1,126 books
—
1,943 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Passengers” as Want to Read:
The Passengers
by
Eight self-drive cars set on a collision course. Who lives, who dies? You decide.
When someone hacks into the systems of eight self-drive cars, their passengers are set on a fatal collision course.
The passengers are: a TV star, a pregnant young woman, a disabled war hero, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife - and parents of two - who ...more
When someone hacks into the systems of eight self-drive cars, their passengers are set on a fatal collision course.
The passengers are: a TV star, a pregnant young woman, a disabled war hero, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife - and parents of two - who ...more
ebook, 400 pages
Published
April 1st 2019
by Ebury Digital
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Passengers

Jul 24, 2019
Chelsea Humphrey
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Chelsea by:
Berkley Publishing Group
Now Available!
One of the reasons I'm drawn to everything that John Marrs writes is that he takes the mundane and gives it a soapy spin. I mean this as the highest of compliments, because there's nothing I adore more than a unique idea that's brimming with drama, and I like for my psychological thrillers to contain not only the traditional aspects of crime fiction, but also the secrets hidden by our characters that pertain to their daily lives. I was slightly worried going into this one that the ...more
One of the reasons I'm drawn to everything that John Marrs writes is that he takes the mundane and gives it a soapy spin. I mean this as the highest of compliments, because there's nothing I adore more than a unique idea that's brimming with drama, and I like for my psychological thrillers to contain not only the traditional aspects of crime fiction, but also the secrets hidden by our characters that pertain to their daily lives. I was slightly worried going into this one that the ...more

This was so good, I couldn’t put this book down. Took one break in between to eat and went straight back reading. Can’t remember the last time i finished a book in one day. John Marrs had me shook!
The plot twist in the end, my god. This is the first book that i have read by Mr. Marrs and I’m definitely going to give his other books a try.
It’s better if you read The Passengers without knowing what the story is about. I think that it will make it more enjoyable. At least, for me it was.
Anyway, I ...more
The plot twist in the end, my god. This is the first book that i have read by Mr. Marrs and I’m definitely going to give his other books a try.
It’s better if you read The Passengers without knowing what the story is about. I think that it will make it more enjoyable. At least, for me it was.
Anyway, I ...more

Five billions, need an urgent brain transplant cause my old one is just blown away and out of order stars!!!
My head still hurts like I tossed it against the wall thousand times and I started to see cartoon stars on my head as soon as I finish this one! I cannot say I’m speechless because I forgot four languages I’ve known ( including my native one) right now so I’m out of words.
This is so revolutionary, innovative, creative book makes you think a lot, thrill a lot and numb your mind! It makes m ...more
My head still hurts like I tossed it against the wall thousand times and I started to see cartoon stars on my head as soon as I finish this one! I cannot say I’m speechless because I forgot four languages I’ve known ( including my native one) right now so I’m out of words.
This is so revolutionary, innovative, creative book makes you think a lot, thrill a lot and numb your mind! It makes m ...more

My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
What an awesome read!
Self-driving cars have recently become the norm in England. Their government has pledged that soon all of England’s roads will be a completely autonomous network and that all manual vehicles will be banned within the next ten years.
The first character/passenger we meet is twenty-six year old, Claire Arden. Claire was fascinated when her car delivered itself to her house a few weeks ago. However, the fa ...more
What an awesome read!
Self-driving cars have recently become the norm in England. Their government has pledged that soon all of England’s roads will be a completely autonomous network and that all manual vehicles will be banned within the next ten years.
The first character/passenger we meet is twenty-six year old, Claire Arden. Claire was fascinated when her car delivered itself to her house a few weeks ago. However, the fa ...more

The Passengers is a nonstop thrill ride!!!
I'm happy to report, my first John Marrs gets a solid, two thumbs up.

The premise of this novel had me intrigued from the very start.
From the synopsis, I expected The Purge, but set in a Tesla.

Surprisingly enough, it is actually more like The Hunger Games, but set in a Tesla. I am so down for that!
In a near-future U.K., Level-5 autonomous vehicles are now the law of land. Said to make personal travel completely safe, we quickly discover that isn't neces ...more
I'm happy to report, my first John Marrs gets a solid, two thumbs up.

The premise of this novel had me intrigued from the very start.
From the synopsis, I expected The Purge, but set in a Tesla.

Surprisingly enough, it is actually more like The Hunger Games, but set in a Tesla. I am so down for that!
In a near-future U.K., Level-5 autonomous vehicles are now the law of land. Said to make personal travel completely safe, we quickly discover that isn't neces ...more

4.5 stars!
Libby is called to serve as a juror and has to decide which passenger should survive along with other jurors. Then the public has to decide too. This is set in the future with driverless cars. You just program the car where to go and the car takes you there.
There are eight driverless cars and the passengers find out that their cars are hacked and that they are set on a fatal collision course.
The passengers speak for themselves and tells the jurors and the public why they should be s ...more
Libby is called to serve as a juror and has to decide which passenger should survive along with other jurors. Then the public has to decide too. This is set in the future with driverless cars. You just program the car where to go and the car takes you there.
There are eight driverless cars and the passengers find out that their cars are hacked and that they are set on a fatal collision course.
The passengers speak for themselves and tells the jurors and the public why they should be s ...more

We are so excited to share with you all that John Marrs is going to be joining us in our Behind the Pages group. Who else loves his books? Please follow the link below which takes you directly to the page to ask John a question or to leave him a comment.
Please add your comments or any questions to John here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Holy Shooty Balls!!! Gripping, chilling, & absolutely unputdownable!
THE PASSENGERS by JOHN MARRS is an engrossing, chilling, suspenseful, dark, disturb ...more
Please add your comments or any questions to John here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Holy Shooty Balls!!! Gripping, chilling, & absolutely unputdownable!
THE PASSENGERS by JOHN MARRS is an engrossing, chilling, suspenseful, dark, disturb ...more

Jun 07, 2019
Kaceey
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
buddy-read,
edelweiss
4.5*
It’s dark, it’s disturbing, it’s chilling. Yup, all that combined means you have an absolute must read!
We’re beginning to see major advances in driver-less car technology. Now even being test driven across North America and all over the world.
So I’ll pose the question we’re all thinking - Can you picture yourself as a passenger, with no control over your vehicle whatsoever? No brakes, no steering wheel. And it’s not like leading technologies have ever back-fired, right?
So if something goes ...more
It’s dark, it’s disturbing, it’s chilling. Yup, all that combined means you have an absolute must read!
We’re beginning to see major advances in driver-less car technology. Now even being test driven across North America and all over the world.
So I’ll pose the question we’re all thinking - Can you picture yourself as a passenger, with no control over your vehicle whatsoever? No brakes, no steering wheel. And it’s not like leading technologies have ever back-fired, right?
So if something goes ...more

The Passengers by John Marrs is a 2019 Berkley Books publication.
An unrelenting techno-thriller!!
Set in the not so distant future, Britain has made driverless cars mandatory. Not only that there are no longer manual overrides, placing the passenger at the total mercy of technology. When there is an accident a jury is called in to judge who was at fault. Let’s just say they had better not rule against the car.
Despite the claim the autonomous car is the safest choice for all concerned, one mornin ...more
An unrelenting techno-thriller!!
Set in the not so distant future, Britain has made driverless cars mandatory. Not only that there are no longer manual overrides, placing the passenger at the total mercy of technology. When there is an accident a jury is called in to judge who was at fault. Let’s just say they had better not rule against the car.
Despite the claim the autonomous car is the safest choice for all concerned, one mornin ...more

Aug 22, 2019
Brenda - Traveling Sisters Book Reviews
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
I am excited to share that John Marrs has joined us in our Behind the Pages group to answer our questions about his books and writing process. You can find the thread here to our Q & A with him
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Readers start your thrill and let the best passenger win. Try to stay calm and strap yourself in. Its techno-thriller time!
John Marrs takes us on an entertaining, chilling action-packed, fast track ride to the unthinkable where technology and humans collid ...more
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Readers start your thrill and let the best passenger win. Try to stay calm and strap yourself in. Its techno-thriller time!
John Marrs takes us on an entertaining, chilling action-packed, fast track ride to the unthinkable where technology and humans collid ...more

ive said it before - JM has no competition when it comes to sci-fi thrillers/mysteries. he could give ‘black mirror’ a run for its money.
while this wasnt exactly the story i thought it would be, i still really enjoyed it. it brings up a lot of important discussions regarding tech and science, specifically AI, and the morality (or lack thereof) of it. it explores interesting points i hadnt previously considered, and made the story feel that much more realistic, that much more scary.
i also reall ...more
while this wasnt exactly the story i thought it would be, i still really enjoyed it. it brings up a lot of important discussions regarding tech and science, specifically AI, and the morality (or lack thereof) of it. it explores interesting points i hadnt previously considered, and made the story feel that much more realistic, that much more scary.
i also reall ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

4 Stars
“The Passengers” by John Marrs is a scream, I promise!
Eight driverless cars. Eight passengers, all of whom have a secret and a specific plan for that morning. None arrive at their intended destination.
There is a Hacker who knows everything about everyone and he has decided to take control. There are five members of the jury whose sole purpose is to decide who lives and who dies.
The fear is real my friends. “The Passengers” will scare you. Yea, “The Jetsons” made the idea of a futuristic ...more
“The Passengers” by John Marrs is a scream, I promise!
Eight driverless cars. Eight passengers, all of whom have a secret and a specific plan for that morning. None arrive at their intended destination.
There is a Hacker who knows everything about everyone and he has decided to take control. There are five members of the jury whose sole purpose is to decide who lives and who dies.
The fear is real my friends. “The Passengers” will scare you. Yea, “The Jetsons” made the idea of a futuristic ...more

I cannot recall reading a more absurd book in my life.
At first the absurdity was laugh out loud funny.
Then the whole ridiculousness of it kinda started pissing me off as it became more and more farcical by the page.
I'm not even going to bother with a full review. I've wasted enough of my time on this buffoonery dressed up as a novel.
**I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.** ...more
At first the absurdity was laugh out loud funny.
Then the whole ridiculousness of it kinda started pissing me off as it became more and more farcical by the page.
I'm not even going to bother with a full review. I've wasted enough of my time on this buffoonery dressed up as a novel.
**I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.** ...more

OMG this book is absolutely brilliant! How have I not read a John Marrs book before this? Where has this author been all my life?! Seriously this book had me at the edge of my seat the entire wild ride.
I have been eagerly awaiting to get my hands on a copy of this book! The book came out earlier in the year for my fellow bloggers across the pond and after reading each fantastic review one after another, I knew this was going to be one heck of a book. It is finally due to come out here in the U.S ...more
I have been eagerly awaiting to get my hands on a copy of this book! The book came out earlier in the year for my fellow bloggers across the pond and after reading each fantastic review one after another, I knew this was going to be one heck of a book. It is finally due to come out here in the U.S ...more

Sep 18, 2019
MarilynW
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
traveling-friends-read,
edelweiss
The Passengers hits too close to home. There are already self driving cars, trucks, and buses, even if they aren't being used to the extent that is written about in the book. The story takes place in the near future when self driving cars for everyone are not only the majority of the cars on the road but will be required for everyone, eventually.
The book starts with eight self driving cars, each with a passenger, that will collide in about two and a half hours. There is a group of five people w ...more
The book starts with eight self driving cars, each with a passenger, that will collide in about two and a half hours. There is a group of five people w ...more

In the near future, government-mandated self-driving cars become the norm in Britain—They were supposed to make the roads 95% safer for both passengers and pedestrians. Then one morning, someone hacks into the systems of eight self-drive cars with their passengers, and they are set on a fatal collision course. They are told that they will probably be dead in several hours. All of this, of course, unfolds over social media, and the world finds itself captivated—particularly when the Hacker begins
...more

Aug 25, 2019
Berit☀️✨
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2019,
arc-physical
This is my brain🧠. This is my brain after reading this book🤯. Any questions?
John Marrs completely blew my mind with this exhilarating thriller! Eight passengers in eight separate driverless cars, all of them with secrets, none of them making it to their desired destination. Imagine you're in a driverless car you have no control, no brakes, no steering wheel, you can't even open the doors,and somebody has taken over the car. In 2 1/2 hours all eight of these cars will collide head on end it is u ...more
John Marrs completely blew my mind with this exhilarating thriller! Eight passengers in eight separate driverless cars, all of them with secrets, none of them making it to their desired destination. Imagine you're in a driverless car you have no control, no brakes, no steering wheel, you can't even open the doors,and somebody has taken over the car. In 2 1/2 hours all eight of these cars will collide head on end it is u ...more

It's the near future and Britain is in the process of making autonomous, driverless cars mandatory and phasing out driver controlled cars for it's citizens. Cars with software that can be programmed with the destination, choice of music and temperature while the passengers sit back and relax, eating, reading or catching up on a little work. Not every one is in favour of autonomous cars and the decisions they make when an accident occurs but a inquest panel has been set up to investigate any fata
...more

As we grow lazier and more complacent, artificial intelligence grows smarter, insinuating its sticky fingers in more and more aspects of our lives. This tale deals with autonomous vehicles and their seven random passengers. Programming has been wiped clean and rerouting to an unknown destination is underway. Cameras everywhere are recording and broadcasting everything. Is this a variation on the theme of reality TV, or an elaborate hoax meant to prove a point? Or is it something else entire
...more

John Marrs' best, and most ambitious, book to date.
Picture this! It's the near future and you're cruising along in your state-of-the-art driverless car. You might be eating breakfast, applying makeup, reading a book, talking on the phone, or just relaxing, when all of a sudden your car deviates from it's pre-programmed destination.
Then a voice sounds from the centre console:
Picture this! It's the near future and you're cruising along in your state-of-the-art driverless car. You might be eating breakfast, applying makeup, reading a book, talking on the phone, or just relaxing, when all of a sudden your car deviates from it's pre-programmed destination.
Then a voice sounds from the centre console:
‘”It may have come to your attention that your vehicle is no longer under your management. From here on in, I am in char...more

When you want to write a review but have no idea how to do the book justice :')
-
John Marrs never disappoints....
What an amazing book! ...more
-
John Marrs never disappoints....
What an amazing book! ...more

This thriller didn’t waste any time getting started—for me, it was a total page turner!
Have to admit this, while not a Luddite by any stretch, driverless vehicles freak me out. Maybe too much Stephen King (he had a novella about machines taking over— trucks, etc.), maybe my lack of trust in public/government standards (dare I admit I’m a public employee), or the greed of big corporations— but this was a very creepy read.
Twists and turns, and both guessable and non-guessable plot lines. The plagu ...more
Have to admit this, while not a Luddite by any stretch, driverless vehicles freak me out. Maybe too much Stephen King (he had a novella about machines taking over— trucks, etc.), maybe my lack of trust in public/government standards (dare I admit I’m a public employee), or the greed of big corporations— but this was a very creepy read.
Twists and turns, and both guessable and non-guessable plot lines. The plagu ...more

Welcome to ANOTHER season of Black Mirror.
To give you a bare minimum non-spoilery summary:
This story involves two sets of characters. The first, the eight people, with their own dark little secrets, trapped in their hijacked 'driverless' cars. As readers, do you believe their sentiments? Or do you doubt them? Among them, who are you rooting for? Second, the outside world or the public. They were the ones who saw what was happening to these 'magic 8'. Their opinions to them were, most of the ...more
To give you a bare minimum non-spoilery summary:
This story involves two sets of characters. The first, the eight people, with their own dark little secrets, trapped in their hijacked 'driverless' cars. As readers, do you believe their sentiments? Or do you doubt them? Among them, who are you rooting for? Second, the outside world or the public. They were the ones who saw what was happening to these 'magic 8'. Their opinions to them were, most of the ...more

This one had me hooked from the very first page, a clever and fast paced thriller. I love thrillers that think outside the box and this one really worded for me.
I had put off reading this one for so long despite the many glowing reviews it was receiving. Just something about the blurb didn't convince me to add it to my reading list. However a gentle push in the right direction had me download the audio version of this book and I loved every moment spent listing to this one.
An extremely clever ...more
I had put off reading this one for so long despite the many glowing reviews it was receiving. Just something about the blurb didn't convince me to add it to my reading list. However a gentle push in the right direction had me download the audio version of this book and I loved every moment spent listing to this one.
An extremely clever ...more

