59 Minutes an amazing thriller by Holly Seddon just blew me away. This is my first book I have read by this exciting author.

The countdown has begun as warnings of a nuclear attack is imminent. Three women are about to endure a catastrophic ordeal along with the rest of humanity.

My heart missed a beat when Carrie, Frankie and Mrs Dabb's fight for survival reach boiling point. How many souls will be wiped out in one single blast and how many may survive in basements and cellars. Will love conquer all in this race against time.

I felt the impact, the smell of death, the inner strength these three women have within them to endure not only the impact but the aftermath too.

Will it be every man for themselves as the fight to survive turns the human race into monsters.

Fantastic premise, wonderful characters and a twist that sent me reeling. If I'm being picky I'd say the first half of the book is more compelling than the second but it's all very well done and I'd have no problem recommending 59 Minutes.

My first book by this author, and what a book to start with. The storyline follows the 3 main characters - Carrie, Frankie and Mrs Dabb - after they (along with the rest of the general public) receive a text message alert that nuclear missiles have been launched which are due to hit Southern England in 59 minutes. They each have their own storyline which shows them trying to get back to their families or find somewhere safe to shelter.

This was such a good read. I had my heart in my mouth for most of the book and couldn't take my eyes off the page watching the chaos and madness ensue. I had to keep reminding myself that this was just a story as it was so realistically written. It's not a nice subject read however, and there are lots of scenes which I would just rather forget. It was scary to see how easily society could break down and this chilled me to the bone as you can't say that this would never turn into reality.

Despite there being so many shocking parts of the storyline, there were instances where you see the good in people coming out and I was relieved to see this. I really enjoyed this book, but I have knocked a star off for the twist in the storyline which felt quite confusing. The whole storyline though certainly posed some thought provoking questions with the main one being what would you do if you knew it was the end of the world in less than an hour? Heart-breaking, gripping and it had me completely hooked! Would definitely recommend.

I'm finding it really difficult to review this book, the writing was superb and I was completely invested, but I found it to be a hard read.

The writing style was exactly the kind that I like - beautifully descriptive and with little observations that really added colour to the book. The characters felt extremely vivid and I loved how well we got to know them.

My issue is the subject matter - it was so terrifyingly possible given the way the world is currently that whilst the book was beautifully written and interesting, I can't say that I actively enjoyed reading it because it filled me with panic!

I don't feel that it would be fair to give this book less than 5 stars because it really was brilliant, but if you read for escapism, I can't recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

59 Minutes is, as the title suggests, a fast-paced and intense read. The premise is simple but chilling: what would you do if a missile was headed your way and you had only 59 minutes until impact?

The story follows three women as they grapple with that very question. One is stranded, unable to reach her partner and daughter; another is on vacation with her boyfriend; and the third is a mother desperately trying to find her teenage daughter. Each scenario is tense, emotional, and thought-provoking. It really makes you consider—what would you do in that situation? Would you try to run? Stay with loved ones like the elderly couple on the Titanic? Or be so terrified you’d rather not wait for the end?

While the subject matter is heavy—especially in light of current global tensions—it’s a quick and compelling read that keeps you thinking long after it ends.

This is an incredible story that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I 59 minutes, we follow the stories of several people affected by a nuclear missile warning, on their otherwise average day. Each has only 59 minutes to prepare for the end of the world as they know it. It follows the twists and turns of their lives and shows their lives following the 59 minutes and hoe everything changes. I really enjoyed this read, it had tension throughout, panic, fear and true love. I would recommend to everyone to give this a go and think carefully how they would spend their final 59 minutes

This fell a bit flat for me. I normally enjoy and devour books by this author but I found it hard to get into this one and ended up giving up just over halfway through.
Please don’t be put off by my review as not all books suit everyone l, that’s why there’s a great range out there.

'59 Minutes' is a unique premise for a book that makes you ask yourself 'What would I do?' in the same circumstances. The tension as the countdown begins for the 3 main characters is palpable. I think I read a big chunk of this book with my heart in my mouth. It's well written with some likeable characters. Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an arc of this well researched thought provoking novel.

On phones, i pads, computers, radio and tv there is a National alert! A thought provoking story and I can well remember the shock I got when the test emergency alarm went off on my phone in April 2023 (UK). A nuclear strike is due to hit Southern England in 59 minutes. Everyone is warned to stay indoors, make sure they have ample food and water and not to travel. All communication devices go dead apart from the message. Told from the POVs of three very different women, Carrie, Frankie, and Mrs Dabb in alternating chapters this is scary look at what a nuclear threat could look like.

