A suspenseful adventure that promotes the value of finding a middle ground.
In this novel, a young farm boy finds himself trapped inside an old cave system and embroiled in a political kidnapping.
Twelve-year-old Noah Sowder lives on a farm in Missouri. While out rabbiting one afternoon, he falls down a sinkhole and into an old limestone mine. Though long abandoned, this mine has recently been fitted out by a paramilitary group—the Sons of Eighty-Seven, a self-proclaimed citizens’ militia claiming to represent the people of the United States. While looking for a way out of the mine, Noah finds two doors, both guarded, and observes a blindfolded prisoner being brought inside. This is Carolyn Capshaw, a congresswoman for Washington state and the House speaker. Carolyn is sponsoring two bills shortly to be voted on in the House: one regarding asylum seekers; the other, guns in schools. The Sons of Eighty-Seven construe these bills as providing aid to America’s enemies. They have kidnapped Carolyn and intend to try her for treason—then execute her if found guilty. While hiding from the militia, Noah finds a way to talk to Carolyn. Between them, can they think of a way for him to escape and bring help? Kent employs an omniscient, past-tense narration, writing mainly from Noah’s or Carolyn’s points of view but occasionally from other characters’ perspectives. The first chapter is a little disorienting. Noah is armed with a .22-caliber pistol and seems older than he turns out to be while his background is a bit mysterious. But once the scenario is established, the story moves forward assuredly and without fuss. The prose is easy to follow and the dialogue functional, which includes the nonheated airing of political differences (more an ideal than a true reflection of most real-life interactions). Noah is a likable protagonist—brave, forthright, caring. Carolyn is equally appealing as an adult character, demonstrating composure, compassion, and the ability to modify her beliefs. Even the Sons of Eighty-Seven present human faces behind their extremist views. The author’s exploration of differences is overt, but this does not detract from the unfolding plot. Rather, the fast-moving story and sense of danger add weight to the plea for broad-mindedness.
A suspenseful adventure that promotes the value of finding a middle ground.Pub Date: June 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73-321730-9
Page Count: 212
Publisher: AllenPearce Publishers
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
The story unfolds so irresistibly that newcomers may think Grisham’s been writing thrillers like this his whole life.
What hasn’t legendary legal eagle Grisham tried yet? How about a thriller about serial kidnapping and international terrorism.
When Paul and Chelsea Tanner disappear during a day trip on their Paris honeymoon, their abductors demand a ransom of $2 million from Chelsea’s wealthy parents, and a few days later the same sum from Paul’s much less well-heeled parents. After orthopedist Lowell Clayburn, Chelsea’s father, ponies up the ransom without breathing a word to the authorities, his daughter is promptly released. But even though Paul’s parents sell their home, liquidate their assets, and borrow money from the Clayburns to meet the kidnappers’ demands, the villains hold on to Paul anyway. Asked whether he’s ever seen such an outcome in a double kidnapping, FBI deputy director Andrew Strong tells Lowell: “No, this is a new one.” But it’s not, as Strong knows all too well; it’s the third such active case, all involving honeymooning couples whose bridegrooms had served in the armed forces. After masterfully drawing readers in with his bare-knuckle account of the Tanners’ abduction and the attempt by their families and the CIA to tell the lies required to keep caring friends and the rapacious press at bay, Grisham effortlessly switches gears to follow CIA agent Rae Claire Russo and Stuart Nash, a former Department of Justice prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay who agrees to marry her so they can serve as bait for the kidnappers, whose motives include justice and revenge as well as cold hard cash. So much for the imprisoned Paul’s wistful reflection that “hopefully, it was only about money.”
The story unfolds so irresistibly that newcomers may think Grisham’s been writing thrillers like this his whole life.Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9780385550543
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
Starts with a bang and closes with a knockout punch of an ending.
A violent attack hijacks a woman’s memory in this novel of domestic suspense.
McFadden wastes no time pulling the trigger in this harrowing story that starts with gunfire then swiftly propels readers into a crack tale of secrets and misdirection. Originally self-published in 2016, the book carries the same formidable weight as McFadden’s later novels featuring unsuspecting women who lose their power then fight to recapture it—mostly from men who have betrayed them. That formula perfectly fits Dr. Charlotte McKenna, a 37-year-old dermatologist who isn’t looking for love until the most handsome man she’s ever seen begins to woo her. There are warning signs about Clark Douglas and Charlotte overlooks them to her detriment—but is he a killer? The novel has dual timelines split between events leading up to the day Charlotte barely survives a head wound meant to kill her and the months afterward, when she struggles to reclaim her memory and her mobility. In real life, McFadden is a physician trained to treat brain injuries. Her expertise gives Charlotte’s rehabilitation authenticity, and her writing talent makes it interesting and engaging. As good as that timeline is, readers will yearn to get back to the alternate timeline about who wants Charlotte dead. It’s only a matter of time before Charlotte starts to remember who tried to kill her, and the clock is ticking toward their next attempt. McFadden dishes up plenty of suspects: Charlotte’s secretive husband, Clark; a former patient turned stalker who confronts Charlotte on her honeymoon; and the angry husband of a patient who blames Charlotte for his wife leaving him. Though the story is delicious and dark, McFadden brightens things up with a possible love interest for Charlotte and a surprise ending sure to please the author’s many fans.
Starts with a bang and closes with a knockout punch of an ending.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
ISBN: 9781464249617
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Poisoned Pen
Review Posted Online: July 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
