A Heart-Stopping Nuclear Disaster: Review of ‘Worst Case Scenario’ by T.J. Newman @T_J_Newman @littlebrown

In ‘Worst Case Scenario,’ T.J. Newman delivers a riveting tale of disaster and resilience, highlighting the profound impact on a small town and the nation.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Little, Brown & Company and Netgalley for the ARC of the audiobook and ebook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, transforming it into the epicenter of a catastrophic national crisis with global implications. The disaster surpasses all previous records, creating an unprecedented Level 8 nuclear event. In this heart-stopping thriller, ordinary people—power plant employees, firefighters, teachers, families, neighbors, and friends—are thrust into an extraordinary situation as they face the ultimate test of their lives. It will take the combined courage, ingenuity, and determination of a brave few to save not only their community and loved ones but the fate of humanity at large.

My Thoughts:

T.J. Newman has written another riveting thriller that creates emotion on every page. This captivating story will have you turning the pages as quickly as you can.

The premise of “Worst Case Scenario” is chilling: a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, causing a commercial airliner to crash into a nuclear power plant in Waketa, Minnesota. The result is a catastrophic national crisis with global implications, an unprecedented Level 8 event on the International Nuclear Event Scale.

In the introduction, the author reveals that she asked pilots about their greatest fear, and one responded with the scenario of crashing into a nuclear power plant. This horrendous thought becomes the basis for a compelling story that explores the impact on the small town of Waketa and the U.S. at large.

The characters are well-developed and feel real, with backstories that enrich the narrative. Multiple intertwined stories depict the event’s impact—rescue operations, crash site interventions, and national-level decisions, to name a few. The personal courage and sacrifice displayed by individuals were both impactful and memorable, breaking my heart several times. This book is truly a rollercoaster of emotions and one that will stay with me for quite some time.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version, performed by Joe Morton, who does a fantastic job of bringing the story to life, making it sound both factual and real. I also appreciated the realistic-sounding communication transmissions throughout the book. I highly recommend the audiobook version to those who appreciate this format.

Final Thoughts:

“Worst Case Scenario” is an intense, heart-stopping thriller that demonstrates the power of human courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable disaster. If you enjoy thrillers, do yourself a favour and read this book.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by T.J. Newman:

Drowning

Falling