Maybe don't read this just before a flight, fast, heart pounding, twisting thriller. Sharp writing that weaves you between emotions, Hold on to the edge of your seat with this one.

The Drowning | TJ Newman

This is a movie destined for the big screen, T J Newman’s ability to create tension, build characters and take you on the journey is “first class”

In contrast to her earlier novel Falling where the premise is to keep a plane in the air, Drowning starts six minutes into the journey for Flight 1421 when it crashes into the ocean. The passengers find themselves in the vast ocean, flames shooting out of the engine, inflatable lifeboats and no communications…….. but for those left on the plane the situation is worse, they are forced to close the doors and the plane begins to sink, will they be rescued or will they die? With limited air, they have limited time!

A very strong follow up to her debut book, which was a favourite of mine a couple of years ago and I will certainly be on the look out for her next.

If you love and adrenaline filled thriller that also tugs on the heart strings, this is the book for you.

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This book had my heart going. The only thing I didnt enjoy was the technical language. I cant wait to see this as a movie.

TJ Newman’s debut novel Falling was not just a very well-executed action thriller. It was a fantastic novel, period — earning a spot in my Best Reads of 2021 list. So, it was with some trepidation that I cracked the spine on Drowning. Could she overcome the second novel hoodoo?

Short answer is, she has. Will and Chris Kent, and their daughter Shannon, are a fabulously drawn feisty lead-character set and this novel’s plotting gripping. Only on reflection did I realise how many reflective sequences there were, so seamless was their execution. And somehow Newman maintains consistently strong emotional propulsion between the many intensity peaks and deeply shocking moments.

Compared to the standout narrative of its predecessor though, this novel does have its weaknesses. A couple of secondary characters felt a little thin and for me, some of the one-liners just did not drop quite as well as likely intended.

“Strong women know loving someone is easy. Respecting them is a choice.”

But I think what every reader will agree on, is that tissues are a must for this read.

“The life of a child is about firsts. The life of a parent is about lasts.”

Drowning is not a story for the faint-hearted — Newman’s depiction of traumatic events unflinching. This novel is one you find yourself holding your breath while reading and its emotional impact lingers long after the final page.

I’ll gladly sign up for whatever TJ Newman pens next.

Hearing your plane will crash 6 minutes after it took off is bad enough but then to be in the middle of the ocean with a fire raging around you due to fuel and your only option being to stay in the plane that will both sink and run out of oxygen in 6 hours adds total disaster to the mix. This was a good read

REVIEW: Drowning by @tj_author

I read Falling and LOVED it, so was so excited to read the next book by this author. I loved this book even more!

Six minutes after take off, a plane crashes into the ocean. Evacuation attempts are made, but an engine explodes, causing problems for those in the water - and those still in the plane. The plane starts to take on water, and sinks - with twelve people still on board. Managing to waterproof the plane, the people onboard are still alive - but with limited oxygen, rescue attempts need to be fast.

Wow. This book read like a movie - I could picture all of the events occurring, and was completely invested. The range of characters was diverse and I loved reading about their development and how they dealt with the situation.

This is definitely a must read!

Thanks to @simonschusterau and @netgalley for the review copy.

If I thought Falling was heart pounding, Drowning raised the bar by a notch! Drowning is an intense, action packed read with an emotional pull that surprised me - we get the point of view from both the passengers and rescue crew. Stranded on board are a father and his daughter, an adorable elderly couple, flight crew and an array of other colourful characters. This one will tug at your heart while keeping your eyes wide open in astonishment. The narrative flows with a clever barrage of edge of your seat scenarios - It’s seriously better than a movie!

I read that this book (unsurprisingly) sparked a bidding war for screen adaptation - sign me up, I’ll be there with popcorn! You know a book has made it when it’s given its own special genre - the Disaster procedural.

Read this one on your favourite chair, with your feet firmly on the ground 😉

*review posted to instagram and Goodreads*

4.5★s
Drowning is the second novel by American author, T J Newman. Two minutes out from take-off on their flight from Honolulu to San Francisco, Will Kent and his eleven-year-old daughter Shannon watch as the engine of their A321 Airbus erupts into flame. Flight Attendant Molly Hernandez has seen it too, as have many others. Shannon wonders why they’re not turning back to the airfield.

First Officer on Flight 1421, Kit Callahan reports to air traffic control: not only have they lost thrust in engine one, but also all hydraulic fluid in all three systems. ATC clear the runways for their return, but Kit replies “Unable. We cannot turn around. We cannot climb. We have no hydraulic power. We have no control of this aircraft. Don’t give us alternates. Get a rescue team ready to get us in the water.”

Six minutes and thirty- seven seconds after take-off, with ninety-nine souls on board, Flight 1421 crashes into the sea. The Coast Guard puts out an appeal for help: “Commercial fishermen. Private sailboats. Tourist catamarans. Dive boats. Fishing charters. They put their work, vacations, and honeymoons on hold”, but the scene they encounter is horrific: aviation fuel alight on the surface of the water, and many of those who exited the plane via the chutes unable to escape the flames.

As an engineer, Will could see that there was only one safe place: inside the sealed aircraft, and he convinced Kit to seal the doors. Now they were twelve, a mixed bunch: two children, an elderly couple, a honeymooner abruptly widowed, a nurse, a bartender, a salesman, and three aircrew. Not all agreed with this strategy, and they were vocal about it. But when the plane began to sink, things got even more challenging…

Most thrillers require a degree of suspension of disbelief, but Newman, no doubt through her intimate knowledge of the subject, in addition to some thorough research on aspects with which she was less familiar, makes her story so easily believable, readers may hesitate before boarding another plane.

With vignettes supplying the backstory of the passengers, crew and some of the rescuers, Newman’s second novel has a bit of a Poseidon Adventure feel to it, and the lateral thinking required to save people trapped in a plane under water is enthralling. As with Falling, this one grabs you on page one and doesn’t let go. Unputdownable!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

I’ve had a reoccurring nightmare for as long as I can remember. I’m a passenger on a plane and the plane crashes. We don’t go careening into a hillside, or fatally plummet to the ground, nor do we explode mid-air into a hundred million little pieces. There are thousands of things that could go wrong in an aviation disaster, and I’ve never dreamt of a single one of them.
No. In my reoccurring nightmare we ditch.
We float.
We slowly take on water.
And then I wake up.
It’s the same every, single, time.

Perhaps this was the beginning of my morbid fascination with plane crashes…

Hey, wanna know when my birthday is?
January 15th. Yep, the same date that Sully famously and successfully landed his plane in the Hudson.
Creepy, right???

I loved T.J. Newman’s debut novel Falling, coupled with the plane in water element of my nightmare, Drowning was right up my alley.

Newman’s follow up novel is a doozy. The stakes are undoubtedly higher, the tension is off the chart, but the human element is just as strong as her first book. And when I had time to sit and read, I absolutely blasted through the story like I was one of the divers and my oxygen tank was running low. Tears were brought to my eyes by certain actions, dialogue, and storylines of some of the characters. But nothing made me feel more than the massive coordination, dedication and determination of those above the water trying to get the passengers out. It’s The Martian’s “Get Him Home” level kind of stuff, and it gets you right in the feels. The technical information coupled with humanity reminds me of Andy Weir’s novels.
I found myself thinking about how I would react if my nightmare ever came true. About what I would do if I were one of the passengers trapped in a plane at the bottom of the ocean.
I’d probably freak out, and then get busy surviving.

If you like plane disasters, faced paced action, and suspense in spades, read this book.

I had a wish granted for an arc of Drowning by the publisher - thanks heaps to T.J. Newman, Simon & Schuster (Australia) and NetGalley for this awesome opportunity. My opinions are my own.

'Time is luck. You grab it. You hold on tight.'

'Drowning' explodes into action from the very first page. Your heart plunges as the aircraft 'ditches' into the tropical sea, six minutes after taking off from Honolulu. You feel strangled with claustrophobia as the chapters continue to mark the dwindling oxygen supply while the passengers' time underwater continues to climb. Every lucky break seems to be matched with new, impending doom. And the short paragraphs, keep up an astonishingly intense pace. The amount of technical engineering detail, together with coastal rescue protocol and diving practices, really round off the credibility of this thrilling novel. However, the book isn't solely focused on the disastrous events, as the unlucky cast of characters faces their mortality, lessons in love and the importance of family are realised, 'Shifting the balance, every day, to make room for joy and grace in whatever circumstances you've got before your time runs out'.

This is my first thriller from T J Newman but it certainly won't be my last. Despite being so absorbed in the book, I needed to pause throughout; so much is packed into only 300-something pages. Going into this book, I was skeptical as to whether it could live up to all its hype. It does. I highly recommend it to thrill-seeking, action-loving readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster AU for the opportunity to read and review this book.

It's not very often a book keeps me up past midnight but there was no way I was sleeping until I'd finished it.
Flipping heck what a rush.
My senses were on overdrive my hand on my forehead as a way of calming myself and the pace and suspense hit overdrive.
I could hold back the tears at one point sobbing as I read. I definitely don't make for a pretty site this morning I can tell you!

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for so kindly gifting me this book to read and review.

Firstly I must say I couldn't resist this book as I loved her first book 'Falling'. And this, her second book is just as good. It is raw, emotional, gripping and a book you must read in one sitting so you don't miss anything.

