Le kidnapping d'Aaron Greene

by Terry Kay

Quelle valeur donnez-vous à une vie humaine ?

Aaron Greene est coursier dans une banque d'Atlanta. Un matin, en allant à son travail, il disparaît. La piste du kidnapping est hautement improbable. Qui pourrait en effet vouloir s'en prendre à cet employé aux revenus très modestes et à la situation précaire ? Et pourtant la demande de rançon ne tarde pas à tomber. Les ravisseurs réclament 10 millions de dollars. Non pas à la famille d'Aaron, mais à la banque qui l'emploie. Bien sûr, la direction n'a aucune intention de payer pour ce salariéà peine visible dans l'organigramme.
C'est compter sans l'habileté des ravisseurs : à travers les médias, ceux-ci vont dresser l'opinion publique contre l'établissement bancaire, qui, semble-t-il, n'accorde pas la même valeur à la vie d'un petit employé qu'à celle d'un dirigeant. Alors que la presse se déchaîne, que les avocats et autres conseillers en communication de la banque sont en alerte, Cody Yates, un journaliste mêlé malgré lui de près à l'enlèvement, et l'inspecteur Victor Menotti vont tenter de résoudre une affaire qui va se révéler beaucoup plus complexe qu'il n'y paraît.

Avec ce thriller palpitant, construit comme une magistrale partie d'échecs, Terry Kay nous offre une magnifique réflexion, plus d'actualité que jamais, sur la valeur d'une vie humaine au temps du libéralisme sauvage et du capitalisme triomphant.
Thriller

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Adult Fiction, Mystery Thriller

Unknown Binding

First published December 16, 1998

About the author

TERRY KAY, a 2006 inductee into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame, is the author of The Book of Marie, recently released by Mercer University Press. Kay has been a sports writer and film/theater reviewer (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), a public relations executive, and a corporate officer. He is the author of nine other published novels, including To Dance with the White Dog, The Valley of Light, Taking Lottie Home, The Kidnapping of Aaron Greene, Shadow Song, The Runaway, Dark Thirty, After Eli, and The Year the Lights Came On, as well as a book of essays (Special K) and a childrens book (To Whom the Angel Spoke)."

Reviews

[T.M. Mike Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Terry Kay's books. Though a bit dated, Terry paints his characters and settings with vivid details.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great book...but not bad, either. There seems to be 2 or 3 different stories going on here. There is an underlying theme of our society's inability to show care or concern for the everyday person. I was intrigued by that theme, particularly with regard to the radio talk show host who tried to appear so concerned to find out the truth about the kidnapping. I could sense the underlying sensationalism that was motivating her more than her desire to really find the truth. Also, the character of the movie star who was so involved in helping raise money for the ransom but never seemed to really have a lot of compassion for the victim.

Again, this plot line was great but it somehow got lost to me in all the references to the backstories of the kidnappers - especially since these backstories were never fully explained. I could almost see a prequel novel being needed to set the stage for why the kidnappers did what they did. There is a whole story there to tell, I think, that may have filled in the gaps.

Overall, not a bad book. I would recommend it but maybe not as strongly as others.

[Michele Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the idea was good - what would happen if a "nobody" was kidnapped - the story did not live up to its potential. The reasoning behind the motive seemed to hover, just out of reach and never fully evolved. Aaron returning to his family was very anti-climatic. The details of his release were flimsy and I can't imagine that it ended with just one detective suspecting the truth yet not being able to do anything about it.

[KristenR · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kidnapping of Aaron Greene was an interesting story, but I thought the author did a horrible job writing the younger characters. The dialog and reactions of Aaron Greene and Carla were not believable for me.

[Rona Simmons]

Interesting that Kay’s “invention” for the time of a means for the kidnappers to fool the police: they recorded the unfortunate Aaron Greene’s voice on video cassettes then cut and pasted his words to create ransom and demand notes. An interesting precursor to today’s AI voice and image replication. Who’d a thunk it?
Probably best described as predictable but a twisting and turning complex set of relationships for a mystery/thriller wrapped in a character study and laced with romance.

[Janice Branning]

Was Arron a nobody or was he used to show what people think of the invisible people. There were parts of this book I found interesting, but there were so many Characters; it was hard to keep everything straight.
. I read somewhere that Terry Kay books were great, but I was looking for something light for the summer. I may read another of his books in the Fall or Winter.

[Ronald Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very happy interesting story about some people who kidnap the Mailboy of a bank and demand $10 million for his release. Reasons for the kidnapping and the interactions between the reporters, cops, and kidnappers are all intriguing.

[karen higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terry Kay

Good book sometimes hard to follow , enjoyed this story line , suspenseful, odd ending, few unandwered questions worth the read

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron Greene is an 18 year old 'nobody'. Although he only graduated from high school a year ago none of the students or the teachers have any recollection of him except that he was a quiet boy who stayed to himself. Now he has a 'nobody' job; he is the mail boy at a large and prestigious bank in Atlanta and most of the presonnel have never laid eyes on him. So why is Aaron targeted by kidnappers? And these are no ordinary kinappers. Aaron is kept in an enormous mansion, fed gourmet meals, sleeps in a lavishly appointed bedroom with it's own library attached, and is generally treated kindly by the people who live there. Aaron is told up front that he will never be harmed and will be returned home soon.

Aaron's fate triggers deep emotions across the country when the kidnappers demand a 10 million dollar ransom from the bank. The bank's board of directors meet and unanimously decide to refuse payment. Unamimous except for one member, Ewell Pender, who also happens to be the owner of the mansion and the leader of the kidnappers. The local media throw out the question - "If the victim were the bank president and not merely the mail-boy would the bank still refuse?"

The characters in this book were wonderful and the story was so well written. There is suspense, romance and a great deal of irony. My rating was heading steadily towards an almighty 5 stars but the ending was a bit strange; I don't think it answered the 'why' very well. I will definitely read more of Mr. Kay's novels probably starting with "To Dance With The White Dog."

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this - a stirring and interesting idea for a novel: someone is kidnapped, Aaron Greene, a kid who has no real influence, power, or money - and the people asked to pay his ransom of millions? The bank where he works as a mail-boy.

The stir created by the bank's refusal is only part of the power of this story. There's a lot of philosophy and sociological comment in this book, between the lines, and the characters - especially those of Aaron's kidnappers and the reporter most involved - are very well written and dynamic.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mailboy is kidnapped from the bank where he works. Why would anyone think they would receive a ransom in this case? 'Asks a few philosophical questions; there's a police detective and his lover--you get the picture...
The mystery unfolds nicely, but I wasn't captivated.

[Tyannap · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was very suckish.............I did not enjoy this book one bit. The ending also really confused me. The book also went to slow for me from beginning to end. I never found myself wanting to read more or recommend it to people. The plot was good the story just wasn't.

[Dave Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best novel I have read so far in 2016. Of course, the fact that it takes o,ace in Atlanta, deals with news people, and has a scene in my neighborhood might have something to do with that. Also, I had a chance to meet the author and he is witty and wise.

[Michelle Arostegui · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a nondescript young man is kidnapped on the way to his job at a large city bank, which refuses to pay the millions demanded in ransom, the abduction sets off a nationwide debate over the value of an average life.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will return this when I see you next. Promise!

[Rod Zemke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Pugugly]

Good book for general reading

[Patience Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry Kay is my favorite author. I loved this book.

[Linda W. Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nail Biter.

This was a great mystery read with a message. The characters are relatable and interesting. Another hit by Terry Kay.