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jholscher's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
This is a gripping and suspenseful novel. Once started it is very hard to put down.
The story is simple and could almost be a short story. Kenny has a brain tumor and has been given weeks to live. He makes a short list of people who he feels he has let down or failed to acknowledge during his life, wanting to make amends to them before he dies. One of them is Callie Barton, a friend from primary school whom he hasn't seen in years. With the help of a friend who is a former police officer, he finds out that Callie went missing several years earlier. Her husband was the prime suspect but was never charged with her disappearance, which remains unsolved. Kenny feels it's his responsibility to Callie to find out what happened to her. His behavior becomes increasingly unhinged, but given the brain tumor it never feels like a completely unrealistic scenario.
The tension builds throughout the book. I was in a constant state of suspense, wondering how far Kenny would go and whether his assumptions were correct or incorrect. I was horrified by his behavior, and yet somehow he sustained my sympathy as well.
Author Neil Cross was previously the lead scriptwriter for the TV series Spooks. He has a sparse writing style - few adjectives, minimal character development - which suits the novel. Be aware that it is fairly violent in parts, but it's still a terrific read.
The story is simple and could almost be a short story. Kenny has a brain tumor and has been given weeks to live. He makes a short list of people who he feels he has let down or failed to acknowledge during his life, wanting to make amends to them before he dies. One of them is Callie Barton, a friend from primary school whom he hasn't seen in years. With the help of a friend who is a former police officer, he finds out that Callie went missing several years earlier. Her husband was the prime suspect but was never charged with her disappearance, which remains unsolved. Kenny feels it's his responsibility to Callie to find out what happened to her. His behavior becomes increasingly unhinged, but given the brain tumor it never feels like a completely unrealistic scenario.
The tension builds throughout the book. I was in a constant state of suspense, wondering how far Kenny would go and whether his assumptions were correct or incorrect. I was horrified by his behavior, and yet somehow he sustained my sympathy as well.
Author Neil Cross was previously the lead scriptwriter for the TV series Spooks. He has a sparse writing style - few adjectives, minimal character development - which suits the novel. Be aware that it is fairly violent in parts, but it's still a terrific read.
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
One of the things that I've really come to expect from author Neil Cross is not quite knowing what to expect when you pick up one of this books. CAPTURED is the latest in a set of standalone novels that have just all been fantastic, and I'm happy to report that CAPTURED keeps up the standard.
When Kenny finds out he has a matter of weeks to live he draws up the sort of list that I guess many of us might draw up. People that he wants to clear the air with. He starts out tracking down the man who, as a little boy had been nearly abducted. Kenny had seen the suspect trailing the boy, and yet, when the police questioned him, he wasn't able to provide much detail. Kenny wants to apologise. He wants to make things right with his ex-wife, and still closest friend, but somehow he can't quite get to her name just yet. So he tries to track down his old school-yard friend. Callie had been kind to Kenny when he was a loner, awkward, a kid that didn't quite fit in. Callie, unfortunately, isn't easy to find, in fact she has disappeared in unexpected circumstances. Kenny wants to to make things right, and yet, despite his best intentions it ends up not right. About as far from right as you can possibly get.
CAPTURED is just one of the most fascinating novels I've read in a long time. Kenny is a character that will endear you to him, freak you out completely, but in the end, you just can't help but feel so desperately for a man for whom the best of intentions somehow manage to go so incredibly wrong. His complete inability to pull back from the abyss is intriguing. Is it human nature or is it something to do with the ticking time bomb in his brain? Tightly told, quick moving and tense, at no stage does CAPTURED read like a script despite Cross having credentials as a screenwriter. It's also not just a story about Kenny. There are other characters in this book who stand out from the page - the people who help Kenny and support him, and those who come up against him.
If there is anything at all that links Cross's recent books (NATURAL HISTORY / BURIAL and now CAPTURED) it is possibly the theme of the ordinary, flawed human being, pushed way outside their comfort zone. Add to that a talent for creating bleak and vaguely threatening settings; crisp, spare yet beautifully flowing prose and characterisations that tear at the heartstrings even when they are doing the unforgivable and it just has to be said. Do yourselves a favour. CAPTURED is a one sitting, absolutely tremendous, extremely disturbing book that you'll not forget in a hurry.
When Kenny finds out he has a matter of weeks to live he draws up the sort of list that I guess many of us might draw up. People that he wants to clear the air with. He starts out tracking down the man who, as a little boy had been nearly abducted. Kenny had seen the suspect trailing the boy, and yet, when the police questioned him, he wasn't able to provide much detail. Kenny wants to apologise. He wants to make things right with his ex-wife, and still closest friend, but somehow he can't quite get to her name just yet. So he tries to track down his old school-yard friend. Callie had been kind to Kenny when he was a loner, awkward, a kid that didn't quite fit in. Callie, unfortunately, isn't easy to find, in fact she has disappeared in unexpected circumstances. Kenny wants to to make things right, and yet, despite his best intentions it ends up not right. About as far from right as you can possibly get.
CAPTURED is just one of the most fascinating novels I've read in a long time. Kenny is a character that will endear you to him, freak you out completely, but in the end, you just can't help but feel so desperately for a man for whom the best of intentions somehow manage to go so incredibly wrong. His complete inability to pull back from the abyss is intriguing. Is it human nature or is it something to do with the ticking time bomb in his brain? Tightly told, quick moving and tense, at no stage does CAPTURED read like a script despite Cross having credentials as a screenwriter. It's also not just a story about Kenny. There are other characters in this book who stand out from the page - the people who help Kenny and support him, and those who come up against him.
If there is anything at all that links Cross's recent books (NATURAL HISTORY / BURIAL and now CAPTURED) it is possibly the theme of the ordinary, flawed human being, pushed way outside their comfort zone. Add to that a talent for creating bleak and vaguely threatening settings; crisp, spare yet beautifully flowing prose and characterisations that tear at the heartstrings even when they are doing the unforgivable and it just has to be said. Do yourselves a favour. CAPTURED is a one sitting, absolutely tremendous, extremely disturbing book that you'll not forget in a hurry.
hisdarkmaterials's review against another edition
4.0
Well, this was a quick read (literally a couple of hours). Really enjoy Cross's writing style. Did not expect the ending at all. It wasn't the most gripping or terrifying novel I've ever read but it was decent and well written, I got a real feel for Kenny - he was well fleshed out. I liked reading about how desperation can drive people to do things out of character.
readbydusk's review against another edition
2.0
More like 2.5. Neil Cross might be my new favourite crime fiction writer at the moment; his stories seem simple but the characters feel authentic, and his no-nonsense prose makes for some vivid scenes. I had no idea who the 'captured' in the title referred to and the reveal was done pretty well. But I felt for none of the characters, because they are either unredeemable or clueless as hell. There are some brilliant moments of suspense but by the end it was hard for me to care. Would make for a great movie though; it reminded me of 'Prisoners' at times.
mandi_m's review against another edition
3.0
An unusual thriller with the protagonist being a dying man. This moved quickly although you did need to suspend disbelief a little. I stayed up way too late to finish this.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
3.0
Captured by Neil Cross is a 2015 Open Road Integrated Media publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This dark, thought provoking psychological thriller is brought to us by Neil Cross, the author perhaps best known as the creator of “Luther”.
When Kenneth Drummond is informed he has brain cancer and only weeks to live, he begins to put his affairs in order. One thing that is very important to him, is setting things right between himself and those who have touched his life in one form or another. An old classmate who was very kind to him in school, is a woman he would like to reconnect with, just to thank her for her friendship. However, when he discovers she has vanished and perhaps there was foul play involved, his makes it his mission to find out what really happened to his friend and see that justice is served.
While brilliant on one hand, the story is strangely lacking on the other. This is certainly an interesting read. It is a sad commentary on Kenneth's life, is darkly humorous is some ways, and kept me wondering if Kenneth is really on the right track or if his health has caused him to go around the bend a little... or a lot.
I believe we were to assume there was some kind of dark karma at work here, but I was left feeling kind of puzzled by how things were wrapped up. The ending comes to a rather sudden stop, even though all our questions are answered. I felt like there should have been more than what was offered, leaving me with a feeling of dissatisfaction.
There are several twist and forks in the road along the way, so there was nothing at all predictable about the story, which is what kept me engaged in it. I was quite worried about Kenneth the entire time and felt like shouting at him to stop this madness and enjoy your time left. What are doing? What are thinking? Especially, as things continue to spiral more and more out of control.
To sum it all up, I think the book is worth checking out. It's a little offbeat and is a somber story, but I believe you can appreciate the effect the author was going for and appreciate the talent and imagination behind it. Overall this one is 3 stars
This dark, thought provoking psychological thriller is brought to us by Neil Cross, the author perhaps best known as the creator of “Luther”.
When Kenneth Drummond is informed he has brain cancer and only weeks to live, he begins to put his affairs in order. One thing that is very important to him, is setting things right between himself and those who have touched his life in one form or another. An old classmate who was very kind to him in school, is a woman he would like to reconnect with, just to thank her for her friendship. However, when he discovers she has vanished and perhaps there was foul play involved, his makes it his mission to find out what really happened to his friend and see that justice is served.
While brilliant on one hand, the story is strangely lacking on the other. This is certainly an interesting read. It is a sad commentary on Kenneth's life, is darkly humorous is some ways, and kept me wondering if Kenneth is really on the right track or if his health has caused him to go around the bend a little... or a lot.
I believe we were to assume there was some kind of dark karma at work here, but I was left feeling kind of puzzled by how things were wrapped up. The ending comes to a rather sudden stop, even though all our questions are answered. I felt like there should have been more than what was offered, leaving me with a feeling of dissatisfaction.
There are several twist and forks in the road along the way, so there was nothing at all predictable about the story, which is what kept me engaged in it. I was quite worried about Kenneth the entire time and felt like shouting at him to stop this madness and enjoy your time left. What are doing? What are thinking? Especially, as things continue to spiral more and more out of control.
To sum it all up, I think the book is worth checking out. It's a little offbeat and is a somber story, but I believe you can appreciate the effect the author was going for and appreciate the talent and imagination behind it. Overall this one is 3 stars
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