A plan crash, landing in water, an evacuation that is thwarted, a plane that will either float or sink with all the passengers inside. What will happen? Well that is what this book is all about and the tension and emotions run hot and puts you on the edge of your seat.

This book is so well written, the characters are people you could know, the information is well researched and you believe everything that is happening. That is what a good book is all about. Emotional, suspenseful, intense, engrossing, action packed and so gripping you will have white knuckles by the time you finish reading it.

Loved it.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Flight 1421 leaves Honolulu bound for the mainland, but within minutes of takeoff the plane becomes unresponsive and crashes into the ocean. As the last of the passengers prepare to exit down the slides, a wall of flame forces them to close the doors to survive - and soon the 12 surviving passengers and crew find themself freefalling into the abyss.

What follows is a breathless, action packed tale of rescue and disaster, interwoven with the personal tragedy of the main characters: Will, Shannon and Chris.

Will, an engineer, was accompanying his 11 year old daughter Shannon to the mainland states. Instead they find themselves at the bottom of the ocean, perched precariously in a rapidly decreasing air pocket. His estranged wife, Chris, is an underwater welder, and is frantically working with Navy crews to find a plan to get her family home again.

This is a fast-paced, gripping read that you can smash through in a night, if you're prepared to stay up until the small hours. It's vividly written - I felt like I was watching the story unfold rather than reading the words on the page - with enough detail to be real without overloading on the jargon. The characters - both the main ones and all of the supporting ones - are "real", well crafted, multidimensional characters who you find yourself caring about (even the asshole one).

And oh my - it was a rollercoaster from opening page to the final line.

This was an excellent read.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review~

Wow. This is a book you won't be able to put down once you start reading!! This intense suspense/Thriller is a must read for all. I enjoyed learning new technical words and the ending was fantastic. It honestly felt like I was right there with the characters going through what they were going through.

Thankyou to Netgalley and T.J. New.am for my advanced copy of Drowning.

I am off to read Falling by the same author now.

OMG just when you think nothing can top the author's previous novel, along comes one that is even more suspenseful and captivating. That is the story with Drowning!

Imagine you have just taken off on a flight and within minutes the plane crashes into the ocean. This is what happens. The flight attendants know all the procedures but have thankfully never had to implement them until now. Just when it looks like the majority of passengers will be able to be saved through life rafts etc. one engine blows up and the surrounding water is on fire with dire consequences to those outside the plane. This also causes what is left of the plane to sink with a handful of passengers still inside.

This was such a great read! Just when you think things are turning for the better, T J Newman throws in another desperate situation time after time. I could literally see the plot in my head while I was reading this book, I hope to goodness that the rights to this one have also been acquired as they have with Falling, it would make a fantastic movie!

If you enjoy page turning, edge of your seat reads then this is the one for you, don't walk, run to your nearest bookseller or library and read it, you won't be sorry!

Many thanks go to Simon & Schuster and Net Galley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very intense tale of a disastrous air crash and the nail biting attempts to rescue any survivors. Flight 1421 from Honolulu to San Francisco with 99 passengers and 6 crew on board six minutes after take-off. With the plane floating on the ocean, most of the passengers manage to escape. But as the plane takes on water, it sinks, dropping onto a rocky platform fifty five meters below with twelve people left on board, surviving in a large pocket of air estimated to only last a few hours. With the clock ticking will the rescue services be able to hatch a plan to get them out in time.

The plot switches between the frantic efforts of those above to rescue the passengers and the efforts of the passengers still trapped inside to survive. There are both heartbreaking tales of loss as well as selfless acts of courage and resilience. We'll get to know each of the nine passengers and three crew still alive in the plane with all their strengths and weaknesses. At the centre of the novel is a fractured family grieving for a child they lost. Engineer Will Kent is escorting his 11 year old daughter Shannon to summer camp, while his estranged wife, Chris, whose maritime diving company repairs ships, is working with the coast guard and navy on a desperate rescue plan.

A totally gripping, heart-pounding, action-packed suspense which is going to make a stunning movie. Be prepared for a bumpy ride and don’t forget to breathe!

Drowning throws readers right into the action from the very first sentence and holds thesuspense and tension through to the last page. The story is gripping and emotionally intense, author T.J. Newman ramping up the danger for Will Kent and his fellow trapped passengers and crew as the story progresses. This book is a real page-turner that I could not put down. My thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review it.

Drowning is a “call in sick to work so you can keep reading” kind of book, so unless you have an exceptionally understanding boss, it would be prudent to think carefully about when you start reading it.

I gulped this in a sitting, finding it one of those rare books that truly is unputdownable. Newman’s debut Falling had a similar impact (a link to my review of that novel is below), so I wasn’t completely surprised. I was, however, engrossed.

Will and Chris’ marriage has been in trouble for some time. One of the stress points is their daughter Shannon. Will is extremely over protective of her. Chris thinks that they need to recognize that she’s growing up and needs some independence.

That’s one of the reasons Will is on a plane with Shannon. He’s escorting her to a holiday camp, although both Chris and Shannon think she could have safely flown as an independent minor. However, soon all have good reason to be grateful Will is there. The plane crashes, and then sinks. The passengers still inside are alive, but they have a limited time before their air runs out.

And it may be that Chris is the best person to save those passengers, including her estranged husband and their daughter.

This is an absolute powerhouse of a read. I’d call it a roller coaster, except it’s more akin to starting at the top of a very high mountain and then going straight down at speed, screaming all the way. Newman writes in a visually vivid style that has the action playing out on the cinema screen in your head. Indeed, I’m betting this will be a movie before too long. A very simple concept is made mesmerizing with strong characters, a wealth of convincing technical detail, and a very tight deadline.

As with “Falling”, the core idea here is plausible if somewhat far fetched. Newman has been careful to include enough specific technical detail that by the time the passengers are far underwater with limited air, not a single “as if” thought has crossed your mind. You’ll believe it.

This is true too of the things the passengers do to try to help themselves, and the things potential rescuers try. It’s a challenging thing to keep a story moving while still including a fair bit of technical stuff, and Newman manages this very well. There’s not a boring or slow moment.

However, a novel like this really only works if you’re invested in the characters. If you don’t care if everyone drowns, the author has failed. Here again, Newman shows real strengths. Not every character is necessarily appealing, but they’re all strong and vivid. Most importantly, you’ll quickly be emotionally involved with the central trio.

Will is imperfect, but you feel his love for his family and his genuine efforts to keep them safe. Most readers will understand his over-protectiveness, and a lot of parents will see some of themselves in him. Interestingly, although he’s estranged from his wife there’s no bitterness there. They understand each other, even as they struggle to live together, and both prioritise their daughter. I particularly enjoyed this depiction of a relationship where people have real and genuine problems with each other, but don’t have to snipe at every opportunity.

Chris is also a deeply empathetic character. A highly competent person who couldn’t prevent a tragedy earlier in her life, she’s now faced with the chance to avert another tragedy. The stakes are incredibly high for her personally.

Newman also draws every person working to save the passengers into this. As they become invested in the rescue attempt, so does the reader.

This is a novel that whacks you over the head and takes you hostage. No matter how I try to describe objectively what makes this novel great, the over-riding thing is: you’ll care, you’ll be desperate to know what happens, and you’ll resent anyone who tries to interrupt your reading. The plot is simple but the emotions are complex.

I probably don’t have to say this, but I highly recommend this. It’s early, but I’m calling it as one of the best novels of the year.

You may be interested in my review of “Falling” by TJ Newman:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog/2021/06/04/falling/

Flight 1421 out of Hawaii was only six minutes into the flight when one of the engines caught alight and they lost all ability to direct the aircraft anywhere. The vast ocean below them was where they would have to ditch - but rescue would be on its way immediately and the plane would float - wouldn't it?

Will and his eleven year old daughter Shannon were on the flight, along with around two hundred others. As most of the passengers escaped down the rescue ramp, Will could see what was happening and the suddenness of sealing the plane and its nosedive to the ocean floor terrified the twelve people left on board. Resting on the edge of a cliff, two hundred feet below the surface, around four hours of air left in the small area they were clustered in, the expert minds of coast guard, navy, and everyone who knew even the smallest amount, were above, working out how to save these people. Will's wife and Shannon's mother, Chris Kent, had a plan but would the experts allow her to follow through? The danger was intense, the fear visible on everyone's faces. Could Chris and her team rescue the survivors of the plane crash, including her daughter and husband?

I have never read a book which absolutely captivated me, involved me completely from the very first page, and Drowning has done it. Author T.J. Newman took hold of me and didn't let me go until the last page. A heartstopping, enthralling and adrenalin-filled psychological thriller, Drowning is highly recommended. And now I must look for the author's debut, Falling...

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!! PHENOMENAL!! BLOWN AWAY!!
Though I wasn't surprised as I absolutely LOVED Falling by the same author.

Drowning is an incredibly intense, fast paced suspense thriller that grabs the reader from the very first line (as Falling did). This rollercoaster of a book had my heart in my throat the whole way through. So so good! There is also an emotional element to this story, which I liked very much.

T. J. Newman, you are my new favourite author. Bring on the next one!!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC of Drowning to read and review.