After a mysterious airplane accident involving several injuries and even death occurs, Casey Singleton, divorced mother and rising star in the Norton Aircraft company, must head up the investigation of why this happened. In a field that is as complicated as the airframe industry, it can be a nightmare trying to deal with a press that just wants the "video at 11," and Casey is also given the unwelcome task of liaison with the media.

The story is typical Crichton: some technical details, but a relentlessly-paced story with lots of dialog and little character development. The mystery of what happened on Flight 545 and the troubles Casey has with the union over a possible China deal keep you on the edge of your seat. Personally, I would have liked getting to know the characters a little more, which is the main reason I didn't love it. Still, a solid thriller with a pacing that keeps you turning pages late at night. ( )

Just okay. Does not go into the technical detail like Andromeda Strain. No crazy alien artifacts or fantastic scientific ideas. Airplane has turbulence, main character investigates, media exploits, big conspiracy revealed. Could really benefit from a surprise dinosaur attack at the end. ( )

I was a bit on an idiot an read this on an airplane ride and was scared to fly for several months. (Normally, I can read horror books without them affecting me.) The description of the plane after the accident is still a vivid image in my mind. ( )

This was published in 1996, and boy, does it show. I was a bit bored by this story, especially since I figured out what happened AGES before the main character did, and waiting for her and others to figure it out was agonizing. There were also a few storylines that didn't quite make sense, and never were tied in - made me wonder what the point (aside from adding a few tense "Oh, is she gonna die" moments) was in including those scenes. ( )

Good book but not as good as Timeframe. ( )