Afte I had read the first chapter I realized that I had already read this book at some time in my life. Well, it got of to a good start and I couldn’t remember the plot so I kept reading.
The story takes place just before the outbreak of war in Europe (WWII). Chamberlain has just given his ultimatum to Hitler at the start of the book. We then get to follow several people as they, for various reasons, prepare their journey for the United States aboard Pan American Airways Super-Clipper, a luxury aircraft, or rather airboat, which can fly across the Atlantic. After the initial introduction of the passengers we are ushered aboard the aircraft where the story unfolds.
It doesn’t sound too exciting yet does it? Well to add spice to the story the flight mechanics wife is kidnapped in the first chapter and he is being black mailed to follow the instructions of one of the passengers aboard. We do not get to know the reason at the start and part of the book is guessing what’s going on. Needless to say Ken Follet left several possible reasons for fouling up this flight by adding a diverse mix of passengers; persecuted scientist, apprehended gangster in transit, a facist pro-Hitler english aristocrat, etc.
The book isn’t a litterary master piece but it is well written and the story keeps you in suspense. As always with Ken Follet he mixes suspense, action and romance. And as always he is just a tad bit more graphic when it comes to love than with action sequences.