Author: Andrew Reid
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: March 24, 2026
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Survivor is a relentless thriller that transforms a simple subway ride into a nightmare of psychological terror. Ben Cross's story grabbed me from the opening scene—fired from his new job and escorted out by security, only to board the 1 train uptown and receive chilling text messages from an anonymous killer who knows his darkest secrets.
The premise is simple yet terrifying: an ordinary man trapped on a moving train, forced to follow a killer's commands while innocent lives hang in the balance. Reid demonstrates the killer's deadly seriousness early on, creating an atmosphere of dread that permeates every page. The revelation that Ben wasn't chosen randomly adds compelling depth to what could have been a straightforward cat-and-mouse thriller.
Reid masterfully maintains breakneck pacing throughout the narrative, creating a genuine page-turner. Both Ben and Kelly, the cop investigating the case, are perfectly crafted as damaged characters needing redemption, their broken backgrounds adding emotional weight to the high-stakes action.
While the novel's rapid-fire pace occasionally glosses over some plot inconsistencies that might not withstand closer scrutiny, the sheer momentum and expertly crafted suspense more than compensate for these minor issues. Reid has created a thriller that delivers the kind of heart-pounding experience that makes subway commutes feel suddenly more ominous.
A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
