Book Review: Paradise Lost: A Novel of Suspense by Taffy Cannon

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Engaging characters and gripping story.

Cons: Personally, the language and sex scenes.

The Bottom Line:

Quickly turn pages

To find out what happens next

In suspenseful read

Gripping Kidnapping Drama

Returning to Paradise Plaza was not Holly Constantine's first choice for her Spring Break. But arguing with her mom, Hollywood lawyer Connie Constantine, was always a useless task, so the Stanford junior found herself once again at the "fat farm" in the hills above Santa Barbara.

Holly's favorite activity at Paradise Plaza is the early morning hike. Looking forward to it her first morning there, Holly's not disappointed to find there will be only one other guest, actress Vanessa Wyatt. With their instructor promising a trip to the waterfall, the three women set out.

Part way up the trail, the three women are attacked and Holly and Vanessa are kidnapped. A ransom demand has been left on Paradise Plaza's web site. The kidnappers are demanding eight million dollars but not for themselves. It's supposed to go into a trust, administered by Connie, and used to establish public parks in three California cities. While the FBI tries to track down any leads, money begins pouring in to the account. Connie struggles with newfound emotions while trying to keep her tough demeanor. Holly and Vanessa, meanwhile, are chained to the walls of a basement wondering what will happen to them. Will the FBI find them? Will their captors really release them when the ransom comes in?

Taffy Cannon is a master of the multiple viewpoint crime novel, and this book is a prime example. The point of view shifts between Holly, Connie, the police, and even the captors, giving the reader the full view long before the characters get it. Naturally, this increases the suspense as we hope each misstep will be the villain’s fatal flaw.

Ms. Cannon is also a master of creating vivid characters, which only make her stories more gripping. Holly is an early favorite here, but Connie also becomes sympathetic before the story is over.

Paradise Lost is not as cozy as I normally read, or as cozy as the books Ms. Cannon writes under the pen name Emily Toll. Even so, I found the story gripping and the characters engaging. The book is well worth reading.