I just received this review of my latest Dan Stone thriller. I think the reviewer hit the nail on the head.
“Kidnap is the tenth book in the Dan Stone Assassin series, and continues to expand his persona and action with scenarios that challenge Stone’s world and life. Here, jihadists are hard at work on another plot to disrupt the world. If successful, Europe will be in chaos. Dan is busy navigating political obstacles in the U.S., but his mission requires him to be in two places at once as he fields adversity at home and abroad.
“The saga opens with George Bixby, who exits a Paris bistro unaware that his life is about to change. A quick kidnapping, a murder, and flight cement the fact that George is in deep trouble.
“Chapter 2 introduces Dan, who is eagerly anticipating a visit from the orphan daughter he’s adopted. He can’t wait to show her around Venice, his adopted home.
“Unfortunately, as in the previous Stone books, he’s diverted from home life to political and terrorist concerns, his prowess tapped to take him away from the people and places he loves and into dark avenues of danger.
“As in the previous books, David Nees creates exquisite tension that comes from juxtaposing daily lives and personal relationships with the charge to resume his role as the Angel of Death even though he is older and wants to slow down.
“Intrigue builds in a powerful and unpredictable way as Dan embarks on harrowing travels complete with a cover as an adventure tourist podcaster, only to encounter forces that test friendships, teams, and everything he relies on and loves in his world.
“Imagine a situation where the hero is forced to traverse environments he doesn’t love and set aside the things he does love. Dan is pulled in different directions in the course of his pursuits, which in turn impact everyone around him.
“Libraries either seeing satisfaction with prior Dan Stone titles or looking for a powerful stand-alone thriller steeped in intrigue and action-packed twists will welcome Kidnap onto their thriller shelves.
“Replete with questions about where he’s going and what the ultimate outcome will be, Kidnap introduces social, political, and relationship dilemmas that not only test character resolve, ethics, and abilities, but draw readers into situations where Dan “must move between the realms of order and chaos in the extreme. It would be easy to lose your humanity.”
“How can you live with yourself if your morals are always in question? How can family be formed, maintained, or survive under such conditions? The answers are fascinating and elevate the thriller beyond Dan’s action-packed encounters.”
