Hostage Taker    by Stefanie Pintoff Order:  USA  Can Bantam, 2015 (2015) Hardcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch With an Edgar award on her shelf, Stefanie Pintoff has already received the recognition she deserves as an up and coming mystery writer. In The Hostage Taker, the resident of Manhattan's Upper West Side doesn't stray too far from home as she uses Saint Patrick's Cathedral as the setting for her latest thriller. FBI agent Eve Rossi finds herself on a tight timeline as she is called in to help neutralize a hostage taker who has turned the New York City landmark into a crime scene. In exchange for sparing innocent lives he holds in the cathedral, the hostage taker demands five specific individuals who seem to have some hidden connection. Along with her extraordinary team of misfits (a group of criminals inspired by France's 18th century Vidocq Unit), Eve must keep an eye on the clock as this drama winds down towards a shattering conclusion. Try as you might, you won't be able to second guess the author and figure out where this heart pounding tale is going. There are way too many twists and turns here, so just sit back and enjoy the wild ride and Pintoff's ability to spin a tantalizing story. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews