I read this book a few weeks ago, but since I had several reviews already scheduled for Net Galley ARCS, I’m just getting around to posting this one.
Falling is an action-packed best-seller and comes highly recommended.
My Review
Imagine being the pilot on a plane from Los Angeles bound for New York City and learning someone has kidnapped your family and blown up your home. Not only that, but your wife is also wearing an explosive vest, and the kidnapper has a hand-held detonator. There’s only one way to save them. Crash the jet with 143 passengers on board and don’t tell anyone what’s happening.
That’s the situation Captain Bill Hoffman found himself in. What will he do?
Falling is author T. J. Newman’s debut novel, and it came with a plethora of recommendations. The description promised an action-packed thriller, so I grabbed a copy when the book was on sale.
Honestly, I had trouble getting started with the story. The first couple of chapters seemed to drag for me, but when the pace picked up, I finished reading it in two evenings.
Some things I liked, others I didn’t. There were a lot of flashback scenes which delved into the character’s backgrounds and lives. However, many of them were boring, so I skimmed through several.
At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Bill. The beginning of the story seemed to indicate he was having marital problems. I even questioned if he might have had an affair with one of the flight attendants. Neither of these turned out to be the case. The author could have done a better job with character development. I found them to be rather flat.
As far as the plot, it had a good premise and was mostly realistic. One scene at Yankee Stadium near the end was a little far-fetched, but otherwise the story had a satisfactory conclusion.
If you’re old enough to remember the Airport movies from the 1970s, you’ll relate to Falling. Like those old films, a disaster happened in flight and it’s a race against time to land safely and save the lives of all onboard. All we’re missing is Karen Black flying the plane and George Kennedy in his role of Joe Patroni.
Three and a half stars rounded up to four for review purposes.
Joan Hall 
With a riveting plot, it’s a shame parts of the book fell flat. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Joan.
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This one got a lot of hype, but it didn’t impress me that much.
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I will skip this book, Joan, as I am already a nervous flyer. I enjoyed your review.
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Can’t say that I blame you, Robbie.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Joan. Let’s see, flat characters, slow start, and leafp of faith situations. Going to be a best seller.
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You’re absolutely right, John. Maybe I should try that approach.
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Yes indeed.
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Too bad it didn’t live up to hype. Flat characters make it hard to get into a book.
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I love character driven fiction, so flat characters do make it hard. A little more focus on them from the writer would have made it a great book.
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That’s a shame. It had great hype. I think I’ll stick with Airplane. “Surely.” (I think it might have needed Leslie Nielsen.)
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Leslie would definitely add to this one.
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I like the premise. Maybe it really did need George Kennedy.
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The premise was great. Just a few unbelievable moments and some of the characters were flat.
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Good review. It sounds like a story that would make a better movie than a book even if Airport has already been done.
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I believe there is talk of making it into a movie. (Or maybe fans want a movie.) For me, it was an okay read, but it didn’t live up to the hype it’s received.
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Sounds like a great premise that didn’t quite deliver. Great review, Joan. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 💕🙂
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Thanks, Harmony. As I told Priscilla, it didn’t live up to my expectations after reading all those five-star reviews.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Joan.
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You’re welcome, Jill.
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That’s quite a choice to have to make. Too bad it fell flat in a few places, Joan.
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The premise was a great idea. But yes, it did fall flat in places for me.
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