Claire Fitzroy is just trying to get home when her 10:12 NorthRail train from Manchester to London is hijacked. Although she's a middle aged history of art university lecturer, Claire makes a decision to fight back. Her desperate actions save lives, but the aftermath thrusts her into a chaotic media storm and trial where the public debates if she is actually a heroine or a murderer. Although the outcome sees justice, Claire is left still traumatized and seeking answers about why those men chose that train and why they did what they did.
The beginning is quite gripping as the train hijacking begins and the passengers, basically led by Claire, start resisting. Lots of action and very fast paced as decisions are made and people die. Trying to keep track of all the characters is a bit daunting as they divide into the good guys vs the baddies. Then the story transitions to disjointed pieces of Claire's book, communication with her publisher, and some texts. A slow burn courtroom session follows and the drama sort of stalls the momentum. After that, we segue into Claire's search for answers and meaning which definitely downshifts the pacing and tension. The shift from action thriller to introspection and Claire's exploration and amateur investigation into the men involved in the terrorist plot changes the tone and it went on overly long. Then there's the hint that things are not what they seem and there are secrets being kept making this a high level coverup conspiracy within a story about terrorists operating under a conspiracy theory.
It was OK but not what I was expecting. I certainly didn't read this as being any sort of feminine rage story.
I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The audio book features an ensemble cast consisting of Elaine Claxton, Sarah Thom, Maxim Reston, and Dane Williams. The performers did a good job with their parts although some really spoke quite fast in a clipped fashion that was hard to follow so I was glad I had the book to help me keep it all straight. The production definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.
This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre and tags: suspense thriller, terrorist, hijack train, anti Chinese, incels, conspiracy nuts, courtroom, prison, murder, assault, intelligence community
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