At first sight this is straightforward kidnap story but the plot is anything but, leading the reader down blind alleys. Scott Fleetwood is a journalist in San Francisco who was taken in by someone posing as serial kidnapper, the Piper which resulted in the death of the kidnapped child. Years later the Piper resurfaces and kidnaps Scott's son. Interesting characters and detailed San Francisco locations add to the plot. ( )

I could not put this book down; I read it in 2 days. This was my second book by this author I read his book “The One That Got Way” thanks to the Kindle First Program and loved it so I thought I’d try another one and this one grabbed me just as fast as the first one I read. If you are a fan of Harlan Coben I think you will like Wood’s books too.

This book had some edge of your seat moments and also a lot of What Ifs? Or What would you do? I also figured something out early, but thought it was a great red herring then got blindsided by being right!

8 years ago Scott Fleetwood was an up and coming reporter when he gets the call of a lifetime from the man known as The Piper who has kidnapped 8 children and is offering Scott an exclusive, but what he thinks is his big break turns out to be a crank call that causes the death of the Pipers current victim. The Piper has never killed before and there is a note on the boy’s chest saying ‘You’re to Blame’. And everyone blames Scott including the FBI, the public, the family and The Piper. And now 8 years later one of Scott’s twin boys has been kidnapped by the Piper but this isn’t the Piper’s MO this is revenge and it’s personal.

This book had a lot of twists and turns, and since this time it’s personal the Piper is asking a lot more than money of Scott he wants him to pay in more ways than one. I really liked how strong of a relationship Scott had with his wife, Jane and I truly felt the pain of poor Peter whose twin was fooled into getting into a car with a stranger while he was told he couldn’t come, so heartbreaking. All of the side characters in this book were very well developed including all the FBI people I especially like the way Agent Guerra handled matters with the family and how good she was with Peter. Even Agent Sheils who at first wasn’t very professional grew on me eventually.

I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say this was a great thriller, I plan to read everything Simon Wood has written and think he is right up there with Coben in writing a good thriller.

4 ½ Stars ( )

This is a gripping read, lots of hold-your-breath moments.

Scott Fleetwood has lived with the guilt of the Piper's last abduction eight years before. He had thought like a journalist rather than a human being and hesitation cost a child's life. The note pn the victim's chest - "You are to blame" - said it all, but now, eight years on, the Piper brings it all much closer to home when he takes one of Scott's twin sons.

This story really is a roller coaster ride and there are some elements further down the track that will really take you by surprise. ( )

I have to say this is the best mystery/action book I have read in a long time. This could be an action/mystery movie!! Keeps you guessing and saying to yourself..."I did not see that one coming." You will not be disappointed. ( )

Scott Fleetwood must now pay the piper for his mistake as a crime journalist. The Piper has returned with a vengeance. A copycat Piper fooled Scott into thinking that he had the Piper's victim. As a result the Piper's demands weren't met and the young boy was killed. Now, the Piper is seeking revenge and has kidnapped Scott's young twins. As the Piper manipulates Scott, it's a twister as to who is actually calling the shots. ( )