Jill B. (jillmgtexas) reviewed The Professionals (Stevens & Windermere, Bk 1) on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book! Owen Laukkanen is now official lone of my favorite authors. The book is written in fairly short chapters - over 90 in all - and I think that makes it even harder to put the book down.
The story follows four friends who are having a hard time finding decent jobs. They concoct a two-year plan in which they kidnap rich family guys, contact the wives requesting a ransom that will be easy for her to come up with (but still worth it for the kidnappers), and then return him unharmed upon payment. It all goes pretty well until they pick the wrong target.
There is no slow part to this story and the ending does not disappoint. I definitely recommend - enjoy!
The story follows four friends who are having a hard time finding decent jobs. They concoct a two-year plan in which they kidnap rich family guys, contact the wives requesting a ransom that will be easy for her to come up with (but still worth it for the kidnappers), and then return him unharmed upon payment. It all goes pretty well until they pick the wrong target.
There is no slow part to this story and the ending does not disappoint. I definitely recommend - enjoy!
June E. (junie) -
Great book, I read it in a day and half. This is one of those books where you root for the bad guys to win!! The author has you liking both sides of the law, and the book is hard to put down. 5 Stars.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
First Line: Martin Warner checked his watch as the train slowed for Highland Park.
Recent University of Washington graduates Arthur Pender, Marie McAllister, Matt Sawyer, and Ben Stirzaker had no luck finding jobs after graduation in the lousy economy, so they decided to start their own business. Traveling back and forth across the country, they carefully target rich men, kidnap them, hold them for a relatively low ransom, get their money, and give the hostage back to his family. They estimate that in two more years, they'll have enough money stashed away to retire in the Maldives.
But these best laid plans will go the way of all the rest. The four kidnap the wrong person, and they find themselves fighting for their lives-- caught between mobsters that will stop at nothing to kill them, and two law enforcement agents who will stop at nothing to put them behind bars. As the four fight to survive, they learn whom the true professionals really are.
This debut novel reads like a house afire. Laukkanen's sense of action and pacing are first rate, and his story follows close behind (although it has a bug or two).
The premise is intriguing, but not entirely believable. For example, two of the kidnappers obtained degrees in English literature and History-- and they expected to find jobs in a horrible economy? The character with a degree in Computer Sciences could easily have found a job, but is a more passive type who's willing to let someone else call the shots. Let's face it: these four are merely using the economy as an excuse; they all wanted to get rich fast so they wouldn't have to work.
The two law enforcement characters, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Kirk Stevens and FBI agent Carla Windermere, are interesting, and I wanted to know more about them. Having two separate groups of characters on which to focus attention was undoubtedly meant to create tension and to make readers aware of the fact that the people on both sides are deserving of sympathy, but it didn't work in this instance. Many thrillers focus on the story and the action. Characters come further down the list of priorities; however, Laukkanen places equal importance on them, so the characterization has to work. Splitting focus between two sympathetic groups meant that none of the characters were as finely drawn as they could have been and my loyalty was with none of them.
With that said, Owen Laukkanen is a writer to watch. He's got a knack for action, pacing, story, and characters. Once he brings them all into finer focus, he'll have it made.
Recent University of Washington graduates Arthur Pender, Marie McAllister, Matt Sawyer, and Ben Stirzaker had no luck finding jobs after graduation in the lousy economy, so they decided to start their own business. Traveling back and forth across the country, they carefully target rich men, kidnap them, hold them for a relatively low ransom, get their money, and give the hostage back to his family. They estimate that in two more years, they'll have enough money stashed away to retire in the Maldives.
But these best laid plans will go the way of all the rest. The four kidnap the wrong person, and they find themselves fighting for their lives-- caught between mobsters that will stop at nothing to kill them, and two law enforcement agents who will stop at nothing to put them behind bars. As the four fight to survive, they learn whom the true professionals really are.
This debut novel reads like a house afire. Laukkanen's sense of action and pacing are first rate, and his story follows close behind (although it has a bug or two).
The premise is intriguing, but not entirely believable. For example, two of the kidnappers obtained degrees in English literature and History-- and they expected to find jobs in a horrible economy? The character with a degree in Computer Sciences could easily have found a job, but is a more passive type who's willing to let someone else call the shots. Let's face it: these four are merely using the economy as an excuse; they all wanted to get rich fast so they wouldn't have to work.
The two law enforcement characters, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Kirk Stevens and FBI agent Carla Windermere, are interesting, and I wanted to know more about them. Having two separate groups of characters on which to focus attention was undoubtedly meant to create tension and to make readers aware of the fact that the people on both sides are deserving of sympathy, but it didn't work in this instance. Many thrillers focus on the story and the action. Characters come further down the list of priorities; however, Laukkanen places equal importance on them, so the characterization has to work. Splitting focus between two sympathetic groups meant that none of the characters were as finely drawn as they could have been and my loyalty was with none of them.
With that said, Owen Laukkanen is a writer to watch. He's got a knack for action, pacing, story, and characters. Once he brings them all into finer focus, he'll have it made.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Descripton
Four friends, recent college graduates, caught in a terrible job market, joke about turning to kidnapping to survive. And then, suddenly, it's no joke. For two years, the strategy they devise-quick, efficient, low risk-works like a charm. Until they kidnap the wrong man. Now two groups they've very much wanted to avoid are after them-the law, in the form of veteran state investigator Kirk Stevens and hotshot young FBI agent Carla Windermere, and an organized-crime outfit looking for payback. As they all crisscross the country in deadly pursuit and a series of increasingly explosive confrontations, each of them is ultimately forced to recognize the truth: The true professionals, cop or criminal, are those who are willing to sacrifice . . . everything. A finger-burning page-turner, filled with twists, surprises, and memorably complex characters, The Professionals marks the arrival of a remarkable new writer.
My Review
This is an excellent debut by Owen Laukkanen. It's a fast-paced plot that grabs you from the start and does not let go until the very end. The characters are well-drawn and fascinating. I love the short chapters that leave you hanging and wanting more. The book is action-packed with lots of twists and turns. It leaves you rooting for the bad guys and is one great reading experience. I can actually see this book as a movie. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I would highly recommend this book to those who like action thrillers.
Four friends, recent college graduates, caught in a terrible job market, joke about turning to kidnapping to survive. And then, suddenly, it's no joke. For two years, the strategy they devise-quick, efficient, low risk-works like a charm. Until they kidnap the wrong man. Now two groups they've very much wanted to avoid are after them-the law, in the form of veteran state investigator Kirk Stevens and hotshot young FBI agent Carla Windermere, and an organized-crime outfit looking for payback. As they all crisscross the country in deadly pursuit and a series of increasingly explosive confrontations, each of them is ultimately forced to recognize the truth: The true professionals, cop or criminal, are those who are willing to sacrifice . . . everything. A finger-burning page-turner, filled with twists, surprises, and memorably complex characters, The Professionals marks the arrival of a remarkable new writer.
My Review
This is an excellent debut by Owen Laukkanen. It's a fast-paced plot that grabs you from the start and does not let go until the very end. The characters are well-drawn and fascinating. I love the short chapters that leave you hanging and wanting more. The book is action-packed with lots of twists and turns. It leaves you rooting for the bad guys and is one great reading experience. I can actually see this book as a movie. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I would highly recommend this book to those who like action thrillers.
Tammy W. (tammy60) -
This a fantastic book by a new author. Fast paced, great list of characters. Loved the team of Windermere & Stevens.
Mr. Laukkanen's next book 'Criminal Enterprise', a Windermere/Stevens #2, will be realsed March 2013. I can't wait to read it!
I highly recommend this one!
Mr. Laukkanen's next book 'Criminal Enterprise', a Windermere/Stevens #2, will be realsed March 2013. I can't wait to read it!
I highly recommend this one!
