cover image HIGH WIRE

HIGH WIRE

Kam Majd, . . Dell, $5.99 (368pp) ISBN 978-0-440-23734-1

Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the airline industry, first-time author and pilot Majd crafts a compelling aviation thriller that unlocks the cockpit door to a world few authors have explored in depth. The novel opens in the midst of a crisis; with little help from her sexist first officer, commercial pilot Kate Gallagher must land an unresponsive aircraft. Unfortunately, not all of her passengers survive the landing and an investigation ensues. Despite evidence indicating that the crash was due to pilot error, Kate, a feisty single mother, does some probing of her own to support her theory that the plane malfunctioned. In the process, she bumps heads with Michael O'Rourke, a handsome Washington, D.C., special investigator, and uncovers evidence suggesting that the fatal accident may have been the result of sabotage. Majd writes with an assured hand, creating a strong female protagonist who will hold the reader's attention and sympathy throughout. The only elements that detract from this emotionally charged read are Majd's superficial character descriptions (he was "young and tall, with boyishly straight brown hair") and a weak subplot involving a romance between Kate and O'Rourke. Still, this absorbing first novel is a seductive introduction to Majd's series. (Feb. 5)