Medusa's Child

by John J. Nance

A pilot races through the sky to stop a nuclear catastrophe in this “compelling” thriller by the New York Times–bestselling author of Pandora’s Clock (People). Vivian Henry hasn’t heard her ex-husband’s voice in three years, but it still fills her with fear. Dangerous and brilliant, Dr. Rogers Henry is calling because he’s dying. He offers Vivian a fortune in insurance money if she’ll carry out one final task for Take the Medusa device to Washington, DC. The Medusa is his life’s work—a thermonuclear bomb capable of knocking out all modern technology in the country—and he wants her to deliver it to the Pentagon before it falls into the wrong hands.   Cargo plane captain Scott McKay is miles above the ground when the Medusa begins to speak. A recording of Dr. Henry’s voice announces that the device is active and about to explode. With nowhere to land, Captain McKay must rely on his instincts and fly like he has never flown before to prevent a worldwide apocalypse.  Medusa’s Child proves once again that John Nance is the “king of the modern-day aviation thriller” (Publishers Weekly).

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Aviation, Mystery, Adventure, Mystery Thriller, Science Fiction

534 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 1997

About the author

John J. Nance is an American pilot, aviation safety expert, and author. He served in the USAF during the Vietnam War and also as a Lt. Colonel in Operation Desert Storm.

Reviews

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long story short, a crazy & genius scientist wanted to simultaneously blow up DC and torment his already psychologically abused ex wife. If you want Speed but on an airplane, and with some aviation lingo, Medusa's Child is great for you.  Nance was a pilot and obviously knows his shit, so there's that. There's lots of 90s nostalgia too like AOL chat rooms and I'm sure some outdated military technology.

The fictional president is such a bad ass in this book.

The whole plot takes place on a plane, except the novel also bounces around to Air Force One and a few other people & places in real time, but man he managed to stretch one ticking thermonuclear bomb (a few hours) into a long ass book.  Also the 'terrorist' is white so y'all can't bitch about brown terrorists like, that Falling book that came out recently. Is that the name of it?

Overall: pretty fast paced and good writing, he had McKay and McCoy as two main characters and I mean, I can't really find anything to complain about other than the length. It was terse and fun to read, although not great enough that I'm going to read the other Nance that I have

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat to the point I could not put it down until the very end.

[Baz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did think this one was going to peak a little early (and maybe it did), but the suspense and action was sustained throughout. I love what Nance does as a specialised genre and this is no exception. There is not a slow moment in this story.
The only off putting aspect was the ultra-patriotism that occasionally came about in a full frontal "Team America, world getting saved by the Stars and Stripes" assault, but once I breezed over this and continued with the story, it regained my interest.

[Space · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm starting to feel like all my reviews of all these Nance Novels are coming out the same. Aviationalistically induced stress, story tells how they overcome it. This is not a complaint, understand. It's just that all his books fit this formula. This one is no different. Fantastic read though, and I can't recommend his books enough if you're into edge-of-your-seat reading. Keep going, Mr Nance.

[RH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scott McKay, captain on board of his Boeing 727 is forced to take another load on board before he departs. This load causes him a lot of trouble when his passengers and crew members discover they are carrying a bomb. The Medusa bomb is not only a nuclear bomb but could also wipe out every computer chip on the American Continent.

Scott is now forced to find a way to drop the bomb without destroying the entire continent. He fears that the ground teams and FBI do not realize what he is carrying. Being afraid that the bomb will detonate when these people touches he decides to fly a suicide mission and drop the bomb in the ocean. He needs to blow a hole in the side of his plane, loses and engine, creates a fuel leak and almost loses one of his passengers through the hole. He does manage to drop the bomb at the moment the solution to the entire problem comes in. However, now in the water, the bomb still detonates but cause only minor damage. Scott manages the land his 727 on board of a aircraft carrier in hurricane winds and saves America.

The thought of human kind being able to construct devices that not only wipe out entire populations but also stock markets and economies is a scary thought that makes you think about the possible existence of such a device. Of course this is one of these books with a happy ending and some of the things that happen seem totally impossible, but the story is nice to read and carries throughout the book. All the excitement happens at the end which makes for a nice ending.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 rounded to 4) This is the third Nance book I've read, and the least realistic one so far. (Saving Linda from falling out of the plane seemed a little far-fetched and not necessary with all the other drama going on.) I did love all the flying details (obviously), especially flying in turbulence in front of an in-bound hurricane and the mircoburst on landing. I liked reading about landing the 737 on the aircraft carrier (and the Kansan in me loved that it was the USS Eisenhower), too. And I know Nance did this for drama, but it kills me when pilots turn off their radios and miss critical communications!!! If I've learned nothing else from reading this fictional story, it's to always keep my radio on just in case! For whatever reason, I wasn't as attached to the characters this time, but Nance still developed them well.

I liked the premise of this, and know it would be even scarier today with our increased dependence on technology. I don't know enough about the science to know how realistic any of this is, but I was as shocked as the characters to learn that the problems they saw near the end were when the bomb was 2400' under water! Terrifying to think what would happen if it was on the surface. The epilogue was tantalizing, and I like that Nance left some questions for the reader (will anyone ever discover the plans and recreate the bomb? Will anyone figure out how it worked without seeing the technology?)

