The Passengers

Set in a near-future Britain where automated driverless cars have replaced traditional vehicles, this enjoyable, if flawed, techno-thriller from Marrs (The One) plunges eight people into a nightmare when each of their cars malfunctions: the doors suddenly lock, their route changes to an unknown destination, and a mysterious male voice—the Hacker—informs them that they’re likely to die soon. The Hacker simultaneously seizes control of social media outlets and broadcasts the passengers’ frantic reactions to a worldwide audience. When he later announces that viewers will get to vote on who will live or die, the event becomes a global blood sport. Despite an intriguing premise, much of the novel’s action occurs offstage. The hijacking’s climax follows familiar lines, and experienced genre readers won’t be surprised by the Hacker’s identity once it’s revealed. The book’s strength lies in its well-developed characters and in its exploration of issues such as the growing role of AI, mob psychology, and the ethics of who gets to decide who lives or dies. Though this isn’t the strongest of showings, Marrs remains a writer to watch. [em]Agent: Rae Shirvington, Ebury (U.K.). (Aug.) [/em]