What do you think?
Rate this book
Thea Paris #1
The Freedom Broker
Kidnap negotiator Thea Paris has spent her entire life with survivor's guilt, following an unspeakable childhood tragedy. At eight years old, she watched, frozen in fear, as her twelve-year-old brother, Nikos, was abducted from their home in Kanzi, Africa. Although he was recovered nine months later, he was never the same after that; worse, Thea discovers that she was supposed to have been the target.
This defining experience drives Thea to become one of the top operatives in the field of kidnap-and-ransom consultancy. Nicknamed "Liberata" because she once secured the release of a captive from the Sicilian mob without her client paying a cent, she travels the globe trying to bring hostages home--mostly through negotiation, but occasionally through more forceful means. She is very good at her job.
Twenty years after her brother's abduction, Thea's worst nightmare is revisited when her father, oil magnate Christos Paris, is taken on his sixtieth birthday. He disappears from his yacht while it is moored at Santorini, the ship's whole crew slaughtered mercilessly.
Thea immediately calls in her team at Quantum Security International, premier K&R specialists. Following protocol, they break down Christos' life, looking for leads, but the list of enemies and business competitors is endless. Not surprisingly, Christos Paris has imprinted his designer shoe on innumerable backs during his journey to the top of the oil business. And he was abducted only a few days before the biggest deal of his career.
From there, the case only gets stranger. Unlike most abductions, there are no ransom demands, no political appeals, no prisoner release requests. Instead, the kidnapper sends foreboding quotes in Latin by text from burner phones. What does the kidnapper want?
And most importantly for Thea, will she be able to prevent a second kidnapping from destroying her family for good?
This defining experience drives Thea to become one of the top operatives in the field of kidnap-and-ransom consultancy. Nicknamed "Liberata" because she once secured the release of a captive from the Sicilian mob without her client paying a cent, she travels the globe trying to bring hostages home--mostly through negotiation, but occasionally through more forceful means. She is very good at her job.
Twenty years after her brother's abduction, Thea's worst nightmare is revisited when her father, oil magnate Christos Paris, is taken on his sixtieth birthday. He disappears from his yacht while it is moored at Santorini, the ship's whole crew slaughtered mercilessly.
Thea immediately calls in her team at Quantum Security International, premier K&R specialists. Following protocol, they break down Christos' life, looking for leads, but the list of enemies and business competitors is endless. Not surprisingly, Christos Paris has imprinted his designer shoe on innumerable backs during his journey to the top of the oil business. And he was abducted only a few days before the biggest deal of his career.
From there, the case only gets stranger. Unlike most abductions, there are no ransom demands, no political appeals, no prisoner release requests. Instead, the kidnapper sends foreboding quotes in Latin by text from burner phones. What does the kidnapper want?
And most importantly for Thea, will she be able to prevent a second kidnapping from destroying her family for good?
367 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2017
142 people are currently reading
2323 people want to read
About the author
K.J. Howe
5 books261 followersKimberley Howe is the Executive Director of ThrillerFest. Thrillerfest is a conference of International Thriller Writers held every July in New York City. She is also a former medical, health, and fitness writer, as well as, a world traveler, cyclist, swimmer and tennis player.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
April 22, 2017
I received a copy of The Freedom Broker as a granted wish from Net Galley. The thing is though I don’t recall ever asking for this book. It is not one that would call out my name, as I tend to avoid international action thrillers like the plague. I was all set to inform Net Galley of their error, but on impulse decided maybe it was time to do an outside-the-box read as it had been a while. Those outside-the-boxers have been good to me more often than not, so I went ahead and downloaded the book.
Wowwee, good move on my part! I ended up thoroughly enjoying this one. Thea Paris is a hostage negotiator with Quantum International Security. She is the daughter of top oil magnate Christos Paris and sister of Nikos, a damaged soul as the result of being kidnapped for nine months as a twelve-year-old. Thea is team leader of six Special Forces agents, all men, and their record of securing the release of international hostages is excellent. Despite her issues, including fighting type 1 diabetes, she is tough as nails. Unlike a lot of female thriller protagonists these days, she gets along with others well, which is a nice change of pace.
My attention was grabbed immediately as the book kicks off with a tension-filled action scene that many authors would have saved for a grand finale. The plot is multilayered, multithreaded, intricate, and in many ways refreshingly unique. There are also plenty of characters, several of which are very well drawn. Thea’s character in particular is extremely well written.
It is obvious the author has done a great deal of research. This was confirmed by a post she had in Crimespree online magazine the week I was reading the book. She has spent three years extensively researching and interviewing specialists in kidnap and ransom and traveler education. She has spent time with Peter Moore, the longest held hostage in Iraq (1000 days), learning what it is like for the victims. She states she will continue to learn all she can about kidnapping and those who work to rescue hostages as she writes her Thea Paris series. Ms. Howe states that her goal with the series is “to bring awareness about all the hostages out there who still need to come home.”
Other than a bit of a slowdown in the middle of the story, this book is fast paced with a good deal of high suspense and many thrilling action scenes. It is the first thriller I have read in a long while that actually made my stomach flip. And the final showdown was a doozy. I actually yelled out several times (usually OMG!) during the last 10% of the book. It was totally unputdownable at that point.
The characters, the extraordinary plot, the thrills and suspense are all first rate. The slowdown in the middle and an incredible bounceback in a particular character’s health at the end led me to drop one star.
I highly recommend The Freedom Broker to all thriller fans, whether you like the international scene or not. It’s a winner! I very much look forward to Thea Paris book 2.
Thank you to Net Galley, Quercus, and Ms. K.J. Howe for a copy of this book. My opinions are mine alone and are unbiased in any way.
Wowwee, good move on my part! I ended up thoroughly enjoying this one. Thea Paris is a hostage negotiator with Quantum International Security. She is the daughter of top oil magnate Christos Paris and sister of Nikos, a damaged soul as the result of being kidnapped for nine months as a twelve-year-old. Thea is team leader of six Special Forces agents, all men, and their record of securing the release of international hostages is excellent. Despite her issues, including fighting type 1 diabetes, she is tough as nails. Unlike a lot of female thriller protagonists these days, she gets along with others well, which is a nice change of pace.
My attention was grabbed immediately as the book kicks off with a tension-filled action scene that many authors would have saved for a grand finale. The plot is multilayered, multithreaded, intricate, and in many ways refreshingly unique. There are also plenty of characters, several of which are very well drawn. Thea’s character in particular is extremely well written.
It is obvious the author has done a great deal of research. This was confirmed by a post she had in Crimespree online magazine the week I was reading the book. She has spent three years extensively researching and interviewing specialists in kidnap and ransom and traveler education. She has spent time with Peter Moore, the longest held hostage in Iraq (1000 days), learning what it is like for the victims. She states she will continue to learn all she can about kidnapping and those who work to rescue hostages as she writes her Thea Paris series. Ms. Howe states that her goal with the series is “to bring awareness about all the hostages out there who still need to come home.”
Other than a bit of a slowdown in the middle of the story, this book is fast paced with a good deal of high suspense and many thrilling action scenes. It is the first thriller I have read in a long while that actually made my stomach flip. And the final showdown was a doozy. I actually yelled out several times (usually OMG!) during the last 10% of the book. It was totally unputdownable at that point.
The characters, the extraordinary plot, the thrills and suspense are all first rate. The slowdown in the middle and an incredible bounceback in a particular character’s health at the end led me to drop one star.
I highly recommend The Freedom Broker to all thriller fans, whether you like the international scene or not. It’s a winner! I very much look forward to Thea Paris book 2.
Thank you to Net Galley, Quercus, and Ms. K.J. Howe for a copy of this book. My opinions are mine alone and are unbiased in any way.
February 20, 2017
My curiosity piqued by seeing a promotional poster on Goodreads, I had to give this one a look. K.J. Howe storms onto the scene with her debut novel that pulls together a number of interesting perspectives and keeps the reader on their toes throughout. Athena 'Thea' Paris is a world-renowned and respected kidnap and rescue specialist, working for Quantum International Security. Her team has been able to facilitate the release of numerous high-ranking CEOs and members of the business community, though rarely without bloodshed. Heading to Greece for the annual celebration of her father's name-day, Thea is rocked when she discovers the deck of Aphrodite, Christos Paris' yacht, covered in blood and the bodies of his staff lay dead in the scorching sun. An oil tycoon and ruthless businessman, Christos is definitely on the radar of many kidnappers seeking a high-price payout for his safe return. All that is left on the yacht his cell, with a cryptic Latin message that has Thea sure that this is no run-of-the-mill kidnapper. While Thea assembles her team and tries to keep the news from making its way into media outlets, someone else is being summoned to help with the investigation. Gabrielle Farrah, former CIA and currently on the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, is on her way at the invitation of Maximilian Heros, part of the Greek police forces and a one-time flame. Farrah has a great deal of experience working with hostages as well, especially during her mission to track down Ares, a kidnapper and weapon's dealer who has made his mark all over the world. While Thea tries to find clues to her father's kidnapping, Farrah and Heros foist themselves into the investigation, hoping to help in any way they can, though they are not privy to the inside scoop. Thea must also handle her brother, Nikos, who has been estranged from their father, but who has a kidnap history of his own and wants to get to the bottom of the ordeal. Taken for nine months as a teenager, Nikos remains scarred with the memories of his African captors, though has made a name for himself as a philanthropist and advocate against child soldiers. The further Thea takes the investigation, the more cryptic messages appear, all of which relate to famous quotes but offer little insight into where Christos might be held. Those closest to the oil tycoon seem to be dying off, particularly when they have knowledge of what might have happened, but never in time to share insights with Thea. With an important negotiation for Paris Industries to secure the oil rights in Kanzi, located in sub-Saharan Africa, Thea heads to the region to represent her father and try to track him down. Nikos has his own plan and seeks to secure the best deal to ensure there is a monetary incentive for all the strings he has pulled, but is thrust into memories of his childhood terrors. As Thea inches closer to learning of her father's whereabouts, someone has slipped her all the relevant documentation tied to her brother's kidnapping and captivity, which offers a new perspective and might fuel new motives for kidnapping. With Ares potentially behind the kidnapping and Christos Paris still missing, Thea must use all the resources at her disposal to bring her father home with as little bloodshed as possible. A powerful story full of drama, action, and attention to detail that shows how some authors have the knack when they hit the ground running in the industry. Well worth investigating by any reader with a penchant for exciting thrillers.
I mentioned in a recent review that an author's first impression is key for me. If I like what I find, I will usually try to keep them on my radar, though a poorly crafted novel can leave me pushing away and on to find my next great author. Howe enters the thriller genre with an interesting approach; a kidnap-ransom theme and a female protagonist. Thea Paris is developed well throughout the novel, including some backstory and complex personal struggles, which helps the reader better relate to her as she races around the world to save the rich and somewhat famous. Howe has also been able to complement Thea with an assortment of other characters whose stories will surely continue to play well in the next few novels, should Howe decide to keep writing. The kidnap theme, while not new in many of the novels I have read, is a central focus and will therefore allow readers to see things from this perspective. The plot advances nicely and keeps the reader wondering, with drama and action on two continents, but does take time to develop the narrative. The reader does not feel a sense of literary whiplash as they race around the world, nor is there a feeling that kidnapping is all about jet setting from one posh location to the next. Of particular interest is how the backstory of the Nikos Paris kidnapping serves as a launching pad for the plot as well as flavouring a number of the characters found in the narrative. I would strongly recommend this book and do hope that the 'Thea Paris #1' in the title is indicative of another fast-paced novel in the works. I can only hope many others find Howe as interesting as I have.
Kudos, Madam Howe for a great debut novel. The praise on the dust jacket by some of my favourite authors is well-placed and I will surely promote your writing to anyone who will listen.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I mentioned in a recent review that an author's first impression is key for me. If I like what I find, I will usually try to keep them on my radar, though a poorly crafted novel can leave me pushing away and on to find my next great author. Howe enters the thriller genre with an interesting approach; a kidnap-ransom theme and a female protagonist. Thea Paris is developed well throughout the novel, including some backstory and complex personal struggles, which helps the reader better relate to her as she races around the world to save the rich and somewhat famous. Howe has also been able to complement Thea with an assortment of other characters whose stories will surely continue to play well in the next few novels, should Howe decide to keep writing. The kidnap theme, while not new in many of the novels I have read, is a central focus and will therefore allow readers to see things from this perspective. The plot advances nicely and keeps the reader wondering, with drama and action on two continents, but does take time to develop the narrative. The reader does not feel a sense of literary whiplash as they race around the world, nor is there a feeling that kidnapping is all about jet setting from one posh location to the next. Of particular interest is how the backstory of the Nikos Paris kidnapping serves as a launching pad for the plot as well as flavouring a number of the characters found in the narrative. I would strongly recommend this book and do hope that the 'Thea Paris #1' in the title is indicative of another fast-paced novel in the works. I can only hope many others find Howe as interesting as I have.
Kudos, Madam Howe for a great debut novel. The praise on the dust jacket by some of my favourite authors is well-placed and I will surely promote your writing to anyone who will listen.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 10, 2018
I started reading this on April 29, but set it aside on May 1 for another book that was calling my name. I’m back to this one now, May 6, with undivided attention.
This book is about a “kidnap and recovery” business. It’s also the story of a family that experienced a kidnapping and has been in turmoil ever since the 12 year old son was returned nine months later. The boy is now a man, and he’s a damaged person.
For a debut, this is pretty good. It had a different premise and held my interest. It is set in Africa, which was also different. I would have liked some stronger characterization earlier as I did get a couple of the characters confused. The story and the characters grew as the book progressed, and I really liked reading the boy's diary, sad as it was. This is said to be first in a series, and I will likely read the next book.
This book is about a “kidnap and recovery” business. It’s also the story of a family that experienced a kidnapping and has been in turmoil ever since the 12 year old son was returned nine months later. The boy is now a man, and he’s a damaged person.
For a debut, this is pretty good. It had a different premise and held my interest. It is set in Africa, which was also different. I would have liked some stronger characterization earlier as I did get a couple of the characters confused. The story and the characters grew as the book progressed, and I really liked reading the boy's diary, sad as it was. This is said to be first in a series, and I will likely read the next book.
July 1, 2017
I'm going to start out with a confession - K.J. Howe is my friend and was my critique partner back when I was writing Fire Study and the Glass books. Our busy lives intervened and we stopped exchanging critiques. I knew she had the talent and drive to get published and I was very excited to see her debut thriller on the "shelf."
And it is a thriller - a scorching fast plot, nasty villains, bodies littered everywhere, and the stakes are so high they're in the stratosphere! I liked Thea right away - she's bad ass, but human with a complicated past. I also loved Rifat - he's the heart of the story. And Nikos....very complicated and engaging.
K.J. has done her homework on this book - I can tell she researched about weapons, aircraft, special ops, and the setting extensively. I know for a fact she went to Victoria Falls - there's a scene set there and it was fun to read because I have just visited there in May!
My only wish was to see more emotions - there's plenty of physical reactions - but the internal emotional part the characters were thin or missing in most cases. Rifat had the most as he's in love with Thea and it colored his thoughts. At times it seemed the action was more important than the deaths. For example . This may be due to the genre - I don't read a ton of thrillers so perhaps stepping over the bodies without a ton of internal angst is typical. This book had a ton of fantastic starred reviews and blurbs from a dozen famous thriller authors like Lee Child, James Patterson, and Karin Slaughter. I'm impressed, proud, and a bit jealous over all the high praise ;)
Overall this was a fun and fast book - perfect for the beach! Of course I'll be reading book 2.
And it is a thriller - a scorching fast plot, nasty villains, bodies littered everywhere, and the stakes are so high they're in the stratosphere! I liked Thea right away - she's bad ass, but human with a complicated past. I also loved Rifat - he's the heart of the story. And Nikos....very complicated and engaging.
K.J. has done her homework on this book - I can tell she researched about weapons, aircraft, special ops, and the setting extensively. I know for a fact she went to Victoria Falls - there's a scene set there and it was fun to read because I have just visited there in May!
My only wish was to see more emotions - there's plenty of physical reactions - but the internal emotional part the characters were thin or missing in most cases. Rifat had the most as he's in love with Thea and it colored his thoughts. At times it seemed the action was more important than the deaths. For example . This may be due to the genre - I don't read a ton of thrillers so perhaps stepping over the bodies without a ton of internal angst is typical. This book had a ton of fantastic starred reviews and blurbs from a dozen famous thriller authors like Lee Child, James Patterson, and Karin Slaughter. I'm impressed, proud, and a bit jealous over all the high praise ;)
Overall this was a fun and fast book - perfect for the beach! Of course I'll be reading book 2.
March 8, 2017
For all my reviews, check out Clues and Reviews
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Thea Paris, a kidnap negotiator, prides herself on remaining disconnected. The only way she succeeds at her job is by keeping it at arm’s length and not getting too invested. This goes out the window when her father, oil magnate, Christos Paris is taken on his sixtieth birthday. Thea, battling past demons from her own brother’s kidnapping, calls in her team to help track her father down. Will she be able to save her father and prevent a second kidnapping that would destroy her family for good?
Read more… After reading (and loving! ) Deep Down Dead by Steph Broadribb, I was in the mood for another action thriller that would keep me on the edge of my seat. Enter, The Freedom Broker by K.J Howe. This novel was quite the original story; it isn’t often in a thriller that you see the behind the scenes of a hostage negotiator. From the first few pages, this one packed a punch.
Immediately, we are drawn into Thea’s world of high-risk hostage negotiation and it is INTENSE. Tensions rose almost immediately. My eyes were glued to the pages. Her character was awesome and I think Howe spent the most time developing her, which was great! I relished in her initial encounters and consistently rooted for her throughout the book.
I did find that the middle of the book dragged a little bit and the pace slowed, but it picked back up in the end and ended in a way that had me wishing the second book was out!
Overall, if you are interested in a fast paced, action adventure, then you’ll be a fan! I rated this one 4/5 stars.
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Thea Paris, a kidnap negotiator, prides herself on remaining disconnected. The only way she succeeds at her job is by keeping it at arm’s length and not getting too invested. This goes out the window when her father, oil magnate, Christos Paris is taken on his sixtieth birthday. Thea, battling past demons from her own brother’s kidnapping, calls in her team to help track her father down. Will she be able to save her father and prevent a second kidnapping that would destroy her family for good?
Read more… After reading (and loving! ) Deep Down Dead by Steph Broadribb, I was in the mood for another action thriller that would keep me on the edge of my seat. Enter, The Freedom Broker by K.J Howe. This novel was quite the original story; it isn’t often in a thriller that you see the behind the scenes of a hostage negotiator. From the first few pages, this one packed a punch.
Immediately, we are drawn into Thea’s world of high-risk hostage negotiation and it is INTENSE. Tensions rose almost immediately. My eyes were glued to the pages. Her character was awesome and I think Howe spent the most time developing her, which was great! I relished in her initial encounters and consistently rooted for her throughout the book.
I did find that the middle of the book dragged a little bit and the pace slowed, but it picked back up in the end and ended in a way that had me wishing the second book was out!
Overall, if you are interested in a fast paced, action adventure, then you’ll be a fan! I rated this one 4/5 stars.
May 8, 2017
“I was amazed as people must be who are seized and kidnapped, and who realize that in the strange world of their captors they have a value absolutely unconnected with anything they know about themselves.”
----Alice Munro
K.J. Howe, the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, pens her debut crime fiction, The Freedom Broker which is the first book in her new thrilling series, Thea Paris. The story revolves around the kidnapping of a Greek oil tycoon, whose daughter, who is a part of a company that rescues kidnapped hostages from the mobs either by negotiation or often through violent means, jumps into the investigation along with her team to bring her father back so that history does not repeat yet one more time.
Synopsis:
Kidnap negotiator Thea Paris has spent her entire life with survivor's guilt, following an unspeakable childhood tragedy. At eight years old, she watched, frozen in fear, as her twelve-year-old brother, Nikos, was abducted from their home in Kanzi, Africa. Although he was recovered nine months later, he was never the same after that; worse, Thea discovers that she was supposed to have been the target.
This defining experience drives Thea to become one of the top operatives in the field of kidnap-and-ransom consultancy. Nicknamed "Liberata" because she once secured the release of a captive from the Sicilian mob without her client paying a cent, she travels the globe trying to bring hostages home--mostly through negotiation, but occasionally through more forceful means. She is very good at her job.
Twenty years after her brother's abduction, Thea's worst nightmare is revisited when her father, oil magnate Christos Paris, is taken on his sixtieth birthday. He disappears from his yacht while it is moored at Santorini, the ship's whole crew slaughtered mercilessly.
Thea immediately calls in her team at Quantum Security International, premier K&R specialists. Following protocol, they break down Christos' life, looking for leads, but the list of enemies and business competitors is endless. Not surprisingly, Christos Paris has imprinted his designer shoe on innumerable backs during his journey to the top of the oil business. And he was abducted only a few days before the biggest deal of his career.
From there, the case only gets stranger. Unlike most abductions, there are no ransom demands, no political appeals, no prisoner release requests. Instead, the kidnapper sends foreboding quotes in Latin by text from burner phones. What does the kidnapper want?
And most importantly for Thea, will she be able to prevent a second kidnapping from destroying her family for good?
Thea Paris had no idea that history was going repeat itself after twenty years with the abduction of her darling Greek oil magnifico father, Christos Paris. When Thea was a kid, her elder brother, Nikos was abducted by the local mob from their family home in Africa, although he was returned back nine months later, yet Nikos never recovered from that tragedy that turned him into a human killing machine. And now Nikos hates his father, yet reluctantly and as per his hostage negotiator sister's request, he too joins the search team to locate and rescue his father from the kidnappers who just left behind a cryptic Latin message as a clue. With the body count increasing around Thea, she must find her father before it is too late and not to mention, she also needs to keep her diabetic side under check all while keeping her romantic feelings aside the whole investigation.
This story took me by surprise with its intensity and its intrigue that blew off my mind. There is so much fast-paced action, excitement, thrill, suspense, over-the-edge drama, sizzling moments that will only incite the heat of the story line. The story took me to so many places and I could vividly imagine the scenes right before my own eyes. While reading, not once I felt like this thriller is penned by a first time author, instead it felt like coming from the pen of a seasoned writer. This book is not going to let down any mystery or thriller readers.
The author's writing style is very eloquent and is laced with suspense and action to make it intriguing to the highest level. The narratives are engaging enough to keep the readers hooked till the very last page of the book. The pacing is really fast, as per me, way too fast and some scenes just needed a slower pace so that the readers can contemplate better with those, yet it makes one hell of a edgy and bumpy action filled roller-coaster ride that will compel the readers to stay glued till the very end.
The development of the mystery may not be of that top-notch level, but it has enough elements to entertain and satisfy the taste buds of the conventional crime-fic readers. There are so many priceless action scenes penned intricately and vividly by the author that makes this story truly a page-turning read. And to know what those scenes are, you definitely need to grab a copy of this book. Along with Thea and her team, the readers can too feel the rush of each and every scene and the constantly building tension in the story line. Through her tale, the author has managed to make her readers feel like they are a part of this story. So pretty much the entire length of the novel, I feel like running and rushing alongside the energetic female protagonist, Thea.
The characters are depicted in their raw form with their complexity and honesty to make them look real in the eyes of the readers. The main character, Thea Paris, is one hell of a kickass female heroine with a sass and a brain whose strong narrative and perspective makes the story a captivating one. Nikos too is an interesting character whose convoluted and multi-personality demeanor gives an added grace to the pack of the diverse characters. The rest of the supporting characters are also quite well developed.
In a nutshell, this action packed adventure is filled with romance, family drama, violence, murder, conspiracy and enough other key elements that make this story extremely enthralling.
Verdict: A highly recommended adventurous and stimulating thriller.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Alice Munro
K.J. Howe, the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, pens her debut crime fiction, The Freedom Broker which is the first book in her new thrilling series, Thea Paris. The story revolves around the kidnapping of a Greek oil tycoon, whose daughter, who is a part of a company that rescues kidnapped hostages from the mobs either by negotiation or often through violent means, jumps into the investigation along with her team to bring her father back so that history does not repeat yet one more time.
Synopsis:
Kidnap negotiator Thea Paris has spent her entire life with survivor's guilt, following an unspeakable childhood tragedy. At eight years old, she watched, frozen in fear, as her twelve-year-old brother, Nikos, was abducted from their home in Kanzi, Africa. Although he was recovered nine months later, he was never the same after that; worse, Thea discovers that she was supposed to have been the target.
This defining experience drives Thea to become one of the top operatives in the field of kidnap-and-ransom consultancy. Nicknamed "Liberata" because she once secured the release of a captive from the Sicilian mob without her client paying a cent, she travels the globe trying to bring hostages home--mostly through negotiation, but occasionally through more forceful means. She is very good at her job.
Twenty years after her brother's abduction, Thea's worst nightmare is revisited when her father, oil magnate Christos Paris, is taken on his sixtieth birthday. He disappears from his yacht while it is moored at Santorini, the ship's whole crew slaughtered mercilessly.
Thea immediately calls in her team at Quantum Security International, premier K&R specialists. Following protocol, they break down Christos' life, looking for leads, but the list of enemies and business competitors is endless. Not surprisingly, Christos Paris has imprinted his designer shoe on innumerable backs during his journey to the top of the oil business. And he was abducted only a few days before the biggest deal of his career.
From there, the case only gets stranger. Unlike most abductions, there are no ransom demands, no political appeals, no prisoner release requests. Instead, the kidnapper sends foreboding quotes in Latin by text from burner phones. What does the kidnapper want?
And most importantly for Thea, will she be able to prevent a second kidnapping from destroying her family for good?
Thea Paris had no idea that history was going repeat itself after twenty years with the abduction of her darling Greek oil magnifico father, Christos Paris. When Thea was a kid, her elder brother, Nikos was abducted by the local mob from their family home in Africa, although he was returned back nine months later, yet Nikos never recovered from that tragedy that turned him into a human killing machine. And now Nikos hates his father, yet reluctantly and as per his hostage negotiator sister's request, he too joins the search team to locate and rescue his father from the kidnappers who just left behind a cryptic Latin message as a clue. With the body count increasing around Thea, she must find her father before it is too late and not to mention, she also needs to keep her diabetic side under check all while keeping her romantic feelings aside the whole investigation.
This story took me by surprise with its intensity and its intrigue that blew off my mind. There is so much fast-paced action, excitement, thrill, suspense, over-the-edge drama, sizzling moments that will only incite the heat of the story line. The story took me to so many places and I could vividly imagine the scenes right before my own eyes. While reading, not once I felt like this thriller is penned by a first time author, instead it felt like coming from the pen of a seasoned writer. This book is not going to let down any mystery or thriller readers.
The author's writing style is very eloquent and is laced with suspense and action to make it intriguing to the highest level. The narratives are engaging enough to keep the readers hooked till the very last page of the book. The pacing is really fast, as per me, way too fast and some scenes just needed a slower pace so that the readers can contemplate better with those, yet it makes one hell of a edgy and bumpy action filled roller-coaster ride that will compel the readers to stay glued till the very end.
The development of the mystery may not be of that top-notch level, but it has enough elements to entertain and satisfy the taste buds of the conventional crime-fic readers. There are so many priceless action scenes penned intricately and vividly by the author that makes this story truly a page-turning read. And to know what those scenes are, you definitely need to grab a copy of this book. Along with Thea and her team, the readers can too feel the rush of each and every scene and the constantly building tension in the story line. Through her tale, the author has managed to make her readers feel like they are a part of this story. So pretty much the entire length of the novel, I feel like running and rushing alongside the energetic female protagonist, Thea.
The characters are depicted in their raw form with their complexity and honesty to make them look real in the eyes of the readers. The main character, Thea Paris, is one hell of a kickass female heroine with a sass and a brain whose strong narrative and perspective makes the story a captivating one. Nikos too is an interesting character whose convoluted and multi-personality demeanor gives an added grace to the pack of the diverse characters. The rest of the supporting characters are also quite well developed.
In a nutshell, this action packed adventure is filled with romance, family drama, violence, murder, conspiracy and enough other key elements that make this story extremely enthralling.
Verdict: A highly recommended adventurous and stimulating thriller.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
July 19, 2017
3.4*
There is a lot to like in this book if you like action packed thrillers. However, it does have some flaws.
The opening chapters give you details about the main characters:
Thea--She is the head of an operational team from Quantum International Security, which specializes in rescuing high profile kidnapped people, sometimes by an armed team, others by ransom.
Thea's brother Nikos, who was kidnapped at 12 and returned nine months later a changed and hostile person.
Rif--Thea's second on her team. He is a West Point graduate and is invaluable. He adores Thea, but she keeps him at arms length.
Christos, Thea and Nikos father. He is head of a global oil company and about to close on a deal that will make his company the biggest in the world.
Christos is kidnapped and Thea mobilizes all her father's resources plus her own to find her father.
Gabrielle is a US government agent is charge of coordinating hostage recovery.
Pros: There are double crosses all over the place in this book. The plot moves along briskly, with nonstop action. The ending ties up all the threads quite well.
Cons: The characters lack depth. Examples--Gabrielle has a rule: Only have sex for 1 night with a man then move on to the next man. Nikos makes no secret of bedding many women.
Thanks to Quercus for sending me this book through NetGalley.
There is a lot to like in this book if you like action packed thrillers. However, it does have some flaws.
The opening chapters give you details about the main characters:
Thea--She is the head of an operational team from Quantum International Security, which specializes in rescuing high profile kidnapped people, sometimes by an armed team, others by ransom.
Thea's brother Nikos, who was kidnapped at 12 and returned nine months later a changed and hostile person.
Rif--Thea's second on her team. He is a West Point graduate and is invaluable. He adores Thea, but she keeps him at arms length.
Christos, Thea and Nikos father. He is head of a global oil company and about to close on a deal that will make his company the biggest in the world.
Christos is kidnapped and Thea mobilizes all her father's resources plus her own to find her father.
Gabrielle is a US government agent is charge of coordinating hostage recovery.
Pros: There are double crosses all over the place in this book. The plot moves along briskly, with nonstop action. The ending ties up all the threads quite well.
Cons: The characters lack depth. Examples--Gabrielle has a rule: Only have sex for 1 night with a man then move on to the next man. Nikos makes no secret of bedding many women.
Thanks to Quercus for sending me this book through NetGalley.
May 7, 2018
It's always great to see strong female lead characters in an action thriller, as lets face it, there isn't enough of them about. Thea certainly gets right into the thick of things being a hostage negotiator. Right from the start we can see she is not someone you want to mess with as she knows how to handle herself as well as weapons.
I have to take my hat off to the author for incorporating someone in this role with having diabetes one. Due to the nature of her job Thea decides to keep this from her team but it's something she has to constantly keep her eye on, making sure her blood levels are right. It's good to see that having this condition doesn't stop Thea from doing what she wants. The only reason why she doesn't want anyone to know, is to stop them from worrying about her.
The story starts off in the thick of things. I did find at the start the story jumped around a lot and it didn't flow as well as I would have liked it to, feeling quite stilted in parts. It does settle down though and that's when the story really started to take hold of me.
The Freedom Broker is the authors debut novel. It is a very solid start to a series and I can see a lot of potential. I especially enjoyed reading of Thea's brothers time being held hostage, not that it was nice to read but it was something that had really intrigued me from the blurb and whilst it takes a while for it to be told to the reader, it was worth the wait. Definitely a book for readers who love on full on action thrillers.
I have to take my hat off to the author for incorporating someone in this role with having diabetes one. Due to the nature of her job Thea decides to keep this from her team but it's something she has to constantly keep her eye on, making sure her blood levels are right. It's good to see that having this condition doesn't stop Thea from doing what she wants. The only reason why she doesn't want anyone to know, is to stop them from worrying about her.
The story starts off in the thick of things. I did find at the start the story jumped around a lot and it didn't flow as well as I would have liked it to, feeling quite stilted in parts. It does settle down though and that's when the story really started to take hold of me.
The Freedom Broker is the authors debut novel. It is a very solid start to a series and I can see a lot of potential. I especially enjoyed reading of Thea's brothers time being held hostage, not that it was nice to read but it was something that had really intrigued me from the blurb and whilst it takes a while for it to be told to the reader, it was worth the wait. Definitely a book for readers who love on full on action thrillers.
September 24, 2017
2.5.
Thea has specialized in preventing and rescuing people from kidnappers to make up for the fact she couldn't even scream when her brother Nikos was taken right before her eyes. Nikos was never the same, her whole family dynamics changed, and so she had to toughen up. And all that training can't go to waste now it was her father who was taken by a mysterious abductor that acts outside everything Thea has seen in the manual.
This is action-filled and quick-paced. If you like solving mysteries, there are also some. Also, I enjoyed the part about how politics work in African countries, despite feeling the book may have generalized a little a continent so big—but I know nothing about this topic so I got to learn plenty.
My rating will be hard to explain because I loved the plot, the idea for each character, but wasn't a fan of the execution.
Thea is really a badass character, she proves as the story moves. It's true she counts with lots of help and she's naive about her own brother's personality, but she is still a good character. Or was supposed to be, because she never did it for me. I couldn't care less about her. Rif, who is probably going to be a romantic interest further in this series, was also the type of character I'd fall in love with. He does have a little more charisma but he lacked depth, making me agree with Nikos when he calls him Thea's guard dog. And Nikos, who was supposed to be the character with more depth, given everything that his abduction has caused, seemed to be a little... useless? Too much talk and no consequence? I don't know. He always had some plan, and yet, it never gave me any emotion. What was Gabrielle for, by the way? So yes, lots of characters with potential but it's just like the first episode of a TV series, you're yet to see them develop. Which works only on TV. When it comes to a book, that only made me frustrated.
The writing was fine, except for a tendency to substitute names for descriptions, such as "the kidnapper negotiator". That was the only flaw that I've noticed—since this was an ARC, small glitches have been fixed so I can't judge much more, anyway.
And the plot. It's theocratically good and I have no idea why it failed for me. I liked how things would go wrong when or where I least expected, but I never felt any thrill. Now, the conclusion was good. I mean, I didn't like the motivation but that goes back to how the characters developed. I liked how it ended.
This can be the book for those who like action scenes. There are many, and they seem to be good although I'm not a good judge for that. This author can improve a lot for the next book, I like how she dares, she takes no pity on characters. That's always a good feature in a thriller writer, making stories much less predictable. Still, I don't think I will read it before someone tells me she has improved, indeed. At the same time, I am curious about how she'll keep this going, considering how connected to Thea's personal story this first was.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
Thea has specialized in preventing and rescuing people from kidnappers to make up for the fact she couldn't even scream when her brother Nikos was taken right before her eyes. Nikos was never the same, her whole family dynamics changed, and so she had to toughen up. And all that training can't go to waste now it was her father who was taken by a mysterious abductor that acts outside everything Thea has seen in the manual.
This is action-filled and quick-paced. If you like solving mysteries, there are also some. Also, I enjoyed the part about how politics work in African countries, despite feeling the book may have generalized a little a continent so big—but I know nothing about this topic so I got to learn plenty.
My rating will be hard to explain because I loved the plot, the idea for each character, but wasn't a fan of the execution.
Thea is really a badass character, she proves as the story moves. It's true she counts with lots of help and she's naive about her own brother's personality, but she is still a good character. Or was supposed to be, because she never did it for me. I couldn't care less about her. Rif, who is probably going to be a romantic interest further in this series, was also the type of character I'd fall in love with. He does have a little more charisma but he lacked depth, making me agree with Nikos when he calls him Thea's guard dog. And Nikos, who was supposed to be the character with more depth, given everything that his abduction has caused, seemed to be a little... useless? Too much talk and no consequence? I don't know. He always had some plan, and yet, it never gave me any emotion. What was Gabrielle for, by the way? So yes, lots of characters with potential but it's just like the first episode of a TV series, you're yet to see them develop. Which works only on TV. When it comes to a book, that only made me frustrated.
The writing was fine, except for a tendency to substitute names for descriptions, such as "the kidnapper negotiator". That was the only flaw that I've noticed—since this was an ARC, small glitches have been fixed so I can't judge much more, anyway.
And the plot. It's theocratically good and I have no idea why it failed for me. I liked how things would go wrong when or where I least expected, but I never felt any thrill. Now, the conclusion was good. I mean, I didn't like the motivation but that goes back to how the characters developed. I liked how it ended.
This can be the book for those who like action scenes. There are many, and they seem to be good although I'm not a good judge for that. This author can improve a lot for the next book, I like how she dares, she takes no pity on characters. That's always a good feature in a thriller writer, making stories much less predictable. Still, I don't think I will read it before someone tells me she has improved, indeed. At the same time, I am curious about how she'll keep this going, considering how connected to Thea's personal story this first was.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
March 4, 2017
What an incredible book. Thanks to Chevy Stevens for putting a recommendation out there, if not for that I would never have found this author.
Thank you Ms Howe for giving us a new female heroine, Thea Paris. The story is fast paced with non stop action and suspense. The author definitely did a through research in kidnapping, rescuing, and diabetes. We never find out until the end who the kidnapper is, and oh what an ending it is.
Highly recommend this book. I'm definitely looking for the next thriller with Thea. Kudos, Ms Howe, for an excellent debut novel.
Thank you Ms Howe for giving us a new female heroine, Thea Paris. The story is fast paced with non stop action and suspense. The author definitely did a through research in kidnapping, rescuing, and diabetes. We never find out until the end who the kidnapper is, and oh what an ending it is.
Highly recommend this book. I'm definitely looking for the next thriller with Thea. Kudos, Ms Howe, for an excellent debut novel.
August 14, 2016
Incredible and stunning! The story is one of the best action novels I've had the pleasure of reading. But there is so much more than action in this story. The characters are so well defined they're like long lost friends. The writing is shockingly vivid. I'm in love with K.J. Howe! When is the next Thea Paris novel?? I am definitely ready for the movie. Just wow!
September 16, 2017
I was able to get my hands on an Advance Reader Copy of K.J. Howe's THE FREEDOM BROKER, the first Thea Paris novel, but certainly not the last! I read lots of thrillers. TFB is as entertaining as they come. Jack (Reacher) and Jason (Bourne) need to make room for Thea (Paris). Ms. Howe and Ms. Paris are definitely here to stay! And I'm delighted. And I think you will be too.
January 19, 2022
At eight years old, Thea Paris watched her brother being snatched from his bed.
Her inability to save him has haunted both their lives ever since.
Twenty years later, the unthinkable happens when her billionaire father is abducted.
But this time, she is prepared.
Now, Thea is at the top of her game as a freedom broker, negotiating for the release of kidnap victims around the world.
And she has only one objective:
Freedom Broker is an adrenaline-fueled, non-stop thrill ride. From the pulse pounding first pages, through the shocking conclusion, Howe never lets up on the suspense, the twists, and the action. Hostage negotiator Thea Paris is my favourite kind of heroine -- fierce, whip-smart, and very human. We'll all be waiting anxiously for the next riveting chapter in her story."
And Yes, now also read part two .... Skyjack... Read both books one after the other.
Kidnap negotiator Thea Paris is a heroine with brains, martial skills, and true character, whose own dark and deep family history drives her on as she travels the world bringing kidnapped victims home to their loved ones.
Although takes some time to settle into the action, it really takes off.
Thea Paris is another great action character in my favourite genre of thrillers, action thriller.
So number one and two read
Come on number 3 !
Her inability to save him has haunted both their lives ever since.
Twenty years later, the unthinkable happens when her billionaire father is abducted.
But this time, she is prepared.
Now, Thea is at the top of her game as a freedom broker, negotiating for the release of kidnap victims around the world.
And she has only one objective:
Freedom Broker is an adrenaline-fueled, non-stop thrill ride. From the pulse pounding first pages, through the shocking conclusion, Howe never lets up on the suspense, the twists, and the action. Hostage negotiator Thea Paris is my favourite kind of heroine -- fierce, whip-smart, and very human. We'll all be waiting anxiously for the next riveting chapter in her story."
And Yes, now also read part two .... Skyjack... Read both books one after the other.
Kidnap negotiator Thea Paris is a heroine with brains, martial skills, and true character, whose own dark and deep family history drives her on as she travels the world bringing kidnapped victims home to their loved ones.
Although takes some time to settle into the action, it really takes off.
Thea Paris is another great action character in my favourite genre of thrillers, action thriller.
So number one and two read
Come on number 3 !
March 18, 2017
The second kidnapping in one high-profile family ought to tip off our heroine that something is amiss; especially since the family is her own. She has made hostage release her life's work and has become one of the world's best, yet somehow she remains startlingly naive about her own upbringing and her uber-wealthy family. Parts of the mystery are good and compelling while other parts get bogged down in characters that defy common sense. Perhaps the next books in the series will have worked out some of the kinks. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 31, 2017
Everything about The Freedom Broker by K J Howe, spoke to me. I am always on the lookout for strong female characters that are different, that walk to the beat of their own drum and Thea does that in spades. The thrills and chill begin early and never let up.
I don’t feel I did this book justice in my review. For some reason, the words won’t come for the level of feelings I had for some of the characters…not the rich and famous…but the ones caught up in the maelstrom, for the sense of truth I felt throughout the story, even though I know it’s fiction. The level of brutality someone can callously inflict on another is indescribable.
All hell breaks loose in Africa.
.
We have action from the beginning…a hostage to be rescued in Nigeria.
Kidnapping is big business. Thea is one of the top negotiators in the world and the only female. Her team is the best of the best. When her father is taken, she will pull out all the stops to save him. There is no way she will step aside and let others run the investigation.
Thea is not so much flawed or disabled, she just has to stay in tune with her body. She has diabetes, but it doesn’t stop her from trudging through jungles, fully geared up, fighting alongside men twice her size.
Bullets are fired, throats are slit, bombs are exploding, bodies are literally falling off the cliffs, a plane crashing, and as the body count rises, so does the mystery for those investigating Christo Paris’ kidnapping.
The brutal torture, starvation and filth the kidnapped endure is only compounded by the mental isolation and helplessness. Professional kidnappers, terrorists, political agendas.
I was stunned at Ares’ true identity. He is wanted worldwide for gun trafficking, kidnapping and murder. This is really bad. Every time HE comes near Thea, I fear for her. When she does figure it out, I wonder what will happen.
Every time I begin to relax, trying to put the pieces together, some danger rears its ugly head and more people die.
An aura of danger permeates every page. We have many convoluted machinations within multiple factions, each with their own agenda. Betrayal…that word does not begin to describe what happens. I keep waiting…waiting…waiting…for her to learn the truth.
The Freedom Broker by K J Howe is one of those books that reads like a true story filled with death and danger. The research K J Howe has done shines through.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Freedom Broker by K J Howe.
To see more visit fundinmental
I don’t feel I did this book justice in my review. For some reason, the words won’t come for the level of feelings I had for some of the characters…not the rich and famous…but the ones caught up in the maelstrom, for the sense of truth I felt throughout the story, even though I know it’s fiction. The level of brutality someone can callously inflict on another is indescribable.
All hell breaks loose in Africa.
.
We have action from the beginning…a hostage to be rescued in Nigeria.
Kidnapping is big business. Thea is one of the top negotiators in the world and the only female. Her team is the best of the best. When her father is taken, she will pull out all the stops to save him. There is no way she will step aside and let others run the investigation.
Thea is not so much flawed or disabled, she just has to stay in tune with her body. She has diabetes, but it doesn’t stop her from trudging through jungles, fully geared up, fighting alongside men twice her size.
Bullets are fired, throats are slit, bombs are exploding, bodies are literally falling off the cliffs, a plane crashing, and as the body count rises, so does the mystery for those investigating Christo Paris’ kidnapping.
The brutal torture, starvation and filth the kidnapped endure is only compounded by the mental isolation and helplessness. Professional kidnappers, terrorists, political agendas.
I was stunned at Ares’ true identity. He is wanted worldwide for gun trafficking, kidnapping and murder. This is really bad. Every time HE comes near Thea, I fear for her. When she does figure it out, I wonder what will happen.
Every time I begin to relax, trying to put the pieces together, some danger rears its ugly head and more people die.
An aura of danger permeates every page. We have many convoluted machinations within multiple factions, each with their own agenda. Betrayal…that word does not begin to describe what happens. I keep waiting…waiting…waiting…for her to learn the truth.
The Freedom Broker by K J Howe is one of those books that reads like a true story filled with death and danger. The research K J Howe has done shines through.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Freedom Broker by K J Howe.
To see more visit fundinmental
February 6, 2017
In my attempt to describe K.J. Howe’s powerful international thriller, The Freedom Broker, I found myself trying very hard to avoid certain words, phrases and sentences. I was afraid of giving away spoilers.
What I can say is that you can expect to feel the vibration under your feet with sparks bursting from the author’s intensive and vivid writing style.
The story centers around Thea Paris, a Kidnap and Ransom specialist and negotiator who finds herself embroiled in a personal family case: her wealthy Greek father has been kidnapped.
The protagonist is tough, but the book is tougher. You will understand what I mean when you reach the end. Perhaps I could describe it as a Greek tragedy set in a modern world.
K.J Howe has written an intelligent read. For sure, the gods are pleased with the author.
What I can say is that you can expect to feel the vibration under your feet with sparks bursting from the author’s intensive and vivid writing style.
The story centers around Thea Paris, a Kidnap and Ransom specialist and negotiator who finds herself embroiled in a personal family case: her wealthy Greek father has been kidnapped.
The protagonist is tough, but the book is tougher. You will understand what I mean when you reach the end. Perhaps I could describe it as a Greek tragedy set in a modern world.
K.J Howe has written an intelligent read. For sure, the gods are pleased with the author.
October 14, 2017
This was a fantastic debut thriller with a new protagonist, Thea Paris. Thea is a Kidnap and Recovery Specialist suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. Thea is tough, strong and just a bit sassy. The author does an excellent job blending Thea's driving need to rescue her kidnapped father while hiding her diabetes from co-workers. Without getting all spoilery, while you know (or think you know) who the bad guys are there are still some surprising reveals at the end of the book. It had really good pacing and lots of action that kept me on the edge of my seat. I also thought the character development was great and can see lots of growth for Thea as the series continues. I am really looking forward to the next installment in April!
April 4, 2017
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This story was fun and action packed.
Unfortunately it was also silly in places and just too long which spoilt the enjoyment.
This story was fun and action packed.
Unfortunately it was also silly in places and just too long which spoilt the enjoyment.
February 21, 2017
The kidnapping of hostage rescue specialist Thea Paris' billionaire father Christos off his yacht in Santorini, Greece becomes problematic when no ransom demands are forthcoming. Complicating the issue for Thea was the kidnapping of her brother Nikos in Africa when they were children. Nikos was never the same after his 9 month captivity and she fears for the survival of her father. Teaming up with her able assistant and former US Army Special Forces officer Rif Hakan, the FBI Hostage Rescue and Greek National Police, she desperately tries to outguess the kidnappers while completing an African oil development deal in her fathers stead.
This debut novel is a five star international mystery/thriller that reminded me of "I Am Pilgrim" for it's challenging plot complexity, wonderful characters with compelling back stories, beautifully crafted prose and a hard driving pace. This is evidently the first book in what I suspect will be an extremely popular series by an incredibly talented author. Very highly recommended.
This debut novel is a five star international mystery/thriller that reminded me of "I Am Pilgrim" for it's challenging plot complexity, wonderful characters with compelling back stories, beautifully crafted prose and a hard driving pace. This is evidently the first book in what I suspect will be an extremely popular series by an incredibly talented author. Very highly recommended.
June 3, 2019
Na početku me malo smorila i nisam mogla da povežem ko je ko i ko s kim radi. Previše likova za početak a premalo informacija koje su mi trebale da pohvatam sve. Tako da sam privremeno odustala od čitanja. Međutim, dala sam joj još jednu šansu i nisam požalila svakako knjiga vrijedna čitanja. Triler koji će vas natjerati da razmislite o tome koliko poznajete svoje najbliže?Koliko ignorišite svjesno ili nesvjesno neke njihove osobine koje drugima ne opraštate?!
Priča o otmici koja će mnoge porodične stvari da razjasni ili dodatno zakomplikuje. Dajte ovoj knjizi šansu i sami procijenite.
Priča o otmici koja će mnoge porodične stvari da razjasni ili dodatno zakomplikuje. Dajte ovoj knjizi šansu i sami procijenite.
July 29, 2017
This is well-written just plausible fun. I like a good adventure yarn, but too often in publishing today that means "older white guy shoot the bad guys (who are frequently not white), liberals are pussies" porn.
No offense if you are into that.
It's a big red flag, for example, if the book has a former special forces "operative" who must save the world and the book has a plug from a Bill O'Reilly type.
Not doing that.
No offense if you are into that.
It's a big red flag, for example, if the book has a former special forces "operative" who must save the world and the book has a plug from a Bill O'Reilly type.
Not doing that.
February 4, 2018
“The Freedom Broker” is a fast-paced, highly entertaining suspense novel.
Read full review in the 2018 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2018 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 22, 2025
Although I found the book a bit predictable because I had a feeling from the beginning how heavily involved both Nikos and Christos were in the kidnapping, I found this a very good read. An interesting insight into both kidnapping cases and child soldiers in Africa. I thought the writing was stellar and the length of the book was great, gave the opportunity to really dive into the character development and story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
There's NOTHING I would've changed about this story.
The plot was incredible and thrilling, the characters felt so lively and each secret was like a new piece of candyyyyyy.
I need to read Skyjack ASAP
I adore you, Thea.
The plot was incredible and thrilling, the characters felt so lively and each secret was like a new piece of candyyyyyy.
I need to read Skyjack ASAP
I adore you, Thea.
October 15, 2018
A terrific series debut — Thea Paris is a thriller protagonist to watch.
Read
February 20, 2017This was a fun, fast and entertaining debut of a new series featuring Thea Paris, an elite kidnap and ransom specialist. The action is non stop, the locales exotic and vividly described, and the characters an interesting mix of good and bad. Thea is, as expected, almost a superwoman with mad skills in combat and surveillance. The interesting aspect of her character is that she happens to be an insulin dependant diabetic so has to watch her diet, activity and blood glucose levels.
The daughter of a billionaire oil magnate, Thea could live a pampered life of luxury or take more interest in her father's business. But she and her brother, Nikos, have pursued other interests -- probably because Thea still feels a need to make up to her brother after he was kidnapped from her bedroom 20 years previously when they were both children. Nikos was returned to the family, but he was changed from the horrible experience. The father, Christos, is preparing to make a bid for oil rights in Africa -- his chief competition is from China -- when he is inexplicably kidnapped from his yacht in Santorini. Thea and her team kick into high gear and the adventures begin.
Of course she nearly dies a couple of times, but the reader really isn't that caught up or concerned because we know she, and certain of her people, will do what needs to be done and get out alive and save the day. Parts of the narrative are pretty grisly especially given what is learned about Nikos's time in captivity, and Thea has the requisite potential romantic interest, but overall this kept me turning the pages until I'd read cover to cover in a single sitting. I can definitely see this adapated for the big screen -- a twisty, action-packed thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Publishing for an e-book ARC to review. I am definitely looking forward to the second installment of this series.
The daughter of a billionaire oil magnate, Thea could live a pampered life of luxury or take more interest in her father's business. But she and her brother, Nikos, have pursued other interests -- probably because Thea still feels a need to make up to her brother after he was kidnapped from her bedroom 20 years previously when they were both children. Nikos was returned to the family, but he was changed from the horrible experience. The father, Christos, is preparing to make a bid for oil rights in Africa -- his chief competition is from China -- when he is inexplicably kidnapped from his yacht in Santorini. Thea and her team kick into high gear and the adventures begin.
Of course she nearly dies a couple of times, but the reader really isn't that caught up or concerned because we know she, and certain of her people, will do what needs to be done and get out alive and save the day. Parts of the narrative are pretty grisly especially given what is learned about Nikos's time in captivity, and Thea has the requisite potential romantic interest, but overall this kept me turning the pages until I'd read cover to cover in a single sitting. I can definitely see this adapated for the big screen -- a twisty, action-packed thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Publishing for an e-book ARC to review. I am definitely looking forward to the second installment of this series.
January 18, 2019
Just finished “The Freedom Broker” by K.J. Howe. A strong international thriller by a woman who writes very much in the same genre as I do! Thea Paris is a kidnap-and-ransom expert whose brother was kidnapped as a child, and whose father is a wealthy Greek oil magnate. The story revolves around the father’s abduction on the eve of a major petroleum deal in Africa. The settings are intense and well described (especially the beauty of Santorini, Greece). Howe has written two more Thea Paris thrillers, and I plan to pick them up soon.
June 27, 2017
Debut novels are special — boldness of a new voice trying new things, the careful research and polish of a patient full focused effort. This adventure is a very readable novel, hard to put down over a 24 hr binge. Each setting, especially Santorini and Victoria Falls, was meticulously polished and realistically detailed. Clearly Howe had travelled and scoped these sites, and I enjoyed virtual visiting experience. The “journal entries” that appear later are exceptionally well writing, in a unique and distinct voice. Well done!
Howe aims seriously for psychological depth with her characters, and that works well with Thea who Howe knows and loves, but also in other ways that just didn’t work for me. Especially the Chinese.. anything she wrote about Asia just felt stereotyped and wrong, since I know Asia. The key character of Nikos, while a tremendous deep effort, ended up leaving (perhaps just) me disappointed. The character revelations and explanations were just too crisp.
The plot was twisty, but with a few too many early tells for me, and also in ways that didn’t emotionally impact me. The density of deaths was so high that after a while they stopped registering.
I like meaningful novels, and there is not much here for a moral, which apparently doesn’t bother most readers. This book is well conceived and designed to probably interest a wide range of readers.
Other aspects of the book failed for me also — the idea that the largest oil company in the world could be a single generation created “family business”, or the ease with which a coup could be initiated, or idea that oil could even be discovered under a basalt plateau. I guess no one can research everything!
Solid first novel, worth a quick read.
Howe aims seriously for psychological depth with her characters, and that works well with Thea who Howe knows and loves, but also in other ways that just didn’t work for me. Especially the Chinese.. anything she wrote about Asia just felt stereotyped and wrong, since I know Asia. The key character of Nikos, while a tremendous deep effort, ended up leaving (perhaps just) me disappointed. The character revelations and explanations were just too crisp.
The plot was twisty, but with a few too many early tells for me, and also in ways that didn’t emotionally impact me. The density of deaths was so high that after a while they stopped registering.
I like meaningful novels, and there is not much here for a moral, which apparently doesn’t bother most readers. This book is well conceived and designed to probably interest a wide range of readers.
Other aspects of the book failed for me also — the idea that the largest oil company in the world could be a single generation created “family business”, or the ease with which a coup could be initiated, or idea that oil could even be discovered under a basalt plateau. I guess no one can research everything!
Solid first novel, worth a quick read.
March 8, 2017
I was extremely fortunate to get an ARC of The Freedom Broker by KJ Howe and I was extremely impressed! As a debut author her storytelling is right up there with the best in the game! She has detailed characters with great backstories and emotional and physical scars that help add depth to the story. I believe this will be one of the best debut authors for 2017 and can't wait to see where the Kidnap and Ransom Thea Paris series goes from here!
Synopsis:
Thea Paris is a Kidnap and Ransom operator, specializing in the location and recovery of kidnap victims. She is a confident and strong independent woman who can hold her own in the field of work she's gravitates toward. Her brother Nikos was kidnapped when he was 12, mainly due to the fact that his father is a oil billionaire! There is a huge cloud hanging over the Paris family due to the money and power one can own in the oil industry. Thea's father is kidnapped and missing for a few days leading up to the huge land purchase agreement with Kanzi, an African country where the Paris' used to live when Thea and Nikos were young. There is untold millions in crude oil the Paris Corporation wants to rap for world use.
This page turner will travel through cargo ship hostages, car bombs, cliff dives and plane crashes. Please don't miss this one, there is plenty in here for you to enjoy and more! Great work KJ Howe!!
Synopsis:
Thea Paris is a Kidnap and Ransom operator, specializing in the location and recovery of kidnap victims. She is a confident and strong independent woman who can hold her own in the field of work she's gravitates toward. Her brother Nikos was kidnapped when he was 12, mainly due to the fact that his father is a oil billionaire! There is a huge cloud hanging over the Paris family due to the money and power one can own in the oil industry. Thea's father is kidnapped and missing for a few days leading up to the huge land purchase agreement with Kanzi, an African country where the Paris' used to live when Thea and Nikos were young. There is untold millions in crude oil the Paris Corporation wants to rap for world use.
This page turner will travel through cargo ship hostages, car bombs, cliff dives and plane crashes. Please don't miss this one, there is plenty in here for you to enjoy and more! Great work KJ Howe!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2017
There are 25 elite Kidnap and Ransom specialists in the world and only one is a
woman. Thea Paris, and she is the best. Twenty years ago a terrified boy was ab-
ducted in the middle of the night while his sister watched. Returned after 9 months
Thea's brother has never been the same. This experience drove Thea to become what she
is today, a world class freedom broker. Thea leads Quantum Security's black ops team and
when all else fails they go into action. Her childhood nightmare resurfaces when her oil
magnate father Christos Paris is snatched from his yacht off Santorini on his 60th
birthday. The kidnappers killed the entire crew and there was no ransom, no political
appeal, no prisoner release, just obscure and foreboding text written in Latin. Knowing that
the survival window is small Thea throws herself into this mission. But is she going to be
able to prevent this kidnapping from destroying her family. This is K J Howe's first novel
and I think that she was born to write. This is an excellent story and well written. I gave
this one a 4.3 and I know that she will be back for many more/
woman. Thea Paris, and she is the best. Twenty years ago a terrified boy was ab-
ducted in the middle of the night while his sister watched. Returned after 9 months
Thea's brother has never been the same. This experience drove Thea to become what she
is today, a world class freedom broker. Thea leads Quantum Security's black ops team and
when all else fails they go into action. Her childhood nightmare resurfaces when her oil
magnate father Christos Paris is snatched from his yacht off Santorini on his 60th
birthday. The kidnappers killed the entire crew and there was no ransom, no political
appeal, no prisoner release, just obscure and foreboding text written in Latin. Knowing that
the survival window is small Thea throws herself into this mission. But is she going to be
able to prevent this kidnapping from destroying her family. This is K J Howe's first novel
and I think that she was born to write. This is an excellent story and well written. I gave
this one a 4.3 and I know that she will be back for many more/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews