Aviation and airline stories are on the top portion of my favorites list. This one had me captured just by the title. The "hard landing" referred to is an accident that happened some years back, a part of a series of events that led to conspiracies and murders. The setting is on the airport operations floor, ensuring that the passengers are served well and the flights depart on time. Not exactly what most people would associate to an aviation thriller, but the airport can be as exciting as an inflight setting. The story revolves on Alex's discoveries just a few weeks after she'd assumed the airport operations manager role.The blurb teased my senses, but the book didn't quite affect me the way I was expecting a highly-charged plot would. For a thriller, it took me some time to finish this. Even amidst a busy work schedule and stuff to deal with at home, a good thriller would last only two days max in my 'currently reading' list.I'm not saying I didn't like it, I just don't like it enough. So, just ok.
PROTAGONIST: Alex Shanahan, general managerSETTING: Logan Airport, BostonSERIES: #1 of 4RATING: 3.75WHY: Alex Shanahan has just been named the general manager of Majestic Airlines at Logan Airport in Boston. She replaced a woman who committed suicide. Alex soon finds that the organization is a complete disaster. Her boss always caves to the union, and many of the union members are involved in almost terrorist actions against the airlines, trying to protect their own. Alex suspects her predecessor may have been murdered and works with her assistant to uncover the truth. A riveting behind-the-scenes look at how an airline operates. The suspense was high and the characters interesting. I did find it hard to believe that things were so out of control and there were no consequences for those disrupting the airline. But I couldn't put the book down.
Published: 08/07/2014 (first published 2001)Author: Lynne HeitmanRecommended for: fans of thrillersEdition: KindleI found this book on the Kindle Store for free and so I thought I would give it a try. This book is well written and keeps the suspense building making you keep turning the pages.I thought it was a good read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a fast paced thriller with quite believable characters. I thought that the authors writing style was very good and the pace of the book kept and even flow throughout it. It is one that managed to capture my attention within the first page and it kept it right until the end. The ending was quite a surprise to me, it is a very good read for readers who enjoy thriller mysteries. This is the first book in the Alex Shanahan series.
—Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic)
When you are waiting in terminals for your next flight, have you ever wondered what all might be happening with all the airport workers? This book might at least give you something to think about and an idea for what to watch for when you are looking at all the activity out the windows.A new female operations manager arrives in Boston to take over for the previous female manager who hung herself. Between others who might be envious for her job and the union workers who feel contempt for her, she has a tough road to hoe. The plot kept me guessing as to what would happen and who was behind it all.
—Michael
