God has a plan for Ben Brice, or so his mother had always said and so he had always believed, right up until that dark night in Vietnam. Now, thirty-eight years later, Ben Brice is a drunk. He lives alone with a dog in the New Mexico wilderness, where he drowns his dark memories of war in whiskey and wonders what God's plan had been and why it had gone so wrong. His only connection to the outside world is Gracie, his ten-year-old granddaughter. When she is kidnapped after a soccer game in Texas, Ben puts down the bottle and goes in search of her, certain that his dark past has come back to haunt herand he learns that his mother was right after all. BEST-SELLER LISTS: No. 6, Australia; No. 8, Ireland; No. 14, UK hardback. REVIEWS: "Gimenez has written a startling, multilayered thriller in which complex characters and a fast-moving plot grab the reader immediately. Smart dialog and a spunky Gracie, who never loses her cool, make for a memorable read that twists and turns until the final, cinematic conclusion." (Library Journal, starred review). "A cracking read." (The Times, UK). "Pulse-pounding narrative." (Booklist). "After the stunning success of a first novel, there's always the question if the author can do it again with the second and, fortunately, in this case, Gimenez not only surpasses his own preliminary standards of excellence, but those of the entire genre. Not only does he offer up an adventurous plot that races forward at a breakneck speed filled with a cast of multi-faceted and poignantly drawn characters, but he also puts forth some concepts and questions that provoke and compel the reader's consideration long after the last page is turned. . . . But perhaps most notable of all might just be this book's ability to elicit just about every emotional response possible from the reader. Whether it's laughter or tears, dread or anticipation, be prepared to feel something while reading this glorious adventure that only seems to gain momentum with every page. . . . Ultimately, a forceful, exhilarating, and effervescent read of faith and redemption, loyalty and love, truth and purpose, and one that unreservedly qualifies as one of the best to come along this year." (New Mystery Reader Magazine). "There are times when life gets so overwhelming that even a good book can't keep your mind from wandering. That's when you need a super-riveting read like this to take you away. It's a tale with a normally hard-to-take premisechild abduction. But in the hands of bestselling author Mark Gimenez, it becomes a tale of humanity, heroism, and hope, with complex characters who jump off the page. Boy can this guy tell a story!" (Book-of-the-Month club). "Gimenez's writing is explosive, fast-paced, and filled with unexpected plot twists that keep readers guessing right up to the last page." (Houston Press). "Another explosive thriller that is impossible to put down. . . . Plenty of twists and turns, and a plot that keeps you guessing right until the end. Definitely not one to miss." (CrimeSquad.com, UK). "You'd better start this one early in the evening, because you'll be reading it into the wee small hours of the morningit's riveting." (Durbs.co.za, South Africa). "THE ABDUCTION is much more than a scaled-down version of Commando, however. While stuffed to its considerable brim in action, it is as much about relationships as strategy. Gimenez skillfully weaves the narrative while creating a tantalizing mysterythe 'why' of Gracie's abductionthat will keep you guessing until almost the very end. There are secrets and excitement and just about everything you would ever want from a reading experience." (Bookreporter.com). "A top-of-the-line thriller . . . Impossible to put down, the book is a nail-biter from beginning to end, as a family's dark secrets emerge during the worst event of their lives." (Romantic Times). The Abduction is fast-paced and truly impossible to put down. It is also by far one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. (Wichita Falls Times). "Caution: don't start this book unless you have time to finish itI could not put it down. After his excellent debut, The Color of Law, Gimenez just knocks it out of the park with his sophomore effort. . . . These characters are so well drawn that it becomes incredibly easy to suspend your disbelief and get completely caught up in the story. I loved the tough-as-a-tiger mom, and the special bond between Gracie and her retired Green Beret grandfather was especially touching, all of which helped ratchet up the suspense even more. The Abduction is one of the best thrillers of the year." (The BookBitch). "Gimenez not only gives readers crackerjack plotting, captivating style and adrenalin-laced pacing, he injects deep insight into all his characters, from shattered father John, to his tightly controlled wife Elizabethand how Gracie's kidnapping forever changes their lives. The story, however, really belongs to Ben Brice, whose search for redemption propels this gripping and emotionally complex thriller to a surprising and thoroughly satisfying conclusion. If there's one thriller you read this fall, make it The Abductionit's impossible to put down." (BookLoons). ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Gimenez is the author of seven novels: The Color of Law, The Abduction, The Perk, The Common Lawyer, Accused, The Governor's Wife, and Parts & Labor: The Adventures of Max Dugan, a middle-grade children's novel. He grew up in Galveston County, Texas, earned his law degree at Notre Dame, and was a partner in a major Dallas law firm. He now practices solo and writes. He lives in Texas.
