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Anthony Bidulka

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Set Free Kindle Edition

by Anthony Bidulka (Author), Roxanne Alcorn (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.0 98 ratings

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The truth will set you free. Can lies do the same?

Within minutes of arriving in the exotic, enigmatic, sweltering city of Marrakech, renowned author Jaspar Wills is kidnapped, blindfolded, bound, and beaten. As Wills struggles to survive the ordeal, he recounts his rise to fame and the tragic events that led him to Morocco. With the kidnapper’s demands left unmet, Wills faces death with fear, grief…and guilt. Is what happened in the past tied to his abduction? Is someone he loves responsible? Or is this payback for his sins? Living with a loss far greater than his own death, Jaspar yearns to be set free. But do some kinds of freedom come at too high a cost?

Six months later, struggling reporter Katie Edwards travels to Morocco to stake her claim on the story with everything—international intrigue, mystery, celebrity, violence, sex, heartbreak, betrayal. Once there, she discovers a shocking truth. As the young journalist’s career soars, Jaspar Wills’ is destroyed…until an act of revenge leads to a stunning revelation that will change everything.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A writer, tormented over his daughter's kidnapping, becomes an abductee himself while traveling to Morocco in Bidulka's thriller. The countless plot twists are exhilarating, with gasp-inducing drama and flatly startling story turns. An intoxicating story that examines the elusive nature of truth." - Kirkus Reviews

"A novel's opening lines can make all the differencebetween capturing attention and wanting to read further and setting the bookaside. In the case of Set Free, a single line sets a grippingintroductory scenario: "I would have packed less if I knew I was goingto die."

The protagonist is taken for a ride in more ways thanone, and as a series of complex scenes evolve, the jet-setting Americantraveler quickly comes to find himself immersed in a plot that embraces hisanonymity and the mystery of another culture.

From kidnappers to romance and from anelusive truth to plans to gain freedom against all odds, Set Free makesintriguing twists and turns as it focuses on a struggle to stay alive.

As the lives of Jasper, Jenn, Katie, and others entwinein a desperate struggle, readers are drawn into a story that is compellinglygripping and hard to put down. Events move from overseas to home as a father'smission, fueled by his daughter's ghost, changes everything.

Recommended for any reader who wants heart-stoppingmoments and thought-provoking scenes from their thrillers, Set Free isultimately a discussion of the costs of freedom and the threat of bondage." - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

About the Author

In 1999 Anthony Bidulka, BA, BEd, BComm, CPA left a decadelong professional accounting career to pursue writing and never looked back.
In 2003, Quill & Quire described Bidulka's first book, AmuseBouche: A Russell Quant Mystery, as "...an effervescent first novel that is muchlike the tasty French hors d'oeuvres from which it takes its name", earningBidulka a nomination for the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award.
Bidulka wrote two books following the adventures of man ofaction Adam Saint, a tough-as-nails, luxury loving, Disaster Recovery Agent. In2016 Bidulka published his first stand-alone suspense novel, Set Free, withKirkus Reviews saying: "Thecountless plot twists are exhilarating, with gasp-inducing drama and flatlystartling story turns."
Bidulka's books have been nominated for Crime Writers ofCanada Arthur Ellis Awards, Saskatchewan Book Awards, a ReLit award, LambdaLiterary Awards, with Flight of Aquavitawarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men's Mystery, making Bidulka thefirst Canadian to win in that category.
Anthony has toured extensively in both Canada and theUnited States. A great believer in community involvement, he has been on theboards of local, national and international organizations. He was recentlyinducted to his local university's Wall of Honour and named his city's Citizenof the Year. When he isn't writing, Bidulka loves to travel the world, collectart, walk his dogs and throw a good party.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01K0VOP7C
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bon Vivant Books (September 5, 2016)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 5, 2016
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3161 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 285 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 099522921X

Best Sellers Rank: #1,975,812 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #9,362 in Kidnapping Thrillers
- #48,459 in Suspense (Kindle Store)
- #64,350 in Thrillers (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.0 98 ratings

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Anthony Bidulka

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Anthony Bidulka is the author of the long-running Russell Quant mystery series, two thrillers featuring Disaster Recovery Agent Adam Saint, a stand-alone suspense novel, Set Free, and a stand alone mystery novel, Going to Beautiful and the Merry Bell trilogy mystery series. The second book in the Merry Bell trilogy, From Sweetgrass Bridge, will be released June 2024.

Praise for Anthony Bidulka's books:

“…promises to become one of those that we look forward to each year and put on our shopping lists without waiting for the reviews.”

Reviewing the Evidence:

...Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!

Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Going to Beautiful...is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters...

Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian's Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment

...poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.

Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake

Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart...Bidulka hits it out of the park.

Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour

Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.

Bidulka’s novel Going to Beautiful is the 2023 winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence (three times), the Lambda Literary Award (three times), the Saskatchewan Book Award (five times). Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. Going to Beautiful, about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie, also won the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist.

In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.

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4 out of 5

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Marketing Professor in Connecticut

Another winner -- and completely different from all that have come before.

Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2016

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Anthony Bidulka is one of the most talented and versatile authors to come across my Kindle. I fell in love with his Russell Quant series and still haven't stopped mourning over it's apparent final installment. This standalone thriller kept me guessing right up 'til the very end -- and it could not be more different from the Quant series. Further, Bidulka has written two books featuring Adam Saint, a tough-as-nails, luxury loving, Disaster Recovery Agent. I recommend all his books to readers who like polished prose, complicated characters, and mind-blowing plot twists. Whip smart and beautifully educated (three university degrees plus the Canadian equivalent of a CPA license) the model-handsome Bidulka peppers his tales with information he has gleaned from his many, many globetrotting adventures and his love of fine food and beverages. In each of his books, including this stand-alone offering, "Set Free," Bidulka imbues his tales and characters with the sophistication that he, himself, possesses in spades.

2 people found this helpful

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Leslie A. Benvenuti

Solid read

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022

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I would rate this book a 3.5 but gave it 4 stars because I was emotionally invested. The first person narrative wove the tale beautifully. I found the characters compelling. I read this is one sitting but feel it was the emotional pull more than anything else.
There may be some triggers for childhood trauma to watch out for but otherwise, I recommend it.

Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2019

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The book like Cathy Edwards keeps on trying to keep the story going by trying different twists and turns. They come to a point that wasn’t really all that necessary?

One person found this helpful

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LuCy Donaldson

Wow just wow

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2017

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To start with WOW! I got this book thinking ah why not. It's really not my type of book. I don't do mysteries and because of personal reasons I never do child kidnapping, but by the end of the first chapter I was hooked. I was amazed at the insight of the characters. I love how they are understandably flawed. I am a veracious reader, but this is the best book I've read in ages. It's also my first review. I'm just don't do reviews, but this book broke the mold. I won't give anything away but I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It's spectacularly written, well thought out and hard to put down. I almost feel guilty for finding it free. I most definitely be purchasing his other books!

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Teast

A really different Bidulka novel

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2018

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This stand alone novel is about a writer who goes to Marrakech and is kidnapped. After months of bondage he is set free and writes about his experience. However, a crusading reporter finds flaws in his story after befriending him and his wife, grieving for a missing daughter. In the end, all is set right.
This book has as many twists as a Moroccan bazaar. One can not anticipate the twists nor the denouement. It is worth reading but quite different from other Bidulka novels.

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2016

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This book is so well written; it was a smooth read without confusing story line offshoots. The author led me through a multitude of conclusions that turned out to be incorrect notions on my part. EVERYTIME I was sure I had the story figured out, Mr. Bidulka would take a sharp turn in the opposite direction and prove me wrong once again. I enjoyed the book a great deal.

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michael leonard

Great book for traveling

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016

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I just returned from a trip to the South of France. Set Free was perfect for my travels.
Love the format and enjoyed the smart twists. Anthony Bidulka you did it again. For anyone who is a Anthony Bidulka fan or anyone looking for an exotic, thought provoking, fast paced, twisting plot.....this is it!

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John K.

Never another Never another Bidulka book, never. Disappointing! I was such a fan, now I just feel utterly betrayed. If you I feel the time I put in reading this, I’ll look back on with regret.

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2018

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Never another Bidulka book, never. Disappointing! I was such a fan, now I just feel utterly betrayed. If you want to feel duped, cheated, hood-winked, by all means read “Set Free.”

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RNieto

Fast paced and gripping

Reviewed in Spain on October 12, 2018

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Brilliant! I loved every minute of this book. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. Not only the writing is brilliant, that didn't surprise me. Time ago I read Russell Quant mystery series, and despite it took me some time to get used to Mr. Bidulka's writing style back then, I knew this book also was going to be good, but also it seems I've read it at the rigth time and mood. Sometimes timing is everything. The book has been languishing in my to-read pile since 2016/11/05 when I got it through Amazon as a freebie, but at that time I was reading Wheel of Time series and I was still in a phase when I was really invested in the story and I didn't want to change from fantasy to suspense. And then, I'm ashamed to say, I forgot I had this book in my Amazon account waiting for me. But better late than never as they say!

The book is fast paced and alternates between Jaspar's and Katie's point of view. First we have Jaspar, he is a writer with a suscessful carrer and whose life shatters one day when his daughter Mikki and later on, himself, are kidnapped. The book also shows us how he copes through his writing with all those life changing situations and how he start healing, and through that healing, his life changes again. Then we have Katie, a reporter, friend of Jaspar and his wife who is by their side the whole ordeal, first as a friend, making tea and just being there, later as a spoke person for the press and, later on, as a journalist telling their story. However, nothing is what is seems. There're a lot of things going on here at the same time, different plots interwining, and everything that you think is happening maybe is not.
The story and the writing style is gripping, once you put your eyes in the first lines you'll find difficult to stop and the ending... just incredible!

I highly recommend this book!

Kelly Kenrick

He doesn't fail to deliver

Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2016

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I started reading Anthony Bidulka a few years ago after I typed into Google something along the lines of Canadian, crime stories. I had been reading good authors, but I wanted Canadian literature. I discovered Anthony and another author who lives and bases his stories (so far) in Edmonton.

One of several things I liked about Anthony’s works was the setting …. rural Saskatchewan and the city of Saskatoon, both familiar places. I went to university in Saskatoon, lived for a year prior to that in a smaller community between Regina and Saskatoon, so the setting was comfortable.

Anthony has an easy style of writing characters. I quickly devoured his Russell Quant series and recommended them to a German friend of mine who was as equally enthusiastic about them. Then I sat back to wait for more. In a short period of time came Adam Saint. I finished the first book, and by this time had started following Anthony on social media (poor man!). I barely ended the book when I tweeted: “You did not just end the book that way. You did not just do that to your character!” His response was: “Sorry!”. The second Adam Saint came out and I rushed through that one. My tweet this time was along the lines of: “You really like to leave him hanging don’t you?” This time the response was “But it’s so much fun!”

This sense of humour shines through in Anthony’s work. The main characters are human, with foibles, shortcomings, and attitude, and strengths. The homefront is comfortable …. I recognize the settings since I lived there, or in places similar to that. The characters have a strong sense of home, deep roots; so regardless of whether Russell Quant was in Saskatoon or somewhere on safari in Africa, or hanging out in Hawaii, the sense of home stayed with the tone of the book. The same with Adam Saint - his first instinct when presented with the underlying thread of the story was to go home to Saskatchewan, to his family. To recharge and regroup by stepping back on the soil of his hometown. I think that’s where the strength of the characters come from … that sense of roots.

In Set Free, Anthony once again gets the reader deep within the story. He sets up a plot, this time the kidnapping of a child, then turns it on its side, when the father also gets kidnapped and then turns it on its side again. Plots within plots within plots, intricately woven together to keep the reader guessing until the end. He also has a habit of pulling a plot twist out of left field and ending in a way readers wouldn’t expect.

And he STILL ends the book on a note which would have me tweeting him my exasperation …. keep us coming back for more, Anthony, because I certainly will!!!

2 people found this helpful

Mark

A brilliant read from the first page.

Reviewed in Australia on September 12, 2016

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Just finished reading Set Free on my flight from Calgary to Toronto and what a fantastic book... It was one of the best reads from the past year and was one of those books when you just want to keep reading and not put the book down.. Thank you for yet another amazing novel Anthony Bidulka sensational!
From the very first page til the end of the novel this was one of those books that always surprised, delighted and was a brilliant read, with plot twists and turns the writing was first rate and Anthony's ability to write with depth and to paint incredible characters was first rate.

Donald A Sinclair

Four Stars

Reviewed in Canada on October 8, 2016

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Would make a good movie.

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ppsphil

This is not a typical Anthony Biduika read and, unfortunately, I can not recommend it to anyone.

Reviewed in Canada on August 17, 2017

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I've been having a hard time both to rate this book and to give it an honest review. This is another good argument for 1/2 stars as I'd like to say 2.5 and only that high because of Anthony Bidulka and the quality of the writing. I know I've read all the 5 star reviews here and I can not in any way understand why this book has been rated so high. I will grant that this is somewhat of a character study and a study of the affects kidnappings have on the loyalties and actions of the families involved but I found the page after page of almost endless internal dialogue with no action, no matter how well it was written, to be quite slow and boring reading. The only really surprise to me was the realities of Jasper's kidnapping in Morroco. I had the identity of Mikki's kidnapper figured out well before the reveal and the ending, or rather the non-ending, of this story is one of my main reasons for downrating the book so much. I'm not much of a fan of ghosts in mystery novels but I don't mind a bit of the paranormal if it's handled as adroitly as Marcelle Dube does in many of her books and as Bidulka has in some other of his but I thought it was used just a bit too much here and actually was really the key to the non-surprising reveal. I don't know - I guess I just didn't like the story or any of the characters, except Jenn, too much. I've read and really enjoyed all of Bidulka's Russell Quant books and I wish he'd give me another fix of Russell and Kay and Ethan and Saskatchewan. I haven't tried his Adam Saints yet 'cause I haven't been able to find readable eBooks (not pdf) at reasonable prices but I may try them sometime.

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