The Crash

The Crash is a thriller, and as such, it is more tense, fast-paced, and relies on shock than realism. Thus, it is best read accordingly. The book starts off with a good hook, a young woman (Tegan) eight months pregnant, struggling with finances and already under a lot of stress before the accident occurs. The first chapters provide a good bit of insight into how dire her situation is, with the contract dispute, the unwanted pregnancy situation and her fear of the future. That's why when she finds herself driving into a blinding blizzard and colliding with another vehicle, it seems like a logical progression, rather than a random occurrence. The remote location, the wound and that she is relying on the kindness of strangers create a solid foundation for a suspense story.

After Hank and Polly take in Tegan, the novel becomes a more tightly coiled, almost claustrophobic thriller, a genre in which McFadden is at her best. The conflict is not so much one of action as of suspicion, misapprehension and the feeling that no one is telling the whole truth. The back-and-forth perspective keeps the reader guessing who to trust and the fact that something is amiss, keeps the pages turning. When the plot slows down, there is normally uneasiness enough in the situation to keep the reader interested. It also is set in a snowy, rural area, which makes the danger seem realistic, at least initially, as it accounts for the lack of a quick response.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of flaws in the book that detract from its credibility as a psychological thriller. Some of the characters are forced, as if they are there simply to further the plot and not because they fit in. Polly's medical expertise is questionable, for instance, and some decisions about Tegan's injury and pregnancy appear implausible. Also, there are times when the story has the same tension over and over, and doesn't add anything new, particularly during the middle part of the book when Tegan is confined in her home for an extended period and suspects the same things repeatedly. These parts are not boring, but they do feel stretched out compared to the stronger opening. Additionally, the ending is likely the most controversial aspect. On one hand, McFadden succeeds at connecting the various plots on a superficial level and final twists are appropriate to the book's tone. The pacing, however, becomes more over the top as the story progresses and the change of pace towards the end of the story is abrupt. Still, the ending does provide some closure to the book and makes the whole thing seem worthwhile.

I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars, primarily because despite its flaws, it's an entertaining and fast read. The pacing is good, the premise is interesting, the twists are numerous enough to keep the story moving but the unrealistic nature of the story and the exaggerated behaviour of the characters keep it from being as sharp as it could have been. It's a book that you can read through in a couple of sitting, but not one that you can think too hard about.