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Tina Boyd #3
Deadline
'We've got your daughter.'
It's evening, you're back late from work - and the house is in darkness.
You step inside, and the phone rings. You answer it - and your world turns upside down.
Your fourteen-year-old daughter's been taken, and her kidnappers demand half a million pounds in cash. They give you 48 hours to raise the money, and warn you that if you call the police, she'll die.
Trying desperately to remain calm, you realise that your husband - the man you married only two years previously - is also missing.
But he can't be involved in your daughter's abduction. Or can he?
As your nightmare begins, you can be certain of only two things: that you will do anything to get your daughter back alive - and that time is running out ...
It's evening, you're back late from work - and the house is in darkness.
You step inside, and the phone rings. You answer it - and your world turns upside down.
Your fourteen-year-old daughter's been taken, and her kidnappers demand half a million pounds in cash. They give you 48 hours to raise the money, and warn you that if you call the police, she'll die.
Trying desperately to remain calm, you realise that your husband - the man you married only two years previously - is also missing.
But he can't be involved in your daughter's abduction. Or can he?
As your nightmare begins, you can be certain of only two things: that you will do anything to get your daughter back alive - and that time is running out ...
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 8, 2008
106 people are currently reading
1316 people want to read
About the author
Simon Kernick
77 books1,169 followersSimon Kernick (born 1966 in Slough, Berkshire) is a British thriller/crime writer now living in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters. He attended Gillotts School, a comprehensive in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Whilst he was a student his jobs included fruitpicker and Christmas-tree uprooter. He graduated from Brighton Polytechnic in 1991 with a degree in humanities. Kernick had a passion for crime fiction writing from a young age and produced many short stories during his time at polytechnic. After graduating Kernick joined MMT Computing in London in early 1992, where a relative was the Chairman and Managing Director. Kernick was a key member of the sales team and was very highly regarded. However, he left the company after 4 years in the hope of trying to secure a publishing deal. Despite interest from a number of publishers Kernick was unable to secure a deal, so he joined the sales force of the specialist IT and Business Consultancy Metaskil plc in Aldermaston, Berkshire in 1998 where he remained until he secured his first book deal (The Business of Dying) in September 2001. His novel Relentless was recommended on Richard & Judy's Summer book club 2007. It was the 8th best-selling paperback, and the best-selling thriller in the UK in the same year
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
November 4, 2021
İçinde Tina Boyd olmayan Tina Boyd romanı
Bir ucuz polisiye romandan bekleyebileceğiniz herşeyi sunan, karakterleri yeterince doyurucu olmayan, sizi şaşırtmayan, mantık hatalarıyla dolu ama bir şekilde kızamadığınız bir romandı. Aksiyon notu yüksek, onu söyleyebilirim. Hele maç çıkışına denk getirilen kaçış anı çok klişe olsa da heyecanlıydı.
Benim için Simon Kernick'in ilk, Tina Boyd'un da 3. romanıymış ancak Tina sahneye 18. bölümde geldi. Ana karakter olan Bolt ile arada bir konuştu. Son bölümde de göründü gitti. Ben bu seri nasıl Tina Boyd serisi oldu anlamadım.
Ve tahmin edebileceğiniz gibi her polisiye romanda olduğu gibi berbat bir çeviri, daha berbat bir baskı. Yani tamam amiral geminiz değil belki polisiyeler ama biraz da özenseniz keşke. İki kere kopyalanan bölümler mi dersiniz, açıklama için metnin içine "*" koyup hiçbiri için aşağıya açıklama yazmamayı mı dersiniz, ne ararsanız var. Olimpos Yayınları'na kızamıyorum bile. Bugünün belki en iyi yayınevlerinden DEX de polisiye bassın aynı özensizlik olur.
Şimdi Andrea bu kitabı okuduğum için Emma'nın babası sensin diyecek asıl ondan korkuyorum.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
Bir ucuz polisiye romandan bekleyebileceğiniz herşeyi sunan, karakterleri yeterince doyurucu olmayan, sizi şaşırtmayan, mantık hatalarıyla dolu ama bir şekilde kızamadığınız bir romandı. Aksiyon notu yüksek, onu söyleyebilirim. Hele maç çıkışına denk getirilen kaçış anı çok klişe olsa da heyecanlıydı.
