Cover Image: Beyond Gone

Beyond Gone

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Member Reviews

Former U.S. Marshal Simon Fisk was paid to find and return a young boy that was taken to Africa by his mother. The money was good, but it isn’t too long before he realizes that he has been set up. He is needed in Africa, but for an entirely different case. The granddaughter of the United States Secretary of State has been kidnapped. Even though she was in the country under an assumed name, her death will be guaranteed if they find out who she really is. Simon agrees to find her after he is offered incentives that will assist his daughter Hailey. Simon never gives up as he goes after the group that is kidnapping young women. Although a Simon Fisk novel guarantees plenty of action, danger and adventure, I did not enjoy this one as much as I did the previous books. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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Former US Marshall, Simon Fisk has become something of the ‘go to guy’ in recovering abducted children. In this plot we find him in Cape Town and then tasked with a mission to recover the grand-daughter of the US Secretary of State who has been taken by a group of terrorists in Africa. He is accompanied by a university professor, Jadine Visser who is not all she seems.

It is clear from the outset that this is not the first book featuring Simon Fisk and the unravelling of those plots tends to slow-up the flow of this plot. What was very interesting was the information relating to the missing girls that have been ‘removed’ from their homes and schools – and the hundreds of girls that are still missing. This I found quite harrowing.

When I started this book I was very much looking forward to a Robert Ludlum type book, and as far as it goes perhaps one could say this is. However, it is not Robert Ludlum, not even close. Don’t ask me why it isn’t because I just have not figured it out. What irritated me (just me remember) was the unfamiliar names, of places and people that I found hard to retain due to their spelling or pronunciation – so that it slowed up the pace. Also, we seemed to have a fair bit of repetition: how many times do we have to hear that it could be in Chad, or ? or ?. I get it, you don’t know where they are.

I read Robert Ludlum many, many years ago. Perhaps the same would be said of his works if I read them now. Perhaps I am just over this type of plots. I don’t think so. I just think this didn’t work for me. Sorry Mr Corleone, but I was very pleased to finish the book so that I could move on. I had no emotional connection to either Simon or Jadine.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

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