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3 Seconds in Bogotá - updated & extended 2nd edition
When a young adventure-seeking backpacker is thrust face-to-face with his murderer-to-be, he realises he has three seconds left to change his destiny.
A true story from Colombia 1994
★★★★★
Quentin Tarantino does Rough Guide to Colombia
★★★★★
Travel & Razor's Edge Suspense - Don't Miss This! Excellently written story mixing travel & suspense. A "don't miss" with a great twist. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Hilariously scary
★★★★★ Charming. gripping and thoughtful.
This is very enjoyable writing. This true travel account has an interesting structure, humour, pathos and a thrilling tense conclusion.
A true story from Colombia 1994
★★★★★
Quentin Tarantino does Rough Guide to Colombia
★★★★★
Travel & Razor's Edge Suspense - Don't Miss This! Excellently written story mixing travel & suspense. A "don't miss" with a great twist. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Hilariously scary
★★★★★ Charming. gripping and thoughtful.
This is very enjoyable writing. This true travel account has an interesting structure, humour, pathos and a thrilling tense conclusion.
- GenresMemoir
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2023
22 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Mark Playne
8 books12 followers'3 Seconds in Bogota' is filmmaker Mark's debut in the world of books.
Mark is now converting a screenplay he wrote based in Morocco called ‘MoMo' into novel.
Find more and get great bundle deals at www.wild-tales.co.uk
Mark is now converting a screenplay he wrote based in Morocco called ‘MoMo' into novel.
Find more and get great bundle deals at www.wild-tales.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 11, 2023
'3 seconds in Bogotá' is a frisson of high quality suspense interwoven with lyrical bohemian vignettes and a pathos for witty, self deprecating humour. The hysterically botched rendez-vous with Luciana, (oh, believe me, much funnier stuff than Ben Stiller's tortured grimaces) infuses the whole story.
Parts of Bogotá used to be in the mid 90’s, as Afghanistan became in the early 2000: a vortex of madness, violence and scary lawlessness. Logic is implacable though: if this British geezer wrote and published the book, he can't possibly be "resting" between Jim Morrison and Moliere at "Pere Lachaise" Cemetery in Paris. He must have made it out alive. Yet, the writing style is at times so gripping, that the emotional truth has the better of the reader.
The narrative is a powerful mix of "Hitchcock bomb under the table" and flow of consciousness.
The former generates suspense and dramatic tension - the Bogota taxi driver might drive the anguished passenger in the backseat and his girlfriend, to some back alley where they will be either killed or held for ransom, while on the surface, the story takes us to the author's "axis mundi" , the grandparents's home and Luciaa's dad house, revisited, in a somewhat nostalgic key.
The time is expanded through an outburst of emotional subjective memory and these are entertaining passages but in the subterraneous waters of your mind, the question still persists : how will these bohemian but innocent backpackers reverse this macabre situation? How will they make it out alive since it's crystal clear the very writing of the book implies that the author did revisit all this as some harmless and purely aesthetic experience from the safety of his own house?
'3 seconds in Bogotá' is a caffeine filled thriller that if transferred to film - if done with the same verve and effervescence that infuses the book - could become something between black comedy, an early Tarantino film and 'Slumdog multi millionaire’.
For the British adventurer lead role, one imagines a slightly younger Tom Hiddlestone given to humorously macabre inner ruminations in voice over.
The book is highly recommended.
Parts of Bogotá used to be in the mid 90’s, as Afghanistan became in the early 2000: a vortex of madness, violence and scary lawlessness. Logic is implacable though: if this British geezer wrote and published the book, he can't possibly be "resting" between Jim Morrison and Moliere at "Pere Lachaise" Cemetery in Paris. He must have made it out alive. Yet, the writing style is at times so gripping, that the emotional truth has the better of the reader.
The narrative is a powerful mix of "Hitchcock bomb under the table" and flow of consciousness.
The former generates suspense and dramatic tension - the Bogota taxi driver might drive the anguished passenger in the backseat and his girlfriend, to some back alley where they will be either killed or held for ransom, while on the surface, the story takes us to the author's "axis mundi" , the grandparents's home and Luciaa's dad house, revisited, in a somewhat nostalgic key.
The time is expanded through an outburst of emotional subjective memory and these are entertaining passages but in the subterraneous waters of your mind, the question still persists : how will these bohemian but innocent backpackers reverse this macabre situation? How will they make it out alive since it's crystal clear the very writing of the book implies that the author did revisit all this as some harmless and purely aesthetic experience from the safety of his own house?
'3 seconds in Bogotá' is a caffeine filled thriller that if transferred to film - if done with the same verve and effervescence that infuses the book - could become something between black comedy, an early Tarantino film and 'Slumdog multi millionaire’.
For the British adventurer lead role, one imagines a slightly younger Tom Hiddlestone given to humorously macabre inner ruminations in voice over.
The book is highly recommended.
February 20, 2023
I have read the book for the 2nd time. Recall made the events familiar but still a great read. The new chapters provided tremendous and disturbing insights into the reality of the potentially disastrous outcome. I highly recommend that anyone interested in a true life event/s and the culture/s of South America should read the book.
January 30, 2024
An incredibly well written memoir that will keep your fingers flipping pages as your eyes read a story so descriptive you feel like you're in it!
The narrative methodology to get to the title phrase "3 Seconds in Bogata" kept me reading long after I should have been asleep in bed!
I highly recommend book!!
The narrative methodology to get to the title phrase "3 Seconds in Bogata" kept me reading long after I should have been asleep in bed!
I highly recommend book!!
August 21, 2024
I read 3 seconds in Bogota in one sitting as it was a page turner and written in a style that was somewhat of a suspense story, whilst conveying much about the author's life at that time and the circumstances in which he found himself.
South America is an area of the world I know little about, in any detail. the book is a snap shot in time in the author Mark Playne's life, a true story. This I feel makes the book all the more impactful.
The book conveys the reasoning, thought processes and drives of a young man and his girlfriend. His view iss view of the exiting world of travel that was South America in the 1990's. At the time Mark made a living, more or less on the street, working hand to mouth selling his wares. Always broke but with adventure in his heart. In fact the book is about the heart, intuition and how these aspects of our lives should never be over looked.
The story is written from the narators perspective and touches on many aspects of his life, that of his girlfriend and the area of the world. An understanding of people. Current events, of that time. Judges of character. Decisions made. Some eye opening horror stories and the world of then and likely now.
The book keeps you in suspense and it is worth hanging in for the journey.
Chance, serendipity, decisions, that perhaps you or I would not make. Would we do the same? I am sure many would not.
The follow up explanations in the post script, so to speak, reveal much more and are worth reading by way of explanation.
I wrote to Mark via e-mail and will say the same here.
Mark is a very lucky man.
South America is an area of the world I know little about, in any detail. the book is a snap shot in time in the author Mark Playne's life, a true story. This I feel makes the book all the more impactful.
The book conveys the reasoning, thought processes and drives of a young man and his girlfriend. His view iss view of the exiting world of travel that was South America in the 1990's. At the time Mark made a living, more or less on the street, working hand to mouth selling his wares. Always broke but with adventure in his heart. In fact the book is about the heart, intuition and how these aspects of our lives should never be over looked.
The story is written from the narators perspective and touches on many aspects of his life, that of his girlfriend and the area of the world. An understanding of people. Current events, of that time. Judges of character. Decisions made. Some eye opening horror stories and the world of then and likely now.
The book keeps you in suspense and it is worth hanging in for the journey.
Chance, serendipity, decisions, that perhaps you or I would not make. Would we do the same? I am sure many would not.
The follow up explanations in the post script, so to speak, reveal much more and are worth reading by way of explanation.
I wrote to Mark via e-mail and will say the same here.
Mark is a very lucky man.
June 25, 2025
What an amazing book. I bought it for my husband as he’d travelled round South America many years ago. He loved it! So I decided to read it starting 2.00 am for an hour or so and finishing later today. I was totally gripped by the story and the writing style. Incredibly entertaining but with a hint of menace all the time (I’ve been to Ecuador so I’m aware)
This book is one that you can’t put down. I was impressed by the author’s humanity, especially in the last chapters and references. And his antipathy to a certain British ex PM. It’s funny at times yet filled with true humanity. We in the UK are lucky to live in a democracy at the moment and it’s hard to imagine life in Colombia and maybe we want to just ignore the suffering because what can we do? But Mark went there, had incredible encounters, made us laugh …. And then made us think.
I’ll certainly read it again and check out the links in the references
This book is one that you can’t put down. I was impressed by the author’s humanity, especially in the last chapters and references. And his antipathy to a certain British ex PM. It’s funny at times yet filled with true humanity. We in the UK are lucky to live in a democracy at the moment and it’s hard to imagine life in Colombia and maybe we want to just ignore the suffering because what can we do? But Mark went there, had incredible encounters, made us laugh …. And then made us think.
I’ll certainly read it again and check out the links in the references
June 11, 2023
What a brilliant book - I could not put it down and I don’t often say that about a book! The perfect mix of thriller, adventure and horror, mixing the fun and antics of the authors travels with the tension of a ‘millionaires taxi ride’ and then the true horror of what this world can be like (the last part is kind of optional if you don’t want to do the further reading - but I would recommend it). His style brings the South American countries to life and you can almost imagine you are there. Love, love, love it!
September 11, 2023
Kept pages turning.
For a US citizen who has never left the country, and most likely never will, Mark has given me a front seat into adventure, not always something I might wish to experience. The second part of the book goes deeper, and eye opening. For people who hate on immigrants, perhaps this book can give them damned good reasons why they, too, would be trying to escape thier native land I'd the situation were reversed. And maybe shame them for their lack of Humanity and compassion.
