A group of astronauts fight to return to their loved ones when their journey goes off-course in this mind-bending sci-fi thriller from the creator of the hit Netflix series Ryan Crane wasn’t looking for trouble--just a cup of coffee. But when he spots a gunman emerging from an unmarked van, he leaps into action and unknowingly saves John Ward, a billionaire with presidential aspirations, from an assassination attempt. As thanks for Ryan’s quick thinking, Ward rewards him with the chance of a lifetime: to join a group of lucky civilians accompanying three professional astronauts on the first manned mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. A devoted family man, Ryan is reluctant to leave on this two-year expedition, but with the encouragement of his loving wife--and an exorbitant paycheck guaranteeing lifetime care for their disabled son--he crews up. Little could Ryan know that this mystifying journey would forever change his life and the lives of his crewmates. Just when their space adventure seemingly ends, it shockingly begins.

Autorentext

Jeff Rake and Rob Hart

Klappentext

A space shuttle flight crew discovers that the Earth they’ve returned to is not the home they left behind in the first book of this emotional, mind-bending thriller series from the creator of the hit Netflix show Manifest and the bestselling author of The Warehouse.

“If The Martian and The Twilight Zone had a baby, it would be Detour—a thriller that messes with your head as you scramble to piece together what’s really going on.”—Steve Netter, Best Thriller Books

Ryan Crane wasn’t looking for trouble—just a cup of coffee. But when this cop spots a gunman emerging from an unmarked van, he leaps into action and unknowingly saves John Ward, a billionaire with presidential aspirations, from an assassination attempt.

As thanks for Ryan’s quick thinking, Ward offers him the chance of a lifetime: to join a group of lucky civilians chosen to accompany three veteran astronauts on the first manned mission to Saturn’s moon Titan.

A devoted family man, Ryan is reluctant to leave on this two-year expedition, yet with the encouragement of his loving wife—and an exorbitant paycheck guaranteeing lifetime care for their disabled son—he crews up and ventures into a new frontier.

But as the ship is circling Titan, it is rocked by an unexplained series of explosions. The crew works together to get back on course, and they return to Earth as heroes.

When the fanfare dies down, Ryan and his fellow astronauts notice that things are different. Some changes are good, such as lavish upgrades to their homes, but others are more disconcerting. Before the group can connect, mysterious figures start tailing them, and their communications are scrambled.

Separated and suspicious, the crew must uncover the truth and decide how far they’re willing to go to return to their normal lives. Just when their space adventure seemingly ends, it shockingly begins.

Leseprobe
JANET WILLIAMS

CNN BREAKING NEWS REPORT

“Scientists have confirmed that a massive piece of Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier has collapsed. The Thwaites has long been referred to as the ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ because its total collapse could cause a catastrophic rise in sea levels.

“Roughly the size of Florida, scientists first discovered it was losing ice at an accelerating rate in the 1970s. Each year, it contributes to four percent of sea level rise as it sheds billions of tons of ice into the ocean. Its complete collapse could elevate sea levels by two feet, which has the potential to put more than ninety-­seven million people in the path of expanding flood areas.

“But the Thwaites also plays a vital role in the stability of the surrounding ice sheets. According to the University of Oregon’s Glacier Lab, a complete collapse could destabilize the surrounding sheets, which has the potential to raise sea levels by ten feet, causing catastrophic global flooding.

“The piece that broke off is roughly the size of Rhode Island and is enough to set off alarm bells in the scientific community that a total collapse could happen in our lifetime.

“And now, as we approach the fall, denim jackets are back in vogue! Here’s fashion correspondent Heather Kane with a special report on the best deals for every style . . .”

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FROM JOHN WARD

Here we find ourselves. Ready to embark on a mission that will change the course of history. Not just human history, but our fundamental understanding of the universe. It should come as little surprise that I’m going to be the one to do it.

Which is funny, when you think about it.

Everything on my end is set. I would imagine it is on your end, too. I can say that because there’s only one person in this entire world who I trust.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how this whole thing started.

Before the money, before the contracts, before the spaceships.

I mean the very beginning. Sitting in my bedroom as a child. Lonely, scared. Staring out my window, at the vastness of space. I needed to know what was out there. I needed to know how much bigger things were. It made me who I am. That desire to reach, to seek, to discover—­it laid the groundwork for Horizons. For everything I’ve done with my life.

I knew there was so much more beyond what I could see.

We’re ready to go, here. The press conference is tomorrow. Hopefully you see this beforehand. Good luck on your end.

Here’s to changing the world, my friend.

RYAN CRANE

HILL EAST, WASHINGTON, D.C.

“FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!”

Ryan Crane snapped awake. Purely on instinct, he fumbled for the bedside nightstand, trying to get to the biometric gun safe inside. But as he pulled the drawer open and glanced over his shoulder, the only thing he saw was Nina, on the other side of the bed, curled into herself so tightly she was shaking.

He hit the lamp, casting light into the dim space. Nina’s face was twisted into a rictus of pain. Her skin covered in sweat, her strawberry-­blond hair plastered to her head. Ryan reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. She was burning up.

Before he could even ask the question, she groaned and spoke through gritted teeth.

“Stomach . . .”

Earlier tonight, after dinner. Tummy troubles, she’d said. She thought it was gas pains, so she took some Tums. They put the kids to bed, and Ryan left her on the couch with a peck on the forehead so she could catch up on episodes of The Great British Baking Show and he could get enough sleep for tomorrow’s early shift.

She’d looked uncomfortable, but she shrugged it off as something she ate.

This wasn’t something she ate. She was gripping the lower right side of her abdomen.

Appendix, Ryan thought.

“Mommy?”

Scarlett was standing in the bedroom doorway, her hair hanging in wild tangles, wearing her Frozen nightgown. She was half-­awake and looked more confused than scared.

“Honey, go to Teddy’s room,” Ryan told her. “Stay with him there. Mommy’s tummy hurts real bad, but I’m going to take her to a doctor.”

Ryan hopped off the bed and grabbed a robe to throw over Nina’s shoulders, then slipped a pair of jeans over his boxer shorts.

“Mommy said a bad word,” Scarlett said.

“I’m sorry, love,” Nina said, straining to get the words out in a coherent and calming flow. “Please go to Teddy’s room, okay?”

The little girl shrugged, muttered “Okay,” and padded down the ha…