Publishers Weekly
★ 04/26/2021
A 20-hour, nonstop plane flight from London to Sydney provides the claustrophobic backdrop for this terrifying thriller from bestseller Mackintosh (Let Me Lie). Flight attendant Mina Holbrook trades shifts to join the crew of World Airways Flight 79, preferring to contend with sometimes demanding business class passengers than to face her rapidly deteriorating marriage to police detective Adam Holbrook. Mina is sure Adam has been sleeping with their Ukrainian au pair, who recently quit her job caring for their five-year-old daughter, Sophia. A few hours into the flight, Mina receives a note demanding she help an unknown terrorist group divert the plane. If Mina refuses, Sophia will die. What starts as a domestic drama focused on the Holbrooks’ marital problems becomes the airborne equivalent of a classic country house mystery. The suspense builds as Mina, whose co-workers think she’s shirking her duties, tries to determine who among the 353 passengers are part of the terrorist plot. Surprising twists propel the story to an unexpected finale. Mackintosh has raised her game with this one. Agent: Sheila Crowley, Curtis Brown (U.K.). (June)
From the Publisher
"The airborne equivalent of a classic country house mystery...Surprising twists propel the story to an unexpected finale." — Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
"Mackintosh is a pro...the final scene in the book almost made me sick as I read it. I mean that as a compliment of the highest order." — New York Times
"It felt like watching a blockbuster movie; edge of seat, nail biting, propulsive, compulsive, thrilling and just so beautifully done." — Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone
"Hypnotically good. Should be a hit, could be a classic..." — Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Fiendishly clever. Mackintosh takes domestic suspense to new heights in this tale of a kidnapped child, hijacked plane, and two parents’ desperate fight to save their family." — Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"A propulsive read—Hostage will have you questioning ‘What would you do?’ at every turn." — Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Wife
"A nail-biter of a thriller with an unexpected gut-punch at the end—a fantastic read!" — Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author of The End of Her
"A mind-blowing read that questions everything you know about somebody. A triumph!" — Sandie Jones, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Woman
"Hostage is one of the summer’s must-reads, but you’ll want to enjoy it with your tray table locked and your armchair in the full upright position, anchored firmly to the floor." — AirMail
"Written by New York Times bestselling author Clare Mackintosh, Hostage focuses on Mina, a flight attendant, who gets an anonymous message warning her to comply with directions or risk her daughter's life. When passengers start dying, she has to start making some life-shattering decisions." — Zibby Owens for Good Morning America
"If you're looking for a thriller that never lets up on the tension, then look no further than Hostage by Clare Mackintosh." — POPSUGAR
"Mackintosh has filled Hostage with fear, panic, and excitement, and jam-packed it with action. In addition, she has included bits of smart social commentary on prejudice and discrimination, extremism, and the assumptions we make about those around us. This is a true edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller that is not to be missed." — The Nerd Daily
"A banger of a book with a truly agonising 'what would you do?'" — Ruth Ware, #1 New York Times bestselling author
