Title: The Hijacking
Author:
Niv Kaplan
Publisher:
Austin Macauley
Publication Date:
20 June 2025
Language:
English
Print Length:
390 pages
DESCRIPTION:
When a terrorist network resurfaces with a deadly new plan, Dakota Lake finds herself at the centre of a global crisis. Following a catastrophic ambush in London and a botched mission in Panama, Dakota takes the fall and is sidelined in a low-security prison. But as sleeper agents regroup and a new plot emerges targeting US energy infrastructure, Dakota is drawn back into action, this time aboard a luxury cruise ship with a deadly secret.
As the ship sails toward the Gulf of Mexico, what begins as a supposed COVID outbreak quickly reveals itself as a smokescreen for something far more sinister. With communications severed and senior crew taken hostage, Dakota must rally a small band of allies to stop the hijackers before they turn the ship into a floating weapon.
Gripping and grounded, The Hijacking is a high-stakes thriller that blends intelligence work, covert action, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
MY THOUGHTS:
The Hijacking is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller that immediately pulls you into a world of intelligence operations, global threats, and the consequences of missions that go wrong. The story follows Dakota Lake, who finds herself taking the blame after a disastrous ambush in London and a failed mission in Panama. Instead of continuing in the field, she is sidelined and placed in a low-security prison, carrying the weight of failure.
What makes the story compelling is that Dakota’s journey isn’t about being the perfect hero. She’s dealing with the fallout of past mistakes, which makes her determination to step back into danger feel much more realistic.
The tension builds when Dakota ends up aboard a luxury cruise ship heading toward the Gulf of Mexico. What initially appears to be a COVID outbreak quickly reveals itself as something far more calculated. Communications are cut, key crew members are taken hostage, and the ship becomes the centre of a terrifying plot that could threaten US energy infrastructure.
The cruise ship setting works perfectly for the story. With thousands of people trapped in the middle of the ocean and nowhere to escape, the danger feels immediate and claustrophobic. Every move carries risk, and every decision could mean survival or disaster.
I especially liked how the book balances action with strategy. It isn’t just about explosions or dramatic fights. Much of the tension comes from intelligence work, quick thinking, and the efforts of ordinary people who suddenly find themselves caught in an extraordinary situation.
Dakota stands out as a strong and layered protagonist. She isn’t fearless, but she refuses to stay on the sidelines when she realizes what’s at stake. Watching her gather allies and piece together the truth while the threat grows closer creates a gripping and suspenseful reading experience.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Kaplan was born in Kibbutz Ayelet HaShahar in Northern Israel in 1959. After high school, Niv served three years in an IDF special forces reconnaissance unit and took an active part in forming the IDF's Alpine unit, which he served in during reserve duty.
Niv received his BSc degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 1992, spending close to ten years in New York and Los Angeles.
Niv has worked for 30 years in the aerospace industry and has written seven books so far, four of which have been published: Disappearance, Tracks, Sea Raid, Kibbutz, and Unplugged.
Three more books will soon be published by Austin Macauley: Sleepers, The Hijacking, and Whiteboy. Both Sleepers and The Hijacking are sequels to Tracks, Niv's second book already published.
Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. All opinions are my own.