Hostage by Clare Mackintosh is a thriller novel that explores the intense psychological dynamics between captor and captive.
I have never read a Clare Mackintosh book I haven’t enjoyed. They’ve all been suspenseful with exciting unpredictable twists. I was therefore desperate to read her latest novel, Hostage and I was thrilled to be able to read an advanced copy.
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Plot
Mina finds herself working aboard the world’s first nonstop flight from London to Sydney. As an experienced flight attendant, she leaves a strained marriage and her beloved daughter back at home as she faces a gruelling 20-hour flight. The atmosphere onboard is electric with celebrities and journalists listed amongst the passengers. With the world’s media watching, this landmark flight has grabbed everyone’s attention.
However, not long after takeoff, she receives an anonymous note from a passenger. Somebody on this flight is determined that they won’t make it to their final destination and they need Mina to comply.
If you had the chance to save hundreds of lives, or the one life that matters the most to you, which would choose?
Hostage Book Review
I flew through this book in 24 hours. I literally could not put it down. You so often read reviews claiming a story was a nail-biting, heart-pounding read. An addictive page-turner. Such cliches are often overused and at times describe a book I have found to be merely average. However, with Hostage, every one of those descriptions is true.
When I read American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, I could feel my heart beating in my chest. I experienced that exact same sensation whilst reading Hostage. The drama and the suspense were so impactful and created an almost unbearable tension.
Clare Mackintosh is always a compelling storyteller and as an ex-police officer, her stories provide a realistic insight into the mind of criminals. Her stories, whilst always bursting with pulsating drama, also have a real human element to them too. Throughout Hostage the reader continually has to ask themselves, “what would I do?”
I remember the first time I read Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows and how I could so clearly imagine what the final battle would look like on screen. Hostage had the exact same effect on me. I could so clearly envisage how it would translate on-screen and I’ve no doubt it would be a blockbuster.
I’ve loved all of Clare Mackintosh’s books but I’d say this one is my favourite.
What to read next?
I’d suggest reading more Clare Mackintosh books if you enjoyed Hostage. The Last Party is the first book in the DC Morgan series so I’d definitely recommend starting there.
Clare Mackintosh has also written After the End which is a completely different change of pace from her usual gripping thrillers. Mackintosh draws from her own personal experience of losing a child and so the book is a very emotional read.
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I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.