What do you think?
Rate this book
NYPD Negotiators #5
Countdown
Following their terrifying ordeal as hostages of domestic terrorists, NYPD Detective Gemma Capello is back in the negotiator chair, while Detective Sean Logan, healed from injuries sustained saving Gemma’s life, has resumed leading an A-Team tactical unit—just in time for their next challenge . . . perfect for fans of James Patterson and David Baldacci.
It’s New Year’s Eve, Manhattan is alight with celebration, and Gemma and Logan are hoping for a relatively normal night amid the revelry. But that hope is shattered by a 911 text from a luxury yacht somewhere in busy New York Harbor. Below deck, a college student working aboard is hiding from a hostage taker. The student reports that the crew was ordered to join the guests. Gunshots followed.
The yacht party, hosted by billionaire venture capitalist Lucas Horner, includes local government officials and some of the city’s wealthiest, most influential people. Gemma and her team hypothesize that Horner, an infamously arrogant hustler, has burned someone financially—someone who now wants revenge.
Once the Aviation Unit identifies the yacht and its location, Logan and his team are transported through the brutal winter waters toward Liberty Island. Gemma finally connects with the hostage taker and learns of a cryptocurrency ransom demand—and a chilling execution plan if it’s not fulfilled by midnight. But Horner is refusing to pay. And Gemma senses things aren’t adding up—because beneath the unnerving scenario lies an even more twisted plan, layers of deceit—and a captor with nothing to lose . . .
It’s New Year’s Eve, Manhattan is alight with celebration, and Gemma and Logan are hoping for a relatively normal night amid the revelry. But that hope is shattered by a 911 text from a luxury yacht somewhere in busy New York Harbor. Below deck, a college student working aboard is hiding from a hostage taker. The student reports that the crew was ordered to join the guests. Gunshots followed.
The yacht party, hosted by billionaire venture capitalist Lucas Horner, includes local government officials and some of the city’s wealthiest, most influential people. Gemma and her team hypothesize that Horner, an infamously arrogant hustler, has burned someone financially—someone who now wants revenge.
Once the Aviation Unit identifies the yacht and its location, Logan and his team are transported through the brutal winter waters toward Liberty Island. Gemma finally connects with the hostage taker and learns of a cryptocurrency ransom demand—and a chilling execution plan if it’s not fulfilled by midnight. But Horner is refusing to pay. And Gemma senses things aren’t adding up—because beneath the unnerving scenario lies an even more twisted plan, layers of deceit—and a captor with nothing to lose . . .
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2026
39 people are currently reading
3496 people want to read
About the author
Sara Driscoll
18 books948 followersSara Driscoll is the pen name of Jen J. Danna, coauthor of the Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries and author of the FBI K-9s and the NYPD Negotiators. After over thirty years in infectious diseases research, Jen hung up her lab coat to concentrate on her real love—writing “exceptional” thrillers (Publishers Weekly). She is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and lives with her husband and four rescued cats outside of Toronto, Ontario. You can follow the latest news on her books, including the FBI K-9s, at www.saradriscollauthor.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
March 25, 2026
(4.5 stars)
Thank you to Sara Driscoll and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of Countdown, the latest book in her NYPD Negotiators series. Once again, Driscoll brings us a true page-turner of a police procedural. It’s such a unique perspective, to be inside the workings of a hostage negotiating team.
Picture this: New Year’s Eve, New York City. No, not Times Square. Instead we are focusing on boats in the harbor, congregating to watch the fireworks over Lady Liberty at midnight. A 911 call comes in, saying there’s a hostage situation on a luxury yacht in the harbor.
I don’t want to spoil a thing, so I’ll just say that Gemma Capello is back as the main hostage negotiator, and her now love interest, Sean Logan, is back leading the tactical team - a team that Gemma hopes won’t have to go into action at all. They need to figure out where in the harbor the yacht is anchored, how to contact the hostage taker, what his demands are, and more. I love how Gemma tries to get into the head of the hostage-taker, to figure out what’s behind his demands, to get at the real reason for the situation. She's not alone in this. Her partner, McFarland, does an amazing job of on-the-fly research to really help in so many ways over the course of the book.
The logistics of contacting and negotiating with someone somewhere on a yacht in NY harbor on New Year’s Eve was mind-boggling. The amount of detail was incredible - and made it all too believable. Yes, there’s a lot of technical stuff, but there’s also a lot of tension and action interspersed. Being familiar with New York City, this all felt very, very real, and realistic. Different chapters are told from Gemma’s perspective and from Logan’s perspective.
While this is the fifth book in the series, I believe it could work well as a standalone, if you want to jump in to the series with this one.
Thank you to Sara Driscoll and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of Countdown, the latest book in her NYPD Negotiators series. Once again, Driscoll brings us a true page-turner of a police procedural. It’s such a unique perspective, to be inside the workings of a hostage negotiating team.
Picture this: New Year’s Eve, New York City. No, not Times Square. Instead we are focusing on boats in the harbor, congregating to watch the fireworks over Lady Liberty at midnight. A 911 call comes in, saying there’s a hostage situation on a luxury yacht in the harbor.
I don’t want to spoil a thing, so I’ll just say that Gemma Capello is back as the main hostage negotiator, and her now love interest, Sean Logan, is back leading the tactical team - a team that Gemma hopes won’t have to go into action at all. They need to figure out where in the harbor the yacht is anchored, how to contact the hostage taker, what his demands are, and more. I love how Gemma tries to get into the head of the hostage-taker, to figure out what’s behind his demands, to get at the real reason for the situation. She's not alone in this. Her partner, McFarland, does an amazing job of on-the-fly research to really help in so many ways over the course of the book.
The logistics of contacting and negotiating with someone somewhere on a yacht in NY harbor on New Year’s Eve was mind-boggling. The amount of detail was incredible - and made it all too believable. Yes, there’s a lot of technical stuff, but there’s also a lot of tension and action interspersed. Being familiar with New York City, this all felt very, very real, and realistic. Different chapters are told from Gemma’s perspective and from Logan’s perspective.
While this is the fifth book in the series, I believe it could work well as a standalone, if you want to jump in to the series with this one.
May 2, 2026
This story was action packed and kept me engaged from the beginning. I was a little surprised, but pleased by the ending. I plan to read previous books in this series. I liked the characters of Gemma and Logan. The only negative for me was the profanity. I do highly recommend this book.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
April 27, 2026
It's not you (mostly), it's me.
Countdown is the fifth book in an NYPD negotiators saga, and it was my first Sara Discroll. The story wasn't hard to get into or understand, but because I wasn't familiar with the prior books, I didn't feel connected to the characters, who felt one-dimmensional and plain. I suppose (hope) most of the getting-to-know the characters was done in the previous books.
I also has some quelms with the writing. In order to give the reader some background and facts, the characters would explain each other things that made no sense. They're supposed to know how things work and all procedure steps! It just isn't a good strategy to explain new things to the reader by making experts explain eseach other things they are clearly already familiar with.
I also found the writing too straightforward. I get it's an action-packed, tense plot, but descriptions and setting the scene help make the story feel more real.
Aaaaand, I hate to say this, but I did so not like the audiobook. The tone of the narrator felt monotonous and it was hard to follow until I got used to it. Her cadence made it feel like the sentence was continuing, but it was not?
Finally, what was all that AI companies name-dropping? It felt like the book was full of not-even-attempted-to-be-disguised publicity. Crazy!
So, I was not a fan, but everyone seems to be loving it, so I might just be the unpopular opinion.
The audiobook was provided by NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.
Countdown is the fifth book in an NYPD negotiators saga, and it was my first Sara Discroll. The story wasn't hard to get into or understand, but because I wasn't familiar with the prior books, I didn't feel connected to the characters, who felt one-dimmensional and plain. I suppose (hope) most of the getting-to-know the characters was done in the previous books.
I also has some quelms with the writing. In order to give the reader some background and facts, the characters would explain each other things that made no sense. They're supposed to know how things work and all procedure steps! It just isn't a good strategy to explain new things to the reader by making experts explain eseach other things they are clearly already familiar with.
I also found the writing too straightforward. I get it's an action-packed, tense plot, but descriptions and setting the scene help make the story feel more real.
Aaaaand, I hate to say this, but I did so not like the audiobook. The tone of the narrator felt monotonous and it was hard to follow until I got used to it. Her cadence made it feel like the sentence was continuing, but it was not?
Finally, what was all that AI companies name-dropping? It felt like the book was full of not-even-attempted-to-be-disguised publicity. Crazy!
So, I was not a fan, but everyone seems to be loving it, so I might just be the unpopular opinion.
The audiobook was provided by NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.
February 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Countdown by Sara Driscoll.
Countdown is a police-themed thriller following Gemma, a NYPD Detective. Sara Driscoll builds suspense as the clock ticks down during a hostage negotiation that Gemma is leading. Taking place in the New York Harbor, the team faces some interesting challenges along the way. The investigative elements feel authentic, and each chapter adds another layer of intensity.
Even though I haven’t read the earlier books in the series, I had no trouble jumping into this one. The suspense kept me turning the pages, wondering what would happen next. At times, some scenes felt a bit drawn out in the beginning, but overall it was still a pretty fast read for me.
I give this one a 3.5 star rating because I didn’t get TOTALLY invested until 40% through the book when more action started taking place.
Countdown is a police-themed thriller following Gemma, a NYPD Detective. Sara Driscoll builds suspense as the clock ticks down during a hostage negotiation that Gemma is leading. Taking place in the New York Harbor, the team faces some interesting challenges along the way. The investigative elements feel authentic, and each chapter adds another layer of intensity.
Even though I haven’t read the earlier books in the series, I had no trouble jumping into this one. The suspense kept me turning the pages, wondering what would happen next. At times, some scenes felt a bit drawn out in the beginning, but overall it was still a pretty fast read for me.
I give this one a 3.5 star rating because I didn’t get TOTALLY invested until 40% through the book when more action started taking place.
