Stolen

By: Daniel Palmer

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

The future looks bright for John and Ruby. John's business is growing, and they're talking about starting a family. But when Ruby receives a life-changing diagnosis, and insurance won't cover the treatment, John steals a customer's identity and files a false claim. The plan works perfectly - until the customer in question contacts John with a startling proposition. If John and Ruby play a little game he's devised, he won't report their fraud. The rules are simple: commit real crimes. But if they fail, there will be deadly consequences. With each round, the crimes get more twisted. John and Ruby can't disappear - and they can't go to the police. Their only option is to keep playing, while trying to outwit a psychopath who has no intention of letting them leave this game alive.

©2013 Daniel Palmer (P)2013 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"In Stolen, Daniel Palmer updates a classic premise, the ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary situation, and the result is a twisting, suspenseful chiller of a book." (William Landay, New York Times best-selling author of Defending Jacob)

Adventurous and gripping

Loved the character voices and seeing what we can be pushed to do when necessary

Wish I knew before buying.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I thought that the story line was interesting, but if I knew that there would be so many gory scenes I wouldn't have bought it. I do think that others might enjoy the book.

Any additional comments?

My first time listening to Peter Berkrot and found him easy to listen to.

Great story except for so many things!

First the premise is great for the times. Not many families could withstand extended medical expenses and the bureaucracy of insurance carriers so I thought it was worth a shot. The beginning was a very interesting ABC if what to think about when stealing an identity, the difficultly being diagnosed with a potential death sentence but after the villain began his 'game' I wondered if I was losing brain cells listening to the end.
I enjoyed all the characters and excellent narration just too ridiculous for me. And quite long except for all the chapters I ff through!

Predictable

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A more intriguing plot with twists and turns. This was very predictable; almost farcical.

Has Stolen turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

Did Peter Berkrot do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, he was ok. Didn't do women's voices too well. Too much falsetto.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I couldn't believe it was the same author as Delirious and Helpless, which were excellent books with deep plots and characters.

Any additional comments?

Too predictable and in the end you wish John and Ruby would just die and put you out of your misery. Then the villain is revealed in a few short sentences and his story has no bearing on the plot at all.