Over The Edge is the first Suzanne Brockmann novel I've ever read. And, boy I'm glad I gave her a try! This book consists of four intriguing stories all woven together. Although it is a lot to keep track of, it all works together very well.
First, you have SEAL Senior Chief Stan Wolchonok and pilot Teri Howe. Both secretly attracted to each other but each unwilling to let the other know. When Stan finds out that Teri's being harassed by another officer, he wants nothing more than to protect her. So, he arranges for her to accompany him on a routine training mission. This will get her out of town and away from the harassing officer. However, the training mission is diverted into a real-life mission when a plane is hijacked by terrorists. Thus Stan has unknowingly placed Teri in grave danger.
Also on this mission are Lieutenant Sam Starrett and FBI observer Alyssa Locke. Sam and Alyssa have a complicated past and now they're forced to work together. For the sake of the mission, they'd better stay focused and not allow the other to be a distraction, but it's not going to be easy.
An international envoy is also part of this mission. A Holocaust survivor, Helga wants to make sure the world never forgets what happened in the past. Unfortunately, Helga's mind is not what it used to be and she finds herself frequently with no knowledge of where she is, or even who she's talking to. Yet she clearly remembers her childhood and the night that the Nazis invaded her homeland in Denmark and changed her life and the lives of her loved ones forever. She constantly re-lives those days, and thus we get to hear her family's tragic story.
Finally, you have the hijacked plane and the very brave young woman passenger who steps up and tries to intervene with the terrorists in order to save the other passengers onboard. This courageous woman endures a horrible fate while the hostage negotiators can do nothing but stand by helplessly. Yet, she won't risk the harm of others, even to try to save herself. I found myself amazed at the courage and strength this woman showed.
Thus you have three stories revolving around the hijacked plane. And a fourth story that takes place during WWII, in Denmark. Brockmann manages to weave in and out of all the stories so that is seems perfectly natural to go from one to the other. With so much going on at once, there's not one minute to be bored in this book. In fact, I found myself incredibly interested in all of the stories. And I liked that the high tension and drama present in the hijacking story and the WWII story were tempered by the less nerve-wracking romance stories. They provide a very nice break from the main action.
My only real criticism with this book has to do with the characters, themselves. Five of the main characters are keeping secrets. And it seems obvious to me that each of them would be happier if they would just get over their pride and their fear and speak up. Especially Helga and Teri.
Helga knows she's ill, and that her mind is not working properly. In fact, in her lucid moments she writes notes to herself so that the next time she finds herself with no memory, her notes will help her figure out what day it is, where she is, and why. Yet, she refuses to tell anyone about her ailment. Her silly pride keeps her from seeking medical assistance. She really has no idea why she's having these problems. Perhaps it's something that could be treated, but she's too proud to admit that she needs help.
Teri's harboring a secret from her childhood. The trauma from her past keeps her from being able to have a loving, trusting relationship in her adulthood. She knows this, yet she continues to keep silent. Instead of seeking help (perhaps speaking to a therapist?) she keeps her fear bottled up inside and runs away like a scared little child from any kind of confrontation. No wonder she's harassed so easily! She's practically wearing a sign that says "I'm a victim... Please treat me like one!"
The other main characters (Stan, Sam, and Alyssa) are keeping secrets, too. In fact, they're all acting like twelve year olds with secret crushes, instead of full grown adults. How refreshing it would have been for them just to speak to each other and say exactly what they're thinking instead of indulging their fear and their pride. Especially when you compare their personalities with the strong, courageous woman on the plane!
Aside from that one criticism, I enjoyed this book immensely. The ending was one of the most intense endings I've ever enjoyed. It's the kind of ending that leaves you in awe, wanting more. Like when you see a movie and you sit, staring at the screen as the credits roll, not saying word... That's the type of ending this book has.
Suzanne Brockmann has written many novels; after this one, I know I'll be reading some of the others.
Update: Also by Suzanne Brockmann:
Breaking Point
Gone Too Far
Hot Pursuit
Recommended:
