Hijack is the 6th book in the Sgt Major Crane series by Wendy Cartmell.
There are 8 books in the Sgt Major Crane series:
- Steps to Heaven
- 40 Days, 40 Nights
- Honour Bound
- Cordon of Lies
- Regenerate
- Hijack
- Glasscutter
- Solid proof
Sgt Major Crane is a Military Police Detective in the Special Investigations Branch of the British Army, based in Aldershot. Think NCIS in the UK, but Army rather than Navy! Crane has a great team, but a boss who is more interested in appearances than justice, easily influenced from those above him in rank. Still, he manages to get round this obstacle and gets justice for those in need.
Wendy Cartmell was an army wife, and her knowledge of the politics and procedures makes the books realistic.
In Hijack, Sgt Billy Williams, (Sgt Major Crane’s “DiNozzo”), is returning to base after visiting his family, when the train he is on is hijacked by terrorists. The train has stopped on a railway bridge, and it’s up to Crane and the hijack negotiator to try and bring the situation to an end. Along with Billy are seven other hostages, including a pregnant woman, the driver and ticket collector. There are 6 hijackers led by a fanatic, who are demanding the release of family members being held in prison abroad.
The story swaps between Billy, Crane and the hijacker to give different perspectives on the story. Billy managed to hide his mobile before the hijackers took over and is able to communicate messages to his boss. I won’t give too much away, needless to say there are highs and lows before the conclusion.
All in all, it’s a great story. The characters are well-developed and very believable. The story goes at a cracking pace, and I ended up reading it in two sessions, simply because I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series. Hopefully, someone in the BBC will read them and turn them into a TV series. I can just see Matthew Lewis of Harry Potter fame as Sgt Williams and possibly John Partridge (Eastenders) as Sgt Major Crane.
Take care for now
Karen x