Another good read from Claire Mackintosh. How far would you go for love? There’s nothing like a mother’s love, the lengths she’ll go to, to keep her baby safe. Clare drew me in from the start, and kept me hooked. Absolutely loved the final twist, wasn’t expecting it and most definitely raised a smile.

I had no doubt that this was going to be fantastic, and it was. I loved the characters and how we got to find out bits of backstory about lots of the passengers so that they weren't just faceless numbers.

The tension was created brilliantly and I couldn't put the book down towards the end as I had to find out if the characters would survive. The ending was brilliant and unexpected.

I wouldn't want my review to give too much away so I'll leave it there and just say, read this book!

Clare Mackintosh has done it again! This story grabbed my interest from the first page and I didn’t want to put it down - I neglected my husband until I’d finished! Mina and Adam are very likeable characters, despite Adam’s problems and Sophia was just adorable!
I don’t want to give the plot away but I wouldn’t advise reading this before taking a flight - as it is it will stick with me next time I fly and I’ll be observing other passengers with suspicion! And checking their footwear! It is so good, Clare writes superb psychological/domestic thrillers and I always look forward to her next book.

I have been part of Clare Mackintosh’s book club group for a while so naturally, I needed to request this book. Gratefully I was accepted!

Wow! I’m literally lost for words right now and maybe I should do my review at a later date when I can speak haha!

It kept me absolutely hooked throughout, so much so, whilst at work I was constantly thinking of the book and wishing time away so I could be at home and reading the hostage!

Although it’s not an everyday occurrence (thankfully!) and I can’t relate as in I’ve never been through anything similar ... you actually could put yourself in the situations the characters were in due to amazing writing!

I loved the characters! Mina was someone I could identify with entirely! She had a kind heart and her family were completely her world. I liked how she had a fierceness in her, yet on the outside she was ‘ordinary’ ! I actually liked Adam’s character to. Although he did ‘wrong’ in the story I felt very sorry for him and was rooting for him throughout.

And that twist!!! Woah! Then the ultimate twist!? I still can’t get my head around it! Like, how!? What!? Amazing!!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Clare and little brown book club for this amazing opportunity.

Fast paced
Edge of your seat thriller
Which will have you biting your fingers nails & holding your breath
This is a definitely a must read
With a very unexpected ending

Thank you netgalley, Clare Mackintosh and Little Brown book group UK

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time and the amazing Clare Mackintosh has outdone herself!
An absolutely brilliant concept, very interesting and she has clearly done her research. Along with so many twists and turns, be literally prepared for the ride of your life!

Wow what an ending, didn't see that coming! I loved this book and raced through it, I didn't have any problem with the first 20% as other reviews said. Great from start to finish.

This was a very exciting fast paced read . Mina has managed to get a coveted place as a stewardess on board the first direct flight from London to Sydney . She is trying to escape her crumbling marriage to Adam , a police man with lots of secrets of his own . When she receives a note form a passenger on board her world comes tumbling down , save her daughter or the 350 plus passengers on board , you really do feel for MIna who is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't . We do get a glimpse into some of the passengers back story and that was an interesting way of introducing them by the seat numbers . A brilliant read I loved it !!

‘Hostage’ -Clare Mackintosh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️ Brief mention of miscarriage & IVF, references to 9/11, descriptions of duress in an aviation hostage scenario ⚠️

“You can save hundreds of lives. Or the one that matters most.”

Every time I begin a Mackintosh novel, I take a long, soothing breath and then proceed not to breathe again for the duration of THE ENTIRE BOOK! Suspense aplenty, this is a novel that you won’t be able to put down.

Mackintosh presents the ultimate moral dilemma in this fast-paced, captivating thriller.
What would you do? Who would you choose? Mina is presented with the impossible task; save over 300 souls on board the world’s first direct passenger flight from London to Sydney. Or save one; the single most important human in Mina’s life; her five year old daughter.

An unbearably tense novel that depicts the process of grappling, bargaining and negotiating by a devoted parent, desperate to make the right decision, despite the severe recompenses.

🌟 HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 🌟

Many thanks to Clare Mackintosh, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this e-ARC.

I flew through this book in 24 hours. I literally could not put it down. You so often read reviews claiming a story was a nail biting, heart pounding read. An addictive page turner. Such cliches are often often overused and at times describe a book I have found to be merely okay. However with Hostage, every one of those descriptions is too.

Clare Mackintosh is always a compelling storyteller and as an ex-police officer, her stories provide a realistic insight in to the mind of criminals. Her stories, whilst always bursting with pulsating drama, also have a real human element to them too. Throughout Hostage the reader continually has to ask themselves, “what would I do?”

I’ve loved all of Claire Mackintosh’s books but I’d say this one is my favourite. Outstanding.

You can read my full review at https://mmbbookblog.com/hostage-by-clare-mackintosh-book-review/

It's the day of the inaugural non-stop flight from London to Sydney which will take 20hours. Onboard are a smattering of celebs and press and Head Flight Attendant, Nina, who shouldn't even be on the journey is feeling uneasy. What starts off as a normal shift turns into something far from normal.

She's thinking of her estranged Policeman husband, Adam and her 5 year old daughter Sophia when she discovers something from home which has no place in the galley of the plane... why is it there? When she receives the anonymous note she has to make an unenviable choice...

The story is fast paced and tense and is told from various points of view - Mina's, Adam's and various passengers on the plane. We hear the shocking backstory of Mina's earlier career and the breakdown of their relationship. Meanwhile back home things are not all that they seem and Adam and Sophia are fighting battles of their own.

I found it an absolutely thrilling read which is fast paced, has you on the edge of your seat and has moments which are not all that they seem. I also loved the clever twist at the end. Highly recommend.

Rating: 4.0/5

There is something about a hijacking scenario that makes for compelling reading /viewing. The concept is certainly nothing new - there is a long history major cinema blockbusters dating right back (at least)to the first "Airport" movie in 1970 and numerous examples since then that cinema-going audiences have readily consumed. The basic premise is generally pretty familiar, but when it is done well, it is a format that keeps bringing its audience back for more and perhaps picking up a few new devotees along the way. So, when an accomplished writer like Clare Mackintosh decides to pen a hijack-based thriller, the temptation to read it is a very difficult one to resist!

Mina finds herself as one of the hand-picked flight attendants on-board the inaugural non-stop flight from London to Sydney. The publicity surrounding the flight is huge, there are a number of celebrities on the flight and it is very much at the centre of media attention ... which also makes it an appealing high profile target for a group of people with their own agenda.

Once again, Clare Mackintosh has delivered a highly entertaining novel. The book's title, cover graphics and synopsis will have already provided the reader with a broad idea of what to expect, but there is enough about the background and the actual execution of the story to make this sufficiently fresh and appealing. I will be deliberately light on any detail in this respect, as even "minor" spoilers could potentially detract from your own enjoyment.

Suffice to say anyone who enjoys crime fiction, adventure stories or previous books by Clare Mackintosh should definitely add this to their reading list.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Syncing To Perfection.....
High octane suspense from Clare Mackintosh showing her at the very top of her game. From the expertly balanced character introduction and scene setting through to the meat on the bones action, everything syncing to perfection. Superbly done, keeping this reader on tenterhooks from start to the same sitting, heart pounding finish. Bravo!

This jumped straight to the top of my TBR pile and Im so glad it did, another unputdownable book from Clare Mackintosh, a one-sitter read if you can!
Mina is an experienced member of cabin crew, working on the inaugural nonstop London to Sydney flight, in order to avoid a tricky week at home with her unlikeable partner with his hidden secrets The flight has been years in the planning and is packed with celebrities and journalists as well as other members of the public desperate to be on the flight. The book starts with a foreshadowing of disaster with a plane crashing, and the feeling of imminent danger and menace is there throughout.
Just a short way into the flight, Mina receives a note that she can't ignore, calling on her help to derail the flight, or her much beloved adopted daughter will suffer the consequences.
More political than other thrillers Ive read, its not comfortable reading for someone who enjoys a holiday flight every now and again; there's lots to think about and assess in and out of the book
Read it, read it, read it!

What an absolutely amazing book. I honestly could not put it down and while I was desperate for it to end, I didn’t want it to end!!! Five star read - highly recommended.

Mina is a senior flight attendant, she is also mother to a 5 year old girl and an estranged wife. She is flying on the airline’s inaugural non-stop flight from London to Sydney. The atmosphere is buzzing and there are celebrities, journalists, social influencers and normal everyday people aboard the flight. It will take 20 hours to get to Sydney ... a lot can happen in 20 hours and when Mina is presented with a note from an anonymous passenger which basically gives her the choice to save the live of her daughter or those of our fellow passengers, her life turns upside down. What would you do?

The first 20% of the book was setting the scene and provided a good backdrop for the remainder of the book. Once the scene was set, the pace really picked up and it never dropped - I was hooked. There are a number of twists, especially towards the end of the book, that I just did not see coming.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Brilliant! Terrifying, complex, fast paced and engaging this is my book of the year so far despite the plot holes and inconsistencies.

Another great exciting novel by bestselling author Clare Mackintosh. Her novels are of a consistently high standard and this is another winner.

Flight attendant Mina is one of the handpicked team chosen for the inaugural non-stop flight from London to Sydney. The atmosphere is electrifying and the plane is full of celebrities and successful businessmen wanting to witness this flight first hand. Mina is trying hard to focus on her duties but her troubled five-year-old daughter back home and her failing marriage are making it very difficult.

Shortly into the flight Mina receives a note from an anonymous passenger, someone intent on ensuring the plane never reaches its destination. Someone who needs Mina’s assistance and who knows exactly how to make her comply.

Great suspense and a very entertaining read.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a pacey thriller that had my attention from start to finish. It had high tension throughout and the anticipation of just what might happen next meant that you simply had to read on.
Mina, a mum whose marriage is facing difficulties, and whose child can be challenging to support, is faced with the most impossible dilemma and, as the story is unveiled both at home and in the air, we as readers, know more than our characters do which adds to the continuing sense of drama.
There is the added tension of the journey's countdown and the fact that we are not always entirely sure who is friend or foe. A great read that I heartily recommend.

Hello and welcome aboard Mackintosh Airlines. Our pilot today is Clare Mackintosh herself and I will be your – still book-hangovered – flight attendant. Fasten your seatbelt, it’s take-off time!

*Clears throat* Alright, now that I had fun with this review, let’s get to the serious bit! I have a list of go-to authors for days when I need extra book love. I keep an auto-buy list of authors I don’t want to miss a novel by. I have a TBR list longer than any airport checklist. Then I have the *highway to my heart* list. This list is so exclusive it only has three names on it. One of those names is Clare Mackintosh. After the End was a revelation. Since then, I have caught up with her books, so I was ecstatic to be offered a ticket to Hostage. Was I hit by the wind of doubt? Would this book be as good as I imagined? I had no fear, and that’s why she is on the list. So, was my instinct right?

It may not be good for the planet (and for that I’m sorry) but flying is my favorite way to travel. I simply love how you set foot in the airport and let yourself be carried by the flow. Look for your luggage check-in. Search your gate. Get a thorough search (I ALWAYS get the search. Always. I feel like I’m in an episode of Custom Borders.) Take a seat. Wait for the call. Smile and show your passport. Get to your seat. Everything is done for you, all you have to do is follow and relax. Also, airports and planes are amazing places to spend hours looking at people and imagining their lives.

Back to the subject… Hostage takes us on a plane with flight attendant Mina, one of the few crow members chosen for the inaugural London to Sidney flight. 20 hours straight. On a plane with strangers. Okay, I said I liked flying but the longest flight I took was 12.5 hours in economy when I came back from Japan and NEVER AGAIN. Anyway. This is an exciting time for the company, most of the passengers, and of course, the crew. Who wouldn’t want to make history?

But Mina’s mind is not entirely focused on the tasks at hand as her heart is still firmly on the ground, with her husband, Adam, and daughter. Her marriage is in trouble and Sophia, their daughter, is facing difficulties that make Mina long to be home even before the flight takes off.

The book is not contained in a gigantic flying object in the sky. We get to jump from one POV to the other. Adam’s life as a cop and a father, passengers on board sharing their backstories… We get a sense of what is going on up and down, and all sides are equally tense, perfectly written, and absolutely addictive.

Not long after the flight is up and doing its thing above the clouds, Mina finds the first clue that will change the fate of so many people. A threat addressed to her. Comply or… My blood ran cold. Once again, the author pushes you to the edge. Clare Mackintosh has a knack for pouring so much power and feelings into her writing that it is impossible not to get emotionally involved. Her superb understanding of our deepest fears and motivations create the spark that keeps a reader hooked and begging for more.

Do as you are told, and your family will be okay. Don’t and…

The dilemma broke my heart and made my hand tremble. As a cabin crew, you have a responsibility towards the people on board. As a woman, mother, and wife, you have a responsibility towards your family. But can you sacrifice over 300 passengers for the sake of the ones you love? This is an impossible decision. I felt my brain take me to the aisle of the plane, my eyes scanning the faces. Celebrities, journalists, normal people, babies… And on the ground, millions of eyes ready to applaud this new non-stop route to the other side of the world. Clare made sure I could visualize everything so vividly I could not possibly choose. And then, she added beautifully intricate moments, chapter after chapter, making Hostage an emotional thriller masterpiece.

All of us have at least once imagined a plane being hijacked. We try to push it out of our mind but the past has left scars that won’t be forgotten. Far from simply betting on our shared fears, the author crafts a superb and terrible story around a subject we hate to mention. She gives it multiple layers, adds convincing arguments and realistic characters that make it impossible to put everything in black and white.

Mina is not the only one held hostage in this novel, neither are the passengers, and I felt it applied to so many people that my chest hurt!

This exhilarating read is unforgettable, and its intensity shakes you to the core. This 5-star novel should be next on your TBR!

A warning: don't start this book unless you've got a few hours spare. It's one of those novels that gets you very quickly hooked in and that you don't want to put down till you've finished. I loved it. I've read other titles by this author and enjoyed them but this is the best so far in my humble opinion. The story centres around Mina, an air stewardess aboard a non-stop 20 hour flight from London to Sydney. During the flight a passenger gives her a note with a terrifying ultimatum. I won't say more - I don't want to spoil it for anyone.