January 30, 2026
Countdown, by Sara Driscoll, is another excellent addition to her NYPD Hostage Negotiation Team series. In a novel plot twist our hostage negotiator, Gemma Capello, has to deal with not one but two hostage negotiations with different people in different locations on New Year’s Eve. Gemma, and her romantic partner Detective Sean Logan, an NYPD Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team leader and sniper, have to trust each other’s judgement completely as their two units work the case together.
The hostage locations range from the pretentious yacht of a callous billionaire during a glitzy New Year’s Eve party, to aging industrial building rooftops. The hostages range from wealthy, elite New Yorkers to a bartender’s wife and young children. As always, Gemma’s job is to get inside the head and understand the psychological status of the hostage taker, with the goal to end a hostage situation without any loss of life. Her position can be at odds with that of the Tactical Team, who handle the tactical action and focus more on the safety of the hostages than the hostage takers. This disparity challenges the relationship between Gemma and Logan in ways that could potentially be devastating.
This was a fast paced, emotionally charged read that I completed in a day because I couldn’t put it down. It’s an excellent stand alone story, however I’d highly recommend reading the rest of the series to enjoy the multiple character relationships and their evolution.
The hostage locations range from the pretentious yacht of a callous billionaire during a glitzy New Year’s Eve party, to aging industrial building rooftops. The hostages range from wealthy, elite New Yorkers to a bartender’s wife and young children. As always, Gemma’s job is to get inside the head and understand the psychological status of the hostage taker, with the goal to end a hostage situation without any loss of life. Her position can be at odds with that of the Tactical Team, who handle the tactical action and focus more on the safety of the hostages than the hostage takers. This disparity challenges the relationship between Gemma and Logan in ways that could potentially be devastating.
This was a fast paced, emotionally charged read that I completed in a day because I couldn’t put it down. It’s an excellent stand alone story, however I’d highly recommend reading the rest of the series to enjoy the multiple character relationships and their evolution.
April 30, 2026
Countdown is an edge of your seat thriller that will keep you up far too late! Countdown is book 5 in the NYPD Negotiators series by Sara Driscoll, but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, if you're new to the series like me. It's New Years Eve and everyone in Manhattan is out celebrating. Gemma and Logan are hoping for a fun night enjoying each other's company. All that comes to an end when a college student texts 911 from below deck on a luxury yacht that's been taken over. The college student is a walk-on waiter that no one knows is there except his Aunt who got him the gig. He hid when the gunshots were fired and all people aboard were ordered into one small area.
The yacht is owned by billionaire capitalist Lucas Horner and he was throwing a very big party tonight. His guest list included many high ups in government and some of New York's most influential people. Horner is arrogant and has made money off of other people's failings. Did one of those people hold a grudge and come after Horner tonight? Once the aviation team locates the yacht, Logan and his team are given the coordinates and set off to board the ship without anyone knowing. Will this be possible?
The hostage taker is threatening to shoot one hostage at a time until they get notification of their wanted cryptocurrency amount. Gemma is able to get the hostage taker to talk on the phone, but can't seem to get through to him. Will she be able to find something in his life to reach him? The suspense builds and builds until an unbelievable ending. You will not be able to put this book down once you start, so be warned! I rate Countdown 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy of Countdown in exchange for a fair review. #Countdown
The yacht is owned by billionaire capitalist Lucas Horner and he was throwing a very big party tonight. His guest list included many high ups in government and some of New York's most influential people. Horner is arrogant and has made money off of other people's failings. Did one of those people hold a grudge and come after Horner tonight? Once the aviation team locates the yacht, Logan and his team are given the coordinates and set off to board the ship without anyone knowing. Will this be possible?
The hostage taker is threatening to shoot one hostage at a time until they get notification of their wanted cryptocurrency amount. Gemma is able to get the hostage taker to talk on the phone, but can't seem to get through to him. Will she be able to find something in his life to reach him? The suspense builds and builds until an unbelievable ending. You will not be able to put this book down once you start, so be warned! I rate Countdown 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy of Countdown in exchange for a fair review. #Countdown
May 3, 2026
enjoying this series
Driscoll’s books are easy to read and not overly complicated. The plots twists just at the right time to keep the flow moving forward. I am enjoying the characters.
Driscoll’s books are easy to read and not overly complicated. The plots twists just at the right time to keep the flow moving forward. I am enjoying the characters.
May 5, 2026
I overall enjoy the premise and story but it was a bit harder to stay into because I did not love the narrator of the audio copy. I’d probably check out more in this series but hope they use a different voice actor. Thanks to NetGalley for the audio copy to review
May 2, 2026
Countdown by Sara Driscoll is a fast-paced crime thriller involving a super tense hostage situation on a yacht. This was my first introduction to the NYPD Negotiators series and I’ll definitely be checking out the other titles. I was totally invested in the story, but I listened to the audiobook and the narration kept pulling me out of it to the point that I was really struggling in parts. The dialogue was fine, but the narration between dialogue felt like every sentence was a question? Even speeding it up didn’t help unfortunately, but I was able to make it through and don’t want to knock too much off of my rating for it. Had I read a physical copy it would have been a five star read for me all the way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Starting book five of a series like Countdown with zero context is exactly the kind of chaotic confidence I aspire to bring into other areas of my life. No prep, no prior emotional attachment, just vibes and a vague understanding that someone is about to be held hostage. And somehow? It works. Within minutes I was fully invested in Gemma Capello’s mental state and Sean Logan’s whole “I almost died but make it hot and broody” situation like I hadn’t just skipped four entire books of character development.
New Year’s Eve in Manhattan is already a nightmare, respectfully. Crowds, chaos, people screaming for no reason. Now add a luxury yacht full of rich elites, a hostage situation, and a college kid hiding below deck texting 911 like he’s live-tweeting his own trauma. That’s the setup. And immediately you know this is not going to be a chill evening for anyone involved, especially not the NYPD negotiators who were probably hoping for, I don’t know, ONE normal holiday.
Gemma is in the negotiator chair after previously being held hostage herself, which feels like returning to work after burnout but if burnout included actual guns and near-death experiences. She’s sharp, intuitive, and running entirely on emotional intelligence and caffeine. The way she gets inside the hostage taker’s head is honestly a little terrifying. She’s not just talking, she’s dissecting. Every pause, every word choice, every shift in tone, she’s clocking it. Meanwhile I can’t even correctly interpret a text that just says “k.”
And then there’s Logan, out here leading the tactical team like a man who absolutely should still be on medical leave but instead chose violence. He’s navigating freezing harbor waters, coordinating a stealth approach, and also trying to not let his relationship with Gemma interfere with, you know, life-or-death decisions. Their bosses are understandably like, “are we sure this is a good idea?” and I, too, was like, “this feels like an HR violation waiting to happen,” but also… they kind of crush it together.
The dual perspective is where this book really flexes. You’ve got Gemma playing 4D chess over the phone while Logan is starring in his own high-stakes action movie on the water. It’s brains and brawn, but both sides are equally stressful. One wrong word, someone dies. One wrong move, someone dies. It’s just a constant stream of “oh cool, everything is fragile and terrible.”
Now let’s talk about the actual situation, because this is where things get messy in the best way. On the surface, it’s a pretty straightforward ransom setup. Billionaire Lucas Horner is being targeted, there’s a cryptocurrency demand, and a very firm “pay up or people start dropping.” Except Horner, in a truly stunning display of rich man audacity, is like… no. Just flat-out refuses. Sir, there are lives at stake and you’re acting like this is a bad Yelp review.
But of course, nothing is that simple. The hostage taker is off. The story doesn’t quite line up. And Gemma senses it early, that gut feeling that something deeper is going on here. And when the layers start peeling back? Oh, it gets twisted. Not in a cheap “gotcha” way, but in a “this just became ten times more complicated and emotionally loaded” way that actually lands.
The pacing is a little bit of a rollercoaster. The beginning leans heavy on procedural details, like you are being gently onboarded into the NYPD hostage negotiation program. There were moments where I was like, “I get it, we have a system, can we please return to the imminent danger?” But once the action hits, it HITS. Suddenly it’s tension, movement, split-second decisions, and you’re completely locked in.
And honestly, the audiobook narration by Meghan Kelly is doing a lot of heavy lifting in those slower sections. She keeps the tension simmering even when the plot is taking its time. Her delivery during the negotiation scenes is especially strong. You can hear the calculation, the pressure, the emotional stakes. It makes those conversations feel alive in a way that pulls you through any pacing hiccups.
What surprised me most is how much I ended up caring. About the hostages, about the team, even about the hostage taker once the motivations start coming into focus. There’s a humanity here that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re here for the action, the next you’re like, “oh no, this is actually kind of devastating.”
Also, can we just acknowledge the absolute chaos of Gemma and Logan working their first case together as a couple under this level of pressure? That is not a soft launch. That is a stress test designed by the universe itself. And somehow they make it work, which honestly says more about them than any backstory I skipped.
And here’s the kicker, this absolutely convinced me I need to go back and start this series from the beginning. Not in a casual “maybe someday” way, but in a “I have clearly missed emotional damage, relationship slow burn, and at least one situation that permanently altered these people’s brain chemistry” way. You can jump in here and survive, I did, but now I want the full backstory like it’s required reading. I need to see how we got from “coworkers” to “let’s risk our lives together while secretly in love and professionally stressed.”
By the end, I was fully invested, slightly emotionally exhausted, and deeply entertained. It’s not flawless, the pacing stumbles a bit early on, but the payoff is worth it. Solid four stars, easy.
Whodunity Award: The “This Could Have Been Solved If One Rich Man Had Basic Empathy” Award
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC, I will now be celebrating New Year’s Eve exclusively on land.
New Year’s Eve in Manhattan is already a nightmare, respectfully. Crowds, chaos, people screaming for no reason. Now add a luxury yacht full of rich elites, a hostage situation, and a college kid hiding below deck texting 911 like he’s live-tweeting his own trauma. That’s the setup. And immediately you know this is not going to be a chill evening for anyone involved, especially not the NYPD negotiators who were probably hoping for, I don’t know, ONE normal holiday.
Gemma is in the negotiator chair after previously being held hostage herself, which feels like returning to work after burnout but if burnout included actual guns and near-death experiences. She’s sharp, intuitive, and running entirely on emotional intelligence and caffeine. The way she gets inside the hostage taker’s head is honestly a little terrifying. She’s not just talking, she’s dissecting. Every pause, every word choice, every shift in tone, she’s clocking it. Meanwhile I can’t even correctly interpret a text that just says “k.”
And then there’s Logan, out here leading the tactical team like a man who absolutely should still be on medical leave but instead chose violence. He’s navigating freezing harbor waters, coordinating a stealth approach, and also trying to not let his relationship with Gemma interfere with, you know, life-or-death decisions. Their bosses are understandably like, “are we sure this is a good idea?” and I, too, was like, “this feels like an HR violation waiting to happen,” but also… they kind of crush it together.
The dual perspective is where this book really flexes. You’ve got Gemma playing 4D chess over the phone while Logan is starring in his own high-stakes action movie on the water. It’s brains and brawn, but both sides are equally stressful. One wrong word, someone dies. One wrong move, someone dies. It’s just a constant stream of “oh cool, everything is fragile and terrible.”
Now let’s talk about the actual situation, because this is where things get messy in the best way. On the surface, it’s a pretty straightforward ransom setup. Billionaire Lucas Horner is being targeted, there’s a cryptocurrency demand, and a very firm “pay up or people start dropping.” Except Horner, in a truly stunning display of rich man audacity, is like… no. Just flat-out refuses. Sir, there are lives at stake and you’re acting like this is a bad Yelp review.
But of course, nothing is that simple. The hostage taker is off. The story doesn’t quite line up. And Gemma senses it early, that gut feeling that something deeper is going on here. And when the layers start peeling back? Oh, it gets twisted. Not in a cheap “gotcha” way, but in a “this just became ten times more complicated and emotionally loaded” way that actually lands.
The pacing is a little bit of a rollercoaster. The beginning leans heavy on procedural details, like you are being gently onboarded into the NYPD hostage negotiation program. There were moments where I was like, “I get it, we have a system, can we please return to the imminent danger?” But once the action hits, it HITS. Suddenly it’s tension, movement, split-second decisions, and you’re completely locked in.
And honestly, the audiobook narration by Meghan Kelly is doing a lot of heavy lifting in those slower sections. She keeps the tension simmering even when the plot is taking its time. Her delivery during the negotiation scenes is especially strong. You can hear the calculation, the pressure, the emotional stakes. It makes those conversations feel alive in a way that pulls you through any pacing hiccups.
What surprised me most is how much I ended up caring. About the hostages, about the team, even about the hostage taker once the motivations start coming into focus. There’s a humanity here that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re here for the action, the next you’re like, “oh no, this is actually kind of devastating.”
Also, can we just acknowledge the absolute chaos of Gemma and Logan working their first case together as a couple under this level of pressure? That is not a soft launch. That is a stress test designed by the universe itself. And somehow they make it work, which honestly says more about them than any backstory I skipped.
And here’s the kicker, this absolutely convinced me I need to go back and start this series from the beginning. Not in a casual “maybe someday” way, but in a “I have clearly missed emotional damage, relationship slow burn, and at least one situation that permanently altered these people’s brain chemistry” way. You can jump in here and survive, I did, but now I want the full backstory like it’s required reading. I need to see how we got from “coworkers” to “let’s risk our lives together while secretly in love and professionally stressed.”
By the end, I was fully invested, slightly emotionally exhausted, and deeply entertained. It’s not flawless, the pacing stumbles a bit early on, but the payoff is worth it. Solid four stars, easy.
Whodunity Award: The “This Could Have Been Solved If One Rich Man Had Basic Empathy” Award
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC, I will now be celebrating New Year’s Eve exclusively on land.
Review of advance copy
This new addition to Sara Driscoll’s NYPD Negotiators series is an excellent, all-absorbing read! From the beginning, I was completely immersed in this edge-of-the-seat thriller, and didn’t want to put it down. It was almost as if I were there, watching the hostage situation and the trained and seasoned NYPD detectives.
It is New Year’s Eve, and Gemma, part of NYPD’s Hostage Negotiation Team, has been called out on a situation. This is the first time she will be the team’s primary negotiator since she and Logan, part of NYPD’s A-Team, were held hostage at Grand Central Station. They have recovered from their injuries, but only Gemma knew if she was prepared to get into the hostage-taker’s mind.
Logan’s Unit One members were called as the responding A-Team. He had residual pain from saving Gemma’s life, but had already returned to work. This is also a test for Gemma and Logan to prove to their superiors that their personal relationship will not interfere with their ability to work objectively, professionally together.
They knew very little about the situation. On New Year’s Eve, many people were in New York Harbor, either hosting parties on their boats, attending a party, or enjoying tours on boats offering dining and an unmatched view of fireworks displays from all over Manhattan, including at Liberty Island.
A 911 operator received a call from a college student who was working that night with his aunt, the head steward on a yacht full of special guests invited to dine with the yacht’s wealthy owner. The student, however, didn’t know his name. All staff was ordered to meet in the dining room where the guests were. His aunt sent him below deck, and he called 911 after hearing gunshots.
I was impressed at how quickly NYPD was able to learn that a superyacht and its owner, Lucas Horner, were on the river. The “taker”, the person holding everyone captive, did not make contact with the police, so they had to find who was at the party and their cell numbers. When they did finally make contact, the “taker” sounded flat, almost emotionless, unless he – Kip – spoke of his children. The demands seemed impossible, even as the A-Team was ready to infiltrate the largest yacht on the river. Kip wanted the yacht’s owner, Horner, to transfer fifty million dollars in cryptocurrency to a specific location by midnight. Horner, an obnoxious billionaire, didn’t want to give a nickel. If he refused, Kip would shoot everyone on board, one by one, saving Horner as the final kill. Of the estimated 41 guests and crew, would any of them try to take Kip down before the A-Team did?
Then, the ultimate, stunning plot twist: NYPD learned why Kip turned a pleasure cruise into a hostage situation. It changed everything.
I am in awe of all the hostage team, especially McFarland! He could hear one tiny clue in the conversation and be able to locate almost every last detail of the person or situation. NYPD’s technical team was also outstanding! I appreciate how the author explains, in an interesting yet concise manner, certain actions or skills that the average person would not understand. The twists and turns, especially the biggie, shows how they could change focus at a moment’s notice. I highly recommend this novel and series to those who appreciate the runaway roller coaster rides of many kinds of hostage and police situations.
Many thanks to the publisher, Kensington, who provided a pre-publication copy of this novel. This is my honest review.
It is New Year’s Eve, and Gemma, part of NYPD’s Hostage Negotiation Team, has been called out on a situation. This is the first time she will be the team’s primary negotiator since she and Logan, part of NYPD’s A-Team, were held hostage at Grand Central Station. They have recovered from their injuries, but only Gemma knew if she was prepared to get into the hostage-taker’s mind.
Logan’s Unit One members were called as the responding A-Team. He had residual pain from saving Gemma’s life, but had already returned to work. This is also a test for Gemma and Logan to prove to their superiors that their personal relationship will not interfere with their ability to work objectively, professionally together.
They knew very little about the situation. On New Year’s Eve, many people were in New York Harbor, either hosting parties on their boats, attending a party, or enjoying tours on boats offering dining and an unmatched view of fireworks displays from all over Manhattan, including at Liberty Island.
A 911 operator received a call from a college student who was working that night with his aunt, the head steward on a yacht full of special guests invited to dine with the yacht’s wealthy owner. The student, however, didn’t know his name. All staff was ordered to meet in the dining room where the guests were. His aunt sent him below deck, and he called 911 after hearing gunshots.
I was impressed at how quickly NYPD was able to learn that a superyacht and its owner, Lucas Horner, were on the river. The “taker”, the person holding everyone captive, did not make contact with the police, so they had to find who was at the party and their cell numbers. When they did finally make contact, the “taker” sounded flat, almost emotionless, unless he – Kip – spoke of his children. The demands seemed impossible, even as the A-Team was ready to infiltrate the largest yacht on the river. Kip wanted the yacht’s owner, Horner, to transfer fifty million dollars in cryptocurrency to a specific location by midnight. Horner, an obnoxious billionaire, didn’t want to give a nickel. If he refused, Kip would shoot everyone on board, one by one, saving Horner as the final kill. Of the estimated 41 guests and crew, would any of them try to take Kip down before the A-Team did?
Then, the ultimate, stunning plot twist: NYPD learned why Kip turned a pleasure cruise into a hostage situation. It changed everything.
I am in awe of all the hostage team, especially McFarland! He could hear one tiny clue in the conversation and be able to locate almost every last detail of the person or situation. NYPD’s technical team was also outstanding! I appreciate how the author explains, in an interesting yet concise manner, certain actions or skills that the average person would not understand. The twists and turns, especially the biggie, shows how they could change focus at a moment’s notice. I highly recommend this novel and series to those who appreciate the runaway roller coaster rides of many kinds of hostage and police situations.
Many thanks to the publisher, Kensington, who provided a pre-publication copy of this novel. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sara Driscoll’s Countdown, the fifth installment in the NYPD Negotiators series, delivers a pulse-pounding thriller that perfectly captures the high-stakes tension fans have come to expect from this author. Following the traumatic events of the previous book…where Gemma Capello and Sean Logan endured a harrowing hostage situation themselves…experiencing emotional and physical trauma…both characters are back on duty, still processing their ordeal while diving headfirst into a new crisis on New Year’s Eve.
The setup is gripping from the start: a luxury yacht in New York Harbor becomes the site of a hostage takeover during a glitzy party hosted by an arrogant billionaire venture capitalist Lucas Horner. A desperate 911 text from a college student crew member, hidden below deck, kicks off the chaos, complete with reports of gunshots and forced crew integration with the elite guests. Driscoll wastes no time ramping up the urgency, blending the festive backdrop of Manhattan’s celebrations with the brutal winter waters and the ticking clock toward midnight. The author’s expertly crafted depiction of the freezing temperatures during the ride in the RIB as it hurtles towards the yacht, puts the reader in the craft experiencing those same intense and freezing moments.
What makes Countdown stand out is its layered plot. Gemma, as the skilled negotiator, connects with the hostage taker and uncovers a cryptocurrency (one of the most straightforward explanations of the intricacies of cryptocurrency I have seen) ransom demand tied to a chilling execution plan. Horner’s refusal to pay adds friction, but Gemma’s instincts scream that something deeper is at play…layers of deceit, revenge, and a captor with truly nothing to lose. The twists feel earned, building on the initial premise without relying on cheap shocks. The cryptocurrency angle feels timely and integrated naturally into the motive without overwhelming the story.
The dual perspectives of Gemma in the negotiator’s chair and Logan leading his A-Team tactical unit through icy waters toward Liberty Island create excellent balance. Their professional synergy shines, with subtle undercurrents of their personal connection adding emotional depth…especially after Logan’s recovery from injuries sustained saving Gemma. Driscoll handles the action sequences with precision: the boat approach in harsh conditions, the tactical boarding, and the negotiation back-and-forth all feel authentic and cinematic.
The supporting cast, including the yacht’s high-profile guests (government officials and NYC’s wealthiest elites), adds intrigue and raises the stakes. The pacing is relentless, with short chapters that propel the reader forward, making it hard to put down as the countdown to midnight intensifies…along with tight plotting, realistic procedural elements, and characters who feel like real people under extreme pressure, Ms. Driscoll once again creates another gripping narrative of hostage negotiators.
Countdown is a strong entry in the series, proving that Driscoll continues to elevate the hostage negotiation thriller subgenre. It’s the kind of book that keeps you up past midnight…fitting for a New Year’s Eve story. Highly recommended for anyone who loves fast-paced, intelligent suspense with heart.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
The setup is gripping from the start: a luxury yacht in New York Harbor becomes the site of a hostage takeover during a glitzy party hosted by an arrogant billionaire venture capitalist Lucas Horner. A desperate 911 text from a college student crew member, hidden below deck, kicks off the chaos, complete with reports of gunshots and forced crew integration with the elite guests. Driscoll wastes no time ramping up the urgency, blending the festive backdrop of Manhattan’s celebrations with the brutal winter waters and the ticking clock toward midnight. The author’s expertly crafted depiction of the freezing temperatures during the ride in the RIB as it hurtles towards the yacht, puts the reader in the craft experiencing those same intense and freezing moments.
What makes Countdown stand out is its layered plot. Gemma, as the skilled negotiator, connects with the hostage taker and uncovers a cryptocurrency (one of the most straightforward explanations of the intricacies of cryptocurrency I have seen) ransom demand tied to a chilling execution plan. Horner’s refusal to pay adds friction, but Gemma’s instincts scream that something deeper is at play…layers of deceit, revenge, and a captor with truly nothing to lose. The twists feel earned, building on the initial premise without relying on cheap shocks. The cryptocurrency angle feels timely and integrated naturally into the motive without overwhelming the story.
The dual perspectives of Gemma in the negotiator’s chair and Logan leading his A-Team tactical unit through icy waters toward Liberty Island create excellent balance. Their professional synergy shines, with subtle undercurrents of their personal connection adding emotional depth…especially after Logan’s recovery from injuries sustained saving Gemma. Driscoll handles the action sequences with precision: the boat approach in harsh conditions, the tactical boarding, and the negotiation back-and-forth all feel authentic and cinematic.
The supporting cast, including the yacht’s high-profile guests (government officials and NYC’s wealthiest elites), adds intrigue and raises the stakes. The pacing is relentless, with short chapters that propel the reader forward, making it hard to put down as the countdown to midnight intensifies…along with tight plotting, realistic procedural elements, and characters who feel like real people under extreme pressure, Ms. Driscoll once again creates another gripping narrative of hostage negotiators.
Countdown is a strong entry in the series, proving that Driscoll continues to elevate the hostage negotiation thriller subgenre. It’s the kind of book that keeps you up past midnight…fitting for a New Year’s Eve story. Highly recommended for anyone who loves fast-paced, intelligent suspense with heart.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The past few weeks for Gemma and Logan have been about healing. After a brutal run-in with a hostage taker that left them scarred both mentally and physically, they’re finally taking their first steps back into work and quietly checking in with their relationship. While they both work with the NYPD, they are on different teams within the force. Their work often brings them together and they, and their bosses, want to be assured that they can work together at events that can break even strong relationships. They’re certain that they’re doing everything possible to keep themselves ready to assure a safe ending for all. They are ready to go.
Their first case back lands them in New York Harbor on New Year’s Eve. While the rest of the world is celebrating the new year, there is word that Gemma’s skills are needed to unwind a hostage taker on an elite yacht moored in the middle of the harbor. She, Logan and the full team are summoned to bring this to an end.
This book begins with the larger picture: how negotiations work… how the Emergency Services teams jump in.. how they all work together. It is detailed, maybe a little dense at first. Stick with it because once you have the scene established, the players identified, and the roles assigned, then… the negotiation begins. The behind scenes actors are stealthily making their way to the location and you, the reader, are dropped in right there with Gemma and the hostage taker and suddenly you don’t want to put the book down. When you do, it takes a moment to get back into your space and remember that you are NOT in New York on the water near the Statue of Liberty freezing your butt off and attempting mighty feats under trying conditions.
What really works is the juxtaposition of the human side – fear, instincts, emotions - with the descriptions of the physical environment and the necessary strategies needed to be one step ahead of the situation.
And the thing is… just when you think that all is well and a traditional thriller would be winding things down… you realize that you’re only part way through the event. There’s more. The twists that go round from here take you to back streets and alleys of New York City and to one of the most intense negotiations Gemma must face. It’s personal and she has to overcome her own history with this kind of fear, rage, and uncertainty, because this one could go anywhere.
Sara Driscoll has a knack for bringing readers into the geography of her story. The details it takes to handle this kind of crime on the water, in the streets or behind closed doors 5 floors up are expertly described. You are there and can visualize the scene; and the best part is that you can go on google maps and check out the locations and get a feel for the place. I’ve done this with every Driscoll book and have always enjoyed seeing the big picture and being allowed to jump in with the characters wherever they might be. If you haven’t read the other books in the series, I recommend that you do. While they aren’t necessary in order to enjoy this book, you won’t want to miss the many missions that Gemma and Logan faced before getting here.
I received a review copy in advance. Here is my honest review.
Their first case back lands them in New York Harbor on New Year’s Eve. While the rest of the world is celebrating the new year, there is word that Gemma’s skills are needed to unwind a hostage taker on an elite yacht moored in the middle of the harbor. She, Logan and the full team are summoned to bring this to an end.
This book begins with the larger picture: how negotiations work… how the Emergency Services teams jump in.. how they all work together. It is detailed, maybe a little dense at first. Stick with it because once you have the scene established, the players identified, and the roles assigned, then… the negotiation begins. The behind scenes actors are stealthily making their way to the location and you, the reader, are dropped in right there with Gemma and the hostage taker and suddenly you don’t want to put the book down. When you do, it takes a moment to get back into your space and remember that you are NOT in New York on the water near the Statue of Liberty freezing your butt off and attempting mighty feats under trying conditions.
What really works is the juxtaposition of the human side – fear, instincts, emotions - with the descriptions of the physical environment and the necessary strategies needed to be one step ahead of the situation.
And the thing is… just when you think that all is well and a traditional thriller would be winding things down… you realize that you’re only part way through the event. There’s more. The twists that go round from here take you to back streets and alleys of New York City and to one of the most intense negotiations Gemma must face. It’s personal and she has to overcome her own history with this kind of fear, rage, and uncertainty, because this one could go anywhere.
Sara Driscoll has a knack for bringing readers into the geography of her story. The details it takes to handle this kind of crime on the water, in the streets or behind closed doors 5 floors up are expertly described. You are there and can visualize the scene; and the best part is that you can go on google maps and check out the locations and get a feel for the place. I’ve done this with every Driscoll book and have always enjoyed seeing the big picture and being allowed to jump in with the characters wherever they might be. If you haven’t read the other books in the series, I recommend that you do. While they aren’t necessary in order to enjoy this book, you won’t want to miss the many missions that Gemma and Logan faced before getting here.
I received a review copy in advance. Here is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
COUNTDOWN by Sara Driscoll is the suspense-riddled, unputdownable story of NYPD Detectives Gemma Capello, hostage negotiator, and Sean Logan, leader of Apprehension Tactical Team (A-Team) Unit 1. After barely surviving their last mission, Gemma and Logan are healed, physically and mentally, and are back, working an intensely dangerous case. While millions are celebrating New Year’s Eve with parties and fireworks, they’ll be handling an extremely difficult hostage situation aboard billionaire Lucas Horner’s luxury yacht, the Salacia.
A 911 call from an unapproved server, the nephew to one of the hired employees for the New Year’s Eve party on the Salacia, alerted them that everyone else on the yacht was being held as hostage by a gunman. They now needed to figure out where the yacht is anchored, who the man with the gun is and what his demands are. It’s up to Gemma to talk the hostage taker down and de-escalate the situation where everyone comes out of it alive. Logan and his crew’s job is to get on the yacht undetected, rescue the young man that called it in before he’s found and be ready to take control of the boat by force if need be because time is ticking away fast with a midnight deadline.
Gemma and Logan had decided to take their relationship slow this time. With their required time off after the last case, they have been enjoying just getting to know one another and spending time together. This case is the first one they’ve worked on together since Logan was injured saving Gemma’s life. Logan’s almost completely healed physical and Gemma has worked through any emotional aspects of the last case and ready to get back to work. Working together will be a test of keeping their emotional attraction out of the equation. They are both confident they can do it.
