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Murder at 30,000 Feet
Under the cover of turbulence, a killer strikes. With nowhere to land and nowhere to hide, who will save the passengers from this nightmare at 30,000 feet?
It’s a ticket to paradise. Flight 868 has nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Over a dozen tipsy passengers are off to a destination wedding. A team of high school baseball players is headed to a tournament. The plane is packed with people eager to escape their lives, and others who can’t wait to return to their beloved home.
But sweet anticipation turns to terror when a lightning strike short-circuits the avionics and plunges the plane into darkness. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found brutally murdered, with only a bewildered air marshal to solve the crime. He soon realizes that several passengers are harboring dark secrets, but the identity of the murderer eludes him. There’s only one The killer is on the plane.
Thousands of feet above the earth with thunderstorms closing in, the danger outside is as grave as the mounting threat within. Can the captain outrun the storm? Or will the murderer among them bring the plane down first?
Passion, betrayal, and murder collide in this high-stakes, locked-room mystery. A must-read for fans of T. J. Newman and Jeneva Rose.
It’s a ticket to paradise. Flight 868 has nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Over a dozen tipsy passengers are off to a destination wedding. A team of high school baseball players is headed to a tournament. The plane is packed with people eager to escape their lives, and others who can’t wait to return to their beloved home.
But sweet anticipation turns to terror when a lightning strike short-circuits the avionics and plunges the plane into darkness. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found brutally murdered, with only a bewildered air marshal to solve the crime. He soon realizes that several passengers are harboring dark secrets, but the identity of the murderer eludes him. There’s only one The killer is on the plane.
Thousands of feet above the earth with thunderstorms closing in, the danger outside is as grave as the mounting threat within. Can the captain outrun the storm? Or will the murderer among them bring the plane down first?
Passion, betrayal, and murder collide in this high-stakes, locked-room mystery. A must-read for fans of T. J. Newman and Jeneva Rose.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2026
90 people are currently reading
15227 people want to read
About the author
Susan Walter
6 books633 followersSusan Walter is a recovering screenwriter and film director who started writing books to kill people because it was frowned upon in real life. Her first two novels, “Good as Dead” and “Over Her Dead Body” are set in the movie business, but then she discovered there are places that are even more dangerous. She is now murdering people on airplanes, on ski hills, and in safehouses while on the run from organized crime.
A sometimes director, her Netflix movie ALL I WISH, which she also wrote, stars Sharon Stone and Tony Goldwyn and won a screenwriting award that you have never heard of, but that she is proud of nonetheless. Her latest novel, "Letters from Strangers," is based on the real-life mystery that riddled her own childhood. You can learn more about Susan at www.susanwalterwriter.com, and thanks for stopping by!
A sometimes director, her Netflix movie ALL I WISH, which she also wrote, stars Sharon Stone and Tony Goldwyn and won a screenwriting award that you have never heard of, but that she is proud of nonetheless. Her latest novel, "Letters from Strangers," is based on the real-life mystery that riddled her own childhood. You can learn more about Susan at www.susanwalterwriter.com, and thanks for stopping by!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 16, 2026
Woooeee! A wild ride of adrenaline-fueled action and deviously twisty plotting, Murder at 30,000 Feet was a locked-room mystery that I couldn’t put down. Filled with plenty of thrills and chills as well as a handful of fully fleshed out characters who brought the book to life, it was no surprise at all that it was another one-sitting read. I mean, I should’ve known what I was in store for before diving in. One of my favorite authors, Ms. Walter always delivers suspense, tension, and dread in her books. This time around, not only was there plenty of all three but the eye-popping twist towards the end somehow took me completely unawares. That doesn’t mean, though, that it came out of the blue. After all, had I been better at putting together the clues, I just might’ve figured out where it was all heading before I reached the breathtaking climax that played out just like an action movie showdown.
What was my absolute favorite piece of this unputdownable read, however? Well, that had to be the white-knuckle feel of the plotting. With nary a moment of downtime, it had a definite T.J. Newman-like vibe even if there was also a bit of a popcorn thriller feel thrown in for good measure. Now, I do have to warn you that you’re going to have to suspend most of your disbelief while reading this one. You see, it was just a bit too coincidental at times. That being said, I didn’t give a damn and ate up every word like I was starving. With dual timelines, multiple POVs, and a mixed media format, it was not only a quick, easy read but it was also an inhale-able good time. So as long as you’re not about to board a plane or wave a loved one off to the skies, grab this book now. It had oodles of well-hidden secrets and lies that will keep you glued to the pages for sure. Rating of 4.75 stars (upgraded).
SYNOPSIS:
It’s a ticket to paradise. Flight 868 has nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Over a dozen tipsy passengers are off to a destination wedding. A team of high school baseball players is headed to a tournament. The plane is packed with people eager to escape their lives, and others who can’t wait to return to their beloved home.
But sweet anticipation turns to terror when a lightning strike short-circuits the avionics and plunges the plane into darkness. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found brutally murdered, with only a bewildered air marshal to solve the crime. He soon realizes that several passengers are harboring dark secrets, but the identity of the murderer eludes him. There’s only one certainty: The killer is on the plane.
Thousands of feet above the earth with thunderstorms closing in, the danger outside is as grave as the mounting threat within. Can the captain outrun the storm? Or will the murderer among them bring the plane down first?
Thank you Susan Walter, Blackstone Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 17, 2026
Content warning: alcoholism, child death, murder, blood, gun violence, plane crash, mention of: hit-and-run car accident, rape, drug trafficking
What was my absolute favorite piece of this unputdownable read, however? Well, that had to be the white-knuckle feel of the plotting. With nary a moment of downtime, it had a definite T.J. Newman-like vibe even if there was also a bit of a popcorn thriller feel thrown in for good measure. Now, I do have to warn you that you’re going to have to suspend most of your disbelief while reading this one. You see, it was just a bit too coincidental at times. That being said, I didn’t give a damn and ate up every word like I was starving. With dual timelines, multiple POVs, and a mixed media format, it was not only a quick, easy read but it was also an inhale-able good time. So as long as you’re not about to board a plane or wave a loved one off to the skies, grab this book now. It had oodles of well-hidden secrets and lies that will keep you glued to the pages for sure. Rating of 4.75 stars (upgraded).
SYNOPSIS:
It’s a ticket to paradise. Flight 868 has nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Over a dozen tipsy passengers are off to a destination wedding. A team of high school baseball players is headed to a tournament. The plane is packed with people eager to escape their lives, and others who can’t wait to return to their beloved home.
But sweet anticipation turns to terror when a lightning strike short-circuits the avionics and plunges the plane into darkness. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found brutally murdered, with only a bewildered air marshal to solve the crime. He soon realizes that several passengers are harboring dark secrets, but the identity of the murderer eludes him. There’s only one certainty: The killer is on the plane.
Thousands of feet above the earth with thunderstorms closing in, the danger outside is as grave as the mounting threat within. Can the captain outrun the storm? Or will the murderer among them bring the plane down first?
Thank you Susan Walter, Blackstone Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 17, 2026
Content warning: alcoholism, child death, murder, blood, gun violence, plane crash, mention of: hit-and-run car accident, rape, drug trafficking
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Probably not the best idea to read this a month out from a long haul flight to Japan really!! Haha. This is one wild and bumpy ride and I loved every second of it. All of Susan Walter’s books are amazing and this might be my favourite so far.
This is a locked room murder mystery on another level! 30,000 feet in the air on a plane headed for Puerto Rico, a man is murdered in the bathroom and nobody saw or heard a thing. It happens while the plane is in total darkness after a bad bout of turbulence through a wild storm. It could have been anyone on the plane, but who and why?
Once I picked this book up I couldn’t stop reading. It is super fast paced and I had to remember to breathe whilst reading this. I had no idea how it was going to all end up and I was shocked by the conclusion.
Highly recommend this book and this author. Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for my early copy to read. Published on February 17th.
This is a locked room murder mystery on another level! 30,000 feet in the air on a plane headed for Puerto Rico, a man is murdered in the bathroom and nobody saw or heard a thing. It happens while the plane is in total darkness after a bad bout of turbulence through a wild storm. It could have been anyone on the plane, but who and why?
Once I picked this book up I couldn’t stop reading. It is super fast paced and I had to remember to breathe whilst reading this. I had no idea how it was going to all end up and I was shocked by the conclusion.
Highly recommend this book and this author. Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for my early copy to read. Published on February 17th.
October 22, 2025
Kindled.
Other than needing to suspend an enormous amount of disbelief (particularly regarding the titular "murder"), I had a lot of fun reading this book. Sure, the crime(s) and tragedies bordered on silly, as did the solves and saves (that prop plane--wth?). But Ms. Walter's writing skills most definitely kept propelling me forward, fast and furiously, all the way to the tidy bow-tied ending. Phew.
Other than needing to suspend an enormous amount of disbelief (particularly regarding the titular "murder"), I had a lot of fun reading this book. Sure, the crime(s) and tragedies bordered on silly, as did the solves and saves (that prop plane--wth?). But Ms. Walter's writing skills most definitely kept propelling me forward, fast and furiously, all the way to the tidy bow-tied ending. Phew.
February 26, 2026
A person is murdered mid-flight on a plane headed to Puerto Rico. The passenger list includes a high school baseball team, its chaperones (including the mother of a former player), a wedding party and a lovesick and inattentive air marshal. The marshal feels the need to identify the murder, as a way to redeem himself.
The book's blurb is pretty straightforward. It doesn’t begin to describe the messy preposterousness of the plot, which is really one damn thing after another. The book reads like an info dump of capsule biographies of the passengers and crew. The gradually-revealed relationships among them are extensive and definitely have a soap opera vibe. I found it irritating that the identity of the victim was not revealed until the book was almost over. I know the device was meant to be clever, but I thought it was cheesy. There were a lot of things about the book that irritated me, including the number of coincidences, the basic unbelievability of everything that happens in the book and the sappy epilogue. The book held my interest, but it may have lowered my IQ.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Scott Brick. I know that he is wildly popular, but I am not a fan. He actually manages to make me hate every character, but that is just my personal taste. Most people love him.
I received free copies of the audiobook and ebook from the publisher.
The book's blurb is pretty straightforward. It doesn’t begin to describe the messy preposterousness of the plot, which is really one damn thing after another. The book reads like an info dump of capsule biographies of the passengers and crew. The gradually-revealed relationships among them are extensive and definitely have a soap opera vibe. I found it irritating that the identity of the victim was not revealed until the book was almost over. I know the device was meant to be clever, but I thought it was cheesy. There were a lot of things about the book that irritated me, including the number of coincidences, the basic unbelievability of everything that happens in the book and the sappy epilogue. The book held my interest, but it may have lowered my IQ.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Scott Brick. I know that he is wildly popular, but I am not a fan. He actually manages to make me hate every character, but that is just my personal taste. Most people love him.
I received free copies of the audiobook and ebook from the publisher.
November 5, 2025
WOW!! I'm obsessed. This was such a great read. A locked room murder mystery that takes place on a plane. There's a thunderstorm that knocks out the electricity for a moment and when the lights come back on, one of the passengers is brutally murdered, and the only air marshall on board must figure out which passenger committed the murder. This was seriously so suspenseful and twisty. I had no idea where this was going or how it was all going to play out, and I loved every minute.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
October 20, 2025
At the time I'm writing this, the reviews are overwhelmingly great. I'm sitting here in my little 3 star corner wondering what book everyone else read...and can I have a copy?
This is a fun, but highly illogical, everything-but-the-kitchen sink book. While I appreciate an author who ramps up the danger and the action, my reaction should not be 'LOL what now???'.
It's a small town mystery set on a plane. This plane apparently has a magical lavatory that is not only big enough to pee in without problem (I want to fly that plane), but is also big enough to commit a violent murder. While I won't tell you the exact details of the murder, it wasn't as simple as "ooh let's join the mile high club and I'll slit your throat when you're a bit preoccupied". This murder took some room to move.
While I appreciated what the author tried to do with the identity of the victim, it was all too telegraphed for any real surprises on that end.
There were, however, plenty of other surprises after the murder. I think the only things that didn't happen to that plane or its passengers were nuclear war or an alien invasion. The author threw every other thing they could think of at that plane, though. It devolves into nonsense.
Look, the book is definitely entertaining, but the small town murder mystery is incongruous with the rest of the story.
It's a fast read and a popcorn read, but at times it made my head hurt.
* ARC via Publisher
This is a fun, but highly illogical, everything-but-the-kitchen sink book. While I appreciate an author who ramps up the danger and the action, my reaction should not be 'LOL what now???'.
It's a small town mystery set on a plane. This plane apparently has a magical lavatory that is not only big enough to pee in without problem (I want to fly that plane), but is also big enough to commit a violent murder. While I won't tell you the exact details of the murder, it wasn't as simple as "ooh let's join the mile high club and I'll slit your throat when you're a bit preoccupied". This murder took some room to move.
While I appreciated what the author tried to do with the identity of the victim, it was all too telegraphed for any real surprises on that end.
There were, however, plenty of other surprises after the murder. I think the only things that didn't happen to that plane or its passengers were nuclear war or an alien invasion. The author threw every other thing they could think of at that plane, though. It devolves into nonsense.
Look, the book is definitely entertaining, but the small town murder mystery is incongruous with the rest of the story.
It's a fast read and a popcorn read, but at times it made my head hurt.
* ARC via Publisher
November 10, 2025
My fellow Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse readers enjoyed this one and I can see why!
This entertaining popcorn airplane thriller had so many pulse-pounding moments; I’m glad I’m not flying anytime soon.
With multiple POVs, flashbacks to the past about the hit-and-run death of a young baseball player, small-town secrets, grudges, and murder on an in-flight plane, this one was a fun read. The author nailed the intense plane scenes.
For readers of popcorn thrillers that pull you into the story (but require some suspension of belief at times).
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
This entertaining popcorn airplane thriller had so many pulse-pounding moments; I’m glad I’m not flying anytime soon.
With multiple POVs, flashbacks to the past about the hit-and-run death of a young baseball player, small-town secrets, grudges, and murder on an in-flight plane, this one was a fun read. The author nailed the intense plane scenes.
For readers of popcorn thrillers that pull you into the story (but require some suspension of belief at times).
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
September 10, 2025
Murder at 30,000 feet
By: Susan Walter’s
Pub day: February 17, 2026
Publisher: Blackstone
Your: Thrillers Book Lovers THE PULSE
5✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️
Get ready for one heck of a bumpy ride!!!! Walter’s also packs a lot into her books and this is now my new favorite.
✈️
Flight 868 is heading to Puerto Rico and is filled with action. A baseball team, grieving mother, a Federal Air Marshal, and many more passengers filled with secrets.
✈️
When the plane looses power, a murder occurs. The victim has their own past and secrets create chaos.
✈️
There is also a wedding party aboard this plane. Lots of secrets past and present might just bring this plane down!
✈️
This epic flight is one that will keep you reading to find out who might be next or will the passengers land safely. After all, there is a killer among them.
By: Susan Walter’s
Pub day: February 17, 2026
Publisher: Blackstone
Your: Thrillers Book Lovers THE PULSE
5✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️
Get ready for one heck of a bumpy ride!!!! Walter’s also packs a lot into her books and this is now my new favorite.
✈️
Flight 868 is heading to Puerto Rico and is filled with action. A baseball team, grieving mother, a Federal Air Marshal, and many more passengers filled with secrets.
✈️
When the plane looses power, a murder occurs. The victim has their own past and secrets create chaos.
✈️
There is also a wedding party aboard this plane. Lots of secrets past and present might just bring this plane down!
✈️
This epic flight is one that will keep you reading to find out who might be next or will the passengers land safely. After all, there is a killer among them.
November 7, 2025
Flight 868 is on a non-stop route to Puerto Rico with an assortment of interconnected passengers, including a high school baseball team, a grieving mother, and a bridal party on its way to a destination wedding. After a lightning strike kills the power to the plane, a gruesome discovery is made in the plane’s bathroom - one that means there’s a murderer in the passengers’ midst.
My friends at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been loving Susan Walter’s books, so I just had to see what the fuss was about! And wow, did this book deliver! This multiple POV thriller is so propulsive and twisty, with compelling characters connected in ways I never saw coming. That murder? It’s just the tip of the iceberg of a wild ride, and I couldn’t put this book down until I had devoured every second of the action!
My friends at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been loving Susan Walter’s books, so I just had to see what the fuss was about! And wow, did this book deliver! This multiple POV thriller is so propulsive and twisty, with compelling characters connected in ways I never saw coming. That murder? It’s just the tip of the iceberg of a wild ride, and I couldn’t put this book down until I had devoured every second of the action!
February 19, 2026
A nonstop thrill ride at 30,000 feet with lots of jolts alongside the turbulence. This blend of mystery and thriller will have readers guessing until the end.
November 5, 2025
✈️𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗧 𝟯𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗧
𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯
𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙵𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝟷𝟽, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟼
🤩𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟜.𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤! ★★★★✮
ʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ 🆙 ᶠᵒʳ ᴳᴿ
🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...The title is enough just know it’s packed full of way more than just that!
✈️𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢....HELL YES! 👏 This book was a total adrenaline blast!! 🎉 I read 📕her in a day & I wish I could get that pumped up feeling back. 👊It is packed full of so much more than just a murder on a plane! 😳Multiple POVs…numerous backstories….secrets🤫 & twists 🌀galore! Oh! 🤩And, the best part is they all get tied up & come together at the end. I sure do love a bow tied ending 🎀 If you are a thriller junkie like me this is a must read!
𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯
𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙵𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝟷𝟽, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟼
🤩𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟜.𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤! ★★★★✮
ʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ 🆙 ᶠᵒʳ ᴳᴿ
🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...The title is enough just know it’s packed full of way more than just that!
✈️𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢....HELL YES! 👏 This book was a total adrenaline blast!! 🎉 I read 📕her in a day & I wish I could get that pumped up feeling back. 👊It is packed full of so much more than just a murder on a plane! 😳Multiple POVs…numerous backstories….secrets🤫 & twists 🌀galore! Oh! 🤩And, the best part is they all get tied up & come together at the end. I sure do love a bow tied ending 🎀 If you are a thriller junkie like me this is a must read!
February 26, 2026
4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
If you read this on a plane… I respect the bravery. This book wastes absolutely no time. You buckle in thinking you’re getting a contained, clever mystery and instead you’re handed a pressure cooker at cruising altitude. The setting alone does half the work-no exits, no fresh suspects wandering in, no convenient escape routes. Just a cabin full of strangers and one very big problem.
What I loved most is how fast everyone on that plane starts to feel… suspicious. It turns into a fabulous mental game of “Who’s lying?” while the stakes keep climbing. The tension builds not just from the central crime, but from the slow realization that nearly every row has something to hide.
The pacing is relentless and fast, which makes everything feel urgent.There’s also something particularly unsettling about a mystery set in the sky. You can’t step outside. You can’t call for backup. Help isn’t around the corner…t’s thousands of feet below you. That isolation amplifies the stakes and creates a tension that makes everything feel on edge.
If you love a contained thriller where everyone feels like a suspect and the tension never eases up, you’re going to have such a good time with this one. I loved every minute of it. Maybe just save it for after you land.
If you read this on a plane… I respect the bravery. This book wastes absolutely no time. You buckle in thinking you’re getting a contained, clever mystery and instead you’re handed a pressure cooker at cruising altitude. The setting alone does half the work-no exits, no fresh suspects wandering in, no convenient escape routes. Just a cabin full of strangers and one very big problem.
What I loved most is how fast everyone on that plane starts to feel… suspicious. It turns into a fabulous mental game of “Who’s lying?” while the stakes keep climbing. The tension builds not just from the central crime, but from the slow realization that nearly every row has something to hide.
The pacing is relentless and fast, which makes everything feel urgent.There’s also something particularly unsettling about a mystery set in the sky. You can’t step outside. You can’t call for backup. Help isn’t around the corner…t’s thousands of feet below you. That isolation amplifies the stakes and creates a tension that makes everything feel on edge.
If you love a contained thriller where everyone feels like a suspect and the tension never eases up, you’re going to have such a good time with this one. I loved every minute of it. Maybe just save it for after you land.
February 20, 2026
Ha Ha! This is absolute mayhem. Just suspend your disbelief and enjoy this popcorn thriller. These people have a lot of secrets and there are plenty of twists throughout this fast paced story. I did not see that ending coming! Scott Brick is phenomenal in the audiobook production and adds exactly the right amount of satire to his narration.
November 23, 2025
Wow, what a ride (literally) 30,000 feet up!
This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and kept a hold of it like a vise grip throughout every chapter through to the end. Never once was I was bored, in fact, I was actually sad to reach the end because of how much I enjoyed this heart pounding story.
Susan does an expert job at making so many people look like a suspect. Nearly all of the passengers aboard flight 868 have some sort of motive. The dual pov is perfectly done and the time line jumps weave the story together at a great pace.
I predicted one thing just to be "slapped" by a few other twists that I did not see coming.
I honestly got goosebumps in this one, it's a thrilling ride you don't want to miss!
This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and kept a hold of it like a vise grip throughout every chapter through to the end. Never once was I was bored, in fact, I was actually sad to reach the end because of how much I enjoyed this heart pounding story.
Susan does an expert job at making so many people look like a suspect. Nearly all of the passengers aboard flight 868 have some sort of motive. The dual pov is perfectly done and the time line jumps weave the story together at a great pace.
I predicted one thing just to be "slapped" by a few other twists that I did not see coming.
I honestly got goosebumps in this one, it's a thrilling ride you don't want to miss!
October 17, 2025
Susan Walter has quickly become one of my favorites! Her thrillers are amazing, and so is her general fiction! This is her newest thriller; it will be out in April, so make sure you preorder it because it is absolutely fantastic!
Pioneer Flight 868 is en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico, carrying passengers that include a high school baseball team with their chaperones and a wedding party, who are already tipsy for the flight to the upcoming celebration. Things are going smoothly until the plane encounters a storm. The turbulence has everyone sick, and when lightning strikes the plane, the avionics system is disrupted. The plane goes completely dark for a few minutes. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found in the lavatory brutally murdered. Luckily, there is an air marshal on the flight. He'll need to keep things in order until they land. But this also means there is a killer on the flight. He feels compelled to try and find the culprit. As he starts to investigate, he realizes several of the passengers are harboring some dark secrets. Will he be able to piece things together before the killer takes another victim?
Told in multiple POVs with multiple plotlines, this book kept me on my toes. I didn't think a lot could happen on a plane, but boy was I wrong! Everything you can imagine going wrong did! The twists were crazy and totally blew my mind! I was completely captivated by the immersive writing, which held my attention from the very beginning and kept me engrossed throughout the entire book. This book was fast-paced, exciting, and a total page-turner! I loved how everything tied together in the end. This was a completely entertaining, thrilling, wild, locked-room mystery that I would HIGHLY recommend! 🩷
Pioneer Flight 868 is en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico, carrying passengers that include a high school baseball team with their chaperones and a wedding party, who are already tipsy for the flight to the upcoming celebration. Things are going smoothly until the plane encounters a storm. The turbulence has everyone sick, and when lightning strikes the plane, the avionics system is disrupted. The plane goes completely dark for a few minutes. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found in the lavatory brutally murdered. Luckily, there is an air marshal on the flight. He'll need to keep things in order until they land. But this also means there is a killer on the flight. He feels compelled to try and find the culprit. As he starts to investigate, he realizes several of the passengers are harboring some dark secrets. Will he be able to piece things together before the killer takes another victim?
Told in multiple POVs with multiple plotlines, this book kept me on my toes. I didn't think a lot could happen on a plane, but boy was I wrong! Everything you can imagine going wrong did! The twists were crazy and totally blew my mind! I was completely captivated by the immersive writing, which held my attention from the very beginning and kept me engrossed throughout the entire book. This book was fast-paced, exciting, and a total page-turner! I loved how everything tied together in the end. This was a completely entertaining, thrilling, wild, locked-room mystery that I would HIGHLY recommend! 🩷
February 27, 2026
Air travel anxiety? Cured. Replaced entirely with a brand new fear that someone is getting bludgeoned in the lavatory while I’m politely waiting with my tiny can of ginger ale.
Murder at 30,000 Feet is what happens when you take a locked room mystery, shove it into a metal tube hurtling toward San Juan, toss in a high school baseball team, a tipsy destination wedding party, a grieving mother, and an air marshal who is absolutely not having his best day… and then you hit the plane with lightning. I’m sorry. A LIGHTNING STRIKE. We’re not easing into chaos here. We are cannonballing directly into it.
Flight 868 starts out feeling like every flight you’ve ever been on. Overexcited wedding guests already three mini bottles deep. Teen boys who absolutely will not stop talking. A bunch of adults who clearly have unresolved baggage that is not fitting in the overhead bin. Then the avionics short out, the cabin goes dark, and when the lights flicker back on, someone is dead in the bathroom with a baseball bat involved. I repeat. A baseball bat. On a plane. That lavatory deserves its own architectural award for spatial ambition.
The air marshal, who is already wrestling with his own past and a need for redemption, suddenly has to solve a murder midair while the plane is battling storms. And here’s the delicious part. The baseball team and the wedding party are from the same small California town. Which means this is not random violence. This is long simmering resentment cruising at 30,000 feet. We get flashbacks about a tragic hit and run involving a young player, buried grudges, secret relationships, and enough intertwined drama to make a daytime soap clutch its pearls.
Now. Is it a lot? Yes. Is it possibly several lots duct taped together? Also yes. At one point I genuinely thought, what else could happen? And the book said, oh you thought we were done? Adorable. But here’s the thing. I was having so much fun I did not care. This is popcorn thriller chaos in the best way. Buckle up and suspend disbelief while the author throws literally everything at the fuselage. The tension inside the cabin mirrors the storm outside, and it feels big and cinematic, like you accidentally boarded a summer blockbuster.
And then there’s the audiobook. Scott Brick narrates this like he was personally hired by the Federal Aviation Administration to make you respect authority. His voice has that deep, resonant gravitas that makes every suspicious glance feel ominous. When he leans into the air marshal’s guilt and need for redemption, it actually adds weight to the character. When the plane is in crisis, he dials up the urgency so effectively that I found myself pausing my walk like, should I be bracing for impact? It is dramatic. It is intense. It absolutely works for this kind of thriller.
The structure moves between present day panic and past secrets, slowly revealing how tightly all these people are knotted together. The handling of the victim’s identity is bold and a little cheeky, and I respect the audacity. The character work is stronger than you might expect in a story with this much spectacle. These aren’t just random passengers. They’re grief stricken, guilt ridden, desperate people who have been carrying pain long before they boarded. Underneath the chaos, there’s real emotion about loss, revenge, and what unresolved trauma can do to a community.
Is it realistic? Not entirely. Does it sometimes feel like the plane is personally cursed? Perhaps. But was I entertained out of my mind? Absolutely. This is the kind of thriller you inhale in one sitting while texting your friend, you are not going to believe this. It’s dramatic, twisty, occasionally unhinged, and surprisingly heartfelt once you peel back the spectacle.
4.5 stars. Because yes, you have to suspend disbelief. But when a book makes me this tense, this entertained, and this weirdly emotional about a group of chaotic strangers on a storm battered flight, I’m rounding up with zero hesitation.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side Eye Every Airplane Lavatory Like It’s Hiding a Baseball Bat
And a huge thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Audiobooks and NetGalley for the ALC. You handed me this chaotic midair disaster and said, have fun, and I absolutely did. Fasten your seatbelts, friends.
Murder at 30,000 Feet is what happens when you take a locked room mystery, shove it into a metal tube hurtling toward San Juan, toss in a high school baseball team, a tipsy destination wedding party, a grieving mother, and an air marshal who is absolutely not having his best day… and then you hit the plane with lightning. I’m sorry. A LIGHTNING STRIKE. We’re not easing into chaos here. We are cannonballing directly into it.
Flight 868 starts out feeling like every flight you’ve ever been on. Overexcited wedding guests already three mini bottles deep. Teen boys who absolutely will not stop talking. A bunch of adults who clearly have unresolved baggage that is not fitting in the overhead bin. Then the avionics short out, the cabin goes dark, and when the lights flicker back on, someone is dead in the bathroom with a baseball bat involved. I repeat. A baseball bat. On a plane. That lavatory deserves its own architectural award for spatial ambition.
The air marshal, who is already wrestling with his own past and a need for redemption, suddenly has to solve a murder midair while the plane is battling storms. And here’s the delicious part. The baseball team and the wedding party are from the same small California town. Which means this is not random violence. This is long simmering resentment cruising at 30,000 feet. We get flashbacks about a tragic hit and run involving a young player, buried grudges, secret relationships, and enough intertwined drama to make a daytime soap clutch its pearls.
Now. Is it a lot? Yes. Is it possibly several lots duct taped together? Also yes. At one point I genuinely thought, what else could happen? And the book said, oh you thought we were done? Adorable. But here’s the thing. I was having so much fun I did not care. This is popcorn thriller chaos in the best way. Buckle up and suspend disbelief while the author throws literally everything at the fuselage. The tension inside the cabin mirrors the storm outside, and it feels big and cinematic, like you accidentally boarded a summer blockbuster.
And then there’s the audiobook. Scott Brick narrates this like he was personally hired by the Federal Aviation Administration to make you respect authority. His voice has that deep, resonant gravitas that makes every suspicious glance feel ominous. When he leans into the air marshal’s guilt and need for redemption, it actually adds weight to the character. When the plane is in crisis, he dials up the urgency so effectively that I found myself pausing my walk like, should I be bracing for impact? It is dramatic. It is intense. It absolutely works for this kind of thriller.
The structure moves between present day panic and past secrets, slowly revealing how tightly all these people are knotted together. The handling of the victim’s identity is bold and a little cheeky, and I respect the audacity. The character work is stronger than you might expect in a story with this much spectacle. These aren’t just random passengers. They’re grief stricken, guilt ridden, desperate people who have been carrying pain long before they boarded. Underneath the chaos, there’s real emotion about loss, revenge, and what unresolved trauma can do to a community.
Is it realistic? Not entirely. Does it sometimes feel like the plane is personally cursed? Perhaps. But was I entertained out of my mind? Absolutely. This is the kind of thriller you inhale in one sitting while texting your friend, you are not going to believe this. It’s dramatic, twisty, occasionally unhinged, and surprisingly heartfelt once you peel back the spectacle.
4.5 stars. Because yes, you have to suspend disbelief. But when a book makes me this tense, this entertained, and this weirdly emotional about a group of chaotic strangers on a storm battered flight, I’m rounding up with zero hesitation.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side Eye Every Airplane Lavatory Like It’s Hiding a Baseball Bat
And a huge thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Audiobooks and NetGalley for the ALC. You handed me this chaotic midair disaster and said, have fun, and I absolutely did. Fasten your seatbelts, friends.
January 10, 2026
This thriller is AMAZING! Please tell me it’s going to be picked up for a movie adaptation because it would make and incredible movie. This was so suspenseful from beginning to finish and it will be on my top thriller list for 2026!
Make sure to have this top thriller of 2026 on your TBR!
Thank you to Susan Walter and Blackstone Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read it early!
Make sure to have this top thriller of 2026 on your TBR!
Thank you to Susan Walter and Blackstone Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read it early!
February 1, 2026
MURDER AT 30,000 FEET by @susanwalterauthor
📖 book review • out 02.17.26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5)
thank you @blackstonepublishing for my gifted ARC and finished copy! #blackstoneinsiders
this book had me in a chokehold and I could not put it down! from the very first page where you find out a lightning strike causes a plane to lose power for a couple of minutes, to a dead body being found shortly after, to meeting so many characters on the plane.. I was completely engrossed in the story.
It absolutely amazes me how everyone’s story intertwined - you have absolutely no idea *who* the dead body is for a while but honestly could have been so many people for so many different reasons. the story lines interconnected so flawlessly- I was so intrigued and couldn’t put it down. plus murder mysteries are way more fun when you’re in the clouds. *highly recommend*
📖 book review • out 02.17.26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5)
thank you @blackstonepublishing for my gifted ARC and finished copy! #blackstoneinsiders
this book had me in a chokehold and I could not put it down! from the very first page where you find out a lightning strike causes a plane to lose power for a couple of minutes, to a dead body being found shortly after, to meeting so many characters on the plane.. I was completely engrossed in the story.
It absolutely amazes me how everyone’s story intertwined - you have absolutely no idea *who* the dead body is for a while but honestly could have been so many people for so many different reasons. the story lines interconnected so flawlessly- I was so intrigued and couldn’t put it down. plus murder mysteries are way more fun when you’re in the clouds. *highly recommend*
September 13, 2025
Murder at 30,000 feet by
Susan Walter
is yet another excellent thriller from the American author who I discovered two years ago through
Lie By The Pool
. If you're looking for a new-to-you author with an excellent backlist I highly recommend Walter, who is also a screenwriter and director... which I think is evident in her writing - placing readers firmly in the midst of the novel's events through its narrative or 'the action', rather overly descriptive place-related prose. Here that action is fast-paced and, though we jump about in time a little, Walter ekes out the who and the why, creating tension and suspense.
On a routine flight a plane hits turbulence and power is lost when lightning strikes, a body discovered once the lights come on. So it's certainly not a premeditated murder, rather one of convenience... or perhaps desperation and we wonder if so many coincidences are feasible or if fate has intervened in a Bermuda-triangle-like way to cause the events here. Air Marshall Carlos realises his role is limited to keeping those on the plane safe, but with the FBI on the ground giving instructions he starts questioning some of the other passengers... and secrets are revealed.
This is an excellent read and Walter again delivers great characters and a complex addictive plot that kept my spidey senses on overdrive.
4.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
On a routine flight a plane hits turbulence and power is lost when lightning strikes, a body discovered once the lights come on. So it's certainly not a premeditated murder, rather one of convenience... or perhaps desperation and we wonder if so many coincidences are feasible or if fate has intervened in a Bermuda-triangle-like way to cause the events here. Air Marshall Carlos realises his role is limited to keeping those on the plane safe, but with the FBI on the ground giving instructions he starts questioning some of the other passengers... and secrets are revealed.
This is an excellent read and Walter again delivers great characters and a complex addictive plot that kept my spidey senses on overdrive.
4.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
January 2, 2026
Filled with heart thumping suspense!
Flight 868 is headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, a non stop trip to the tropics. Among the 132 souls on board there is a tipsy wedding party as well as a high school baseball team. When the plane flies through a wild storm and is hit by lightening, the lights go out plunging them into darkness for two long minutes. When the power is restored, one of the passengers is found brutally murdered and the distracted Air Marshall has his hands full keeping the passengers calm while trying to determine who on board is a murderer.
I always enjoy this author’s books, they are fun and twisty!
Thank you Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on February 17, 2026
Flight 868 is headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, a non stop trip to the tropics. Among the 132 souls on board there is a tipsy wedding party as well as a high school baseball team. When the plane flies through a wild storm and is hit by lightening, the lights go out plunging them into darkness for two long minutes. When the power is restored, one of the passengers is found brutally murdered and the distracted Air Marshall has his hands full keeping the passengers calm while trying to determine who on board is a murderer.
I always enjoy this author’s books, they are fun and twisty!
Thank you Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on February 17, 2026
January 19, 2026
I love an in flight thriller and this one had me hooked. The vibes of a locked door thriller but on another level being way up in the air. Trapped. Read this in one sitting, I didn’t want to put it down!
Not always entirely believable, but I think majority of in flight mystery tends to lean fantastical. I had a fun time with the read, regardless.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Not always entirely believable, but I think majority of in flight mystery tends to lean fantastical. I had a fun time with the read, regardless.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Flight 868 is headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico. On board are people headed to a destination wedding, and a team of high school baseball players are headed to a tournament.
Sweet anticipation turns to terror when a lightning strike short-circuits the avionics and plunges the plane into darkness. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found brutally murdered, with only a bewildered air marshal to solve the crime. He soon realizes that several passengers are harboring dark secrets, but the identity of the murderer eludes him. There’s only one certainty: the killer is on the plane.
This is one entertaining locked room mystery! We start off with the murder and then go back in time a little as we are introduced to several of the passengers as they prepare for the flight. This is important because there are personal connections between them. Everyone has secrets or hidden motivations.
As we come back to present time the reader and the air marshal realize how hard it's going to be to solve the mystery. There are plenty of suspects and I guessed wrong in the end. The turbulence and lightning storm add an additional element. By the time I got to 60% I didn't want to put it down. Fasten your seatbelt if you read this because it gets a little crazy up there!
Murder At 30,000 Feet is a very entertaining read. I also really enjoyed the end where different characters get a wrap up. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to read!
Sweet anticipation turns to terror when a lightning strike short-circuits the avionics and plunges the plane into darkness. When the lights come back on, a passenger is found brutally murdered, with only a bewildered air marshal to solve the crime. He soon realizes that several passengers are harboring dark secrets, but the identity of the murderer eludes him. There’s only one certainty: the killer is on the plane.
This is one entertaining locked room mystery! We start off with the murder and then go back in time a little as we are introduced to several of the passengers as they prepare for the flight. This is important because there are personal connections between them. Everyone has secrets or hidden motivations.
As we come back to present time the reader and the air marshal realize how hard it's going to be to solve the mystery. There are plenty of suspects and I guessed wrong in the end. The turbulence and lightning storm add an additional element. By the time I got to 60% I didn't want to put it down. Fasten your seatbelt if you read this because it gets a little crazy up there!
Murder At 30,000 Feet is a very entertaining read. I also really enjoyed the end where different characters get a wrap up. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to read!
November 23, 2025
3.5 Stars, rounded up.
Murder at 30,000 Feet is a "locked-room" mystery, although in this case, it's a "locked airplane" flight to Puerto Rico!
I struggled with the beginning of the book when there were multiple chapters, with each one providing a different character's background and perspective. Plus, there were two different timelines. Neither of those things are my favorite plot devices. However, I decided to stop trying to keep everyone and their secrets completely straight, and I kept reading. And then I was hooked!!
Murder at 30,000 Feet is filled with passion, betrayal, and a plane ride from hell. As long as you are able to suspend belief at times, pop some popcorn and sit back for the ride!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rape, terrifying plane ride
Thank you, #BlackstonePublishing, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Murder at 30,000 Feet has an expected publication date of March 03, 2026.
#Crime #Mystery #Murder #Suspense
Murder at 30,000 Feet is a "locked-room" mystery, although in this case, it's a "locked airplane" flight to Puerto Rico!
I struggled with the beginning of the book when there were multiple chapters, with each one providing a different character's background and perspective. Plus, there were two different timelines. Neither of those things are my favorite plot devices. However, I decided to stop trying to keep everyone and their secrets completely straight, and I kept reading. And then I was hooked!!
Murder at 30,000 Feet is filled with passion, betrayal, and a plane ride from hell. As long as you are able to suspend belief at times, pop some popcorn and sit back for the ride!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rape, terrifying plane ride
Thank you, #BlackstonePublishing, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Murder at 30,000 Feet has an expected publication date of March 03, 2026.
#Crime #Mystery #Murder #Suspense
September 13, 2025
Locked room mystery on a plane? Yes please. As someone who’s terrified of flying, I was nervous about picking this one up. Do I really need more reasons to fear airplanes? Apparently yes—because I like to make myself suffer. But honestly, it was worth it. I ended up absolutely loving this book. My butt was clenched the entire time, new fears were unlocked, and yet it was a bloody brilliant read.
This is a cleverly written, twisty story where multiple threads weave together in the most thrilling way. The setup is pitch perfect: a delayed flight, a last-minute crew change, a brewing thunderstorm, suspicious behavior, and a cast of characters with dark secrets. There’s a lot happening, but it never feels overwhelming or hard to follow.
I need more books like this.
This is a cleverly written, twisty story where multiple threads weave together in the most thrilling way. The setup is pitch perfect: a delayed flight, a last-minute crew change, a brewing thunderstorm, suspicious behavior, and a cast of characters with dark secrets. There’s a lot happening, but it never feels overwhelming or hard to follow.
I need more books like this.
September 15, 2025
Murder at 30,000 feet by Susan Walter
As most of you know I’m a big romantasy fan and typically stay mostly in that genre. I was feeling a little too underwhelmed with romantasy lately so decided to read a good old fashioned thriller and y’all let me tell you, this was a great one!
This is basically a locked room mystery but bigger stakes. I, at the beginning was super confident in my guess of whodunnit and why. Well guess what? I was wrong. Eventually I figured it out but it was fairly last minute.
The thrills of this book. Wow. I was in tears and I had anxiety. I was so into this book. It’s not just a who killed who scenario. We’re on a huge flying machine. What do huge flying machines sometimes do? Yah. Just thinking about what I would do and what I would do if my kids were with me, woof. The good news is, this story does not feature any young children so wipe those anxiety driven sweating mama foreheads.
The characters. This author knows how to develop characters. I felt for each character. Sometimes not great things but I felt for them. My favorite character was the pilot. I told myself if he died I would boycott lol. He didn’t (spoiler I guess? Sorry,) so we’re not boycotting yay!
The story involved a small group of people mostly from the same town on one flight to San Juan. Most were teenagers going to a baseball tournament with their chaperones, others were there for a destination wedding. We hear voices from each group, a mom who lost her teenage boy three years ago in a hit and run, a girl who was assaulted by her ex boyfriend, her ex boyfriend, her best friend, a federal Marshall, the pilot, a flight attendant, and the baseball leagues president. Each one has a very in-depth story to tell. Then when the plane hits turbulence, the lights go out and a murder happens. The Federal Marshall wants to solve the mystery before they land, but will they land safely with a murderer in their midsts?
Y’all this book had me in a tight grip and you all need to read it!
Thank you so much to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the arc.
As most of you know I’m a big romantasy fan and typically stay mostly in that genre. I was feeling a little too underwhelmed with romantasy lately so decided to read a good old fashioned thriller and y’all let me tell you, this was a great one!
This is basically a locked room mystery but bigger stakes. I, at the beginning was super confident in my guess of whodunnit and why. Well guess what? I was wrong. Eventually I figured it out but it was fairly last minute.
The thrills of this book. Wow. I was in tears and I had anxiety. I was so into this book. It’s not just a who killed who scenario. We’re on a huge flying machine. What do huge flying machines sometimes do? Yah. Just thinking about what I would do and what I would do if my kids were with me, woof. The good news is, this story does not feature any young children so wipe those anxiety driven sweating mama foreheads.
The characters. This author knows how to develop characters. I felt for each character. Sometimes not great things but I felt for them. My favorite character was the pilot. I told myself if he died I would boycott lol. He didn’t (spoiler I guess? Sorry,) so we’re not boycotting yay!
The story involved a small group of people mostly from the same town on one flight to San Juan. Most were teenagers going to a baseball tournament with their chaperones, others were there for a destination wedding. We hear voices from each group, a mom who lost her teenage boy three years ago in a hit and run, a girl who was assaulted by her ex boyfriend, her ex boyfriend, her best friend, a federal Marshall, the pilot, a flight attendant, and the baseball leagues president. Each one has a very in-depth story to tell. Then when the plane hits turbulence, the lights go out and a murder happens. The Federal Marshall wants to solve the mystery before they land, but will they land safely with a murderer in their midsts?
Y’all this book had me in a tight grip and you all need to read it!
Thank you so much to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the arc.
November 25, 2025
*Ebook
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)
“Why they would serve deep fried flatulence to people crowding into a hermetically-sealed, flying soda can is beyond me, smells bad enough in there already.”
“He was beginning to think the devil was trolling him. It was the only possible explanation. He couldn’t blame his binge drinking for people getting hurt – the boy dying, his ex crying rape—because then he’d have to admit the devil and his drinking for one and the same.”
This one has A LOT going on and a ton of characters so if you pick this one up it’s something you’ll want to read quickly so you remember who is who and all of the subplots. I struggle with that so it might be a “me” thing. So that being said I struggled with this one a bit. I’ve been reading it for like 2 months. I also wish the characters would’ve said “say more” a whole lot less in the story. It interrupted the flow of the story bc it was said so frequently.
I loved the concept of this one and totally couldn’t tell you WHAT I would do if put in this situation. It was truly a nightmare scenario from start to finish.
I wouldn’t call it a page turner but it has a solid even pacing which is necessary when you have a lot going on like this sorry did.
I thought the story ended nicely.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)
“Why they would serve deep fried flatulence to people crowding into a hermetically-sealed, flying soda can is beyond me, smells bad enough in there already.”
“He was beginning to think the devil was trolling him. It was the only possible explanation. He couldn’t blame his binge drinking for people getting hurt – the boy dying, his ex crying rape—because then he’d have to admit the devil and his drinking for one and the same.”
This one has A LOT going on and a ton of characters so if you pick this one up it’s something you’ll want to read quickly so you remember who is who and all of the subplots. I struggle with that so it might be a “me” thing. So that being said I struggled with this one a bit. I’ve been reading it for like 2 months. I also wish the characters would’ve said “say more” a whole lot less in the story. It interrupted the flow of the story bc it was said so frequently.
I loved the concept of this one and totally couldn’t tell you WHAT I would do if put in this situation. It was truly a nightmare scenario from start to finish.
I wouldn’t call it a page turner but it has a solid even pacing which is necessary when you have a lot going on like this sorry did.
I thought the story ended nicely.
December 19, 2025
Are you afraid of flying? How about a murder mystery in the air, where there’s nowhere to escape? Spooky! If you’ve been following my reviews, you know I was hooked by the cover!
In "Flight 868," passengers headed to San Juan face terror when a lightning strike causes a power failure, resulting in the murder of one aboard. An air marshal must uncover the killer while navigating dark secrets among the passengers. As a storm looms, the captain races against time to prevent disaster from both the weather and the murderer on the plane.
This book is impressively crafted in both setup and execution. I was glued to the pages from the moment we took off! We meet several characters from different backgrounds, each on the plane for their own reasons. To uncover the details, you'll need to read this; it will keep you busy piecing together events and characters as you approach an unexpected landing. It’s a mystery within a mystery, and you'll find yourself anxiously counting down the seconds, hoping to help solve these intricate murder puzzles! I didn’t see much coming and was completely stunned by the clever ending.
Just imagine a group of passengers with dark secrets, and suddenly, the power goes out. You know someone’s bound to end up dead, and then chaos ensues as fuel runs low? What? My heart didn’t stop racing until I reached the last page. I felt the pressure to think quickly and make progress.
This read is perfect for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, claustrophobic thriller filled with intriguing characters, where secrets are revealed as everyone either confesses or denies at the same time. It may feel overwhelming, but stick with it—it only gets better! With plenty of twists to keep you engaged, I’d bet this counts as a cardio session because your heart will get quite the workout! You better add this book to your TBR, I’ll be checking!
Thank you, Blackstone Publishing, for the ARC digital copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In "Flight 868," passengers headed to San Juan face terror when a lightning strike causes a power failure, resulting in the murder of one aboard. An air marshal must uncover the killer while navigating dark secrets among the passengers. As a storm looms, the captain races against time to prevent disaster from both the weather and the murderer on the plane.
This book is impressively crafted in both setup and execution. I was glued to the pages from the moment we took off! We meet several characters from different backgrounds, each on the plane for their own reasons. To uncover the details, you'll need to read this; it will keep you busy piecing together events and characters as you approach an unexpected landing. It’s a mystery within a mystery, and you'll find yourself anxiously counting down the seconds, hoping to help solve these intricate murder puzzles! I didn’t see much coming and was completely stunned by the clever ending.
Just imagine a group of passengers with dark secrets, and suddenly, the power goes out. You know someone’s bound to end up dead, and then chaos ensues as fuel runs low? What? My heart didn’t stop racing until I reached the last page. I felt the pressure to think quickly and make progress.
This read is perfect for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, claustrophobic thriller filled with intriguing characters, where secrets are revealed as everyone either confesses or denies at the same time. It may feel overwhelming, but stick with it—it only gets better! With plenty of twists to keep you engaged, I’d bet this counts as a cardio session because your heart will get quite the workout! You better add this book to your TBR, I’ll be checking!
Thank you, Blackstone Publishing, for the ARC digital copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 6, 2025
Murder at 30,000 Feet by Susan Walter. Thanks to @blackstone for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flight 868 should be an easy non stop flight to Puerto Rico but lightening hits the plane, short circuiting the power momentarily. When the lights come back, flight attendants find a body in the lavatory. A murderer is somewhere on the plane.
If you enjoy locked room mysteries, you’ll like this one. It has a hit and run cold case in its history. The plane is full of characters that were involved, witnessed, or know more than they are letting on. It was clever to have a school sports team on the plane. The mystery turns into a thriller towards the end, adding intensity as the plane has issues.
“Honesty may be a virtue, but consequences are what kick you in the ass.”
Read this if you like:
-Locked room mysteries
-Aviation thrillers
-Differnt POV’s
-Cold case investigations
-Small town mysteries
Murder at 30,000 Feet comes out 2/17.
Flight 868 should be an easy non stop flight to Puerto Rico but lightening hits the plane, short circuiting the power momentarily. When the lights come back, flight attendants find a body in the lavatory. A murderer is somewhere on the plane.
If you enjoy locked room mysteries, you’ll like this one. It has a hit and run cold case in its history. The plane is full of characters that were involved, witnessed, or know more than they are letting on. It was clever to have a school sports team on the plane. The mystery turns into a thriller towards the end, adding intensity as the plane has issues.
“Honesty may be a virtue, but consequences are what kick you in the ass.”
Read this if you like:
-Locked room mysteries
-Aviation thrillers
-Differnt POV’s
-Cold case investigations
-Small town mysteries
Murder at 30,000 Feet comes out 2/17.
February 21, 2026
Okay so first things first: airplane locked room murder mystery?? I was IN. That setting alone had me seated with my snack ready.
The story itself was tense and fun, I loved the confined feeling. It’s my first thriller set entirely on a plane and that added a fresh twist to the classic locked room mystery format.
BUT.
The audiobook… y’all. I am picky about male narrators and this one had full Batman energy. Deep. Dramatic. Gravelly. Every time he spoke I half expected him to say “Gotham needs me.” 😭 It just wasn’t for me.
Also there are A LOT of characters and moving parts. I genuinely had to keep notes to track everyone and their connections. If you love intricate cast dynamics, you’ll eat this up. If you’re a “just vibe and read” type, be ready to focus.
Overall: solid locked room tension, cool setting, but I’d personally recommend reading this one with your eyeballs instead of your ears.
The story itself was tense and fun, I loved the confined feeling. It’s my first thriller set entirely on a plane and that added a fresh twist to the classic locked room mystery format.
BUT.
The audiobook… y’all. I am picky about male narrators and this one had full Batman energy. Deep. Dramatic. Gravelly. Every time he spoke I half expected him to say “Gotham needs me.” 😭 It just wasn’t for me.
Also there are A LOT of characters and moving parts. I genuinely had to keep notes to track everyone and their connections. If you love intricate cast dynamics, you’ll eat this up. If you’re a “just vibe and read” type, be ready to focus.
Overall: solid locked room tension, cool setting, but I’d personally recommend reading this one with your eyeballs instead of your ears.
February 25, 2026
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.
I was influenced by a fellow Kiwi Bookstagrammer to request this ARC, and I’m so glad I gave it a go.
This story has such a great locked-room mystery vibe. A passenger on Flight 868 to Puerto Rico is found dead, and it’s up to the air marshal to figure out whodunnit. The fast pace works perfectly with the short, snappy chapters, making it such an easy book to fly through.
From the start, readers are led to believe the death may be connected to a hit-and-run involving one of the passenger’s sons three years earlier. I genuinely didn’t know who to trust – even the pilot and airline staff seemed suspicious. I kept second-guessing myself and changing my mind about what really happened, and I could never land on one clear suspect or theory, which made the mystery even more gripping.
Before this, I hadn’t read anything by this author, but if this book is anything to go by, I’d definitely be interested in picking up more of her work.
If you’re looking for a quick, fast-paced read that’s perfect for curling up with and bingeing over a weekend, I recommend giving this one a try.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was influenced by a fellow Kiwi Bookstagrammer to request this ARC, and I’m so glad I gave it a go.
This story has such a great locked-room mystery vibe. A passenger on Flight 868 to Puerto Rico is found dead, and it’s up to the air marshal to figure out whodunnit. The fast pace works perfectly with the short, snappy chapters, making it such an easy book to fly through.
From the start, readers are led to believe the death may be connected to a hit-and-run involving one of the passenger’s sons three years earlier. I genuinely didn’t know who to trust – even the pilot and airline staff seemed suspicious. I kept second-guessing myself and changing my mind about what really happened, and I could never land on one clear suspect or theory, which made the mystery even more gripping.
Before this, I hadn’t read anything by this author, but if this book is anything to go by, I’d definitely be interested in picking up more of her work.
If you’re looking for a quick, fast-paced read that’s perfect for curling up with and bingeing over a weekend, I recommend giving this one a try.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
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