The second half really picks up the action with the perspective switching constantly between Adam, Mina and the hijackers as there is a battle of wits between all of them.
On the ground Adam discovers their babysitter Becca is one of the terrorists and has him and his daughter locked in the cellar until the plane changes course. Meanwhile, Mina and the passengers are stuck in the economy section trying to regain control of the plane before it crashes into the Sydney Opera House.
Mackintosh also does a good job of showing the fear and panic and what it drives people to do in this part, with some characters such as Alice Devanti and Jason Poke trying to take seats from people in economy,. They do this as they feel that as they or their employers had paid more they deserve them over the people who paid for economy as being strapped into a seat gives them a higher chance of survival. It’s an ugly moment that will make you despise them but also asks about the darker side of human nature.
Whilst much of this part plays out as you would expect in a book like this it does keep you on the edge of your seat.
However even after the main events have resolved themselves which I won’t mention her, Mackintosh leaves a clever final twist which I didn’t see coming and will had me completely floored.
