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A review by chemistreadingonthejob
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Riveting, adrenaline fueled plot with second rate characters
The Chain is a kidnapping thriller by Adrian McKinty. Rachel Klein is on her way to an oncology appointment that she knows will mean her cancer is back when she recieves an unsettling phone call. Her daughter Kylie was kidnapped. Rachel must pay a ransom and continue the chain to get her back. The woman on the phone tells her, "You are not the first. And you will certainly not be the last." They must do whatever the unknown entity says to keep The Chain going even if it means murdering a child. Rachel enlists the help of her brother-in-law Pete, ex military and drug addict, to help her get Kylie back. The masterminds behind The Chain will learn the hard way that parents will do anything to save their children.
The Chain is action-packed from beginning to end and incredibly fast paced. The Chain of kidnappings literally starts on page 1. It has multiple point of views and jumps to the past a couple times. I especially loved the multiple POVs when it got to the person behind The Chain. The plot is unique and gripping, making it impossible to put down. The author does an amazing job creating a dark and thrilling atmosphere. Some passages increased my heart rate and gave me goosebumps. I found myself fascinated by the intricate network and well designed concept of The Chain. However, I didn't relate to any of the characters, even the protagonist. I felt like Rachel having cancer and Pete being a heroin addict was an unnecessary addition to the storyline. If anything, it was distracting and made it hard to connect. I wanted the pain and fear that comes with the possibility of losing a child to be deeply felt. It was missing the feminine force of a mother's love. In summary, I felt like The Chain has a 5 star storyline with 3 star characters. I still highly recommend The Chain for those that love a good and thrilling plot.
The Chain is a kidnapping thriller by Adrian McKinty. Rachel Klein is on her way to an oncology appointment that she knows will mean her cancer is back when she recieves an unsettling phone call. Her daughter Kylie was kidnapped. Rachel must pay a ransom and continue the chain to get her back. The woman on the phone tells her, "You are not the first. And you will certainly not be the last." They must do whatever the unknown entity says to keep The Chain going even if it means murdering a child. Rachel enlists the help of her brother-in-law Pete, ex military and drug addict, to help her get Kylie back. The masterminds behind The Chain will learn the hard way that parents will do anything to save their children.
The Chain is action-packed from beginning to end and incredibly fast paced. The Chain of kidnappings literally starts on page 1. It has multiple point of views and jumps to the past a couple times. I especially loved the multiple POVs when it got to the person behind The Chain. The plot is unique and gripping, making it impossible to put down. The author does an amazing job creating a dark and thrilling atmosphere. Some passages increased my heart rate and gave me goosebumps. I found myself fascinated by the intricate network and well designed concept of The Chain. However, I didn't relate to any of the characters, even the protagonist. I felt like Rachel having cancer and Pete being a heroin addict was an unnecessary addition to the storyline. If anything, it was distracting and made it hard to connect. I wanted the pain and fear that comes with the possibility of losing a child to be deeply felt. It was missing the feminine force of a mother's love. In summary, I felt like The Chain has a 5 star storyline with 3 star characters. I still highly recommend The Chain for those that love a good and thrilling plot.