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The Hostage
In this new thriller from the author of The Yards, a cop tracks the kidnapped teenage daughter of a wealthy developer in a transitioning Rust Belt town
A new Nissan plant is coming to the depressed Rust Belt town of Baxter, and Captain Delia Mariola has been busy cleaning up the crime-addled city ever since the deal was announced. But when the 15-year-old daughter of the lead bidder on the construction project—a wealthy out-of-towner—suddenly disappears, and it becomes clear that a professional kidnapping ring may be responsible, Delia realizes that the factory’s influx of cash could bring with it an entirely new sort of danger, never before considered in this working class milieu.
Though Elizabeth’s abduction was well-planned and bearing the mark of an experienced team, her captors could not have anticipated the quick and clever brilliance of the exceptionally smart teen. From the trunk of the car where she is held, she soon devises a clever trick to get cryptic messages to those who love her back down the highway in Baxter. The only problem is that the messages might be too cryptic even for their recipients to decipher. If Delia has any hope of bringing the girl home unharmed, she’ll have to crack the code and discover the meaning behind the message. And unless she does it fast, there may be nobody left to save…
Tough, thrilling, and filled with memorable characters, The Hostage is a gritty mystery set in the same hardscrabble town as 2021’s The Yards, which Kirkus praised as "a breathless suspenser that’s also a painfully acute evocation of the wrong side of the tracks."
A new Nissan plant is coming to the depressed Rust Belt town of Baxter, and Captain Delia Mariola has been busy cleaning up the crime-addled city ever since the deal was announced. But when the 15-year-old daughter of the lead bidder on the construction project—a wealthy out-of-towner—suddenly disappears, and it becomes clear that a professional kidnapping ring may be responsible, Delia realizes that the factory’s influx of cash could bring with it an entirely new sort of danger, never before considered in this working class milieu.
Though Elizabeth’s abduction was well-planned and bearing the mark of an experienced team, her captors could not have anticipated the quick and clever brilliance of the exceptionally smart teen. From the trunk of the car where she is held, she soon devises a clever trick to get cryptic messages to those who love her back down the highway in Baxter. The only problem is that the messages might be too cryptic even for their recipients to decipher. If Delia has any hope of bringing the girl home unharmed, she’ll have to crack the code and discover the meaning behind the message. And unless she does it fast, there may be nobody left to save…
Tough, thrilling, and filled with memorable characters, The Hostage is a gritty mystery set in the same hardscrabble town as 2021’s The Yards, which Kirkus praised as "a breathless suspenser that’s also a painfully acute evocation of the wrong side of the tracks."
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
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188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 20, 2022
Entertaining small-town thriller.
3.5⭐
I enjoy this thriller very much and already have "The Yards" which I think is book #1 on my eReader!
Captain Delia Mariola is with Baxter PD. She's a single lesbian mom with a fourteen-year-old son, Danny. Baxter is a Rust Belt town that thrived in the past but with many large processing plants gone, it's struggling. Crimes and drugs ensue.
A promising opportunity arises when a Nissan assembly plant is coming to town. Mariola and a few officers from poorly funded Baxter PD are cleaning up the city. Things get more riveting and we have a second perspective when Elizabeth Bradford, a fifteen-year-old daughter of the Nissan plant construction bidder is kidnapped.
A.F. Carter writes a very hard-to-put-down thriller. The suspense flows nicely, especially in the first half. I like Mariola's (cop's) perspective as well as Elizabeth's, the victim. What really got me hooked was how the teens, Danny and Elizabeth's brother got involved in trying to locate her.
Amy McFadden did a wonderful job narrating Mariola and Elizabeth. Both had distinguished voices and it was a great listen.
Thank you HighBridge Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Expected publication on September 20, 2022!
3.5⭐
I enjoy this thriller very much and already have "The Yards" which I think is book #1 on my eReader!
Captain Delia Mariola is with Baxter PD. She's a single lesbian mom with a fourteen-year-old son, Danny. Baxter is a Rust Belt town that thrived in the past but with many large processing plants gone, it's struggling. Crimes and drugs ensue.
A promising opportunity arises when a Nissan assembly plant is coming to town. Mariola and a few officers from poorly funded Baxter PD are cleaning up the city. Things get more riveting and we have a second perspective when Elizabeth Bradford, a fifteen-year-old daughter of the Nissan plant construction bidder is kidnapped.
A.F. Carter writes a very hard-to-put-down thriller. The suspense flows nicely, especially in the first half. I like Mariola's (cop's) perspective as well as Elizabeth's, the victim. What really got me hooked was how the teens, Danny and Elizabeth's brother got involved in trying to locate her.
Amy McFadden did a wonderful job narrating Mariola and Elizabeth. Both had distinguished voices and it was a great listen.
Thank you HighBridge Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Expected publication on September 20, 2022!
September 24, 2022
Published: September 20, 2022
3.5⭐
Captain Delia Merola of the Baxter Police Department has a lot on her plate. With the new Nissan Car Company plant promising to boost the economy of the small town of Baxter, she is in charge of cleaning up the local drug trade, making Baxter a safer place to live and work. She spends her days busting meth labs and arresting dealers and pushers while balancing her role as a single mom to her fourteen-year-old son Danny. When the fifteen-year-old daughter of a rich family, who also happens to be the highest bidder on the construction contract of the new plant, Delia is instructed by her boss to let the FBI handle the case. When the FBI advises the family to pay the ransom and wait for Elizabeth’s release, the family reaches out to Delia and asks her to run a parallel investigation- one that does not involve sitting and waiting.
Elizabeth Bradford was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. She is a smart teenager two years ahead of her peers in school, aware of the privileges of her family background but realistic in her observations of the world around her. When she is kidnapped, she is aware of the potential peril that awaits her despite her kidnapper’s assurance that she will be released once the ransom is paid. She trusts no one and though she appears to be the perfectly meek hostage, her mind is working in ways her captor would never guess.
Narrated by both Delia and Elizabeth in the first person, The Hostage by A.F. Carter is atmospheric, gritty and exciting. The procedural aspects and the dynamics in an understaffed police department were very well executed as were Elizabeth’s moment in captivity. The author does a great job of describing the setting of a struggling, crime-infested small town. Delia’s personal life and her dynamic with colleagues and friends form an integral part of the narrative. Both Delia and Elizabeth are two strong and smart protagonists who manage to keep the reader engaged. The emphasis on local crime fighting often overshadows the kidnapping case , which at times dampened the thrill for me. Though the narrative did drag a little towards the end, I was happy with the way the story was resolved. I would be interested in more stories featuring the fearless Delia Merola in the future.
Thank you to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for providing a digital review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
3.5⭐
Captain Delia Merola of the Baxter Police Department has a lot on her plate. With the new Nissan Car Company plant promising to boost the economy of the small town of Baxter, she is in charge of cleaning up the local drug trade, making Baxter a safer place to live and work. She spends her days busting meth labs and arresting dealers and pushers while balancing her role as a single mom to her fourteen-year-old son Danny. When the fifteen-year-old daughter of a rich family, who also happens to be the highest bidder on the construction contract of the new plant, Delia is instructed by her boss to let the FBI handle the case. When the FBI advises the family to pay the ransom and wait for Elizabeth’s release, the family reaches out to Delia and asks her to run a parallel investigation- one that does not involve sitting and waiting.
Elizabeth Bradford was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. She is a smart teenager two years ahead of her peers in school, aware of the privileges of her family background but realistic in her observations of the world around her. When she is kidnapped, she is aware of the potential peril that awaits her despite her kidnapper’s assurance that she will be released once the ransom is paid. She trusts no one and though she appears to be the perfectly meek hostage, her mind is working in ways her captor would never guess.
Narrated by both Delia and Elizabeth in the first person, The Hostage by A.F. Carter is atmospheric, gritty and exciting. The procedural aspects and the dynamics in an understaffed police department were very well executed as were Elizabeth’s moment in captivity. The author does a great job of describing the setting of a struggling, crime-infested small town. Delia’s personal life and her dynamic with colleagues and friends form an integral part of the narrative. Both Delia and Elizabeth are two strong and smart protagonists who manage to keep the reader engaged. The emphasis on local crime fighting often overshadows the kidnapping case , which at times dampened the thrill for me. Though the narrative did drag a little towards the end, I was happy with the way the story was resolved. I would be interested in more stories featuring the fearless Delia Merola in the future.
Thank you to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for providing a digital review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2022
3.0 stars
As someone fascinated by kidnapping and hostage stories, the premise of this one immediately grabbed in. As a story, I found it a bit cliche, reading a bit a like a made for TV movie. The characters (especially the Russian villian woman) were all quite cliche. The kidnapped victim was also quite young (15 years old) which made this adult thriller read more like young adult, due to her naive perspective. Despite my love for this subgenre, I found this one average at best and likely quite forgettable.
As someone fascinated by kidnapping and hostage stories, the premise of this one immediately grabbed in. As a story, I found it a bit cliche, reading a bit a like a made for TV movie. The characters (especially the Russian villian woman) were all quite cliche. The kidnapped victim was also quite young (15 years old) which made this adult thriller read more like young adult, due to her naive perspective. Despite my love for this subgenre, I found this one average at best and likely quite forgettable.
October 3, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review The Hostage.
Author: A.F. Carter
Published: 09/20/22
Narrator: Amy McFadden
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) - Mystery & Thrillers
Sometimes "It's okay" is a solid review, and that describes The Hostage. There is the standard small struggling town waiting on the pot of gold a "Nissan plant." The wealthy family's daughter is kidnapped. This is where I question genre. This reads like Young Adult. The story is simple, the girl is 15 and displays no fear. The character and dialogue was juvenile. The kidnappers reminded me of cartoon characters, I think from The Wacky Racers. Upon their entrance to the end, everything was deja vu.
I liked the ending. Even now, several days after finishing (My sincere apologies NetGalley.) I am feeling it. Lovely and deserved.
The narrator did a fine job
As I am a seasoned reader, this was a fast audible read (1.75) with a replay of the last few minutes to enhance my experience. I would gift this. Sadly, (Sincerest apologies NetGalley) a coffee spill soiled my notes, I can't recall if there was profanity.
Author: A.F. Carter
Published: 09/20/22
Narrator: Amy McFadden
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) - Mystery & Thrillers
Sometimes "It's okay" is a solid review, and that describes The Hostage. There is the standard small struggling town waiting on the pot of gold a "Nissan plant." The wealthy family's daughter is kidnapped. This is where I question genre. This reads like Young Adult. The story is simple, the girl is 15 and displays no fear. The character and dialogue was juvenile. The kidnappers reminded me of cartoon characters, I think from The Wacky Racers. Upon their entrance to the end, everything was deja vu.
I liked the ending. Even now, several days after finishing (My sincere apologies NetGalley.) I am feeling it. Lovely and deserved.
The narrator did a fine job
As I am a seasoned reader, this was a fast audible read (1.75) with a replay of the last few minutes to enhance my experience. I would gift this. Sadly, (Sincerest apologies NetGalley) a coffee spill soiled my notes, I can't recall if there was profanity.
September 13, 2022
Really enjoyed the unique characters in this one.
September 24, 2022
4-1/2 * rounded up to 5 *
Bookshelves: 2022, audio, netgalley, contemporary, crime-mysteries, thriller, lgbtq, contemporary, women-centered, usa
This was a fast-paced, exciting, thriller that I read in 2 days on audio because I couldn't put it down. Much in part was the great job that Amy McFadden, did as the narrator, and of course, the author Carter's writing. I received this ARC from NetGalley, the publisher, and author, A.F. Carter, for my honest review. (I wrote in a previous review that you only get honest reviews from Sagittarians - lol - thanks to all!)
The story is set in a small, rural town in the Rust-Belt* and involves the kidnapping of a highly intelligent and precocious 15 year old, Elizabeth Bradford. Elizabeth's wealthy family only recently moved to town and they have a strong security team and the home is well-protected. Her family has bid on a major construction project to build a Nissan plant, which could be their answer to their struggling economy, and the high crime and drug use.
* Named the "Rust Belt" in the late 1970s, after a sharp decline in industrial work left many factories abandoned, causing increased rust from exposure to the elements. It stretches from New York through the Midwest....near the Great Lakes.
Luckily, Delia is the local captain of the police force and she's a major dynamo. Smart, caring, a single mother of a high functioning teenage boy, Danny, who is most likely on the spectrum. Their relationship is so well written and developed! I find it very warming when authors put in "real" people and struggles. There's also a possible LGBTQ love interesting for Dellia, a lesbian, which I really hope pans out in a sequel. I don't need the romance, but REAL people, strong women as leads...wonderful. HOPING FOR A SEQUEL IN THE WORKS! I also really appreciated the well-edited writing that didn't drag on about something silly or minor or just to get laughs.
There was also a cool part, which reminded me of a true-crime podcast when some of the teens get involved and help Delia with clues and ideas, and there's just something about them coming together and helping...and valuing ideas despite their age. Several feel-good moments throughout the novel.
Yes, there were a few slight cons in the form of cliches, which I chose to overlook: wealthy family saving the town, wealthy kidnapping, Russian antagonist...
BUT, GO WITH THE STORY and just enjoy it!
Bookshelves: 2022, audio, netgalley, contemporary, crime-mysteries, thriller, lgbtq, contemporary, women-centered, usa
This was a fast-paced, exciting, thriller that I read in 2 days on audio because I couldn't put it down. Much in part was the great job that Amy McFadden, did as the narrator, and of course, the author Carter's writing. I received this ARC from NetGalley, the publisher, and author, A.F. Carter, for my honest review. (I wrote in a previous review that you only get honest reviews from Sagittarians - lol - thanks to all!)
The story is set in a small, rural town in the Rust-Belt* and involves the kidnapping of a highly intelligent and precocious 15 year old, Elizabeth Bradford. Elizabeth's wealthy family only recently moved to town and they have a strong security team and the home is well-protected. Her family has bid on a major construction project to build a Nissan plant, which could be their answer to their struggling economy, and the high crime and drug use.
* Named the "Rust Belt" in the late 1970s, after a sharp decline in industrial work left many factories abandoned, causing increased rust from exposure to the elements. It stretches from New York through the Midwest....near the Great Lakes.
Luckily, Delia is the local captain of the police force and she's a major dynamo. Smart, caring, a single mother of a high functioning teenage boy, Danny, who is most likely on the spectrum. Their relationship is so well written and developed! I find it very warming when authors put in "real" people and struggles. There's also a possible LGBTQ love interesting for Dellia, a lesbian, which I really hope pans out in a sequel. I don't need the romance, but REAL people, strong women as leads...wonderful. HOPING FOR A SEQUEL IN THE WORKS! I also really appreciated the well-edited writing that didn't drag on about something silly or minor or just to get laughs.
There was also a cool part, which reminded me of a true-crime podcast when some of the teens get involved and help Delia with clues and ideas, and there's just something about them coming together and helping...and valuing ideas despite their age. Several feel-good moments throughout the novel.
Yes, there were a few slight cons in the form of cliches, which I chose to overlook: wealthy family saving the town, wealthy kidnapping, Russian antagonist...
BUT, GO WITH THE STORY and just enjoy it!
June 8, 2022
I would like to ask the author a favor. Can we please have another novel with Delia? And soon?
I loved this. It’s a perfectly gritty crime drama with two utterly unique main characters.
Delia is awesome. She’s tough as can be, yet still has so much heart. I’m so curious about her backstory and I loved reading her.
Our victim, Elizabeth, is arrogant, bright, and odd. She’s this weird mix of hard to like and easy to love.
And our crime? While it seems much like a standard kidnapping, it really isn’t – and the tension is palpable.
While this is my first book from this author, it definitely won’t be my last!
*ARC via Net Galley
I loved this. It’s a perfectly gritty crime drama with two utterly unique main characters.
Delia is awesome. She’s tough as can be, yet still has so much heart. I’m so curious about her backstory and I loved reading her.
Our victim, Elizabeth, is arrogant, bright, and odd. She’s this weird mix of hard to like and easy to love.
And our crime? While it seems much like a standard kidnapping, it really isn’t – and the tension is palpable.
While this is my first book from this author, it definitely won’t be my last!
*ARC via Net Galley
October 13, 2022
This was a fast paced thriller that involved the kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl who is extremely smart and sends clues back to town on her whereabouts. The only problem, they may be too sophisticated for anyone to decipher. This is where her brother and the son of the police captain come in. They all work together to bring back this teen. It appears this kidnapping was planned well in advance of the move to this small town. Could it be someone close to the family or someone who has a grudge against the new company coming to town? So many twists and turns and will they figure it out in time to save the girl?
**Received this ARC for review in audio from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC for review in audio from the publisher via NetGalley**
January 15, 2023
Just an average story, with too many clichés for my taste (a Russian villain? C'mon!) and not enough charm in the characters to really grab my attention.
I found Elisa a cross between an arrogant prat and a really naive prat (which is logical, she's 15 years old) and all the parts with her voice sounded like a YA novel to me, which I don't read for an excellent reason: I don't like them *laughs* So all those part were completely lost for me.
I liked Delia, but she was the one in which all the exposition fell, such a shame to have a potentially good character having to explain every single step anyone took in the story :/ It got old quite fast.
I don't know, I might read another book by this author, but not right now.
I found Elisa a cross between an arrogant prat and a really naive prat (which is logical, she's 15 years old) and all the parts with her voice sounded like a YA novel to me, which I don't read for an excellent reason: I don't like them *laughs* So all those part were completely lost for me.
I liked Delia, but she was the one in which all the exposition fell, such a shame to have a potentially good character having to explain every single step anyone took in the story :/ It got old quite fast.
I don't know, I might read another book by this author, but not right now.
September 25, 2022
Fans of gritty, atmospheric, crime stories, this is a book for you!
To start, I listened to the audiobook and truly loved the narrator. “The Hostage,” is set in the small town of Baxter. Times are changing in Baxter, and an influx on development is coming to the city. That development is led by a wealthy family who have recently moved to the area. Sadly for them, their 15 year old daughter, Elizabeth, is kidnapped and a ransom is demanded. This book is told from two POVs. One is through Elizabeth’s eyes, and the other Delia, a detective in the town. While I enjoyed both of the strong, female leads, my favorite parts of the book were definitely from Elizabeth’s POV.
I thought this book had a satisfying ending, and while it took me a minute to get into Delia’s story, I liked the book overall. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review!
To start, I listened to the audiobook and truly loved the narrator. “The Hostage,” is set in the small town of Baxter. Times are changing in Baxter, and an influx on development is coming to the city. That development is led by a wealthy family who have recently moved to the area. Sadly for them, their 15 year old daughter, Elizabeth, is kidnapped and a ransom is demanded. This book is told from two POVs. One is through Elizabeth’s eyes, and the other Delia, a detective in the town. While I enjoyed both of the strong, female leads, my favorite parts of the book were definitely from Elizabeth’s POV.
I thought this book had a satisfying ending, and while it took me a minute to get into Delia’s story, I liked the book overall. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review!
September 21, 2022
Title: The Hostage
Author: A.F. Carter
Audiobook Narrator: Amy McFadden
Publisher: High Bridge Audio
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: September 20, 2022
My Rating: 3.5
Story is told from the POV of Captain Delia Merola of the Baxter Police Department and Elizabeth Bradford, the fifteen year-old who has been kidnapped.
Story starts with Elizabeth Bradford in the trunk of a car. She is the daughter of Christopher Branford of the Bradford Group that is currently the highest bidder on the construction contract of the new car plant. She has been kidnapped and being held hostage for a large ransom.
She is a very intelligent teenager; in fact, at fifteen she is a senior at a highly competitive prep school. She is smart enough to know that the kidnappers cannot be trusted to release her once the ransom is paid. She decides to act the part of a not so smart teen (rather than the arrogant teen she really is!
Captain Delia Merola is a busy mother of fourteen year old Danny and as Captain of the Police Department she is trying to clean up ‘out of control’ drug situation in Baxter.
The Nissan Car Company has plans to build a plant which will surely be a plus to the economy of the small town of Baxter so she and her small town team police force need to clean of the town. Her story starts when drug raid turns violent, three fatalities and a house fire.
So when the daughter of a member of the wealthy Bradford Group is kidnapped, Delia is fine with the FBT handling the case.
When the FBI advises the family to pay the ransom and wait for Elizabeth’s release, the family asks Delia if she and the local authorities would also investigation.
Hmmm
The story was a bit slow and at first I was really enjoying the parts with Delia and her son. True would have preferred that Delia showed she is intelligent and good at her job without peppering her sentences with explicative.
The hostage situation seems like a normal kidnapping of the bratty daughter of a rick family. However, I soon got very interested in Elizabeth and how she was dealing with her captors.
Story ended up more interesting that I thought!
I have a feeling we are going to hear more from Delia.
Want to thank NetGalley and High Bridge Audio for this early audio Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 20, 2022
Author: A.F. Carter
Audiobook Narrator: Amy McFadden
Publisher: High Bridge Audio
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: September 20, 2022
My Rating: 3.5
Story is told from the POV of Captain Delia Merola of the Baxter Police Department and Elizabeth Bradford, the fifteen year-old who has been kidnapped.
Story starts with Elizabeth Bradford in the trunk of a car. She is the daughter of Christopher Branford of the Bradford Group that is currently the highest bidder on the construction contract of the new car plant. She has been kidnapped and being held hostage for a large ransom.
She is a very intelligent teenager; in fact, at fifteen she is a senior at a highly competitive prep school. She is smart enough to know that the kidnappers cannot be trusted to release her once the ransom is paid. She decides to act the part of a not so smart teen (rather than the arrogant teen she really is!
Captain Delia Merola is a busy mother of fourteen year old Danny and as Captain of the Police Department she is trying to clean up ‘out of control’ drug situation in Baxter.
The Nissan Car Company has plans to build a plant which will surely be a plus to the economy of the small town of Baxter so she and her small town team police force need to clean of the town. Her story starts when drug raid turns violent, three fatalities and a house fire.
So when the daughter of a member of the wealthy Bradford Group is kidnapped, Delia is fine with the FBT handling the case.
When the FBI advises the family to pay the ransom and wait for Elizabeth’s release, the family asks Delia if she and the local authorities would also investigation.
Hmmm
The story was a bit slow and at first I was really enjoying the parts with Delia and her son. True would have preferred that Delia showed she is intelligent and good at her job without peppering her sentences with explicative.
The hostage situation seems like a normal kidnapping of the bratty daughter of a rick family. However, I soon got very interested in Elizabeth and how she was dealing with her captors.
Story ended up more interesting that I thought!
I have a feeling we are going to hear more from Delia.
Want to thank NetGalley and High Bridge Audio for this early audio Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 20, 2022
August 29, 2025
Weirdly written with lots of gaps, also way too many unnecessary mentions of Israel which added nothing to the plot. The ending was cliche and uninteresting, will never pick this up again
September 15, 2022
3.7 stars - rounded up
One of my favorite narrators -- that helped!
Admittedly, when the book started, I didn't think I could read another story about a rich brat or an uber wealthy family... or a kidnapping, but to my surprise I enjoyed the book! (Thankfully the super rich family isn't a main plot point).
One reason this book worked for me was there were two different narrators and their stories, while related, were also different. I especially enjoyed the "cop chapters" and reading about her life, career, etc. I found her very human/real and cool. The rich teenager also didn't irk me as much as I anticipated. At times I had trouble believing her age, but that is fairly typical.
Things I didn't like: The author talks about a the town's new Nissan factory so much that it was grating and I had to wonder if she is being paid by Nissan. I also thought the "captor" was far FAR more chatty than would actually happen in real life. The captor also had a few mild confessional monolgues that felt like nails on a chalkboard. Otherwise, decent characters, compelling story.
It did take me a few chapters to get into it, and I thought about DNF'ing, but once I got to 15-20% I I was eager to keep listening. Again, the narrator really helped. I don't know if I'd have paper read this.
SUMMARY: teen from an uber wealthy family is kidnapped for $10m ransom. In those chapters, the reader is with Elizabeth while she is held captive, plotting her escape. In other chapters, the reader is with a local cop. The FBI is called in to deal with the kidnapping of Elizabeth (and they tell the family to just pay up), but this cop sleuths around anyway, trying to find Elizabeth. The reader also learns about the cops life (e.g. her new love interest, the relationship with her son, her career, a big case she was recently on, etc). Eventually, at the very very end, the stories match up and the kidnapping resolves. No big twists. No big hollywood moment. Very refreshing and steady--a story that is a story without trying too hard.
Thanks netgalley for my ARC!
One of my favorite narrators -- that helped!
Admittedly, when the book started, I didn't think I could read another story about a rich brat or an uber wealthy family... or a kidnapping, but to my surprise I enjoyed the book! (Thankfully the super rich family isn't a main plot point).
One reason this book worked for me was there were two different narrators and their stories, while related, were also different. I especially enjoyed the "cop chapters" and reading about her life, career, etc. I found her very human/real and cool. The rich teenager also didn't irk me as much as I anticipated. At times I had trouble believing her age, but that is fairly typical.
Things I didn't like: The author talks about a the town's new Nissan factory so much that it was grating and I had to wonder if she is being paid by Nissan. I also thought the "captor" was far FAR more chatty than would actually happen in real life. The captor also had a few mild confessional monolgues that felt like nails on a chalkboard. Otherwise, decent characters, compelling story.
It did take me a few chapters to get into it, and I thought about DNF'ing, but once I got to 15-20% I I was eager to keep listening. Again, the narrator really helped. I don't know if I'd have paper read this.
SUMMARY: teen from an uber wealthy family is kidnapped for $10m ransom. In those chapters, the reader is with Elizabeth while she is held captive, plotting her escape. In other chapters, the reader is with a local cop. The FBI is called in to deal with the kidnapping of Elizabeth (and they tell the family to just pay up), but this cop sleuths around anyway, trying to find Elizabeth. The reader also learns about the cops life (e.g. her new love interest, the relationship with her son, her career, a big case she was recently on, etc). Eventually, at the very very end, the stories match up and the kidnapping resolves. No big twists. No big hollywood moment. Very refreshing and steady--a story that is a story without trying too hard.
Thanks netgalley for my ARC!
March 26, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
I received this book in audiobook format, and I recommend it as the narrator is well matched to the story and the narrator helps accentuate the suspense of the story.
"The Hostage" by A.F. Carter is a riveting thriller that delves into the gritty underbelly of a Rust Belt town grappling with the prospects of rejuvenation through industrial revival. The narrative is a compelling blend of suspense and social commentary, anchored by the strong-willed Captain Delia Merola, who finds herself at the heart of a chilling abduction case.
Carter's portrayal of Baxter, a town on the cusp of transformation with the promise of a new Nissan plant, is both authentic and evocative. The author masterfully captures the tension between hope and despair that permeates the community. The kidnapping of Elizabeth, the teenage daughter of the plant's lead bidder, introduces a new level of danger to the town's already complex social fabric.
The novel's dual narrative structure, alternating between Captain Merola's investigation and Elizabeth's harrowing experience, heightens the emotional stakes. Elizabeth's ingenuity in the face of peril is particularly gripping, showcasing Carter's ability to craft multidimensional characters that are vulnerable and resilient.
Carter's prose is sharp and unflinching, with a narrative pace that keeps the reader on edge. The book's strength lies not only in its plot twists but also in its exploration of themes such as economic hardship, family dynamics, and the quest for redemption.
"The Hostage" is a testament to A.F. Carter's skill in weaving a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. It's a story that resonates with the realities of contemporary society, making it a must-read for fans of the genre seeking depth and authenticity in their suspense fiction.
I received this book in audiobook format, and I recommend it as the narrator is well matched to the story and the narrator helps accentuate the suspense of the story.
"The Hostage" by A.F. Carter is a riveting thriller that delves into the gritty underbelly of a Rust Belt town grappling with the prospects of rejuvenation through industrial revival. The narrative is a compelling blend of suspense and social commentary, anchored by the strong-willed Captain Delia Merola, who finds herself at the heart of a chilling abduction case.
Carter's portrayal of Baxter, a town on the cusp of transformation with the promise of a new Nissan plant, is both authentic and evocative. The author masterfully captures the tension between hope and despair that permeates the community. The kidnapping of Elizabeth, the teenage daughter of the plant's lead bidder, introduces a new level of danger to the town's already complex social fabric.
The novel's dual narrative structure, alternating between Captain Merola's investigation and Elizabeth's harrowing experience, heightens the emotional stakes. Elizabeth's ingenuity in the face of peril is particularly gripping, showcasing Carter's ability to craft multidimensional characters that are vulnerable and resilient.
Carter's prose is sharp and unflinching, with a narrative pace that keeps the reader on edge. The book's strength lies not only in its plot twists but also in its exploration of themes such as economic hardship, family dynamics, and the quest for redemption.
"The Hostage" is a testament to A.F. Carter's skill in weaving a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. It's a story that resonates with the realities of contemporary society, making it a must-read for fans of the genre seeking depth and authenticity in their suspense fiction.
September 17, 2022
The Hostage
A.F. Carter
The setting for this tale is Baxter, a small town with economic woes. Like many depressed areas Baxter has a lot of meth labs and Captain Delia Merola is determined to locate and destroy them all. She issued a warning to all the dealers; she is coming for them. Delia spends her days busting meth labs and arresting drug dealers; she is a single mom to her fourteen-year-old son., Danny There is hope for this depressed town a Nissan car plant is planning to build in the area bringing a much-needed boost to the area’s economy. The owner of the construction company in charge of the project and his family are in town for the duration of the construction. When the family’s fifteen-year-old daughter is abducted, the FBI are called in; their advice for the family is pay the ransom and wait for them to return Elizabeth. The family turns to Delia and the Baxter police department for help. Whoever kidnapped Elizabeth had a well thought out plan; they ar e obviously highly experienced. Elizabeth was kidnapped by a professional kidnapping ring. The kidnappers didn’t know Elizabeth; she is extremely smart. Most fifteen-year-olds would be panicked but Elizabeth was working on a plan on how to get a cryptic message to her family. While the kidnappers assured Elizabeth, they would release her as soon as the ransom she knew there were no guarantees.
This tale kept me on the edge of my seat. It is realistic and electrifying. The tale is told from two points of view Delia and Elizabeth’s. Author A.F. Carter does an excellent job of setting the stage for this story. The main characters, Delia and Elizabeth are well developed; they are both passionate, tough and very intelligent. I enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
A.F. Carter
The setting for this tale is Baxter, a small town with economic woes. Like many depressed areas Baxter has a lot of meth labs and Captain Delia Merola is determined to locate and destroy them all. She issued a warning to all the dealers; she is coming for them. Delia spends her days busting meth labs and arresting drug dealers; she is a single mom to her fourteen-year-old son., Danny There is hope for this depressed town a Nissan car plant is planning to build in the area bringing a much-needed boost to the area’s economy. The owner of the construction company in charge of the project and his family are in town for the duration of the construction. When the family’s fifteen-year-old daughter is abducted, the FBI are called in; their advice for the family is pay the ransom and wait for them to return Elizabeth. The family turns to Delia and the Baxter police department for help. Whoever kidnapped Elizabeth had a well thought out plan; they ar e obviously highly experienced. Elizabeth was kidnapped by a professional kidnapping ring. The kidnappers didn’t know Elizabeth; she is extremely smart. Most fifteen-year-olds would be panicked but Elizabeth was working on a plan on how to get a cryptic message to her family. While the kidnappers assured Elizabeth, they would release her as soon as the ransom she knew there were no guarantees.
This tale kept me on the edge of my seat. It is realistic and electrifying. The tale is told from two points of view Delia and Elizabeth’s. Author A.F. Carter does an excellent job of setting the stage for this story. The main characters, Delia and Elizabeth are well developed; they are both passionate, tough and very intelligent. I enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
September 24, 2022
I wanted to thank the author for letting me read this book and letting me give my honest review. I was able to read this book early on NetGalley. I highly recommend this book. The storyline was so captivating. I’m hoping another book will come out. I would really love to see where Detective Merola goes from here.
From the first few chapters, I was hooked. The book starts from the perspective of Elizabeth Bradford, who has been abducted and is being held in the trunk of her abductor's car. It gives a real insight into her panicked yet calm demeanor. It provides a glimpse into what kind of person Elizabeth is and the mind of a 15-Year-Old girl who is brilliant and exceptionally wealthy.
In the upcoming chapters, we meet Captain Delia Merloa, who is a veteran police officer in the town of Baxter. She aims to clean up the small town of Baxter in preparation for the upcoming Nissan plant. In the first introductory chapter, Delia is preparing to raid a well-known meth house. The author's explanation was exceptional; we could get a glimpse into Delia’s mind and how understaffed and the defective equipment the police department has. Delia hopes that because of this upcoming Nissan plant it’ll bring more funds to the small town.
As the book continues to switch from the mind of Delia to Elizabeth. I thoroughly enjoyed the different perspectives of both main characters. I especially love the intimate thoughts of each character and how it beautifully flows together to create an exciting story.
When Elizabeth escaped, my heart started racing. I was completely engulfed in the whole storyline from the beginning. I was worried that Tasha was going to find her. The scene where detective Merola and Cade walked up to the residence was so intense I couldn’t stop reading!!
From the first few chapters, I was hooked. The book starts from the perspective of Elizabeth Bradford, who has been abducted and is being held in the trunk of her abductor's car. It gives a real insight into her panicked yet calm demeanor. It provides a glimpse into what kind of person Elizabeth is and the mind of a 15-Year-Old girl who is brilliant and exceptionally wealthy.
In the upcoming chapters, we meet Captain Delia Merloa, who is a veteran police officer in the town of Baxter. She aims to clean up the small town of Baxter in preparation for the upcoming Nissan plant. In the first introductory chapter, Delia is preparing to raid a well-known meth house. The author's explanation was exceptional; we could get a glimpse into Delia’s mind and how understaffed and the defective equipment the police department has. Delia hopes that because of this upcoming Nissan plant it’ll bring more funds to the small town.
As the book continues to switch from the mind of Delia to Elizabeth. I thoroughly enjoyed the different perspectives of both main characters. I especially love the intimate thoughts of each character and how it beautifully flows together to create an exciting story.
When Elizabeth escaped, my heart started racing. I was completely engulfed in the whole storyline from the beginning. I was worried that Tasha was going to find her. The scene where detective Merola and Cade walked up to the residence was so intense I couldn’t stop reading!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2022
This book was a 4/5 star book for me.
I felt like this book was really fast paced, and was really easy for me to finish.
In this book we follow a dual POV. We have Elizabeth, the daughter of a very rich and powerful man that is about to build a Nissan plant that will ultimately bring the town back to life, who was kidnapped and held for ransom. We also have Delia who is the Captain of the police department and is determined to clean up the streets so the Nissan deal doesn't fall through.
What I really liked about this book, is there wasn't a lot of wasted time. Things were pretty straight forward, and there wasn't a lot of fluff with long paragraphs about how worried people are or how Elizabeth thought she was going to die.
I really like Delia's character as she seems to have real life problems, but she keeps going and tries not to complain to much. She does have a love interest but that is in the background, and there is a orphaned child she saved from one of her raids that super connected to her. I felt like that was unneeded but I think it was to show that Delia is human, otherwise she does come off a little cold.
Elizabeth was a great character also! She is able to leave clues in her phone calls and really like that. I do find it a little weird that everyone in her life says she is super smart and acts like it, implying she is a know-it-all but she never really seems that way with the captures. She is obviously very smart, and confident but she never seems as arrogant as the family makes her out to be.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to other people looking for a quick and fun mystery/light thriller book.
I felt like this book was really fast paced, and was really easy for me to finish.
In this book we follow a dual POV. We have Elizabeth, the daughter of a very rich and powerful man that is about to build a Nissan plant that will ultimately bring the town back to life, who was kidnapped and held for ransom. We also have Delia who is the Captain of the police department and is determined to clean up the streets so the Nissan deal doesn't fall through.
What I really liked about this book, is there wasn't a lot of wasted time. Things were pretty straight forward, and there wasn't a lot of fluff with long paragraphs about how worried people are or how Elizabeth thought she was going to die.
I really like Delia's character as she seems to have real life problems, but she keeps going and tries not to complain to much. She does have a love interest but that is in the background, and there is a orphaned child she saved from one of her raids that super connected to her. I felt like that was unneeded but I think it was to show that Delia is human, otherwise she does come off a little cold.
Elizabeth was a great character also! She is able to leave clues in her phone calls and really like that. I do find it a little weird that everyone in her life says she is super smart and acts like it, implying she is a know-it-all but she never really seems that way with the captures. She is obviously very smart, and confident but she never seems as arrogant as the family makes her out to be.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to other people looking for a quick and fun mystery/light thriller book.
September 14, 2022
Do I like gritty mysteries now?
“A new Nissan plant is coming to the depressed Rust Belt town of Baxter, and Captain Delia Merola has been busy cleaning up the crime-addled city ever since the deal was announced. But when the 15-year-old daughter of the lead bidder on the construction project—a wealthy out-of-towner—suddenly disappears, and it becomes clear that a professional kidnapping ring may be responsible, Delia realizes that the factory’s influx of cash could bring with it an entirely new sort of danger, never before considered in this working class milieu.”
I’m not generally a glutton for murder mysteries, because of all the, well, MURDER. This one, though, may have changed my mind.
The characters were well-drawn. Delia and Elizabeth are both complex but mostly likeable characters.
Delia – Police Chief. Mom. Lesbian. Both hard and soft.
Elizabeth – Teen. Privileged. Brilliant. Focused. Brat.
The story was well-paced, in depth, but not tedious. Tense, but not stressful. Gritty, but not gory.
I hope this is turned into a series, because I’d definitely line up to read more about Delia, Danny, Cade, and The Dink.
8/10
Thanks to NetGalley, RB Media, and HighBridge Audio for this thoroughly enjoyable ARC.
“A new Nissan plant is coming to the depressed Rust Belt town of Baxter, and Captain Delia Merola has been busy cleaning up the crime-addled city ever since the deal was announced. But when the 15-year-old daughter of the lead bidder on the construction project—a wealthy out-of-towner—suddenly disappears, and it becomes clear that a professional kidnapping ring may be responsible, Delia realizes that the factory’s influx of cash could bring with it an entirely new sort of danger, never before considered in this working class milieu.”
I’m not generally a glutton for murder mysteries, because of all the, well, MURDER. This one, though, may have changed my mind.
The characters were well-drawn. Delia and Elizabeth are both complex but mostly likeable characters.
Delia – Police Chief. Mom. Lesbian. Both hard and soft.
Elizabeth – Teen. Privileged. Brilliant. Focused. Brat.
The story was well-paced, in depth, but not tedious. Tense, but not stressful. Gritty, but not gory.
I hope this is turned into a series, because I’d definitely line up to read more about Delia, Danny, Cade, and The Dink.
8/10
Thanks to NetGalley, RB Media, and HighBridge Audio for this thoroughly enjoyable ARC.
September 22, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for an advanced audio copy.
The hostage opens up with an exhilarating scene. Elizabeth is kidnapped and the first chapter is from her point of view while she struggles to assess her situation. Elizabeth is the daughter of a wealthy family but at only age 15 is probably the smartest person in every room. The way she is written you can tell she is not the cliche daughter of a rich family, she is more than that.
Captain Delia Merloa has a backlog of work, along with the responsibilities of being a parent when the kidnapping case comes to her. At first, the FBI takes the lead which is a relief to Delia while she focuses on other work and aspects of her life. Delia is a strong and interesting character but when she takes a step back and the FBI takes the lead, I started to lose some focus on the story. The book is called The Hostage, Elizabeth is kidnapped. This should be the focus but sadly some of the other police work and drama overshadow the kidnapping. Especially when we go a few chapters in a row without even mentioning it.
I really liked both Elizabeth and Delia as characters and I enjoyed the kidnapping story that was here. I almost feel this would be much better off as a short story rather than a novel. The other parts of the story were interesting on their own merits but I just wanted to get back to the real issue, which was the kidnapping.
Even with my complaints, the base story, the strong characters, and excellent descriptions make this a book I would recommend.
The hostage opens up with an exhilarating scene. Elizabeth is kidnapped and the first chapter is from her point of view while she struggles to assess her situation. Elizabeth is the daughter of a wealthy family but at only age 15 is probably the smartest person in every room. The way she is written you can tell she is not the cliche daughter of a rich family, she is more than that.
Captain Delia Merloa has a backlog of work, along with the responsibilities of being a parent when the kidnapping case comes to her. At first, the FBI takes the lead which is a relief to Delia while she focuses on other work and aspects of her life. Delia is a strong and interesting character but when she takes a step back and the FBI takes the lead, I started to lose some focus on the story. The book is called The Hostage, Elizabeth is kidnapped. This should be the focus but sadly some of the other police work and drama overshadow the kidnapping. Especially when we go a few chapters in a row without even mentioning it.
I really liked both Elizabeth and Delia as characters and I enjoyed the kidnapping story that was here. I almost feel this would be much better off as a short story rather than a novel. The other parts of the story were interesting on their own merits but I just wanted to get back to the real issue, which was the kidnapping.
Even with my complaints, the base story, the strong characters, and excellent descriptions make this a book I would recommend.
October 3, 2022
The town of Baxter is undergoing a revolution- a new Nissan plant is being built and it is bringing people to the town, including the wealthy family contracted to build the plant. Shortly after their arrival, the daughter of said wealthy family is kidnapped. Elizabeth, the kidnapped 15 year old, is incredibly smart. Already a high school senior at fifteen. When she makes the proof of life calls to her family, she sneaks in clues. But will someone solve them before it is too late?
There were parts of this I liked and parts I didn't. I enjoyed Delia's chapters more than Elizabeth's. However, I felt Delia's romance was kind of forced into the story. I found myself more interested in the police force in general than Elizabeth.
I listened to the audio version of the book. While the story is told from a dual POV, only Amy McFadden narrated it. She did use a slightly different voice in the chapters, but I always like it best when each POV has their own narrator. Otherwise, a decent narration.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
There were parts of this I liked and parts I didn't. I enjoyed Delia's chapters more than Elizabeth's. However, I felt Delia's romance was kind of forced into the story. I found myself more interested in the police force in general than Elizabeth.
I listened to the audio version of the book. While the story is told from a dual POV, only Amy McFadden narrated it. She did use a slightly different voice in the chapters, but I always like it best when each POV has their own narrator. Otherwise, a decent narration.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2022
Unfortunately, not a book for me.
I always have a hard time with books written from several perspectives, they must be very interesting for me to like it. This was not, quite the opposite, in fact. The book is called The Hostage, so one would think it is about a hostage, and yes it is, in parts. However, it's not that often it is told in the hostage's point of view. It was more like a cheesy soap opera, and that was not what I wanted nor expected.
Delia the detective, is not a very likable character, not to me at least, so the chapters about her were a struggle to get through, and far too much lull lull - as we say in Sweden, meaning; you dress it up with other (often glittery) things that really isn't needful for the story to progress. Nonsense is another word for it, and boy is this story full of it, which made it a pain for me to get through. So a weak two from me.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish)
I always have a hard time with books written from several perspectives, they must be very interesting for me to like it. This was not, quite the opposite, in fact. The book is called The Hostage, so one would think it is about a hostage, and yes it is, in parts. However, it's not that often it is told in the hostage's point of view. It was more like a cheesy soap opera, and that was not what I wanted nor expected.
Delia the detective, is not a very likable character, not to me at least, so the chapters about her were a struggle to get through, and far too much lull lull - as we say in Sweden, meaning; you dress it up with other (often glittery) things that really isn't needful for the story to progress. Nonsense is another word for it, and boy is this story full of it, which made it a pain for me to get through. So a weak two from me.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish)
September 22, 2022
The Hostage by A.F. Carter
While I wasn’t swept away by the events of the story, I was transfixed by the characters. For a thriller, the hostage is pretty tame. Rather than lots of blood and gore (there is some, just not buckets) there are complex characters and nuanced interactions.
My favorite element of Carters writing is how spot on they get with the minor atmospheric details. Considerable care was taken in scene setting descriptors.
Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 5
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4.6
#Books #Bookstagram #Book #BookLover #Reading #Bookworm #Bookstagrammer #Read #Bookish #BookNerd #BookAddict #BooksOfIinstagram #Bibliophile #InstaBook #Love #Bookshelf #ReadersOfInstagram #BooksBooksBooks #Bookaholic #Libros #Reader #BookPhotography #B #BookLove #Art #Author #Literature #BookLovers
While I wasn’t swept away by the events of the story, I was transfixed by the characters. For a thriller, the hostage is pretty tame. Rather than lots of blood and gore (there is some, just not buckets) there are complex characters and nuanced interactions.
My favorite element of Carters writing is how spot on they get with the minor atmospheric details. Considerable care was taken in scene setting descriptors.
Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 5
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4.6
#Books #Bookstagram #Book #BookLover #Reading #Bookworm #Bookstagrammer #Read #Bookish #BookNerd #BookAddict #BooksOfIinstagram #Bibliophile #InstaBook #Love #Bookshelf #ReadersOfInstagram #BooksBooksBooks #Bookaholic #Libros #Reader #BookPhotography #B #BookLove #Art #Author #Literature #BookLovers
September 29, 2022
Wow 10 Star book ! This is the best books I’ve read in a long time.
I characters were very detailed so I felt like I knew the people. An interesting story told from the hostage’s point of view and the detectives point of view.
When I read the description about a super brainy teenager who is extremely rich, I was definitely prepared to be annoyed by her. And in some spots I did find her annoying but she has some very human characteristics that came through and to tell more would give her way too much of the story.
This was the first book I had read from this author I highly recommend it I will be looking for more from A.F. Carter thank you so much for this arc from netgalley And Highbridge audio
I characters were very detailed so I felt like I knew the people. An interesting story told from the hostage’s point of view and the detectives point of view.
When I read the description about a super brainy teenager who is extremely rich, I was definitely prepared to be annoyed by her. And in some spots I did find her annoying but she has some very human characteristics that came through and to tell more would give her way too much of the story.
This was the first book I had read from this author I highly recommend it I will be looking for more from A.F. Carter thank you so much for this arc from netgalley And Highbridge audio
June 23, 2022
The Hostage is a mystery as well as look into a rust belt town trying to pull itself back up when a new factory comes to town.
As a new auto plant is being built, the daughter of one of the wealthy investors is kidnapped. Although she is only 15, she is smart and things fast on her feet. The kidnappers appear to be professionals but they are not even ready for this young woman.
The factory and the money it will bring to the region seems to be coming at a most unwelcome cost.
Finding a book that offers a glimpse into social issues while following a strong female protagonist in a good mystery is not to be missed.
As a new auto plant is being built, the daughter of one of the wealthy investors is kidnapped. Although she is only 15, she is smart and things fast on her feet. The kidnappers appear to be professionals but they are not even ready for this young woman.
The factory and the money it will bring to the region seems to be coming at a most unwelcome cost.
Finding a book that offers a glimpse into social issues while following a strong female protagonist in a good mystery is not to be missed.
September 19, 2022
I really liked that this was written from both the perspective of the hosts age and the hero. It was a classic hostage story but had a lot of modern twists that made it more relevant. I also thought the en
🌀Synopsis
Elizabeth is abducted shortly after her family moves to Baxter. Her kidnappers, however, actually kind of take care of her. They assure her that if she follows the rules and her parents give them the money that she’ll be let go, free and clear. They keep her hidden in the woods and fill her with junk food. Her family is willing to pay to get her back but they’re also having a hard time trusting the FBI and end up getting the local law enforcement involved.
Enter Delia Merola, who is left to decode the secret messages that Elizabeth is sending them and find her without her parents losing a dime. As it turns out, her kidnappers are repeat offenders and following their trail Delia is able to track them down.
🌀Synopsis
Elizabeth is abducted shortly after her family moves to Baxter. Her kidnappers, however, actually kind of take care of her. They assure her that if she follows the rules and her parents give them the money that she’ll be let go, free and clear. They keep her hidden in the woods and fill her with junk food. Her family is willing to pay to get her back but they’re also having a hard time trusting the FBI and end up getting the local law enforcement involved.
Enter Delia Merola, who is left to decode the secret messages that Elizabeth is sending them and find her without her parents losing a dime. As it turns out, her kidnappers are repeat offenders and following their trail Delia is able to track them down.
September 16, 2022
When 15 year old Elizabeth, daughter of a rich family, is kidnapped, Captain Delia already has a lot to deal with. A new plant is coming to town, and she needs to clean up the town to make it a safer place. Her boss tells her to let the FBI deal with the abduction, but Elizabeth's family insists that she's brought in to make things move faster.
This gritty mystery is told in dual POV, Delia's and Elizabeth's, two strong female protagonists, which I loved. The narration had a great flow. I preferred the kidnapping case to the rest of the plot, but all in all, an exciting read.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This gritty mystery is told in dual POV, Delia's and Elizabeth's, two strong female protagonists, which I loved. The narration had a great flow. I preferred the kidnapping case to the rest of the plot, but all in all, an exciting read.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 22, 2022
3.5 stars
Told in first person, the Hostage is told in dual points of view. Told in Captain Delia Merola and Elizabeth Bradford alternating POV. Elizabeth finds herself in a trunk of a vehicle and she must find a way to escape. Elizabeth is well aware of what she must face or do in order to escape her captors, but the question remains. Will she be able to before her time is up?
Captain Delia POV is very much a police procedural and what her life entails, and her investigations, and busting down meth labs. While both storylines are engaging I found Delia's called to me more.
Special thanks to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for the ALC.
Told in first person, the Hostage is told in dual points of view. Told in Captain Delia Merola and Elizabeth Bradford alternating POV. Elizabeth finds herself in a trunk of a vehicle and she must find a way to escape. Elizabeth is well aware of what she must face or do in order to escape her captors, but the question remains. Will she be able to before her time is up?
Captain Delia POV is very much a police procedural and what her life entails, and her investigations, and busting down meth labs. While both storylines are engaging I found Delia's called to me more.
Special thanks to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for the ALC.
March 9, 2025
Book #2 in the Captain Delia Mariola series continues the gritty story of Baxter, where a new automobile assembly plant is being built. The town is beginning to feel as if it's coming back to life until the daughter of the auto plant is kidnapped. At this point, AF Carter stirs in some interesting twists that make the story much more interesting. The tension and suspense keep the pressure on Captain Mariola to recue the victim before the young woman loses her life and the town loses their future.
October 2, 2022
The plot was really intriguing, and Elizabeth’s POV was great. The only thing that turned me off was Delia’s personality. I couldn’t stand her, and I found that Delia had too many chapters. The book is called the hostage but half of the book is about Delia the police captain, the hero, and covid survivor (which added nothing to the story and was slightly annoying). Half of the Delia POV chapters also had nothing to do with Elizabeth.. the hostage!
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