Drowning by T.J.Newman: Book Review

Drowning is a propulsive thriller about the rescue of passengers from a commercial jet that crashes into the ocean and sinks.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

From The Publisher:

Flight attendant turned New York Times bestselling author T. J. Newman—whose first book Falling was an instant #1 national bestseller and the biggest thriller debut of 2021—returns for her second book, an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a commercial jetliner that crashes into the ocean, and sinks to the bottom with passengers trapped inside, and the extraordinary rescue operation to save them.

Six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. During the evacuation, an engine explodes and the plane is flooded. Those still alive are forced to close the doors—but it’s too late. The plane sinks to the bottom with twelve passengers trapped inside.

More than two hundred feet below the surface, engineer Will Kent and his eleven-year-old daughter Shannon are waist-deep in water and fighting for their lives.

Their only chance at survival is an elite rescue team on the surface led by professional diver Chris Kent—Shannon’s mother and Will’s soon-to-be ex-wife—who must work together with Will to find a way to save their daughter and rescue the passengers from the sealed airplane, which is now teetering on the edge of an undersea cliff.

There’s not much time.

There’s even less air.

With devastating emotional power and heart-stopping suspense, Drowning is an unforgettable thriller about a family’s desperate fight to save themselves and the people trapped with them—against impossible odds.

My Thoughts:

Drowning is one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve ever experienced while reading. The story is immersive and believable, full of twists and adrenaline-spiking situations. I may never look at flying the same way again.

The characters are well-developed and familiar. Those of us who fly will recognize each one of these passengers and crew members. The central characters are Will and his daughter Shannon who are on board the plane. Will’s soon-to-be ex-wife Chris is a professional diver who is working on a way to save her family and the others who remain on the plane. Determination, perseverance and strength are key messages in this book.

The are several gruesome moments that are not dwelled upon but are mentioned to provide realism. I am a more sensitive reader and I did not feel as though this was too much for me, but be forewarned. Readers who are nervous flyers may choose not to read this book. The author is a flight attendant- her experience and research into creating a realistic story are evident.

The impact of grief plays a central role in this book and includes the loss of a child in the backstory of a family. The author writes this experience with respect and grace.

I loved that the author has women playing important roles in this book. The more authors choose females in these traditionally male roles, the higher the likelihood that women will choose these occupations.

I highly recommend this book to those readers who enjoy propulsive thrillers or books set around aviation.

What I Liked:

• The propulsive storyline that grabs the reader right from page one.
• The strength, perseverance and determination which is featured in characters throughout the book
• The level of experience and research the author brings to the story.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed From This Author:

Falling