One Second Away

by Rick Mofina

What happens when your worst nightmare becomes your reality?

One sunny day in California, Jessie is hugging her nine-year-old son, Dylan, goodbye at the airport. He's travelling by himself, all the way across the country, to visit his father, Jessie's soon-to-be ex-husband, and his grandparents. Her heart breaks, but she puts on a brave face and gives her son one last wave as a flight attendant leads him away. 

Several hours later, Jessie gets a frantic call from Dylan's grandmother in New York. Dylan is missing.

In a second, Jessie's world turns upside down. The AirTag she'd stuck in his backpack says he's still at LAX. The airline insists that he was picked up at JFK by an elderly couple claiming to be his grandparents--but Jessie's in-laws insist they haven't seen him. Dylan has disappeared into thin air.

At the same moment, miles away, in Toronto, a train operator loses control of a subway train, and the fiery crash injures dozens of passengers.

Jessie doesn’t know it yet, but this crash is inextricably linked to Dylan's disappearance. She has to find out how—and where her son is.

Propulsive and page-turning, the latest from bestselling author Rick Mofina is a race-against-the-clock global thriller that will leave you breathless.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 28, 2026

About the author

Rick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.

His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.

The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”

Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Mofina’s exhilarating cyber thriller raises the alarm about how tech companies can invade privacy and dismantle security to further their invasion.

We are only a few months into 2026, but I’m becoming increasingly aware that this is definitely the era of AI, data breaches, online privacy issues, hacking, and tracking. The fact that this pacey suspense spotlights all those insecurities (and then some) makes this a novel that will resonate with many. Mofina has given us the perfect blend of bingable thriller and a warning about cybersecurity threats.

Filled with surprises up to the final paragraph, and with no halt to the breathless action, this propulsive and addictive novel needs to be on every thriller’s reading list. I’d previously enjoyed ‘Someone Saw Something’ and with this 5-star novel, Mofina has quickly placed himself on my auto-read list. I’m coming for your back list!

Check your heart rate before reading! Do not attempt if you’ve already bitten your nails to the quick!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Second Away launches straight into panic as Jessie watches her young son board a plane alone, believing he’ll be safely reunited with his father on the other side of the country. Hours later, her world implodes, Dylan never arrives. The airline insists he was collected by relatives who were never there, while the tracker Jessie hid in his bag shows he never even left Los Angeles. At the same time, a catastrophic subway disaster in Toronto sends shockwaves through the news cycle. What Jessie doesn’t yet realise is that these two events are threads of the same chilling conspiracy, one rooted in digital sabotage, hidden networks, and the terrifying reach of modern technology. As she races to uncover what happened to her son, every new clue raises more suspicion, and every person around her becomes a potential threat.

Rick Mofina propels the story forward with relentless momentum. The short, sharp chapters, shifting perspectives, and a sense of urgency that never lets up. The novel blends emotional stakes with high‑tech intrigue, creating a thriller that feels disturbingly plausible in today’s world of cyberattacks and AI‑driven manipulation. The tension builds beautifully, with twists that land at just the right moment and a cast of characters who keep you guessing about their true motives. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in from page one and refuses to let go, perfect for readers who crave n.‑paced suspense, global stakes, and a mother’s desperate fight to bring her child home. As always loved it!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Second Away is a very thought provoking read that deals with current issues of AI and cyber terrorism. I was drawn into the story quickly and the author grabbed my attention and interest and held it to the last page. The authors writing is engaging and this quickly became one of those moorish reads that was hard to put down. The story is full of tension, suspense, thrills and mystery which kept me guessing and desperate to know what would happen next. The plot line is certainly well thought out and all to believeable today. I loved the different country settings, the individual story threads and enjoyed following all the agencies and their investigations. There are some scenes where Rick Mofina expertly builds up the tension making you (ok, me) think oh no oh no because you're certain you know what is going to happen although you really hope you're wrong. I guessed correctly which character was responsible and felt the ending was a little too rushed for my liking, although the epilogue gives good closure. If you like thrillers then I'm sure you'll enjoy this read and I'd recommend it.

4 stars

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Second Away is a gripping and compelling read that will have you holding your breath and crossing your fingers.

The pace is fast, the tension builds with every page and is litany of secrets, lies, people you love and those you love to sneer at.

Panic is rampant as when Jessica's young son Dylan goes missing on a flight to his Dad's.

