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His Kidnapper's Shoes Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 6,161 ratings

Daniel is my son. He has always been mine. And he always will be.

On some level deep inside, Laura Bateman knows something is wrong. That her relationship with her son is not what it should be. That it is based on lies.

But bad things have happened to Laura. Things that change a person. Forever.

For twenty-six-year-old Daniel, the discovery that his mother is not who he thought comes close to destroying him. As his world turns upside down, he searches for sanity in the madness that has become his life. Daniel is left with nothing but questions. Why did Laura do something so terrible? Can he move past the demons of his childhood?

And the biggest question of all: can he ever forgive Laura?

Revised edition: This edition of His Kidnapper's Shoes includes editorial revisions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maggie James is a British author who lives in Bristol. She writes psychological suspense novels.

Before turning her hand to writing, Maggie worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practising as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on her list of interests, along with travel. Accountancy does not, but then it never did.

The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background. When not writing, going to the gym, practising yoga or travelling, Maggie can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet; animals are a lifelong love!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01HEKF8OQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing (November 15, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 15, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 6,161 ratings

About the author

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Maggie James
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Maggie James is a British author who lives near Newcastle. She writes psychological suspense novels.

Before turning her hand to writing, Maggie worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practising as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on her list of interests, along with travel. Accountancy does not, but then it never did. The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background! When not writing, going to the gym, practising yoga or travelling, Maggie can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet; animals are a lifelong love!

Sign up for Maggie's Special Readers' Group for the chance to win one of her signed paperbacks! Copy and paste this link into your browser: http://eepurl.com/bzW8ZP

Find out more about Maggie, including how to get her free novella Blackwater Lake, at https://www.maggiejamesfiction.com.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
6,161 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the emotional content and the way the story develops from two different viewpoints. The characters are described well and readers feel empathy for them. Many describe the writing as masterful and hard to put down. However, some readers felt the book was depressing and unlikable.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

100 customers mention "Readability"100 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling and engaging. They enjoy the well-developed characters and the author's storytelling style. The ending wraps up the lives of the characters nicely, making the point clear and true to life.

"...Makes you think! A compelling read with very well developed characters." Read more

"...-- indeed, it gets downright messy in a few places -- it's still a fascinating and gripping read, and not only kept me hooked until the very last..." Read more

"...So very true to life. There are so many horrors that go on in life and sometimes we never even know a person has gone through something...." Read more

"...As a reader, I like that. His Kidnapper’s Shoes was a delight to read and a psychological suspense-thriller that will cling to your memory...." Read more

87 customers mention "Storyline"79 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find it believable and well-written. The story is told in alternating chapters from two different viewpoints, Laura and Daniel. Readers appreciate the suspenseful plot with unexpected twists and endings. Overall, the book keeps them hooked until the end.

"...From the very start of the book, I was immediately intrigued, the story pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the story played out from two different viewpoints, Daniel and his kidnapper, Laura...." Read more

"...His Kidnapper’s Shoes was a delight to read and a psychological suspense-thriller that will cling to your memory. This is definitely a 5-star novel!" Read more

"...This book had a good ending. I felt myself not feeling like that was the end of the book though...." Read more

37 customers mention "Emotional content"33 positive4 negative

Customers find the book emotional and touching. They feel empathy for the characters and their journeys of compassion. The author delved into the human psyche and what can happen when someone is victimized. The lessons of forgiveness are strong, and the psychological drama keeps readers hooked until the end.

"...-inducing read, but "His Kidnapper's Shoes" was a good psychological drama that kept me hooked until the very last page...." Read more

"This book was very touching to me...." Read more

"...It’s a clue finding mission and journey of compassion. As a reader I love mysteries and Maggie James is a master. I couldn’t put the story down...." Read more

"...It's not only about the bad things though, it's also about forgiveness...." Read more

34 customers mention "Writing quality"29 positive5 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book exceptional and easy to read. They appreciate the carefully structured descriptions of the drama unfolding on the page. The plot is complex yet presented in easily followable scenarios, with viewpoints switching between chapters. The story tackles several complex issues, including love, hate, and rape.

"Well written book that examines the same extreme situation but different perspectives. Makes you think!..." Read more

"...Maggie switches viewpoints between chapters, with Laura's side of the story being told in first person and Daniel's in third person...." Read more

"...Maggie James is masterful with her word choice and carefully structured descriptions of the drama unfolding page after page...." Read more

"...it's the least i could do for a wonderful writer writing a great novel about s***s happening in our lives and what we do about them, and the..." Read more

26 customers mention "Character development"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-described characters and their perspectives. They appreciate the author's storytelling and find the story moving.

"...Makes you think! A compelling read with very well developed characters." Read more

"...James draws the reader into both their worlds and sympathy swells for each character...." Read more

"...I love the author playing out the mother's mind in word for us to following her story from the beginning of her life...." Read more

"...I was pleasantly surprised to find that the characters were well developed and there was an unexpected twist in the end...." Read more

5 customers mention "Ease of reading"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it keeps them interested and hard to put down.

"...It certainly keeps you interested and is hard to put down. The book is full of suspense and also compassion...." Read more

"Easy to follow, the story line goes along with the kidnapper telling the history of their life together. Liked the ending too." Read more

"Chilling tale told with masterful ease. I was hooked from page one and didn't stop reading until the end. Very powerful read." Read more

"I liked the book an easy read..." Read more

14 customers mention "Empathy"3 positive11 negative

Customers find the book depressing and unlikable. They feel the sex scenes are immature and the storyline disappointing. The memories are portrayed as less than believable, and the dark subject matter can be difficult for some readers to process.

"...Definitely a darker and even cringe-inducing read, but "His Kidnapper's Shoes" was a good psychological drama that kept me hooked until the..." Read more

"...There is dark subject matter that can be hard to digest for some readers, but I will definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a good psychological..." Read more

"Very sad. It is even worse to know these things happen everyday...." Read more

"WOW!! This is such a powerful story of inconceivable pain, loneliness, love and forgiveness!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024
    Well written book that examines the same extreme situation but different perspectives. Makes you think! A compelling read with very well developed characters.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2016
    I enjoy novels that take the time to get into the psychology of what makes the villain tick, and give them another side other than just "bad guy." So when I read the description for "His Kidnapper's Shoes," I figured it would be right up my alley. I was curious to see what kind of justification the "villain" would give for her crime, and how her victim would react when he found out the truth. And while Maggie James' novel isn't entirely perfect -- indeed, it gets downright messy in a few places -- it's still a fascinating and gripping read, and not only kept me hooked until the very last page, but provided a few surprises I didn't see coming.

    Daniel Bateman has always felt like he doesn't belong in his family -- he's always been reserved and distant toward his mother, and hates the stepfather who stifled his dreams of becoming an artist. And while he has a beautiful girlfriend, a good sex life, and a decent job, he wants to know the truth. His digging uncovers a shocking revelation -- Laura Bateman, the woman who's always called himself her mother, kidnapped him as a child. As Bateman struggles to make sense of his life and his place in the world, Laura is arrested and held in a psychiatric ward, where she refuses to speak until she can tell Daniel her side of the story. Will Daniel be willing to listen to her after all the pain he feels she's caused... and will both Daniel and Laura be willing to face the gruesome skeletons in each of their closets?

    Maggie James' writing is quite good -- not the best I've ever read, but captivating enough to keep me reading. Many crime novels fall back on writing that's workable but bland, telling the story well enough but not making me appreciate their wordcraft. James hits the right balance -- her writing style isn't so florid that it distracts from the story, but is still interesting enough to not feel bland and wooden.

    Maggie switches viewpoints between chapters, with Laura's side of the story being told in first person and Daniel's in third person. I admit that as I first read I felt supremely annoyed by both these characters, with Laura finding every means possible to justify her crime and Daniel wallowing in his own self-pity. Thankfully, as the novel progresses Daniel begins to come to terms with his messy life and past, and Laura begins to realize that her own circumstances don't justify what she's done. Seeing both these characters progress and develop over the course of the novel was a relief, and done realistically and in a way that didn't feel forced.

    There are times when it feels like Laura and Daniel are going through way too much trauma to be reasonable, and the book can get uncomfortable to read at times. Also, Daniel is bisexual... and the author feels the need to "explain" why he sleeps with men as well as women. This reeks of "unfortunate implications" -- why do we need to "explain" a character's sexuality in any way? I understand the author wanted to give him some kind of outlet for a past trauma, but it still feels uncomfortable and weird.

    Definitely a darker and even cringe-inducing read, but "His Kidnapper's Shoes" was a good psychological drama that kept me hooked until the very last page. And while not a fast-paced crime thriller, it does take the time to get into the psyche of both the kidnapper and the victim, and will stay with me for a long time. Recommended.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2017
    Check out my review and others: loveatfirstreadcom.wordpress.com

    First off, WOW! From the very start of the book, I was immediately intrigued, the story pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down. It begins with Laura in jail, being accused of the inexcusable. You wonder whether she really is guilty of what they claim.

    The narrative switches between Laura’s POV and Daniel’s POV in real time and with flashbacks. The events that led up to the decision on Laura’s part that not only affected Daniel but the implications on other people as well. You’re taken into the emotionally scarred psyches of the two characters and the turmoil that they have endured.

    At first, you can’t understand how a son can be so distant to his mother. But Daniel always felt that he had a past that he couldn’t quite remember and every time he brought it up to his mom, she dismisses his memory as only a dream. As the story goes on, he’s faced with many new revelations that will affect his way of life. The author does a great job of making you feel his confusion and anguish through the pages.

    Although Laura is crazy and any sane person would never condone what she’s done, you somehow end up rationalizing what drew her to that point. By the end of the book, the author makes you feel compassion and empathy towards her.

    The cover photo for the book shows a pair of woman’s shoes and a pair of kid’s shoes. What I love about the photo is the symbolism of the shoes. What would you have done if you were in Laura’s shoes? How would you react if you were in Daniel’s shoes?

    This is my first time reading a book by Maggie James and I’m definitely a new fan! There is dark subject matter that can be hard to digest for some readers, but I will definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a good psychological thriller.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2019
    Events described in the plot are depressing and ruin lives. A son finds out he was kidnapped and has to forgive the woman who raised him but not because of anything she did in caring for him. He missed out on normal family for one. Some surprises await the reader but could be predicted. .
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2015
    This was my first time reading a book by Maggie James and I will read more.

    I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the story played out from two different viewpoints, Daniel and his kidnapper, Laura.

    The story pulls you in from the beginning but gets better as it goes, revealing the many hardships that each character has had and how they dealt with them. So very true to life.

    There are so many horrors that go on in life and sometimes we never even know a person has gone through something. People deal with things in many different ways and this sure shows how that can happen.

    4 out of 5 stars.

    You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
    https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26878149-lisa-sandberg
    http://lisasandberg88.wordpress.com/
    http://thezeroshour.com/
    https://m.facebook.com/lisa.sandberg88?ref=bookmark
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    http://1988lisa1988.tumblr.com/
    Twitter - @1988Lisa1988
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A1NUVK0JEXC8NB

Top reviews from other countries

  • Hans
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly well told from both sides!
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on April 16, 2020
    Wow! I can't believe this is Maggie James' first book. It's so incredibly well told from both sides. It contains emotion, passion, anger, hate and ultimately forgiveness. What's discussed between Annie and Daniel are lessons for life!

    I can't help wondering where experience stops and fiction takes over.

    Easily one of the best books I've read so far this year!
  • Jo Hazel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on April 6, 2018
    Wow, really kept me reading, couldn't put it down.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A BRILLIANT READ
    Reviewed in Australia on January 8, 2025
    His Kidnappers Shoes, by Maggie James, is a great story.
    The storyline is very exciting, with some shocks along the way, of a very sensitive nature.
    The characters are well placed and believable.
    Can forgiveness be possible, or not?
    A highly recommended read.. Frances.
  • Squeaky Joe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and cleverly-constructed story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2016
    Laura Bateman must face up to what she has done, which means facing up to her past. Acknowledging that her relationship with her son is not what it should be, is never going to be easy.

    Daniel has always felt he was in the wrong place, with the wrong family, and now grown up, he learns his muddled ideas were not simply a figment of his imagination - his mother is not who he thought she was, and the discovery rips him apart. Searching for facts, he finds out more than he bargained for, but his questions seem destined to generate more questions. Whatever happens, one thing is clear - forgiving Laura is not on the agenda...

    These days, kidnap and sexual abuse seem to be hitting the headlines with awful regularity, so it's no surprise when a novelist pulls apart the subject matter to look at why and how such things happen, as well as exploring the consequences for all concerned. These aren't easy things to discuss, let alone write about, so for that reason alone, this is a book well worth reading.

    The last time I read one of this author's novels (Blackwater Lake), I really liked it, though I have to say, it wasn't a patch on this one. I'm happy to admit I didn't expect His Kidnapper's Shoes to be this good, but Maggie James knocked me a little bit for six and had me in tears a few times into the bargain. She gets right down inside her characters in a way we don't often see, particularly when tackling such difficult issues. At times, given the premise of her story, I struggled to see how she was going to bring it all together without leaving everyone in a bit of a mess, but the denouement was realistic as well as satisfying.

    A well-written, thought-provoking and cleverly-constructed story.
  • mafy c.
    5.0 out of 5 stars intriguing + sad story, beautifully written
    Reviewed in Germany on April 4, 2014
    I could hardly put the book down...I felt with the caracters...this book conveys the incredible sadness in the lives of the caracters

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