A King's Ransom

by James Grippando

The author of five bestselling novels, including Under Cover of Darkness and The Pardon, James Grippando writes compulsively readable thrillers that could be drawn from today's headlines, only better. Now his trademark gifts are wonderfully demonstrated in a taut new tale of intrigue that will keep you guessing to the final, breathtaking scene. Just two years out of law school, Nick Rey is on the career fast track at a hot Miami law firm when he is suddenly plunged headfirst into a dangerous bid to save his father. Matthew Rey has been kidnapped while on business in Columbia's exotic port city of Cartagena. The ransom demand of three million dollars is far more than the Rey family can ever hope to raise. Fortunately, Matthew had purchased an insurance policy to protect against just such a threat. Unfortunately, the kidnappers seem to know all about the policy, and the insurance company, suspecting fraud, is refusing to pay out. With nowhere to turn, Nick links up with Alex, a beautiful, street-smart woman who may be the only person capable of negotiating with Matthew's abductors. But Nick soon discovers that the gravest dangers to him and his family are not the kidnappers and their guns, but the men in lawyers, to be exact, at a powerful firm with something to hide, and they will stop at nothing to keep Nick from unleashing the truth.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Legal Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 8, 2001

About the author

The first thing you should know about bestselling author James Grippando is that he is no longer clueless—or so they say, after “A James Grippando Novel” was a clue for #38 Across in the New York Times crossword puzzle. James is the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for legal fiction and a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels to his credit, including the popular series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck. His latest, "Goodbye Girl" (HarperCollins 2024), is the 18th in the Swyteck series. His novels are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. As an adjunct professor he teaches "The Law & Lawyers in Modern Literature" at the University of Miami School of Law. He is also counsel at one of the nation’s leading law firms, where he specializes in entertainment and intellectual property law, representing clients who have won more than 40 Tony Awards. He writes in south Florida with Atlas at his side, a faithful golden retriever who has no idea he’s a dog.
Series:
* Jack Swyteck

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the Jack Swyteck series and this story is very similar...lawyer travels back and forth between countries, he's torn between two women, he gets charged with a crime, and what I find most disturbing, is that every one of his books has to have violence against women and/or female children. It makes me wonder if he has deep seated resentments against women. I don't know, but I don't see why a rape needed to even be written into this story. Also, there is no way a lawyer would rush into a house with suspicious circumstances. Especially considering it's the same person he had a fight with recently. Finally, too predictable that he ends up back with Jenna.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book narrated by George Guidel
Solid entertainment and a glimpse into South American kidnapping
As far being a mystery or thriller, I give it a "D" because I could just about see everything ahead of time. I would love to play poker with the author (just kidding, but do you get my point?)
The writing style seemed good so I'll try another Grippando

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fast paced novel about a kidnapping in Columbia. interesting and believable

[Bradley Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up really liking this book. It's not life changing. You're not going to put it aside and be like, "This man has made me want to write again!" Its plot is straight out of an episode of one of those dramas on CBS like NCIS or Magnum PI or, well, really any of them. However, the storytelling is rather expert. At some point you begin to feel like you've eaten a dinner of cake and ice cream with how you feel. It's like all the writing book advice adroitly put to good use. Only just like one of those over produced metal albums at the end of the 80s, you're left wishing there was a better song in all that slick engineering.

Not to say it was dumb fun. I love when books show me things I never knew before and that which gives you the feeling it isn't bullshit, that the guy knows what he's talking about. Grippando gives that impression, even as he gives us the good ol' man and surprisingly sexy woman who by contrast has a dull, academic type of job you don't associate hotties being into thus proving her value isn't just as the piece of ass the real protagonist is gonna get at some point in the story (sorry to be crude, but tell me I'm wrong, ha).

And as I implied above alluding to the NCIS/Criminal Minds vibe, A King's Ransom is rarely surprising and never original.

I could have easily put this book down and looked for something less empty, but I never did. Like the good ol' cheat day when you're on a strict diet, Grippando provides that cheap indulgence you kind yourself all too willing to commit to. As much as I love Dostoevsky and a million other elite writers, sooner or later you put that away and retire with a fun little ride like this one.

EDIT:

I think on reflection maybe this review comes off a little uncharitable. I mean everything I wrote, but I should restate how tightly the story moves for a book with so many moving parts. It seems to me like there were a few dangling plot threads left unresolved. Actually MANY. For instance, I'm still unclear with what Duncan, the former mentor, knew about his clients at the time of the lead character's burning at his law firm. How did the FBI get so certain about the main character's dad being in the drug business -- it seemed purely due to the dad's business partner. But was he in the business? I'm guessing he wasn't because of the plan the father has to by the partner out as well as the note about the partner's ex-wife starting the rumor. I find that to be a BIG stretch. I cannot buy that the FBI would jump in just by a little well placed rumor (at best). Speaking of the FBI, I don't know how they got involved at all. I suppose they were summoned by the law firm?

Anyway, this book still manages to exude intelligence and originality even while using a well work story structure. Grippando really knows how to draw in the reader.

[Lailah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the James Grippando-author of best selling books such as “The Pardon”, “Gone Again” and “A Death in Live Oak”- book, “A King’s Ransom”, fisherman and cartagena seafood boat businessman Matthew Rey goes on a fishing trip that take a turn for the worst. As he and his crewmates are fishing, their boat is invaded by nicaraguan gang members looking for loot in which Matthew is kidnapped. Matthew’s lawyer son and Matthew’s wife must find a way to receive $3,000,000 in exchange to save and release Matthew from the hands of his kidnappers. Matthew recruits Alex, another lawyer and former gang member who can help Nick Rey with his street smarts on how to get Matthew Rey back to his family. And even with lawyers, insurance companies and untrustworthy business partners trying to stop the pair, they will stop at nothing to save the beloved fisherman.
Even though this book has received no awards, I highly recommend it to those interested in action-packed and suspenseful books. It gave many details and descriptions and it was as if I was reading about an actual real life situations involving real lawyers, kidnappers and real scenarios in general. The only thing I didn’t like was how big the paragraphs were but also how short the chapters were. Grippando is a great writer who provides detail and bring reality into his pieces as well.

This book can be related to issues involving kidnap and ransom situations, in which it would be hard to handle the situation and be hard to deliver the kind of ransom to the demanding kidnappers. A person who has gone or is going through this situation would be able to relate, also people who have trouble with solving cases in the courts.
I give this book a five star rating because it drew me in, and consumed most of my time in a good way. I loved the details and how it put me on the edge of my seat, too.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has very strong believable characters and a well developed plot line. Matthew Rey is in Nicaragua to buy fishing boats for his business. Nick Rey, son of Matthew, is a rising lawyer at a law firm in Miami and is working to win the release of his father. The FBI won't get involved because they suspect the Matthew Rey is a drug smuggler. The insurance company, who holds a policy for this type of situation is refusing to pay off because as they are accusing the family of trying to defraud them with a false claim. Nick has on his side Alex, a former member of the Colombian rebel force, and his ex-fiance Jenna, but his own law firm is against him. Grippando does a good job of weaving subplots together to form a thriller that will keep you guessing

[Roland F. Bellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several of Mr. Grippando's Jack Swyteck-series books (which I like immensely), but I think his "free standing" books are even better than the Swyteck series, this one especially. Mr. Grippando may not be as well know as some writers, but he can definitely hold his own with many of them. This book is my favorite of his (so far) and is superbly written, moving between characters and places of action incredibly well. I was actually sad to finish the book, having been so caught up in the plot. I highly recommend this book, as well as Mr. Grippando in general.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio book read by George Guidall who did a great job. I really liked this novel of race-against time suspense. Matthew Rey is kidnapped in Columbia and his son, Nick, must try to rescue him by dealing with the FBI and the insurance company that holds Matthew's kidnapping policy. Told between alternating narrations of Matthew and Nick, we experience both sides.

[Margaret Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoever said Grippando's thrillers are 'compulsively readable' was right. This author has an amazing way with words and is far and away the best writer in his genre. Characterization, clever plotting, snappy dialogue, dramatic tension, historical allusions, geopolitical tension, up to the minute relevance for today's anxieties --- the works! It's all here.

[Denise Salerno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not mad at this book. The author seems to think that women can be capable but also unnecessarily catty. The main protagonist can’t decide between his pursuing his strong attraction to two women and the need to rescue his father. I’m giving this a very generous 3⭐️ rating. Happy I will never need to think about this story again.

[Searight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably a 2 1/2 star book. The hostage scenes were really well done but there was a lot of filler. And there was a story line that went nowhere, I don't know why it was even in the book. Plus lots of driving around which is not very exciting to read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been 3.5 until the last 1/10 of the book, the ending was predictable, boring and cliche and brought the whole thing down. Not to mention felt rushed. However if you are looking for a brilliant depiction of a morally dubious law firm then this is your book.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A standalone novel by one of my favorite authors that I somehow missed. Fascinating read about the kidnapping and ransom business back in the day in Columbia. Glad I found it as it kept my evenings entertaining.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The factual Colombian kidnapping epidemic that Grippando colors his novel with is startling.

A Kings Ransom was well written but I found it a bit slow developing & predictable.

I will give Grippando another try in the future. Always a sucker for legal suspense 🫠

[Tal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely fell short of a 4 a A LOT! The overall theme, settings, and pace saved the book,

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

May 2 1/2...better editing would have made this more enjoyable.
Much that was in the book did nothing to enhance one's enjoyment.

[Mschmitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Pam Garwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story!!!!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed very much

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. Good book.

[Peter Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started a little slow but really picked up 2nd half. Told from father and son viewpoints. I'd try another book from this author...this was my first read.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Different.

[Darnez]

Audiobook

[Louann Ferraro · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but a little drawn out.

[Annenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't grab me as much as I thought it would.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few twists and turns that I had not anticipated.

[ChristyT · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why do I read this guy???......all I every give him is a 2!

[Deb]

matthew ray is working on his fishing boats in columbia when they are suddenly attacked by thugs with automatic weapons. despite killing one of them, matthew is taken captive--one of the many people who are abducted for ransom in columbia. his son, lawyer nick ray, is shocked and angered by his father's abduction, espcially when both the fbi and the insurance company he had kidnap and ransom insurance with refuse to help him. they accuse nick's father of drug smuggling, insurance fraud, and conspiring with the kidnappers. the only people who seem to be willing to help nick are alex cabera, a hostage negotiator from columbia, and jenna--his ex-fiance. they must find out the truth behind how matthew's kidnappers knew he had insurance and come up with the money for his release--before it's too late.[return]grippando writes a taut thriller that kept my interest throughout the entire book as i listened to it. narrator george guidall was excellent as always, affecting the personas of columbians and americans with equal ease.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew Ray is working on his fishing boats in Columbia when they are suddenly attacked by thugs with automatic weapons. Despite killing one of them, Matthew is taken captive--one of the many people who are abducted for ransom in Columbia. His son, lawyer Nick Ray, is shocked and angered by his father's abduction, espcially when both the FBI and the insurance company he had kidnap and ransom insurance with refuse to help him. They accuse Nick's father of drug smuggling, insurance fraud, and conspiring with the kidnappers. The only people who seem to be willing to help Nick are Alex Cabera, a hostage negotiator from Columbia, and Jenna--his ex-fiance. They must find out the truth behind how Matthew's kidnappers knew he had insurance and come up with the money for his release--before it's too late.[return]Grippando writes a taut thriller that kept my interest throughout the entire book as I listened to it. Narrator George Guidall was excellent as always, affecting the personas of Columbians and Americans with equal ease.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fundamentally I like this book. There were just a couple of things that did not work for me. For example...I don't know any 25 - 26 year old man who's first reaction to finding out his MOTHER is pregnant is...well, I guess you did have me at 18! WHAT?! No freak out...no "oh my" my parent still have sex?! That did not work for me. As the story moved on I understood why she was pregnant and how it really added to the conflict and motivation in the story. But....his reaction was all wrong. It took me a little bit to get into the story but once I was fully submersed I enjoy it. The plot moves quickly and has a million little (and some HUGE) twists and turns. The ending is good and a tiny bit unexpected. I kind of wish I could give half stars..I would give this 3 and half. James Grippando has gotten to be a better writer...this is one of his earlier works. I enjoyed it. And recommend his books and this one as well...if you don't care about the one flaw I found in it.