Worst Case Scenario

A Novel

By: T.J. Newman

Narrated by: Joe Morton

Following her explosive debut thriller Falling and its harrowing follow-up Drowning, #1 internationally bestselling author T.J. Newman is back with Worst Case Scenario.

When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, which becomes ground zero for a catastrophic national crisis with global implications.

The International Nuclear Event Scale tracks nuclear disasters. It has seven levels. Level 7 is a Major Accident, with only two on record: Fukushima and Chernobyl. There has never been a Level 8. Until now.

In this heart-stopping thriller, ordinary people—power plant employees, firefighters, teachers, families, neighbors, and friends— are thrust into an extraordinary situation as they face the ultimate test of their lives. It will take the combined courage, ingenuity, and determination of a brave few to save not only their community and loved ones, but the fate of humanity at large.

Critic reviews

Praise for Falling—.

“Falling is the best kind of thriller (for me as a reader anyway). Characters you care deeply about. Nonstop, totally authentic suspense.”—James Patterson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“T. J. Newman has taken a brilliant idea, a decade of real-life experience, and crafted the perfect summer thriller. Relentlessly paced and unforgettable.”—Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Attention, please: T. J. Newman has written the perfect thriller! Such a cool, high-concept idea: commercial airline pilot forced to make the ultimate life-or-death choice. Newman’s background in the air grounds the story in reality, while her writing amps up the suspense to unbearable levels. Terrific and terrifying, a true page-turner. A must-read for summer vacation—but my advice is, don't start this book until you’ve gotten off the plane.”—Gillian Flynn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Gone Girl

“Heart pounding. Heart wringing. Heart STOPPING! A great book! One of those where you’re afraid to turn the next page, but you can’t stop.”—Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series

“Amazing . . . Intense suspense, shocks and scares plus chilling insider authenticity make this one very special.”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Think Speed on a passenger jet—with the cockpit dials turned up to supersonic.”—Ian Rankin, #1 internationally bestselling author

Praise for Drowning—.

“Drowning is the first terrific thriller of 2023. Honest. It has at least a dozen legit cliffhangers and a dozen huggable characters you can’t stop rooting for. T.J. Newman has the goods. Make that the greats!”—James Patterson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A stunningly vivid tour de force! Gripping. Shocking. Heartbreaking. You will not be able to come up for air until the very last page!”—Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dead Fall

“Stunning, emotional, and unforgettable. Drowning reads like Apollo 13 underwater.”—Don Winslow, New York Times bestselling author of City on Fire and The Border

“Masterful.”—Patricia Cornwell, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Drowning is The Poseidon Adventure meets The Martian. It is another can’t-put-down, edge-of-your-seat thriller from T. J. Newman, one of our most exciting new authors.”—Adrian McKinty, New York Times bestselling author of The Chain and The Island

It’s nuclear (new-klee-er) not new-cue-ler!!

Good book but ruined by George W Bush-er, Joe Morton’s horrible narration and the cheap sound effects. Whatever happened to classic narration with an experienced narrator not an actor?

You pray you have the right person in charge

How a small community came together to save one life and many more. The hard decisions you are faced with in a crisis and the back and forth between the plant and the firefighters trying to save Conner. You can’t stop turning the page.

Incredible book

Oh my gosh! TJ Newman quickly became one of my favorite authors. I loved Falling and Drowning but I think this one just moved up to the top of my list. Like with the other two, this book is heart-pounding, breath-holding greatness.

A gripping story from beginning to end!

It took a hold of me right at the beginning and never let up! A beautifully written book!

Never lets up

Incredible story and performance. On the edge of my seat the entire time. Will listen again!