TRAPPED by Greg Iles

 Finished Su 4/20/25

A paperback that Janny loaned to me.

 From Google AI:

""Trapped" by Greg Iles is generally considered a thrilling but ultimately unsatisfying novel. It starts strong with a captivating premise about a seemingly perfect family facing a nightmare kidnapping, but many reviewers find the ending contrived and implausible, diminishing the overall impact. 

Strengths:

Intriguing premise:

The novel begins with a compelling scenario of a family targeted by a con man and psychopath, creating suspense and a sense of impending doom.

Suspenseful atmosphere:

Iles builds a tense atmosphere and keeps readers on the edge of their seats with the escalating threats and twists.

Character development:

While the main focus is on the suspense, the characters of Will, Karen, and their daughter are well-developed and relatable. 

Weaknesses:

Contrived and implausible ending:

Many reviewers criticize the ending as being too far-fetched and lacking in realism, which ruins the overall effect. 

Deus ex machina resolution:

The ending relies heavily on a deus ex machina, a sudden and unexpected resolution, which feels forced and unsatisfying. 

Potentially boring in parts:

While the beginning is engaging, some reviewers found the story to become tedious and less captivating as it progressed, according to an Amazon review."