The NTSB and the media are crying pilot error. Kate insists the computerized instrumentations went completely out of her control and is certain it was sabotage. A first officer with a chip on his shoulder and an attitude toward young women pilots doesn't help the situation claiming Kate had other choices than to crash the plane.

Michael O'Rourke, an investigator for the case may be the only one who will listen to Kate and her claims - if she would just let him. Now, investigating on her own, Kate thinks she has uncovered a plot that may have crashed several airplanes with more headed for the same fate. She must rally all the allies she can to try and save more pilots and their passengers, as well as her own career.

High Wire is a suspense novel that gets its tension from Kate's fear of losing control, first of the aircraft and then of the ensuing situation. Kate doesn't want to let her smug first officer in on the fact that the controls have gone haywire, knowing he will blame her and also knowing she can't do anything about it. When Kate loses her flying privileges and access to the airport, she takes control of the situation, putting herself and others at risk not only to save her career, but also to save other pilots and passengers in the future.

Kate is a devoted mother and daughter (her husband is dead), but she is also strong enough to put herself on the line if it means saving many more people. There appears to be an instant connection between O'Rourke and Kate (although she doesn't acknowledge it at first) one that would not be a good idea for an investigator and the pilot he is investigating. There are times when O'Rourke allows these feelings to cloud his judgment in the investigation.

The plot switches back and forth from those creating the problems to the investigation. It is a bit confusing trying to keep characters straight and separate the good guys from the bad guys. The climax of the book comes as a warning crusade by Kate and ends up being a mid-air rescue, an episode which goes on a little bit too long, with every possible thing that could go wrong going wrong. All in all, a respectable debut with an interesting, strong-willed heroine and a techno-thriller plot that will appeal to a variety of readers.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry