This book is a crazy thrill ride that's hard to put down.

I first found this book when I decided to gather and read all the Fletch novels. As part of an E-bay auction that contained several of those books, this one (by the same author) was included (as well, I think, as one of the Flynn novels, which connects with Fletch anyway). I wasn't sure what this one was and if I would enjoy it.

But, holy crap is it good!

What starts as the seemingly simple kidnapping of an ambassador's son meant to keep him from announcing an important resolution involving oil in the Persian Gulf (this book was released in 1980, by the way) turns into a twisting, turning adventure for everyone involved.

There's the ambassador's wife, sick with worry and determined to do something instead of sitting around waiting. There's the colonel of His Majesty's secret intelligence agency with ulterior motives. There's the kidnapper, who isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. There's Toby, the kidnapped, who has a way of getting what he wants from anyone. There's the man who made the plan, a guy who works for those who don't want the resolution introduced. And finally, there's the many employees and characters at Uncle Whimsy's Fantazyland trying to figure out exactly what is going on in their park while keeping the patrons happy and in the dark.

Things get crazy, and it's so much fun to read. This is the second time I've read this one, but it's been years and I'd forgotten many of the twists. ( )