I'm not finishing this ARC, unfortunately. I am just about halfway and while I can see that the events are now unfolding a little I have totally lost interest and I feel like I am forcing myself to open it each time.

The first half has been lacking pace. Repetitive and uninteresting. I don't like either Adam or Mina so I'm not overly invested in what happens to them. The passenger chapters are boring and aren't progressing the plot at all.

The second half may improve but it has taken so much effort to get this far that I've lost interest.

I can kind of see why it has high ratings, if you like the really slow burners then it works and it is one of those uncomfortable moral books that gets you thinking about what you would do in these situations. But I prefer punchier paced novels.

Wow! This is a deeply atmospheric thriller. of your seat read. It started off slow but soon picked up pace and gripped me. It is really well written and I felt like I knew Adam and Mina personally. The ending was good and not too unbelievable.

I always get excited to hear a new Claire Mackintosh book is out and I was in for a treat with this one. Hostage is another brilliant thriller by the author.
Mina is married but has strained relationship with her husband Adam and they have one adopted daughter Sophia who is five. Mina was going to take time off from her Flight attendants’ job to spend Christmas together with her husband to patch things up but, she has found out that she has been handpicked to fly on the non-stop flight from London to Sydney.
Adam is a Police officer and, on the side, had an affair. He also has a gambling problem that Mina doesn’t know about and now the debtors want to collect.
When Mina is on the flight the plane is highjacked by extreme activists all for the cause of Climate change and if she doesn’t do what they say that they will hurt her daughter Sophia. At home, the girl masquerading as the babysitter locks both Sophia and her Adam in the seller as instructed by the activists. Not knowing what Mina is going through on the plane. Would you put several people lives in danger for the people you love?
Thank you Little brown for a copy of Hostage. I love this exciting, heart stopping thriller. I really enjoyed this. It had a brilliant storyline and well-developed characters, and it wasn’t over the top. I kept turning the pages wanting more. Any Movie production people out there. It would make a great film. 5 stars from me.

Hostage is one of those books that will stay with you long after you’ve read it-there are so many moral dilemmas faced by the large cast of characters that you will be arguing with yourself over what YOU would have done in their situations! The tag line says it all-could you save hundreds of lives or just save one the matters to you the most?

Hostage practically read itself as it flew through the storyline, introducing many unlikeable characters and others that you just can’t help but root for. Interestingly, but not unsurprisingly for me, my favourite character wasn’t Mina (the air stewardess coping with her worst nightmare) but her daughter Sophia. Clare Mackintosh played a blinder by giving Sophia a condition that not many people will have heard of but that I see on a daily basis in my job and I have to say that she has done her research perfectly to give an added edge to the plot.

This is definitely a thrilling storyline with plenty of twists and turns along the way. When you’re a fan of a particular author, you can often see where things are going quite quickly, and with Hostage I did think I could see where it was heading. I was quite close but when I got to the final page…well, I realised then just how easily I had been fooled and wanted to give Clare Mackintosh a standing ovation for delivering a sublime ending to this adrenaline rush of a read.

Clever, addictive and utterly brilliant-get your preorder in now! Out on June 22nd.

So, I’m not a huge fan of flying. And, after reading Hostage, I’m kind of glad that I don’t plan on getting on a plane for a while because it plays into some of my biggest fears. And probably not just mine. I can imagine quite a few people reading this book and putting themselves in Mina’s shoes, trying to figure out just who sent her a note that puts both her daughter and the lives of hundreds of passengers at risk. It’s a horrible position to be in, and I don’t know if I’d behave any differently than she does when it comes down to it.

The fact that I found myself putting myself into Mina’s position and wondering just what I would do, shows just what a good book this is. It’s a situation you can imagine happening, with all the horrible consequences that come with it, especially as it feels like more and more these days that people who care deeply about a cause are willing to go to extremes.

I find it all rather scary. And that’s how I felt when I read this book. Scared. And tense, and anxious, and desperate to know how it would all work out. It meant a few late nights so I could get to the end as soon as possible. Kudos for Clare Mackintosh for that. And kudos for creating characters that I cared about, even the minor ones. That goes a long way to my enjoyment of any book.

Overall then, this was a book I really enjoyed. Was there anything I didn’t like? There was maybe one too many twists at the end – and the twists are normally what I love about Clare Mackintosh’s books so for me, that is saying something. Beyond that, though, I was very happy that I’d picked this one up.

Loved this - one of those thrillers that you start making excuses; do the family really need food, work won't miss me will they? I adore Clare Mackintosh's writing - cleverly plotted tales with interesting characters encompassing modern dilemmas and including satisfyingly fiendish baddies.

I won't recap any of the plot - go out, buy it and treat yourself to an indulgent rip roaring read.

This was a corker of a book! What a read, fast going into my top spot of 2021, made me almost pleased that we weren’t able to fly at the moment as I wouldn’t be getting on a plane any time soon.
Loved this book from the very beginning, really enjoyed the different character’s views for each chapter, each being strong enough to carry you through until the next time you heard from them. Often books with multiple view points can get a bit lost, but these were awesome. Lots of twists throughout making it not quite what I was expecting.
As for the ending, well, without spoilers, I felt it was awesome but could have ended a few chapters earlier and had the final bits made into a follow-on story. A bit too much crammed into the end which wasn’t needed to make it better as it had peeked for me already.
Will look forward to reading more from this author, 5*

I’m a real fan of Clare Mackintosh’s writing so have been keen to read this forthcoming novel of hers. Hostage follows flight attendant Mina as she is about to board a landmark 20 hour non-stop flight from London to Sydney. It also follows her husband Adam in alternating chapters. Once the flight takes off Mina starts seeing items of hers on board that she didn’t bring with her and chillingly it soon becomes apparent that there is someone on board intent on taking control of the plane. The build up to the hijacking was so good, I was really tense as I was reading and wondering what was going to happen and how it was all going to end. The latter part of the novel requires suspension of disbelief, which I was a little disappointed by, but at the same time by this point I was so invested in the characters that I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know how exactly it was going to end. There were some surprises for me in the novel and I love that I didn’t see how it was all going to ultimately end. This was a really gripping and thrilling novel, I recommend it.

Wow, wowzers, wowee! Let me just pause for a sec to try to get my breath back after an exhilarating read, which frankly I can't tell you about without revealing spoilers!

This is a book crying out to be read in one sitting, and if real life hadn't got in my way I would have done just that. Normally in those circumstances I'd suggest reading on a plane as well when else you get hours to just sit and read without the rest of the world trying to get your attention.

However given the nature of this book, if you are of nervous disposition or slightly wary of flying I would go as far to read this when you know you aren't flying anywhere for a good long while, just to recover from the book first. Of course if you think reading about the unthinkable happening at 35 000 feet in the air, while you are at a similar altitude to enhance the terrifying nature of the plot, then please do be my guest.

What I do know is that if I am going to Australia at any point in the next few years at the very least I will definitely favour the old fashioned multiple flight approach, as opposed to being in the air for 20 hours straight, which is rather daunting regardless of whether you have just read Hostage or not!

At the heart of this book there is a very important message, themes that run through it. However again I don't want to give away the motivations of what happens, so can't really give you any sort of clue.

Mina is faced with a horrible dilemma that is touched on in the blurb, and from the moment she gets to the airport to board the flight to Sydney, there is a sense of foreboding.

We get chapters from her point of view, from Adam and what he is going through back in England with their daughter Sophia. And Sophia is a rather special character, only 5 years old but has been through a lot and has a whole array of diagnosis that explain her various behaviours. There are also inbetween chapters, introductions to various of the passengers on board the plane and their reasons for taking this flight.

I have a horrible feeling I might not sleep well for a few nights after reading this, and dread to think what my dreams will be having now read this. But its the mark of a fabulous book that I had to keep reading even though I'd say this is definitely up there in worst nightmare scenarios for me, so horrifying that I've never even considered it could happen.

And I can't believe how the story unfolds over 20 hours and I really wasn't sure which way it would go. It is clear that the author has done masses of research, and at least in the case of Mina, Adam and Sophia made some characters that I really cared about.

And those final chapters have completely not only blown me away but frazzled my brain too - I somehow didn't expect that at all, and just shows the shocks keep on coming until the very end.

I've been addicted to Clare Mackintosh's books since I Let You Go came out, and without a shadow of a doubt an already amazing author has gone up another gear with this book and I really need to read the thesaurus next and then come back when I have learnt a new superlative to describe her writing!

But since the thesaurus sounds rather boring I'll end as I started - just Wowzers!! Woweeee!! Wow!!

Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

When this book landed on my doorstep the other day I gave a little scream of excitement! I love Clare Mackintosh's books and it is a huge privilege to be able to read her latest one, Hostage, in advance! So thank you Little Brown and @ClareMackwrites

Hostage is a locked room thriller. It's set mostly on an aeroplane over the 20 flight from London to Sydney. The flight is a big deal and the plan has been tested and triple tested, what could possibly go wrong? Mina, an air steward on the flight, is about to find out!

After a slowish start this book becomes an action packed thriller with lots of shocking moments to keep you on the edge of your seat! It's like a tense disaster movie which probably isn't the easiest type of book to write but Clare Mackintosh does it so well!

I've always loved flying and aeroplanes so I loved the setting of this one and all the different characters. It felt so atmospheric, as if you really were on the plane too, it's probably the closest I'll ever come to business class tbh!

From the halfway mark I was truly gripped by this book and the rollercoaster of emotions it takes you on! I loved the themes behind it all and really enjoyed Mina as the main character (and her daughter Sophia 💖)

Fans of Clare Mackintosh, or gripping, fast paced books, sit tight and get ready to enjoy this book when it comes out in June!

Flight attendant Mina is working on the record breaking new flight from London to Sydney in 20 hours with World Airlines flight 79 when their plane is hijacked. Mina is made to make a devastating decision when they threaten her daughters life if she doesn't do what they ask.
WOW!! This book was incredible. From the very start to the nail-biting end I couldnt put it down! I read the last 10 percent of this book through my fingers with my heart racing! Fast paced, nerve-wracking and brilliantly clever, I couldnt recommend this book enough!

I had heard a lot about this book - and was really looking forward to starting this but it kept being passed over for something I thought may be more exciting! How wrong could I be! This was absolutely jaw dropping, heart stopping, roller coastering amazingness! Told by many characters it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time (I even found myself reading it when I was stood in a queue!) I got to the end and thought to myself “what a fantastic read” and then I read the epilogue and it absolutely floored me! What an ending! One of the best books I have read this year!

Wow!!! I loved this book! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It was well written. The characters were well drawn. I higly recommend it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

So far I've loved every book I've read by Clare Mackintosh and this was another amazing read, a completely unputdownable thriller.
Hostage is so well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I could not put it down and spent most of the night reading to finish it - who needs sleep!
Excellent and highly recommended.

*4.5 stars *

An inaugural, 20 hour non stop flight from London to Sydney, Australia, sees flight attendant Mina, desperately trying to concentrate on her duties, but she knows she’s not pulling her weight, as her mind consistently drifts back to her police officer husband, Adam, and daughter Sophia.

Mina and Adam’s marriage has hit a really bad patch, and Mina isn’t sure it will survive, doesn’t know if she even wants it to. Her 5 year old adopted daughter Sophia, is also a challenge, and quite honestly, life isn’t looking too great, but things are about to take a further nosedive, when Mina receives an anonymous note onboard from a passenger, telling her that he/she will ensure that the inaugural flight never reaches its destination, and furthermore, that Mina will help them to carry out their threat - or else her family will pay!

Events back home for Adam and Sophia are about to become extremely intense and terrifying, (with we the readers, as unwilling witnesses) whilst the locked room scenario of the aircraft setting, gives added depth to the storyline - the idea of being trapped at 30,000 feet with someone intent on bringing down an aircraft is truly terrifying. It was though, genuinely gripping, as each of the hostages turns out to have a back story that is less clear-cut than it might appear, and you begin to wonder which of these passengers is about to try their best to bring an end to the lives of his/ her fellow passengers and why! A breathtaking read, and such an excellent twist at the end too!

Wow. Just WOW. This is a hell of a book!

I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll keep this brief. The story centres on Mina, her husband, Adam and their daughter Sophia. Mina is a flight attendant on an inaugural non-stop flight from London-Sydney when things go badly awry.

I loved the way the author dripped information through to us even when we didn’t know why we were learning it. I did guess one of the major twists but I thought the final one was a really nice touch!

It’s a fast paced, darkly disturbing and scarily realistic thriller that I can’t recommend highly enough. Not a book to read on a plane though! I’ll search out more books by this author in future. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

BRILLIANT! Totally absorbing and gripping! I loved reading this book and didn't want it to end! Both main characters in utter turmoil. Fast paced and thrilling this kept me reading and reading, desperate to know what was going to happen! Clare Mackintosh is my Favourite author and this really didn't disappoint. Certainly on my recommendations list!

When flight attendant Mina attends the first non-stop flight from London to Sydney, soon after take off, she receives a chilling anonymous note. Someone wants to make sure the plane never reaches its destination. They're demanding her cooperation . . . and they know exactly how to get it.

It’s the first book from Mackintosh that I’ve read and I wasn’t disappointed! First of all, if you’re scared of flying or planes maybe this one isn’t for you! This book is fast paced and takes place over the 20 hours or so. You’re often kept guessing and wanting more as more twists are revealed!

The book is mainly a dual perspective between Mina and her husband Adam, with occasionally the perspective of unnamed passengers dotted throughout the narrative. The extra perspectives I thought were really good in tying the narrative together and keeping the reader on their toes. The anonymity of these perspectives was great at building suspense.

While Mina’s character could be a bit frustrating at times and you do question some of her decisions, I did find this to be a thrilling read. The introduction of the tension within the family and the issues with an adopted child did bring another element into the mix.

And that ending…. well it was not what I was expecting!! Brilliant!

This is one where it’s best not to give to much away, so here goes.... This is the story of Flight 79, World Airways inaugural non-stop fight from London to Sydney. Flight attendant Mina and several passengers tell that story. Meanwhile, on the ground is Mina’s husband Adam, a police officer who has got himself in a terrible fix with dangerous consequences. Relations between him and Mina are strained. Mina has left their adopted daughter five year old Sophia who has hyperlexia ( on the autism spectrum) with babysitter Becca. The two storylines connect very cleverly. My advice would be to have a stiff drink to hand and copious snacks because you won’t be leaving your chair until you’ve finished this one!

Wow. What a start and you don’t make sense of it until the end when the pieces of this thrilling jigsaw puzzle slot into place. Clever. This latest novel from Clare Mackintosh is an absolute nail biter and an original one too because the action takes place principally on board the flight. This allows for hugely dangerous tension and suspense and keeping you in the edge of your airline seat presupposing you’re not in Economy. It’s such a compelling rollercoaster read, you wait with baited breath for disaster to happen in the air and on the ground. I like the way the storyline builds to sky high levels at both ends of the drama, it has you glued to the pages and it’s an adrenaline rush. There are so many layers to the storyline as the horrifying scenarios unfold and aline. Every now and then I have to pause to take a deep breath and let my brain process and catch up with the fast paced plot. The star of the show for me is Sophia, what a clever, bright little superstar and so intelligent. In places it’s quite emotional as you become so invested in the outcome. The end is as powerful as the start and whilst you totally abhor what the climate change activists do the points they raise are frighteningly thought provoking.

Overall, a brilliant thriller, jaw dropping, eye popping, heart pounding, neck bracing read which I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little, Brown Book Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The first non stop flight from London to Sydney and Mina is part of the cabin crew.

Mina has a choice save her daughter or save the entire plane passengers and crew.

I had no idea where this was going or who, what or why.

But a page turner for sure. Claire has a knack of keeping the reading guessing & never disappoints.