Toronto has a catastrophice subway accident with multiple victims and nothing adds up to what happened.

Toronto is the first of many and the clock is ticking to figure out who is responsible.

Rick Mofina takes the reader on a wild journey that will have you binge reading in one sitting.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

I must say I dont think I will get on a subway anytime soon, specially the TTC.

One Second Away is the type of book that had me saying well what do I read after that?

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin House Canada (Adult)/ Random House for the privilege of reading and reviewing One Second Away.

[Concha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada.
A mother desperate to find her son and a subway accident with several deaths. What is the connection between these events?
From this premise, we find ourselves immersed in a story where cybersecurity is the focus.
Both narrative lines, Dylan's disappearance and the accidents, are perfectly balanced and work very well, keeping you waiting to see how they merge.
We follow the clues that have me making assumptions and distrusting each and every one of the characters surrounding Jessie.
The short chapters keep the novel moving at a very dynamic pace, making you feel the protagonist's urgency and creating a desire to keep reading.
Without a doubt, this is a book to pick up if you are a fan of the author or if you like a good thriller, the kind you can't put down.

[A Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Second Away by Rick Mofina is a gripping, fast-paced suspense drama with multiple layers.

A nine year old boy disappears while flying cross country to visit his father. A subway accident with multiple deaths occurs. You have now entered the high-tech world of cybersecurity. Are these two events somehow connected and if so how?

Once again, Mofina grabs his reader at the start and doesn't relinquish the hold until the end, with many twists and surprises throughout the journey. The short chapters make the pages turn quickly. The dual storylines each build their own tensions leading up to the climactic weaving together of them. This book is for psychological suspense lovers that love tons of layers and action.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the advanced copy

[Reading Xennial · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read the book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by Rick Mofina and I had a good time. It’s a solid mystery thriller that keeps the pages turning. The pacing with short chapters and plotting kept me intrigued. There’s a lot going on and there are many layers to keep track of. As far as I can tell, all the loose ends were tied up, but I may have missed some things. The ending was unexpected and I really enjoyed myself. I would probably classify this as a “popcorn thriller” because I wanted to read it all at once like watching an action flick. I plan to check out some of Mofina’s previous work. I highly recommend this book.

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release: April 28, 2026
Author: Rick Mofina
Publisher: Penguin Random House

Rating: 4★ 

In this high-octane thriller, Jessie’s worst nightmare becomes reality when her nine-year-old son, Dylan, vanishes during a cross-country trip, setting off a tense and desperate search. As clues emerge linking his disappearance to a catastrophic subway crash in Toronto, Jessie must navigate a labyrinth of deception and danger to uncover the truth. Fast-paced, gripping, and meticulously plotted, the novel delivers a pulse-pounding race against time that keeps readers on edge from start to finish

Favorite Quote:
"what happens when your worst nightmare becomes your reality?"

[Michelle Godard-Richer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those high stakes, fast-paced, and toe-curling storylines that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go until the end. Right from the start, the author throws two separate, harrowing incidents at you, unfolding in Toronto and Los Angeles. As a mother, Jessie's perspective resonated with me the most as she lives through every parent's worst nightmare. The suspense builds, and the plot unravels in such a spectacular way. I don't want to give anything away, but if you love thrillers, you'll want to pick this one up. Thank you, DoubleDay Canada, for having me on the inaugural influencer team and sending me this gem.

[CM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fast paced and a quick read. I'm always a sucker for a mother and something happening to her child. The idea was interesting and leaves you slightly scared wondering if this could really happen. That said, it was pretty predictable and I guessed the person as soon as they were a part of the story. I feel like there may have been just a few too many clues.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Once again Mofina writes a winner!
Jessie and her husband are separated and so when their son Dylan is going to visit his father she is worried. When the grandparents who were picking him up call her and say he didn’t arrive she is petrified. Where is Dylan? Who would take him? Why?

[Vicky Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the complexity of this book, how two very different story arcs came together to create a true page turner. Touching on the wrong side of AI and the right side of a mother's love for her child, the story was fast paced and scary all at once, with a few events that I didn't see coming thrown in for good measure. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy

[Hannah McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE SECOND AWAY by Rick Mofina is a pulse-pounding, relentless thriller that’ll leave you breathless. Full of high-octane tension, multiple twists, shady characters, and the pitfalls of modern technology, buckle up for one heck of a ride!

[Enid Wray]

Exactly what you expect from Rick Mofina.