The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Published by Orion
Publication Date 9th July 2019
Suspense/Thriller
Book Description:
VICTIM.
SURVIVOR.
ABDUCTOR.
CRIMINAL.
YOU WILL BECOME EACH ONE.
ABDUCTOR.
CRIMINAL.
YOU WILL BECOME EACH ONE.
YOUR PHONE RINGS.
A STRANGER HAS KIDNAPPED YOUR CHILD.
TO FREE THEM YOU MUST ABDUCT SOMEONE ELSE'S CHILD.
YOUR CHILD WILL BE RELEASED WHEN YOUR VICTIM'S PARENTS KIDNAP ANOTHER CHILD.
IF ANY OF THESE THINGS DON'T HAPPEN:
YOUR CHILD WILL BE KILLED.
YOUR CHILD WILL BE KILLED.
YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE CHAIN
My thoughts:
This book has been promoted as "The unique and unforgettable thriller of the year".
It is certainly that. I haven't read anything like this before and as a parent it certainly makes you think: how would I react in Rachel O'Neill's shoes? She's on her way to an unscheduled return visit to her oncologist. Her routine test results have shown an anomaly and the consultant has called her in for further investigations. She's told nobody of this appointment. So when her phone rings with an unknown caller on her way to the appointment she cannot think who it might be calling. She certainly won't have been expecting the words which come down the line to her: "I'm so sorry Rachel, I've got some terrible news for you. I have kidnapped your daughter."
The remainder of the first part of the book follows Rachel as she decides whether to follow the voice's instructions. What choice does she have? It gets worse: if she doesn't do as she's instructed not only will her daughter Kylie be killed, but the consequences will continue up the chain to the people before her. And a new victim will be chosen to take Kylie's place. I cannot imagine what that must feel like. It's every parent's worst nightmare and I thought the author portrayed Rachel's inner thoughts and feelings so very well. Not only does she have to pay a ransom she can ill afford but she has to go against all her moral instincts and put another family in the same position she finds herself.
The second part of the book takes a different stance. It considers what might happen if you take on The Chain's founders. The fear of The Chain breaking down further along - you're never free from the worry that someone might go against the rules. The long term effects of not being able to seek help for the traumatic experience you've been through, both the victim of the kidnapping and the ransom payer are affected so deeply. Not only that, your child then sees you in a completely different light because you have put another child through the same horrors they have faced themselves. The research you are able to do into The Chain's founders is limited: they've already tapped into your phone and internet connections so you can't use them to try and find out what's going on. They have shown that they are watching you so you are restricted in the use of public computers, etc. How do you fight against what you know so little about? Some parts of the story seem at first to be far-fetched but if you actually put yourself into that position of the ultimate fear of retributions then it all looks very different. The author has clearly put a lot of thought into not only the technical practicalities of the scenario he has written but also the emotional wringer of a journey he takes you on is on another level.
This book scared me to the core - if my children were younger I would be totally paranoid after reading this and I don't think I would have let them out of my sight because at the end of the day it is all to easy a scenario to imagine.
Brilliant concept, perfectly executed. Well done Mr McKinty, sir.
This book has been promoted as "The unique and unforgettable thriller of the year".
It is certainly that. I haven't read anything like this before and as a parent it certainly makes you think: how would I react in Rachel O'Neill's shoes? She's on her way to an unscheduled return visit to her oncologist. Her routine test results have shown an anomaly and the consultant has called her in for further investigations. She's told nobody of this appointment. So when her phone rings with an unknown caller on her way to the appointment she cannot think who it might be calling. She certainly won't have been expecting the words which come down the line to her: "I'm so sorry Rachel, I've got some terrible news for you. I have kidnapped your daughter."
The remainder of the first part of the book follows Rachel as she decides whether to follow the voice's instructions. What choice does she have? It gets worse: if she doesn't do as she's instructed not only will her daughter Kylie be killed, but the consequences will continue up the chain to the people before her. And a new victim will be chosen to take Kylie's place. I cannot imagine what that must feel like. It's every parent's worst nightmare and I thought the author portrayed Rachel's inner thoughts and feelings so very well. Not only does she have to pay a ransom she can ill afford but she has to go against all her moral instincts and put another family in the same position she finds herself.
The second part of the book takes a different stance. It considers what might happen if you take on The Chain's founders. The fear of The Chain breaking down further along - you're never free from the worry that someone might go against the rules. The long term effects of not being able to seek help for the traumatic experience you've been through, both the victim of the kidnapping and the ransom payer are affected so deeply. Not only that, your child then sees you in a completely different light because you have put another child through the same horrors they have faced themselves. The research you are able to do into The Chain's founders is limited: they've already tapped into your phone and internet connections so you can't use them to try and find out what's going on. They have shown that they are watching you so you are restricted in the use of public computers, etc. How do you fight against what you know so little about? Some parts of the story seem at first to be far-fetched but if you actually put yourself into that position of the ultimate fear of retributions then it all looks very different. The author has clearly put a lot of thought into not only the technical practicalities of the scenario he has written but also the emotional wringer of a journey he takes you on is on another level.
This book scared me to the core - if my children were younger I would be totally paranoid after reading this and I don't think I would have let them out of my sight because at the end of the day it is all to easy a scenario to imagine.
Brilliant concept, perfectly executed. Well done Mr McKinty, sir.
About the Author:
Adrian McKinty is a crime novelist from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
His books have won the Edgar Award, the Anthony Award, the Ned Kelly Award and the Barry Award. Adrian is also a two time Dagger nominee and shortlistee for the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year.
He studied law at Warwick University and philosophy at Oxford University before emigrating to New York City in the mid 90s.
His books have won the Edgar Award, the Anthony Award, the Ned Kelly Award and the Barry Award. Adrian is also a two time Dagger nominee and shortlistee for the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year.
He studied law at Warwick University and philosophy at Oxford University before emigrating to New York City in the mid 90s.
Follow him on Twitter @adrianmckinty
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