The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Rating:
Summary: hijacking the subway
Review: A thriller that takes place underground. Visuals crop up from the movie as you read through this novel. Well written. The ending here is slightly anti-climatic as compared to the movie but still a gem.

Rating:
Summary: Not to be missed
Review: I saw the movie on television several times when I was a kid and always enjoyed it. It's one of those classic 70s films that hollywood doesn't dare make. I found a hardcover copy a few years ago. Actually, I saved it from the trash heap. It's an easy read and gives insight into all the major characters. The best character of all is Ryder, the leader of the group. Dark, determined and nihilistic. Great character, great movie, great book!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and Suspenseful A great book
Review: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, although it has a confusing and long title is one of the best books I've ever read. The plot is simple: Four desperate men hijack a subway train and hold sixteen people hostage for $1 million. If they do not have their money by the designated time they will beging to kill hostages. This book reads fast with short sections that describe the thoughts and actions of individual characters. The highly detailed novel points out the flaws of the individuals hijacking the train, and how this is a very desperate but well planned attempt to get money. Tension builds as the hijackers have quarrels amongst themselves, and with the passengers. One may ask, How do they expect to get off of a subway train and get away? Well they do, at least some of them. The ending is kind of a letdown since I found myself cheering the hijackers on in a way, but it still fits the book and the character very nicely. If you are looking for a good hostage/terrorist story, this is the best of the bunch