Book Review 'The Presidents Kidnapped'

The Presidents Kidnapped by Jack Earl King reviewed by Pete Christensen

  As the title infers ‘The Presidents Kidnapped’ is a political thriller. It’s subtitled ‘A John

Long Mystery tells you this is a series. Like all good series it’s grounded in it’s main

character. Fortunately King makes his believable and just complicated enough to be

interesting. Unlike so many anti-hero’s today he doesn’t give Long a flurry of personal

flaws and failures. His past explains his reactions and decisions.

  Because of the nature of the plot comparisons are bound to made to the Jonathan

Lemkin novel ‘The Shooter’ that screenwriter   Stephen Hunter turned into the 2007

movie of the same name. Both involve Washington insiders and have enough plot twist

to confuse Kreskin but that’s where the similarities end. Lemkins’ novel centers around

a fall guy for a failed assassination attempt. This one goes in another direction

completely.

     Retired Navy Captain John Long is living in a remote Alaskan cabin when the crime

of the century is almost literally dropped at his doorstep. A group of twelve Washington

insiders decide to double-cross the president to save the party from losing power and

save themselves from losing millions in pork barrel projects. The extent they’re willing to

go and their loyalty to each other is constantly questioned. I enjoyed this because you

never know who’s going to turn on who. This gives an sense of tension to the plot that

underscores everything happening.

  King develops a world of the power hungry and the desperate. He rarely allows his

characters to speak in contractions. These are people used to giving orders and they

talk in a distinct, direct style where commands are clear and easily understood.   

 Also, because Long is living in such a remote area he’s got to handle problems (no

matter how intense) alone. This follows the classic ‘man against the world’ plot that

  Americans so easily relate to. He does have a pet wolf but obviously all the cunning and

stealth are left to himself. At one point Long watches his adversaries from a distance

pondering his options. The author used this inner dialogue to show the reader the main

characters thought process. It was well written and interesting.

  The story is complicated but the author makes it easy to follow. He employs the use of

three fronts to keep two subplots active throughout and parallel to the main plot. The

actions of the kidnappers versus Joe Long, the investigation led by Agents Gray and

Mills, and the involvement by local police led by officer Jim Tagukag.

  King introduces a love interest midway through the piece. A business woman and bush

pilot named Sonya Riggs. She’s a strong character although not overbearing and

cartoonish.

  ‘The Presidents Kidnapped’ is an action story wrapped in political intrigue and betrayal.

It flows extremely well and puts the reader at the heart of the action. King paints the

picture of back room political subterfuge as well as the Alaskan wilderness with a depth

of description.  I enjoyed it’s characters and suggest you will too.