The Chain (novel)

The Chain is a 2019 novel written by Adrian McKinty.[1]

First edition (publ. Orion Books)

Publication history

McKinty quit writing in 2017 after being evicted from his rented house, citing a lack of income from his novels, and instead took work as an Uber driver and a bartender.[2] Upon hearing of his situation, fellow crime author Don Winslow passed some of his books to his agent, the screenwriter and producer Shane Salerno. In a late-night phone call, Salerno persuaded McKinty to write what would become The Chain.[3] Salerno loaned the author ("advance on the advance") $10,000 to help him survive financially during the process.[4]

The stand-alone thriller was inspired by the chain letters of his youth and contemporary reports of hostage exchanges. McKinty returned to writing after the book landed him a six-figure English-language book deal, and was optioned for a film adaptation by Paramount Pictures. In an interview on CBS McKinty talked about never giving up and took the interviewer, Jeff Glor, to Plum Island, Massachusetts, where The Chain is set.[5] The Chain was published in 37 countries.[4] In June 2020, Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to the novel, with Edgar Wright directing and producing the project and Jane Goldman writing the screenplay.[6]

Awards

Plot summary

Rachel, a divorcée with cancer, gets a call stating that her daughter, Kylie, has been kidnapped and she is now part of The Chain. To get Kylie back she must kidnap another child. Kylie will be released when the parents of the child Rachel has kidnapped kidnap yet another child and continue the chain.

References
  1. McKinty, Adrian. The Chain: The gripping, unique, must-read thriller of the year. ASIN 1409189589.
  2. Flood, Alison "From Uber driving to a huge book deal: Adrian McKinty's life-changing phone call" The Guardian, 9 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019
  3. McKinty, Adrian "I gave up writing and found work in a bar... a year and a half later my book was sold to 36 countries" Belfast Telegraph, 13 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019
  4. "New Thriller 'The Chain' Has An Origin Almost As Exciting As Its Plot". NPR.org.
  5. Adrian McKinty interviewed by Jeff Glor on CBS This Morning, "The Author behind The Chain." 3 August 2019.
  6. Fleming, Mike Jr. (18 June 2020). "Universal Acquires Adrian McKinty Novel 'The Chain,' With Edgar Wright Directing & Jane Goldman Writing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  7. "'The Chain' Is One of the 100 Must-Read Books of 2019". Time.
  8. "Belfast author Adrian McKinty wins major crime fiction prize".
  9. Onatade, Ayo (5 June 2020). "Shotsmag Confidential: CWA Dagger Awards 2020 Longlists Announced".
  10. "2022 Thriller Awards – International Thriller Writers".
  11. "Ned Kelly Awards — Australian Crime Writers Association". Austcrimewriters.com. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  12. Macavity Award Winners 2020
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