The Chain (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Adrian McKinty |
| Products | Thriller novel |
The Chain is a novel released in 2019, authored by Adrian McKinty.
Publication history
Following his eviction in 2017 and subsequent financial struggles, McKinty ceased writing and took on jobs as an Uber driver and bartender. It was through fellow crime writer Don Winslow that he was introduced to agent and producer Shane Salerno, who persuaded McKinty to pen The Chain and supported him with a $10,000 advance during its creation.
This standalone thriller, drawing inspiration from childhood chain letters and hostage exchanges, earned McKinty a lucrative six-figure deal for English-language publication and attracted interest from Paramount Pictures for a film adaptation. The book was released across 37 countries. In June 2020, Universal Pictures secured the movie rights, appointing Edgar Wright as director and producer, with Jane Goldman tasked with the screenplay.
Awards
- Included in 2019 Time magazine's Books of the Year for The Chain
- Recipient of the 2020 Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award for The Chain
- Longlisted in 2020 for both the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and CWA Body in the Library Award for The Chain
- Winner of the 2020 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Hardcover Novel with The Chain
- Awarded the 2020 Ned Kelly Award for Best International Crime Fiction for The Chain
- Honored with the 2020 Macavity Awards for Best Mystery Novel by Mystery Readers International for The Chain
- Claimed the 2020 Barry Award (for crime novels) for Best Mystery Novel with The Chain
Plot summary
Rachel, a divorced woman undergoing treatment for cancer, becomes ensnared in The Chain after her daughter Kylie is abducted. To secure her daughter's freedom, Rachel must kidnap another child and pay a ransom, thereby perpetuating the cycle.
With assistance from her brother-in-law Pete, Rachel sets out to capture Toby Dunleavy but mistakenly abducts his sister Amelia. Despite Amelia suffering an allergic reaction, they manage to save her and notify her parents. Once Amelia’s parents kidnap another child, Kylie is released. Subsequently, Rachel and Pete develop a romantic relationship.
Flashbacks disclose that The Chain was established by siblings Olly and Margaret as revenge against their abusive father. Their actions resulted in several fatalities, including those of their younger brother and stepmother, before they utilized The Chain to settle student debts.
In the current timeline, Rachel’s ex-husband Marty is involved with a new partner named Ginger. A man called Erik offers an app capable of tracking The Chain’s originators but is killed. Utilizing this app, Rachel and Pete locate the twin siblings.
It is revealed that Ginger is actually Margaret; she takes Marty, Kylie, and Kylie’s friend Stuart hostage. During a confrontation, Olly appears to give in but is killed by Kylie after she uncovers their deception. Rachel fatally wounds Ginger following a struggle.
The family reunites and publicly exposes The Chain through media channels. All victims are eventually freed, attracting widespread news attention. The narrative concludes with an implication that Rachel is expecting a child.