Takeover    by Lisa Black Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2008 (2008) Hardcover     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Takeover is a real cliff hanger, filled with suspense from the first page to the last. A hostage situation arises in a Federal Bank. It appears at first like the perpetrators have nothing to lose. They could kill everyone. But ... maybe not. Forensic scientist Theresa MacLean is called to a murder scene where a man has been brutally beaten to death, the back of his head bashed in. What a start to a day. But it gets worse! She learns of the hostage situation at a Federal Bank in Cleveland, in which her police detective fiancé is embroiled. It seems to Theresa as though the objective of the two bank robbers is not the money alone – but what else could be on their agenda? Why a federal bank where large sums of money are not that readily available? Why, when they're not willing to parley, are they ready to talk on the phone to a hostage negotiator? Why was her fiancé shot? Theresa replaces her love as a hostage to be sure he gets medical treatment. But if she herself should die, who would look after her daughter? Would her daughter ever get past her mother's death and the reason for it? The whole book is taken up with the robbers and the hostages. It moves quickly with many tense moments. Seems like it could have been a little more tense, but that is only my take. I liked the book and loved the way author Lisa Black (a forensic scientist in real life) delved into her characters' pasts to explain their movements and motivations. I was surprised by the ending, which I did not see coming. Takeover is a good book. 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