15th November 5:01 pm

"Severe Alert. Nuclear missile threat to South England. 59 minutes until impact. Seek Immediate shelter. THIS IS NOT A TEST"

When the government alert system issues a warning of nuclear attack, the author portrays a scene of mayhem as simultaneously millions reach for their phones and take in the message on their screen.

A mind blowing start and a compelling read, from start to finish this novel had my attention. Three women, their families and the decisions they make as the countdown begins is a tense, scary and heart-wrenching read with a twist I never saw coming.

A stark portrayal of both the best and worst of human nature, 59 Minutes is one of the most thought provoking novels I've ever read. Don't read the reviews, read the book. This one is going to be huge.

It’s an ordinary evening: commuters returning home, spending time with their loved ones, tucking their children into bed. Until a message arrive to put everything in perspective: find shelter immediately as in 59 minutes time, missiles will destroy England. The novel then follows three women making decisions in order to get home to their families. The question must be: what would you do if you needed to be with your family in under an hour? How far would you go to put them first? With the deadline comes panic, frailty and peril as people turn looters and others go missing. It’s quite a harrowing read, well written, but enough to make you question what you’d do in a similar situation.

There was just something about the cover of this book that peaked my attention. I felt like it was going to fall into the same category as Gillian McAllister’s Wrong Place, Wrong Time.

A cell phone alert goes off saying nuclear missiles will go off in 59 minutes. What do you know? Carrie is on the subway and tries to get off to her daughter and girlfriend. She finds a young girl on her way and takes her under her wing.

Newly pregnant, Frankie, and her boyfriend, Otis, decide they need to get supplies so they leave the safety of their home.

Mrs. Dabbs’ daughter does not return home on the bus. She’s on the hunt to figure out what happened.

These lives intersect in ways you would not believe. While I did get confused when the author started jumping to different times, it was a very big shock when things actually played out and how.

What a terrifying thought to know this was going to happen. And to see how people act. I would not want to know this was going to happen. Would rather be surprised! Great book!

With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily

Oh my, Holly Seddon. What an absolute gem of a book. Highly original, definitely thought provoking and absolutely gripping from start to finish. The twist in this is mind blowing and I found myself going back over the story in my mind to work it all out - genius. Wonderfully written and I was totally invested in the main characters. This book should be on everyone’s tbr list. A massive 5⭐️

I've been excited to read this since I heard the premise last year and it did not disappoint. What a fantastic book! It grabs you by the throat and pulls you along through the narrative as you hope against hope for all the characters in this awful yet all too plausible scenario. A brilliant book about humanity and what truly matters at the most crucial of times. This deserves to be an absolute hit.

Such a brilliant concept…the world is due to end in 59 minutes, what would you do?

The story follows 3 different characters, Carrie, Frankie and Mrs Dabb as they discover a nuclear missile is due to hit in 59 minutes.

Each chapter we see just how each of these characters deal with this devastating news and the lengths they’ll go to survive or be with loved ones.

Fast paced, full of suspense and then I was hit with a mind blowing twist that I had to go back and reread certain sections to make sure I’d read it properly.

Such a fascinating look at how people would respond and react if the world was coming to an end. This is one that needs to be on your radar!

Wow. Just wow. This is an utterly fantastic book with a perfect premise. It is beautifully written, fast paced, tight knit with barely a moment to breathe. I devoured it in one sitting, which wasn't my intention but once I started, I had absolutely no intention of stopping.

The juxtaposition of the city and rural settings added considerable depth to the novel, which was already tugging at the heartstrings given the palpable desperation of the characters to not only get home to their loved ones, but also maintain a grip of their humanity. Reading about how others lost their humanity under the same circumstances added a gritty reality, but at no time was gratuitous or overdone.

But what really took my breath away was the style of writing. I didn't notice it so much at the time, but on reflection there's a delicious rhythm to the book where engrossing descriptions alternate with a real sparseness of words. When I reached 'that' chapter, I was almost broken by the lush text in such a wonderful format; a change like that in most books would be jarring. Here, it was a masterclass.

Aside from the story itself, I loved the introductory information and the author's note at the end. I'll admit that I took some time after reading to consider what I would do with my 59 minutes. This is, without doubt, one of the best thrillers I've ever read and I will be wholeheartedly recommending it to anyone and everyone.

Gosh! This is a heart stopping read that has stayed with me and I was swept along from first page to last.

There is an immediate threat to the UK of a missile strike, due to destroy England in 59 minutes. The storyline follows a group of characters as the countdown begins and as the story develops we see all sides of humanity.

The individual characters are well rounded and as the chapters progress, I was so invested in seeing what happens next. It’s a real page turner and an excellent study of human nature and the power of love and family to survive at all costs.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the opportunity to preview.

I was desperate to read this book as soon as I heard the premise. (I grew up in the 80s with constant nuclear war fear and used to run home from school to make sure I’d be able to make it home if the warning ever went off.)

I inhaled this book within 24 hours and absolutely loved it. It also terrified me, obviously. Seddon’s writing is so brilliant - smart and clear and visceral. It would make a brilliant film, but it already reads like a film - I can see it all so clearly. I cared about these characters immediately and desperately wanted everything to be ok for them.

59 Minutes is smart and scary, gripping and heartbreaking. I hope it’s going to be huge.