I think anyone would hate to be hired simply to check some box, but plenty of folks think that Kate Gallagher was hired by Jet East airlines because she was 1. Female; 2. youngest female pilot; 3. Single mom; and 4. It doesn’t hurt that she’s kinda hot.

Kate got hooked on flying as a teenager when, on a dare, she did a sky dive. After a few more jumps, she realized the thrill wasn’t in the going down but in the going up. Went through all the steps to become a pilot eventually qualifying as a commercial pilot.

Now she can sit in both chairs, first officer or as the captain. She’s piloting a full winter evening flight from DC to JFK. New York weather sux but still passable for landing. The first approach is shaky because of wind and the controls feel wonky. The next approach, the plane starts to have a mind of its own. Not only is it non-responsive, but it is performing random actions. As she fights for control on final approach, it becomes obvious that the next step is a nose-down collision with the ground. Only way she can see to avoid it is to simply shut the plane off and glide in as best she can. The resulting crash claims six lives, but her actions saved the rest of the passengers and crew.

NTSB arrives promptly. Barely ahead of the media. No clue why the plane started acting on its own. The media comes to their own conclusion: pilot error. And of course, the plane crashed because of a young, marginally experienced female pilot — a token hire — was at the controls.

Kate is now caught up in a media storm at the airport, her home, anywhere she tries to go. She knows it wasn’t her fault, but without clues from the plane’s data recorders, it’s hard to prove she wasn’t at fault.

Kate is no shrinking violet. She’s a hard charger. If the NTSB is slow in its investigation, she’ll have to speed things up. She starts with instructors at the Jet East training school to see what electronic/mechanical steps would be needed for a plane to act on its own. One of the possibilities may be found in the backup navigation systems called STAR so she approaches them. Turns out a freight jet in the Jet East system also went down a few months earlier. Pilot suicide was ruled the cause, so Kate also checks in with the widow.

Kate stays a step or two ahead of the NTSB (burdened by established protocols) and eventually learns how the planes have been hacked and the who and why is behind it. The conclusion of the investigation is absolutely ‘can’t put it down’ territory.

The author is an earlier Edgar nominee, and the author notes suggest that this book will be the start of a Kate Gallagher series. I can guarantee I’ll be there for the next installment. Kate Gallagher kicks open doors like none other. One reviewer called her, “Erin Brockovich meets Jack Ryan.’ The author is an Iranian-born, US commercial pilot so the techno aspects of the book as stunning. Write about what you know is the saying. He's done just that.

Looking for a riveting, machine-gun rapid fire plotting thriller? Look no further. This'll take your breath away. One of my rare 5 star books.

ECD

Yea yes yes loved this book. Full of action I was hooked from the start. Will def buy this authors work again.

Loved it! Every time I turned the page I wanted to know what was going to happen next I don’t but the book down

A High-Risk Journey: A Review of Kam Majd's Thrilling Novel, High Wire
Mystery thrillers have always been a favorite among literature enthusiasts because of their ability to keep us hooked until the very end. From the very first chapter, Kam Majd's High Wire does just that. With a gripping storyline and fast-paced action, this book is not one to be missed.

High Wire follows the story of Kate who has to put her life on the line to clear her name and save a plane full of passengers.

One of the things that makes High Wire such a page-turner is its fast-paced action and the edge-of-your-seat suspense that Kam Majd expertly creates throughout the book. The world he has created is diverse, with characters that are fleshed out and extremely relatable. This is an exciting story with a truly courageous female character Kate. She is the pilot, and there was already a new target, flight 262, and Kate needed more time to avert the disaster.

Another compelling element of the book is the intricate plot twists that leave readers gasping for breath. High Wire by Kam Majd is about Captain Kate Gallagher and Flight 394, and the plane is going down. The novel’s strong plot and well-developed characters all contribute to the suspicion and tension that you feel while reading.

Additionally, Majd's writing style is flawless, with vivid descriptions that build the world of the story so well. The imagery and language used in the book adds to its atmosphere and create a fully immersive experience for the reader. One unique aspect of the novel is the incorporation of technology as a means of uncovering the truth – something we can all relate to in this digital age.

Despite the many twists and turns, the ending of High Wire is satisfying and logical. The strands of the plot come together in unexpected ways, leaving the readers with a sense of reward for having joined the pilots journey. The themes tackled in this novel are relevant, relatable, and thought-provoking, making it an excellent read for those who enjoy a blend of action, mystery, and intrigue.

In conclusion, Kam Majd's High Wire is a must-read for fans of mystery thrillers. It's a well-crafted novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page. This book is not just another suspense thriller, it is a unique, layered, and captivating story with a spine-tingling plot that will haunt you long after you've finished reading. If you're looking for an exhilarating ride with a thought-provoking finish, then High Wire is a surging, high-risk journey that's well worth the risk.

Oddly enough, I enjoyed the first 2/3 of this book far more than the end. The hunt to clear Kate’s name was intriguing and twisty, keeping me guessing. However, once the fight to save the doomed airliner began, I found it too filled with airline lingo to be able to let myself be truly immersed in the action. And the pilots dying at the end? Oof. Overall a decent read, and one that resonated because of true events, but one that I felt, much like Kate’s plane, fell apart at the end of its journey.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, some heart pounding moments, A kind of who done it, and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!