My love for browsing through interesting book covers to decide my next read continues as usual and I had found success in many cases. This time at the library, I did find a simple but interesting book cover along with a very interestingly crazy write-up at the back of the book. These were ample enough to pique my interest.
Rachel, a cancer survivor gets a call one day that her daughter Kylie is kidnapped. The call directs her to make some amount as payment and also to do something no one could ever have imagined - kidnap a child. This makes them a part of The Chain. This has been going on as a Chain for so long. As per the rule, once the kidnapping is done and communicated to the kid's parents, she gets released. So this continues as a chain involving many parents while the actual culprits sit safely behind the complex dark web and a near-perfect plan. She decides to go ahead with the plan as there is no other way and takes help from her ex-husband's brother who is also brought into the plan. Does Rachel succeed in the kidnap or does she have second thoughts? Is she able to get back to Rachel? Is The Chain broken and the real perpetrators found? forms the story of the book.
To start with, I was totally dumbstruck by the storyline. It was so interesting and fresh to me. Unique storylines are an important factor in the success of any crime thriller and they can balance the story in case of any shortcomings. For me, the plot kept me hooked up right from page one. It makes me wonder how writers can come up with such ideas. Wow! The women in the story were actually stronger characters right from Rachel and Kylie to the other females. They held their own forte. Kylie, even though a child, is shown to be in remarkable attitude even during times of kidnap. Pete, the uncle was an interesting character. With his military background, I expected something different. But here the author shows his PTSD and drug issues and how at times it can hinder him. The mental conflict and sufferings of the characters are interesting covering a range of emotions. The idea of putting a character in a precarious position and making them commit something wrong when a loved one's life is at stake was very well put forth. The writing was simple but just enough to keep me wanting more. The backstory for the antagonist was chilly and dark and the double life they were leading was slick. That was a complete surprise for me. Having said so many positives, the book tends to be just another copy of a Hollywood action movie towards the end. The action was all over so quickly and I had to pause and process what just happened. That was kind of a damper for me.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves to read great thrillers. With such a unique storyline, it is sure to engross you fully. And it will not be a wonder if this becomes made into a movie as well. The book has all the things in the right place to be made a good movie.
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