High Wire [Mass Market Paperback]

Kam Majd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2002

A WOMAN STANDS ACCUSED

BUT THE COST TO PROVE HER INNOCENCE…

MAY JUST BE HER LIFE


Captain Kate Gallagher has a plane to land and a daughter to get home to. But first, she’s got to contend with a confrontational co-pilot, blizzard conditions, and something far more treacherous–a plane contaminated with a lethal virus. When the controls refuse to respond to her commands, she’s got two choices: Turn the plane around or trust her instinct.

One day later, the world’s press is picking through the mangled remains of Flight 394 and crying pilot error. To clear her name and find out what really happened, Kate must uncover a shocking conspiracy that has already zeroed in on a new target: another plane, another deadly disaster.

With only seconds to save the 262 passengers on board, Kate Gallagher will fight her way back into the pilot’s seat and up into the air–in a life-and-death race against time, a madman, and a computer code that is wired, running, and ready to kill again....And the price for saving all those lives may be only one...hers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the airline industry, first-time author and pilot Majd crafts a compelling aviation thriller that unlocks the cockpit door to a world few authors have explored in depth. The novel opens in the midst of a crisis; with little help from her sexist first officer, commercial pilot Kate Gallagher must land an unresponsive aircraft. Unfortunately, not all of her passengers survive the landing and an investigation ensues. Despite evidence indicating that the crash was due to pilot error, Kate, a feisty single mother, does some probing of her own to support her theory that the plane malfunctioned. In the process, she bumps heads with Michael O'Rourke, a handsome Washington, D.C., special investigator, and uncovers evidence suggesting that the fatal accident may have been the result of sabotage. Majd writes with an assured hand, creating a strong female protagonist who will hold the reader's attention and sympathy throughout. The only elements that detract from this emotionally charged read are Majd's superficial character descriptions (he was "young and tall, with boyishly straight brown hair") and a weak subplot involving a romance between Kate and O'Rourke. Still, this absorbing first novel is a seductive introduction to Majd's series.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-A book to recommend for its high adventure and for its vibrant depiction of heroism and altruism. Professional familiarity with fly-by-wire technologies, joined with a finely tuned sense of dramatic pacing, contributes to Majd's creation of a technically satisfying and credibly suspenseful rollout title in a new series. As the first female pilot hired by Jet-East airlines, Kate Gallagher has proven herself in the performance hurdles and personal challenges in the male-dominated industry. She finds, however, that her competency is attacked in the aftermath of an emergency crash landing at Kennedy Airport that, though it saved more than 200 lives, resulted in 5 fatalities plus injuries to herself and others. The mitigating factors of extreme snow-and-ice conditions, low fuel state, and an insubordinate flight officer become secondary as Kate begins to suspect that her aircraft was sabotaged. Michael O'Rourke, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator assigned to the crash, finds himself attracted to Kate and is persuaded that future flights are at risk by the mounting evidence of industrial espionage. Majd lightly sketches a romantic subplot between the two; somewhat more substantially explores Kate's role as a single mother; and carefully texturizes her close relationship with her protective, strong-willed Greek mother. The author introduces evil corporate entities that are sufficiently menacing and convincing to support this element of the story, but it is through his skilled presentation of high-tech details of GPS, satellites, simulators, aircraft flight parameters, and computerized interfaces that he will captivate his readership.
Lynn Nutwell, Fairfax City Regional Library, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Dell (January 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440237343
• ISBN-13: 978-0440237341
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,986,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read., March 29, 2003

By 

nobizinfla "nobizinfla" (Windermere, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Wire (Mass Market Paperback)

The first 80% of Kam Majd's debut novel "High Wire" is nearly impossible to put down. The final 20% needs a suspension of disbelief equal to that of a James Bond movie. No matter, it is an entertaining ride.

Essentially a techo-thriller featuring a ticking clock with a cat and mouse chase (the hunted hunting the hunters). Creatively written, filled with nonstop tension and shifting loyalties, it is easy to get hooked.

"High Wire" truly deserves its Edgar nomination.

I liked the way Mr. Majd developed his characters. The protagonists are resourceful, the villains especially devious and their crime quite ingenious.

Looking forward to more in this series.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, March 28, 2002

By 

ken rodrick (SILVERDALE, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Wire (Mass Market Paperback)

This outstanding book kept me on the edge of my seat I could hardly put it down. I think that Mr Majd captured the strength and courage of this young pilot Kate Gallagher. I couldnt wait until the next struggle that this woman had to endure...and all with fantastic strength. Mr Majd's experience as a pilot was surely evident in this book. I could feel as though I was right there in the cockpit. This would make a great movie.
Cant wait for HIGH IMPACT.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wouldn't want to read on an airplane, January 28, 2006

By 

siouxfan "siouxfan" (West Fargo, ND USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: High Wire (Mass Market Paperback)

This book came up on my Amazon recommendations years ago, but I just got around to buying it recently. I wish I hadn't waited!

It's a great story that (unfortunately) could possibly come true. (Which is why I wouldn't want to read it on a plane.) It's a thriller with a strong female lead, which is a nice change of pace. It's got lost of suspense, but also lots of real human emotion. I was so engrossed in the story that I was actually crying as I read.

I can't wait to read another Kam Majd novel!