The Plantation (Payne & Jones)

The book caught my attention on the first few pages with the brutal abduction of an innocent man and through the pages lead me into a look at the dark, brutal life of a slave on the plantations of the south. The author did thorough research on slavery in the south and even "softened" up some of the stories to make it more readable. This first book from the author was unpublished until the author self-published and sold out of the trunk of his car. One buyer happened to be a publisher that snapped him up quickly after reading the book. The book starts out with what appears to be random crime stories of abduction around the US. You are given hints as to what is about to occur (abductors dressed in Ku Klux Klan type outfits, only in black), but it doesn't prepare you for the sinister brutality of the actions taken against slaves. The author didn't dream these up, they are actual accounts from actual slaves and the mentality behind those actions are from actual slave/plantation owners. The reason why certain people are abducted is not a surprise as the justifications are hinted at throughout the book. The MANIAC group is the weak part of the book, a seemingly infallible group of government mercenaries that ride in to the rescue. But we are, after all, reading a fictional adventure/thriller story here. I recommend this book, but be prepared to read about, and think about, the brutal reality of slavery.

I read this book back when it first came out. It took me only 3 days to read. I barely slept and my mom at that time would have such a hard time waking me up for school, since I was up reading all night. Since then I have read the book 7 more times and I still have the problem of not wanting to put it down. This book has made me finally find my favorite author. The Plantation has made me not want to quit reading the Payne and Jones series. I'm now waiting for his next book to come out. Because of this book my father and me finally have something in common. He had to read the Plantation because of how much I talked about it, and now he is also waiting for his newest book to come out. This book and the others in the Payne and Jones series are so good I hope they make them into a movie. I'd be the first in line to watch.

Mr Kuzneski has a gift! His books have a way of getting your attention and keeping it. I could not put his books down. I know he'll keep putting out the best!!

From the opening scene where you enter the action in the middle of a chase until the story's exciting conclusion, The Plantation is an adrenaline-filled book that never lets up. This is one of those novels that has a little bit of everything -- revenge, violence, romance, and humor. Lots of humor. The interaction between the two main characters (Jonathon Payne & David Jones) is hysterical at times, yet it never takes away from the tension of the plot. One minute you're laughing out loud, the next you're screaming in fear. Overall, this was one of the best books I have ever read. I can't wait for Kuzneski's next one to be released.

I have to start off by saying that I loved THE PLANTATION. 32-year-old Robert Edwards, a ski instructor from Icy River, Colorado, is hunted down like an animal and taken hostage. At Longview Regional Hospital in Longview, Colorado, 33-year-old Tonya Edwards, who is eight months pregnant, walks into an elevator. When the doors shut, a man walks up and sticks a needle in Tonya's neck, puts her in a wheel chair, and rolls her to a waiting van. In Mars, Pennsylvania, Ariane Walker is dragged from her apartment and whisked away. Many disappearances are taking place in different cities. To Jonathon Payne and his best friend David Jones this is personal because Araine Walker is Jon's girlfriend, and they will do any thing to get her back. The characters are multi-faceted with plenty of soul to them. Jon and David are my personal favorites; the author really lets you feel the close relationship and how special and rare that is these days. THE PLANTATION takes you to Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Orleans, and Nigeria on a wonderful rough and tumble ride with many twists and turns. I was breathless wanting to read every last word slowly so I wouldn't miss a single thing. When I reached the ending, it was phenomenal, everything was all tied up into a nice tight bow. This is one of those books that I couldn't stop thinking about or how awesome that it was. Thank goodness that Mr. Kuzneski is working on another Jonathon Payne novel. Three cheers.