Rating: 
Summary: 4 1/2 stars
Review: Miami attorney Nick Rey seems to be on the fast track as far as his career is concerned, when he finds out his father has been kidnapped in South America. Here starts a chain of events that leads Nick on an adventure not soon forgotten. From the jungles of Columbia to the streets of Miami, Mr. Grippando has written another gripping adventure that dares you to finish reading in one sitting. At times emotional and at times humorous, yet always gripping, the author has written a solid story that entertains all the way through. A timely thriller including some ransom for hostage problems in S.A. You'll feel the sweat and chills as you read. Highly recommended for all thriller readers.
Rating: 
Summary: HIS BEST YET!!!
Review: On a business trip off the coast of Columbia, Matthew Rey, a partner in a seafood business, is kidnapped. The terms of the kidnapping are simple...supply the kidnappers with a three million dollar ransom. Back at home in Miami, Matthew's pregnant wife, and fresh out of law school son Nick, are devastated by the news. Nick, willing to do whatever is needed to free his father, begins looking into his families finances and discovers a kidnapping insurance policy for three million dollars. Shocked by his finding, Nick submits the claim, and is given Alex Cabrera, the young agent assigned to his claim. As Alex begins her discussions with the kidnappers, Nick is approached by the FBI, claiming his father is actually a drug smuggler, and they are investigating every angle, including his father's business partner, and his estranged sister Lindsey, whom the family has not spoken to in months, but is living somewhere in Columbia. As the kidnapper's demands are escalating, Alex is told the insurance comapny will not pay the ransom. With no one to trust, Nick and Alex begin their own mission to rescue his father, even if it costs them their lives. With the FBI on their tail, and the kidnappers getting anxious, the pair will have to race the clock to bring Matthew home alive. 'A King's Ransom' grabs hold on page one, and plunges you on a suspenseful ride through 400 pages. Non-stop surprises, and action galore will keep the pages turning until the shocking climax. James Grippando has been churning out excellent suspense novels, and his new novel proves he is a master of his craft. The season of the "page-turning beach book" has arrived, and 'A King's Ransom' is the first entry in the category. A MUST read! Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: He's One of My Favorites
Review: Since I found James' first book, he's been one of my favorites. He weaves a very special tale and tells that tale wonderfully. As to the current book, if I would have read this BEFORE my cruise that stopped in Colombia, I never would have left the ship...his story telling is that scary. Fellow South Floridians will enjoy his tour of our homeland.
Rating:
Summary: Simply put - a great read!
Review: Suffice it to say this book is one of the best fictions out there. It combines an intriguing story that cultivates the reader with backdrops that one cannot help but feel as if they were surrounded by them. Grippando scores an ace with his use of just the right verbiage, quality and quantity, without overwhelming the reader with lengthy descriptions of emotions, environments and backdrops that better enhance the story line. If you are a fan of mystery/courtroom/action novels that have a "grand setting" with a touch of conspiracy sprinkled on top, A KING'S RANSOM is must read for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Only half this book is worth reading
Review: The parts worth reading are those dealing with the kidnapping of Matthew by Colombian bandits. I'd like to think that this material is realistic i.e. well-researched. It seems to be, and it's horrific. I'm very sorry for the Colombian people and for anyone who falls into the hands of psychopaths like we see here.
As for all the shenanigans in the US as the protagonist attempts to come up with a ransom for his dad... it's second-rate at best. What can you think of an "action" author who refers to a 45-caliber Luger pistol !? Situations and events are simply manufactured with no regard for credibility. Grippando has a victim be hanged from a standard room ceiling fan and - get this - be rotating with it! Come on... even hanging someone directly from the motor would probably pull such a fan right out. And no ceiling fan anywhere - much less in a little old house - could take weight like that on one of its blades. This is beyond idiotic, and insulting to the reader.
I could go on and on, but will just say that all except the kidnapping scenes are junk writing. I'd be ashamed to have my name on it.
Rating:
Summary: a great read
Review: This book a non stop reader from the opening page right to the great finish. I have no doubt that you will enjoy it as much as I did. Read all of his books, they are all great!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!!!
Review: This book kept me totally engrossed for an entire weekend. It is a fast paced thriller that leaves you on the edge. I was unfamiliar with the author until I happened onto a book signing at a local bookstore. After casually listening to the author for a few minutes, I became fascinated by his topic of Columbian kidnapping for profit. Mr. Grippando was so gracious and interesting that I bought his book. I started the book on Saturday morning and couldn't put it down until I finished it. I told him I would let him know what I thought about it and I have. I recommend this book highly.
Rating:
Summary: Fast-moving, well-written thriller--A bit like Proof of Life
Review: This book reminded me a lot of the recent Russell Crowe/Meg Ryan film _Proof of Life_, not that it was a bad thing. It's just that the two have very similar stories, revolving around the growing problem of "K and R" or kidnap and ransom in Latin American countries. It also has the same sort of alternating storyline, with scenes set among the kidnappers and their victims as they move from one primitive camp to another, and scenes involving the people who are trying to negotiate the ransom. The book has very strong, believable characters and a convincing legal plotline, with quite a bit of courtroom intrigue and so forth. The story follows the efforts of young Nick Rey, a rising star at the law firm of Coolidge, Harding and Cash ("Cool Cash") in Miami, to win the release of his father, Matthew, kidnapped while in Colombia to purchase a trio of fishing boats for his struggling company. The FBI won't get involved because they suspect the elder Rey is a drug smuggler, the insurance company refuses to pay off on the K and R policy because it suspects an inside job, and Nick's own firm accuses his family of trying to defraud the insurance company with a false claim. Nick must deal with all this, while at the same time making several trips to Colombia to arrange the ransom, and to Nicaraugua to confer with his father's partner, a seemingly shady character responsible for the suspicions of drug smuggling. Nick has on his side Alex, a former member of the Colombian rebel force FARC, which is one of the largest kidnap for ransom operations in the world, and his ex-fiance Jenna, the only lawyer in town who'll still answer his calls, though she insists she's doing it for his father. It all adds up to a wonderful page-turner of a book, an intelligent thriller that's all too rare in my recent experience. I'll definitely be looking for more of Mr. Grippando's books.
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad!!
Review: This book was pretty good, but I don't think it's his best to date. It wasn't as gripping as some of his previous novels, but still I enjoyed the story. Nick was such a likeable guy. You couldn't help but root for his success. The deplorable conditions in which the captives were held was unimaginable. I've read all of Mr Grippando's novels, and have yet to be disappointed. Recommended reading.
Rating:
Summary: Another James Grippando Thriller
Review: This guy is a great author. Makes you think about stuff you would have never thought about. This one keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way. impeckable reasearch on columbia and even makes you want to visit (make sure to bring a couple body guards, and lots of guns)
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