The Passengers by John Marrs
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Publication Date: August 27, 2019
Date Read: August 26, 2019
Length: 352 pages
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
★★★★☆
You’re riding in your self-driving car when suddenly the doors lock, the route changes and you have lost all control. Then, a mysterious voice tells you, “You are going to die.”
Just as self-driving cars become the trusted, safer norm, eight people find themselves in this terrifying situation, including a faded TV star, a pregnant young woman, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife, and a suicidal man.
From cameras hidden in their cars, their panic is broadcast to millions of people around the world. But the public will show their true colors when they are asked, “Which of these people should we save?…And who should we kill first?”
This was really good! I have never read anything by John Marrs before picking up this book but I thought it sounded good so I decided to take a chance. I loved the idea behind the story and was pretty excited to start reading. I found this book to be really exciting and I loved the fact that it was able to keep me guessing. I definitely found this one to be quite an enjoyable page-turner.
This story is set a few years in the future where driverless cars are not only the norm but they will soon be the only cars allowed on the road. These cars are reported to be safer and have cut down on traffic and travel times. It seems perfect. Too perfect. Of course, these cars are also reported to be completely secure and safe from hackers. That is until they are hacked.
Eight different people find themselves locked in their cars unable to control them. They are told that they will die in a couple of hours. Their plight is broadcast around the world through social media and news stations. At the same time, a group that is tasked with looking into accidents involving these cars are together and thrust in the spotlight as they are forced to make impossible decisions.
Each of the eight passengers had their own story. We didn’t always get all of the pieces to tell their complete story right away and I really liked how I never knew who should be trusted and what was real. The characters were quite varied and they all had very interesting stories. I will say that I didn’t really feel any kind of connection to any of the characters. I felt like the book only focused on each character for a very short time and it was somewhat difficult to really feel too much for any of them.
This story was really exciting with a whole lot of surprises. Often, I would think that I had something figured out only to learn a few pages later that I was wrong. I love a book that can keep me guessing and this one certainly was able to do that. I liked that the book was fast-paced and the short chapters really seemed to help keep things moving.
I would recommend this book to others. I think that thriller fans that appreciate unexpected twists and turns will enjoy this one. I would not hesitate to read more of John Marrs work!
About the AuthorJohn Marrs is the author of The One which is being made into a 10 part Netflix series, The Good Samaritan, Her Last Move, When You Disappeared, and Welcome to Wherever You Are. Until recently, he worked for twenty-five years as a freelance journalist based in London, England, where he interviewed celebrities from the world of television, film, and music for national newspapers and magazines. He has written for publications including the Guardian’s Guide and Guardian Online, Total Film, the Huffington Post, Empire, Q, GT, the Independent, S Magazine, and Company. He is now a full-time author.
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I've been seeing a lot of buzz about this one. It definitely sounds like an exciting read! Glad you enjoyed it, Carole. 🙂
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
It's always great to have unexpected twits!
Oh, wow. I have been on a HUGE Thriller kick lately, and this sounds right up my alley! I will be checking this out.
Great review.
This is definitely different. It reminds me of a movie but I can't remember the name now. It has the same premise. Would be interested in reading this one!
woo hoo this sounds perfect for me
sherry @ fundinmental
This sounds cool and I am always game for a good thriller.
Wow, what a creepy sounding book. The more technology we get the crazier the hackers are going to get, I believe that. So I could see something like this happening.
I don't think I'd ever want to be trapped in my car, at all but it sure sounds good read about though! Great review!
Oh my goodness this premise sounds so intriguing and quite a horrific situation to find yourself in! I am glad this one was so good for you and I want to read it now as well. Especially if everything was so surprising and twisty!
Olivia-S @ Olivia's Catastrophe
Sounds like an interesting read.
It sounds exciting but it is hard when you don't get to connect to the characters. While it may be mystery/thriller, it feels like horror too. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.
Anne – Books of My Heart
I've been wanting to try the author and already have this on my list. Sounds like such a ride!
I sure do not want a driverless car now
I have this one on my wish list. I just love the sound of it, and after reading your review, I want to read it even more.
Books about technology gone wrong are becoming popular. The book The Turn of the Key is supposed to be good, too! ?✨
Thanks for the giveaway. ?✨