are there any books I can read online about bank robberies or hostage situations for free

You can search here:

http://books.google.com
You can see categories at the left or you can search by title or topic.

Here are other etext websites:

http://infomotions.com/alex2/

http://directory.eliterature.org/

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/index.html

Another way to find things is to search for them at www.amazon.com, and once you've found a title that looks interesting, check the sites above to see if it's available online.

PS -- Books that are under copyright are not usually available as etexts, but you never know -- once in a while, an author may have made a deal with an online publisher. It never hurts to search.

Yes, there are a few sources where you can find books about bank robberies or hostage situations that you can read online for free. Here's how you can access them:

1. Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org): This website offers over 60,000 free eBooks, including some related to crime and suspense. To check if there are any books about bank robberies or hostage situations, you can search using relevant keywords such as "crime," "robbery," or "hostage." The books are available in various formats like PDF, ePub, or Kindle, which can be easily accessed on different devices.

2. Open Library (openlibrary.org): Open Library is another excellent resource for free online books. It is a project of the non-profit Internet Archive and provides access to a vast collection of digitized books. You can search for specific titles or keywords related to bank robberies or hostage situations in their search bar. While not all books may be available in a digital format, you may still find some relevant ones to read online.

3. ManyBooks (www.manybooks.net): ManyBooks offers a wide selection of free eBooks, including crime and thriller genres. You can browse their crime category or search for specific keywords to find books related to bank robberies or hostage situations. The books are available in multiple formats such as PDF, ePub, or Kindle, making them compatible with most e-readers and devices.

Remember, while these sources offer access to a wide range of books, it's essential to respect copyright laws and ensure that the books you access are legally available for free.