‘The Blue Zone’
By Andrew Gross
(compact disc audiobook)
Kate Raab leads a perfect life. She is smart and beautiful, has a boyfriend named Greg, a close-knit family and she enjoys her job as a medical researcher at a New York lab. Her father, Benjamin Raab, runs a very successful diamond and gold business in New York; the family — Raab’s wife, Sharon, and Kate and her younger brother and sister — has always led an extremely comfortable existence. However, everything changes when the FBI arrests Raab for conspiracy and money laundering for a Colombian drug cartel.
The sound of gunshots peppering their house startles the family on the evening that Benjamin Raab is released from jail. Raab decides to place himself and his family in the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC). The family members receive new identities and are relocated to the West Coast — with the exception of Kate. Kate and Greg are about to marry; consequently Kate insists on continuing with her life in New York.
Kate does not believe the charges leveled against her father and vows to clear his name and get to the truth. She becomes increasingly distrustful of the protection provided to her family and she begins to wonder if she can trust anyone, even Greg. When a co-worker gets shot, Kate is sure the bullet was intended for her. Kate is panic-stricken when her father disappears from WITSEC and his case agent is murdered. He is in the “blue zone,” the FBI’s name for the point where he no longer has contact with the program. His identity may have been exposed and he could even be dead. In her pursuit of the truth, Kate uncovers disturbing secrets that connect her family to the Mercado drug cartel in Colombia.
This fast-paced, intense thriller contains twists and turns that keep you guessing to the surprise ending. Ilyana Kadushin provides a fine narration of the audiobook. The author, Andrew Gross, has co-authored novels with James Patterson but this was his solo debut, which was published in 2007. I cannot compare their writing styles having never read any of Patterson’s novels. However, I am eager to read “The Dark Tide” and, “Don’t Look Twice,” novels Gross has written since the publication of “The Blue Zone.”
‘Gold of Kings’
By T. Davis Bunn
(compact disc audiobook)
Sean Syrrell, a dealer in rare antiquities, dies from an apparent heart attack soon after firing his granddaughter, Storm, from his business. Storm almost immediately learns that her grandfather left the business in grim financial straits. She is also surprised and saddened to learn that her grandfather did not mention her in his will.
Harry Bennett, a treasure hunter, was in a Barbados prison for illegal treasure hunting when he was suddenly released. Before his death, Sean had arranged for Harry’s release from prison with the instructions that Harry is to protect Storm from danger. Harry and Storm conclude that her grandfather was likely murdered, but fortunately, not all of his secrets follow him to the grave. Storm discovers some interesting items in Sean’s safe including a frayed leather journal.
Following clues from the journal, Storm and Harry embark on a treasure hunt, and federal agent Emma Webb soon joins them. Emma has been working on uncovering secrets between the world of treasure hunting and the antiquities and art houses. The quest for ancient treasure from Herod the Great’s Second Temple in Jerusalem sends the trio to London, France, Istanbul and Cyprus while thwarting several attempts on their lives.
Bunn’s thriller has it all — believable characters, numerous adventures, historical archaeology and mysterious murders — with a little romance tossed in the mix. The descriptive historical background about the places they traveled and the treasure they hunted added to the action-packed plot. Phil Gigante provides excellent narration for “Gold of Kings.”
Phyllis Seesengood is the technical services librarian at Joplin Public Library.
Globe Life
Related Photos
Discussion
Book review: Surprise ending caps fast-paced ‘Blue Zone’
- Globe Life
-
-
Prototype of a drying rack for Stars of Hope earns award, emotional response
Michael Moritz, Travis Coffee and Kenneth Paylor had no idea that an assignment for their senior design class at Missouri Southern State University would win an award or the emotional gratitude from a service organization.
-
Ryan Richardson: Groups give tips for preventing dog bites
When I was a teenager in the '90s I had an unfortunate incident with my neighbor's dog, a Brittany, that I had grown up with. It took a chunk out of my thigh when I went into the neighbors' yard to retrieve a ball.
-
Frankie Meyer: Information is only as good as its source
Those details later become crucial as contradictory information is found, which it will be. How can one decide which detail is correct if the sources of the details are unknown?
-
Jeana Gockley: Library lines up reading club books
The Joplin Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club kicks off on Tuesday, May 28, so in preparation for a great summer of reading, I have been digging for titles that fit with this year's "Dig Into Reading" theme.
-
Frankie Meyer: Prepare for holiday visits to cemeteries
Memorial Day weekend is the ideal time to not only decorate the graves of loved ones, but also learn the location of unmarked graves -- and learn about relatives who are buried nearby. That weekend is also a great time to contact living relatives.
-
Patty Crane: Mystery series should appeal to Reacher fans
In the novel "Taken" by Robert Crais, a bajadores is a predator that kidnaps people being smuggled into the country. The bajadores, the Syrian, demands ransom from families of the people he kidnaps. His ransom demands are low, and as long as the families pay, the demands continue.
-
Ryan Richardson: Harness works better than a leash
This is the time of year to take your dog outside to enjoy the weather. You both get exercise, you bond more, and it gives you an opportunity to work together as a team. I take my dog out as much as I can, and my dog is happy to see other dogs when we go on walks.
-
Mutual admiration: Academic Team members thank teachers for inspiration, drive
Members of The Joplin Globe's All-Area Academic Excellence Team thanked teachers for inspiring them to push themselves during a recognition banquet Monday at Missouri Southern State University.
-
Linda Cannon: Book covers subtleties' effects on humans
I'm always a sucker for books on what makes people tick, so I grabbed "Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave" by Adam Alter as soon as I saw it. Alter holds a Ph.D. in applied psychology from Princeton and is an assistant professor at NYU.
-
Frankie Meyer: Old home sites treasures to discover
We genealogists do a similar activity as part of our research. The treasures that we seek are old home sites. Instead of using GPS coordinates, we use clues such as the presence of rusted metal, cellar holes and vintage plants.
- More Globe Life Headlines
-
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
