Customer Reviews

Hard Landing

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Move over Tom Clancy. Here is a book that grabs you from beginning to end.
Its tale and logic are in the class of pseudo reality that one expects from the likes of Clancy. Once started reading it was hard to put down. The storyline was engrossing, the logic unsullied, and the details precise. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a real thriller. Thanks Ms. Heitman. I can't wait for your next book.

Lynne Heitman's deep knowledge of airport operations shines through in this enthralling, gritty thriller set in Boston's Logan International Airport.

Alex Shanahan is appointed Logan's new General Manager of a major airline (a position Heitman herself once held) to replace the previous GM (Ellen Shepard) who committed suicide. Shanahan is immediately assaulted by a host of intractable problems, including a near riot precipitated by the union, an untrustworthy boss, messages to just bide her time and ride the next step up the promotion ladder - "you can't change anything here" - followed by anonymous threats as she attempts to bring order to chaos. Her unpopularity and isolation are further increased as she begins to think that her deputy, Dan Fallacaro, is right to insist that Ellen was murdered.

Heitman has done a beautiful job in crafting a thriller full of intrigue, corruption, and conspiracy that culminates in a surprising and satisfying ending. Part of the fascination of this novel is that it is set in the underbelly of flying (airport operations) that few of us ever see.

What a great read!! I was enthralled from the first chapter. The plot was complex, the characters were real and the outcome was unpredictable. It was refreshing to read about a female character who was strong without being militant and prickly about her gender. I've read a lot of suspense/mystery books and this one was captivating!!! I hope to see more work from this author soon.

Bill Scanlon is known as the "man who saved the airline business" after he bought Nor'easter and turned it into the profit making Majestic Airlines. Alex Shanahan, the new Operations Manager for majestic at Logan Airport used to hold a staff position. She knows Majestic has serious problems, but never expected the near riot she enters when she arrives at the hangar. Alex quickly realizes that the unions control Majestic, not management.

Alex believes she can turn things around, but so did her predecessor who eventually killed herself. Alex's second in command Dan Fallacaro insists that someone murdered Ellen, but disguised it as a suicide. When Alex and Dan begin digging into Ellen's death, they uncover more than either expected or can handle. Payoffs, corruption, and deep-rooted conspiracies mean two more nosy people must kill themselves.

Frequent fliers beware HARD LANDING because they may never step onto a jet ever again once they realize how easy things can go wrong. Although most passengers will not think of this at least until they read this exciting novel, their lives reside in the hands of the ground crew as much as their life depends on the pilot. Lynne Heitman is a newcomer, but shows she has a gift as a storyteller by keeping the reader actively involved throughout her action-paced tale that travels faster than the speed of the SST.

Harriet Klausner

Lyyne Heitman, a former airline employee is an exceptional author. Her storyline is great and keeps you wanting more. Her protagonist Alex Shanahan is likeable and very true to life. The inside knowledge of airports and other aspects of aviation made the book stand out much like the novels by John J. Nance. Heitman definatly gets 5 stars.

As a (non-airline) pilot, this book jumped off the shelf at me. I started reading with hope and was not disappointed. This book combines technical accuracy with a great mystery. The problems of working with the pressures involved in an airline ground operation are described as only someone who has been there can do. No punches are pulled about the envirnoment. As a native, the feel and issues of Logan come through clearly and the inspiration for many of the characters comes from true stories. I'm looking forward to this author's next book (soon please!)

This mystery is a real find with interesting and full characters. It's a joy to read the first work of an author this good. I will look forward to all her subsequent work.

Mysteries have always been a favorite read for me but none have drawn me in so quickly (the way Alex was drawn into her mystery) and kept me "in" the way "Hard Landing" does. The story and the characters keep rapidly moving, forging ahead and their story doesn't let you rest until you reach the end. I can't wait for the next chapter in Alex's life.

I purchased this book after reading her book Tarmac and wanted to understand her relationship to some of the characters and her previous employment situation as referred to in that book. I actually enjoyed this book a bit more than Tarmac! This is an easy read with enough action and mystery to make it suspenseful: I didn't want to put it down! I like the authors style of keeping you in the dark about some facts but not pulling answers "out of thin air". I think she is a good storyteller, obviously knowledgeable about the airlines and incorporates twists and turns using interesting characters and a strong independent main character.

Hard Landing was the first book I read by this author. I travel to Boston frequently and have always used Logan Airport, which is what led me to want to read this book. I was captivated right from the start. It was a great story with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I couldn't put it down.