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The Survivor
A hijacked New York subway train, an anonymous killer, and a young man trapped by his hidden past converge in a breathless, breathtaking thriller
Do not turn off your phone
Do not get off the train
I know who you reallyare
Fired and walked out by security on his first day at his new job in New York City, Ben Cross thought his day couldn't get worse. But he couldn't be more wrong. Getting on the 1 train headed uptown, Ben starts receiving text messages from an anonymous killer, showing that they've already killed someone, then pointedly killing another as they got off the train to prove they aren't bluffing and to ensure Ben follows orders. But Ben wasn't picked at random—he has a history that no one is supposed to know.
At the same time, A NYPD detective, Kelly Hendricks, is on punishment duty with the transit police. The first one on the scene after the first murder, she gets on the train to find out what is really going on.
Switching rapidly between Cross and Hendricks, as the hijacked 1 train heads from South Ferry to 181st, the secret to the killer lies in Ben's own history—why he's been targeted and punished.
Do not turn off your phone
Do not get off the train
I know who you reallyare
Fired and walked out by security on his first day at his new job in New York City, Ben Cross thought his day couldn't get worse. But he couldn't be more wrong. Getting on the 1 train headed uptown, Ben starts receiving text messages from an anonymous killer, showing that they've already killed someone, then pointedly killing another as they got off the train to prove they aren't bluffing and to ensure Ben follows orders. But Ben wasn't picked at random—he has a history that no one is supposed to know.
At the same time, A NYPD detective, Kelly Hendricks, is on punishment duty with the transit police. The first one on the scene after the first murder, she gets on the train to find out what is really going on.
Switching rapidly between Cross and Hendricks, as the hijacked 1 train heads from South Ferry to 181st, the secret to the killer lies in Ben's own history—why he's been targeted and punished.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 24, 2026
About the author
Andrew Reid
7 books98 followersAndrew Reid was born in Scotland and worked as a research scientist in the US and the UK. He now teaches and lives in Stockholm with his wife, three children, and two cats.
His previous novel THE HUNTER was published in the UK and Commonwealth in 2018. THE SURVIVOR is his US debut.
His previous novel THE HUNTER was published in the UK and Commonwealth in 2018. THE SURVIVOR is his US debut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
November 6, 2025
The Survivor by Andrew Reid – a heart-thumping ride that doesn’t quite reach its final destination, but shows promise.
The premise grabbed me instantly — a man trapped on a New York City subway train, receiving text messages from a faceless killer who knows more about him than anyone should. That chilling “Do not get off the train” command sets up a brilliant what-would-you-do scenario that instantly pulls you in. It’s claustrophobic, cinematic, and full of energy right from the start.
Ben Cross, freshly fired and humiliated on his first day of work, is the perfect “everyman thrown into chaos.” His panic, confusion, and desperation feel genuine, and the eerie idea of being watched — and controlled — through something as ordinary as a phone screen makes the story unnervingly realistic. The setting in the NYC subway adds an extra layer of anxiety: the trapped passengers, the flickering lights, the unstoppable motion of the train — it’s the kind of environment thrillers thrive in.
As the story unfolds, the pace picks up like a runaway train (pun intended). The tension between Ben and Detective Kelly Hendricks adds a dynamic spark, and I appreciated the alternating perspectives. Kelly, in particular, is a standout — smart, composed, and determined to piece together the truth behind the chaos.
Where the book falters a little is in its final act. After a strong middle section packed with action and sharp momentum, the conclusion feels slightly rushed and leans toward the unbelievable. The emotional payoff doesn’t land quite as solidly as the setup promised. Still, for a debut, Andrew Reid’s writing style shows genuine flair — crisp, cinematic, and vividly visual. It’s easy to picture this story as a high-stakes thriller film (I wouldn’t be surprised if Hollywood calls soon).
The Survivor may not fully stick the landing, but it’s an engaging, fast-paced debut that proves Reid has an eye for tension and a knack for keeping readers on edge. With a bit more grounding and emotional depth in future works, he’s definitely an author I’ll be watching.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this hooking debut thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The premise grabbed me instantly — a man trapped on a New York City subway train, receiving text messages from a faceless killer who knows more about him than anyone should. That chilling “Do not get off the train” command sets up a brilliant what-would-you-do scenario that instantly pulls you in. It’s claustrophobic, cinematic, and full of energy right from the start.
Ben Cross, freshly fired and humiliated on his first day of work, is the perfect “everyman thrown into chaos.” His panic, confusion, and desperation feel genuine, and the eerie idea of being watched — and controlled — through something as ordinary as a phone screen makes the story unnervingly realistic. The setting in the NYC subway adds an extra layer of anxiety: the trapped passengers, the flickering lights, the unstoppable motion of the train — it’s the kind of environment thrillers thrive in.
As the story unfolds, the pace picks up like a runaway train (pun intended). The tension between Ben and Detective Kelly Hendricks adds a dynamic spark, and I appreciated the alternating perspectives. Kelly, in particular, is a standout — smart, composed, and determined to piece together the truth behind the chaos.
Where the book falters a little is in its final act. After a strong middle section packed with action and sharp momentum, the conclusion feels slightly rushed and leans toward the unbelievable. The emotional payoff doesn’t land quite as solidly as the setup promised. Still, for a debut, Andrew Reid’s writing style shows genuine flair — crisp, cinematic, and vividly visual. It’s easy to picture this story as a high-stakes thriller film (I wouldn’t be surprised if Hollywood calls soon).
The Survivor may not fully stick the landing, but it’s an engaging, fast-paced debut that proves Reid has an eye for tension and a knack for keeping readers on edge. With a bit more grounding and emotional depth in future works, he’s definitely an author I’ll be watching.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this hooking debut thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
April 2, 2026
Ben Cross is about to have a really bad day. He gets on a New York subway one day, and gets an anonymous text telling him DO NOT GET OFF THIS TRAIN. Proving they will kill people if he does not follow instructions. They also tell Ben that they know who he really is. What is Ben hiding?
I was really into this in the beginning. The story was holding me hostage. Then, things just started going off the rails towards the end. What I felt like could have been a 4 ⭐️ read had lost its momentum.
However, this is a high action packed thriller with lots of twists and turns. I think many will enjoy this one, so don’t just take my word for it.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was really into this in the beginning. The story was holding me hostage. Then, things just started going off the rails towards the end. What I felt like could have been a 4 ⭐️ read had lost its momentum.
However, this is a high action packed thriller with lots of twists and turns. I think many will enjoy this one, so don’t just take my word for it.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 17, 2025
I love any plot that makes you feel panic and chlaustrophia and being trapped on a train in a deadly situation where you are surrounded by people but are being watched and can’t ask anyone for help.. excellent!!!
The MMC is having an extremely bad day which he assumes can’t get any worse, until he boards a train and somebody starts sending threats to his phone. What he first dismisses, he soon realizes this unknown person knows exactly who he is, and as the reader follows along the journey we get to find out a lot of secrets whilst piecing together exactly what is going to happen as the plot reaches a climax.
The pacing feels fast as we are watching the MMC race against time, this is a quick easy read. A new author for me, one who I would try again when he releases another book!
Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The MMC is having an extremely bad day which he assumes can’t get any worse, until he boards a train and somebody starts sending threats to his phone. What he first dismisses, he soon realizes this unknown person knows exactly who he is, and as the reader follows along the journey we get to find out a lot of secrets whilst piecing together exactly what is going to happen as the plot reaches a climax.
The pacing feels fast as we are watching the MMC race against time, this is a quick easy read. A new author for me, one who I would try again when he releases another book!
Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 26, 2025
This is a very entertaining thriller!
I'm happy to say that the author surprised me time and again - and managed to break my heart in the process.
The plot is unique and kept me riveted.
There are a few logic issues, but not enough to keep me from rushing through this adrenaline filled read!
This one could (and probably should) be a film as well!
A good read!
* ARC via Publisher
I'm happy to say that the author surprised me time and again - and managed to break my heart in the process.
The plot is unique and kept me riveted.
There are a few logic issues, but not enough to keep me from rushing through this adrenaline filled read!
This one could (and probably should) be a film as well!
A good read!
* ARC via Publisher
September 5, 2026
This was an intense thriller! It gives off "Phone Booth" and "Speed" vibes. There were plenty of twists, and I liked how Ben's story slowly reveals pieces of the bigger picture while everything happens in the present. There were plenty of twists, secrets, and revelations that had me wondering who could really be trusted. It was a fast paced book with high stakes, and I was hooked from start to finish.
August 23, 2025
”You are on this train because I want you on it. The cop I killed. The clerk with the bag. They were not here by chance. I brought them here so that you could see them one more time before they died. You are going to die too, but before you do I want you to admit what you really are. I put you on this train so that the whole world can witness your punishment.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of The Survivor in exchange for an honest review.
The Goodreads description of this book tells you everything you need to know about the story, so I’ll jump directly to my thoughts.
The Survivor is a fast-paced thriller that feels like a lot of things you’ve seen, such as the movies Speed and Die Hard. But, at least for me, the plot got way too farfetched in the back half of the book. There were explanations provided—who was behind everything, how and why this was all happening to Ben—but not very convincing ones. Down the stretch, nearly every character made one (and the killer at least two) vitally important but insane choice to keep the story moving. I’m afraid this book was a swing and a miss for me.
May 27, 2026
This one immediately hooked me, and I went in expecting to be on the edge of my seat the whole time. The beginning was strong and really pulled me in, but somewhere along the way it lost momentum for me. It started to feel more like a procedural than the fast-paced thriller I was hoping for, which just isn’t usually my preferred style. I also found that I really couldn't connect with any of the characters, which is a requirement for me to become invested. It’s definitely not a bad book by any means, but something about the execution didn’t fully land for me personally.
June 25, 2025
This is the first time I've read anything from this author. The book is pretty solid.
I was immediately drawn into the storyline. It was that good. I will say there were a few times I felt the book had some pacing issues, but that didn't stop me from continuing.
The characters were interesting to know. The antagonist was a surprise as well.
This book reminds me of a hybrid film between PHONEBOOTH and SPEED with a sprinkle of a few surprises.
Andrew Reid is one of those authors to watch out for. I would recommend this book to all my friends and family members.
Great book.
My rating: 4 stars!
I was immediately drawn into the storyline. It was that good. I will say there were a few times I felt the book had some pacing issues, but that didn't stop me from continuing.
The characters were interesting to know. The antagonist was a surprise as well.
This book reminds me of a hybrid film between PHONEBOOTH and SPEED with a sprinkle of a few surprises.
Andrew Reid is one of those authors to watch out for. I would recommend this book to all my friends and family members.
Great book.
My rating: 4 stars!
December 3, 2025
4.5 stars Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my gifted ARC!
A runaway train, a mysterious texter, and a past that won’t stay buried—this one does. not. let. up.
Woah—this was one heck of a ride.
From the moment Ben receives those chilling messages—
Do not turn off your phone.
Do not get off the bus.
I know who you really are.
—you instantly know you’re in for a white-knuckle thriller.
What starts as his first (and last) day of work spirals into a deadly chain of events, and the secrets Ben has carried finally crash into the present. The pacing is relentless in the best way, the tension tight, and the stakes high.
I also loved the introduction of Detective Kelly Hendricks. Dumped into the bowels of the city but sharp, gritty, and endlessly resourceful—she’s a standout character who elevates every scene she’s in.
As we jump back into Ben’s past, the trauma and tragedy that placed him on this path unfold with vivid, nail-biting detail. It’s dark, emotional, and incredibly well written.
If you enjoy action-packed thrillers with the energy of Speed, Die Hard, Hostage, or Cliffhanger, this one absolutely delivers.
A runaway train, a mysterious texter, and a past that won’t stay buried—this one does. not. let. up.
Woah—this was one heck of a ride.
From the moment Ben receives those chilling messages—
Do not turn off your phone.
Do not get off the bus.
I know who you really are.
—you instantly know you’re in for a white-knuckle thriller.
What starts as his first (and last) day of work spirals into a deadly chain of events, and the secrets Ben has carried finally crash into the present. The pacing is relentless in the best way, the tension tight, and the stakes high.
I also loved the introduction of Detective Kelly Hendricks. Dumped into the bowels of the city but sharp, gritty, and endlessly resourceful—she’s a standout character who elevates every scene she’s in.
As we jump back into Ben’s past, the trauma and tragedy that placed him on this path unfold with vivid, nail-biting detail. It’s dark, emotional, and incredibly well written.
If you enjoy action-packed thrillers with the energy of Speed, Die Hard, Hostage, or Cliffhanger, this one absolutely delivers.
July 16, 2025
Ben gets fired on his first day at his new job in New York City. He's cagey about getting onto the subway and when he finally does, he should have trusted his gut. After the first few chapters of Ben not wanting to get on the train this is a super fast paced locked room pulse pounding thriller until the last 15% where it kinda fell off the rails for me. Overall a good book, the end just lost me. Thank you St. Martin's Press for my gifted eARC.
March 24, 2026
Review is buried whyyy do I do this to myself 🫠
June 24, 2026
Op de eerste dag van zijn nieuwe baan wordt Ben Cross op staande voet ontslagen en door de beveiliging naar buiten gelopen. Maar daar houdt het niet op. In de metro onderweg naar huis krijgt Ben een berichtje. Het is een foto van iemand in dezelfde coupé.
Dan verschijnt er nog een berichtje: ‘Als hij bij de volgende halte uitstapt, gaat hij dood.’ Kan dit te maken hebben met het verschrikkelijke geheim dat Ben bij zicht draagt?
NYPD-detective Kelly Hendricks moet voor straf mee met de metropolitie. Ze is als eerste aanwezig op een plaats delict. Iemand is vermoord bij het uitstappen uit de metro. Ze bedenkt zich geen moment en stapt in. Wat volgt is een achtbaanrit door de metro van New York…
'Overleven' is zo'n thriller die je vanaf de eerste hoofdstukken meteen vastgrijpt. Het verhaal speelt zich grotendeels af in de metro van New York, waardoor er direct een beklemmende sfeer ontstaat.
Vanaf het moment dat Ben Cross vreemde berichten ontvangt en duidelijk wordt dat er een moordenaar actief is, zit de spanning er goed in.
Wat ik vooral sterk vond, is het hoge tempo. Het verhaal voelt als een race tegen de klok en daardoor vlieg je door de pagina's heen. Daarnaast zitten er een aantal behoorlijk gruwelijke scènes in. Als liefhebber van wat hardere thrillers kon ik dat zeker waarderen.
Sommige gebeurtenissen zijn echt heftig en zorgen ervoor dat je als lezer continu op scherp staat. Ook de afwisseling tussen Ben Cross en rechercheur Kelly Hendricks werkte goed.
Andrew Reid weet de spanning goed vast te houden en strooit onderweg met genoeg vragen en geheimen om nieuwsgierig te blijven. Steeds wanneer je denkt een idee te hebben van wat er speelt, volgt er weer een nieuwe ontwikkeling. Daardoor bleef ik geboeid tot ver in het verhaal.
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
Dan verschijnt er nog een berichtje: ‘Als hij bij de volgende halte uitstapt, gaat hij dood.’ Kan dit te maken hebben met het verschrikkelijke geheim dat Ben bij zicht draagt?
NYPD-detective Kelly Hendricks moet voor straf mee met de metropolitie. Ze is als eerste aanwezig op een plaats delict. Iemand is vermoord bij het uitstappen uit de metro. Ze bedenkt zich geen moment en stapt in. Wat volgt is een achtbaanrit door de metro van New York…
'Overleven' is zo'n thriller die je vanaf de eerste hoofdstukken meteen vastgrijpt. Het verhaal speelt zich grotendeels af in de metro van New York, waardoor er direct een beklemmende sfeer ontstaat.
Vanaf het moment dat Ben Cross vreemde berichten ontvangt en duidelijk wordt dat er een moordenaar actief is, zit de spanning er goed in.
Wat ik vooral sterk vond, is het hoge tempo. Het verhaal voelt als een race tegen de klok en daardoor vlieg je door de pagina's heen. Daarnaast zitten er een aantal behoorlijk gruwelijke scènes in. Als liefhebber van wat hardere thrillers kon ik dat zeker waarderen.
Sommige gebeurtenissen zijn echt heftig en zorgen ervoor dat je als lezer continu op scherp staat. Ook de afwisseling tussen Ben Cross en rechercheur Kelly Hendricks werkte goed.
Andrew Reid weet de spanning goed vast te houden en strooit onderweg met genoeg vragen en geheimen om nieuwsgierig te blijven. Steeds wanneer je denkt een idee te hebben van wat er speelt, volgt er weer een nieuwe ontwikkeling. Daardoor bleef ik geboeid tot ver in het verhaal.
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
July 21, 2025
"𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?"
Ben Cross is having the worst day of his life. He's fired his first day on the job and marched out of the office by security, but he has no idea how much worse it's about to get. After getting his claustrophobia in check and finding a seat on a NYC subway, he starts getting text messages from an unknown number--but it's pretty clear whoever is on the other end knows a lot about Ben.
The messages start with little taunts, and then a disturbing image. Ben shakes it off, but the sender is persistent, and the situation escalates into random riders on the subway being killed unless Ben intervenes. The plot then shifts to vocal, strong-willed NYPD detective Kelly Hendricks, who is assigned to the transit police as a punishment. Her investigation is hampered by city officials who believe nothing should impede the flow of mass transit.
Ben knows that whoever is behind the carnage is punishing him, but the reader initially has no idea why. Despite a few pacing issues, this one held my attention and kept me captivated until the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this early read. Look for it March 24, 2026.
Ben Cross is having the worst day of his life. He's fired his first day on the job and marched out of the office by security, but he has no idea how much worse it's about to get. After getting his claustrophobia in check and finding a seat on a NYC subway, he starts getting text messages from an unknown number--but it's pretty clear whoever is on the other end knows a lot about Ben.
The messages start with little taunts, and then a disturbing image. Ben shakes it off, but the sender is persistent, and the situation escalates into random riders on the subway being killed unless Ben intervenes. The plot then shifts to vocal, strong-willed NYPD detective Kelly Hendricks, who is assigned to the transit police as a punishment. Her investigation is hampered by city officials who believe nothing should impede the flow of mass transit.
Ben knows that whoever is behind the carnage is punishing him, but the reader initially has no idea why. Despite a few pacing issues, this one held my attention and kept me captivated until the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this early read. Look for it March 24, 2026.
Read
March 2, 2026Turn world off
death come to y
hung at yr long doomed road
try to be nothing but surviver
all world bit at yr show
as tramp play crazy death
y too
y will folow other
past charg tommorw
futur end for y
try to be surviver
death doomed y
no time lift to kill
no sound or luck put to rest
hard work for y
run death doomed y
surviver
death come to y
hung at yr long doomed road
try to be nothing but surviver
all world bit at yr show
as tramp play crazy death
y too
y will folow other
past charg tommorw
futur end for y
try to be surviver
death doomed y
no time lift to kill
no sound or luck put to rest
hard work for y
run death doomed y
surviver
March 22, 2026
THE SURVIVOR is a fast-paced thriller about a man trapped on a subway train, confronted by his past.
I’ve read a couple locked-room thrillers set on trains, but this one felt fresh and held my attention! The NYC subway setting with the chapters labeled by street names made it fun to follow along.
The chapters are super short and make this a book that can be finished in a couple sittings!
I’ve read a couple locked-room thrillers set on trains, but this one felt fresh and held my attention! The NYC subway setting with the chapters labeled by street names made it fun to follow along.
The chapters are super short and make this a book that can be finished in a couple sittings!
April 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy of this novel, all opinions are my own.
I started reading this book at 2 pm and finished it at 10 pm...I literally couldn't put it down. Absolutely loved how fast-paced it was and how the plot revealed itself as the chapters went on. Absolutely loved the female protagonist Kelly Hendricks and hope Mr. Reid has plans for another adventure with her at the helm. She was gutsy and fearless and I loved her! This book was dark, along the lines of Chelsea Cain's Heartsick series, so check your trigger warnings. I loved it, but fair warning to those who might not be able to handle it.
I started reading this book at 2 pm and finished it at 10 pm...I literally couldn't put it down. Absolutely loved how fast-paced it was and how the plot revealed itself as the chapters went on. Absolutely loved the female protagonist Kelly Hendricks and hope Mr. Reid has plans for another adventure with her at the helm. She was gutsy and fearless and I loved her! This book was dark, along the lines of Chelsea Cain's Heartsick series, so check your trigger warnings. I loved it, but fair warning to those who might not be able to handle it.
October 29, 2025
“The Survivor” by Andrew Reid is an anxiety provoking psychological thriller that takes place in the New York City subway system. The premise will terrify anyone who commutes for work or pleasure, and the thought of a high jacked train used as a tool for murder is still sending chills up my spine.
The publisher does a really good job of describing the premise on the book jacket so no need to reveal more details of the story.
I will say it started slowly and had more gore than I like to read. I also thought the story became a little far fetched. But for everyone who enjoys movies like “The Taking of Pelham 123” this book is for you!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The publisher does a really good job of describing the premise on the book jacket so no need to reveal more details of the story.
I will say it started slowly and had more gore than I like to read. I also thought the story became a little far fetched. But for everyone who enjoys movies like “The Taking of Pelham 123” this book is for you!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 19, 2025
The book had a great idea, but I couldn’t get into it. The story wasn’t very engaging, and the plot twists were a bit too easy to guess. Thanks , NetGalley, for sending me the advance copy!
March 17, 2026
Time for Siderodromophobia (fear of trains). “The Survivor” takes place almost entirely underground along a New York Manhattan subway route, and nothing nice occurs along the route.
Ben Cross, fired on his first day of work (for reasons he knows but we don’t), enters the second to the last car of a Manhattan subway heading north.
It’s claustrophobic, but he chose the subway mostly because of the AC. Now someone anonymous (but apparently nearby) is texting him and telling him to stay on the train or he’ll end up like the just-texted photo of an unalive guy. Ben seems to understand why him, but not why this is happening on the subway or what the outcome will be.
Meanwhile, tough and smart Detective Kelly Hendricks is doing remedial community work to make up for rightfully assaulting the big shot police guy who grabbed her backside in public. She’s expecting a wretched coffee tour of various precincts, but a nearby incident on a subway platform pulls her into action.
I wanted so much to give some encouragement and praise to a debut author. I think Andrew Reid has an excellent talent for intricately plotted thrillers, but he needs to work on more credibility in his stories.
This is where the thriller went off the rails for me: The misogynistic police colleagues of Kelly made me increasingly uncomfortable. Women readers might take that as a big red flag. Plus the stereotype of bully law enforcement types is off-putting even in fiction. How did the DHS guy go to immediately consider an NYPD officer a person of interest instead of the additional help she is and then casually sabotaging her vest? Yes, let’s root for Kelly, but stop humiliating her.
Download an MTA map and follow along as a doomed subway heads north. The storyline is fast paced and increasingly tense. The plot is exciting although unbelievable too often.
The nail and the conductor? Unbelievable. (No! Don’t take the nail out! Law enforcement wants their suspect to do amateur hour brain surgery on a victim?)
Vengeance for something that happened when Ben was an eleven year old kid? Unbelievable.
Modeling the passengers’ profiles on the train via QR code. Imaginative.
The ending is a bit convoluted and the action could have wrapped up a bit earlier, but it’s a decent debut that could have used a bit of polishing on the characters and some tighter editing at the end. Reid has potential and I hope this book gets him some traction. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Ben Cross, fired on his first day of work (for reasons he knows but we don’t), enters the second to the last car of a Manhattan subway heading north.
It’s claustrophobic, but he chose the subway mostly because of the AC. Now someone anonymous (but apparently nearby) is texting him and telling him to stay on the train or he’ll end up like the just-texted photo of an unalive guy. Ben seems to understand why him, but not why this is happening on the subway or what the outcome will be.
Meanwhile, tough and smart Detective Kelly Hendricks is doing remedial community work to make up for rightfully assaulting the big shot police guy who grabbed her backside in public. She’s expecting a wretched coffee tour of various precincts, but a nearby incident on a subway platform pulls her into action.
I wanted so much to give some encouragement and praise to a debut author. I think Andrew Reid has an excellent talent for intricately plotted thrillers, but he needs to work on more credibility in his stories.
This is where the thriller went off the rails for me: The misogynistic police colleagues of Kelly made me increasingly uncomfortable. Women readers might take that as a big red flag. Plus the stereotype of bully law enforcement types is off-putting even in fiction. How did the DHS guy go to immediately consider an NYPD officer a person of interest instead of the additional help she is and then casually sabotaging her vest? Yes, let’s root for Kelly, but stop humiliating her.
Download an MTA map and follow along as a doomed subway heads north. The storyline is fast paced and increasingly tense. The plot is exciting although unbelievable too often.
The nail and the conductor? Unbelievable. (No! Don’t take the nail out! Law enforcement wants their suspect to do amateur hour brain surgery on a victim?)
Vengeance for something that happened when Ben was an eleven year old kid? Unbelievable.
Modeling the passengers’ profiles on the train via QR code. Imaginative.
The ending is a bit convoluted and the action could have wrapped up a bit earlier, but it’s a decent debut that could have used a bit of polishing on the characters and some tighter editing at the end. Reid has potential and I hope this book gets him some traction. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
March 24, 2026
When Ben Cross finds himself trapped on a New York City subway train, of course he realizes he’s not alone. The delay that Ben and other passengers will experience is definitely not ordinary. The train has been hijacked, and in
The Survivor,
Ben is at the center of it all. What unfolds is not just a high-stakes hostage situation, but a deeply personal story of revenge.
Set in the claustrophobic confines of the underground, the tension is immediate and unrelenting. The hijacker comes with demands, and how quickly Ben responds could mean the difference between life and death for countless passengers. Already reeling from being fired on his very first day at a new job, Ben’s circumstances go from bad to catastrophic when it becomes clear that he is the specific target of the attack.
As the story progresses, readers learn that Ben Cross is not even his real name. He has spent years trying to distance himself from a horrific past, one shaped by a father who was a brutal killer. Ben believed he had escaped that darkness and built a different life for himself. However, one of his father’s victims is not convinced, and that lingering connection fuels the novel’s chilling premise.
The audiobook, narrated by Michael Braun, is exceptionally well done. Braun’s performance draws listeners directly into Ben’s fractured psyche, amplifying the already intense atmosphere. As more of Ben’s past is revealed, the story becomes increasingly unsettling, maintaining a steady grip on the listener.
If this debut is any indication of what Andrew Reid has to offer, readers can expect gripping, psychologically charged stories that are difficult to put down.
Many thanks to Brilliance Audio, St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Set in the claustrophobic confines of the underground, the tension is immediate and unrelenting. The hijacker comes with demands, and how quickly Ben responds could mean the difference between life and death for countless passengers. Already reeling from being fired on his very first day at a new job, Ben’s circumstances go from bad to catastrophic when it becomes clear that he is the specific target of the attack.
As the story progresses, readers learn that Ben Cross is not even his real name. He has spent years trying to distance himself from a horrific past, one shaped by a father who was a brutal killer. Ben believed he had escaped that darkness and built a different life for himself. However, one of his father’s victims is not convinced, and that lingering connection fuels the novel’s chilling premise.
The audiobook, narrated by Michael Braun, is exceptionally well done. Braun’s performance draws listeners directly into Ben’s fractured psyche, amplifying the already intense atmosphere. As more of Ben’s past is revealed, the story becomes increasingly unsettling, maintaining a steady grip on the listener.
If this debut is any indication of what Andrew Reid has to offer, readers can expect gripping, psychologically charged stories that are difficult to put down.
Many thanks to Brilliance Audio, St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
March 17, 2026
The Survivor by Andrew Reid is a fast paced thriller involving a hijacked NY subway train. The novel follows mysterious 26-year old Ben who finds himself on the train after being fired from his new job. Soon he’s told that people will be killed if he doesn’t expose his own secrets. The story is told using alternating points of view and timelines: Ben’s present day, flashbacks to his traumatic childhood, the homeland security senior agent, and a disgraced police detective thrust in the middle of the drama.
The novel focuses more on theatrical action than character growth and moves quickly from scene to scene. Once you know as a reader what you’re in for, it’s easy to overlook the more far fetched plot twists. I preferred the storyline featuring Kelly Hendricks, the disgraced NYPD detective. There’s a suggestion at the end that she could get her own spinoff, which I would be happy to read. Readers in the mood for a male dominated popcorn thriller should check this one out. 3/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The novel focuses more on theatrical action than character growth and moves quickly from scene to scene. Once you know as a reader what you’re in for, it’s easy to overlook the more far fetched plot twists. I preferred the storyline featuring Kelly Hendricks, the disgraced NYPD detective. There’s a suggestion at the end that she could get her own spinoff, which I would be happy to read. Readers in the mood for a male dominated popcorn thriller should check this one out. 3/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 14, 2026
The Survivor follows our main character, Ben Cross, who loses his job on his first day and ends up on a subway home when he starts receiving mysterious and threatening text messages. It is an interesting premise and setting that unfortunately quickly loses steam for me.
This ended up being a lot more of a crime procedural than I had anticipated based on the synopsis, and I found that the intermittent bits about police/government politics and whatnot killed the pacing for me.
The first 1/4 is fantastic; it's very tense and gripping in its writing and concept. The last 1/4 or so really lost me, and I had a hard time not empathizing with the antagonist for a multitude of reasons, even though it felt like I wasn't supposed to? If it was meant to be a morally gray/no-one-is-truly-in-the-wrong situation, it didn't necessarily feel like it was intentional by the author, moreso that it was lacking the substance to make a fully compelling conflict.
I think having multiple POVs as well as flashback sequences ended up muddying the water a bit in this one, and it was difficult to fully invest in any one character enough to be impacted by their fate. The very end/final reveal gets a bit unbelievable for something that has seemingly fought to remain rather grounded in reality up to that point.
All in all, it was a unique and quick read that scratched a thriller itch for me!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC! :-)
This ended up being a lot more of a crime procedural than I had anticipated based on the synopsis, and I found that the intermittent bits about police/government politics and whatnot killed the pacing for me.
The first 1/4 is fantastic; it's very tense and gripping in its writing and concept. The last 1/4 or so really lost me, and I had a hard time not empathizing with the antagonist for a multitude of reasons, even though it felt like I wasn't supposed to? If it was meant to be a morally gray/no-one-is-truly-in-the-wrong situation, it didn't necessarily feel like it was intentional by the author, moreso that it was lacking the substance to make a fully compelling conflict.
I think having multiple POVs as well as flashback sequences ended up muddying the water a bit in this one, and it was difficult to fully invest in any one character enough to be impacted by their fate. The very end/final reveal gets a bit unbelievable for something that has seemingly fought to remain rather grounded in reality up to that point.
All in all, it was a unique and quick read that scratched a thriller itch for me!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC! :-)
February 15, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up. This certainly was a page turner. I definitely kept wanting to figure out who was doing this to ben. I do feel like when we figure out what ben did, it was a little anticlimactic. I was expecting a little more from him, but otherwise it was a wild story!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for a copy of this eARC.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for a copy of this eARC.
March 24, 2026
This was a crazy wild ride. Just when I thought I figured out what was going on, I got total whiplash turning somewhere else. I believe this is one of Reid’s first thrillers, and he completely captivated me.
The subway Ben Cross is riding on a seemingly normal day is hijacked. What feels like just bad luck turns into a crazy, wild, and twisty ride, with Ben in the center. Will his past catch up with him?
Y’all. Read this. I loved it.
Thank you so much netgalley for the advance read!
The subway Ben Cross is riding on a seemingly normal day is hijacked. What feels like just bad luck turns into a crazy, wild, and twisty ride, with Ben in the center. Will his past catch up with him?
Y’all. Read this. I loved it.
Thank you so much netgalley for the advance read!
August 8, 2025
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NG & Andrew Reid
-The Survivor-
I love the text POV and the build up to this story.
This was a fast read for me & I really enjoyed this book.
Something about trains, racing against time & creepy texts clearly excite humans & this was a great book to read if you get excited over that
Thank you NG & Andrew Reid
-The Survivor-
I love the text POV and the build up to this story.
This was a fast read for me & I really enjoyed this book.
Something about trains, racing against time & creepy texts clearly excite humans & this was a great book to read if you get excited over that
May 4, 2026
Een ritje in de metro van New York die je niet snel zal vergeten! Dit geeft al een goede indruk van Overleven, geschreven door Andrew Reid. En zeker als je van films als Speed houdt, is dit een boek dat je zal bevallen.
We maken kennis met Ben. Die heeft het niet echt getroffen als hij al op zijn eerste dag wordt ontslagen. Hij stapt in de metro om naar huis te gaan. Dan ontvangt hij een bericht op zijn telefoon met een foto van een vermoorde man. Dan volgt een nieuwe foto van iemand in zijn coupé met het bericht dat die persoon zal sterven als hij bij de volgende halte uitstapt. Ben doet het af als een morbide grap, maar dat had hij beter niet kunnen doen. Wat volgt is een nachtmerrie van jewelste. Iemand kent zijn geheim…
Het uitgangspunt van het verhaal is goed, maar ik had wel even moeite om er goed in te komen. De reden van zijn ontslag of zijn angst om de metro in te gaan, blijven allemaal vaag en helpen niet echt mee om een goed beeld te krijgen van Ben. De emotie die hij op dat moment voelt komt niet over en neem je dan maar als waarheid aan. Pas later in het verhaal, als er meer over het verleden van Ben bekend wordt, snap je meer van zijn angsten, beweegredenen en de keuzes die hij maakt.
Het tempo in het boek is vanaf ongeveer de helft van het verhaal hoog en ontwikkelingen gaan dan steeds sneller. Informatie komt meer en meer beschikbaar, niet in de laatste plaats omdat Ben ook steeds meer loslaat. De sprongen in de tijd naar gebeurtenissen van 15 jaar geleden maken het verhaal compleet. Sommige van die gebeurtenissen zijn echt gruwelijk en maken dat je het opgelopen trauma snapt. Jarenlange therapie sessies hebben voor Ben in ieder geval niet het gewenste resultaat gehad.
De plotwendingen zijn goed gevonden en zouden moeten leiden tot een geweldige ontknoping. Maar die ontknoping voelt wat afgeraffeld en onlogisch. Dat is jammer.
Neemt niet weg dat Andrew Reid een schrijver met potentie is waar we ongetwijfeld nog meer van gaan horen! Ik ga het zeker in de gaten houden!
Dank je wel voor het recensie exemplaar @lsthrillers!
We maken kennis met Ben. Die heeft het niet echt getroffen als hij al op zijn eerste dag wordt ontslagen. Hij stapt in de metro om naar huis te gaan. Dan ontvangt hij een bericht op zijn telefoon met een foto van een vermoorde man. Dan volgt een nieuwe foto van iemand in zijn coupé met het bericht dat die persoon zal sterven als hij bij de volgende halte uitstapt. Ben doet het af als een morbide grap, maar dat had hij beter niet kunnen doen. Wat volgt is een nachtmerrie van jewelste. Iemand kent zijn geheim…
Het uitgangspunt van het verhaal is goed, maar ik had wel even moeite om er goed in te komen. De reden van zijn ontslag of zijn angst om de metro in te gaan, blijven allemaal vaag en helpen niet echt mee om een goed beeld te krijgen van Ben. De emotie die hij op dat moment voelt komt niet over en neem je dan maar als waarheid aan. Pas later in het verhaal, als er meer over het verleden van Ben bekend wordt, snap je meer van zijn angsten, beweegredenen en de keuzes die hij maakt.
Het tempo in het boek is vanaf ongeveer de helft van het verhaal hoog en ontwikkelingen gaan dan steeds sneller. Informatie komt meer en meer beschikbaar, niet in de laatste plaats omdat Ben ook steeds meer loslaat. De sprongen in de tijd naar gebeurtenissen van 15 jaar geleden maken het verhaal compleet. Sommige van die gebeurtenissen zijn echt gruwelijk en maken dat je het opgelopen trauma snapt. Jarenlange therapie sessies hebben voor Ben in ieder geval niet het gewenste resultaat gehad.
De plotwendingen zijn goed gevonden en zouden moeten leiden tot een geweldige ontknoping. Maar die ontknoping voelt wat afgeraffeld en onlogisch. Dat is jammer.
Neemt niet weg dat Andrew Reid een schrijver met potentie is waar we ongetwijfeld nog meer van gaan horen! Ik ga het zeker in de gaten houden!
Dank je wel voor het recensie exemplaar @lsthrillers!
March 24, 2026
Don’t miss this debut novel from Andrew Reid - The Survivor.
“Ben Cross gets fired on the first day of his new job. He didn’t think his day could get any worse. He’s getting messages on his phone - pictures of a dead man and a warning not to get off the train or someone else will die. They do who he really is...and everyone else will too if he doesn’t do what they say.”
What a fantastic debut from Reid. This story has a slow start as you wonder about some of Ben’s decisions. But as you find out Ben’s backstory and who he is you get sucked into the story. Reid keeps adding layers. You never know who’s the bad guy here especially because the people in charge have already made up their minds. There are explosions and a mysterious voice and innocent people (maybe) hurtling underground in a metal tube. The heroes come from unexpected places. The final scenes are wild and the ending is a little nuts.
Great story from Reid.
“Ben Cross gets fired on the first day of his new job. He didn’t think his day could get any worse. He’s getting messages on his phone - pictures of a dead man and a warning not to get off the train or someone else will die. They do who he really is...and everyone else will too if he doesn’t do what they say.”
What a fantastic debut from Reid. This story has a slow start as you wonder about some of Ben’s decisions. But as you find out Ben’s backstory and who he is you get sucked into the story. Reid keeps adding layers. You never know who’s the bad guy here especially because the people in charge have already made up their minds. There are explosions and a mysterious voice and innocent people (maybe) hurtling underground in a metal tube. The heroes come from unexpected places. The final scenes are wild and the ending is a little nuts.
Great story from Reid.
March 23, 2026
3.5 stars rounded down
I still think this is the COOLEST ARC I’ve ever gotten! I actually love it way more than the actual final cover of the book 🙈
The premise of this book had me absolutely intrigued. I love books and movies with a claustrophobic, locked room vibe, especially in public transportation. Is that weirdly specific? Lol but it’s true! A locked room thriller in a plane or on the subway is immediately something I want to consume!
This book is DARK. I was telling my husband about it, and he was like, “you read some dark stuff”. 🤣 I actually enjoyed the process of finding out who was behind the threats and why. It definitely is jampacked with action from start to finish and you can see it playing out like a movie in your head while you read.
My main issue with the story can’t be fully articulated without spoilers. But part of the reason this whole thing is happening felt incredibly silly to me because the logic just wasn’t there. After this reveal, I felt a disconnect from the story because everything just felt kind of pointless.
🎧My second issue was the narration. Tbh, I had a VERY hard time listening to this story and would have dnfed if it wasn’t an ALC or I would have switched to the physical copy if I had the time to read it quickly. Since I did not, I trudged through, but this narrator’s voice was definitely not for me. It felt so monotone that I had the hardest time focusing!! And I listen to audiobooks constantly. It actually made me want to sleep 🥴 The amount of rewinding I had to do was crazy. So, I would recommend eyeball reading this one for sure.
I still think this is the COOLEST ARC I’ve ever gotten! I actually love it way more than the actual final cover of the book 🙈
The premise of this book had me absolutely intrigued. I love books and movies with a claustrophobic, locked room vibe, especially in public transportation. Is that weirdly specific? Lol but it’s true! A locked room thriller in a plane or on the subway is immediately something I want to consume!
This book is DARK. I was telling my husband about it, and he was like, “you read some dark stuff”. 🤣 I actually enjoyed the process of finding out who was behind the threats and why. It definitely is jampacked with action from start to finish and you can see it playing out like a movie in your head while you read.
My main issue with the story can’t be fully articulated without spoilers. But part of the reason this whole thing is happening felt incredibly silly to me because the logic just wasn’t there. After this reveal, I felt a disconnect from the story because everything just felt kind of pointless.
🎧My second issue was the narration. Tbh, I had a VERY hard time listening to this story and would have dnfed if it wasn’t an ALC or I would have switched to the physical copy if I had the time to read it quickly. Since I did not, I trudged through, but this narrator’s voice was definitely not for me. It felt so monotone that I had the hardest time focusing!! And I listen to audiobooks constantly. It actually made me want to sleep 🥴 The amount of rewinding I had to do was crazy. So, I would recommend eyeball reading this one for sure.
May 2, 2026
This one wastes zero time pulling you in.
From the very first chapter, you’re thrown into a high-stakes, pulse-pounding ride where nothing—and no one—feels safe.
A disgraced new hire, a relentless killer sending chilling messages, and a subway train turned into a moving crime scene… I’m telling you, it’s the kind of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes you miss your stop (or in my case, maybe fear it 🫣).
The tension: Unrelenting.
The pacing: Lightning fast.
The twists: Jaw dropping.
If you love claustrophobic, high-intensity thrillers with a psychological edge, this needs to be on your radar. And if you happen to be heading to New York soon… maybe don’t read it on the subway 😅
From the very first chapter, you’re thrown into a high-stakes, pulse-pounding ride where nothing—and no one—feels safe.
A disgraced new hire, a relentless killer sending chilling messages, and a subway train turned into a moving crime scene… I’m telling you, it’s the kind of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes you miss your stop (or in my case, maybe fear it 🫣).
The tension: Unrelenting.
The pacing: Lightning fast.
The twists: Jaw dropping.
If you love claustrophobic, high-intensity thrillers with a psychological edge, this needs to be on your radar. And if you happen to be heading to New York soon… maybe don’t read it on the subway 😅
November 3, 2025
This is a fast-paced, crazy novel about Ben, who's just been fired, gets on the subway, and begins receiving threats. Giving them little credence, he then gets a message, "I know who you are, where you came from, what you are?" Huh? How could anyone possibly know those things?? And so begins a perilous journey underground as we see his life "before" and what lead to all the threats. It's a thrilling book that kept me reading as there are twists on every page!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
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