The Chain
Page turning
Suspenseful
Thrilling

The Chain

VICTIM. SURVIVOR. ABDUCTOR. CRIMINAL. YOU WILL BECOME EACH ONE. "This nightmarish story is incredibly propulsive and original. You won't shake it for a long time." STEPHEN KING "McKinty is one of the most striking and most memorable crime voices to emerge on the scene in years. His plots tempt you to read at top speed, but don't give in: this writing - sharply observant, intelligent and shot through with black humor - should be savored." TANA FRENCH "A masterpiece. You have never read anything quite like THE CHAIN and you will never be able to forget it." DON WINSLOW * * * * * YOUR PHONE RINGS. A STRANGER HAS KIDNAPPED YOUR CHILD. TO FREE THEM YOU MUST ABDUCT SOMEONE ELSE'S CHILD. YOUR CHILD WILL BE RELEASED WHEN YOUR VICTIM'S PARENTS KIDNAP ANOTHER CHILD. IF ANY OF THESE THINGS DON'T HAPPEN: YOUR CHILD WILL BE KILLED. YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE CHAIN* * * * * "Diabolical, unnerving, and gives a whole new meaning to the word "relentless". Adrian McKinty just leapt to the top of my list of must-read suspense novelists. He's the real deal." DENNIS LEHANE "Pairing an irresistible concept with a winner protagonist, THE CHAIN promises to be your new addiction once you succumb to the first enticing page." ALAFAIR BURKE "A grade-A-first-rate-edge-of-your-seat thriller. I can't believe what went through my mind while reading it." ATTICA LOCKE "Diabolically gripping. Nail-biting, smart, and convincing. Hang on tight, because once you start this book, you can't stop - you'll be caught in THE CHAIN." MEG GARDINER "THE CHAIN is the rare thriller that's not only fiendishly clever but also powerfully empathetic, with both hair-raising twists and complex, fully-realized characters."LOU BERNEY "YOU ARE NOT THE FIRST. AND YOU WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE THE LAST."
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Reviews

Photo of Kyle James
Kyle James@kyle_james
3.5 stars
Feb 25, 2025

Pretty good concept and idea. The book itself was done well. There were some head scratching moments, but overall it was a fun read.

Photo of Kalista Dickson
Kalista Dickson@kalistand
3 stars
Feb 25, 2025

I liked this, but I didn’t love it. I think I liked the idea of it more than the actual execution of it.

+2
Photo of Priscilla Stanfield
Priscilla Stanfield@priscillas01
3.5 stars
Jun 30, 2024

3.5/5⭐️

This was interesting…

The plot was compelling and I was hooked to seeing what would happen in the book but it wasn’t as thrilling as some books that I have read. I think everything could have been laid out better. Everything was kind of everywhere especially after part 2. I think if some of the information was included in part 1 I think the ebb and flow of the plot would have been better. It was a quick read and could be a little stressful but not one that I would consider a page-turner personally.

Photo of Jordan
Jordan@jordanfischerr
3 stars
May 28, 2024

3.5.

Photo of Riley Bell
Riley Bell@rikeyb
4 stars
Apr 16, 2024

adrian put his whole mckunty into this one

Photo of Jillian Roberts
Jillian Roberts@jillianroberts
4.5 stars
Mar 17, 2024

Adrian McKinty is now on my list of authors I need to read more from. This book was so thrilling!!!

Photo of Isabella
Isabella @iscbella
1 star
Mar 13, 2024

This book is very interesting at first, but during the latter part, I got bored. I wasn't invested in the characters, but the plot. However, there were so many inconsistencies. It was an intriguing premise, it wasn't enough to keep me really engaged. The momentum died off during part 2. The ending felt rushed and I expected it to happen already. The concept had so much potential, but, for me, it wasn't executed well.

Photo of yel
yel@ashuulinksu
4 stars
Feb 24, 2024

--◈ 3.50 STARS Definitely a page turner. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Though I sometimes hate it when the characters acted unwisely, this book still managed to make me go farther into it with so much anticipation. The concept is so unique and great, it was the reason I picked this up in the first place. Absolutely a quick read. Though it was lacking a bit from what I was anticipating, seemed a bit unrealistic on some situation, it was still a good recommendation.

Photo of esme villanueva
esme villanueva@esmevillanueva
2 stars
Jan 27, 2024

i really liked the premise but it turned out to be extremely underwhelming

Photo of Bianca Layog
Bianca Layog@biancs
4 stars
Jan 9, 2024

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42779092-the-chain?ac=1&from_search=true#

Photo of Melissa Palmer
Melissa Palmer@melissapalmer404
5 stars
Nov 5, 2023

This is a creepy thriller. Rachel's daughter is kidnapped. To get her safely returned, she must pay money and kidnap someone's else's child, keeping the links in the chain growing. This book has good twists and turns and will keep readers hooked.

Photo of Julien
Julien@jtexier
5 stars
Oct 12, 2023

Captivating!

+2
Photo of Robyn Claridge
Robyn Claridge@robynclaridge
3 stars
Oct 9, 2023

Very addictive read, but feel this is the case with most thrillers. If you want something to get you out of a reading slump, perhaps this is it?

Photo of Megan Christensen
Megan Christensen@megan_ani_reads
3.5 stars
Jul 22, 2023

I was somehow stressed out and bored at the same time

Photo of Jessie!
Jessie!@whatsjessiereadingrightnow
1 star
Jun 28, 2023

This book really sucked lmao

Photo of Georgia
Georgia @georgia_mackay
4 stars
Apr 18, 2023

It was a very interesting book that I needed to finish as soon as I could. I really enjoyed the short chapters. However, the I feel like could see the twist happening from a mile away.

+3
Photo of Amanda Autumn Berrey
Amanda Autumn Berrey@booksofautumn
3 stars
Apr 12, 2023

Didn’t love this book but didn’t hate it either

+3
Photo of Carlie katt
Carlie katt@carliekatt
3 stars
Mar 11, 2023

Idk how I feel about this book honestly. It was good but some parts were so boring and unnecessary. the twist was interesting but also kind of lazy.

Photo of Amber cooper-green
Amber cooper-green @ambergillett93
4 stars
Mar 3, 2023

I really enjoyed the concept of this book and the plot kept me interested throughout. I'd definitely recommend it. I didn't blow me away but I think had I read it physically and not via audiobook I may have connected with the characters better and slowed the reading pace down. That being said I was hooked and couldn't stop listening.

+2
Photo of Alexa M
Alexa M@alexasversion
3 stars
Feb 6, 2023

this was really nothing special. saved by short chapters & and interesting premise. that ending though.. blegh

Photo of Christy Faun
Christy Faun @christyfaun
3 stars
Feb 1, 2023

Really punchy and tense at first. Goes on a little too long. I think I would have preferred a more ambiguous ending than trying to wrap it up in the way that it was.

This review contains a spoiler
+1
Photo of Jeannette Ordas
Jeannette Ordas@kickpleat
4 stars
Jan 5, 2023

Okay, that was a fun, gripping read. 4.5 stars.

Photo of Melissa Clark
Melissa Clark @melissaaclarkk
5 stars
Nov 24, 2022

Simply couldn’t put this book down. It’s honestly amazing and such an original concept that really fucks with your head and your heart on what you would do in this situation

Photo of Eszter Baranyi
Eszter Baranyi@eszti-chan
4 stars
Nov 13, 2022

It was very twisty from the beginning.

I liked the first part the best, it had incredible pacing. The second part was a bit slower but in towards the end it got more and more thrilling.

It was easy to read, with characters you can easily symphatize with

+5

Highlights

Photo of Suliman ahmed
Suliman ahmed@sully

The living are only a species of the dead, aren't they?