The Passengers: A near-future thriller with a killer twist

by John Marrs

'Provocative, terrifying and compulsive. Another savagely clever near future thriller' - Cara Hunter, bestselling author of Close to Home.

From author of THE ONE - now a major Netflix series - and soon to be published THE FAMILY EXPERIMENT!

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Eight self-drive cars set on a collision course. Who lives, who dies? You decide.

When someone hacks into the systems of eight self-driving cars, their passengers are set on a fatal collision course.

The passengers are: a TV star, a pregnant young woman, a disabled war hero, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife - and parents of two - who are travelling in separate vehicles and a suicidal man. Now the public have to judge who should survive but are the passengers all that they first seem?

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'A 1970s disaster movie by way of Black Mirror, with a dash of Michael Crichton ... a sleek, exhilarating ride' - Financial Times

'With some real jaw dropping moments, it was an edge of your seat read that even surpassed The One' - Claire Allan, bestselling author Her Name Was Rose

'Full of twists, vividly drawn characters you'll love or love to loathe, and pacy action...it's a hell of a ride' - SFX

'Marrs is brilliant at twists and for the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides, this book really delivers the goods' - Peter James, UK No. 1 bestselling author

• ISBN10: 1785038885
• ISBN13: 9781785038884
• Publish Date: 30 May 2019 (first published 1 April 2019)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Cornerstone
• Imprint: Del Rey
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight .

This is one delightfully messed up book that kept me guessing throughout! And look- you will question your humanity as you fly through the pages, because okay, the entire premise is horrifying, and I promise, it fully delivers. 

Here's the thing: you need to go into this as blind as possible. There are twists upon twists, and just when you think you know where things are going.. you're wrong because more twists. It's awesome like that. But again, this is why you need to know as little as possible! I was honestly amazed how the author was able to make such a huge cast of characters worth caring about. Yes, there is one main character, but we learn a lot about side characters, and they're equally important. 

And then there's my favorite part: The Passengers is one of the most thought-provoking, terrifyingly plausible books I have ever read. There's commentary on social media, on mob mentality, racism, classism, sexism, and just about every other unhealthy function of society. And the moral gray areas are so prevalent they'll make you question everything you thought you knew- about society and your own choices. Because make no mistake, this book will ask you to make your own decisions along the way; you simply can't help but do so. And as you read this thrilling, unputdownable novel, you'll find yourself in the main character's shoes more than once.  

Bottom Line: It's a must-read for anyone who can handle the gritty content. The excitement and surprises are on full blast, but it also is a stunning analysis on both these characters, and humanity as a whole. 

[zooloo1983]

……That is the silence I have on the back of finishing this book. If this had been a film when the credits rolled the cinema would be silent. I mean just wow, this book has taken my breath away, I have already been telling so many people about it and that was before I had even finished it.

The premise of this book is f-ing terrifying set in the not so distant future, driverless cars. All sound amazing in theory but then like anything to do with technology the fear of being hacked and the lack of control we would have…..well yeah you guessed it!

The Passengers had such a Big Brother vibe and not just they are watching us vibe. I am talking about the reality show when the “passengers” are hijacked in their day to day life, people were taking to Twitter with their little hashtags voting who should die! I mean seriously, wow! I spent most of the book with my jaw dropped and the rest outraged. The secrets we were learning about the passengers, the social media frenzy, the lack of humanity in people. It is terrifying, and as I said just a little bit toooooo real.

I loved getting to know the characters and you had the character you routed for. Even with only half the information at first. I will admit I probably backed the wrong horse like everyone is meant but I also had a feeling something was a little bit off with one of the characters. Something was too simple, and yay me I was right.

This book has taken my breath away, this is my first read with Mr Marrs and what an introduction, I mean HOLY BLOODY MOLY! I was flying through these pages, reading so quickly due to the writing. I was hooked, I was angry and I was outraged and not going to lie I cried! I actually sat there thinking my god, what would it be like if this was all real and we were sitting there watching this unfold live on TV! It was just mental, but let us be honest the world is changing and I would not be surprised if the world of ‘The Running Man’ comes true soon, then ‘The Passengers’ will definitely be true!!

As much as I have just moaned about everyone on Social media voting etc that final twist well it was perfect and well played out, did leave a devilish smile on face – oops!

So as this is the second book review of the day, I have to say this is the second book that is going straight into my top books for the year for sure. The Passengers has touched a nerve, there was just much discussion about how much technology is part of our lives, through our phones, watches and in the books things like rings! Too much reliant on it and at any point, it can be hacked and your life as you know is done.

I absolutely loved this book and I found it so fascinating and harrowing and exciting all at the same time! My first foray with Mr Marrs is not going to be my last dance. I am completely hooked on his mastery with the written word and will be looking at his other books now!