Benim için Simon Kernick'in ilk, Tina Boyd'un da 3. romanıymış ancak Tina sahneye 18. bölümde geldi. Ana karakter olan Bolt ile arada bir konuştu. Son bölümde de göründü gitti. Ben bu seri nasıl Tina Boyd serisi oldu anlamadım.
Ve tahmin edebileceğiniz gibi her polisiye romanda olduğu gibi berbat bir çeviri, daha berbat bir baskı. Yani tamam amiral geminiz değil belki polisiyeler ama biraz da özenseniz keşke. İki kere kopyalanan bölümler mi dersiniz, açıklama için metnin içine "*" koyup hiçbiri için aşağıya açıklama yazmamayı mı dersiniz, ne ararsanız var. Olimpos Yayınları'na kızamıyorum bile. Bugünün belki en iyi yayınevlerinden DEX de polisiye bassın aynı özensizlik olur.
Şimdi Andrea bu kitabı okuduğum için Emma'nın babası sensin diyecek asıl ondan korkuyorum.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
June 19, 2012
I am slowly working my way through Simon Kernick's books ever since picking up the book Relentless. Now I have to point out that after reading Relentless which is a 10 out of 10 book, the expectation was high. I also had the misfortune of not reading the books in order of publication which I dislike doing, even if they are stand alone novels.
In this book we meet Mike Bolt, a member of the SOCA. I get the impression that he may have appeared in previous books but you still get an overall history of him so this book can be read on its own. Mike is dragged into the investigation but has no idea that Andrea Devern is the lady in trouble. This is a major part of the storyline which adds to the tension of the story itself.
Andrea Devern is a woman in distress and as usual Simon Kernick manages to translate the fear onto paper. You can almost imagine yourself standing right next to this woman whose daughter's life is being threatened. The first few chapters we are thrown in at the deep end with Andrea and see her making split second decision in order to try and save her daughter. There is also an underlying element of suspicion with the woman.
As usual the pace is frighteningly fast and before you know it you are halfway through the book. One of the things I love about Kernick is that when you start reading his books you feel like you are being physically dragged in and you are powerless to stop reading.
There are many twists and turns in this book and the suspense level is cranked high. We get to read about Andrea chasing her daughter, Mike chasing the case and surprisingly we also see a glimmer of Andrea's daughter Emma and the nightmare she has been dragged in to.
We also see Tina Boyd make an appearance on the case, and she can be seen in other Kernick books. I love Simon Kernick's style of writing and don't think for that he can be faulted. This isn't my favourite book of his (as Relentless is just the best), but this is definitely an easy to read, high octane thriller with lots of plot twists.
Overall another corker of a read from Kernick, sit down and hold on tight for the ride.
In this book we meet Mike Bolt, a member of the SOCA. I get the impression that he may have appeared in previous books but you still get an overall history of him so this book can be read on its own. Mike is dragged into the investigation but has no idea that Andrea Devern is the lady in trouble. This is a major part of the storyline which adds to the tension of the story itself.
Andrea Devern is a woman in distress and as usual Simon Kernick manages to translate the fear onto paper. You can almost imagine yourself standing right next to this woman whose daughter's life is being threatened. The first few chapters we are thrown in at the deep end with Andrea and see her making split second decision in order to try and save her daughter. There is also an underlying element of suspicion with the woman.
As usual the pace is frighteningly fast and before you know it you are halfway through the book. One of the things I love about Kernick is that when you start reading his books you feel like you are being physically dragged in and you are powerless to stop reading.
There are many twists and turns in this book and the suspense level is cranked high. We get to read about Andrea chasing her daughter, Mike chasing the case and surprisingly we also see a glimmer of Andrea's daughter Emma and the nightmare she has been dragged in to.
