So we’re all grounded pretty much but that doesn’t mean we can’t travel via our books right? Did you know that this week there are two important book dates?

First, World Book Day is this week and to highlight some world literature, Amazon is giving away copies of some international bestsellers. I was particularly excited about the books set in Germany and South Africa.

Then, this coming Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day. Of course thanks to COVID-19 there’s no trip to the bookstore and this date has now been moved to August but you can still support your indie bookstores by visiting Bookshop.org. By the way did you see the t-shirts on the Independent bookstore day link? So cute.

I’ll be supporting international book day by enjoying the latest edition of World Literature Today. I’ve already skimmed through it once but need to go back and mark the books I want to get. Hope you guys are having a great start of the week!

“Two things you must remember,’ a voice says through some kind of speech-distortion machine. ‘Number one: you are not the first and you will certainly not be the last. Number two: remember, it’s not about the money – it’s about The Chain.”

The Chain
By Adrian McKinty
Source: Advance review copy

Rachel Klein has dropped off her daughter at the bus stop, like she normally does, and has gone about her day but a call from an unknown number is about to turn her life into hell. The caller claims they have Kylie and they will not release her until Rachel kidnaps another child.

While this all sounds preposterous, Rachel realizes this woman means business. Another family has gone through the same thing and that’s why her daughter was kidnapped. They are trying to get their child back and if Rachel has any hopes of rescuing Kylie then she needs to become part of the chain.

Rachel, who already has been dealing with a health crisis, is in a race against time to find a victim although thanks to social media she is able to find the right time and child to abduct. She can’t go to the police but she can reach out to her ex brother-in-law. She is struggling with the ethics of how can she cause so much pain to another family but she also wants her daughter back. Meanwhile Kylie is a smart young girl and she’s also got a plan of her own on how to escape from her abductors.

Is there a lot of tension in this thriller? You bet there is. Right from the first page it’s non-stop. Is it a bit unbelievable? Yes, but just go with it and you are going to enjoy turning the pages.