Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman Narrator: Joe Morton
Published by Hachette Audio, Little Brown on August 13, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 8 hours, 13 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, which becomes ground zero for a catastrophic national crisis with global implications.
The International Nuclear Event Scale tracks nuclear disasters. It has seven levels. Level 7 is a Major Accident, with only two on record: Fukushima and Chernobyl. There has never been a Level 8. Until now.
In this heart-stopping thriller, ordinary people—power plant employees, firefighters, teachers, families, neighbors, and friends— are thrust into an extraordinary situation as they face the ultimate test of their lives. It will take the combined courage, ingenuity, and determination of a brave few to save not only their community and loved ones, but the fate of humanity at large.
This author never disappoints in providing fast-paced action with possible dire consequences. Worst Case Scenario delivers a frightening case with a plane and a nuclear plant.
The points of view we get are from ordinary people who give their all for others and the greater good. Our primary characters include Steve, the firefighter who recently lost his wife to cancer and is raising his son. Jocelyn, a single woman and scientist who heads the team for the area in handling nuclear disasters. Ethan, the director of the nuclear plant. Carla, another firefighter, desperate to save a little boy caught in a vehicle in the middle of a fire.
I really enjoyed the action, as well as the competent people who tried their best to save everyone. There is an emotional intensity to the horror of the facts, and when things don’t work as they should. The selflessness and courage were amazing to see.
I will say I wish there had been a bit more about the aftermath and how things were improved for the future. I’d like to learn a bit more about the situation of nuclear plants and storage of spent fuel rods. Also, there was a trucker who helped with a couple of different aspects of the shutdown and then saving the small boy who I thought should have got more credit.
Worst Case Scenario was exciting and thought-provoking. I recommend this author’s thrillers. I have loved them all.
Narration:
The narrator allowed me to stay in the story, which I always appreciate. The voices were comfortable and seemed appropriate to the characters. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About TJ Newman
T.J. Newman is a former bookseller and flight attendant whose first novel, Falling, became a publishing sensation and debuted at number two on the New York Times bestseller list. The book was named a best book of the year by USA Today, Esquire, and Amazon, among many others, and has been published in more than thirty countries. The book will soon be a major motion picture from Universal Pictures. T.J. lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Drowning is her second novel.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I’ve seen this book all over the place, so I’m glad you loved it! I love the plane crash/nuclear power plant set up, it sounds thrilling😁
Thanks Tammy. It is SO thrilling. Now I need to google where the nearest plant is to where I live. Although this scenario would contaminate half the country so it probably doesn’t matter.
It’s three for three! Every book is a winner. Great review, Anne💜
yes! Thanks Jonetta. These books are so exciting and very enjoyable to read.
I really liked her book, Drowning, so I’m excited to give this one a read.
I’ve really enjoyed them all so much! I hope you enjoy it too.
This is an author I have not tried. Despite wanting more, it sounds like an engaging thriller.
Her books are really engaging thrillers, intense and emotional. I really enjoy the fast paced action.
I listened to Drowning with my husband on a road trip and it was intense and so good! I hear they’re making it into a movie. I still have Falling to get to. Glad this was a hit, too!
Falling was also amazing. I really enjoy her books.
Oh this looks good! I don’t typically go for disaster books but I’ve enjoyed the couple I’ve read and this sounds intense!
yes Katherine, it’s intense and emotional and really easy to get caught up in reading it.
Creepy cover!!
It’s heart-stopping for its danger and thrilling action.
I used to read a lot of stories like this. I might have to check this one out. Great review!
Thanks Lisa. These are really exciting.