Monday, September 4, 2023

Drowning by T.J. Newman

    Will stared at the water-filled cabin, wondering two things. What happened... ...What now?
    The plane had been sinking. Everyone had thought this was it, they were done for. Then the water had stopped rising and no one had known what to think. Then out of nowhere--BAM--the plane had slammed into something. It was loud. Violent. Everyone thought, This is the end.
    But as the seconds ticked on, they realized the plane was still sealed and the air pocket was still intact. Somehow, they were still alive.



When Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean six minutes after takeoff, Will Kent and his eleven-year-old daughter, Shannon, end up trapped in the sinking plane two hundred feet below the surface with ten other passengers. Their hope of rescue lies with the Coast Guard, the Navy, and with Will's ex-wife, Chris, a professional diver and deep sea welder. 

What an adrenalin rush! This was one propulsive page-turning thriller. The premise of being trapped in a submerged airplane is a scary one. And Newman's past experience as a flight attendant shines through, giving this book a level of authenticity that makes it even more suspenseful. I liked almost all of the characters, from the older couple celebrating their sixtieth anniversary, to the woman who wears her life preserver all the time because she doesn't know how to swim. But I especially loved the relationship between Will and his young daughter, and his wife's fierce determination to save them both. I also appreciated getting to see this disaster from both the passengers' and the rescuer's POVs. Drowning was the last book I read in August, and a perfect way to end my summer reading.

Happy Reading!


50 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this book - the characters and the suspensful plot! Have a good week.

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  2. Oh my gosh, one of my worst nightmares, being on a plane that crashes into the sea. Not sure if I could read this. LOL!

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    1. Crashing in the ocean would be a nightmare. This is not a book you want to read right before you take a trip on an airplane! ;D

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  3. I've been waiting for one of my trusted reviewers to review this one, so I'm happy to see this post today! The premise of this one has already hooked my, but I'm glad the book delivers on the whole. Have you read Falling too?

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    1. I haven't read Falling; the premise of this one intrigued me more, so I started with it. And I thought it was a great book. Very suspenseful. Not a lot of character development, but I still really liked Will. And Newman's knowledge and experience on flights really gives this book great authenticity. I think you'd like it.

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    2. I'll see if my library has it next time I visit!

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    1. I could see them making this one into a movie. Very action-packed and suspenseful.

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  5. This book is on my wishlist after reading the author's other book, Falling. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this book. :)

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    1. I liked it for the intensity. I also understand that there'll be a film adaptation of the book.
      https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1163438-falling-universal-pictures-wins-film-rights

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  6. Oh wow, this would freak me out! After reading a book about someone trapped under water inside a whale, I'm not sure I'm ready to read about people trapped under water inside a plane! Making a note of it for my TBR... once I recover from the whale book, maybe I'll give it a try!

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    1. I can see why you'd want to wait awhile before reading this one. I'm the same way in reverse...I want to read Whalefall, but I think I might wait ahile before I do.

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  7. Last month when I met my brother for a quick book exchange and lunch, this is one of the ones he handed off and raved about. He also gave me a copy of Newman's Falling, one he liked even more. Good to see that someone I follow has finally reviewed this one because I've been hesitant to start either of them. Wonder if they sell these in airports? :-)

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    1. In her endnotes, the author talked about her flight attendant and pilot friends who brought this book with them on their flights to read...but as a passenger, it's not one I would want to read while in the air. ;D And for an action/thriller, this is very well done. I liked it a lot.

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  8. This one is on my tbr! I am even more excited to read it now.

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  9. Hi Lark, I am afraid of flying but this book sounds good. And I so agree, Newman's past career as a flight attendant would give this book an authenticity and knowledge of aviation that other writers wouldn't have. And the passenger wearing her life preserver throughout the plane trip. That's me!

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    1. Your fear of flying will make this book even scarier. ;D

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  10. I don't plan on ever flying again, but... I think I might enjoy this book. I am sure I will read it someday.

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    1. When you're in the mood for some fast-paced action and suspense, this is a good one.

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  11. I have this on hold at the library but maybe I should wait until after my next two trips!

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    1. :D If you're a fearful flyer, then you might want to wait. Otherwise, it's just a really fun book.

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  12. My husband either has this one or Falling on his nightstand. The covers look so similar. I would give it a go but definitely when I'd be going on a trip! Have you watched "Hijacked" with Idris Elba? Also a plane disaster thriller and definitely had me hooked!

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    1. I haven't watched Hijacked, but you've got me curious. I'm definitely going to check it out. :D

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  13. This sounds like such a thrilling read! What a nightmare situation to be in!

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    1. Wouldn't it be awful? There were many times I wasn't sure any of them were going to survive.

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  14. This sounds excellent. That would be one of my worst nightmares though, I don't like deep water.

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    1. I don't like deep water either! It's why I've never learned to scuba dive.

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  15. Sounds awesome! I'm not an enthusiastic flier ha but I could probably read this as long as I didn't have to fly anywhere after!

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    1. ;D I know what you mean. But if you're stuck at home, this is a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through.

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  16. This is an absolutely horrifying premise. I get claustrophobic just thinking about it (even as I can see Newman has done it justice)

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    1. Yes! And some of the things they tried to rescue them gave me the shivers just thinking about it.

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  17. Yikes! This is my worst nightmare. I definitely need to read this one. Sounds exciting, not to mention terrifying.

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    1. It was hard to put down because I had to know what was going to happen next to these poor characters trapped in a submerged plane! Very compelling thriller.

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  18. I have her first book waiting for me on my Kindle, and it sounds like I really need to read this one. Newman is a local author, and The Poisoned Pen had her book launch for the first book. If I remember correctly, it was the first live event after Covid.

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    1. She's a local author to you? That's so cool! I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense and action in this one. :D

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  19. I have this one and her first book on audio. I just need to make the time to listen! I want to clear up a day to do so because I have a feeling this is a story I'll want to listen to straight through. Happy to see you enjoyed this, Lark! :)

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    1. That's always the tricky part...finding the time to get to all the books. And yes, with this one, you'll want to listen straight through. :D

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  20. This looks like a scary one and I have to take an overseas flight in a couple weeks ... so I better steer clear. Gosh I couldn't read it on the plane! I'd be in the Atlantic ...

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    1. No...it's probably good to not read this one when you're on a plane. Every creak or bump of the plane would totally make you jumpy and nervous.

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  21. I am liking the sound of this one. Adding it to my wishlist.

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  22. I read another book about a plane crash a few years ago (for the life of me I can't remember the title but there was a lot of hype) and really enjoyed it. This sounds even better and like some serious suspense!

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    1. There is some very good suspense in this one. It's definitely a page-turner.

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  23. Falling was an intense read so I can only imagination that this one would be too. I get claustrophobic just thinking about being on the plane in Drowning!

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    1. It is pretty intense. I liked how fast-paced it is.

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  24. I've seen some mixed feelings on this one so I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I might give it a try.

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    1. For the kind of book it is, I thought it was very compelling and well-done. It's a very fun action-filled and suspenseful popcorn read perfect for summer. If that makes sense. ;D

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