We also see Tina Boyd make an appearance on the case, and she can be seen in other Kernick books. I love Simon Kernick's style of writing and don't think for that he can be faulted. This isn't my favourite book of his (as Relentless is just the best), but this is definitely an easy to read, high octane thriller with lots of plot twists.
Overall another corker of a read from Kernick, sit down and hold on tight for the ride.
June 25, 2015
Another good read from this writer. enjoyed very much.
September 11, 2021
3,5 / 5
Seride Tina Boyd'un ana karakter olduğu bir kitap okuyabilecek miyim acaba 🤔
Seride Tina Boyd'un ana karakter olduğu bir kitap okuyabilecek miyim acaba 🤔
November 13, 2023
Wow, another gritty read from Simon Kernick. He fills the book with cliff hanger after cliff hanger!! Keeps you on your toes from start to finish!
December 1, 2012
An excellent novel from one of my favourite writers.
He writes such good original stories that have strong characters and believable plots.
He writes such good original stories that have strong characters and believable plots.
August 19, 2017
Another good book by Simon Kernick, focusing on a kidnapping of a young girl. Could her step-father be involved? Why has she been kidnapped? Should the mother go to the police? This was fast paced, with plenty of action and interesting characterisation, this is the third book in the Tina Boyd Series, and am enjoying the books that are all very different. I do recommend Simon Kernick . I am rather puzzled that this is the Tina Boyd Series, as she has not been the main character in the three books so far.
April 25, 2020
Zaman kaybı. Polisiye kurgusunda biraz zeka içeren bir şeyler okumak istiyorum okuyucu olarak. Sistematik olmayan, anlamsız tesadüflere dayanan polisiye kurgular bir de bu kitapta olduğu gibi iyi işlenmemiş karakterlerle birleşince faciaya dönüşüyor. Hadi bitsin diye kendimi itekleyerek okudum.
April 2, 2018
Quick pace, action packed. Enjoyed this story very much.
October 10, 2022
Audiobook
May 8, 2022
Not a bad read. I liked the plot and the main characters, although the woman was bit of a bitch! Did get my heart racing a couple of times.
Want to read
April 7, 2019Synopsis: you're back from work, and the house is dark. The phone rings, We've got your daughter. Panic. Where's your husband? Is he involved?
October 17, 2019
Enjoyed this one much more than Crime Trade (#1), Relentless was when Kernick hit top form. Not sure we can classify this one as Tina Boyd #3 as she is a peripheral figure throughout but I am glad we could see Mike Bolt back in action - cant quite remember which one he popped up beforehand.
This was looking like a solid 3 star review for most of the story - while I enjoyed Mike's character and the turmoil he was enduring - I just couldnt get to grips with the story and the character of Andrea Devern, it all just seemed to easy and predictable as to where it was going?
Thankfully there was some nice twists to catch my attention and surprise me a bit.
It wouldn't detract me from reading Target #4 Tina Boyd to keep up the series.
This was looking like a solid 3 star review for most of the story - while I enjoyed Mike's character and the turmoil he was enduring - I just couldnt get to grips with the story and the character of Andrea Devern, it all just seemed to easy and predictable as to where it was going?
Thankfully there was some nice twists to catch my attention and surprise me a bit.
It wouldn't detract me from reading Target #4 Tina Boyd to keep up the series.
February 10, 2017
Truth be told, I only read this because the print was large and I ran out of other books to read on the dig. I think one of the Oxford guys brought it? But as far as crime dramas go this one was neither intriguing nor nail-biting, with a cast about as well-rounded as a sheet of paper. The author also seemed to be unable to pick a main character we were supposed to care about. I finished Deadline in 48 hours, and boy I wish it had been over sooner.
April 29, 2019
Wow I think I must have been reading a different book to everyone else. Plot was sort of OK if somewhat routine. Lost count of the number of FFS I muttered under my breath as the events unfolded. Pace was slow. Characters pretty much unbelievable. Language clichéd. Over descriptive. At times questioned why I kept reading till the end. Still got there and felt relief akin to stopping banging your head on a brick wall.
October 31, 2022
Another exciting crime thriller from Kernick. He really is a master of this genre. I don’t think I will ever tire of his writing style or the way he structures a novel. Paced brilliantly, I flew through this book. Action packed from the start, with a few red-herrings thrown in for good measure to keep you guessing along the way.
August 5, 2018
Not as capturing as relentless but wasn't as bad as the Crime Trade.
August 9, 2025
Ok, I admit, I am 3 books in this series and I finally really enjoyed this book. There were a lot of fast-paced scenes, which both made reading this book enjoyable, and made it possible for me to read it faster. That said, though, I still am not sure why this is called "Tina Boyd" series. All 3 books, Tina is a recurring side character, not the main one. The main character in this was Mike Bolt, same as the previous book.
I hope to see Tina as a main character one of these books, but I am not too hopeful at this point. I have six books from the series, and I am halfway through, afterall.
Anywho, a self-made woman named Andrea finds out her daughter Emma is taken. Her husband is also missing, and the men who took Emma ask for half a million. Andrea finds the money, and she also calls her ex, a criminal, Jimmy Galante. Andrea was seeing Jimmy while she was married to her first husband, and she tells Jimmy that he is Emma's father. Jimmy comes back from Spain to help, but when Andrea takes the money to the men, not only they don't release Emma, they kill Jimmy, too, and they want another half million.
She isn't supposed to call the cops, but she does, because apparently, around the time that she was married and was seeing Jimmy, she also had an affair with Bolt. She tells him that Emma's his daughter, and Boyd does everything to her help and Emma.
SPOILERS AHEAD
First of all, Emma isn't Jimmy's or Mike's daughter, let's get that out of the way. She was adopted by Andrea and her first husband and Andrea is a liar. She could come up to you at any moment and tell you that you are her baby daddy.
As for why Emma was taken, year ago, Andrea heard Jimmy talk about a heist. Since her only side piece isn't the criminal, she also has a cop, she told Mike about it, and he organized a super successful operation to stop Jimmy and the team. Jimmy escaped but the rest is arrested. Mike thinks someone from that heist might have learned that Andrea was the whistle blower, and they might have wanted revenge. He finds two criminals who got out of prison. One of them has nothing to do with Emma, but the other, Scott was involved with another buddy of his from jail. Scott had a thing for young girls, so he must have jumped at the oppotunity.
Anyway, Emma frees herself from her chains and Bolt takes care of the rest, saving her. But before he could do anything, someone else shoots Scott. Bolt is suspended because he disobeyed orders, but he cannot let this go, and he discovers that one of his own buddies from his Special Tasl Force days, a guy named Jack Doyle was the mastermind behind it all. He was also involved in the heist years ago, thinking it he would use the money they would steal as his retirement money, but Bolt ruined the operation, and years later, while Bolt was drunk, he let it slip that Andrea was the reason he knew about the heist in the first place. Doyle investigated Andrea and learned she had a lot of money now, and he figured she owned him some of that money because apparently Andrea took money from Jimmy to start her own business.
No matter, though, since Bolt caught him in the end. But he was upset that Emma wasn't his daughter and Andrea is a cruel woman to tell multiple man the same lie, despite knowing fully well that Emma's adopted.
I hope to see Tina as a main character one of these books, but I am not too hopeful at this point. I have six books from the series, and I am halfway through, afterall.
Anywho, a self-made woman named Andrea finds out her daughter Emma is taken. Her husband is also missing, and the men who took Emma ask for half a million. Andrea finds the money, and she also calls her ex, a criminal, Jimmy Galante. Andrea was seeing Jimmy while she was married to her first husband, and she tells Jimmy that he is Emma's father. Jimmy comes back from Spain to help, but when Andrea takes the money to the men, not only they don't release Emma, they kill Jimmy, too, and they want another half million.
She isn't supposed to call the cops, but she does, because apparently, around the time that she was married and was seeing Jimmy, she also had an affair with Bolt. She tells him that Emma's his daughter, and Boyd does everything to her help and Emma.
SPOILERS AHEAD
First of all, Emma isn't Jimmy's or Mike's daughter, let's get that out of the way. She was adopted by Andrea and her first husband and Andrea is a liar. She could come up to you at any moment and tell you that you are her baby daddy.
