Hello, everyone. Today I am reviewing The Dispatcher by Ryan David Jahn for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in return for my honest review.
After seven years, Ian Hunt’s daughter has been declared dead. She was abducted from her parents’ home seven years ago. Hunt works as a police dispatcher in a small town in East Texas. One day, while working at the dispatch desk, he receives an emergency call from a pay phone. It’s his daughter, who has managed to escape her captors. Hunt has just enough time during that phone call to establish that it is indeed his daughter before she is once again taken away by the man who abducted her.
That’s the opening sequence of this riveting thriller by Ryan David Jahn. The tension never stops in this story, which ultimately involves a gripping cross-country chase in pursuit of the man and woman who have Hunt’s daughter. I couldn’t put it down. Let me warn you; it can be bloody, violent and graphic but none of it is gratuitous. Ian Hunt is a fascinating character; a flawed human being whose marriage has ended, who is estranged from his other child, is full of regrets, and who will stop at nothing to get his daughter back. She was seven when she was abducted. She is now fourteen.
Maggie, the daughter, hears her father’s voice come through the pay phone receiver and gains a renewed determination to finally escape her captors. She never loses the absolute faith that he will rescue her.
Jahn is an enormously talented writer. The characters who populate this gripping mystery are fully realized. They are real people, with flaws, fears and weaknesses. We are allowed to follow the thought processes of Ian, Maggie and the man who abducted Maggie. Even the bad guy is written so fully and completely that we understand what has shaped him and what has brought him to this point in time.
Ian, who battles his own demons and has never fully recovered from the loss of Maggie, finds a new level of courage and strength as he relentlessly pursues the abductor. He will do whatever it takes to rescue her.
As someone who works in the theater and was an actress for years, I know that every character has to have an intention that fuels the action of the scene. Any actor worth his salt will analyze a scene and answer the question, “What do I want?” In this high-stakes thriller, those intentions couldn’t be more clear. Ian must find and rescue Maggie. Maggie must do everything she can to escape her abductor and find her father. The abductor must do everything he can to stop Ian and keep Maggie. And that is what propels this story.
I won’t give away anything else about this compelling novel. It’s a white-knuckled read. Jahn creates a vivid picture of the East Texas small town of Bulls Mouth and its inhabitants. What a gifted writer! I look forward to reading more of his work.
Let me add that I think this would make a great movie. It’s truly cinematic in its scope. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear that it has been optioned by a movie producer.
If you like thrillers and can handle a sometimes graphic look at violence, you will truly enjoy this book. One of you will be lucky enough to win a copy of The Dispatcher, but you have to leave a comment on this post to be considered. I will draw the winner’s name on Saturday evening.
About the author: Ryan David Jahn won the Crime Writers Association debut novel prize for Good Neighbors (Penguin, 2011). He left school at sixteen to work in a record store and subsequently joined the army. Since 2004 he has worked in television and film. He grew up in Arizona, Texas and California and recently moved from Los Angeles to Louisville, Kentucky, where he plans to set his next novel.
Intriguing, to say the least! Great book review, Claudia. thanks.
Fabulous book review and I am indeed intrigued!
This is definitely a book I would read. LOVE it- thanks for the review! xo Diana
That does sound good! I love a good thriller, especially one that keeps the pages turning.
I would love to read this book! I like a good thriller from time to time! Thanks! ♥
The book sounds like the movie that is coming out. I’d love to read it. I am sure I would never be able to put it down til I read the whole thing.
Page turners……one of life’s greatest pleasures :)
I would read it. Thanks for the review. I read your second blog and completely understand about how busy life gets and how hard it is to comment. My garden draws me away which I feel is good for me and we have house guests coming next weekend. The following weekend I am running one of the consignment stores. March is booked for me too.
You BET I’d love to win it, honey!!! That’s definitely my kind of book. If I don’t win, I’ll look for it in the store or online.
It’s a strange thing but I can usually get a “feel” or the “essence” of a character from the first page or few pages at the most. I’ve been known to put a book down and not read it just after a chapter because I don’t like the writing style(?) or feel for the character (?) from the very first. Rare, but it does happen.
xoxo,
Connie
It sounds like it might be the kind of novel that grabs you and won’t let you go. Although I admit that it might be really painful to read some of the more graphic parts of the novel, it does sound interesting and I’d love to read it. I just finished reading “The Boy In The Suitcase”. It too was riveting and awful all at the same time. What a parent wouldn’t do to protect and save their child…..
I just finished a book by Elly Griffiths “The House at Sea’s End” a little slow at the beginning but then took off! Loved the book. Now I need another book and yours sounds fabulous. I love intrigue and mystery. Put my name in the hat! Blessings, Linda
You sold me, I will have to read this book.
Mystery/thrillers are my favorite genre…now I gotta read this book. Great review.
This book sounds really good! I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance!
Hugs, Linda
Thanks for the chance to win this book. It sounds facinating! Great review.
Even after 20 years in the court system I still love this genre of writing. I’m always looking for a new author. I’m going to see if he’s written any other books now!
I would love to read this book Being a Texan and all I can’t wait to find out what happens.
Sounds like a good read. Count me in.
sounds like the perfect summer read!
After your review of this book I know I would love to read it.
CABWNANA@aol.com
The book sounds incredible. My college student told me last week…she wishes she had a job reviewing books:)
This book is just what I need to de-stress my own white knuckle week! Pick me, Pick me!!
I love thrillers and am intrigued by your description.
Hi Claudia, Oh it sounds like a wonderful read. I hope you are doing well. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs, Terri
This sounds like a book to start in the morning because I wouldn’t want to put it down until I read the whole thing!
Thanks for being on the tour! I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.