Briefly, in London and Dartmoor we follow the fortunes of these three women desperate to get home to be with their loved ones, to get food for their holiday home or just praying their child will come home in time.

The extremes of humankind are shown from love and kindness to selfishness and inhumanity as each of the people involved struggle in situations never encountered before. As we follow their stories we also learn how each of their lives intertwine with each other. The question is will they all survive or will there be anything left to survive after the missile strike? The countdown intensifies the sense of emergency as the clock ticks down to possible annihilation. A tense and emotional read.

In one hour’s time a nuclear bomb will destroy the south of England. Carrie is desperate to get across London and home to her partner Emma and their daughter Clementine; Frankie, who is pregnant, and her partner Otis need to get food before holing up in their holiday rental in Devon and Mrs Dabb is terrified her daughter Bunny won’t make it home in time.

The narrative alternates between the points of view of these three women and the tension mounts with each chapter.

I thought the premise was a good one and it was a fast-paced thriller. The twist was well executed, but a little confusing.

One of the most devastating stories I have ever read, and I couldn't put it down. I've been thinking a lot about it since I finished, and it will stay with me.

I live in a city built on three faultlines, where experts tell us all the time that we're overdue for a massive earthquake, so the premise appealed to me in a ghoulish kind of way. I understood the terror and frustration of trying to get home to loved ones and the panic buying in shops reminiscent of just before the Covid lockdown announcements, so the first half of the story was almost familiar—I have a plan for this scenario.

Things turned really ugly, though, and then came the massive twist. I did not see that coming, and for that alone I will be seeking out Seddon's other books. With everything happening in the US this week, too, I can totally believe how the whole 59-minute alert came to pass. And that is the truly terrifying part.

Huge kudos to Holly Seddon for her research and perfect execution. The references in the back just added to the potential realism of something like this happening in the near future. I highly recommend this book.

***Disclaimer: This e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to them. ***

A nuclear bomb is just an hour away and people on the the streets of London and south England are panicking. Armageddon brings out the best and worst in folk, including our protagonists, Carrie, who needs desperately to get home to her partner Emma and daughter, Clementine; Frankie, newly pregnant and facing more danger in the intervening hour before the bomb, and Mrs Dabb, desperately searching for her daughter, Bunny.
I really liked the premise of this book - I love a good dystopian novel and I thought the paceworked well, as chapters toggled between the three protagonists, counting down the minutes till Doomsday.
I think it will engage readers and make them question just how they'd react in such a situation.
I found myself caring deeply for the characters, and hoping against hope the bomb would fail to detonate.
But before we reach the final countdown, events unfold that ultimately confuse and alter the course of the story, and I feel as a reader that I was rather misled in the first half of the story.
It's a shame, but I think the plotting of the story and the confusing timeline let down what might otherwise have been an excellent and thought-provoking read.
I'd give it four stars for the theme and characters, but mark it down to three stars otherwise.

What would you do if you received a bone-chilling phone message announcing that missiles were heading your way, giving you only 59 minutes to prepare?

59 Minutes is a so well written that takes you on a fast-paced journey of survival, resilience, and the fragile threads of humanity.

This story is told through several points of view, Carrie, Frankie, and the enigmatic Mrs Dabb, as they race against the clock. Frankie and her partner trying to secure food, water, and shelter, Carrie trying to get home to her family and infant child and Mrs Dabb desperately holding on to hope for her 13 year old daughter Bunny to return. The shifting perspectives add depth to the narrative, allowing readers to witness the turmoil, fear, and determination of each character during the looming catastrophe.

The author’s realistic descriptions paint a vivid picture of an unravelling world. The countdown to zero hour adds an unrelenting sense of urgency that keeps you glued to the pages, your heart pounding as the minutes tick away.

And then comes the twist—an extraordinary, mind-bending revelation that completely redefines the story. It’s so unexpected and brilliantly executed that I found myself rereading those pages several times, just to fully absorb its impact. Wow. It’s rare to encounter a twist that not only surprises but feels so perfectly integrated into the narrative.

59 Minutes isn’t just an apocalyptic thriller; its realism, emotional intensity, and unpredictability make it a standout in its genre. If you're looking for a novel that will leave you breathless and pondering long after the final page, this is the one. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Wow, this is a really well written story about an event that could actually happen, it brings to mind a host of questions hit the main one of course, is what would you do with your last 59 minutes?
I enjoyed the different POVs of the main characters and learning a little of their back stories, the only con for me was a confusing little twist that came to light towards the end of the story in regards to a then and now situation that I couldn’t get my head around at first.
It all made sense by the end though and I urge everyone to give this dramatic thriller a go.

59 Minutes by Holly Seddon is a gripping, fast-paced apocalyptic thriller that hooks you from the very first page. As someone who loves this genre, I was immediately drawn into the escalating tension and high-stakes scenario, and Seddon delivers a narrative that feels both urgent and unsettlingly plausible.

The story unfolds through individual chapters dedicated to each main character, which worked brilliantly in building both tension and emotional connection. Each character’s voice felt distinct and authentic, and as the clock ticks down, their lives begin to entwine in compelling and often unexpected ways.

Seddon captures the chaos of catastrophe and the human instinct to survive with striking clarity. The tension is palpable throughout and ramps up steadily, making it hard to put down. While the pace occasionally meant some moments could have been explored more deeply, the momentum never lets up, and the finale is satisfying.

A smart, taut thriller that fans of the genre will devour in a single sitting. A strong 4 stars from me — and I’ll definitely be reading more from Holly Seddon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Well this was a unique book ! I found it thrilling and terrifying at the same time, living in the UK I often don’t watch the news as it’s too awful and this book really confronts you with what could actually happen.

The book is told from the POV of three different women all trying to survive and get to the people they love. Two in Devon and one in London. Initially I was hooked on each of their stories / situations. About halfway through I started to skim a bit as it felt like it was dragging towards the point of the collision and was wondering whether their stories were related or not. WELL at about 70% it all got very interesting, a few twists I didn’t see coming and it all made sense. I really enjoyed the ending.

I only give this one 4 stars because I did find it dragged a little bit in the middle but otherwise I loved it (even though it terrified me 😳 maybe don’t read if the thought of nuclear war scares you!) and would highly recommend when this is released 25 Sep 25.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Orion for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

59 Minutes had a really gripping and unique premise, the idea of the world ending in under an hour is instantly tense and thought-provoking. I was drawn in by the concept and liked how it explored different perspectives in such a high-stakes moment. However, the execution didn’t quite live up to the potential for me. Some of the characters and plot threads felt underdeveloped, and I struggled at times to fully connect with their choices or feel the emotional weight I was expecting. That said, it was still a fast-paced and readable story, and there were definitely moments of tension that kept me turning the pages. A solid read, just not as impactful as I’d hoped.

All I can say is WOW!! What a fantastic book. Easy premise - what would you do if you had 59 minutes left till a missile hit.? How would you get back to your family? Brilliantly written and the twists when they came were clever and made total sense. Highly recommended

✶ PRE-READING ✶
I was drawn to 59 Minutes because the premise immediately grabbed me - what would you do with such little time, especially when everything you know and love is at risk? The clock ticking down in real time creates instant tension, and I was curious to see how the author would build the emotional stakes with multiple POVs. I hadn’t read Holly Seddon before, but I’ve heard good things about her writing and was excited to dive in. I was looking for a fast-paced thriller with high emotional stakes, and I hoped it would offer a compelling look at how people would react under pressure.

✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... The writing is strong, and the tension throughout the story is palpable. The stakes feel real, and there’s a lot of urgency in the actions of the characters. The three different POVs offer insight into different experiences, and the emotional stakes for each character are high, which kept me invested. The concept of the impending missile strike creates a ticking clock that amplifies the pressure on each decision.

It surprised me by... While the book kept me hooked with the sense of urgency and suspense, the twist at the end was a bit of a letdown. The author led me down a path with one of the characters, and I felt like I was being intentionally misled with information that later turned out to be false. I prefer twists that reveal themselves in a way that feels earned - when you can look back and see how the clues pointed to the truth all along. This one felt more like a trick, which undermined the satisfaction of the reveal. That said, the overall concept of facing the end of the world with only an hour left was still powerful, and the writing really captured the emotional complexity of the characters.

✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
Book Recommendation:
If you enjoyed 59 Minutes, you might like The Silent Stars Go By by James S.A. Corey. While more sci-fi than thriller, it also deals with urgent, high-stakes situations and how characters make life-changing decisions when time is running out.

TV or Movie Recommendation:
The film Seeking a Friend for the End of the World could be a great companion. It's not as fast-paced, but it shares that sense of looming catastrophe and explores how people find meaning and connection in their final moments.

I've enjoyed Holly Seddon's previous thrillers but this one sees her reach a new level. I find that high-concept books can disappoint in the execution but if anything this one exceeded expectations. It's a masterclass in real-time suspense but suffused with humanity. My favourite thing as a reader is to be suspended in that sweet spot where you're compelled to turn the pages but you also want to linger over every page because there are so many beautiful sentences, and 59 Minutes does just that.