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.

I’m afraid I’m breaking from the overwhelming 5 star reviews on his book to say this one wasn’t for me. Totally sold on the premise. An hour till a missile attack hits Britain.., an hour to be with your family. A desperate countdown. I just didn’t gel with this one and found the twist 2/3 way through a bit mind boggling if I’m honest. I could have gone back over it to check if the clues were there all along but I had no desire to. Sorry! I just wasn’t the target audience on this one

I don’t even know where to begin with this one. I think this has to be one of the best books I’ve ever read. I actually devoured it! Wish I could give more than 5 stars, it deserves them all!
There’s nothing to not like, incredible writing, and somehow realistic, which makes it even more disturbing. I can somehow imagine this happening, and that in itself is terrifying.
I don’t have a bad word to say about it. Go out, get this book and read it, that’s all!

Before I start, there’s dark themes covering in the one (as you’d expect given the premise), but check out at the end for more details.

I’ve been seeing this a lot on the socials - Seddon is doing a great job at promoting this. And when I read the blurb - wow! Talk about a hook (although given the state of the world at the moment, it can feel a little too real!) Needless to say this one pulled me in from the start. If fast paced and tense as you follow our 3 main characters: Carrie, Frankie and Mrs Dabb, desperate to get home to their loved ones when the alert of an incoming missile. But there’s lots of questions - why are we following these 3 characters? What makes them so special? Of course all becomes clear in time. But I really enjoyed this (the pacing slipped a bit for my about 2/3 of the way in) but I was desperate to know what happens at the end, to our main characters, and of course why we’re following them. I will say - I did not see that reveal coming, but all I will say is it left me questioning all I’d read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Orion Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read this review copy.

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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: there’s reference to suicide, rape, sexual assault, and murder.

I have never read a book quite like this one and I have to say I loved it! It's terrifying yet thought provoking and utterly, utterly compelling-I really could not put it down and my heart was pounding along with the fast paced plot.

It's also expertly crafted, clever and one of twists completely blew my mind, I never ever would have seen that one coming in a million years, all I can say is wow!

I know this book is going to stay with me forever and I have been talking about it to everyone I know.

The question I'm left with now is how would I spend my 59 minutes? I'm sure to be asking others this as well-I've a feeling I'll carry on talking about this book for a long time to come-highly recommend from me!

Thanks as ever to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

59 Minutes is an absolutely gripping read from start to finish. Holly Seddon has done a brilliant job creating a high-stakes thriller that’s not only suspenseful but deeply emotional. The countdown structure added real urgency, and I found myself completely invested in the characters’ journeys. It made me think about what really matters when everything is at risk. Highly recommend to anyone who loves thought-provoking, character-driven thrillers!

An absolute whirlwind - I can see this being made into a movie and absolutely stunning audiences. Highly recommendations

Wow! Just WOW. This is my first book by this author and let me tell you it won’t be my last! I was completely blown away it was sheer brilliance. I didn’t want to put the book down but life kept getting in the way it was pure awesomeness!

I was hooked from the start and couldn’t stop turning pages long into the night. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me holding on… truly wonderful. Once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!

Wow! This book has it all, from pace and timing to characters and place, I was simply swept up in this book and I don’t think I took a breath until I had finished it. Exemplary.

Wow wow wow. This is a spectacular page turning story with many characters, all of which I immediately became invested in. What seems like an ordinary day turns into a nightmare as the UK is under threat from a nuclear attack(s) and the population have 59 minutes to prepare for the worst. The realism and empathy with which this subject is tackled is skilful and I found myself wondering how I would react if I was in this situation. A great book from this very talented author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for this ARC.

"SEVERE ALERT. NUCLEAR MISSILE THREAT TO SOUTH ENGLAND. 59 MINUTES UNTIL IMPACT. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A TEST."

What would you do if, on a cold day in November, this message suddenly popped up on your and everybody else's mobile phone? We follow lovely Carrie who tries to get home to partner Emma, daughter Clementine and neighbour /landlord /friend Pepper, making her way through a volatile London and picking up a vulnerable young girl on the way. Simultaneously, pregnant Frankie and boyfriend Otis are on a weekend away, trying to enjoy their rental cabin in Dartmoor, when everything goes wrong. And then there is mysterious Mrs Dabb who is anxiously waiting for her 13 year old daughter Bunny to come home from school.

At first this is a straightforward story of danger and survival attempts, told in short, alternating chapters, then the lives of our protagonists entwine during three parts and three timelines. I thought from the start that there is something strange about Mrs Dabb's story but then comes the incredible twist and BAM it all makes heartbreaking sense!

It's a seriously unique plot that immediately grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. How do people react in the face of a deadly threat? Most fight to stay alive, some do the opposite, some ignore the threat but almost everyone just wants to be with their loved ones, come what may. It's tense, edge of the seat stuff reminiscent of the 2012 film "Seeking a Friend For The End of the World", and the topic is immensely impactful, especially as we spend a good chunk of time on the aftermath.

The writing style is compelling and the characters just pop off the page. The clock is ticking and the consequences are devastating and extremely unpredictable. While this is a thriller, it has a lot of heart. The relationships are very believable, and in the end it's all about love.

This is a captivating, fast-paced and very emotional read that you will not want to put down. There's a mix of ordinary people, criminals and a few heroes in extreme situations, and it will make you question what you would do if this situation happened to you. Highly recommended.

I was really intrigued by the blurb, and I wasn’t disappointed. 59 minutes by Holly Seddon is a fast paced thrilled. 59 minutes to a nuclear missile attack hit. How would you spend it?
When an Emergency Alert appears on everyone’s mobile phone that says
‘Missiles are set to destroy England in fifty-nine minutes. Everyone should seek immediate shelter.
The story follows three women Carrie who’s in London trying to get home, Frankie spending it with Otis in the chaos and a schoolgirl gone missing and criminals are on the loose and on a kidnapping spree.
I liked the premise of this story it was tense and gripping and very emotional. It had me engaged through out. It was quite a unique storyline. The only thing that threw me a bit was the last quarter of the book was going back and forwards in time with confused me a bit. But it was well worth the read. 4 stars from me.

Another incredible read from Holly. Not only do I recommend this one, I recommend all of her books. Impossible to not read all in one go.

You have 59 minutes before a nuclear missile attack hits. What would you do in the time you have left?
That’s the grimly intriguing premise of this standout thriller from Holly Seddon as we join three characters facing that question.
From the first page, the action in this book is relentless and doesn’t let up until the three-quarter mark, which I found both a positive and negative. It means you have to keep turning the pages, but it also allows for little breathing room.
There is no time for reflection and elongated backstory – because our characters have only 59 minutes!
But what makes this an utterly compelling read isn’t so much the story – as good as it is – it’s the delicious prose that Seddon weaves.
She has such a wonderful way with words, never labouring a description or an emotion but constantly evoking such colourful metaphors and similes to convey her meaning. It’s intoxicating. As are her characters who virtually pop off the page.
And while the story does make for grim reading as society begins to inevitably crumble in the wake of imminent mutually assured destruction, it is still a thriller at heart.
It also delivers a skilful and surprising twist – although there are plenty of clues right from the start that open your eyes to the fact that all is not what it might seem.
The twist is clever – but complicated. I can’t give away too much without spoiling it, but I will say it made me stop and re-read several sections as I struggle to follow the plot in places where the rug was being deftly pulled from beneath my feet.
Not at all in the vein of the usual bookstore thriller, you should nevertheless take a chance on this one, because you won’t be disappointed.

What. A. Book.

59 Minutes is one of those rare thrillers that grabs you by the throat from the very first page and doesn’t let go—even after the final line. Holly Seddon has crafted a brilliantly intense, emotionally raw, and utterly unforgettable story that explores the unthinkable: what would you do if you had less than an hour left to live?

The premise alone is enough to make your heart race—an emergency alert blares across South England: nuclear missile incoming, impact in 59 minutes. And just like that, Seddon launches us into a ticking-clock nightmare that feels disturbingly real. For many in the UK, this will immediately recall the 2023 emergency alert test—but this time, it’s no test. It’s the end of the world.

What makes this book exceptional isn’t just the concept (though it’s brilliant), but the execution. The intensity of the plot is matched by the depth of emotion, the rich, believable relationships, and the unflinching look at human behaviour under the ultimate pressure. The tension builds with every passing minute, and the stakes feel monumental because Seddon makes you care so deeply.

And then—the twist. No spoilers, but trust me, there are WTF moments galore. Just when you think you know where it’s headed, the story turns, hard, and suddenly you’re rethinking everything. It’s masterfully done and makes you want to go right back to the beginning and see it all with new eyes.

This isn’t just a fast-paced thriller. It’s about love, fear, regret, survival—and what truly matters when there’s no time left to waste.

Gripping, devastating, and brilliantly crafted, 59 Minutes is hands-down one of the most unmissable reads of 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for a Review Copy