Is the gunman working alone or is there someone else involved? What’s his driving force? When they find out the reasoning behind the man’s actions, will it make a difference on how things are handled? Is there an accomplice on board? Who is pulling the strings?
COUNTDOWN is a magnificently riveting story that will keep you spellbound as you quickly turn the pages looking for answers alongside the Hostage Negotiation Team hoping for safety for the team and with small undertones of the growing romance between Gemma and Logan. After the first few pages, the desire and need to see where and how this story goes will make it impossible to put down. Sara Driscoll gives us a story of excitement, danger, suspense, teamwork, understanding, romance, patience and mystery. COUNTDOWN is absolutely a FIVE STAR book and I highly recommend it to everyone! While COUNTDOWN is the 5th book in the NYPD Negotiators series, it can most definitely be read as a standalone book.
I received an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#Countdown #NYPDNegotiators #SaraDriscoll #Suspense #danger #mystery
A 911 call from an unapproved server, the nephew to one of the hired employees for the New Year’s Eve party on the Salacia, alerted them that everyone else on the yacht was being held as hostage by a gunman. They now needed to figure out where the yacht is anchored, who the man with the gun is and what his demands are. It’s up to Gemma to talk the hostage taker down and de-escalate the situation where everyone comes out of it alive. Logan and his crew’s job is to get on the yacht undetected, rescue the young man that called it in before he’s found and be ready to take control of the boat by force if need be because time is ticking away fast with a midnight deadline.
Gemma and Logan had decided to take their relationship slow this time. With their required time off after the last case, they have been enjoying just getting to know one another and spending time together. This case is the first one they’ve worked on together since Logan was injured saving Gemma’s life. Logan’s almost completely healed physical and Gemma has worked through any emotional aspects of the last case and ready to get back to work. Working together will be a test of keeping their emotional attraction out of the equation. They are both confident they can do it.
Is the gunman working alone or is there someone else involved? What’s his driving force? When they find out the reasoning behind the man’s actions, will it make a difference on how things are handled? Is there an accomplice on board? Who is pulling the strings?
COUNTDOWN is a magnificently riveting story that will keep you spellbound as you quickly turn the pages looking for answers alongside the Hostage Negotiation Team hoping for safety for the team and with small undertones of the growing romance between Gemma and Logan. After the first few pages, the desire and need to see where and how this story goes will make it impossible to put down. Sara Driscoll gives us a story of excitement, danger, suspense, teamwork, understanding, romance, patience and mystery. COUNTDOWN is absolutely a FIVE STAR book and I highly recommend it to everyone! While COUNTDOWN is the 5th book in the NYPD Negotiators series, it can most definitely be read as a standalone book.
I received an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#Countdown #NYPDNegotiators #SaraDriscoll #Suspense #danger #mystery
Review of advance copy received from Author
knew within pages that this book was going to ruin my ability to relax for the rest of the day. This novel is published by Kensington Publishing, and I’m so grateful to Sara Driscoll for the gifted copy of this book.
Countdown doesn’t slowly build tension. It detonates it. Set on New Year’s Eve, when Manhattan is already buzzing with chaos and celebration, this story drops Gemma Capello and Sean Logan back into the line of fire after surviving their own traumatic hostage ordeal. From the start, I felt that weight hanging over every page. Gemma is back in the negotiator chair, but she’s changed. Sean is back leading his tactical team, but nothing about him feels untouched. Reading this felt like standing too close to the edge of something sharp, thrilling and deeply uncomfortable in the best possible way.
What I loved most is how the story balances spectacle with intimacy. Yes, there’s a luxury yacht filled with powerful, wealthy guests. Yes, there’s a ticking clock, gunshots, a cryptocurrency ransom demand, and a threat that promises devastation if midnight hits. But the heart of this book lives in the voices over the phone, the pauses between responses, and the moments where Gemma has to crawl inside the mind of someone with nothing left to lose. One line that hit me hard was, “Every word matters when a life hangs on the other end,” and that’s exactly how this book reads. Every scene feels deliberate. Every chapter tightens the screws.
Gemma continues to be one of my favorite thriller protagonists because she’s brilliant without being invincible. She doubts herself. She feels fear. She carries the emotional residue of past cases, and this one pushes every bruise. Sean feels more layered here too. Watching them navigate their relationship while working the same high-stakes crisis added an emotional intensity that made my chest ache. There were moments I wanted to yell at both of them, which is usually how I know I’m fully invested.
This was easily a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. I devoured it in a single sitting, promising myself just one more chapter until suddenly it was much later than I planned. It works as a standalone, but readers who have followed the series will appreciate how much history and growth is woven into every interaction.
If you love fast-paced thrillers that blend psychological tension with real emotional stakes, if you enjoy hostage negotiation stories where talking can be just as dangerous as pulling a trigger, this book is absolutely for you. Countdown doesn’t just keep you turning pages. It makes you feel the pressure of every ticking second.
Did anyone else close this book feeling wrung out, impressed, and already bracing for whatever crisis Gemma and Sean face next?
#Countdown #SaraDriscoll #NYPDNegotiators #ThrillerReview #MysteryThriller #CrimeFiction #FiveStarRead #BookReview
Countdown doesn’t slowly build tension. It detonates it. Set on New Year’s Eve, when Manhattan is already buzzing with chaos and celebration, this story drops Gemma Capello and Sean Logan back into the line of fire after surviving their own traumatic hostage ordeal. From the start, I felt that weight hanging over every page. Gemma is back in the negotiator chair, but she’s changed. Sean is back leading his tactical team, but nothing about him feels untouched. Reading this felt like standing too close to the edge of something sharp, thrilling and deeply uncomfortable in the best possible way.
What I loved most is how the story balances spectacle with intimacy. Yes, there’s a luxury yacht filled with powerful, wealthy guests. Yes, there’s a ticking clock, gunshots, a cryptocurrency ransom demand, and a threat that promises devastation if midnight hits. But the heart of this book lives in the voices over the phone, the pauses between responses, and the moments where Gemma has to crawl inside the mind of someone with nothing left to lose. One line that hit me hard was, “Every word matters when a life hangs on the other end,” and that’s exactly how this book reads. Every scene feels deliberate. Every chapter tightens the screws.
Gemma continues to be one of my favorite thriller protagonists because she’s brilliant without being invincible. She doubts herself. She feels fear. She carries the emotional residue of past cases, and this one pushes every bruise. Sean feels more layered here too. Watching them navigate their relationship while working the same high-stakes crisis added an emotional intensity that made my chest ache. There were moments I wanted to yell at both of them, which is usually how I know I’m fully invested.
This was easily a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. I devoured it in a single sitting, promising myself just one more chapter until suddenly it was much later than I planned. It works as a standalone, but readers who have followed the series will appreciate how much history and growth is woven into every interaction.
If you love fast-paced thrillers that blend psychological tension with real emotional stakes, if you enjoy hostage negotiation stories where talking can be just as dangerous as pulling a trigger, this book is absolutely for you. Countdown doesn’t just keep you turning pages. It makes you feel the pressure of every ticking second.
Did anyone else close this book feeling wrung out, impressed, and already bracing for whatever crisis Gemma and Sean face next?
#Countdown #SaraDriscoll #NYPDNegotiators #ThrillerReview #MysteryThriller #CrimeFiction #FiveStarRead #BookReview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book and once I started I didn't want to stop. I think this was because it was a fast moving, high stakes type of story and one that you didn't know what was going to happen.
This was my first time with the team but it won't be my last. Even though the previous book or should I say hostage negotiation was mentioned a lot because they were still feeling the after effects, this story was still easy to follow and In fact it has made me want to get the previous book to see what I missed.
I liked the characters, although with the fast pace of the story and the fact that it was all focused on getting the hostages out safely, we didn't get to know them to well but it was a nice balance with just enough background to be able to imagine or picture them as different people and not just names before they were off and running to save the day. I think probably the more books in the series you read or listen too the better you will know them, which I intend to do.
As for the case, I loved that it wasn't just a storming of a building and it was a very much to pronged attack with Gemma trying to talk the hostage taker down, while Logan works out how to get on the yacht. Then the story takes a twist and the team is off and running in a different direction. Off to start previous book while waiting the next book.
After being taken hostage themselves, Gemma and her partner Logan are finally ready to return back to work. Just in time to handle the latest hostage negotiations. During one of the busiest times of the year for the harbour New Year's Eve, a scared teenage boy phones in for help. He is below deck on a luxury yacht hiding, after hearing gun shots from above. With the kidnapper unaware of the boy on board of the fact that he has called for help the NYPD negotiation team scrambles to find the yacht and for a way to make contact. Logan and his team has to work out a way to get on the yacht once they find it, just in case things to side ways. The problem is the hostage taker is unwilling to negotiate and with the subject of his demands on board and unwilling to cooperate things could very easily be more than fireworks going off.
I liked the narrator. She is not my favourite narrator because she has the habit of making everything she says sound like a question when her voice pitches higher at the end of a sentence. However she did a good job this time round and made it entertaining.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This was my first time with the team but it won't be my last. Even though the previous book or should I say hostage negotiation was mentioned a lot because they were still feeling the after effects, this story was still easy to follow and In fact it has made me want to get the previous book to see what I missed.
I liked the characters, although with the fast pace of the story and the fact that it was all focused on getting the hostages out safely, we didn't get to know them to well but it was a nice balance with just enough background to be able to imagine or picture them as different people and not just names before they were off and running to save the day. I think probably the more books in the series you read or listen too the better you will know them, which I intend to do.
As for the case, I loved that it wasn't just a storming of a building and it was a very much to pronged attack with Gemma trying to talk the hostage taker down, while Logan works out how to get on the yacht. Then the story takes a twist and the team is off and running in a different direction. Off to start previous book while waiting the next book.
