Plane 79 in an unchecked descent
This isn't a typical day. It's the day of "Flight 74," the first nonstop trip from London to Sydney sans stops since 1989. Back then, only 20 individuals were on board, and it was a publicity stunt. Now, the plane is filled: 353 passengers, along with the airline crew, are enduring 20 hours in a Boeing 777. For individuals with anxiety issues in enclosed spaces or flying, this isn't their cup of tea. But Mina desperately wants to be part of this journey.
Mina is a flight attendant and has been throwing herself into her work recently. The rift in her marriage with husband Adam, a London cop, has escalated since their last child abruptly moved out. Suspecting an affair, Mina's adopted five-year-old daughter Sophia has been adversely affected by the situation. Mina understands this and, despite her love for Sophia, craves some distance – and Flight 74 happens to arrive at the right moment, albeit with a gnawing guilt.
"She shouldn't be here," a suspicious woman warns Mina just before boarding. Technical snags had occurred during the last test flight, but no one spoke up, as the entire crew had signed confidentiality agreements. Mina dismisses the concerns. It's time to make history.
A Slip of Paper That Transforms Reality
And history is being written: On board Flight 74 are celebrities, journalists, influencers, and ordinary people – such as a newborn couple and a grandmother attempting to reconnect with distant family ties. The media interest is enormous.
The takeoff proceeds without a hitch, and the first few hours fly by. Then, a passenger hands Mina a note – and the message changes everything: Sophia will perish if Flight 74 reaches Sydney safely. Mina's eyes widen with terror. Are there terrorists aboard? Who is the culprit? How many are there?
Mina must act swiftly – make a choice: her daughter's life against hundreds of lives on Flight 74. She doesn't just seal Sophia's fate but sets off a frantic chase in the limited space of the plane. British bestselling author Claire Mackintosh came up with this gripping plot, renowned for her crime series featuring Welsh-English detective duo Fiona Morgan and Leo Brady.
More Than a Tension-Filled Drama
"Free Fall," published by Droemer Knaur, is not just a disaster thriller. Mackintosh masterfully intertwines family drama with psychological thriller, social commentary with a love story, tense moments with moments of reflection. This works because Mackintosh strategically places twists to bring the main characters closer to the reader. Here's Mina, who had dreamt of becoming a pilot as a child but abandoned her training. There's Adam, who is concealing something that could cost him his job, marriage, and daughter. And there's the elusive leader of the hijackers. Has he thought his move through? What's his purpose?
The purpose of Mina and Adam is crystal clear: They are united by their absolute love for Sophia, but an unstated issue must be resolved for "Free Fall" to conclude with a happy ending – on a unique day when history is made.
Mina, startled, asks, "-What? Who threatened Sophia?" The warning about technical issues on the last test flight resurfaces in her mind.
Despite the growing tension, Mina questions, "-What if the note is a hoax? Should she believe every passenger's fear or trust in the airline's safety measures?"
