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Rick Chesler
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kiDNApped Paperback – January 1, 2011

by Rick Chesler (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 52 ratings
A priceless biotechnology, an FBI agent, and an unspeakable act of familial betrayal collide in a tropical kidnapping more twisted than a DNA double helix. When a renowned scientist with a solution for global warming is kidnapped at sea, FBI Special Agent Tara Shores must unravel a high-tech trail of S.O.S. messages encoded into the DNA of living cells. As each decoded message brings Tara nearer to the missing genius, it also takes her farther from help than she ever thought possible.

Also includes a sneak peak of the new Tara Shores thriller SOLAR ISLAND, coming December 2012 from Seven Realms Publishing.

PRAISE FOR kiDNApped

"Great scientific concepts that are based in reality, especially the secret messages encoded in DNA...Vivid setting in Hawaiian islands with lots of local color and local detail. Good pacing will keep you reading to the end. FBI agent Tara Shores is one cool, competent chick."
~ScienceThrillers.com

"Rick Chesler's biotech thriller kiDNApped is a pulse-pounder of the highest order!"
~Weekly EBook Reader

"The lush Hawaiian setting is conveyed in a way that immerses the reader in the story. There's a strong scientific element to the plot, but is handled in a way that keeps the book accessible. kiDNApped is an exciting techno/science thriller in the spirit of Michael Crichton."
~MEGALITH reviews

"Chesler really had me with all the clever science experiments, fast-paced chase scenes, gun action and original twists and turns. I need a crow bar to pry myself away."
~TheNovelBlog.com

PRAISE FOR RICK CHESLER'S TARA SHORES SERIES

"[Wired Kingdom] A whale of a tale by first-time author Rick Chesler involving modern-day pirates, media moguls, and a sexy federal agent -- all chasing a cetacean-mounted camcorder and the crucial piece of evidence needed to resolve a murder."
~Steve Alten, NY Times bestselling author of GRIM REAPER and MEG

"WIRED KINGDOM is a fast-paced thriller that is one third deep-sea adventure, one third FBI sleuthing and one third awesome. A superb debut novel and killer concept."
~Jeremy Robinson, author of PULSE and INSTINCT.

"This is a summer page turner. It won't challenge your  belief system and it doesn't stray too far from the whodunnit genre. But if you're looking for an entertaining read from someone new, I highly recommend Wired Kingdom...Remember when Michael Crichton was good? This is who I'm reminded of when I read Wired Kingdom."
~Geekscribe.com
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    382 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Chalet Publishers, LLC
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2011
  5. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.79 x 5.51 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1936395134
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1936395132
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"FBI agent Tara Shores is back in Chesler's latest pulse-pounding techno-thriller, kiDNApped, an intelligent page-turner that will keep you reading late into the night!" - Jeremy Robinson, author of THRESHOLD

--Jeremy Robinson

"Chesler melds science and adventure with the brilliant command of the late Crichton. kidDNApped takes readers on a Hawaiian journey they won't soon forget."
--Douglas Corleone, author of Night on Fire --Douglas Corleone

About the Author

Rick Chesler holds a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and has had a life-long interest in the ocean and its mysteries. A certified scuba Divemaster, when not at work writing he can be found diving, boating or traveling to research his next thriller idea. He currently lives in the Florida Keys with his family. Visit him online at rickchesler.com, facebook.com/rickchesler, or twitter.com/rickchesler.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chalet Publishers, LLC (January 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 382 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1936395134
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1936395132
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.79 x 5.51 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 52 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Rick Chesler

Rick Chesler

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Author of over 30 novels, Rick Chesler holds a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and can often be found diving, boating or traveling to research his next thriller idea. A former contractor for the U.S. Deptartment of Commerce (NOAA) and the State of Hawaii, he now lives in South Florida with his family, at the edge of the Bermuda Triangle. Rick is a member of International Thriller Writers.

SERIES:

ATLANTIS GOLD: An Omega Files Adventure (Book 1)

ARK FOUND: An Omega Files Adventure (Book 2)

GOLDEN ONE: An Omega Files Adventure (Book 3)

CROSS FOUND An Omega Files Adventure (Book 4)

JURASSIC DEAD (co-authored):

Jurassic Dead

Jurassic Dead 2: Z-Volution

Jurassic Dead 3: Ctrl-Z

OUTCAST Ops:

The Poseidon Initiative

African Firestorm (co-authored)

Red Ice (co-authored)

Watchlist (co-authored)

Shadow Gov (co-authored)

Game of Drones (Audio edition only)

TARA SHORES THRILLERS

Deadly Depths

DANE MADDOCK ADVENTURES (co-authored)

Splashdown

Electra

Amber

Treasure of the Dead

Dane Maddock: The Tomb

OGMIOS TEAM ORIGINS (co-authored)

Lucifer’s Machine

STANDALONE NOVELS:

Extremophile

Guardians of Atlantis

Edit: A Prehistoric Thriller

Manuscript 512

Hawaiian Punch (co-authored)

Uncontacted

DMZ: A Dinosaur Thriller

The Tank

The Flat: A Novel of Supernatural Horror (co-authored)

The Yeti (co-authored)

