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When The Sky Was Protected
Grace Bryant has no idea that her last flight as a Federal Air Marshal will be hijacked by terrorists.
Eight hours away from a desk job, Federal Air Marshal Grace Bryant has never had to put her life on the line or take anyone else’s. Yet if Grace is going to get off this hijacked plane alive, she will have to use everything she’s ever learned.
The bloody, traumatic terrorist attack is far from the end of the story, though. Back on the ground, Grace cannot rest till she has pursued the many loose ends that the incident left hanging, including the bizarre death of another Federal Air Marshal on the flight. All is definitely not as it appeared to be, even to those who, like her, were there. Faced with limited facts and obstruction from her higher-ups, Graces pushes for the truth even as her life careens to the edge of insanity through post traumatic stress disorder. Through it all, with the support of family, friends, and loyal colleagues, Grace discovers the truth behind what happened in the sky that momentous day and uncovers who is really responsible.
Eight hours away from a desk job, Federal Air Marshal Grace Bryant has never had to put her life on the line or take anyone else’s. Yet if Grace is going to get off this hijacked plane alive, she will have to use everything she’s ever learned.
The bloody, traumatic terrorist attack is far from the end of the story, though. Back on the ground, Grace cannot rest till she has pursued the many loose ends that the incident left hanging, including the bizarre death of another Federal Air Marshal on the flight. All is definitely not as it appeared to be, even to those who, like her, were there. Faced with limited facts and obstruction from her higher-ups, Graces pushes for the truth even as her life careens to the edge of insanity through post traumatic stress disorder. Through it all, with the support of family, friends, and loyal colleagues, Grace discovers the truth behind what happened in the sky that momentous day and uncovers who is really responsible.
- GenresMystery
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2014
10 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Madison J. Doherty
6 books1 followerA born storyteller, Madison J. Doherty is driven to write fiction novels. WHEN THE SKY WAS PROTECTED is a political suspense novel about Federal Air Marshal Grace Bryant. The character of Grace Bryant was inspired by a good friend of Madison's and a 20+ year Federal Air Marshal. Graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in Political Science, Madison loves American History, Politics, and Media, including how one or more of these subjects can become intertwined. Madison is also a member of the Sisters in Crime writers’ organization. Drawing on Family and Friends, a family history of Public Service, and a vivid imagination, Madison has created a cast of characters and story lines that entertain, captivate, and intrigue readers.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 2, 2014
‘They both knew what they had to do. It was their duty after all to protect the national security of their country.’
On 10 January 2008, Grace Bryant is waiting to board Alaska Airlines Flight 874 to Washington from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This is to be Grace’s last flight as a Federal Air Marshal: she’s been promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office, and will take over her new role after this flight. While she’s waiting she sees on the national news that President Bush has met with the Israeli Prime Minister and hopes to draft an agreement that will finally end the violence in Israel. Amongst the other passengers, Grace notices three Middle Eastern men. Two other Federal Air Marshals are also travelling on the flight: Grace’s long-time friend and colleague Justin Cole and a new team member: Andrew Cole. The flight is full.
Ninety minutes into the flight, Grace learns that Israel is not going along with President Bush’s plan, and that violence has broken out in Gaza and on the West Bank. At the same time as Grace is learning this, one of the Middle Eastern passengers she noticed earlier has moved near the cockpit door and stabs a flight attendant who tells him to return to his seat. A man who tries to help the attendant is shot. Grace is able to alert the pilot.
How many terrorists are there, and what arms do they have? Can the Air Marshals prevail? Grace is at the rear of the plane, some distance from her seat and from her weapon.
‘Grace couldn’t come up with the correct plan because she wasn’t sure what his motivation was. What did he want out of this?’
Grace survives the attack, but there are many questions to be answered before she can move on with her life. The trauma of the experience is part of it, but knowing who and trying to understand why is important to Grace, even if it causes other disruptions in her life.
The novel moves between different aspects in the lead up to the attack, during the attack, and afterwards. The shifts are clearly signalled and although it is disconcerting at times to move from one aspect to another, it is not confusing. There are a couple of twists in the tale, and while some procedural aspects seemed unlikely to me, it didn’t stop me enjoying the story.
Note: I was offered and accepted a copy of the novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
On 10 January 2008, Grace Bryant is waiting to board Alaska Airlines Flight 874 to Washington from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This is to be Grace’s last flight as a Federal Air Marshal: she’s been promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office, and will take over her new role after this flight. While she’s waiting she sees on the national news that President Bush has met with the Israeli Prime Minister and hopes to draft an agreement that will finally end the violence in Israel. Amongst the other passengers, Grace notices three Middle Eastern men. Two other Federal Air Marshals are also travelling on the flight: Grace’s long-time friend and colleague Justin Cole and a new team member: Andrew Cole. The flight is full.
Ninety minutes into the flight, Grace learns that Israel is not going along with President Bush’s plan, and that violence has broken out in Gaza and on the West Bank. At the same time as Grace is learning this, one of the Middle Eastern passengers she noticed earlier has moved near the cockpit door and stabs a flight attendant who tells him to return to his seat. A man who tries to help the attendant is shot. Grace is able to alert the pilot.
How many terrorists are there, and what arms do they have? Can the Air Marshals prevail? Grace is at the rear of the plane, some distance from her seat and from her weapon.
‘Grace couldn’t come up with the correct plan because she wasn’t sure what his motivation was. What did he want out of this?’
Grace survives the attack, but there are many questions to be answered before she can move on with her life. The trauma of the experience is part of it, but knowing who and trying to understand why is important to Grace, even if it causes other disruptions in her life.
The novel moves between different aspects in the lead up to the attack, during the attack, and afterwards. The shifts are clearly signalled and although it is disconcerting at times to move from one aspect to another, it is not confusing. There are a couple of twists in the tale, and while some procedural aspects seemed unlikely to me, it didn’t stop me enjoying the story.
Note: I was offered and accepted a copy of the novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
September 8, 2014
Interesting one this, a thriller about a female air-marshal and an attempted hi-jacking on a transatlantic flight. A few things are covered here, how the incident is dealt with, the mistakes made and the stress of the aftermath. I liked the fact this felt very real and there was a lack of action heroes launching into gun battles. The plot stretches into the background and inconsistency of the event and I confidently predicted where the plot was going and who the bad guys were. I will give away no spoilers except to say I was wrong and this ended up in a direction I wasn’t expecting, so credit to the author there! Credit also to the author for a well-researched book and very real characters. And of course for a plot that works and avoids the obvious. I’ve read that this has an element of romance to it, and that would (I have to confess) be enough to have made me avoid this, but I am pleased to say that while there are relationships in this it didn’t feel ‘romantic’ to me.
So, a good first time effort from the author and (providing there is an on-going lack of romance!!) I would probably pick up a follow on. Not bad at all.
So, a good first time effort from the author and (providing there is an on-going lack of romance!!) I would probably pick up a follow on. Not bad at all.
July 13, 2015
I think the book needs more editing. There were minor errors. I didn't like the style used to describe the female air Marshal in the first part of the book. There was only one more time the author used it, later in the book. The story was good. I had just watched two movies on this subject, before I started to read this book. Usually most of the story takes place on the airplane. The situation on the flight comes to an abrupt ending, after the shootings. The story tells of the aftermath of the event, on the air marshals. Then the report is issued, and it's not telling the truth, and so an investigation happens, even thou the director ordered the case to be closed. This was a good fairly short read.
July 18, 2015
Not Worth It
I tried to read this book and could only get to 46% before I gave up. It really was a shame since it had so much potential but it just could not hold my interest. I am sure other people found the book great but it just was not for me.
I tried to read this book and could only get to 46% before I gave up. It really was a shame since it had so much potential but it just could not hold my interest. I am sure other people found the book great but it just was not for me.
July 2, 2015
Disappointed
The subject matter was interesting but the book was poorly written. There were numerous spelling and grammatical errors. The author needs a good proofreader.
The subject matter was interesting but the book was poorly written. There were numerous spelling and grammatical errors. The author needs a good proofreader.
July 3, 2015
Worth staying up late to read.
Keeps you involved with the character while the plot is unraveled. I had to read it in one sittings though it was past my bedtime.
Keeps you involved with the character while the plot is unraveled. I had to read it in one sittings though it was past my bedtime.
July 9, 2015
story was ok . characters not developed and writing was not good .. many errors that should have been caught in proofreading
July 31, 2015
Greatsuspense
Kept my interest to the end. Shocked at the outcome. We don't understand what air Marshalls have to prepared to do.
Kept my interest to the end. Shocked at the outcome. We don't understand what air Marshalls have to prepared to do.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews