I apologize @Cinfhen , first because you sent this to me two years ago and I just now (kind of) read it , and second because alas, I couldn‘t finish it.
This is the well researched account of the first American hostage situation, missionary Ellen Stone in 1901. I‘m sure the hostage situation was fascinating, but the focus was too heavy on the political situation between Bulgaria/Macedonia/Turkey and I got bored with it.