Book Review: The Plantation

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

[4 stars]

The Plantation Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Chris Kuzneski
Class/Genre: Mystery Thriller
Paradox Publishing; 2002; $19.95 (American dollars); 428pp

One by one, people in America are kidnapped. They come from different cities and seem to have no links. However, the kidnappings have been planned and organised with only one motive - revenge. When Ariane Walker is kidnapped, her boyfriend decides that he cannot rely on the police to get her back and with the help of his ex-military friends, gives chase, following a clue to New Orleans, where he finds something he could never have imagined in his worst nightmares.

When a first-time author appears, however good the book may be, a mainstream publisher does not always sign him or her. In some cases, they do and from then on, it is a success story. In other cases, it takes time to break into the mainstream and Kuzneski falls into the latter category.

'The Plantation' is an excellent novel that caught my attention immediately and never let it go until the end. It is well written, interesting and above all, different. The plot seems innovative and Kuzneski clearly knows how to write a good novel. It does have its weak points, the black humour of the central characters being a good example. Even when faced with the risk of death, they continue to joke. This may be realistic for people in the military, but here, it jarred after a time due to the seriousness of the situation.

I am rarely so effusive about a first novel, but 'The Plantation' is undoubtedly deserving of my praise. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I feel that all thriller fans will do so too. Jack Higgins look out, there is a new kid on the block! Kuzneski is already hard at work on his next novel and I know that I for one will be buying it. If a mainstream publisher picks him up, then he will soon be climbing the bestsellers.

Luke Croll - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Luke Croll - Conference interpreter and translator
http://lukecroll.translatorscafe.com