After being taken hostage themselves, Gemma and her partner Logan are finally ready to return back to work. Just in time to handle the latest hostage negotiations. During one of the busiest times of the year for the harbour New Year's Eve, a scared teenage boy phones in for help. He is below deck on a luxury yacht hiding, after hearing gun shots from above. With the kidnapper unaware of the boy on board of the fact that he has called for help the NYPD negotiation team scrambles to find the yacht and for a way to make contact. Logan and his team has to work out a way to get on the yacht once they find it, just in case things to side ways. The problem is the hostage taker is unwilling to negotiate and with the subject of his demands on board and unwilling to cooperate things could very easily be more than fireworks going off.
I liked the narrator. She is not my favourite narrator because she has the habit of making everything she says sound like a question when her voice pitches higher at the end of a sentence. However she did a good job this time round and made it entertaining.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 29, 2026
I have been a fan of the NYPD Negotiators series for several years now and was delighted to see it listed on #NetGalley . I quickly requested a copy and was pleased to receive an Advance Reader copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.
The main characters in this series is negotiator Gemma Capello. Earlier novels in the series have included other members of her large Italian family who are also NYPD or a firefighter. The police team most often called in to support the negotiating team is the A team which includes Logan, a police officer who has at times been at odds with Gemma but at other times grows closer to her. Countdown can certainly be read as a stand-alone but there is an added benefit to having read the whole series.
This negotiation took off more slowly than most. They knew there was a hostage situation, but not exactly where it was, or how to talk to the individual holding hostages. Gemma and Logan had been off work for awhile recovering from their last traumatic negotiation. It would be Gemma's first time back as lead negotiator and the first time she would be working with Logan while actually in a relationship that was known to her peers. She had something to prove, both to herself and to those in charge.
The situation was very different to those in Driscoll's earlier books. The hostages were being held in a large luxury yacht and it was lucky circumstance that let the NYPD know something was happening at all. Then they had to narrow down exactly where it was. It was New Year's Eve and lots of boats were out , waiting to see the fireworks. As with most police procedural, there clearly had been a lot of research done to make the storyline as accurate as possible. As a reader I was immediately drawn in and read it in one day from start to finish. There was a fascinating twist as part of the story and interesting characters. Who exactly was behind the the situation? Would the owner of the yacht be willing to put the needs of others before his own? Would there be a way to resolve this negotiation? Could they avoid any killings? Would the A team be able to safely rescue the hostages? It was an exciting journey finding out!
This was a 5 star read for me and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves police procedural. Oh, and did Gemma prove herself? Yes indeed!
The main characters in this series is negotiator Gemma Capello. Earlier novels in the series have included other members of her large Italian family who are also NYPD or a firefighter. The police team most often called in to support the negotiating team is the A team which includes Logan, a police officer who has at times been at odds with Gemma but at other times grows closer to her. Countdown can certainly be read as a stand-alone but there is an added benefit to having read the whole series.
This negotiation took off more slowly than most. They knew there was a hostage situation, but not exactly where it was, or how to talk to the individual holding hostages. Gemma and Logan had been off work for awhile recovering from their last traumatic negotiation. It would be Gemma's first time back as lead negotiator and the first time she would be working with Logan while actually in a relationship that was known to her peers. She had something to prove, both to herself and to those in charge.
The situation was very different to those in Driscoll's earlier books. The hostages were being held in a large luxury yacht and it was lucky circumstance that let the NYPD know something was happening at all. Then they had to narrow down exactly where it was. It was New Year's Eve and lots of boats were out , waiting to see the fireworks. As with most police procedural, there clearly had been a lot of research done to make the storyline as accurate as possible. As a reader I was immediately drawn in and read it in one day from start to finish. There was a fascinating twist as part of the story and interesting characters. Who exactly was behind the the situation? Would the owner of the yacht be willing to put the needs of others before his own? Would there be a way to resolve this negotiation? Could they avoid any killings? Would the A team be able to safely rescue the hostages? It was an exciting journey finding out!
This was a 5 star read for me and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves police procedural. Oh, and did Gemma prove herself? Yes indeed!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5/5 stars: This is Driscoll's fourth entry in the NYPD Negotiators series which is a Police Procedural Mystery Thriller set in NYC, New York. Featuring two detectives, a NYPD hostage negotiator and her ESU tactical unit leader boyfriend, as they work together after a billionaire venture capitalist's yacht New Year’s Eve party, which includes local government officials and some of the city’s wealthiest, most influential people, is taken hostage as it floats in the middle of busy New York Harbor. She and her team hypothesize that the yacht owner, an infamously arrogant hustler, has burned someone financially—someone who now wants revenge. With the tactical unit speeding through the brutal winter waters toward Liberty Island and preparing to board, she finally connects with the hostage taker and learns of a cryptocurrency ransom demand – and a chilling execution plan if it’s not fulfilled by midnight. But the billionaire's refusing to pay. And she senses things aren’t adding up – because beneath the unnerving scenario lies an even more twisted plan, layers of deceit – and a captor with nothing to lose.
With plenty of twists and turns, Driscoll writes a gripping fast-paced taut investigative tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. I really like how Driscoll's plot unfolds and the way everything weaves together so effortlessly. Written in dual POV, Driscoll's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.
Driscoll tackles some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Exit Strategy. Driscoll's a favorite author and never misses; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to Kensington Publishing | Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Driscoll writes a gripping fast-paced taut investigative tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. I really like how Driscoll's plot unfolds and the way everything weaves together so effortlessly. Written in dual POV, Driscoll's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.
Driscoll tackles some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Exit Strategy. Driscoll's a favorite author and never misses; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to Kensington Publishing | Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Countdown is set on New Year’s Eve in Manhattan. While the city celebrates, NYPD hostage negotiator Gemma Capello and tactical leader Sean Logan are called to a high-stakes crisis when a 911 text alerts the team to a hostage situation aboard the Salacia, a luxury yacht in New York Harbor owned by billionaire venture capitalist Lucas Horner. If the hostage-taker doesn't receive a 50 million dollar ransom in cryptocurrency by midnight, guests on the yacht will be shot and killed one every minute, until he IS paid. However, the billionaire owner refuses to pay.
I absolutely love this author's FBI K-9 series, and I had read that Countdown could be read as a standalone, so I was thrilled when I was able to get an ARC. The good news is that Countdown CAN be read as a standalone. The not-so-good news is that I didn't like this book nearly as much as I do the FBI K-9 series. I felt my eyes starting to cross as every tiny move made by the team preparing to rescue the hostages was explained in minute detail. However, I read a review that said a third of the way in, the action started, and that it was fantastic! So, I kept reading and found that to be true. I was enthralled when things started happening, as opposed to just being explained.
THEN I got to a second part filled with minute explanations again. (My brain cried "Noooo!") It was followed by a second part with action, which I appreciated. Ms. Driscoll is so talented at writing suspenseful action! It boggles my mind to think of the amount of investigation she had to do in order to have accurately written all of that detail. However! Countdown has fabulous reviews, so if anyone needs me, I'll be over on Outlier Island, rereading my FBI K-9 books...
Thank you, #Kensington, for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Countdown has an expected publication date of April 28, 2026.
#Crime #Mystery #Series #Romance
I absolutely love this author's FBI K-9 series, and I had read that Countdown could be read as a standalone, so I was thrilled when I was able to get an ARC. The good news is that Countdown CAN be read as a standalone. The not-so-good news is that I didn't like this book nearly as much as I do the FBI K-9 series. I felt my eyes starting to cross as every tiny move made by the team preparing to rescue the hostages was explained in minute detail. However, I read a review that said a third of the way in, the action started, and that it was fantastic! So, I kept reading and found that to be true. I was enthralled when things started happening, as opposed to just being explained.
THEN I got to a second part filled with minute explanations again. (My brain cried "Noooo!") It was followed by a second part with action, which I appreciated. Ms. Driscoll is so talented at writing suspenseful action! It boggles my mind to think of the amount of investigation she had to do in order to have accurately written all of that detail. However! Countdown has fabulous reviews, so if anyone needs me, I'll be over on Outlier Island, rereading my FBI K-9 books...
Thank you, #Kensington, for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Countdown has an expected publication date of April 28, 2026.
#Crime #Mystery #Series #Romance
Read
March 19, 2026Countdown is the latest addition to Sara Driscoll's NYPD Hostage Negotiator series with the lead character Gemma Capello and her team as well as her love interest Sean Logan, a SWAT leader and his team.
I’m a huge fan of Ms. Driscoll's FBI Canine series and started on on the NYPD series after I had devoured her other work. Countdown is the most recent one that I have read. In this book, the NYPD has received a call indicating that a luxury yacht, the Salacia, owned by billionaire Lucas Horner has been taken hostage on New Year's Eve during a fancy celebration party. The team assembles in a closed restaurant at the Harbor and begins their attempt to make contact with the Hostage Taker. Once that occurs, the team finds out that he wants $50M in crypto currency by midnight or he will begin killing a person every minute, but Horner is unwilling to pay. The Hostage Taker will not tell Gemma why he is doing this or who he is.
I have to admit getting into this book was a struggle because neither the Hostage Taker or Horner were the least bit sympathetic. It was only after the NYPD were able to identify the Hostage Taker, and the reason he was doing this was that he was being manipulated, that the action took off and the book really began to move for me. The investigators found out that the Hostage Taker's family had been kidnapped and there was another set of villains in the mix and another unknown site where hostages were being held. It is through the rest of the book, when the reader finds out who and why the actual villains are taking revenge on Hornor, and where they are and a second negotiation and rescue must proceed.
I am blown away with Ms. Driscoll's ability to lure the reader into her books and the amount information she provides in her story telling. The book that seemed to take forever to get into, ended with a huge amount of action and heroics. I appreciate Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC that I received for my honest review.
I’m a huge fan of Ms. Driscoll's FBI Canine series and started on on the NYPD series after I had devoured her other work. Countdown is the most recent one that I have read. In this book, the NYPD has received a call indicating that a luxury yacht, the Salacia, owned by billionaire Lucas Horner has been taken hostage on New Year's Eve during a fancy celebration party. The team assembles in a closed restaurant at the Harbor and begins their attempt to make contact with the Hostage Taker. Once that occurs, the team finds out that he wants $50M in crypto currency by midnight or he will begin killing a person every minute, but Horner is unwilling to pay. The Hostage Taker will not tell Gemma why he is doing this or who he is.
