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The Hijacking
When a terrorist network resurfaces with a deadly new plan, Dakota Lake finds herself at the centre of a global crisis. Following a catastrophic ambush in London and a botched mission in Panama, Dakota takes the fall and is sidelined in a low-security prison. But as sleeper agents regroup and a new plot emerges targeting US energy infrastructure, Dakota is drawn back into action, this time aboard a luxury cruise ship with a deadly secret.
As the ship sails toward the Gulf of Mexico, what begins as a supposed COVID outbreak quickly reveals itself as a smokescreen for something far more sinister. With communications severed and senior crew taken hostage, Dakota must rally a small band of allies to stop the hijackers before they turn the ship into a floating weapon.
Gripping and grounded, The Hijacking is a high-stakes thriller that blends intelligence work, covert action, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
As the ship sails toward the Gulf of Mexico, what begins as a supposed COVID outbreak quickly reveals itself as a smokescreen for something far more sinister. With communications severed and senior crew taken hostage, Dakota must rally a small band of allies to stop the hijackers before they turn the ship into a floating weapon.
Gripping and grounded, The Hijacking is a high-stakes thriller that blends intelligence work, covert action, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2025
About the author
Niv Kaplan
9 books13 followersGrew up in the Kibbutz and in NYC.
Studied Audio Engineering in NYC.
Studied Physics & Eng in CAL POLY Pomona.
BSc from CSUN (Northridge) in Marketing.
Started Writing "Disappearance" in 1992.
Published "Disappearance" in 2012.
Started Writing "Tracks" in 1997.
"Tracks" was published this year (2014).
Married with Tali + 7 kids.
Lives in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Studied Audio Engineering in NYC.
Studied Physics & Eng in CAL POLY Pomona.
BSc from CSUN (Northridge) in Marketing.
Started Writing "Disappearance" in 1992.
Published "Disappearance" in 2012.
Started Writing "Tracks" in 1997.
"Tracks" was published this year (2014).
Married with Tali + 7 kids.
Lives in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 16, 2025
When a long-dormant terrorist network resurfaces with a chilling new agenda, intelligence officer Dakota Lake is thrust into the heart of a fast-unfolding global crisis.
Following a brutal ambush in London and a compromised mission in Panama, Dakota is scapegoated and confined to a low-security facility. But as sleeper agents regroup and a new plot emerges—this time targeting the U.S. energy infrastructure—she’s urgently called back into action. Her mission: board a luxury cruise ship harboring a deadly secret.
What begins as a suspected COVID outbreak quickly spirals into something far more insidious. As the ship makes its way toward the Gulf of Mexico, communication is severed, senior crew members are taken hostage, and a new terror threat surfaces—one with the potential to unleash catastrophe on open waters. With limited resources and time running out, Dakota must lead a ragtag team of unlikely allies in a high-stakes effort to stop the hijackers before they transform the vessel into a weapon of mass destruction.
The Hijacking is a taut, cinematic thriller that masterfully fuses espionage, pulse-pounding action, and the quiet resilience of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary danger. Kaplan’s pacing is razor-sharp, his plotting sophisticated, and the suspense unrelenting.
Overall Impression
The Hijacking is a standout—one of the year’s most compelling thrillers. A must-read for fans of international espionage and high-stakes action, it’s a novel that grips from the first page and doesn’t let go. Kaplan’s meticulous storytelling and vivid realism make for an immersive, deeply satisfying read.
Final Thoughts
More than a conventional thriller, The Hijacking delivers a cinematic, heart-racing experience with real emotional weight. It’s an unforgettable journey that lingers well beyond the final page. Highly recommended.
Following a brutal ambush in London and a compromised mission in Panama, Dakota is scapegoated and confined to a low-security facility. But as sleeper agents regroup and a new plot emerges—this time targeting the U.S. energy infrastructure—she’s urgently called back into action. Her mission: board a luxury cruise ship harboring a deadly secret.
What begins as a suspected COVID outbreak quickly spirals into something far more insidious. As the ship makes its way toward the Gulf of Mexico, communication is severed, senior crew members are taken hostage, and a new terror threat surfaces—one with the potential to unleash catastrophe on open waters. With limited resources and time running out, Dakota must lead a ragtag team of unlikely allies in a high-stakes effort to stop the hijackers before they transform the vessel into a weapon of mass destruction.
The Hijacking is a taut, cinematic thriller that masterfully fuses espionage, pulse-pounding action, and the quiet resilience of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary danger. Kaplan’s pacing is razor-sharp, his plotting sophisticated, and the suspense unrelenting.
Overall Impression
The Hijacking is a standout—one of the year’s most compelling thrillers. A must-read for fans of international espionage and high-stakes action, it’s a novel that grips from the first page and doesn’t let go. Kaplan’s meticulous storytelling and vivid realism make for an immersive, deeply satisfying read.
Final Thoughts
More than a conventional thriller, The Hijacking delivers a cinematic, heart-racing experience with real emotional weight. It’s an unforgettable journey that lingers well beyond the final page. Highly recommended.
September 10, 2025
BOOK REVIEW: THE HIJACKING
AUTHOR: NIV KALPAN
FORMAT: EBOOK/PAPERBACK
MY RATINGS: 5/5
From the very first page, The Hijacking pulls you straight into a fast-paced and nerve-wracking thriller. Niv Kaplan has created a story that feels both believable and cinematic, blending real-world issues with nail-biting suspense.
The story follows Dakota Lake, a strong and determined heroine who is forced into the middle of a global crisis. After a failed mission leaves her sidelined, she gets a second chance when a terrorist network resurfaces with a new, terrifying plan. The setting on a luxury cruise ship is brilliant—it’s glamorous on the outside but soon turns into a claustrophobic trap once a supposed COVID outbreak hides a far darker truth. The idea of turning the ship into a floating weapon is both chilling and original, making the stakes feel incredibly high.
What stood out to me is how well Kaplan mixes action with human drama. The moments of gunfire, sabotage, and secret missions are thrilling, but they are balanced with quieter scenes where ordinary passengers and crew step up in extraordinary ways. Dakota is a character you can root for—resilient, smart, and willing to risk everything. Her leadership, even under impossible circumstances, shows the true strength of her character.
The plot is tightly written with twists that keep you guessing. Every time you think the danger has peaked, something new unfolds. The writing style is clear and engaging, with just enough technical detail to make the intelligence work and covert action feel authentic without slowing down the pace.
Overall, The Hijacking is more than just a thriller—it’s a story about courage, teamwork, and survival against overwhelming odds. Fans of espionage, military thrillers, and high-stakes action will find this book impossible to put down.
THANK YOU
HAPPY READING
AUTHOR: NIV KALPAN
FORMAT: EBOOK/PAPERBACK
MY RATINGS: 5/5
From the very first page, The Hijacking pulls you straight into a fast-paced and nerve-wracking thriller. Niv Kaplan has created a story that feels both believable and cinematic, blending real-world issues with nail-biting suspense.
The story follows Dakota Lake, a strong and determined heroine who is forced into the middle of a global crisis. After a failed mission leaves her sidelined, she gets a second chance when a terrorist network resurfaces with a new, terrifying plan. The setting on a luxury cruise ship is brilliant—it’s glamorous on the outside but soon turns into a claustrophobic trap once a supposed COVID outbreak hides a far darker truth. The idea of turning the ship into a floating weapon is both chilling and original, making the stakes feel incredibly high.
What stood out to me is how well Kaplan mixes action with human drama. The moments of gunfire, sabotage, and secret missions are thrilling, but they are balanced with quieter scenes where ordinary passengers and crew step up in extraordinary ways. Dakota is a character you can root for—resilient, smart, and willing to risk everything. Her leadership, even under impossible circumstances, shows the true strength of her character.
The plot is tightly written with twists that keep you guessing. Every time you think the danger has peaked, something new unfolds. The writing style is clear and engaging, with just enough technical detail to make the intelligence work and covert action feel authentic without slowing down the pace.
Overall, The Hijacking is more than just a thriller—it’s a story about courage, teamwork, and survival against overwhelming odds. Fans of espionage, military thrillers, and high-stakes action will find this book impossible to put down.
THANK YOU
HAPPY READING
July 16, 2025
The Hijacking is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that expertly combines relentless action, clever plotting, and the human side of covert operations. When a long-silent terrorist network reawakens with a deadly new plan, agent Dakota Lake — once disgraced and imprisoned after a failed mission — is pulled back into the line of fire. What starts as a suspected COVID outbreak on a luxury cruise ship quickly reveals itself to be a cover for something far more sinister. With the ship’s communications cut off, the crew taken hostage, and a devastating plot aimed at America’s energy infrastructure, Dakota must rally unlikely allies to stop an attack that could have catastrophic consequences.
Nail-biting tension, cinematic scenes, and strong character work make The Hijacking stand out as more than just another spy thriller. It explores how ordinary people find extraordinary courage when there is no one else to turn to.
I would really recommend this book to anyone who loves smart, timely thrillers packed with suspense and realistic twists. I also highly appreciate the author for delivering such an immersive, adrenaline-charged story that keeps you turning the pages long into the night
Nail-biting tension, cinematic scenes, and strong character work make The Hijacking stand out as more than just another spy thriller. It explores how ordinary people find extraordinary courage when there is no one else to turn to.
I would really recommend this book to anyone who loves smart, timely thrillers packed with suspense and realistic twists. I also highly appreciate the author for delivering such an immersive, adrenaline-charged story that keeps you turning the pages long into the night
July 16, 2025
The Hijacking is an intense, fast-paced thriller that hooks you from the first page and never lets go. When a dormant terrorist network resurfaces, intelligence agent Dakota Lake is pulled back into the field, forced to stop a terrifying plot aboard a luxury cruise ship turned ticking time bomb. What begins as a suspected outbreak soon unravels into a chilling cover for a larger, deadly mission.
With its sharp writing, cinematic action, and well-drawn characters, this story delivers edge-of-your-seat suspense while celebrating the quiet bravery of ordinary people under extraordinary pressure. I would really recommend this book to anyone who loves a smart, high-stakes thriller, and I highly appreciate the author for crafting such a timely, riveting, and memorable read
With its sharp writing, cinematic action, and well-drawn characters, this story delivers edge-of-your-seat suspense while celebrating the quiet bravery of ordinary people under extraordinary pressure. I would really recommend this book to anyone who loves a smart, high-stakes thriller, and I highly appreciate the author for crafting such a timely, riveting, and memorable read
July 9, 2025
The Hijacking by Niv Kaplan is a tense, high-stakes thriller where a luxury cruise ship becomes the center of a terrifying terror plot. Disgraced ex-intelligence agent Dakota Lake is the last hope when a hijacking disguised as a COVID outbreak unfolds at sea. From London ambushes to covert operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the story is packed with suspense, realism, and sharp twists. With sleeper agents, hostages, and non-stop action, Kaplan delivers a gripping ride that fans of espionage and maritime thrillers will love.
July 16, 2025
The Hijacking is a sharp, fast-paced thriller that delivers nonstop suspense and cinematic action. When a dormant terror cell resurfaces, agent Dakota Lake is forced back into the fight to stop a deadly plot hidden aboard a luxury cruise ship. Tense, timely, and impossible to put down, this story shows how ordinary people can find courage in the face of chaos. I would really recommend this book and highly appreciate the author for crafting such an engaging and timely read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews