Category Archives: John Marrs

Review: The Passengers by John Marrs

Title: The Passengers by John Marrs
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Futuristic, Technothriller, Science Fiction, Suspense
Length: 349 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

You’re riding in your self-driving car when suddenly the doors lock, the route changes and you have lost all control. Then, a mysterious voice tells you, “You are going to die.” 

Just as self-driving cars become the trusted, safer norm, eight people find themselves in this terrifying situation, including a faded TV star, a pregnant young woman, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife, and a suicidal man.

From cameras hidden in their cars, their panic is broadcast to millions of people around the world. But the public will show their true colors when they are asked, “Which of these people should we save?…And who should we kill first?”

Review:

The Passengers by John Marrs is a futuristic, science fiction technothriller that is absolutely mesmerizing.

Sometime in the near future, driverless cars are now mandated in Britain. The public has been reassured these cars are not only hacker proof but will save lives due to fewer accidents. Which is why Claire Arden,  Jude Harrison, Sofia Bradbury, Sam & Heidi Cole, Shabana Khartri and two random taxi passengers are terrified when their vehicles are hacked. Even more horrifying? The Hacker has reprogrammed their cars to take them to an unknown destination where, in two and a half hours, they are all going to die. Why have these particular people have been targeted? And is there any chance they will escape from this nightmare alive?

Meanwhile, five people are deciding who is at fault in driverless vehicle accidents.  Four members of the jury essentially rubberstamp all of the cases and place the blame on the victims.  But in this particular session, mental health nurse Libby Dixon is not a fan of the autonomous vehicles. She becomes a key figure in the unfolding drama when The Hacker puts the rest of his nefarious plan into motion.

With the fates of the Passengers seemingly in the hands of Libby and the jury, The Hacker adds another layer to his evil scheme. He brings in a social media maven who provides stats on how this deadly drama is playing out with people around the globe.  With the public weighing in on social media, Libby and the members of the jury are faced with the heartbreaking task of deciding which passengers will live and who will die.

The Passengers is a scintillating novel with an ingenious storyline and plenty of suspense. Each of the passengers are hiding juicy secrets that factor into whether they should live or die.  As the nail-biting two and a half hours hurtles to a nerve-wracking conclusion, which Passenger will be selected to survive? With stunning twists and clever turns, John Marrs brings this innovative thriller to an absolutely brilliant conclusion.  I eagerly devoured every riveting page of this positively chilling, tension-filled, and electrifying novel.  HIGHLY recommend!

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Filed under Berkley, Contemporary, Futuristic, John Marrs, Rated B+, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Technothriller, The Passengers

Review: The One by John Marrs

Title: The One by John Marrs
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Sci Fi Elements
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

How far would you go to find The One?

A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.

That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.

Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…

A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.

Review:

The One by John Marrs is an absolutely brilliant novel that combines elements of mystery, science fiction and romance. The premise that people can find their soul mates through DNA is quite fascinating but will this prove to be truth for the five people featured in this adroit tale?

Thirty-seven year old Mandy Griffiths’s sisters convince her to submit her DNA to Match Your DNA to find her soulmate after her now ex-husband divorces her after taking the test. Although her match, Richard Taylor, is younger than she is and they do not have many interests in common, their match is supposed to be infallible. Despite being old-fashioned enough to want Richard to make the first move, Mandy’s curiosity about her handsome match leads her to a shocking discovery.

Thirty-three year old Christopher’s Match Your DNA test pairs him up with Amy Brookbanks. While Amy is pretty much an open book, Christopher is quite secretive. Surprisingly, dating Amy is life-altering for Christopher, but what will Amy do when she uncovers the secret he has been keeping?

Jade Sewell lives in Britain but her match Kevin lives in Australia. They have gotten to know each extremely well through texts and phone calls, but Jade yearns for more. When challenged by her workmates to take a chance on love, she decides it is time to meet Kevin face to face. It is not until Jade arrives in Australia that doubts set in but she overcomes her fears and unexpectedly shows up at Kevin’s family farm where many surprises await.

Nick Wallsworth and his fiancée Sally are months away from marrying when Sally convinces him they need to take the test.  He reluctantly agrees although he is certain that the results will not change their future together if they are not DNA matched. However, Nick’s match is an absolutely stunner which could lead to life-altering changes for him and Sally.

Ellie Stanford is a workaholic who makes no time for romance or family. So when she receives a DNA Match, she is leery about meeting her match, Tim Hunt. After thoroughly vetting him, she decides to give him a chance. Although there are not immediate sparks, Ellie and Tim have enough in common that they continue dating. Their relationship is running along a predictable course when Ellie is blindsided by shocking information about Tim.

The chapters alternate between the various characters but it is quite easy to keep track of who is currently narrating. There are plenty of surprises as each person makes their decision about what to do about their perfect match.  Some of the chapters end on cliffhangers that keep the pages turning at a blistering pace to find out what is going to happen next. A few of the characters are more likable than others but it is impossible not to become invested on how their situation and/or relationship is ultimately going to play out.

The One is a clever novel that is absolutely spellbinding and quite innovative. The characters are fairly well developed and their choices and relationships are certainly interesting. While the beginning of the story is mostly light and optimistic, things begin to take a bit of a dark turn as the months go by. With plenty of unexpected twists and breathtaking turns, John Marrs brings this gripping novel to an exciting and somewhat unexpected conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this outstanding thriller.

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Filed under Contemporary, Hanover Square Press, John Marrs, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Sci Fi, The One