
Jonathan knew there was nothing he could do about it. His assailants were too well prepared. He did't even see them - a gloved hand covered his eyes, another his mouth, and a third his nostrils. It was a very organized kidnap. All he had to do now was wait for 72 hours for his father to paythe ransom of L500,000 - or else he would be drowned. This is the story of those 72 hours and its effect on Jonathan, his parents, and the kidnappers. It's also the story of what happened afterwards, and the nightmares that followed.This is Kathleen Peyton in her thriller mode. It's a tense and exciting read and at the same time a study of people under stress. As readers we feel with Jonathan as he goes through sensations of panic and suffocation, and how in spite of everything he tries to prove himself a hero.This gripping thriller is being reissued as part of the Oxford Children's Modern Classics series.
Jonathan finds himself the target of a calculated kidnapping, forced to endure 72 hours of captivity while his captors demand a substantial ransom. The protagonist must navigate the physical constraints of his confinement and the psychological toll of his isolation while his parents struggle to meet the demands of the criminals. The narrative examines the internal shift in Jonathan as he attempts to maintain his composure and prove his worth under extreme duress. The story unfolds through a focused lens on the immediate crisis and the lingering trauma that persists long after the event concludes.
Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the author's ability to maintain tension throughout the 72-hour window of the kidnapping. Discussion often centers on the psychological realism of Jonathan's reactions to his confinement and the subsequent emotional aftermath. Critics note that the work succeeds as both a suspenseful thriller and a character study of individuals placed under severe pressure. The narrative is praised for its focus on the internal experience of the victim rather than relying solely on external action sequences. Many readers find the exploration of the long-term effects of the trauma to be a particularly significant component of the story.
Page Count:
180
Publication Date:
1999-03-04
ISBN-10:
0192717766
ISBN-13:
9780192717764
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