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first John Nance book that I have read. It was hard to get into at first, was a little over the top, and took place (except for the last few pages) on a single airplane’s extraordinary flight, but I liked it and would have given it 3.5 stars if that was possible. The connection with Los Alamos (I had temporary assignments there once) and the Grand Strand Airport (in NMB) was a plus. I always like references to places I am familiar with (as long as they are correct). But, Nance is apparently into aviation thrillers as a genre and I am not. So not sure I will read more. On a positive note, it was a slow read (in order to pick up all the details - which my Navy and Air Force-trained mind wants to do) and served to take up time during my pandemic boredom. All in all, Win-win! BTW, it was written in 1997 (a surprise to me).

[Matt Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the unpredictable thrill ride!

Medusa's Child is an unpredictable novel about a nuclear explosive device that is placed on a 727 and the pilots' fight to survive the results. Through incompetence, malice and government infighting, things are made worse at every turn. Like Nance's other books, the writing is immaculate, with his background as a pilot giving a level of technical accuracy that no other author I know of can even come close to. The characters, settings, events, every aspect of the writing this story is first rate. 5/5 stars, highly recommended for any adult audience, but especially those with an interest in aviation thrillers!

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was way too long -- I think I skimmed most of the last third of it. Nance is good at writing exciting stuff but this just pushed things way too far as I wanted to be done with it. Too much detail, unnecessary detail. I usually like his novels, but this one was harder to like because it seemed interminable. The military were, of course, evildoers during the first half or so of the book and it took the President kicking some ass to get things rolling. I enjoyed it for the most part and of course I will read more Nance as I can afford to (wish all his books were Kindle Unlimited!)

[Tilly Wark · Rating 5 out of 5]

My great-gram used to say the more mayhem in a book, the better. Well, this one comes with tons! It has havoc a-plenty, between the hurricane, a bomb on a plane, and a vindictive dead scientist. Yes, you'll need to suspend belief for a large part, but that's also part of the thrill.

I can't speak to whether or not the science in this book is accurate, but I do have an aviation background. On a personal sidebar, I was just so damn happy to read a book with pilots speaking correctly (no stupid, oxymoronic "over and out"... bless).

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting JJN novel about a disbursement that will have you sitting on the edge of your sest. The aviation thriller is JJN at his best with this aviation thriller. A singled plane was picked to be part of a nuclear holocaust. The planning of the event was made to not fail. However, once the he event was set in motion the single flaw in to their plot was the pilot if the aircraft. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting tale of a mad scientist who vows to mess up the world that has done him wrong. He convinces his x-wife to transport his magnum opus to the pentagon. This wreaks revenge on his country and the woman who tried to leave him. It was interesting and suspenseful. It was a bit long and at times too technical, but overall, a good read.

[Marice Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was quite grabbed by this book early on but it seemed to drag for a while after that and I just wanted something more to happen. After all that the ending seemed a little rushed and I would have liked a bit more detail.

[Susan Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medusa’s Child

You simply have to read this very exciting book.
A nuclear bomb on board a 727 with 5 persons including the air crew.
With the various agencies screwing any useful help up, the pilots must solve the problem. So get to reading. Me, I’m off to find the tv series.

[Glennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

John J. Nance kept the pages whizzing by right up to the very end... Very hard to put down and very enjoyable! So many twists and turns. Very enjoyable (most of them that is) characters! I've never read anything quite like it!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first John J Nance book, and a real nail biter! Thrilling story, but about 100 pages too long, and you definitely have to suspend disbelief in a few places. But an exciting read! Plan to read Pandora’s Box next.

[Michel Sizaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book

[Katie_Living_in_Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not see that coming. What a rollercoaster. I can't even think properly right now to write a review. I promise one will be coming very soon. Either tomorrow or the next day.

[Prescottl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing thriller about a nuclear bomb on a plane. The author deftly writes several concurrent story lines with many characters and locations. The climactic scenes were enthralling.

[Lisa Barbour · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've liked other books by this author, but this one had so much technical information that it was not as interesting to me.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative, interesting possible story ......scary but handled well.

[Bob Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok- lots of drama but some airplane acrobatics and things done by a 727 like landing on a carrier were far fetched-but had MB and NMB airport in book- so interesting

[Gerardo González · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precuela de las típicas peliculas de Bruce Willis donde al final una persona salva de la catástrofe al país capitalista.

[Eddie Greene]

Very interesting book that keeps you "flying" on the edge of your seat.
Just when it seems it will end a certain way a particular switch starts it all over again. Great book.

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy's books rob me of needed sleep. Once I pick one up, I can't quit til I get to the end. Real thrillers and this one is GREAT.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intriguing and a real page turner for me.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner and nail biter

Thi
s was a different side of Nance. I like flying ones better. This one made me nervous. Don't know how he does it.

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book. In fact, after 50% of it, I thought I had reached the end. The suspense just kept building until the very end. I would recommend it highly—one of Nance's Best books.

[Jim LoPresti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be made into a movie, starring Denzel Washington

5 star. An exciting book. Should be a movie. Great plot. Hope someone in govt reads it and takes note.