“Despite threats to their kids’ lives, they still prioritise sharing their fears with the world before they scuttle off to rescue their little ones. Share then react. I love it.”
― John Marrs, The Passengers
I cheated.
I looked at the end way before I was done.
I could not help it.
I guess I would not make a good Passenger Juror.
But I HAD to know..I just had to.
This book was so DIFFERENT.
Never has anyone got social media so right. The man had me howling with laughter at some of it.
A bit to much viol ...more
― John Marrs, The Passengers
I cheated.
I looked at the end way before I was done.
I could not help it.
I guess I would not make a good Passenger Juror.
But I HAD to know..I just had to.
This book was so DIFFERENT.
Never has anyone got social media so right. The man had me howling with laughter at some of it.
A bit to much viol ...more

4.5 stars
This book gave me anxiety with all its twists and turns and how intense and stressing it was. I still believe that John Marrs should definitely write the next “black mirror” season. I was in the middle of this book when the trailer of The One (my favorite JM book) was released and I still don’t know how I feel about that adaptation, but I’m both excited and scared.
Eight driverless cars were hacked and set to collide. Who lives and who dies? And who gets to decide?
If this is not stressi ...more
This book gave me anxiety with all its twists and turns and how intense and stressing it was. I still believe that John Marrs should definitely write the next “black mirror” season. I was in the middle of this book when the trailer of The One (my favorite JM book) was released and I still don’t know how I feel about that adaptation, but I’m both excited and scared.
Eight driverless cars were hacked and set to collide. Who lives and who dies? And who gets to decide?
If this is not stressi ...more

4.5 stars (rounded up)
FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS!
John Marrs is about to take you on a terrifying ride!
in the UK, British citizens are finding “The One” (from his previous book) using “MATCH YOUR DNA” technology and driverless vehicles will replace those driven by humans within the next 5 years.
After all, these vehicles have rarely been found to be at fault, by the Vehicle Inquest Jury, whenever an accident has occurred and blame must be found.
The jury is gathered to review the latest accidents wh ...more
FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS!
John Marrs is about to take you on a terrifying ride!
in the UK, British citizens are finding “The One” (from his previous book) using “MATCH YOUR DNA” technology and driverless vehicles will replace those driven by humans within the next 5 years.
After all, these vehicles have rarely been found to be at fault, by the Vehicle Inquest Jury, whenever an accident has occurred and blame must be found.
The jury is gathered to review the latest accidents wh ...more

Jul 02, 2020
Catherine Woodward
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
4-stars
What an inventive, exciting, and unique thriller from John Marrs! I have to say going into this book I had a completely different idea on how it would play out and a very different impression of the basic framework of the book itself, but the thought of self-driving cars trapping their owners and holding them hostage immediately caught my attention, and from there this plot goes completely sideways!
Marrs gives us an interesting cast of characters, from an aging Hollywood star, to a expectant mot ...more
Marrs gives us an interesting cast of characters, from an aging Hollywood star, to a expectant mot ...more

Fasten your seatbelts and prepare yourself for a thrilling ride... That is what I call a fast-paced novel!
Are you ready to read about a troubling future not so far from us? With The Passengers, you'll question yourself about morality while reading a story with an enthralling plot. So interesting! My only complaint is about the last 20% of the book... Some parts weren't necessary, the ending was too long.
I liked The Passengers even more than The One, but I recommend to read the latter first. Hop ...more
Are you ready to read about a troubling future not so far from us? With The Passengers, you'll question yourself about morality while reading a story with an enthralling plot. So interesting! My only complaint is about the last 20% of the book... Some parts weren't necessary, the ending was too long.
I liked The Passengers even more than The One, but I recommend to read the latter first. Hop ...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
John Marrs is the author of #1 Best Sellers The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, Welcome to Wherever You Are, Her Last Move, The Passengers, The Minders and What Lies Between Us.
The One has been translated into 30 different languages and is to be turned into an eight-part Netflix series starting in autumn 2020.
After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from ...more
The One has been translated into 30 different languages and is to be turned into an eight-part Netflix series starting in autumn 2020.
After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from ...more
Related Articles
Kazuo Ishiguro insists he’s an optimist about technology.
“I'm not one of these people who thinks it's going to come and destroy us,” he...
123 likes · 18 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“A priest I knew once told me “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”
—
7 likes
“When people are part of a mob, they stop being individuals, their inhibitions disappear, they don't follow their normal moral compass (...) when they're surrounded by like-minded people, they don't see themselves as violent individuals, it's the group that's responsible for the violence, not them personally.”
—
2 likes
More quotes…