For a US citizen who has never left the country, and most likely never will, Mark has given me a front seat into adventure, not always something I might wish to experience. The second part of the book goes deeper, and eye opening. For people who hate on immigrants, perhaps this book can give them damned good reasons why they, too, would be trying to escape thier native land I'd the situation were reversed. And maybe shame them for their lack of Humanity and compassion.
October 28, 2023
Set mostly in Bogotá. 222 pp. I didn’t care for this. The beginning and middle were interesting, and it was a unique way to tell what, really, is a short anecdote, but it really fell apart at the end. The blurb promised more than the book delivered.
3 Seconds in Bogotá by Mark Playne
3 Seconds in Bogotá by Mark Playne
February 29, 2024
On the edge-of-your-seat entertaining. If you like excitement while traveling or just reading about it from the comfort of your couch, this book is for you. What would you do if you thought you were about to be mugged? What if family members were with you? How far would you go to protect those you love? I know where my line lays. You will love “3 Seconds in Bogotá,” which will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first chapter. There is never a dull moment as you travel the world with the fabulous, entertaining writer Mark Playne.
August 9, 2024
Wow, what a book! I'm ashamed to say this book sat on my To-Be-Read list for far too long. However, it was certainly worth the wait. Told in such a way you feel as if you and Mark Playne are chatting over a cold drink as he recounts some memorable moments of his life as well as some truly terrifying ones. I loved the way the 3 Seconds of the title are spread over the course of the book as the author recalls moments of his life that led him to make the decisions he does during those few moments. Brilliantly written and educational at the same time. I for one learnt a lot about various parts of South America I had known little about before.
April 10, 2023
Was worried that as English not being my native language it will be challenging to read it, although had no problems with that.
It's incredibly written book with twists and interlinks of stories that grow on you.
3 seconds in Bogota is one of the best if not the best true traveller story including great sense of British humour.
Highly recommended
It's incredibly written book with twists and interlinks of stories that grow on you.
3 seconds in Bogota is one of the best if not the best true traveller story including great sense of British humour.
Highly recommended
January 14, 2025
An engaging book, easy to read with an interesting narrative structure. It kept me hooked the whole time, as well as sadly shocked by the stories of crime and violence in South America. I liked the author's easy going style yet absorbing style.
June 13, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this account of Mark's incredible travel adventures - and his exploration into living life on the edge! - and what he discovered along the way! Highly recommended!
August 27, 2023
At the Edge of Your Seat
A fun read of the adventures of an English Man in the Americas. It may show the dangers of the areas but other places are safe & beautiful.
A fun read of the adventures of an English Man in the Americas. It may show the dangers of the areas but other places are safe & beautiful.
January 26, 2024
I finished the book but wasn't that enthused about it. A tour of his travels and working the street sales. He finally makes it to Argentina but it doesn't meet his expectations.
February 8, 2024
Quick read, interesting, and entertaining.
February 28, 2024
I dont understand how this book was suppose to be so amazing. I kept putting it down and forcing myself to pick it back up.
May 19, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable read and made me reminisce about my own backpacking experience. Also the context of events happening in the world at the time lends to the stories unpredictable outcomes.
September 1, 2024
Nail biting from start to finish... What a story teller!
September 17, 2024
An absolutely brilliant update to an amazing story. I's a gripping page turner that has you ralising you've been holding your breath. Love it. READ IT!
May 15, 2024
Mark’s true story shares all the ingredients of a life well lived and comes packed with stories of hard travelling, streetwise encounters and a fair share of ducking and diving.
But against the harsh realities of a life on the move, a softer, kinder thread shines through:
This is a story that celebrates lasting friendship and close family ties. There is the cycle of creativity that connects making to selling then selling to survive. Mark demonstrates an insight into the human condition and his understanding of the motives of others. Above all, it celebrates the joy and precious value of life whatever your background.
Then you turn the next corner to suddenly discover that it all hangs in the balance – with just three seconds before the Scales of Fate will fall in one of two directions.
This is well thought out, carefully written and beyond the three seconds, Part Two will go a long way to answering the many questions that hang in the air.
Anthony Smith
But against the harsh realities of a life on the move, a softer, kinder thread shines through:
This is a story that celebrates lasting friendship and close family ties. There is the cycle of creativity that connects making to selling then selling to survive. Mark demonstrates an insight into the human condition and his understanding of the motives of others. Above all, it celebrates the joy and precious value of life whatever your background.
Then you turn the next corner to suddenly discover that it all hangs in the balance – with just three seconds before the Scales of Fate will fall in one of two directions.
This is well thought out, carefully written and beyond the three seconds, Part Two will go a long way to answering the many questions that hang in the air.
Anthony Smith
April 17, 2024
This travel memoir had me on the edge of my seat as this international couple backpack their way through South America funding their trip by making and selling jewellery. It is skillfully written by the author who weaves his early life and travels around a very scary moment in Bogota. It also had several laugh-out-loud moments between the pages. I also learnt a lot about the places he visited and about the culture. The reader is free to end with the story, or there is the option to explore political issues and theories if they so wish. However, as someone who will never venture into this part of the world, for me it was a great read from the safety of my own home.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews