Crais, who acknowledges Robert B. Parker as one of his inspirations, this time offers a Parker-size novel, which reader Daniels delivers at just under eight hours. What the book lacks in length, with Daniels' help, it makes up for in sustained energy and tension. A tale more of action-adventure than mystery, it finds private eye Elvis Cole trying to free a young couple kidnapped by ruthless Mexican bandits and getting captured himself. It's left to his relentless, ultra-efficient partner Joe Pike and an almost-asadept pal to track down the human traffickers and help Cole set things straight. Aside from being a riveting entertainment, performed with proper vigor by Daniels, Taken serves as evidence that often when it comes to suspense novels, less is more.