Rating: 
Summary: Good Book--No Elvis
Review: Hostage was a good book. Mr. Crais is a fine writer. This story which I've read is to become a film starring Bruce Willis was thoroughly enjoyable. It centers around a California police chief involved in a hostage situation. The plot grows complicated and the stakes grow high. I would've given Hostage five stars if Elvis Cole had popped with Joe Pike in tow.
Rating: 
Summary: Goes nicely with sunscreen
Review: Undemanding beach material that'll be worth the $ when it's out in paperback.
Rating: 
Summary: A great read!
Review: Demolition Angel didn't impress me, but this book proves that Crais has really developed as a writer. It has an exceptional storyline that kept me up very late so I could finish the book! It's everything you could ask for in a mystery book. Still, I do miss Elvis Cole and hope Crais brings him back soon!
Rating:
Summary: Talley doesn't live up
Review: Crais has created an expectation in my mind of an author who has command of the language. His previous books have deployed an exceptional form of excellence that other crime/mystery writers wish for themselves. In Hostage, Crais slips to their level. Hostage is an interesting plot, but the lead character in a Crais novel is the glue. All previous efforts on his part delivered a lead character that executed with novelty. The reader was brought in to the characters thinking process. The charcter was unpredictable. The actions and followthru unique. Hostage is an average effort and a real dissappointment. Talley is flat, predictable and wholely not unique. Crais "copted out." Talley lives in all the other mystery books I pass over. I don't need another Talley.
I hope this isn't a trend from an author I have loved reading.
Buy it in paperback. It isn't worth hardcover pricing.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing.......
Review: Not much to say other than this book was a big letdown after Demolition Angel and LA Requiem. I have just started reading Crais's books, and this one is nowhere near the quality of others.
Rating:
Summary: Last Crais book I am buying....
Review: Demolition Angel and Hostage are basically the same books with name changes. I have been a avid follower of R.Crais books and have enjoyed his series of "Elvis & Joe" books enormously, but his last two books have been really dissapointing. Hostage not only reads like a screenplay (which it is actually turning into to), but it is BORING as well! Chief of Police Talley is an emotional burnout from the LAPD, who moves to a small town with a police force of only a dozen people. Enter a trio of ridiculous crooks who bumble every crime and a "madman", who is described as a "psychopath", but is a complete dud. The story starts off dull and becomes even more so as it progresses.
The crooks happen to enter a house that has connections to the Mob and the 'Hostage' situation erupts. Talley is completely uncompelling and meanders through every chapter. The subplot with the Mob is totally lame and unlike former Crais books, the 'assassins' are over the top and boring. If you expected a writing style and wit of the former Crais books, you will be sorely dissapointed. Just like Robert Parker, Crais should not mess with great writing style and humorous characters. His books are now on the more serious side, but do not have the effect of a Michael Connelly or Jeffrey Deaver. I would only buy his books in the future if the Elvis and Joe returned.
Rating:
Summary: Free this book!
Review: Jeff Talley, ex-SWAT hostage negotiator, fled the LAPD after one tense, deadly standoff too many. Now he's working as the police chief of a small department in the fictional town of Bristo Camino, a suburban bedroom community of Los Angeles. Talley thinks he's left the pressure and violence of the big city behind; the stress and strain that ruined his career and his marriage. He is wrong. "Hostage" has a solid premise and interesting characters for the most part. One of the problems I had with the book, though, is that the hero of the story, Chief Talley, was too conflicted, too unsure to give the reader a satisfactory rooting interest. I found myself wanting the man to quit whining and just do his job. We're all used to the protagonist with the troubled past facing and overcoming his demons in the course of saving the day. It's a good premise for a suspense novel. In this case, though, Talley's demons are more annoying than haunting, and some of his thoughts and actions are less than inspiring. I don't mean to suggest that "Hostage" is a bad book, or even an unentertaining one. It's neither of those. It was, however, a bit of a disappointment for me. Reviewed by David Montgomery, Mystery Ink
Rating:
Summary: fast-moving double-hostage
Review: Ex-hostage negotiator Jeff Talley has put that part of his life, and most of his life, behind him. Now he's a suburban cop who can't deal with his failures or his family. When a convenience store robbery goes terribly wrong, Talley finds himself forced to deal with his most pressing fears. The hostage situation is bad enough, but the convenience store robbers have bitten off more than they know. The man they hold hostage is a Mafia accountant. Now the Mafia is coming after them to ensure that their secrets stay secret and Talley is in the way. What Talley learns is that there are two families held hostage--and one of them is his own. Robert Crais writes a fast-paced action thriller. Talley's character arc may be a little Hollywood, but it still makes for exciting action and will definitely involve the reader.
Rating:
Summary: Made For TV Book
Review: I've enjoyed all of Robert Crais books in the past and I was anxiously awaiting this one. What a disapointment! There were no shortages in the cliche department and the ending was totally predictable given the Mafia stereotypes. The biggest surprise however, were all the favorable reviews from readers. I read to suspend disbelief, but in this case the whole story was unbelievable.
Rating:
Summary: A novel of tremendous suspense
Review: I haven't read anything by this author in the past---but I will now. I couldn't put this novel down. In fact, I read it in about 24 hours and got nothing else done while I was reading. To me, it was a sitting on the edge of the seat, exciting, must read. I couldn't even go to bed at night without finishing it---staying up most of the night. What an exciting book! Hope to read another by Crais soon.
| 
