There are one hundred and forty-three other passengers onboard. What you don't know is that thirty minutes before the flight your pilot's family was kidnapped. For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die.
The story has 3 main arcs; the pilot, the pilots family, and the FBI search. Newman uses her extensive knowledge of airport and flying procedures to tell the reader a rip-roaring adventure akin to Hollywood blockbusters such as Die Hard and Speed. As with all books/movies like this the reader/ viewer knows what they are going to get - bombs, guns, fight scenes, rousing speeches, emotional heart tugging and cheese, lots and lots of cheese.
The book reads more like a movie script than a novel - perhaps that is why it has already been optioned by a major studio…will I watch the movie; of course I will . Because of this style though the story suffers, there is little back story as to the terrorists motives which is really an attempt to dehumanise the bad guys. Everyone is a hero, willing to put their lives on the line against the terrorists, and there seems to be an unreal acceptance of what is happening rather than the stark, terrifying reality.
Nonetheless, it is a fun read, plenty of action which keeps the readers interest throughout as you try to figure out how everyone is going to get out of this nightmare scenario. Not the best book I have ever read but if you are looking for a mindless action thriller that doesn’t require too much thought then this is the book for you