I was very excited for Departure 37 as Lost Man’s Lane was one of my favorite books of 2024. Similar to Lost Man’s Lane, Carson is a superb author in evoking nostalgia for historical time and places and the Cold War setting of the 50s and 60s was as exceptionally contextualized as the late 1990s in his previous work. Beyond that, the character development(especially of Charlie, Marilyn, Martin, Lawrence, and Abe) was well done. But the book falters a bit in developing the secondary characters as all of the military officers (except for Layla) tend to blend together in a boring amalgamation where none of them stand out. I suppose this could have been intentional in trying to serve as an homage to the military advisors to JFK who wanted him to bomb first and ask questions later. However, because the military leadership was so stereotypically one-note, it sort of dulled the tension of the last third of the book as the set-up that the book created was incredibly inventive, it just didn’t quite come together as well as it could in creating a truly tense showdown. As such, the actual Cuban Missile Crisis certainly seemed a lot more tense than how the ending of this book ultimately played out, leaving me just slightly disappointed given how much I loved Carson’s earlier work.

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were fleshed out just enough to keep you interested. The use of flashbacks added to the story instead of distracting you. The idea was unique and Mr. Carson's writing kept your attention. I look forward to his next offering!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

While the book opens with a bang, with pilots getting middle of the nights calls from their mothers imploring them not to fly, this is quickly resolved, so fans of aviation thrillers (T.J Newman fans!) will be disappointed, this is not a T.J Newman-style high-stakes-on-a-plane page turner. It is a compelling genre-bending thriller with speculative plot elements told in dual timelines, present day and Cold War 1962.I will recommend to fans of technothriller authors like Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton who would appreciate the speculative and historical elements and a young female protagonist. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital review copy.

“Horror meets coming-of-age...?” Eh, well, not quite. I enjoy Scott Carson's writing and I'm always up for a good coming-of-age story, but this book is not at all horror. It's more of a bildungsroman meets sci-fi meets historical thriller combo, and with the exception of the creepy phone calls at the very beginning (which were immediately explained away), I'm at a loss to think of one thing in this novel that could be considered horror. That's not to say that it wasn't a good read because it mostly was, but it was not at all what I was expecting considering the blurb. There are small bits of the story that I suppose could maybe be called “scary” in more of a thriller novel sort of way, but trust me when I say that seasoned horror aficionados will not be fazed by anything that happens in this book.

But, anyway, the lack of horror aside, I did mostly enjoy this one. The 1962 timeline is especially riveting, set against the backdrop of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Martin Hazelton is an intriguing and complex character, and his top secret work for the US government is fascinating. The present-day timeline with our main character Charlie is interesting enough, although it's at its best when it kind of … I guess you could say, intersects with the 1962 story? There are definitely some unexpected twists and turns, and while some of it is farfetched, it's certainly never boring. The ending isn't perhaps overly plausible – it seems unlikely that the US government would choose to act in such a decent manner, honestly – but I guess I'm willing to suspend some disbelief there. There were also small bits and pieces that I didn't fully understand, mostly concerning the “six months” thing at the end (why six months?? I reread that part multiple times and I still don't get it) and why the government officials would do what they did without fully testing things out first (sorry for the vagueness, trying not to spoil things here!), but it's totally possible that those are simply “me being dense” issues.

Also, Scott Carson is just a good writer. I'm not even talking about the crafting of the story, exactly, but more that the sentences themselves are just super pleasant to read. Does that even make any sense? Probably not, but I remember thinking the same thing after I read Lost Man's Lane too. There's just something about his writing style that I really, really like. And if you haven't already read Lost Man's Lane, by the way, that one actually is a bildungsroman with some light horror-y bits and it's fantastic.

So, yeah. Departure 37 isn't a horror novel, but it's still an entertaining read overall. 3.8 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 5, 2025.

With just three short words, “ Do not fly”, Passenger 57 grabs your attention immediately within the first chapter. All flights are grounded and no one knows why except for some top secret government officials. Where you think the novel may be going, you are probably incorrect based on the blurb. There are several timelines unfolding, one in 2025, after the event mentioned above and another one in 1962 set mainly out of a military base in Indiana. The current timeline follows the fallout from the grounded planes which leads to a closed down Naval base off an isolated peninsula in Maine. If I had to choose I really enjoyed the 1962 timeline with Dr. Hazelton. I could almost have done without Charlie’s character in the present timeline. She just didn’t interest me as much as Hazelton.

Trying to tie all of this together in a nice pretty review is probably going to be next to impossible. I wasn’t expecting the direction of the plot, which in itself was quite satisfying however, getting through all of the weeds, and the science of it made my head hurt. I still don’t think I understand all of the different processes. But that’s OK because all in all the novel worked out, as I understood the general concept of what was going on. I think from a current events standpoint the novel comes at almost a perfect time to compare the past events of the novel with the current events of today. It definitely has you thinking for sure about ramifications and the choices that lead to them. All of the characters were very well developed. I think this book could even have stood to be a little bit longer to dig into them further. I also have a few questions in regard to the weather balloon, and the phone calls. I don’t know if they were tied up and I missed it or if it’s just something that didn’t need to be further explained. I especially like the nod to Lost Man’s Lane, it was a nice Easter egg.

This book will certainly make you think and if you’re expecting a typical espionage thriller, this is certainly not that but it’s definitely worth giving it a try. My only criticism was the amounts of science and meteorology that was explained left this reader highly confused. I can’t wait to see what other novels. Carson is able to come out with as this reader will be first in line.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Scott Carson’s Departure 37 was a wonderful read, blending history, mystery and just a little conspiracy! As always, his character development and storytelling are wonderful, making the book feel like a breeze to read. I also truly enjoyed the author’s afterword

This book wasn’t exactly what I expected based on the description, but it wasn’t bad! There were definitely parts that got a little too science-heavy for me—I found myself kind of zoning out during those sections—but the main storyline kept me interested enough to keep going. The author definitely did good research.

It’s told from two different points of view and switches between past and present, but it was easy to follow. The timelines are clearly labeled, and each one has different characters, so it never got confusing, which I appreciated.

Genre-wise… I’m not really sure what I’d call it? It didn’t feel like a traditional thriller to me. Maybe more of a historical thriller or a time travel kind of thing? Either way, it wasn’t what I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just not the kind of book I usually pick up.

That said, I really liked the main character, Charlie. She had a lot of spunk, especially toward the end of the book. Honestly, I liked most of the characters—even the ones you’re not supposed to like were written well enough that I still found them interesting.

There were a few parts where it felt like the author might’ve been using the story to share their opinion on certain conspiracy theories. I couldn’t tell if that was just the character speaking or if the author was trying to make a point, but it did pull me out of the story a bit.

Overall, not what I was expecting, but still an enjoyable read. I’d give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy!

I found this book to be both intriguing and thought-provoking. I felt immediately drawn into the mystery of the grounded flights and the eerie calls the pilots received—it set such a suspenseful tone right from the start. I enjoyed following the investigation and watching how the pieces of the puzzle began to unfold. I found Charlie’s perspective really compelling. I felt for her as she navigated her complicated feelings about her home and family, and I admired her resilience as she became entangled in such an extraordinary and dangerous situation. I also appreciated how the story wove in Martin Hazelton’s timeline and the Cold War era—it added depth and historical intrigue. That said, I did find myself getting lost in some of the technical details. I felt like certain parts of the book went a little too far into the weeds, which slowed the pacing for me at times. I would have preferred a bit more focus on the characters and their emotional journeys rather than the intricate mechanics of the technology and science.

Overall, I thought this book was a fascinating read with an engaging premise and memorable characters. I enjoyed the blend of mystery, history, and suspense, even if the technical aspects weren’t quite my cup of tea. It’s a story that kept me thinking long after I finished it.

Departure 37 is horror in a different plane of existence!

Scott Carson crafts a bold and adventurous coming of age story in Departure 37. Written in his signature style, this novel follows two timelines; one in the 1960’s and the other in 2025. Starting with a mystery opening line that hooked me immediately in the emotional impact and scope, this story is an action-filled romp like no other!

The 60s timeline is historical fiction excellence. We follow a brilliant experimenter as he explores the connections between unique mixtures of chemicals and aircrafts. This storyline had me deep in its grip. It has flavor, passion, intrigue, and enough historical connotation that it was like reading a Michael Crichton story. The scientific discoveries make enough sense that it advances the plot quickly and had me hungering for more!

The present timeline was an entirely different adventure. This was the pure coming of age story. It started slow and has all of the classic features of a Stephen King story. It’s bold in that way because the main character is bold in the face of adversity that she could either make the leap in her development or she won’t make it. As to how that plays out, I was devouring this story in a different way than the past storyline.

The way that Scott Carson weaves these storylines and characters together is masterful. This story although not the most horrific did hold my attention from start to finish and I’m so glad I to read this! Readers should grab a copy of this and prepare for an adventure like no other!

Perfect for fans of Stephen King’s 11/22/63 or Michael Crichton’s Timeline! Check this out!

Departure 37 is one of the best books you will read in 2025. It is one of the best books you will ever read. Scott Carson has gifted us an enthralling thriller which fans of shows like The Twilight Zone, The X Files, and Lost will absolutely love. Seriously, it's one of those books which blows you away because you can't believe just how good it is. It starts with a mystery which grounds present day air traffic in America and transports us back to the height of The Cold War. Carson populates this book with memorable characters from both periods of time. If you enjoy time travel tales, you won't find one better than this. Thank you to Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

really suspenseful and could not put down. this novel was very good. Anyone would love this plane thriller

A genre-defying read that’s equal parts eerie, inventive, and unforgettable. Charlie lives near Ash Point Naval Station, where a B-52 jet vanished under mysterious circumstances years ago. After she and locals Abe and Lawrence discover an old weather balloon, a wave of disruption hits: technology fails and the FAA halts all flights. The narrative also weaves in the past perspective of Dr. Marty Hazelton, a scientist active during the nuclear arms race, whose experiments hint at something far more complex. When the long-lost B-52 suddenly returns, Charlie and Lawrence board the plane, plunging into a mystery that bends the rules of time, science, and reason.

I just love the way Scott Carson tells a story! This one was strange and not at all like the previous book I read - Lost Man's Lane, which receives a nod at the end! - but the storytelling style was every bit as evocative and original and eerie. The beginning led me to expect a wildly different story than I got (I don't like to reread blurbs after requesting books, preferring to go in blind), but I didn't mind at all because of the facility with which the book eased me into the reality of its particular universe.

There is a lot going on here, and the mixture of science fiction and history and family drama and military conspiracy could easily have made it confusing and overblown - but it didn't. Carson has a knack for pulling seemingly disparate elements together into a whole that is so much more than the sum of its parts, and that knack is definitely on display here. The characters were compelling, the plot was action-packed and also thoughtful, and the history was fascinating.

This one was very cool and I already can't wait for his next title - fortunately, there are a couple back-catalog titles of his I haven't read yet, so I'll have to settle for those for now! (Then I may have to dig into his *other* writing to see what I think of that!)

A great book that I couldn't put down as I could not wait to see where the story went next. In terms of overall story and character development, it reminded me of classic Stephen King. Overall just a terrific book and one I highly recommend.

Another Scott Carson, another 5 stars. Also another mis classification as horror, even moreso than Lost Mans Lane. I’m not sure where that marketing is coming from as I’d describe this as slightly paranormal/ supernatural mixed with historical but definitely not horror. Regardless, loved it!

Interesting story but a little too much thrown in. A lot of scientific details take away from the crux and the pacing.

4 stars out of 5.

I thought this was a really interesting book and is unlike anything I have read recently. There is some sci-fi tied into the book that really was unexpected. I thought the pacing was perfect and I could not put the book down. The book switches from past then present tense which gives us all the background information for the story. I did find some of the beginning a little confusing on some details of the story but by the ending everything tied up nicely. Overall, a great thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.

In Departure 37, a bunch of pilots get messages and calls from their moms saying not to fly that day, when in fact, the moms did not make the calls. Everything is at a ground stop. Now, over to a remote Maine town, Charlie finds a weird grey balloon that appears to be a weather balloon but is not. It ends up tying to a classified experiment done in the 60s. The rest of the story gives us some details on said experiment and even a few surprises.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this. It was one of those books that I kept thinking about when I was doing something else. I couldn't wait to get back to it. The switching between time periods worked well, and I liked the characters. Recommended.

One of my favorite reads of 2024 was Those Who Wish Me Dead by the same author (Michael Koryta) so when I saw this pop up and the premise intrigued me I decided to go for it and I am SO glad I did.

This book starts off SO strong: pilots across the country are called by their mothers in the middle of the night and they are begged by them to not fly the next day or otherwise they will die and be responsible for the death of the souls they carry onboard. The kicker is none of these mothers remember making the call... and some of them are dead. If that premise alone doesn't grab you, I don't know what would!

This story is told in multiple POVs and different timelines. One timeline is modern-ish day where we follow Charlie who has recently moved to a remote area of Maine after her Mom has passed away tragically. It was a location that was close to her Mother's heart as it is where her grandfather passed away when his plane crashed in the 60s and they have made yearly treks to honor him. She follows a weird silver balloon in hopes of getting some footage of it for her channel thinking her audience will enjoy it.

The second timeline from the 60s is following a scientist Martin Hazelton who makes an amazing discovery that will come in handy if he can perfect it... the problem is that the government doesn't completely trust him due to his history.

I could not put this book down and sped through this SO quickly. The chapters are short and each POV is equally as compelling as the last.

Highly recommend this book to anyone that likes mystery/suspense and wants a thriller pacing without gore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Charlie is 16 and extremely inquisitive about all things science when she tracks a small weather
balloon from its descent into a local hilly area, recovering it from it's tangle on bramble and rocks.
And thus begins a story of epic sci fi proportions.
Characters are easily recognizable in their attributed centuries and fairly common.
The story was intriguing as time travel inevitably is, even to most non believers.
Too much of the back and forth between them and now for me.
Something gets lost between the pages..