Stronghold

by Stanley Ellin

James Flood, just released from a Florida prison, has a desperate scheme. He and his recruits, all hardened criminals, will move in upon a prominent upstate New York family, holding the Hayworth women as hostages while awaiting delivery of a four-million-dollar ransom. Flood expects no resistance. Marcus Hayworth, small-town banker and leading member of the Quaker community, is convinced he can subvert Flood's plan. Instead of going to the police, he will bring his family's crisis before his meeting, asking the Quaker community to back him in nonviolent opposition. Subsequent events isolate both hostages and captors within the Hayworth house, waging a war of nerves that involves more than a clash between good and evil. For Flood cannot be taken for granted. Much deeper than the profit motive is his need for revenge, a most urgent and specific need. And Hayworth's principles have never been put to the ultimate test.

Genres: Mystery

Paperback

First published January 27, 1977

About the author

Stanley Bernard Ellin was a mystery writer of short stories and novels. He won the Edgar Allan Poe Award three times and the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere once, and in 1981 he was awarded with the Mystery Writers of America's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.

Reviews

[James S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of my rules of thumbs for reading fiction is that when an author writes in the present tense, it’s usually a sign that he’s trying too hard to “write.” This is whole book written in the present tense, and as a result it’s virtually unreadable.

[Sally Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRONGHOLD is the story of how an isolated Quaker community deals with being taken over by a psychopath.

As always, Ellin creates a world - a world with its own rules, based on Quaker beliefs. It is pretty scary, fascinating, and very satisfying.

[Steven]

Mine is actually the Penguin MMPB. Also have the Random House first edition/ second (?) printing trade hardcover, not listed in Goodreads.

[Pablo Aguirre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una interesante historia que enfrenta dos fuerzas debatibles, la violencia y el pacifismo.