, though this is no supernatural novel either. This is much more believable.
The author’s depiction of her feline character is brilliant.
In short, it was worth reading, but only the once.
March 13, 2015
I read this book years and years ago and loved it. It's a romance and a mystery with some social commentary thrown in. I enjoyed the description of Colorado's mountain country as well. A good read.
February 22, 2022
Leah Harper has left Chicago after finding her mother dead in the bathtub. She want a new start in life. She ends up on the run from the FBI, CIA and some goons with Glade Wyndham. What did he do? Why is everyone after him, and now her? And accompanying is a big fat part Siamese cat, Goodyear.
February 2, 2016
Another Milhiser Jewel
This was a good read, intriguing and humorous. Milhiser's knack of setting characters in real locations is especially fun when you are familiar with them.
This was a good read, intriguing and humorous. Milhiser's knack of setting characters in real locations is especially fun when you are familiar with them.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews