BLOG TOUR & REVIEW: The Second Captive by Maggie James @mjamesfiction @bloodhoundbook
Excited to be launching off the blog tour for The Second Captive. I'm ecstatic to bring you Maggie James's abduction thriller, bringing you views from both abductor and captive. Maggie knows how to tell a tale! Swing on by below for synopsis, author information and my review!
Book Description:
Beth Sutton is eighteen years old when she is abducted. Held prisoner in a basement, she’s dependent on her captor for food, clothes and her very existence. As the months pass, her hatred towards her imprisoner changes to compassion.
But Beth cannot forget that her abductor is also a killer. And she has evidence to prove it…
Then Beth escapes
Can Beth escape from the prison that she has found herself in?
And is there a relationship between love and fear?
My Review:
"Stockholm syndrome: the psychological tendency of a hostage to bond with, identify with, or sympathize with his or her captor."
Bloodhound Books really knows how to pick good thrillers! This one is no exception. I've always been fascinated by Stockholm syndrome and the psychological manipulation from both captor and captive. This novel really shows both sides of the equation.
Dominic has a disturbing childhood, being the victim of his father's abuse and also witnessing that same abuse on others. After his parents pass, all he craves is companionship and he sets his sights on Beth. If he can train her right, she'll love him and he'll have the partner he needs. Beth, only 18, falls hard for Dominic but upon abduction, is strong willed and fights hard against her captor... eventually submitting to survive. How much can one endure... and how many times does it take to appear grateful and loving before you start to believe you really feel that way?
The book is written in two parts... the first part being Dominic and Beth's song and dance from first meeting to her eventual escape. I'm not giving anything away here, we know she gets away from the prologue. (No spoilers here!) The second half is her homecoming, dealing with her newfound freedom, her instilled need to be controlled and fear of Dominic finding her. Her relationships with her friends and family are strained as she can't find it in her to tell them what really happened. As always, her feelings are torn. Her mother will do everything she can to get the truth and make her feel safe again.
If you like abduction thrillers and getting inside the heads of captor and captive, you will love this book. I was enthralled from the first page to the very last. The only thing stopping me from a full 5 star review, is that I wanted more from the ending. Although I did love where the author went, I was emotionally invested that I just... wanted.. more... which is absolutely not a bad thing. The author's ability to make Dominic even a little bit likable shows her prowess. I truly like being in the head of the bad guy. Maggie gives full fleshed out characters and seeing the back and forth between Dominic and Beth as they psychologically dance with each other was utterly fascinating and had my full attention. A read that anyone with a fascination in this subject matter will love.
Author Bio:
Maggie James is a British author who lives in Bristol. She writes psychological suspense novels.
Before turning her hand to writing, Maggie worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practising as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on her list of interests, along with travel. Accountancy does not, but then it never did. The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background! When not writing, going to the gym, practising yoga or travelling, Maggie can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet; animals are a lifelong love!
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