Landing Party

Sawfish

Luna

Hotel Megalodon

Blood Harbor: A Novel of Suspense

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
52 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Noney Bee
5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent Micobiology Based Thriller: kiDNApped Takes Hawaii by Storm!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
I commend Rick Chesler on his expertise in Marine Microbiology, and presenting a unique kiDNApping tale without compromising the intelligence of the plot in favor of "easier reading". I appreciate the science in this story and the integrity of the main characters in the positions they find themselves entrenched in. This is a Tara Shores Thriller, and FBI agent Shores does not over-power the story with feats of being some kind of wonder woman. Shores is "regular FBI" with great intuition and the knowledge to balance her resources with those of the children of a missing scientist, and an "accidental" yet fortunate recent Marine Biology graduate who finds himself procuring work with the team to locate the "presumed almost dead" father. But time is of the essence, and there is a race against the clock to locate Dad before he is declared legally dead. The kidnappers have one agenda, the scientist Dad another, and the siblings are his key to rescue, with the means to do so enabled by the daughter's personal resources and the aid of the FBI. I really enjoyed this captivating mystery/thriller. I loved the uncompromising science, the romp through the Hawaiian Islands, and the balance of very capable characters to hold their own both "the good" and "the bad" with some surprising twists as to whom really belongs on which side, right up until the last page of the book. This would make a great summer read! Go get it and enjoy!!! 5 stars!!!!!
2 people found this helpful
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Monte Dutton
4.0 out of 5 stars Humanity in high-tech tale
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2023
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Nice mix of characters. Determined FBI agent. Scientist searching for missing father. Her doomed and corrupted brother. Adventurer drawn into mix. Icy operatives. Danger in the deep, the shallow and elsewhere. And, of course, the satisfying, if not joyous, conclusion. I enjoyed it.
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Paul Byers
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story, Good Characters, Good Read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2012
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Like Michael Crichton's, Prey or Jurassic Park, Rick Chesler's, KiDNApped shows just how far today's technology has come and how truly frightening it can be. Though not a true techno thriller, the technology used in the story is central to its theme.

KiDNApped is a detective thriller set in the familiar yet still exotic location of the Hawaiian Islands. The story has a good pace, with just the right balance between giving you background information without being boring or shooting straight into action without know who is who and why they are acting that way.

The characters are believable and have a sense of reality about them that not only makes it easy to believe in them but they help make the story itself more credible. The action scenes are done well and add too, rather than distract from the story.

KiDNApped is a great read and once you pick it up, it will be hard for you to put it down.
2 people found this helpful
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JameyLynn
4.0 out of 5 stars Hidden message in DNA
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
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Kidnapped is an FBI thriller in the Tara Shores series written by Rick Chesler. Tara Shores has been assigned to work in Hawaii.

Tara Shores is accidentally drawn into a mystery involving a missing scientist. The case is not an official FBI investigation, but Tara is tagging along with the son and daughter of the missing scientist to keep an eye on things. The missing scientist has cleverly sent a message, but it is a message only his daughter can decipher.

Filled with science revolving around DNA and global warming, this is a fast paced, exciting story that will entertain anyone interested in FBI stories, science, and adventure, especially in an exotic locale. I can recommend this book for adults as well as young adults.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Watch Out Clive Cussler
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2011
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What if Clive Cussler cloned himself and sent Juniour off to fend for himself. You would have Rick Chesler, heir apparent to the adventure/action throne. kiDNApped is a roller coaster, well written, great story, inventive and original. Tara Shores is a little more subdued here, but then again chasing a whale thru the Pacific (in Wired kingdom) would probably do that to a girl.

There is a lack of "coincidence" here, something many action writers fall back on to get their characters out of a problem. Everything is hidden neatly in the story for the characters to find, which is bloody good because i am tired of such'n'such just happening to find a Lamborghini parked on the side of the road idilling just when the lead needs a vehicle.

If you like a bit of adventure, a little mystery and a whole lot of FUN, yes FUN (remember that? like, what we read for?) read this book.

Impatiently waiting for more.
2 people found this helpful
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Reader 7
5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than WIRED KINGDOM!
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2011
Verified Purchase
Rick Chesler's KiDNApped is an intelligent suspense thriller that easily competes with anything by Cussler or Crichton. Dr. William Archer, inventor of a breakthrough piece of biotechnology, has been kidnapped, and it's up to FBI Special Agent Tara Shores to find him. In this book, Tara is joined by Archer's son and daughter as she searches for Dr. Archer on an action-filled chase across the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. The catch is, the only clues are encoded in microscopic strands of DNA! As far fetched as this sounds, Chesler manages to make it believable. His writing is gripping and once again, he does a great job of putting the reader right into the midst of the action. It's a hard book to put down. I loved Chesler's first book, Wired Kingdom, but KiDNApped is even better. I hope he's hard at work on his third! I highly recommend this book. -R David MacNeil
7 people found this helpful
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Anna L. Walls
2.0 out of 5 stars Different Book?
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2014
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The book I read had a different cover so maybe the issues that pissed me off so much were fixed in this issue. I hope so. At any rate, if I were to go into all the issues, I'd be here for a long time. Suffice it to say, this may be one of those cases when a writer shouldn't review a book.
One person found this helpful
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Rafael T.
4.0 out of 5 stars A nice adventure, with some bleeding scientific edge background
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2012
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It is a nice book, and the main character in the series, the FBI agent Tara Shores, is very likable, but it fails for me in two counts:
-- Some things are "stringed" together as lucky guesses or coincidences. Tara isn't the kind of über-detective we currently see on some TV shows.
-- The end is quite predictable, and attempts to balance the scales by God's hand, or writer's pencil...
Also, the nerd in me would love to have more scientific/technological "meat in the plate", like in Daniel Suarez's books.
Nevertheless I enjoyed reading it, and it also made me dream of touring Hawaii someday.
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Top reviews from other countries

Kevin Wrapson
4.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to put down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2012
Verified Purchase
This is the first of Rick Chesler's books that I have read.
Very well written.
We are drawn into the story in an indirect way. Meaning you are not sure how things will go.
Once all the participants are introduced the story flows nicely. Lots of twists and turns.
The main character Tara Shores appears to allow others to do her job, sensible lady.
Climax of the story is excellent and very moving.
Now I am looking forward to reading his next offering

Would recommend this story to thriller fans
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