The Survivor

by Andrew Reid

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 really are

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.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Adult

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2026

About the author

Andrew 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.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[OutlawPoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Heathers_readss · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Blaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

”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.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review is buried whyyy do I do this to myself 🫠

[The Sub Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

“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.

[LindaPf · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[anovelaccount (Kayla) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Sara]

Turn 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

[Kennedy Volpi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Theresa Petty · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Ben is either a really unlucky or really lucky guy, and it's worth the time of thriller with a dash of horror fans to make their own determination about which category they think Ben best fits.

Ice Cube was not singing about Ben on the day we meet him. In short, his day is NOT good. He's been fired. Now he's on the subway and he's getting extremely creepy texts with all kinds of directives that have extreme consequences. I watched _The Drop_ a few months ago, which - like this book - exceeded my incoming expectations, and I thought of that movie instantly when this creepy voyeuristic texting happened. There's a similar vibe (but few other similarities), and I really enjoyed the insidious creepiness of this setup. Who is after Ben? Why? What secrets does he keep referencing and when will we learn them? All of these questions kept this feeling nicely paced.

I enjoyed the reveals, so I'm not going to share any of them here. I will say that some are more impactful than others, and there are some moments of graphic violence (along with responses to that violence) that I will be icked out by for a bit. Know that some readers may see this dipping into horror territory briefly. Those parts can be easily skimmed/skipped, so this is not a reason to turn away, in my estimation, if this is not your typical jam.

I liked but did not go bananas for the ending, but the pacing and creepy setup otherwise make up for this. I'll definitely be back for more thrills from Reid.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Lupita_333 (on a break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast paced thriller that kept my attention the whole time. The texts he received were frightening to read. I loved how they were included into the story. Ben’s thoughts and his past created so much suspense and made it very difficult to know whether or not he’s evil. I was very conflicted throughout the story on whether or not he was innocent or guilty.

At some point I had suspected who was going after him but then I thought there was no way that this could be possible but then I found out I was right! It was still super shocking when it was revealed. His internal monologue made so much more sense once this plot twist was revealed. Especially since he’d fight himself on whether or not to do the right thing.

It gets gory and very descriptive when it comes to how the victims of his father were treated. Those scenes and his own past scenes were very sad.

Some parts of the story were unrealistic and certain actions of certain characters didn’t make sense as to why they chose to do what they did. Still super entertaining!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Cross gets fired on his first day at work. But that’s not the worst thing to happen to him today. As he boards the subway to go home, he receives a text message, telling him not to get off the train or he’ll be killed, and to follow all future instructions or others will die. And Ben thinks he knows why he’s been targeted - his past may be catching up to him. The Survivor has an incredibly riveting hook, but can the book sustain that initial shock? For the most part, yes as you’ll see as this entertaining plot plays out in this quick moving thriller. The setting is instantaneously appealing - the NYC subway system, and the action takes place entirely on the train (shades of The Taking of Pelham 123 echo throughout), with the requisite disgraced NYPD detective caught in the middle, and an antagonistic Homeland Security agent adding to the chaos. Ben’s past is the impetus for the mayhem, slowly revealed in flashback chapters, and his secret is a good one. The book could do without some of the more unnecessarily gory scenes, especially relating to Ben’s past, but overall the plot held my interest, despite some implausible events, and the book lived up to its early promising premise. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Natalie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off great—easily five stars—then devolved. It wasn't terrible—if we could give half stars, I'd give it 3.5—but I was frustrated with the direction he took the story once we found out who was behind everything.

I mean, look, I totally get what Emily did. It may not have been right, but I understood her. And while I know Ben wasn't at fault, I have a hard time condemning poor Emily! Ben's father, the serial killer, was just gruesome. My stomach actually turned reading the flashback murder scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Cross thought his day couldn’t get any worse after being fired from his job. But when he gets on the train he starts receiving ominous and threatening text messages from an anonymous passenger. People are dying and Ben is being instructed to stay on the train. The claustrophobia, paranoia, and panic builds as Ben tries to figure out who the killer is and why he has been targeted.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on March 24, 2026

[Jessica Berumen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 💫 This was a fast-paced, high tension thriller set on a subway train where a passenger gets messages he must follow or else. Great stress level, good premise, but worst character ever in the Homeland Security official who really ruined that side of the story. Also a completely unnecessary final moment. Cut those two and you have a fantastic book and an amazing movie one day!

[Natasha Kirmse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced adventure that matches the quick timeline of this novel's events!

Fired on day one due to his unfortunate past, Ben hesitantly boards the subway to make his way home and finds himself caught up in a trip both down memory lane and the subway tracks that takes his day in a whole new direction. A perfect amount of twists to keep the reader guessing, and enough changes in POV to give you a sense of trying to know that'll happen next, this book is a ln exciting ride from start to finish!

Special thanks to the publisher for my ARC!

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Cross was fired on his first full day after orientation training. He gets on the subway and starts receiving texts telling him to make sure certain people don't leave the train. When the train is hijacked, it's very obvious that this is about Ben, and his past.
What a wild ride of a book! I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. Highly recommended.