Avalanche Pass

Jesse Parker Mystery #2

by John A. Flanagan, John Flanagan

From the New York Times bestselling author of Storm Peak comes his latest thriller featuring Jesse Parker-a tense showdown with hostage-takers...
When guests and staff at a snowbound ski lodge in Utah are taken hostage by heavily armed men, Jesse Parker may be their only hope. Jesse has left Steamboat Springs to try to salvage his career after a horrific skiing accident-but finds his refuge has turned into a war zone.
One of the hostages is a U.S. senator, so FBI Agent Denton Colby is sent to Utah to negotiate a ransom. But the head of the hostage-takers is playing a dangerous game. As his demands become increasingly erratic-and half the hostages are mercilessly killed-Colby suspects that money may not be what he's really after.
Unbeknownst to Colby, they do have a man on the inside-Jesse has remained undetected, and with the help of a female security officer he may be able to stop these cold-blooded captors in their tracks...

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Mysteries from the New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice novels, John Flanagan.

Reviews

[Avanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

blech. So. First, this is touted as a "Jesse Parker Mystery." Although I hadn't read any other of these so-called Jesse Parker Mysteries, I have read plenty of mysteries and generally they involve an element of, I don't know, mystery? This is more like a Jesse Parker Action Book. Which only matters because I wanted to read a mystery. And I'm not blaming Flanagan for telling us "who-dun-it" in the beginning of the book and making us work our way out backwards... That's fine. In fact, it's a lovely technique when used well (see, e.g., The Secret History by Donna Tartt or The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino). But this one just wasn't a mystery for the reader, and I feel like, to call a book a mystery, it should be a mystery for the reader. Not just for a handful of characters in the book. So that was annoying.

But then there's more. Really annoying technique #2: Flanagan is obsessed with tall, blonde, athletic, shapely, outdoorsy girls. Like ? An author's obsession with a female-type should not be SO obvious to the reader. For the love, please be a little more subtle.

Really annoying technique #3: Jesse Parker is clearly what Flanagan either wishes he were or hopes he is/was. You know, tall, kind, smart, just a little bit troubled so that every girl in the novel WANTS him and wants to fix him. brrp Sorry. just threw up in my mouth a little.

And the thing is, ALL of these things are fine and even great when used well and/or with subtlety.

So, the plot. Jesse Parker, expert skier, has had some terrible skiing mishap in a prior "mystery," and can't ski "the wall" at this fancy little resort in Utah that he's trying to overcome. His a@@hole girlfriend back in Colorado (or whatever other snowy town he hails from) has no sympathy and treats him like he's personally offended her by not being able to ski the most expert trails. But don't worry, she's tall, blond, curvy, athletic, and outdoorsy, so this will all work out.


And his hot a@@hole girlfriend totally shames him on the slopes one day, so he sets out back to "The Wall" in Utah to overcome his phobia and be a man in his girlfriend's eyes once more.

And (and this is my favorite part), while he's there, he meets this OTHER tall, blond, curvy, athletic, outdoorsy chick who, of course, also wants him, but she's more sensitive to him. but also, she's hot. so he bangs her. But no, don't worry, he's not going to waste time feeling guilty about it because that would cheapen the experience with this new girl. I'm sorry, but ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Regardless, it seemed like Flanagan's way to just throw in some sex to keep the ol' boys interested in his tale.

But, and here comes the "Mystery", all of a sudden, there's a terrorist/hostage situation. So slutty girl, er, the new girl becomes an insider to Jesse, the secret insider-outsider, to the real outside world. (yeah, it doesn't really matter) And there's also FBI, and a newly minted president (the VP after the president kicked it), and political arguments, and thoughtless murder, and etc. etc. I mean. It's an action no doubt. And the action element is actually not bad.

It's interesting enough and kept the pages turning. Without the crap, it could have been a 3 1/2 or maybe even a 4 star book. But the unsubtle, unskilled, lazy, cheap methods used by the author brought the book down to 2 stars.

So, all in all, of 5 stars. Recommend to readers who like action adventures and for whom the above stuff wouldn't bother ;)

This and other reviews can be found at My Blog.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of armed mercenaries take over a Utah ski resort during its weekend transition. Among the the hostages are a United States Senator and a group of are space executives. When the mercenaries round up hostages, they miss part-time deputy Jesse Parker who has checked out but is still skiing. Jesse with the help of the hotel security officer, a former female Marine, Will have to work from the inside as the mercenaries caused a road blocking avalanche killing fifty hostage.

[Randy P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly this was a tough one to get through for me. Not my preferred style of story. I enjoyed the first Jesse Parker book better. But it doesn't hold a candle to Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice/Brotherband Chronicles series.

[Jastuart314gmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

Great leading characters, lots of action, great descriptions (I had to wrap up in a blanket when John was describing the snowstorms and being outside of your physical comfort zone. To date I have read almost everything by this author and he’s never disappointed. My students, children and grand children have also loved his books. Soon my great grandchildren will be able to enjoy him. Mr. Flanagan and I share last names, which also makes him special to me.

Please keep writing your wonderful books.

[Bob Cutler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn't do it for me. The ski lodge scenario was done better by Joseph Finder. There were too many bloopers. The ski lift runs on a time from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, yet the protagonist rides it in the dark. There are hostages and the Marines are there - should have been the National Guard. There are many more but I can't list them without a spoiler warning. And I really want to give you a "Don't Bother" warning.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally speaking, I did like this book. It is fast-paced and interesting. However, the characters are rather two-dimensional, and it definitely has some thematic elements. I would not say it is a clean or moral book. I do not recommend it for that reason.

SPOILER ALERT: Specifically, there are several sexual encounters that are explicit. This is totally unnecessary. In addition, there is a good bit of foul language.

[Christopher Geraghty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of a 90s action movie I saw called Crackerjack starring Thomas Ian Griffith. Both the movie and this book were good. But whereas the movie was action-packed throughout, this book took too long to get to the action and then it was over too quickly.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Sharon]

Refreshingly different to the first book, and just as much fun

[mary i reifschneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avalanche

Didnt need the sexual interlude between Tina and Jesse their atraction could stay. Their real bonding was their dual efforts to save others

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Detective, Jesse Parker was injured in a ski accident and while his physical injuries have healed the emotional ones have not. He is afraid to ski on the difficult slopes where he was injured. He decides to head to Utah to a wonderful ski lodge to try to work through his issues without the pressure of all his friends standing by.

Jesse heads to the slopes one last time before he heads home. Unable to overcome his fears he returns to the lodge to find it has been turned into a war zone, complete with guns on the roof. The guests and staff have been taken hostage by about 20 heavily armed men.

Meanwhile the FBI determines one of the guests of the lodge is a United States Senator. They also find the ransom amount odd and they start to think there is more to the story than just wanting money. They also learn that they have a man that can help them on the inside, an ex-cop and part-time Sheriff’s Deputy. Jesse had checked out of the hotel before he went skiing so as long as he’s careful he may be able to help free the hostages and stay in contact with the FBI and stop the cold blooded captors in their tracks.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
One of the very first things I noticed about this book is that the author was from Australia which accounts for some of the terminology or wording to be a little unusual for a story that takes place in the United States. After I accepted that fact I was able to look beyond that flaw and enjoy the story. It is a really good suspenseful story. It has a hostages playing a part in their rescue, kind of a Flight 93 on 9/11 element that was quite gripping.

I had not read the first book in this series, Storm Peak: A Jesse Parker Mystery, and had absolutely no problem following the story line so this book could definitely read as a stand alone, although now I would like to read the first one. I want to see how Jesse’s story began.

This author is better know for his fantasy series for children in grades 4 – 8 but the first book in this adult series was a New York Times Bestseller and this follow up may be too. I give it 4 starfish!

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse is having a tough couple of years.. and his confidence is shattered when he is injured while skiing..
He lost his job as a cop after his partner is killed and the only thing he has is skiing patrols, but the broken leg 12 months ago has him unable to ski downhill at all.
To remedy this he books himself into a ski lodge, to try to overcome his fear. But at the end of a week, he is ashamed by his inability to conquer his fear.. he books out early but stays one more night to tackle the mountain once more..
You will have to read how he does overcome his fear and help save dozens of lives! :-)

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in this series, and as of now that's the only other book in this series. Both books could be read as stand alone. Jesse is our hero in the story and gets caught in a hostage taking plot but nobody is aware he is there. He gets ahold of the female security officer who works at the hotel and he gets word to the FBI on what's going on. And what the hostage takers are telling the FBI and what Jesse is telling them are two very different thing's. Very interesting story line. And a very surprising ending. I do recommend reading either or both books!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast-moving book with lots of suspense as Jesse Parker finds himself stranded at a Utah ski resort that has been overtaken by mercenaries. As he gets in contact with the FBI, he gives them information about what is going on inside the resort as the mercenaries have no idea he is there. They try to figure the best way to get help to the guests and staff that are being held as hostages. As Washington analysts work to determine who is behind the attack, they are flabbergasted with what they turn up.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this before his first in the series and actually enjoyed it more. The action was quite fast moving, events happening early in the book gave you the sense that anything was possible and a happy ending wasn't necessarily going to happen. Bit of romantic interest for the lead character which is always nice and he comes across as not cocky at all which I like in a hero. Would read more of these books.

[Lbd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a sad ending, but still a good read.

[Sue T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish. It was ok but I have so many other books I want to read that I decided not to invest any more time in this one.

[Cassandra Blatchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I could not put it down. This Jesse Parker story was better than the first one.

[Lydia Kass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mercenaries for hire take a Senator and his friends hostage at a mountain resort while Jesse Parker acts as the unknown insider, unbeknownst to the bad guys.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story line. Jesse Parker is a fantastic character.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book. It didn't grab me as quickly as the first book, Storm Peak.