Hostage: The emotional 'what would you do?' thriller from the Sunday Times bestseller

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More political than other thrillers Ive read, its not comfortable reading for someone who enjoys a holiday flight every now and again; there's lots to think about and assess in and out of the book The narrative switches between Mina, in the aeroplane, and her husband at home, with other narrators/passengers in between. I loved how the story built up, and accumulated so many layers - a real onion of a book! Everyone had their own secrets and motives, and I loved how this was explored. The tension ratchets up brilliantly throughout the novel, and makes for a genuinely nail-biting read. And - no spoilers - but THAT ENDING! Another perfectly delivered final twist from the master of them. Her study was propitious and thus she quit the police force, bring a twelve-year-long career to an end. While still policing, she used to be a blogger and often freelanced for notable publications. A particular mind-boggling incident, which involved hit-and-run, immensely inspired her and it is reflected on her first book. This is a thriller like none I’ve read before. To be fair that’s probably because this kind of novel wouldn’t be my usual fare but I’ve read everything Clare has written so I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.

I supplemented with the audio. Note re the audiobook: WHY would one narrator be used for all the different POV? It was impossible to tell whose POV I was listening to. I huge FAIL. Once Mina's flight is underway, she receives a note informing her that if she does not comply and do as she is told, her daughter will pay the price. What is a mother to do? I thought of the poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood / And sorry I could not travel both.” I wanted to see both roads, to know for certain what lay ahead. I wanted to know how the story ended. Secondly, I found it exhausting to live inside Mina’s head with the same thoughts/fears/resolve. Honestly, there were times I wanted to kill her myself just to shut her up. But then I considered how I would feel if I were her, and decided I’d be even more annoying so I forgave her. But why do we readers have to hear about it incessantly?Hostage is 1 of 4 similarly themed novels (that I’m aware of) touching ground this summer, and the 3rd (and last) one I read. Bottom line this is an exciting experience, not quite as good as Falling in terms of action, but a slight edge with the complexity of the characterization. The first point of view is that of Mina and what happens aboard the plane.The atmosphere on board is electric and tense, there are many celebrities and politicians and they are already demanding attention. There is an open bar in first class and many are setting a party atmosphere before they have been in the air more than a couple of hours. I thought the Hostage did a great job of building suspense! Once Mina is on the plane, she finds a belonging of her daughters, which lends credibility to her daughter being threatened. From that moment on, it was a tense ride to the end of the book waiting to see how everything played out! Each chapter was short and snappy, so once I got going with my reading, I didn’t want to stop! The book is told through a few different perspectives. Primarily, we hear from Mina, the flight attendant on the plane, and her husband Adam, who is at home with their daughter. In addition to those POVs, we also have sporadic POVs from some of the passengers on the plane. We get to learn a little bit about why they are traveling and about their lives, which are about to be changed forever!

I wasn't a fan of the author throwing in a few hot button social issues of the day, which did nothing to move the plot forward. I would really urge authors to show restraint and simply focus on telling a good story.Time apart sounds like the perfect way for both to think about their marriage, but unfortunately, the time they spend away from each other will be filled with each thinking about survival. Tensions high from what's happening on board to what is going happen next, gripping, tense, nail biting, powerful and fast paced, strong characters.

Hostage' is just an incredible read and one I do not think I will ever forget. This is exhilarating, emotional and full of danger and secrets. I loved every word and every twist and turn the book took. I cannot recommend this enough, it is just the perfect read. Every single chapter is tense, totally compelling and although it felt very OTT drama at times I could not put it down, no matter how ridiculous I thought it was getting. Meanwhile at home, Adam has his own struggles. He has gotten in over his head with the wrong people and receives a painful and frightening visit. He is told he needs to pay or else. But that is not all, he soon learns that his unpaid debts are the least of his worries. His is facing another threat as well. We immediately know that the marriage of Mina and Adam is in big trouble. And it's not going to get better without honesty and listening on both sides but they aren't about to be honest with each other and both seem too far gone to listen to the other. The only thing keeping these two connected at all is their adopted daughter, five year old Sophia. The options were both straightforward and impossible. Keep Alex alive or let him die. Seeing it like that, written with such starkness, is as horrific as it felt that day. I recall the sensation of the ground shifting beneath my feet, as though some seismic change were taking place. Whatever we decided, life would never be the same again. The consultant was gentle and compassionate. “You need to imagine two futures,” she said. “One with a profoundly disabled son, one without that son at all.”He’s unlikely to be able to swallow,” she said. Strangely, of all the terrible news delivered in the quiet room, it was this that had the biggest impact on me. “We need you to make a decision about his future.” Whew! What a roller coaster ride which had me holding on to my arm rest, anxiety riddled and fully entertained. Her daughter has special needs, taking her entire time as her husband keeps big secrets from her: a liar, a cheat. She shouldn’t be on this flight but she needed a break from her problematic life and changed her shift and now somebody in the plane threatens her child’s life and wants her to be accomplice for ensuring the plane never reaches its destination.