I have to admit getting into this book was a struggle because neither the Hostage Taker or Horner were the least bit sympathetic. It was only after the NYPD were able to identify the Hostage Taker, and the reason he was doing this was that he was being manipulated, that the action took off and the book really began to move for me. The investigators found out that the Hostage Taker's family had been kidnapped and there was another set of villains in the mix and another unknown site where hostages were being held. It is through the rest of the book, when the reader finds out who and why the actual villains are taking revenge on Hornor, and where they are and a second negotiation and rescue must proceed.
I am blown away with Ms. Driscoll's ability to lure the reader into her books and the amount information she provides in her story telling. The book that seemed to take forever to get into, ended with a huge amount of action and heroics. I appreciate Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC that I received for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Countdown is a tense, fast‑moving thriller that drops you straight into the heart of New York City on New Year’s Eve—when the celebrations are loud, the stakes are sky‑high, and danger slips in unnoticed beneath the glitter. Sara Driscoll delivers a gripping blend of tactical action, psychological tension, and character‑driven drama that keeps the pages turning.
Detective Gemma Capello and Detective Sean Logan make a compelling duo, each carrying the scars—physical and emotional—of their last ordeal. Their dynamic is one of the novel’s strengths: Gemma’s calm, intuitive negotiating style contrasts beautifully with Logan’s tactical precision, and watching them navigate another crisis together adds depth to the adrenaline‑fueled plot.
The hostage situation aboard a billionaire’s luxury yacht is a fantastic setup: isolated, chaotic, and filled with powerful people who have everything to lose. Driscoll uses the setting brilliantly, letting the icy harbor, the ticking clock, and the shifting motives build a sense of claustrophobic urgency. The cryptocurrency ransom demand adds a modern twist, but it’s the layers beneath—the grudges, the secrets, the misdirection—that make the story truly addictive.
As Gemma connects with the hostage taker and Logan races through brutal winter waters toward Liberty Island, the tension ratchets up with every chapter. Driscoll excels at pacing: short, sharp scenes, rising stakes, and just enough emotional grounding to make you care deeply about the outcome. And when the truth finally emerges, it’s more twisted—and more satisfying—than it first appears.
A propulsive, high‑stakes thriller perfect for fans of Patterson‑style pacing and Baldacci‑level intrigue. Countdown delivers action, heart, and a relentless sense of urgency right up to the final page.
My thanks to Sara Driscoll, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Detective Gemma Capello and Detective Sean Logan make a compelling duo, each carrying the scars—physical and emotional—of their last ordeal. Their dynamic is one of the novel’s strengths: Gemma’s calm, intuitive negotiating style contrasts beautifully with Logan’s tactical precision, and watching them navigate another crisis together adds depth to the adrenaline‑fueled plot.
The hostage situation aboard a billionaire’s luxury yacht is a fantastic setup: isolated, chaotic, and filled with powerful people who have everything to lose. Driscoll uses the setting brilliantly, letting the icy harbor, the ticking clock, and the shifting motives build a sense of claustrophobic urgency. The cryptocurrency ransom demand adds a modern twist, but it’s the layers beneath—the grudges, the secrets, the misdirection—that make the story truly addictive.
As Gemma connects with the hostage taker and Logan races through brutal winter waters toward Liberty Island, the tension ratchets up with every chapter. Driscoll excels at pacing: short, sharp scenes, rising stakes, and just enough emotional grounding to make you care deeply about the outcome. And when the truth finally emerges, it’s more twisted—and more satisfying—than it first appears.
A propulsive, high‑stakes thriller perfect for fans of Patterson‑style pacing and Baldacci‑level intrigue. Countdown delivers action, heart, and a relentless sense of urgency right up to the final page.
My thanks to Sara Driscoll, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gemma and Sean are back at work after their ordeal as hostages. There is also a question if they can work together due to their new relationship status. The new job is a hostage situation taking place on a yacht in New York Harbor in New Year's Eve. A lone college student who is hiding below deck is able to alert them to the situation. Difficulties with how to connect to the hostage taker are just the first thing they have to deal with. They discover the target is a billionaire and he is refusing to cooperate, but he isn't the only one as the hostage taker is reluctant to answer questions. The situation is dire and if they don't figure out what's really going on, everyone on the ship might die.
This is the fifth book in the NYPD Hostage Negotiator series. I read the previous one but you can just jump in. There are mentions of previous cases so some of that might be spoilers.
I enjoyed Countdown even more than the last book. As always the details of the hostage negotiation process is fully detailed. This makes things feel realistic and makes the story satisfying. Perspective shifts between Gemma, who does the negotiation, and Sean who is right in the action. They both have teams working with them. I love both sides of the process.
We slowly learn about the hostage taker's motive which helps cement him as a character. I guessed a twist. It leads to some major action and tense moments. There are several characters to root for and the title Countdown is appropriate. You will be on the edge of your seat hoping the team can save the day in time.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
This is the fifth book in the NYPD Hostage Negotiator series. I read the previous one but you can just jump in. There are mentions of previous cases so some of that might be spoilers.
I enjoyed Countdown even more than the last book. As always the details of the hostage negotiation process is fully detailed. This makes things feel realistic and makes the story satisfying. Perspective shifts between Gemma, who does the negotiation, and Sean who is right in the action. They both have teams working with them. I love both sides of the process.
We slowly learn about the hostage taker's motive which helps cement him as a character. I guessed a twist. It leads to some major action and tense moments. There are several characters to root for and the title Countdown is appropriate. You will be on the edge of your seat hoping the team can save the day in time.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
April 28, 2026
NYPD Hostage Negotiation Team series. In a novel plot twist our hostage negotiator, Gemma Capello, has to deal with not one but two hostage negotiations with different people in different locations on New Year’s Eve. Gemma, and her romantic partner Detective Sean Logan, an NYPD Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team leader and sniper, have to trust each other’s judgement completely as their two units work the case together. Many people were in New York Harbor, either hosting parties on their boats, attending a party, or enjoying tours on boats offering dining and an unmatched view of fireworks displays from all over Manhattan, including at Liberty Island. A 911 operator received a call from a college student who was working that night with his aunt, the head steward on a yacht full of special guests invited to dine with the yacht’s wealthy owner. The student, however, didn’t know his name. All staff was ordered to meet in the dining room where the guests were. His aunt sent him below deck, and he called 911 after hearing gunshots. What makes Countdown stand out is its layered plot. Gemma, as the skilled negotiator, connects with the hostage taker and uncovers a cryptocurrency ransom demand tied to a chilling execution plan. Horner’s refusal to pay adds friction, but Gemma’s instincts scream that something deeper is at play…layers of deceit, revenge, and a captor with truly nothing to lose. The twists feel earned, building on the initial premise without relying on cheap shocks. The cryptocurrency angle feels timely and integrated naturally into the motive without overwhelming the story. Many thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Holy moly! What just happened? New Year's Eve in New York City should be a time of happiness, fun and celebration. Unfortunately, the night of celebration is cut short on a luxury yacht in the harbor. When the NYPD receives the call about the hostage situation aboard the yacht, they know they will have to get creative for this rescue. There is no one better than the elite teams they have for these types of situations.
I am always wowed out how thrilling these NYPD Negotiators books are. Think adrenaline rush and multiply that times ten. Also think no sleep because there will be no sleep or work completed until you finish the book.
Once the contact with the hostage taker is made, the urgency to intervene becomes a ticking time bomb, even as they still have no idea why or what exactly is going on.
I really like Detective Gemma Capello. She has gut instincts like no other and a type of fearlessness that I respect. She is also brilliant in every sense of the word. Detective Sean Logan leads the A-Team tactical unit. The only thing missing is a cape and a super hero name. Both Gemma and Sean are still recovering from their last hostage rescue, but they jump right in again.
This author knows to pen a police procedural with its nail biting intensity. Don't assume anything as you read this story because the twists will keep coming. I will never think of New Years Eve in the big city the same again.
Thank you to Kensington and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am always wowed out how thrilling these NYPD Negotiators books are. Think adrenaline rush and multiply that times ten. Also think no sleep because there will be no sleep or work completed until you finish the book.
Once the contact with the hostage taker is made, the urgency to intervene becomes a ticking time bomb, even as they still have no idea why or what exactly is going on.
I really like Detective Gemma Capello. She has gut instincts like no other and a type of fearlessness that I respect. She is also brilliant in every sense of the word. Detective Sean Logan leads the A-Team tactical unit. The only thing missing is a cape and a super hero name. Both Gemma and Sean are still recovering from their last hostage rescue, but they jump right in again.
This author knows to pen a police procedural with its nail biting intensity. Don't assume anything as you read this story because the twists will keep coming. I will never think of New Years Eve in the big city the same again.
Thank you to Kensington and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The 5th book of the NYPD Negotiators book has fireworks in every way.
New York Habour, a luxuary yacht, a billionaire venture capitalist, a yacht party, local government officials, some of the wealthiest and most influential people, a college student hiding from hostage takers and shots fired.
NYPD detective Gemma Capello and detective Sean Logan were both expecting a relaxed New Years Eve, but a 911 call brings Gemma in to negotiate and Sean to coordinate with his A-team tactical unit.
Fighting against winter waters Sean and his team start executing a plan after the yachts location is found.
Gemma finally is able to make contact with the hostage taker and learns about execution plans at midnight if their demands are not met. The billionaire will not pay, where does this lead?
Gemma feels like there is more to the story than she is getting through the negotiations. Is she right? Will the A-team succeed? What does the hostage taker have to lose? What happens to the college student who made the call that brought them into this situation? Can you figure it out?
You should read Countdown by Sara Driscoll. Each book in this series is better than the last. I was hooked when I read the first book in the series and you will be too.
