Helpful Score: 4
I've anticipated reading Falling, the debut suspense novel by T.J. Newman, ever since I learned the author is a former bookseller and flight attendant. This reading experience was everything I hoped for and more!
Premise: You board a flight from LA to NYC with 143 fellow passengers. Thirty minutes before the flight, your pilot's family was kidnapped. For his family to live, he must crash the plane and everyone on your flight must die. (paraphrased from publisher's blurb)
I was drawn in from the first page and connected with the main characters. I felt my anxiety rise while reading, and the plot unrolled like a movie in my mind. Every time I thought "Why doesn't the hijacker just _____?" the author provided a 'logical' answer. Ms. Newman's first-hand experience of the role, responsibilities, and training of flight attendants in our post-9/11 world was evident - I learned so much and have a greater respect for this position that involves far more than doling out drinks.
There were some aspects in the final quarter that felt contrived, but by that point I was all-in and eager to read the outcome of Captain Bill, his passengers and crew, and his family.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press for the review copy; all thoughts are my own.
Premise: You board a flight from LA to NYC with 143 fellow passengers. Thirty minutes before the flight, your pilot's family was kidnapped. For his family to live, he must crash the plane and everyone on your flight must die. (paraphrased from publisher's blurb)
I was drawn in from the first page and connected with the main characters. I felt my anxiety rise while reading, and the plot unrolled like a movie in my mind. Every time I thought "Why doesn't the hijacker just _____?" the author provided a 'logical' answer. Ms. Newman's first-hand experience of the role, responsibilities, and training of flight attendants in our post-9/11 world was evident - I learned so much and have a greater respect for this position that involves far more than doling out drinks.
There were some aspects in the final quarter that felt contrived, but by that point I was all-in and eager to read the outcome of Captain Bill, his passengers and crew, and his family.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press for the review copy; all thoughts are my own.
Helpful Score: 2
The action is non-stop in this book! I read it in a few hours, making it the perfect book to read on a plane.... muah ha ha ha ha!
Helpful Score: 1
What started as a routine commercial flight ends up a nightmare for Coastal Airlines Captain Bill Hoffman. Just thirty minutes into the flight from Los Angeles to New York, Bill receives an email. There is a picture of his wife and kids. Carrie is tied up and wearing a bomb vest. The children are beside her. The email instructions tell Bill that he has a choice. He can save his family if he crashes the plane. If not, his family will die. Bill is not allowed to tell anyone. There is someone on board who will ensure that he complies. Now Bill must figure out if he can save his family along with the 144 passengers on the flight.
Wow! I don't understand the mixed reviews on this book. Some people loved it; others hated it. There was one instance late in the book where I found myself rolling my eyes, but everything else had me totally enthralled. This is an edge of your seat thriller that felt like a movie that I would enjoy. (I just read that this book has been optioned. I definitely want to see this movie.) I listened to the audiobook narrated by Steven Weber who does an incredible job with the story. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Wow! I don't understand the mixed reviews on this book. Some people loved it; others hated it. There was one instance late in the book where I found myself rolling my eyes, but everything else had me totally enthralled. This is an edge of your seat thriller that felt like a movie that I would enjoy. (I just read that this book has been optioned. I definitely want to see this movie.) I listened to the audiobook narrated by Steven Weber who does an incredible job with the story. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a tense, action filled read start to finish. I felt a few things were over the top and not completely believable toward the end but it is a fast paced thriller.
Helpful Score: 1
GREAT thrilling first novel--kudos! Had me holding the edge of my seat.
Helpful Score: 1
Could not put this book down but did so that I could savor the chapters. Super exciting from Page 1 to the end. I don't know how this prior flight attendant will be able to top this, her first book. Gave this book to a friend and she said she read it in 24 hours. There are some procedures and policies that only someone who has worked in the industry would know. She shares them making the story that more exciting and detailed with facts. Order this book and set aside time to enjoy it.
Oh my gosh what a ride! This is a first time book for this author. She is a former flight attendant and it took her over 40 tries to finally get a publisher for it. This book is about a pilot whose family was kidnapped. He is given the option of crashing the plane with over 140 passengers and crew on board or don't crash the plane and we'll just kill your family. I listened to this book on audio. It was very well read and difficult to stop listening. I hope she writes more books; so far no more books that I know of for now. Highly recommended!!
Wow. This book is amazing. It grabs you at the beginning and doesn't let go. This is my first by this author and am eagerly looking forward reading another.
This fast-paced thrill ride was just what I needed to take my mind off my worries. There was never any doubt in my mind that the pilot and crew would save the day, and this freedom allowed me to put my little gray cells to work on figuring out how they would succeed with minimal casualties.
I learned a bit about the world of flight attendants, I enjoyed cheering on the good guys, and I loved how the bad guys were thwarted. All in all, a fun read that makes me want to read Newman's next book.
I learned a bit about the world of flight attendants, I enjoyed cheering on the good guys, and I loved how the bad guys were thwarted. All in all, a fun read that makes me want to read Newman's next book.
