22 Mar Book Review: The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Every now and then, a thriller comes along with a premise so terrifyingly simple that you can’t believe no one thought of it before. The Chain is that kind of book. Adrian McKinty takes a nightmare scenario and spins it into a fast-paced, anxiety-inducing ride that hooks you from the first page. It’s the kind of novel that makes you want to double-check your locks, turn off your phone, and reconsider every unknown number that ever calls you. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you up at night, this is it.
What’s it about?
It all starts with a phone call.
Rachel Klein is driving to a doctor’s appointment when her phone rings. The caller is a woman she doesn’t know, but the message is horrifying: Rachel’s twelve-year-old daughter, Kylie, has been kidnapped. The only way to get her back is to follow The Chain—a terrifying, insidious system that turns ordinary people into criminals.
The rules are simple but brutal:
- Rachel must pay a ransom to the people who kidnapped her daughter.
- Then, she must kidnap another child to take Kylie’s place.
- If she refuses, if she tries to break the chain, Kylie will be killed.
Rachel is a divorced, cancer-surviving, struggling single mom. She’s not the kind of person who would ever hurt a child. But The Chain doesn’t care who she is or what she believes in. It turns parents into monsters by giving them only two choices—obey or lose their child forever.
As Rachel scrambles to gather the ransom money, she also has to come to terms with the second part of the task: kidnapping someone else’s child. She enlists the help of Pete, her ex-brother-in-law, a former Marine with PTSD who is willing to do whatever it takes to get Kylie back. Together, they start hunting for a victim, knowing that whoever they choose will soon be trapped in the same nightmare they’re living.
Meanwhile, Kylie—resourceful and determined—is trying to escape. She’s being held captive by a masked man and woman who seem just as desperate and terrified as she is. They tell her the same thing Rachel was told: once Rachel completes her part, she’ll be released. But can she trust them? And what happens to the children who don’t make it out?
As Rachel carries out her unspeakable task, she begins to uncover the truth behind The Chain. Who created it? How long has it been operating? And is there any way to stop it without losing everything?
But The Chain is bigger than she ever imagined. It’s not just a few desperate parents—it’s an entire system, controlled by unseen puppet masters who thrive on fear and obedience. Even if she gets Kylie back, Rachel knows that The Chain will never let them go. She has only one option: she must break it.
What follows is a relentless, high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where Rachel and Pete must use every bit of intelligence, deception, and courage they have to take down the system before it consumes more families. The deeper they dig, the more disturbing the truth becomes. The Chain isn’t just a twisted social experiment—it’s something far more organized, and far more dangerous.
The final act of the novel is an explosive race against time, where Rachel and Pete face off against the masterminds behind The Chain, risking their own lives to ensure that no more parents are forced to make the impossible choice.
What This Chick Thinks
A high-concept thriller that grabs you immediately
The best thing about The Chain is its unforgettable premise. The idea that you must become a kidnapper to save your own child is chilling because it feels so real. What would you do in Rachel’s situation? Would you be able to steal another child, knowing their parents are about to go through the same hell? It’s a moral nightmare, and McKinty plays with that tension perfectly.
A relentless, fast-paced plot
This book does not let up. From the moment Rachel gets the call, the tension is unbearable. Every chapter raises the stakes, throwing new obstacles in Rachel’s way. It’s not just about saving her daughter—it’s about survival, deception, and outwitting a force that seems unstoppable. McKinty’s writing is sharp and cinematic, making it easy to visualize every scene.
A strong, compelling protagonist
Rachel isn’t a detective or a soldier—she’s a regular woman forced into an impossible situation. That’s what makes her such a great protagonist. She’s not perfect. She’s scared, she makes mistakes, she doubts herself. But she also refuses to give up. Her determination and resilience make you root for her every step of the way.
Twists and turns that keep you guessing
While the premise alone is enough to hook you, the deeper mystery of who is really behind The Chain is just as gripping. As Rachel and Pete start digging, they uncover a criminal operation far more complex and insidious than they imagined. The twists come fast, and just when you think you have things figured out, McKinty pulls the rug out from under you.
A thought-provoking look at human nature
Beyond the thrills and action, The Chain forces you to think about how far people will go when they’re desperate. It’s a book about fear, manipulation, and the ethics of survival. It makes you wonder: how many of us could be turned into criminals if the stakes were high enough? And once you cross that line, can you ever go back?
Final Thoughts
The Chain is a dark, pulse-pounding, utterly gripping thriller that delivers on every level. It’s a story about desperation and survival, about how fear can turn good people into criminals, and about one mother’s relentless fight to take down the people who think they can control her fate.
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on edge, this is it.
Rating: 9/10
Try it if you like
- No Exit by Taylor Adams – Another nail-biting thriller with a protagonist trapped in a terrifying situation with no easy way out.
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – A gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller with twists that will keep you hooked.
- I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll – A suspenseful novel about abduction, secrets, and how far people will go to protect the ones they love.
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