Drowning by TJ Newman

 

Title:  Drowning

Author:  TJ Newman

Narrated by:  Steven Weber and Laura Benanti

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 7 hours and 43 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio.  Thank you @simonandschuster #BookClubFavorites for the free books!

 What is your worst disaster related fear? Mine is of being trapped underwater . . . which makes Drowning by TJ Newman the perfect book to play into my fears.

Six minutes after takeoff from Hawaii, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean.  As the crew and passengers attempt to escape from the plane, engineer Will Kent realizes that they have a better chance of surviving by staying in the plane.  Together with his daughter Shannon, and 10 other people, they end up trapped inside a plane, underwater, perched on a sea cliff.  Will they survive?

Will’s wife, Chris, is a professional diver and underwater welder/construction worker.  After the death of their other young daughter, Will and Chris have not been able to keep their relationship on track.  On the verge of divorce, Chris is annoyed at Will for insisting on traveling with Shannon on her trip to California.  Once she finds out what has happened, she is intent on being part of the rescue.  Will Chris be able to help her husband and daughter?

Drowning is a dual narrative novel with Will and Chris narrating alternate chapters.  I enjoyed Steven Weber and Laura Benanti’s narration as Will and Chris in the audiobook.  Steven had a very distinctive voice which I enjoyed.

Drowning is the perfect adventure novel for a drive – I couldn’t stop listening to it!  I had a lot of driving for work this month and this audiobook kept me very entertained.  It is basically like an action movie, with a riveting plot and great characters.  Plus, I always love reading about #engineersinfiction.  Will may use the line “I’m an engineer!” followed by another life saving tip for the passengers.  Dubious at first, they finally realize it’s best to follow the advice of the engineer.

I really liked how the accident made both Will and Chris separately evaluate their lives and put things into perspective.  What is the most important thing for their family?  Do they still love each other?  I also liked the stories of all of the other passengers.  Even though it was an action story, several characters did give me a good laugh.

I read and enjoyed Falling by TJ Newman last year.  If you enjoyed Falling, you will definitely enjoy Drowning.

Falling by T.J. Newman

 

Title:  Falling

Author: T.J. Newman

Read by:  Steven Weber

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Audio

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 26 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Shuster Audio.  Thank-you! 

 

What is the last book you read that left you on the edge of your seat?

 I can’t beat the Goodreads Summary for this one:

 “You just boarded a flight to New York.

 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 only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane.

 Enjoy the flight."

The story was fascinating from the start with such an interesting premise.  I couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook.  It’s told from the point of view of the pilot Bill, his wife Carrie, Jo the flight attendant, and Jo’s nephew Theo who is in the FBI.  Bill and Carrie had a disagreement before he went to work, but little did they know what lay in store for them.  As Bill is faced with an impossible choice, he quickly works to thwart the hijackers.  My favorite characters were actually the flight attendants, Jo, Big Daddy, and Kellie.  They were funny, heroic, and caring. The author is a flight attendant herself which may have something to do with it.  This book was very suspenseful. I would LOVE to see this one made into a movie – it would be fantastic. 

Steven Weber narrated this audiobook and he did a great job getting a unique narrative voice for each of the characters. 

Overall, Falling is a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the flight of your life!