Wednesday, July 17, 2019

The Chain by Adrian McKinty: Reading Room Review


The Chain is the first Adrian McKinty book I've read. It won't be the last. The word "unique" is often tossed out to describe a storyline or the way a story is told, but that word should be reserved for those rare occasions in which the story fills that word up to its full potential. The Chain is as worthy as a book gets to claim the word "unique." It gives readers something they've never had before. Wow! That's quite the accomplishment. And, so Adrian McKinty has created a brilliant story that you haven't read anywhere else, with characters who show us what doing the impossible looks like, and a writing style that builds the suspense to perfection. All the hype you've heard about The Chain is true. It is that special book.

Rachel Klein has already survived breast cancer once, and there are indications that she may not be through with that battle yet. She thinks it's the toughest fight she will ever face. It's not. After dropping her thirteen-year-old daughter Kylie off at the bus stop, Rachel is on her way to her oncologist, but she doesn't get there. She receives a phone call that will set her straight on what is worse than cancer. The person calling reveals that she has kidnapped Kylie, and to get her daughter back, Rachel must follow the rules of depositing $25,000 in bitcoin into an account and kidnap another child to suffer the same experience as Kylie. The woman calling has a son who was kidnapped. Everyone having their child returned depends on the next person following the "rules" and not involving the police. It's called The Chain and Rachel is now a link in it. If she fails to follow the rules, Kylie will be killed. If the person whose child Rachel will kidnap fails to follow the rules, Kylie will be killed. Rachel will follow the rules. There is nothing she wouldn't do to protect her child and have her returned. This premise is what keeps The Chain going, and it is what will keep Rachel doing the impossible until the impossible goes deeper than the imagination can fathom.

The Chain is going to be on so many "Best" lists for 2019 that it might be interesting to make a list of the lists. I know it's already on my "Favorite Reads of 2019" list. Adrian McKinty has written what all authors dream of writing, an unforgettable book. 

1 comment:

  1. This is such a new storyline! Can’t wait to read! Thanks, Kathy!!

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