Thrillers, Crimes - Fiction, Crime Fiction

The Siege

Name: The Siege
Author: Stephen White
ISBN: 9780451228482

by Stephen White

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Overview

New York Times bestselling author of Dead Time

Disgraced Boulder detective Sam Purdy, FBI counter-terrorism specialist Christopher Poe, and CIA analyst Deirdre Drake are drawn to Yale University to investigate the disappearances of several students- including the sons of both the Secretary of the Army and a Supreme Court Justice. An unseen enemy is playing by no rules, making no demands, somehow anticipating every FBI move-and executing hostages, one by one...

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author of Dead Time

Publishers Weekly

The Yale campus becomes the site of an increasingly tense siege in this stunning novel from bestseller White (Dead Time). After unidentified attackers quietly take over a building belonging to one of Yale's secret societies, they transform it into a virtual fortress holding an unknown number of students hostage. As officials become aware of what has happened, the response escalates in predictable fashion, but these hostage takers are completely unpredictable. They make no demands, agree to no negotiations and execute or release hostages as they choose. Suspended Boulder, Colo., policeman Sam Purdy eventually teams with maverick FBI agent Christopher Poe and CIA terror expert Deirdre Drake in an effort outside official channels to figure out what's going on. Brilliantly conceived and executed, this intellectually challenging and provocative thriller brings home the lesson that 9/11 might have been a mere prelude to more sophisticated assaults. (Aug.)

About the Author, Stephen White

Writers often use elements of their own personalities to craft their most-enduring characters, and Stephen White has certain done so in creating fellow-clinical psychologist Dr. Alan Gregory. However, White s electrifying series of crime thrillers aren t likely to be mistaken for autobiographies anytime soon.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Library Journal

It takes White fewer than ten pages to completely draw the reader into this tautly written suspense thriller, perhaps his best to date. He introduces suspended Colorado police detective Sam Purdy, a friend of Alan Gregory (from the best-selling series that includes Dead Time). The action centers on a building at Yale where students held hostage by unknown individuals are being released at intervals, some relatively unharmed and others killed in horrible ways. Along with Purdy, those trying to figure out who is responsible include a federal agent still dealing with the effects of the Oklahoma City bombing and so many police that it's a challenge to keep them in order. There isn't a great deal of shoot-'em-up action, with White choosing instead to string the reader along in trying to unravel the puzzle he creates. The characters are well developed and suffer from frailties that readers don't always get from their heroes. After such a suspenseful ride, White thankfully doesn't wrap things up too neatly. VERDICT This is an outstanding book that should prove popular and may increase demand for White's previous titles. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/1/09; previewed under the title The Man in the Tomb.]—Craig Shufelt, Fort McMurray P.L., A.B.