Blind in Granada

by Tom Milton

Jim Wyatt, a prominent state senator from Minnesota, is kidnapped on a visit to New York City by an Islamic human rights group who mistakenly believe that he is a CIA agent. They hold him hostage in return for the release of a Muslim cleric who was convicted and imprisoned for inciting violence in connection with the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. Through a series of video tapes addressed to the public and aired on television, Jim urges people to support the cause of releasing the cleric, who he believes was wrongly convicted. Between the tapes, while locked in a bedroom, Jim examines his relationships with his four wives, his seven children, and his parents. He also develops a relationship with Zoraya, the leader of his captors, who is young enough to be his daughter. Out in the world Muslims are being killed daily in the ethnic cleansing of Bosnia, which his captors use as justification for what they are doing. Since they have set a deadline by which time if the government doesn't release the cleric they will kill Jim, his life depends on his efforts to gain the trust of Zoraya and persuade the government to release the cleric.

302 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2022

About the author

I have been writing all my life, and sixtteen years ago I started getting my novels published. Since then I have had twenty-two novels published: No Way to Peace, The Admiral’s Daughter, All the Flowers, Infamy, A Shower of Roses, Sara's Laughter, The Golden Door, Outside the Gate, Leave of Absence, Invisible Wounds, Orphans of War, The Silver Locket, Eden Valley, The Godmother, The Last Resort, The Lineman, The Lost Summer, Milos and Amira, A Contrite Heart, Blind in Granada, and A Residue of Hope.

I write novels not only to entertain but also to bring a deeper understanding of how the major events of our time challenge our values. In their pursuit of lofty goals, my protagonists encounter situations that expose their inner conflicts and test their commitments. My books appeal to educated readers of serious fiction and are popular with reading groups. They all have book discussion guides that include an introduction, a conversation with the author, and questions for discussion.

My first career was in journalism with the Wall Street Journal, after which I served in the army during the Vietnam War. Then I joined a large international bank and worked overseas, initially as an economic and political analyst, applying skills I learned in journalism and the military. I spent the next thirty years living and working in foreign countries, which has given me settings for my novels (Buenos Aires, Madrid, London, Santo Domingo, and so on).

For further information on my novels, please visit my website at http://tomilton.com.

Publisher: Nepperhan Press, PO Box 1448, Yonkers, NY 10702, nepperhan.com

Reviews

[Patricia Zashkoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A senator from Minnesota, who lost his life a few years ago, goes to NYC to stay at a certain hotel and maybe meet a strange woman at the bar. His problem arose when he met the wrong woman and found himself kidnapped. The kidnappers wanted to use him to make an exchange with a Muslim cleric who was jailed for inciting violence around 9/11. They think he is a CIA operative because that what he initial told the woman. They don't believe he is a senator. A few videos are made of him pleading to release the cleric so he can go home. Would they negotiate with terrorists? Will the senator ever go home? Read the book to find out. It held my interest the whole time.

[Mikenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It tells multiple stories as the main character thinks back on his life, and the writing kept my interest throughout. There are several recurring themes in the book, which became a little overdone/obvious by the time I got to the last quarter of the book. But overall an interesting story and good read!

[Jjean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written as 2 stories in one - explains his personal life - why & how he is kidnapped and then how he is treated along with his thoughts while locked up - interesting, well written, characters are well explained for the actions they have taken.

[Crystal Ellyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Librarything.com Early Member Giveaway for an honest review. This is my own opinions. This book was very good. The characters were great and I loved the plot of the book!!! It read like a fiction with a mystery element in the book.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won this book as an ARC*

This book wasn’t at all what I expected it to be, but in a good way. I got pulled into the story and was invested in the characters throughout. Being from Minnesota, I was slightly annoyed with the usual phrases they claim we say, such as “ya, you betcha," and the like. but other than that, I really enjoyed the intertwined present story with past memories. It was unique to see the story slowly develop through both angles. It was odd that this seemingly flawless and almost-too-perfect man somehow ended up divorced and cheated on so many times, but I was willing to suspend belief.