Worst Case Scenario

airplane disaster fiction / high altitude thriller

You guys, this book, it got to me. I teared up at the end, a combination of anxiety, relief and sadness. Wasn’t expecting it but I welcome the feels. That’s what I want from a book, not just a great story and great writing, but to be moved in some way.

This is a blockbuster of a book. If it’s made into a movie it’s going to be the ultimate disaster flick because what could be worse than a plane nose diving into a nuclear power plant? That’s not a spoiler, it’s the premise and it happens within the first few pages.

If you’re new to T. J. Newman and her story, she’s a flight attendant turned author who started writing her first novel, Falling*, during free moments on flights. Her first two books (Drowning was the second) have ‘worst case scenario’ plane plots. Both were smash hits and the movie versions are sure to be in theatres soon.

Yep, Worst Case Scenario is a real nail-biter. It’s not just the mini-disasters that emerge in the aftermath of the crash that make this novel work. It’s also the true to life depictions of the townspeople. Maybe it’s Newman’s years in the air, observing the best and worst of human behavior, but she understands what makes people tick and how they speak. No stilted dialog here.

The cliffhanger plotting and pacing are Newman signatures. I kept telling myself ‘one more chapter’ and then kept turning the pages. Two particular storylines had me in their grip: Steve, the Fire Chief and his son; and Ethan the plant manager and Joss, the Nuclear Emergency Support Team rep who happens to live in town – her hometown – after a stint with the feds in DC. These are serious adults with serious jobs and while there’s hint of a past between Ethan and Joss, this is no love story.

As the story unfolds and the multiple crises develop, the people shine. While the plant personnel are scrambling to fix a multitude of issues, the town is trying to evacuate. It’s nothing but problems and setbacks with little wins and moments of grace in between.

The President plays a role in the story, and he was (to me) an idealized version of the type of person the position requires. There’s no mention of party and no need for it. He’s smart, compassionate, and asks all the right questions, balancing his authority with Joss and Ethan’s expertise.

Newman crafted a perfect ending that showcases humility, heroism, teamwork and good-ol’ American ingenuity. Worst Case Scenario is a heart-pounding thriller that is not to be missed.

*********************

*Here’s my short but enthusiastic review of Falling – https://bookthrasher.com/2021/11/18/falling/