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A King's Ransom Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of A King's Ransom




HarperCollins, May 2001, 25.00, 432 pp.
ISBN: 0060192410

    Guerilleros in Columbia attack the boats owned by visiting businessman Matthew Rey, co-owner of Rey Seafood Company. During the raid, the criminals killed innocent workers and abducted Matthew in anticipation of making a fortune since he owns an American business.
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    Matthew's son Nick, an attorney at a Miami law firm learns about the kidnapping. He turns to the FBI for help, but they turn to bureaucratic hiding behind an alleged spat with the State Department. Nick soon learns that the Feds believe his father is involved with drug trafficking, but actually want to nail the business partner, Nicaraguan Guillermo Cruz. Even his law firm, which was supportive of Nick, turns ugly and fires him by accusing him and his father of trying to commit an insurance fraud. Not able to obtain help from the normal channels, Nick turns elsewhere to an outside professional negotiator to save his father from what is becoming a cash crop in Columbia, kidnapping of people.

    A KING'S RANSOM is an exciting thriller that never slows down as Nick's struggles to rescue his father crashes into bureaucracy and conspiracy. The story line is fast-paced, filled with action, and frightening as it rings so genuine. Nick is a great workaholic but it is the diverse support cast with their depth of characterizations that provides the novel its feeling of reality while propelling James Grippando's gripping tale forward.

Harriet Klausner

The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of A King's Ransom

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Plot & Themes

Tone of story    -   very upbeat How difficult to spot villain?    -   Difficult, but some clues given Time/era of story:    -   1980's-1999 Spying/Terrorism Thriller    -   Yes Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:    -   power struggle within govt between two factions    -   preventing/finding assassin Kid or adult book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Legal Thriller    -   Yes Legal Plotlets    -   fighting evil law firm    -   finding out whether someone is really guilty

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   a lawyer creature Age:    -   20's-30's

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Deep South The Americas (not US):    -   Yes The Americas:    -   South

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   moderately detailed references to deaths Amount of dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

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