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Kidnapping -- Fiction Books
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Robert Louis Stevenson
Kidnapped
"Kidnapped" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a historical fiction adventure novel first published in 1886. Seventeen-year-old David Balfour's life takes a dark turn when his uncle betrays him, leading to his kidnapping and forced voyage to colonial servitude. After a shipwreck reunites him with Alan Breck Stewart, a fugitive Jacobite, the two become unlikely companions fleeing through the dangerous Scottish Highlands. Set against the turbulent backdrop of 18th-century Scotland, their journey intertwines with real historical events, including a notorious murder that threatens both their lives.
Walter Scott
The Pirate Andrew Lang Edition
"The Pirate" by Walter Scott is a novel published in 1821. Set in the Shetland Islands at the end of the 17th century, it tells the story of young Mordaunt, whose friendship with the Troil sisters is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious shipwrecked captain named Cleveland. As rivalry grows between the two men, Minna falls for the charismatic stranger, unaware of his dark secret. When pirates capture the Troils, hidden identities are revealed and loyalties tested in this tale of romance and adventure.
George Alfred Townsend
The Entailed Hat; Or, Patty Cannon's Times
"The Entailed Hat; Or, Patty Cannon's Times" by George Alfred Townsend is a historical romance novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores the intersections of personal history and the societal changes occurring in early America, particularly focusing on the life and times in a small town on the Eastern Shore. The story revolves around Meshach Milburn, a money-lender with a mysterious past, who wears an eccentric and ancient hat that becomes a symbol of his identity and social stance amidst the changing dynamics of class and reputation. The opening of the novel introduces the picturesque town of Princess Anne and two notable characters: Meshach Milburn, known for his peculiar steeple-crowned hat, and Jack Wonnell, who wears more modern headgear. Through detailed descriptions, we learn about the social structures and eccentricities of the townspeople. Milburn's life begins to unfold as he interacts with local society, illustrating themes of class distinction and the burden of inherited legacies, all while drawing the reader into the rich tapestry of historical anecdotes related to the hat that connects him to his family's past. As the story begins to take shape, questions about love, identity, and societal judgment emerge, hinting at the deeper narrative to come.
Charles R. Tanner
The color of space
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John Buchan
Huntingtower
"Huntingtower" by John Buchan is a novel published in 1922. Retired Glasgow grocer Dickson McCunn embarks on a walking holiday in Scotland, only to stumble upon a Russian princess imprisoned in a mysterious house. With help from a young poet and a scrappy gang of Glasgow street urchins called the Gorbals Die-Hards, McCunn must protect her from Bolshevik enemies arriving by sea. This fairytale-like adventure blends ordinary courage with international intrigue in post-Revolution turmoil.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Kidnapped (Illustrated) Being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751
"Kidnapped (Illustrated)" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a historical fiction adventure novel written in 1886. Seventeen-year-old David Balfour journeys to claim his inheritance, only to be betrayed by his uncle and sold into slavery aboard a ship bound for the American colonies. After a shipwreck throws him together with the fugitive Jacobite Alan Breck Stewart, David finds himself caught up in political intrigue and accused of murder in the dangerous Scottish Highlands of 1751.
Edgar Wallace
The avenger
"The Avenger" by Edgar Wallace is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Captain Mike Brixan, an intelligence officer who is reluctantly drawn into a murder investigation involving a series of grisly decapitations attributed to a notorious figure known as the Head-Hunter. His quest for answers leads him to intrigue, suspense, and a cast of eccentric characters in the world of film production. The opening portion of the novel introduces Captain Brixan as he is summoned back from an important assignment in Berlin to investigate a murder case related to a missing clerk named Francis Elmer, whose head has been discovered by police. As Brixan engages with his superiors at the Foreign Office, he learns more about the gruesome nature of the crime and the unusual circumstances surrounding Elmer's disappearance. The chapter sets a tone of tension and foreshadowing, hinting at a deeper mystery as Brixan encounters various characters, including a film actress named Adele Leamington and the curious figure of Sir Gregory Penne. As he navigates the complexities of the case, it becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems, and the danger is far more ominous than he initially anticipated.
Octave Thanet
The lion's share
"The Lion's Share" by Octave Thanet is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story opens with Colonel Rupert Winter, a soldier returning home from the Philippines on furlough and meeting Cary Mercer, the brother of a young man involved in a tragic incident, setting the stage for a narrative filled with intrigue and complex family dynamics. The opening of the book introduces Colonel Winter's chance encounter with Cary Mercer, who is grappling with the aftermath of his brother's suicide. Set against a backdrop of financial turmoil and personal loss, the narrative begins to weave a tale of familial connections and hidden motives, especially regarding the older generation represented by Aunt Rebecca. As Winter becomes entangled in a web of relationships and potential dangers, particularly surrounding the enigmatic Miss Smith and the restless Archie, the groundwork is laid for a tension-filled exploration of loyalty, fear, and the pursuit of truth.
E. M. (Edith Maude) Hull
The Sheik: A Novel
"The Sheik: A Novel" by E. M. Hull is a novel published in 1919. When independent Englishwoman Diana Mayo ventures alone into the Algerian desert, she is kidnapped by the mysterious Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan. Held captive in his desert camp, Diana struggles between hatred and unexpected feelings for her captor. This controversial bestseller sparked a major revival of desert romance fiction and became the basis for the famous Rudolph Valentino film. The novel explores themes of captivity, passion, and transformation against an Orientalist backdrop.
Horatio Alger
Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life
"Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life" by Horatio Alger is a novel written during the mid-19th century. The narrative centers around Timothy Crump, a struggling cooper, and his family as they navigate the hardships of life in New York City, focusing particularly on themes of poverty, resilience, and the importance of charity and support. The story introduces major characters, including Timothy's wife, Mary, their son Jack, and the cynical Aunt Rachel, setting the stage for exploring their lives and relationships amid financial difficulties. The opening of the novel presents a grim picture of the Crump family's struggles as they face the harshness of a cold winter with dwindling resources. Timothy is unemployed, and Aunt Rachel's pessimism clashed with Mary’s gentle optimism. The family’s dynamics are strained by financial worries, yet they find moments of resilience and care, notably with young Jack's little efforts to contribute and the unconditional love between family members. As the narrative progresses, the Crumps remain hopeful for better times while grappling with unforeseen challenges and maintaining a sense of community and compassion amid their trials. This setup hints at the story’s exploration of societal issues, familial relationships, and ethical dilemmas, inviting readers to reflect on what it means to persevere against adversity.
R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore
Cripps, the Carrier: A Woodland Tale
"Cripps, the Carrier: A Woodland Tale" by R. D. Blackmore is a novel published in 1876. Set in 1830s rural Oxfordshire, the story follows Grace Oglander, daughter of a country squire, who is abducted through the schemes of a villainous attorney. Her father receives only a sack of potatoes containing her severed golden hair. As witnesses report a body buried in a ravine, Grace's fate seems sealed—yet the truth is far different, leading to dramatic confrontations and a desperate rescue.
Henryk Sienkiewicz
In Desert and Wilderness
"In Desert and Wilderness" by Henryk Sienkiewicz is a young adult novel written in 1911. When fourteen-year-old Polish boy Staś and eight-year-old English girl Nell are kidnapped by rebels during the Mahdist War in Sudan, they endure a harrowing journey through the Sahara Desert. After a desperate act of survival leaves them stranded deep in Africa, the two children must navigate treacherous wilderness, dangerous wildlife, and disease as they search for rescue and a way home.
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