Mercer Island author pens New York Times bestseller, ‘Impossible Odds’

Published 5:26 pm Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Anthony Flacco’s newly published book, “Impossible Odds,” has made the New York Times bestseller list.

The book recounts the events of Jessica Buchanan’s kidnapping, captivity and rescue.

Buchanan, a humanitarian aid worker, was taken hostage by a band of Somali land pirates in October of 2011 with a Danish colleague. Buchanan spent three months as a prisoner, while her husband, Erik Landemalm, worked to secure her rescue. Navy SEAL Team Six, consisting of 24 SEALs, conducted a rescue operation at night in January 2012. They killed the nine kidnappers and freed the two hostages, who were airlifted out by military helicopter.

Flacco, a Mercer Island resident, is the editorial director for Island-based Martin Literary Management. He has published five nonfiction books and three historical novels.