As for why Emma was taken, year ago, Andrea heard Jimmy talk about a heist. Since her only side piece isn't the criminal, she also has a cop, she told Mike about it, and he organized a super successful operation to stop Jimmy and the team. Jimmy escaped but the rest is arrested. Mike thinks someone from that heist might have learned that Andrea was the whistle blower, and they might have wanted revenge. He finds two criminals who got out of prison. One of them has nothing to do with Emma, but the other, Scott was involved with another buddy of his from jail. Scott had a thing for young girls, so he must have jumped at the oppotunity.
Anyway, Emma frees herself from her chains and Bolt takes care of the rest, saving her. But before he could do anything, someone else shoots Scott. Bolt is suspended because he disobeyed orders, but he cannot let this go, and he discovers that one of his own buddies from his Special Tasl Force days, a guy named Jack Doyle was the mastermind behind it all. He was also involved in the heist years ago, thinking it he would use the money they would steal as his retirement money, but Bolt ruined the operation, and years later, while Bolt was drunk, he let it slip that Andrea was the reason he knew about the heist in the first place. Doyle investigated Andrea and learned she had a lot of money now, and he figured she owned him some of that money because apparently Andrea took money from Jimmy to start her own business.
No matter, though, since Bolt caught him in the end. But he was upset that Emma wasn't his daughter and Andrea is a cruel woman to tell multiple man the same lie, despite knowing fully well that Emma's adopted.
May 31, 2018
My first Simon Kernick book and I loved it! Slightly saddened to learn it wasn’t the first in a set despite thinking it wasn’t(i don’t like starting mid sets). However having said that it’s stands alone just fine and was a page turner. My only disgruntlement was that at about page 300 I discovered I was missing 50 odd pages and as I’d brought the book many years back (a habit of buying faster than I am read) couldn’t go and change it although after some searching discovered I wasn’t the only one so assuming it must be a printing error which cost me another £4 as I had to purchase the kindle version in order to finish! Aside from all that it’s a great read, I like his style and pace of writing and look forwards to reading more.
September 3, 2017
So after a fairly heavy going book, I needed something a bit lighter that didn't require quite so much brain power to read and this fit the bill perfectly. It's my first by this author and I seemed to have picked up a book that third in a series, having not read the other two I can't work out why this is called the Tina Boyd series, she's hardly in this book, maybe she appears in the first two more. The storyline is not new, but certainly an interesting one. It sums up the lengths a parent will go to to get their child back, although I didn't really like the mum in this. It was a good quick read.
July 12, 2018
I enjoyed this book as it was fast paced and exciting. The book was about a single mum who suddenly loses her daughter to an unknown man. He asks for money in return for the daughter. Desperate the mum looks for help to raise the money. The question was who should she turn to, who could she really trust. The books genre was an action and mystery/crime, i enjoy this kind of book as you become part of the story , you become the detective. The ending was quite shocking and the book had many twists throughout the plot. However i do not want to spoil the book for anyone who may read it in the future.
February 5, 2019
When I saw the 'Dan Brown' name in large letters on the front of this book I almost put it back on the shelf. Fortunately I saw that it was actually written by Simon Kernick and was being given free, by W H Smith for anyone pre-ordering the new Dan Brown book.
I am no fan of said Dan Brown, having struggled to read two of his books but how glad I am to have found this exciting thriller by Simon Kernick.
Not giving away any spoilers, this is a fast paced page turner about a woman's race against time and unlucky circumstances, to get her daughter back alive from ruthless kidnappers.
Simon Kernick is on my list of authors to read more of.
I am no fan of said Dan Brown, having struggled to read two of his books but how glad I am to have found this exciting thriller by Simon Kernick.
Not giving away any spoilers, this is a fast paced page turner about a woman's race against time and unlucky circumstances, to get her daughter back alive from ruthless kidnappers.
Simon Kernick is on my list of authors to read more of.
April 17, 2023
This is this first book by Simon Kernick that I have ever read but if certainly will not be the last. I devoured this book in two days, I just couldn’t put it down. I love his style of writing, it engaged me from the very first page. Full of action this fast paced thriller is basically the story of a kidnapping but it is so much more. An officer involved has a past connection with the case which he tries to ignore but it won’t lie down and soon he is personally involved.
His colleagues have his back but will his involvement cost him his job and are all of his colleagues just what they seem?
His colleagues have his back but will his involvement cost him his job and are all of his colleagues just what they seem?
February 19, 2020
If you like a story that eases you slowly into the action, gently picking up the pace as it goes along then this book isn't it. The action in Deadline starts in the first chapter and keeps going throughout the book.
A thrilling story that I enjoyed and would certainly recommend. My only real niggle is the overuse of the phrase "Do you understand?" which seems to pop up far too often and usually after something completely straightforward has been explained or a simple instruction given.
Paul Thornley does an excellent job as the narrator.
A thrilling story that I enjoyed and would certainly recommend. My only real niggle is the overuse of the phrase "Do you understand?" which seems to pop up far too often and usually after something completely straightforward has been explained or a simple instruction given.
Paul Thornley does an excellent job as the narrator.
October 5, 2022
I have been trying to read all the author's books and this is the twenty second one I have read. While this is badged as Tina Boyd #3 this is really a Mike Bolt book though Tina does play a role. This is more straightforward than some of the author's other books as the main story is about a kidnapped teenager and Bolt and his colleagues from the Serious Organised Crime Agency are trying to find her. The plot did not quite work for me and there were some clumsy attempts at misdirection by the author. Not a bad read but the author has written much better and more exciting books..
June 1, 2024
I don't know why this book is marked as Tina Boyd series since the main character is Mike Bolt. Not terribly original plot - with young girl being kidnapped for ransom - but as always well done. The kidnapping is related to the mother and Mike's past. Mike is suspended again since once again he had to venture outside police procedures. The fact that UK police, including serious crime unit investigators, are unarmed is really mindboggling. Simon Kernick books show that he agrees. I like how the same characters pop up through his different novels, whether series or stand alone.
November 18, 2024
I found this randomly on my bookshelf and I am still not sure where it came from. It was a good find though!I usually like to read series in order but this was the third. I have now ordered the first and second! Generically similar to a number of other British crime writers, but a very good read nonetheless. The story was well constructed and the characters were generally believable. I look forward to following up on some of the references to past events that appeared in here. A good crime thriller.
August 20, 2017
Fast paced which starts with a promising story. A teenager Emma is kidnapped, her mum Andrea is distraught, the stepfather is missing. Police is active. It goes on pretty good. It does have some loopholes. Andrea has some business the author is elusive about, which sets up the mystery surrounding the mum.
It is the lukewarm stereotypical end that does not do justice to the buildup. It is tacky. Reading the end was like seeing a deflated balloon, knowing that it has had its days of glory.
It is the lukewarm stereotypical end that does not do justice to the buildup. It is tacky. Reading the end was like seeing a deflated balloon, knowing that it has had its days of glory.
May 11, 2021
Not having read any of these books before I was not sure what to expect. In fact it was fast paced with twists and turns and an enduring mistrust of one of the apparent "victims" complicating the mix. Whilst a standard SOCO kidnap story the wealth of characters and the excellent action sequences place it at the top of the genre. I did not initially realise it was part of a series, and certainly did not know that Tracey was the main character running through it. I will certainly try another.
October 2, 2022
Making sense now.
In my last review regarding the second book in this series, I was querying why Tina Boyd was so much in the background. Now here she is starting to play a bigger part in the story and we get to understand why.
Another excellent novel which is basically about the kidnapping of a young girl. But there is so much back story in this plot that really makes it stand out as a cleverly contrived and highly paced thriller. Brilliant!!
In my last review regarding the second book in this series, I was querying why Tina Boyd was so much in the background. Now here she is starting to play a bigger part in the story and we get to understand why.
Another excellent novel which is basically about the kidnapping of a young girl. But there is so much back story in this plot that really makes it stand out as a cleverly contrived and highly paced thriller. Brilliant!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews