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Airside
Beleaguered businessman Kevin Tyler's life is imploding: he's spent months setting up a deal to open an office in Northern Germany, risking everything he owns to push the project through – but at the last possible moment, his partners renege on the agreement when another party sweeps in with a better offer.
Left high and dry, Tyler knows he is going home to bankruptcy and an uncertain future. And to add insult to injury, an overbooked flight sees him bumped off the last plane home, leaving him behind to wait out a storm until the next departure the following morning.
Stranded in the airside zone of a remote municipal airport, Kevin's luck seems to have run out – until he stumbles upon a bag of money that could be the solution to all his woes.
There's just one problem – the money is part of a conspiracy of blackmail and murder, and those involved are willing to do anything to keep it...
Left high and dry, Tyler knows he is going home to bankruptcy and an uncertain future. And to add insult to injury, an overbooked flight sees him bumped off the last plane home, leaving him behind to wait out a storm until the next departure the following morning.
Stranded in the airside zone of a remote municipal airport, Kevin's luck seems to have run out – until he stumbles upon a bag of money that could be the solution to all his woes.
There's just one problem – the money is part of a conspiracy of blackmail and murder, and those involved are willing to do anything to keep it...
Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2022
78 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
James Swallow
302 books1,068 followersJames Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty-five books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 30, 2022
What would you do if you would find a bag of money in an airport toilet?
Airside is a suspenseful story where the main character, Kevin, finds himself in terrible situations. In the first chapter, his day started on the wrong foot and from there it only gets worse. A slow start, like in any standalone novel where the characters are growing up on the reader and where, like it or not, where we actually find out that our main character is not as badass as one would expect. He's much slower than I thought, but somehow, that makes him more reliable for me. We can't have only perfect heroes because we don't live in a perfect world. Hence his maybe stupid decisions of taking that bag even though he knows he shouldn't.
The story picks up quite a lot midway, and I turned pages faster and faster just to find out the outcome of this thrilling book.
I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to read more by the author in the future. The characters are more intriguing the way he depicted them and I, for one, am drawn to this style of stories.
Arc review-blog tour
Airside is a suspenseful story where the main character, Kevin, finds himself in terrible situations. In the first chapter, his day started on the wrong foot and from there it only gets worse. A slow start, like in any standalone novel where the characters are growing up on the reader and where, like it or not, where we actually find out that our main character is not as badass as one would expect. He's much slower than I thought, but somehow, that makes him more reliable for me. We can't have only perfect heroes because we don't live in a perfect world. Hence his maybe stupid decisions of taking that bag even though he knows he shouldn't.
The story picks up quite a lot midway, and I turned pages faster and faster just to find out the outcome of this thrilling book.
I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to read more by the author in the future. The characters are more intriguing the way he depicted them and I, for one, am drawn to this style of stories.
Arc review-blog tour
July 27, 2022
2.5 stars
I'm extremely disappointed to have to give such a low score as I really did enjoy this one. A fairly fast paced and exciting thriller in the likeness of Die Hard (even though I detest comparisons being used).
What stopped this from being a 4 star read is simply the lack of proof reading. Words added in the wrong place, spelling mistakes and words missing in sentences just really rips you out of the story and into a fit of annoyance.
I'm extremely disappointed to have to give such a low score as I really did enjoy this one. A fairly fast paced and exciting thriller in the likeness of Die Hard (even though I detest comparisons being used).
What stopped this from being a 4 star read is simply the lack of proof reading. Words added in the wrong place, spelling mistakes and words missing in sentences just really rips you out of the story and into a fit of annoyance.
July 7, 2022
I haven’t read this author before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The blurb suggested a fast-paced thriller and that was definitely what I got. The set up (the main character finding a bag of money in an airport) was intriguing and the pace picks up quickly. It’s a suspenseful book and a very entertaining read.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book.
May 25, 2022
I have not read any books by this author but I do have a copy of Nomad that I really must get to. This is a standalone novel and one that takes place in a small airport in Germany.
Kevin Tyler's day goes from bad to worse and then worse again. He has lost a lucrative deal, has been bumped from the flight due to the flight being overbooked and then he finds himself in a quandy when he discovers a small fortune in the airport toilet.
Kevin is used to only passing through this airport, it's somewhere to pick up or switch onto connecting flights. So when he finds that he may have just put himself in the worst situation possible by taking the bag of money, he is very much on his own.
Of course, a bag of money is not going to be hidden in the toilet for just anyone to find. It will have been put there for a reason, and so also be picked up at some point. And, yes, you just know it isn't going to be honest money.
I do like the dilemma of Kevin, he knows he shouldn't, but just thinks about how it will help him. He isn't one of life's greatest thinkers, and the author does suggest that actually thinking isn't necessarily one of Kevin's skills. This actually paints Kevin into quite a sad, lonely and unsuccessful character. A normal businessman who has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and doing a stupid thing like helping himself to a lot of money.
This starts as quite a slow read, it then subtly starts to speed up. I do like stories like these because it gives the reader a chance to get to know the main players and start to form opinions. The author then makes more subtle changes, adding more characters, and a slight twist and it moves the story along.
While part of me thinks this is a mystery, it is also a suspenseful thriller and it does have a certain noir feel to it. It is essentially a locked room mystery, but the room in this story is an airport. This gives the author a lot of room to play with and he uses this space to great advantage. While the characters may be limited, the airport itself becomes almost like a character in itself as various sides and levels are shown, and indeed used.
As I mentioned this is a slower book, by the end it suddenly bursts into a full-blown pace. I didn't initially notice this but it did start to become more evident around the halfway point.
This is one for those who like a thriller that is subtle, it is almost quiet until a lot further in the book. I like the suspense and intrigue. I wonder what other people would do if they found a bag of money - after reading this book I would definitely leave it where it was and scurry away quick!
This is a fab read and full of mystery. I am definitely going to have to look at other books by this author. Airside is a wonderful read and one I would definitely recommend.
Kevin Tyler's day goes from bad to worse and then worse again. He has lost a lucrative deal, has been bumped from the flight due to the flight being overbooked and then he finds himself in a quandy when he discovers a small fortune in the airport toilet.
Kevin is used to only passing through this airport, it's somewhere to pick up or switch onto connecting flights. So when he finds that he may have just put himself in the worst situation possible by taking the bag of money, he is very much on his own.
Of course, a bag of money is not going to be hidden in the toilet for just anyone to find. It will have been put there for a reason, and so also be picked up at some point. And, yes, you just know it isn't going to be honest money.
I do like the dilemma of Kevin, he knows he shouldn't, but just thinks about how it will help him. He isn't one of life's greatest thinkers, and the author does suggest that actually thinking isn't necessarily one of Kevin's skills. This actually paints Kevin into quite a sad, lonely and unsuccessful character. A normal businessman who has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and doing a stupid thing like helping himself to a lot of money.
This starts as quite a slow read, it then subtly starts to speed up. I do like stories like these because it gives the reader a chance to get to know the main players and start to form opinions. The author then makes more subtle changes, adding more characters, and a slight twist and it moves the story along.
While part of me thinks this is a mystery, it is also a suspenseful thriller and it does have a certain noir feel to it. It is essentially a locked room mystery, but the room in this story is an airport. This gives the author a lot of room to play with and he uses this space to great advantage. While the characters may be limited, the airport itself becomes almost like a character in itself as various sides and levels are shown, and indeed used.
As I mentioned this is a slower book, by the end it suddenly bursts into a full-blown pace. I didn't initially notice this but it did start to become more evident around the halfway point.
This is one for those who like a thriller that is subtle, it is almost quiet until a lot further in the book. I like the suspense and intrigue. I wonder what other people would do if they found a bag of money - after reading this book I would definitely leave it where it was and scurry away quick!
This is a fab read and full of mystery. I am definitely going to have to look at other books by this author. Airside is a wonderful read and one I would definitely recommend.
March 1, 2023
enjoyed this much more than i thought i was coz it was just a random book i bought at the airport. started off not liking the main guy kevin but then there were worse characters so i ended up rooting for him. also sasha deserved better 3
July 6, 2023
Good page turner - lots of interesting airport involved
January 11, 2024
James Swallow has written over fifty novels and this is the first of his books that I've read. He is best known for his Marc Dane series.
Airside is a book that I probably wouldn't have picked up if it were not for the challenges that I've set, it's been on my shelf for a couple of years, being sadly overlooked for other titles. I'm really glad that I picked it and read it. It is, at times, totally bonkers, but there is no doubt that it is a gripping, fast paced chase-thriller. I absolutely flew through it.
Set in a small provincial airport in Germany during a thunder storm, this is the story of an ordinary guy whose life is going down the pan, and who seems to attract chaos, has a history of not quite getting things right, but who is also a fabulous lead character. Kevin Tyler has travelled through this airport for months, but this will be his last departure. His hard work, trying to secure a deal for his small company has fallen through. He is facing life with no money, no business and no hope. To make things worse, the thunder storm has grounded many flights, and because he had a stand by ticket, he's just been bumped off the last flight out to London. The nearby hotel is full and Kevin will have to spend the night in the airport.
The setting is fabulous. As the night falls, the airport gets emptier, the shops begin to shut down and there are just a few stranded passengers left. It's an impersonal place, full of strangers, with no warmth, harsh lighting and uncomfortable seats.
In the rest rooms, Kevin makes a discovery. It is because of his total frustration about his situation that he makes the decision to keep the stash of used Euro notes that he has found - probably around two million in total, instead of handing them in.
And so, Kevin becomes the hunted. We are thrust into a world of dangerous and vengeful people who will stop at nothing to get what they think is theirs. Serbian ex military, with no qualms about hurting anyone. A twisted politician who thinks that he can do as he wants. A woman who escaped brutality, only to go on and dish out the same punishments to others. These are people who are not to be messed around with, yet ordinary Kevin does just that.
It's a real roller coaster of a read. With characters who deceive and betray, some who show their true sides when under pressure, and all of them wonderfully created. It can be an exhausting read at times, as the pressure mounts and the reader is really not sure if Kevin will survive this.
Explosive and a bit crazy. I enjoyed this one.
Airside is a book that I probably wouldn't have picked up if it were not for the challenges that I've set, it's been on my shelf for a couple of years, being sadly overlooked for other titles. I'm really glad that I picked it and read it. It is, at times, totally bonkers, but there is no doubt that it is a gripping, fast paced chase-thriller. I absolutely flew through it.
Set in a small provincial airport in Germany during a thunder storm, this is the story of an ordinary guy whose life is going down the pan, and who seems to attract chaos, has a history of not quite getting things right, but who is also a fabulous lead character. Kevin Tyler has travelled through this airport for months, but this will be his last departure. His hard work, trying to secure a deal for his small company has fallen through. He is facing life with no money, no business and no hope. To make things worse, the thunder storm has grounded many flights, and because he had a stand by ticket, he's just been bumped off the last flight out to London. The nearby hotel is full and Kevin will have to spend the night in the airport.
The setting is fabulous. As the night falls, the airport gets emptier, the shops begin to shut down and there are just a few stranded passengers left. It's an impersonal place, full of strangers, with no warmth, harsh lighting and uncomfortable seats.
In the rest rooms, Kevin makes a discovery. It is because of his total frustration about his situation that he makes the decision to keep the stash of used Euro notes that he has found - probably around two million in total, instead of handing them in.
And so, Kevin becomes the hunted. We are thrust into a world of dangerous and vengeful people who will stop at nothing to get what they think is theirs. Serbian ex military, with no qualms about hurting anyone. A twisted politician who thinks that he can do as he wants. A woman who escaped brutality, only to go on and dish out the same punishments to others. These are people who are not to be messed around with, yet ordinary Kevin does just that.
It's a real roller coaster of a read. With characters who deceive and betray, some who show their true sides when under pressure, and all of them wonderfully created. It can be an exhausting read at times, as the pressure mounts and the reader is really not sure if Kevin will survive this.
Explosive and a bit crazy. I enjoyed this one.
May 31, 2022
Kevin Tyler is having a bad day.
Not having read James Swallow before I wasn’t sure what to expect from Airside. What I got was a fast-paced, cleverly written, highly visual narrative that would make a brilliant feature film. It comes as no surprise to discover the author is also a screenwriter. Alongside a pacy read, however is a fascinating manipulation of readers as James Swallow forces them to confront their own morality and consider what they might do in Kevin’s situation.
James Swallow presents an eye-opening, credible scenario of the levels of violence and corruption behind the façade of normality in an airport that made me feel naïve and unthinking. Plotted within the traditional unities of time, overnight, place, in a remote airport, and action in the possession of the bag of money, James Swallow brings a fresh approach. There’s considerable brutality here but somehow it doesn’t feel gratuitous. Rather James Swallow helps the reader understand how our pasts – whether we suppress domestic violence or are steeped in national, collective aggression – shape our present lives. I thought this added depth and interest to the fast paced plot.
I didn’t warm to any of the characters, except perhaps Maddie, but that didn’t stop me being invested in what happened to them. Almost all, from Kevin, through Von Kassel to Oleg, have some level of criminality that illustrates just how easy it is to become embroiled in illegality. The great touch here though, is the difference between Kevin’s hapless situation and Olen’s inherent and intense brutality. What the author does is to make the reader consider a scale of criminality that doesn’t lead to easy conclusions. There’s an almost Shakespearean quality to the flawed individuals here.
Airside is highly entertaining, and although it’s a book I wouldn’t normally read, I found it engaging and interesting. Those who enjoy this kind of thriller will absolutely love it. Oh, and if you’re reading Airside whilst contemplating a new career, you might just want to think about engineering!
Not having read James Swallow before I wasn’t sure what to expect from Airside. What I got was a fast-paced, cleverly written, highly visual narrative that would make a brilliant feature film. It comes as no surprise to discover the author is also a screenwriter. Alongside a pacy read, however is a fascinating manipulation of readers as James Swallow forces them to confront their own morality and consider what they might do in Kevin’s situation.
James Swallow presents an eye-opening, credible scenario of the levels of violence and corruption behind the façade of normality in an airport that made me feel naïve and unthinking. Plotted within the traditional unities of time, overnight, place, in a remote airport, and action in the possession of the bag of money, James Swallow brings a fresh approach. There’s considerable brutality here but somehow it doesn’t feel gratuitous. Rather James Swallow helps the reader understand how our pasts – whether we suppress domestic violence or are steeped in national, collective aggression – shape our present lives. I thought this added depth and interest to the fast paced plot.
I didn’t warm to any of the characters, except perhaps Maddie, but that didn’t stop me being invested in what happened to them. Almost all, from Kevin, through Von Kassel to Oleg, have some level of criminality that illustrates just how easy it is to become embroiled in illegality. The great touch here though, is the difference between Kevin’s hapless situation and Olen’s inherent and intense brutality. What the author does is to make the reader consider a scale of criminality that doesn’t lead to easy conclusions. There’s an almost Shakespearean quality to the flawed individuals here.
Airside is highly entertaining, and although it’s a book I wouldn’t normally read, I found it engaging and interesting. Those who enjoy this kind of thriller will absolutely love it. Oh, and if you’re reading Airside whilst contemplating a new career, you might just want to think about engineering!
May 24, 2022
I have all the Marc Dane books locked and loaded ready to go, just haven't quite got round to them yet but, on the back of what I read here, I am definitely bumping them up to the (near) top of my TBLT (I have them on audible).
Kevin Tyler is having a bad day. The deal he has been working on - one that will hopefully save his company - has gone a bit awry, and to cap it all, he's just been bumped off his flight home. If all that wasn't bad enough there's a storm and all the hotels are full. He therefore is doomed to spend the night in the airport. A trip to the lav springs hope though. Hope in the way of a bag of money. A big bag of lots of money. Enough to more than get him back on his feet. Obviously it's someone else's money but, at the time of discovery, Kevin plays "finders keepers". A game that will escalate once the real owner, and indeed donor, of the money are discovered, and really kick off once they figure out who has it...!
This was action packed All The Way! Well, once it was all set up, which really didn't take that long. Yes I saw a few things a mile away, noticed a few things that I knew would be key later on. Yes I also found it a bit on the formulaic side, but then again, it's a formula which works. But it was a ride a minute once it kicked off and that level was maintained all the way through. Plotting was tight and well executed and the characters all played their parts well. With scant padding and no waffle, the story got on with itself very well indeed and, as it cane to an end, I was left wholly satisfied. A cracking stand alone that will introduce this author. I am really going to try and get his series into my TBLT as soon as I can. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Kevin Tyler is having a bad day. The deal he has been working on - one that will hopefully save his company - has gone a bit awry, and to cap it all, he's just been bumped off his flight home. If all that wasn't bad enough there's a storm and all the hotels are full. He therefore is doomed to spend the night in the airport. A trip to the lav springs hope though. Hope in the way of a bag of money. A big bag of lots of money. Enough to more than get him back on his feet. Obviously it's someone else's money but, at the time of discovery, Kevin plays "finders keepers". A game that will escalate once the real owner, and indeed donor, of the money are discovered, and really kick off once they figure out who has it...!
This was action packed All The Way! Well, once it was all set up, which really didn't take that long. Yes I saw a few things a mile away, noticed a few things that I knew would be key later on. Yes I also found it a bit on the formulaic side, but then again, it's a formula which works. But it was a ride a minute once it kicked off and that level was maintained all the way through. Plotting was tight and well executed and the characters all played their parts well. With scant padding and no waffle, the story got on with itself very well indeed and, as it cane to an end, I was left wholly satisfied. A cracking stand alone that will introduce this author. I am really going to try and get his series into my TBLT as soon as I can. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
March 5, 2022
James Swallow, best known for the Marc Dane series, strikes again.
Beleaguered businessman Kevin Tyler's life is imploding: he's spent months setting up a deal to open an office in Northern Germany, risking everything he owns to push the project through – but at the last possible moment, his partners renege on the agreement when another party sweeps in with a better offer. To add insult to injury, an overbooked flight sees him bumped off the last plane home, leaving him behind to wait out a storm until the next departure the following morning.
Stranded in the airside zone of the airport, Kevin stumbles upon a bag of money that could be the solution to all his woes...
Initially I found this book slow compared to the Marc Dane series and I was willing for it to get going. But whilst the first third is about setting the scene and setting up the characters it really picks up pace in the last 2/3rds of the book.
It is a gripping book with intriguing characters from all walks of life. It is a thrill of a read as you wait to see if Kevin can get away with the ultimate high stakes game and get home with the money.
My one criticism of this book is that Sasha and Maddie, the two female characters in this book don't seem as fleshed out or explored as they could be. Would have loved a bit more on them and in particular on Sasha's past.
Overall I loved the book though.
Thank you @netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 26th May 2022
Beleaguered businessman Kevin Tyler's life is imploding: he's spent months setting up a deal to open an office in Northern Germany, risking everything he owns to push the project through – but at the last possible moment, his partners renege on the agreement when another party sweeps in with a better offer. To add insult to injury, an overbooked flight sees him bumped off the last plane home, leaving him behind to wait out a storm until the next departure the following morning.
Stranded in the airside zone of the airport, Kevin stumbles upon a bag of money that could be the solution to all his woes...
Initially I found this book slow compared to the Marc Dane series and I was willing for it to get going. But whilst the first third is about setting the scene and setting up the characters it really picks up pace in the last 2/3rds of the book.
It is a gripping book with intriguing characters from all walks of life. It is a thrill of a read as you wait to see if Kevin can get away with the ultimate high stakes game and get home with the money.
My one criticism of this book is that Sasha and Maddie, the two female characters in this book don't seem as fleshed out or explored as they could be. Would have loved a bit more on them and in particular on Sasha's past.
Overall I loved the book though.
Thank you @netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 26th May 2022
June 9, 2022
With a business deal gone disastrously wrong, Kevin Tyler's life is about to implode in the most dramatic way possible but at the start of the novel he is merely a weary business man on his way home. However, when his plane is unexpectedly delayed Kevin is forced to spend the night air side at Barsbecker airport, with very interesting consequences.
Taking a rest break, Kevin inadvertently discovers a bag crammed with more money than he could ever have imagined. This seems like a gift from the gods to Kevin but along with the temptation to keep the money for himself comes the possibility of real danger. What then follows is an exciting cat and mouse thriller, with ruthless characters who will stop at absolutely nothing to keep their money.
Airside is an exciting thriller which flows well albeit a little slowly at first but once the action gets underway the plot moves quickly, bringing suspense and intrigue into the story with characters who are as violent as they are dislikeable however, all credit to the author for making their inclusion into the story feel so scarily authentic. I liked the inclusion of the more personal side of Kevin's life and in particular his relationship with his daughter, Maddie,.
Looking at the way the story evolves, I can well understand the author's skill in scriptwriting. Imaginative, and creatively written, Airside is an exciting standalone thriller from an author who is well known for his Marc Dane series of action thrillers.
Taking a rest break, Kevin inadvertently discovers a bag crammed with more money than he could ever have imagined. This seems like a gift from the gods to Kevin but along with the temptation to keep the money for himself comes the possibility of real danger. What then follows is an exciting cat and mouse thriller, with ruthless characters who will stop at absolutely nothing to keep their money.
Airside is an exciting thriller which flows well albeit a little slowly at first but once the action gets underway the plot moves quickly, bringing suspense and intrigue into the story with characters who are as violent as they are dislikeable however, all credit to the author for making their inclusion into the story feel so scarily authentic. I liked the inclusion of the more personal side of Kevin's life and in particular his relationship with his daughter, Maddie,.
Looking at the way the story evolves, I can well understand the author's skill in scriptwriting. Imaginative, and creatively written, Airside is an exciting standalone thriller from an author who is well known for his Marc Dane series of action thrillers.
May 29, 2023
“Airside” by James Swallow (2022) First Edition
Overall Rating 9/10 – Blew me away
Plot
Our protagonist has had a particularly crappy day and gets stuck at an airport in a storm. His luck changes when he finds a holdall full of cash. Or has it?
Writing Style
Easy, flowing sentences. Some use of unusual verbs. Slight deviation from the normal characterisations. Very modern.
Point of View/Voice
Written in the 3rd Person / Past Tense (standard convention)
Critique
My first thought was that the storyline was dragging. Actually, it was my second and third thought too. However, by mid novel, the author had picked up his feet and it was running along as you would hope and expect it to. Although he was good with verbs and although he made use of them in a clever way – doing it more than once per instance was a mistake. It’s like when someone takes six photographs of a nice setting sun and posts all six to his social media (instead of just one). Nice but diluted by the extraneous ones. The plot did not run as I thought it would (that was a “win”) although it did become a little predictable. Very good ending and, above all, this would make an utterly awesome film. Nice Job Mr Swallow.
Overall Rating 9/10 – Blew me away
Plot
Our protagonist has had a particularly crappy day and gets stuck at an airport in a storm. His luck changes when he finds a holdall full of cash. Or has it?
Writing Style
Easy, flowing sentences. Some use of unusual verbs. Slight deviation from the normal characterisations. Very modern.
Point of View/Voice
Written in the 3rd Person / Past Tense (standard convention)
Critique
My first thought was that the storyline was dragging. Actually, it was my second and third thought too. However, by mid novel, the author had picked up his feet and it was running along as you would hope and expect it to. Although he was good with verbs and although he made use of them in a clever way – doing it more than once per instance was a mistake. It’s like when someone takes six photographs of a nice setting sun and posts all six to his social media (instead of just one). Nice but diluted by the extraneous ones. The plot did not run as I thought it would (that was a “win”) although it did become a little predictable. Very good ending and, above all, this would make an utterly awesome film. Nice Job Mr Swallow.
April 18, 2022
Swallow has another hit on his hands here.
The main character Kevin Tyler is not just having a bad day, his life seems to somewhat of a mess and his previous decisions and current circumstances lead him to taking a large sum of money he finds in an airport toilet. However, as all actions have consequences Kevin's bad day/life rapidly becomes much, much worse. What would I do in his situation, who knows?
A modern thriller that takes some time to get going and then by the end is like a fire that keeps having more and more fuel put on it by Swallow. Kevin himself is hard to like completely and those who he steals from include a corrupt politician and a nasty crime boss with a fearsome reputation.
This standalone thriller is an enjoyable read with the main cast given just enough depth to make things interesting with a decent conclusion.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review I give it 4.5/5 rounded up to 5.
The main character Kevin Tyler is not just having a bad day, his life seems to somewhat of a mess and his previous decisions and current circumstances lead him to taking a large sum of money he finds in an airport toilet. However, as all actions have consequences Kevin's bad day/life rapidly becomes much, much worse. What would I do in his situation, who knows?
A modern thriller that takes some time to get going and then by the end is like a fire that keeps having more and more fuel put on it by Swallow. Kevin himself is hard to like completely and those who he steals from include a corrupt politician and a nasty crime boss with a fearsome reputation.
This standalone thriller is an enjoyable read with the main cast given just enough depth to make things interesting with a decent conclusion.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review I give it 4.5/5 rounded up to 5.
May 28, 2022
A well thought out thriller based on a simple yet compelling concept: what would you do if you discovered a suspicious bag containing two million euros?
The story centres mainly around Kevin; a failed businessman flying from Germany back home to England on a pretty crappy day in his life. He gets bumped off his flight home and has to wait another day for the next available plane. In the meantime, Kevin happens across a bag containing a life changing sum of money. What should he do?
I liked the concept of this one- it felt believable in a way that many similar books in this genre do not. I struggled with the characters though- they were all pretty dislikable which left me cold as a reader.
The writing style also felt a bit jarring. I felt like I was reading a movie transcript at times (which makes sense given the author’s past work).
It was enjoyable but not my ideal sort of read. I think fans of Lee Child would enjoy this.
The story centres mainly around Kevin; a failed businessman flying from Germany back home to England on a pretty crappy day in his life. He gets bumped off his flight home and has to wait another day for the next available plane. In the meantime, Kevin happens across a bag containing a life changing sum of money. What should he do?
I liked the concept of this one- it felt believable in a way that many similar books in this genre do not. I struggled with the characters though- they were all pretty dislikable which left me cold as a reader.
The writing style also felt a bit jarring. I felt like I was reading a movie transcript at times (which makes sense given the author’s past work).
It was enjoyable but not my ideal sort of read. I think fans of Lee Child would enjoy this.
September 25, 2022
I picked this up at the airport :) I had plenty of books at home, but had brought the Kindle with me and ended up wanting the heft of a paperback in my hand. (I'm reviewing under this Hardcover edition, because Goodreads can't find the ISBN of the paperback).
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
It was a bit slow for me, but I persevered and overall was engaged in the story.
There weren't really any likeable characters. Surprisingly, I didn't have anyone to root for.
The protagonist, Kevin Tyler whose 'life is imploding', could implode for all I cared. He's been ripped off, disappointed and the deal of his lifetime is blown by factors outside his control, and so he 'slips' and does the wrong thing. And I don't care!!
Still enough 'thrill' and 'action' and bad guys and redemption to persevere, and enjoy.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
It was a bit slow for me, but I persevered and overall was engaged in the story.
There weren't really any likeable characters. Surprisingly, I didn't have anyone to root for.
The protagonist, Kevin Tyler whose 'life is imploding', could implode for all I cared. He's been ripped off, disappointed and the deal of his lifetime is blown by factors outside his control, and so he 'slips' and does the wrong thing. And I don't care!!
Still enough 'thrill' and 'action' and bad guys and redemption to persevere, and enjoy.
March 19, 2022
A huge fan of the Marc Dane series I was so excited to read this advance copy of Airside. While it came across as a good read, I came away a little disappointed. This book lacked the same depth of detail and complexity of events as Swallow’s other books, while there turned out to be a few links between characters it was nothing on the scale of intensity I had come to expect. I must also confess to not finding anything likeable or relatable in the main character, despite efforts to make him just a guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. A weak offering which needs another run through proof reading to iron out the spelling and grammatical errors. Sorry!
March 23, 2022
A huge fan of the Marc Dane series I was so excited to read this advance copy of Airside. While it came across as a good read, I came away a little disappointed. This book lacked the same depth of detail and complexity of events as Swallow’s other books, while there turned out to be a few links between characters it was nothing on the scale of intensity I had come to expect. I must also confess to not finding anything likeable or relatable in the main character, despite efforts to make him just a guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. A weak offering which needs another run through proof reading to iron out the spelling and grammatical errors. Sorry!
June 8, 2022
A lot of books these days seem to be written with a film in mind. While this does make them visual, it makes the narration jarring, choppy and difficult to follow.
Airside is one of these books. It has all the expectation of an action-packed movie, with multiple characters, close-ups and drone footage. That’s all very well, but it makes it very hard to read. The beginning is painfully slow, with 100 pages introducing a few characters all sat in an airport. It isn’t immediately gripping and is quite dull. It does eventually get going, but readers will need to suspend belief to feel satisfied with the ending.
None of the characters is likeable, which immediately makes empathy tricky. It also feels as though we are missing some information on Maddie, Andrea and Sasha who lack the depth other characters are given.
The idea of a man in the wrong place at the wrong time is a good concept, and it will work as a film. Unfortunately as a book it’s implausible, nothing particularly ground-breaking and falls a little flat.
Airside is one of these books. It has all the expectation of an action-packed movie, with multiple characters, close-ups and drone footage. That’s all very well, but it makes it very hard to read. The beginning is painfully slow, with 100 pages introducing a few characters all sat in an airport. It isn’t immediately gripping and is quite dull. It does eventually get going, but readers will need to suspend belief to feel satisfied with the ending.
None of the characters is likeable, which immediately makes empathy tricky. It also feels as though we are missing some information on Maddie, Andrea and Sasha who lack the depth other characters are given.
The idea of a man in the wrong place at the wrong time is a good concept, and it will work as a film. Unfortunately as a book it’s implausible, nothing particularly ground-breaking and falls a little flat.
August 30, 2022
James Swallow has done it again!
Anti hero Kevin has a REALLY BAD day and it's about to get even worse. His relationship with his daughter is at rock bottom, he's just lost a big deal and his business partner has cleared out the company leaving Kevin with nothing, stranded in a foreign country.
To make it even worse, he stumbles on some cash and makes a bad decision, messing with the bad guys.
The fast paced, unexpected and clever story line makes this a thoroughly enjoyable, hard to put down book.
By the way, if you haven't yet read Nomad, Exile and the other books in the Marc Dane series, go and do that NOW!
Anti hero Kevin has a REALLY BAD day and it's about to get even worse. His relationship with his daughter is at rock bottom, he's just lost a big deal and his business partner has cleared out the company leaving Kevin with nothing, stranded in a foreign country.
To make it even worse, he stumbles on some cash and makes a bad decision, messing with the bad guys.
The fast paced, unexpected and clever story line makes this a thoroughly enjoyable, hard to put down book.
By the way, if you haven't yet read Nomad, Exile and the other books in the Marc Dane series, go and do that NOW!
September 20, 2022
Urgh. Marc Dane this is not. After a terrific series, the author tries something different with a man finding a bag of cash in an airport. I think it’s supposed to pose a dilemma but really it’s straightforward. This is a flat, not particularly original or Interesting story.
I know the author is capable of more so it’s a bit of a surprise this really isn’t as good as other books he had written. There are some good bits though, the author creates some tension and creates plausible backstories for our characters but there really isn’t enough to make the tedious feeling go away.
Should be better.
I know the author is capable of more so it’s a bit of a surprise this really isn’t as good as other books he had written. There are some good bits though, the author creates some tension and creates plausible backstories for our characters but there really isn’t enough to make the tedious feeling go away.
Should be better.
June 3, 2022
Airside is an Action Thriller based in an Airport in Germany.
This was a good story that made for an interesting read. The book alternates between different perspectives to give a good view of what is happening and who the characters are.
The Book raises the question - What would you do if you found €2 Million Euros! Whilst personally I would not have chosen the same path as Kevin, I can understand why he did as he was truly having a terrible day!
I got Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne vibes from this book, so if you like either of these characters this is definitely the book for you!
This was a good story that made for an interesting read. The book alternates between different perspectives to give a good view of what is happening and who the characters are.
The Book raises the question - What would you do if you found €2 Million Euros! Whilst personally I would not have chosen the same path as Kevin, I can understand why he did as he was truly having a terrible day!
I got Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne vibes from this book, so if you like either of these characters this is definitely the book for you!
September 10, 2022
Thriller based at an airport in Germany. The main character Kevin Tyler is a ordinary englishman. A businessman his latest deal has just collapsed leaving his business in ruin. Stuck at an airport trying to fly home he comes across a bag of money which could solve his financial crisis. Unfortunately for Kevin the money belong to some bad people who want it back. Kevin is not a heroic character like the main in the Marc Dane novels. Annoying at first he eventually takes some tough decisions. Overall 4 o ut of 5.
August 15, 2023
I did really like this book it’s very exciting and the idea of it is so clever I think the way characters were described was very relatable in the sense of how they act with others, the only reason I gave 4 stars is I think it could have done more around the Greed with the money but that’s just my opinion and what I would of wanted to see happen! Overall the book was a very fun read and a ethical journey to make you think if you were to stubble onto that kind of money, definitely a good read though!
June 10, 2022
My first book by the author, but will definitely be reading more.
I love that it was set in an airport, it builds up slowly, which enables you to get to know Kevin and why he made the decision he did.
This shows the corruption that can occur and how life can change just by one moment/decision.
There are some fantastic ‘love to hate’ characters, which will make you want to keep on reading.
So, would you take the money?
I love that it was set in an airport, it builds up slowly, which enables you to get to know Kevin and why he made the decision he did.
This shows the corruption that can occur and how life can change just by one moment/decision.
There are some fantastic ‘love to hate’ characters, which will make you want to keep on reading.
So, would you take the money?
August 21, 2024
Kevin Tyler's day has gone wrong first his important business deal ended badly and his flight delayed and overbooked and ultimately bumped from the flight he thinks his luck has gone bad.
Until he finds a bag full of money he believed his luck has changed that is until the owners of the money intent on getting their money back and they don't mind who and what gets in their way. And Kevin trapped in a airport has to try and outwit his foe.
Until he finds a bag full of money he believed his luck has changed that is until the owners of the money intent on getting their money back and they don't mind who and what gets in their way. And Kevin trapped in a airport has to try and outwit his foe.
May 27, 2022
Airside by James Swallow.
Beleaguered businessman Kevin Tyler's life is imploding: he's spent months setting up a deal to open an office in Northern Germany, risking everything he owns to push the project through – but at the last possible moment, his partners renege on the agreement when another party sweeps in with a better offer.
A very good read with good characters. Liked the story. 3*.
Beleaguered businessman Kevin Tyler's life is imploding: he's spent months setting up a deal to open an office in Northern Germany, risking everything he owns to push the project through – but at the last possible moment, his partners renege on the agreement when another party sweeps in with a better offer.
A very good read with good characters. Liked the story. 3*.
January 9, 2023
Enjoyable thriller let down by two things:
- Overwraught, above-its-station haughty prose that gets in the way of the story. (Characters, notably, "imbibe" coffee on more than one occasion)
- Pointless, dating references to Brexit and COVID that could've been done without. We don't need to read about either of those things.
- Overwraught, above-its-station haughty prose that gets in the way of the story. (Characters, notably, "imbibe" coffee on more than one occasion)
- Pointless, dating references to Brexit and COVID that could've been done without. We don't need to read about either of those things.
March 19, 2023
I was so excited for this book as I loved Swallow’s Nomad and subsequent books. While well written and a fast paced thriller I just couldn’t get past my frustration at the key plot device of the money temptation, how it unfolded and what is unleashed. I skim read it till the end and while it annoyed me as a book I could see it being better suited as a movie.
July 31, 2025
Total rubbish and a real shame for someone responsible for the absolutely brilliant Marc Dane series.
It's hard to feel empathy towards the main character when he himself is in the wrong. If I stole a bag of suspect money, the people chasing me would be well within their right to hunt me down. And annoyingly, it was glossed over!
It's hard to feel empathy towards the main character when he himself is in the wrong. If I stole a bag of suspect money, the people chasing me would be well within their right to hunt me down. And annoyingly, it was glossed over!
February 18, 2022
I whizzed through this book, it was well written with a gripping storyline, enaging narrative and well developed characters that were relatable. I couldnt put this book down, it was twisty and unpredictable. A real nail-biter of a read, I cannot wait to read more from the author.
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