Thank you to Sara Driscoll and her publisher Kensington for sending me an ARC to read. This is my personal opinion based on the book. #Countdown #sara Driscoll #Kensington #NYPDNegotiators
New York Habour, a luxuary yacht, a billionaire venture capitalist, a yacht party, local government officials, some of the wealthiest and most influential people, a college student hiding from hostage takers and shots fired.
NYPD detective Gemma Capello and detective Sean Logan were both expecting a relaxed New Years Eve, but a 911 call brings Gemma in to negotiate and Sean to coordinate with his A-team tactical unit.
Fighting against winter waters Sean and his team start executing a plan after the yachts location is found.
Gemma finally is able to make contact with the hostage taker and learns about execution plans at midnight if their demands are not met. The billionaire will not pay, where does this lead?
Gemma feels like there is more to the story than she is getting through the negotiations. Is she right? Will the A-team succeed? What does the hostage taker have to lose? What happens to the college student who made the call that brought them into this situation? Can you figure it out?
You should read Countdown by Sara Driscoll. Each book in this series is better than the last. I was hooked when I read the first book in the series and you will be too.
Thank you to Sara Driscoll and her publisher Kensington for sending me an ARC to read. This is my personal opinion based on the book. #Countdown #sara Driscoll #Kensington #NYPDNegotiators
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: Countdown
Series: NYPD Negotiators #5
Author: Sara Driscoll
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Meghan Kelly
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 240
NYPD Detective Gemma Capello is back in the negotiator chair. Detective Sean Logan is healed from the injuries he got while saving Gemma’s life’ and he too is ready to resume leading an A-Team tactical unit.
BTW: The story of Gemma and Logan being held hostage and Logan getting injured happened off duty while they were out on a date. They had to keep their real position a secret or something more serious would happen.
I was really looking forward to their next challenge . . .
It is New Years Eve and Gemma has been called out; This is the first time she will be the team’s primary negotiator since she and Logan, part of NYPD’s A-Team, were held hostage at Grand Central Station.
I was so sure this story was going to be enjoyable however was very disappointed with the narrator. Although she has a pleasant voice it just wasn’t working for me with this story.
I hung in there as the story is short but was ready for it to end.
Awww I do like Gemma Capello and Sean Logan and am looking forward to #6 in this series.
When I read the earlier NYPD Negotiators, Sara Driscoll used her read name Jen J. Danna. I believe she will continue to use Sara Driscoll.
I do want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 28, 2026.
Series: NYPD Negotiators #5
Author: Sara Driscoll
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Meghan Kelly
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 240
NYPD Detective Gemma Capello is back in the negotiator chair. Detective Sean Logan is healed from the injuries he got while saving Gemma’s life’ and he too is ready to resume leading an A-Team tactical unit.
BTW: The story of Gemma and Logan being held hostage and Logan getting injured happened off duty while they were out on a date. They had to keep their real position a secret or something more serious would happen.
I was really looking forward to their next challenge . . .
It is New Years Eve and Gemma has been called out; This is the first time she will be the team’s primary negotiator since she and Logan, part of NYPD’s A-Team, were held hostage at Grand Central Station.
I was so sure this story was going to be enjoyable however was very disappointed with the narrator. Although she has a pleasant voice it just wasn’t working for me with this story.
I hung in there as the story is short but was ready for it to end.
Awww I do like Gemma Capello and Sean Logan and am looking forward to #6 in this series.
When I read the earlier NYPD Negotiators, Sara Driscoll used her read name Jen J. Danna. I believe she will continue to use Sara Driscoll.
I do want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 28, 2026.
May 6, 2026
Countdown is the fifth book in the series, but my first by Sara Driscoll. The premise was strong—I liked the focus on hostage negotiators, and the relationship between the two main characters added an emotional layer that kept me somewhat invested.
However, I really struggled with the writing style. The language felt overly technical, with long, detailed explanations about procedures, terminology, and strategy that read more like a manual than a novel. While I understand the intent may have been to give readers insight into the profession, it ended up disrupting the flow of the story.
What stood out most was how this technical detail was worked into the dialogue. Characters frequently explained concepts to each other that they would realistically already know—breaking down basic protocols, definitions, or steps in a way that clearly felt aimed at the reader rather than true to the characters. Instead of feeling natural, these conversations came across as forced and unrealistic, which made it harder to stay immersed in the story.
Because of this, the book felt somewhat one-dimensional and lacklustre, despite having an interesting premise. I’m not sure if this is typical of the author’s style or just specific to this book, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me.
Overall, an underwhelming read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
However, I really struggled with the writing style. The language felt overly technical, with long, detailed explanations about procedures, terminology, and strategy that read more like a manual than a novel. While I understand the intent may have been to give readers insight into the profession, it ended up disrupting the flow of the story.
What stood out most was how this technical detail was worked into the dialogue. Characters frequently explained concepts to each other that they would realistically already know—breaking down basic protocols, definitions, or steps in a way that clearly felt aimed at the reader rather than true to the characters. Instead of feeling natural, these conversations came across as forced and unrealistic, which made it harder to stay immersed in the story.
Because of this, the book felt somewhat one-dimensional and lacklustre, despite having an interesting premise. I’m not sure if this is typical of the author’s style or just specific to this book, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me.
Overall, an underwhelming read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
Gemma Capello, hostage negotiator and Detective Sean Logan, has been called out on a call of persons taken hostage aboard a luxury yacht owned by a steel-hearted billionaire on New Year’s Eve.
It is the terror-stricken call from a college student working as a crew member who secreted himself below decks that forced the initial immediate action.
The approach by water and boarding of the yacht will take a multi-sided strategy.
The author paints an atmosphere of icy harbor water with frigid winter night winds and the escalating tension inside the cabin.
The pacing explodes with angst throughout the negotiation, adding well-plotted multi-layers of characters' emotions and coordinating law enforcement objectives.
The narrative appears to be growing in the complexity of scenarios and the characters are more fully developed. The inner workings of police tactics are descriptive and informative. If you enjoy intelligent storylines with engaging characters, this one will fill that bill.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own. 4.5 stars
Gemma Capello, hostage negotiator and Detective Sean Logan, has been called out on a call of persons taken hostage aboard a luxury yacht owned by a steel-hearted billionaire on New Year’s Eve.
It is the terror-stricken call from a college student working as a crew member who secreted himself below decks that forced the initial immediate action.
The approach by water and boarding of the yacht will take a multi-sided strategy.
The author paints an atmosphere of icy harbor water with frigid winter night winds and the escalating tension inside the cabin.
The pacing explodes with angst throughout the negotiation, adding well-plotted multi-layers of characters' emotions and coordinating law enforcement objectives.
The narrative appears to be growing in the complexity of scenarios and the characters are more fully developed. The inner workings of police tactics are descriptive and informative. If you enjoy intelligent storylines with engaging characters, this one will fill that bill.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own. 4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a fast paced hostage read! Gemma has finally proven she is clear and ready to be back in the negotiator seat once again. A hot case has just come in. It's New Year's Eve and they have a hostage situation on one of the largest yacht's in New York's harbor. The yacht owner is believed to be the intended target of this hostage takeover, a billionaire in the AI field he more than likely has pissed someone off. As various teams assemble, Gemma gets to work contacting Kip, the one who has everyone hostage and as she starts to connect with him, she realizes that something isn't adding up. Boots on the ground work finds a note that starts to put the pieces together about the true reason for the hostage situation but yet they know they still don't have the whole picture. As Gemma works to talk this guy off the ledge a team gets aboard to physically handle the situation. But getting ahold of Kip isn't the end of this all and they realize he might just be a pawn in this whole situation. Can Gemma and the other NY teams find who was behind this all before the second hostage situation takes a turn for the worse? I really enjoyed all the action in this novel and how it was all wound together with the characters. I will be seeking out backlist books by this author. Thank you to the author and Kensington books for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"It didn't matter your skill set—when someone needed help, you stepped up, stepped in."
In this fifth exciting installment of the 𝙉𝙔𝙋𝘿 𝙉𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 series, Gemma and Logan are working a hostage situation on the yacht of a billionaire in New York Harbor—but all is not what it seems. The hostage taker's unusual behavior leads Gemma to suspect more is going on.
As always, there's a two-pronged approach to the story, with Gemma (as the negotiator) analyzing the psychology and motivation of the hostage taker, and then intense and thrilling scenes of action with Logan. The beginning is a little slower with details of the situation and planning stage, but once things get rolling, the intensity ramps up, culminating in breathtaking moments. Events take a turn, putting Gemma and Logan back into a similar situation that affected their work relationship. Now handling their first case after becoming a couple, they must each balance personal feelings with duty. Will their new status affect them professionally, or will they work together even more effectively?
𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 is the perfect blend of mystery, investigative procedures, and light romance. You can read it as a standalone, but I'd highly recommend reading the series in order to appreciate the character development to its fullest. Readers who enjoy high intensity, life-and-death scenarios, psychological suspense, and bursts of thrilling action will love this series!
____
Thank you Sara Driscoll and Kensington Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
In this fifth exciting installment of the 𝙉𝙔𝙋𝘿 𝙉𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 series, Gemma and Logan are working a hostage situation on the yacht of a billionaire in New York Harbor—but all is not what it seems. The hostage taker's unusual behavior leads Gemma to suspect more is going on.
As always, there's a two-pronged approach to the story, with Gemma (as the negotiator) analyzing the psychology and motivation of the hostage taker, and then intense and thrilling scenes of action with Logan. The beginning is a little slower with details of the situation and planning stage, but once things get rolling, the intensity ramps up, culminating in breathtaking moments. Events take a turn, putting Gemma and Logan back into a similar situation that affected their work relationship. Now handling their first case after becoming a couple, they must each balance personal feelings with duty. Will their new status affect them professionally, or will they work together even more effectively?
𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 is the perfect blend of mystery, investigative procedures, and light romance. You can read it as a standalone, but I'd highly recommend reading the series in order to appreciate the character development to its fullest. Readers who enjoy high intensity, life-and-death scenarios, psychological suspense, and bursts of thrilling action will love this series!
____
Thank you Sara Driscoll and Kensington Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews