Paying the Piper

Fleetwood & Sheils Thriller #1

by Simon Wood

Years ago reporter Scott Fleetwood had become famous through his correspondence with a serial kidnapper called the Piper, but it turns out that he had been talking to the wrong man, helping the real criminal to get away, and now the real Piper is back with new targets in mind, Scott's children. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Audiobook, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

386 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2007

About the author

Simon Wood is a California transplant from England. He's an ex-competitive racecar driver, a licensed pilot and an occasional private investigator. He shares his world with his American wife, Julie. Their lives are dominated by a longhaired dachshund and five cats. In the last ten years, he's had over 150 stories and articles published. His stories have been included in “Best of” anthologies and he's a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest. He's the Anthony Award winner and a Crime Writers Dagger Award finalist. He's the author of Working Stiffs, Accidents Waiting to Happen, Paying the Piper, Terminated, We All Fall Down, Deceptive Practices, The Fall Guy, Hot Seat and Did Not Finish. His latest thriller is, Saving Grace. He also writes horror under the pen name of Simon Janus. Those titles include The Scrubs and Road Rash.

Reviews

[MissSusie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down; I read it in 2 days. This was my second book by this author I read his book “The One That Got Way” thanks to the Kindle First Program and loved it so I thought I’d try another one and this one grabbed me just as fast as the first one I read. If you are a fan of Harlan Coben I think you will like Wood’s books too.

This book had some edge of your seat moments and also a lot of What Ifs? Or What would you do? I also figured something out early, but thought it was a great red herring then got blindsided by being right!

8 years ago Scott Fleetwood was an up and coming reporter when he gets the call of a lifetime from the man known as The Piper who has kidnapped 8 children and is offering Scott an exclusive, but what he thinks is his big break turns out to be a crank call that causes the death of the Pipers current victim. The Piper has never killed before and there is a note on the boy’s chest saying ‘You’re to Blame’. And everyone blames Scott including the FBI, the public, the family and The Piper. And now 8 years later one of Scott’s twin boys has been kidnapped by the Piper but this isn’t the Piper’s MO this is revenge and it’s personal.

This book had a lot of twists and turns, and since this time it’s personal the Piper is asking a lot more than money of Scott he wants him to pay in more ways than one. I really liked how strong of a relationship Scott had with his wife, Jane and I truly felt the pain of poor Peter whose twin was fooled into getting into a car with a stranger while he was told he couldn’t come, so heartbreaking. All of the side characters in this book were very well developed including all the FBI people I especially like the way Agent Guerra handled matters with the family and how good she was with Peter. Even Agent Sheils who at first wasn’t very professional grew on me eventually.

I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say this was a great thriller, I plan to read everything Simon Wood has written and think he is right up there with Coben in writing a good thriller.

4 ½ Stars

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling edge of your seat ride from start to finish. I literally couldn’t put it down. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there was another twist. Very much looking forward to reading Saving Grace now.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so many “ah” moments with this book that I just have to give it 5 stars! One night I woke up frantically wondering if my own children where in their beds, only to realize they were either sleeping in their college dorm room or living at their own house…. that’s how drawn in I got. This is a first-rate thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through till the end. It’s a parent’s worse nightmare to have your child abducted from you and the author does a great job playing with the readers emotions with all the various characters as he plays out the scenarios that surround the kidnapping. Who is paying the Piper and who is playing with the Piper? How far would you go to get your child back? Would you let your emotions get in the way? Well done…bravo, bravo!! Looking forward to reading more by this author!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very twisty 😅

You’d think you know who the villain is but then second guess yourself and then go back again and it doesn’t make sense and then at the end it’s like aahhhaahh 🤦🏾‍♂️.

I enjoyed this so much , I’m definitely going in for book 2

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of the child-in-peril thrillers. That said, Simon Wood keeps that part within the respectable PG-13 bounds in Paying the Piper. We've been table-of-content mates in short fiction anthologies. I liked his sense of pace, nifty plot twists, and well-drawn characters, particularly the law enforcement types. His writing is forceful but smooth. In short, I spent several nights following his heroes and villains in print with enlivened interest, and I remained entertained until the surprising end. Great stuff here.

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sicher nicht mein letztes Buch von Simon Wood.

Scott Fleetwood war ein aufstrebender Kriminalreporter als der berüchtigte "Kinderfänger" ihm ein exklusives Interview angeboten hat. Das Interview macht ihn berühmt, stellt sich aber als größter Fehler heraus. Es war nur ein Schwindler und der echte Kinderfänger, der die Kindesentführungen nur als Geldquelle sieht, tötet sein aktuelles Opfer.
FBI, Öffentlichkeit, die Familie des Opfers und der Kinderfänger selbst machen Scott verantwortlich.
8 Jahre lebt Scott mit der Schuld und Verachtung. Dann hört er wieder vom Kinderfänger, er hat einen seiner Zwillinge. Und diesmal ist es persönlich. Der Kinderfänger will nicht nur Geld, das Leben seines Sohnes hat einen höheren Preis...

Der Schreibstil gefällt mir und auch die vielen unerwarteten Wendungen, so wie die durchgehende Spannung. Nicht offensichtlich brutaler Horror sondern subtiler Thrill.
Vieles an der Story ist richtig gut. Und trotzdem konnte mich das Ganze nicht durchgehend fesseln. Es gab auch verhältnismäßig nicht viele Längen. Kann aber auch daran liegen, dass ich zu abgelenkt war.

Die persönliche Ebene hat mir besonders gefallen. Die Charakterisierung der Protagonisten und auch der Nebencharaktere ist super. Die Gedanken und Gefühle der Einzelnen und auch die persönlichen Beziehungen sind außergewöhnlich gut dargestellt.
Die Beziehung von Scott und seiner Frau Jane, die Gefühlswelt des kleinen Peter, der bei der Entführung seines Bruders zurückgelassen wurde, die Familien der Opfer und die Kinder, die vom Kinderfänger zurückkamen selbst. Vor allem deren Erinnerungen, die die Geschichte des Kinderfängers beschreiben machen es besonders.

[Margaret Hislop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read.

At last a book i could enjoy with no glaring mistakes, no unnecessary cursing, no unnecessary sex thrown in. Just a good thriller. First time I've read anything by this author but it won't be the last.

[Cynthia Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight years ago, reporter Scott Fleetwood thought he helped catch The Piper, a serial kidnapper, but interfering in the case caused the Piper not to receive his ransom and the death of eight-year-old Nicolas Rooker.

Now the Piper has resurfaced, and he has taken Scott’s child. But this isn’t a simple ransom kidnapping. The Piper has returned with a vengeance and the target is Sammy Fleetwood.

A faced paced thriller full of twists and turns. This tale is different than most crime fic novels because this story actually focuses on the victim’s family. Most authors make the mistake of placing the investigator assigned to the case as the lead role and this is a mistake, because really, who cares about the boring detective working his dreary desk job? Yes, of course we want to see the action, but we also want to feel the emotions of the family as they fight to have their loved ones returned. Wood placed a perfect balance on both Scott and Agent Shiels’ roles. I loved following Scott around on the adventure of his lifetime all while developing a certain level of respect for Agent Shiels who always had his victim’s backs.

I will say that I began to suspect the perpetrator about 33% into the story, but I could not match up the evidence to link him to the crime. This kept every page imperative to turn. I had to learn how this story was going to end. And boy did it end with a bang! It really felt just like watching CSI or Criminal Minds.

I’ve never read a Stephen King book, but I feel that if I had, I would be comparing Wood’s work to King. Yes, it’s that good!

[Laura Alber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love feeling out of breath after reading a Simon Wood book, I feel like I am right there in the chase! Every book has been like this. Wood creates a world and inserts the reader in it so effortlessly. And, once again, it's dawn and I'm just now going to get a few hours of sleep, since I couldn't put this book down until I finished it. And, I've already downloaded the next book in this series!

[Arica Lingerfelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!

Enjoyed the suspense of this book and characters, surprises and suspense kept me wanting to read more...would read sequel. not too intense, but just enough.

[Jaidis Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking to get pulled in and pumped up by a truly kick-ass suspense novel, then this book is for you! Simon Wood’s Paying the Piper is a pure adrenaline rush that will have you hanging by the edge of your seat while clawing at your heartstrings. Mr. Wood tells the tale of a parent’s worst nightmare, the kidnapping of a child and the unrelenting attempts to get them back! The excitement begins as soon as you open the book, the story moving along at a swift and thrilling pace. The storyline is fantastic and the characters are complex and diverse. I saw and felt this novel come to life as I’m sure many readers have and will!

Right off the bat we are introduced to Scott Fleetwood, a crime reporter for the Independent, as he races his way across town to his children’s elementary school. His wife had just called with horrible, life-altering news…their son had been kidnapped! Every parent hopes and prays for their children to be kept safe from such a tragedy, but Scott had almost expected it. Just eight years ago Scott had made a terrible mistake and put publicity and a good story above bringing down the bad guy. Scott believed the man on the phone was The Piper, a serial kidnapper contacting him personally to tell his story. This was huge, or it would’ve been had he really been speaking with The Piper. Scott soon realized he had been duped when the area’s highly feared kidnapper became a cold-blooded killer, showing the F.B.I., the news and Scott that they had made a grave mistake in ignoring his demands. A young boy had been killed and Scott has been blamed by all for his death. Now, after eight years his children were being used as pawns in this sick and vengeful game that The Piper had waited long enough to play. Scott wanted his children back and was willing to get them no matter the cost. It was time to pay The Piper.

I highly recommend reading this book to just about anyone! I was completely engaged in this story from the beginning and found myself emotionally vested in the main character’s course to get his kids back. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, keeping the storyline fresh and invigorating! Loved this book!

Hazel O'Shea
Written for the Juniper Grove Blog

[Gerald Sinstadt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simon Wood has enough titles - and enough awards - to his credit to know that he has a loyal readership. Perhaps they will welcome Paying the Piper but someone new to this author may feel uninspired by a familiar plot, some cardboard characters and clichéd writing: "... in this day and age" on only the second page.

Scott Fleetwood is a journalist who covered past kidnappings by 'The Piper.' Now his own child has been snatched. Tom Shiels, the FBI agent assigned to the case, also has personal issues to settle. Jane, Fleetwood's wife, fluctuates between bursting into tears and being a fierce mother demanding action. And this is the problem. Characters change personality in order to drive the plot.

Provided that is no bar to enjoyment, indulgent readers may travel with a convoluted plot to its somewhat predictable conclusion. It is not too demanding - except in requiring belief in the people involved.

[Neville Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

If you like a gripping and fast paced thriller read this you won't be disappointed I could not put it down

[Andrea Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced book that despite dealing with a haunting subject gives a great read.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good serial kidnapper tale with a fair few twists. The Piper hasn't been active for eight years - the last in a series of kidnappings went wrong, and he blames journalist Scott Fleetwood. He had been conned by a man claiming to be the kidnapper, keeping the story for himself rather than telling the FBI. When Fleetwood's son goes missing it seems The Piper is looking for revenge.

FBI agent Shields is back on the case, hunting the one who got away. But when The Piper contacts Fleetwood and sets him tasks in return for his son's life, he has no choice but to keep Sheils in the dark.

Paying The Piper is an easy read, with a fast pace and an interesting cast of characters. The final scenes are explosive, with nothing turning out as expected.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook and found it to be pretty good in terms of the story. It was a compelling thriller with a lot of twists and turns. The dialogue seemed stilted and awkward at times, but maybe that was due to narration. Overall, I'd read more books by this author in the future.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very suspenseful!

[Leah Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

Kept me hooked the whole time even if I did figure out the plot line lol looking forward to the next instalment

[Tom Stretton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

Paying the piper is my first Simon Wood novel and I did enjoy it. A story of kidnap, murder and revenge for mistakes made 8 years previous, this tale kept me gripped until the end with some late twists that I hadn't completely ruled out earlier in the book, although the author did a good job of steering me away with his talent for telling the story from the different characters points of views. Paying the piper is a book I'd recommend and a good solid 3.5 stars. I'll certainly read the sequel at some point too.

[laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Excellent book. Lots of suspense, action, strong characters. I enjoyed this book much more than the first book of Simon Wood's that I read, Accident Waiting To Happen. I was biting my nails right up until the end. Twists and turns abound. First 5 star rating I've given in a long while!

[Elizabeth A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight years ago a serial kidnapper known as the Piper terrorized San Francisco. He successfully snatched child after child from the city’s wealthiest families, holding them until a ransom was paid. In every case, he collected the ransom and returned the child unharmed. Until crime reporter Scott Fleetwood got involved, that is. Contacted by someone claiming to be the Piper, Fleetwood withheld information from the police and FBI, bent on chasing the story–and resulting book deal and fame. Only Fleetwood wasn’t really dealing with the Piper, merely a wannabe copycat.

What should have been simply a career embarrassment turned into a disaster, however, when the Piper killed the child he was holding at the time of Fleetwood’s spectacular blunder then disappeared without a trace. The resulting backlash from the public, his employer, police and FBI branded Fleetwood with a scarlet letter, though arguably no one was harder on him than he was on himself.

Now the Piper has returned, apparently up to his old games. Except, this time it’s about more than money. With the selection of one of Fleetwood’s own sons as the first target in his renewed career, the Piper serves notice that he’s come out of retirement for more than money–he’s back to collect his pound of flesh as well.

In Paying the Piper, author Simon Wood has crafted the ultimate page-turner. After all, what could possibly be more compelling than a man doing cat-and-mouse battle with a master villain, with the life of his son at stake? The pace is relentless, as is the Piper’s determination to exact revenge for what he sees as being Fleetwood’s fault that the Piper was “forced” to cross a line he never had before and kill. Neither Fleetwood nor the reader gets a second to rest, with Wood rocketing events along at breakneck pace toward a showdown and conclusion which, while craftily unfurled, is possible for the careful reader to potentially deduce.

On a deeper level, however, there are some very interesting character studies going on as well. Though on the one hand Fleetwood obviously wants his son back, on another level, one he almost can’t consciously control, he also sees the situation as a chance for redemption. As a result, he’s not content to sit back and do what the authorities request of him, instead choosing to insert himself into the case, often over their objections. Naturally, this leads to more than a few confrontations, especially with the FBI.

FBI agent Tom Sheils was involved in the first Piper investigation, and his absolute loathing and contempt for Fleetwood have simmered to the boiling over point in the eight years since the two last saw each other. As the new Piper investigation unfolds, Sheils is constantly forced to reconcile his feeling of disgust about Fleetwood’s past actions with the fact that in the current situation Fleetwood and his wife are the victims, and that a little boy’s life hangs in the balance.

All of which adds up to a book that strikes a nifty balance between popcorn action and something more substantive. If you’re looking for a fast-paced beach read, but one with a little depth, look no farther than Paying the Piper.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Paying the Piper, by Simon Wood, a-minus, Narrated by Mel Foster, Produced by Brilliance Audio, Downloaded from audible.com.

Crime reporter Scott Fleetwood involved himself in trying to bring “The Piper” to justice. The Piper earned his reputation by kidnapping children from the wealthiest families asking for millions, and always getting it for the return of the child. But in this case something goes wrong and the boy is killed. Now, eight years later, The Piper surfaces again, this time kidnapping Scott’s two boys. And this time the kidnapping is personal, a revenge kidnapping, and he’s not so interested in money. But who is the piper? He wears a mask. No one has seen him. And he keeps offering games to make Scott think he’s getting his sons back and then continually pulling the rug out from under him. A spine-tingling thriller which keeps readers on the edge of their seats and continually having to reassess what the truth is. Very good.

[Justine Peroni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!!

Having never read a novel by Simon Wood I felt I should as I liked the reviews and it was definitely my kind of read. In a nut shell it blew me away! I have read many a novel now and it has been a while since I have read a book that is written that has you gripped from page one! Normally they reel you in but this was different - more like wham and you are suckered in straight away! A cleverly crafted and well written novel. At one point I thought I had it figured out - I was half right! Be that as it may the story centres around a cold case of abduction that turns into something a lot more. A journalist by the name of Scott becomes the pawn in the abduction of his twin sons; with the help of the FBI and a private investigator the story takes of many twists and turns, that leads to an explosive ending. I would highly recommend this novel, but beware it is impossible to put down!

[Terralyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of the best books I've read in this genre. I was sucked into the story line from the very beginning and that feeling never relented. The character development and relationships were outstanding. Though there were many twists and turns, the author succeeded in making the pieces fit into the puzzle. The author preys on the reader's sympathy, fear, and feelings of right and wrong, leaving the reader wanting to read more in order to reconcile their own conflicting feelings. Great from beginning to end!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not read this book if you can't handle kids in jeopardy. I did not realize I was so sensitive to this until I picked up Paying the Piper.
The stress level was incredible and was continually getting stronger as the pages flipped by. Very strong characters, a nice description of San Francisco and the Bay Area, and heart stopping drama. Simon seems like such a nice guy in person, who knew the depths of his talent?

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paying the Piper is the most interesting book I've read in several months. The characters are drawn completely and compellingly, the plot is delightfully and believably complex and filled with unexpected turns, and the pace is rapid while still not leaving the reader behind. If half-stars were available I would have rated this one 4 1/2 stars (I assign a 5-star rating only if there is also significant literary value.) Just for pure reading enjoyment, this book has it all.

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by Simon Wood. This has the reader gripped from the first chapter and you just have to keep turning the pages. You think you have the abductor sussed then there is another twist. The final chapters are full of so many twists and turns you cant wait for it to end but don't want it to end.

Obviously very well researched love the characters. This is the 4th Simon Wood book I have read all unique and all absolutely riveting. I will be reading many more by this author.

[Wendy Van dyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabbed me from the opening scene and I worried about Sammy (the kidnapped child) throughout. Great writing, character development and suspense. Will be reading more of this author's work.

[Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite Simon Wood book so far.