This book is adrenaline pumping from start to finish. Logan and Capella are out on a date when they end up in the middle of a hostage situation and a take over of Grand Central Station. With life and death hanging in the balance the two use their skills to outsmart the three men holding them and 12 others. It's non-stop from beginning to end. Make sure you have time to read in one setting, it's hard to put down.

TERMINAL IMPASSE (NYPD NEGOTIATORS, #4)
BY: SARA DRISCOLL

About 3.5 Stars!

This is my first book that I've entered into in the fourth installment called, "TERMINAL IMPASSE," which I would say is completely plot driven. It's fast paced, but since I felt the missing rich character development that is my personal preference in reading, I rated it at 3.5 Stars. This takes place in Grand Central Terminal, in New York City where the opulent marble interior is depicted in its description about this iconic place is mixed throughout this action packed novel, and that's one of my reasons for deciding to try this series. I could visualize the beautiful interior as I read this (NYPD NEGOTIATORS #4), which like I said does contain a minimum amount of characterization in the MFC, Gemma Capello, who works for the NYPD, as a hostage negotiator except it's more of a tell me than show me in how she is depicted which made me think that I'm positive that this kind of falls flat for my taste that craves more literary fiction style of writing than just a fast paced, plot driven novel. I saw so many five star reviews for this that my curiosity was piqued, is the other reason for me trying this series. I guess that this makes me an outlier opinion, which I liked that the chapters were short which made this easily able to be read during one sitting.

I was also interested in the premise of it's main female character Gemma Capello working for the NYPD, as a hostage negotiator which this can be read as a standalone, since I'm assuming that each installment of this series focuses on a different hostage situation. I took a small risk with entering this in the fourth novel in the series. Small referring to the risk factor, which I'll clarify my meaning is summarized that it wouldn't be too much time invested since these are fairly short page counts. So I wouldn't get too far behind by squeezing this in between the others I have committed to, which I also satisfied my curiosity by trying this. I thought this was just okay, but I'm still happy that I tried this series, and I know that I need to gravitate towards my reading containing more depth to the characters in the future. I wasted a lot more time deciding whether to try this out since some reviewers mentioned that the series is more enjoyable when read from the beginning in order, with a few that say that they can be read as a standalone, which based on my reading experience with this one, I don't think my not starting with the first novel in this series would have improved my overall opinion, since it definitely has a target audience that most reviews were five stars. I still think that there's a thin amount of depth in the writing style when it comes to character development, and this just taught me to know that I lean more towards the layers of character development, but like a well developed plot ideally, but if only plot driven then it leaves me feeling that I know it's not for me.

Gemma Capello and Sean Logan are two highly skilled in different strengths within the NYPD, and they had a short hook up while they were both Cadets. It's been fifteen years since then approaching Christmas time and they are out on a date where they cut through Grand Central Terminal on their way out to dinner where Sean has recommended because the food is wonderful. They're trying to figure out if they are able to take their professional relationship to include adding a romantic relationship, as well. They walked right into a hostage crises while a paramilitary trio with black masks covering their faces are shooting commuters with one older woman that they help get out of the line of fire watched her husband get murdered by these men. There is pandemonium and chaos as these three armed men are spraying bullets from sub-machine guns. As they are trying to save lives which even though they're both off duty, that is part of their oath they find themselves as hostages within this act of terrorism.

Gemma and Sean quickly slide their NYPD shields out of sight since they see that a couple of MTA officers have been killed. If these three murderers get any inclination that Sean and Gemma are police they would be killed instantly. What's more disturbing is one of these masked shooters has C-4 explosives with more of this plastic explosive in duffel bags besides in his hand he has C-4 explosives that if detonated will kill everyone inside the terminal as well as blow up a two block radios surrounding, Grand Central Terminal disrupting the hub of subways to cripple the city. This situation reminds Gemma of twenty-five years ago, when she was only ten years old, she witnessed her mother get shot and killed while trying to calmly try to reason with some shooters in their bank. Gemma knows that she will work with Sean and pretend to these gunmen that she is a business negotiator who can communicate as the mediator to get her colleagues to give these armed men what they're demanding by her talking with the hostage negotiators who have set up a command post nearby. They are there to do what she normally does, and hope that she can use her training, on the job experience, and skills to inform them that she, and Sean are among the hostages inside which she accomplished by using a strategy. It's all a risk, and Sean who is a trained sniper or sharp shooter for the NYPD, and her know that they have to act as if they aren't working together in front of these killers. If there is a way to alert their colleagues to the shooters names, that they have C-4 explosives is their only reason Sean's colleagues haven't shot all three of these masked men who seem to be able to kill, and prepared to die.

Gemma has communicated that the C-4 bombs are why this is such a tricky situation with relaying to her colleagues in coded language who one of the suspects is. They expect in three hours for the President to pardon four men who belong to their organization to be released from prison, who are responsible for blowing up a building that killed at least one hundred people. The usual demands that no law enforcement official can grant. Gemma has labeled "Suspect one," as the one in charge who has C-4 to automatically explode in his hand, and it seems like he's getting tired of holding it. "Suspect two," as the one she thinks is less lethal, who has been identified already. "Suspect three," as the one that's the most dangerous one who is filled with rage. Gemma really is the calm one, and is an expert at knowing how to make them believe they're in charge. I did learn that she comes from a big Italian family, with several brothers, and her father who all work for the NYPD, except for one brother who doesn't. Will Gemma, Sean, and the other hostages survive this crisis and walk away unharmed by outsmarting these well organized paramilitary criminals? I decided that since the plot was so richly imagined that I'm rounding my 3.5 star rating up to 4 solid stars. Did I enjoy this? Sort of. Did it teach me anything new? No. I might give this author's suspense driven plotted novel another chance by trying the next one in this series. That being said. Did this book feel like it is one I'd recommend? Only to those who think this sounds like something that might deliver them an action packed lighter reading experience.

Publication Date: May 27, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, Sara Driscoll, and Kensington Books for generously providing me with my ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.

#TerminalImpasse #SaraDriscoll #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley

Talk about a bad date! NYPD Hostage Negotiators Gemma Capello and Sean Logan find themselves in a real pickle when some angry angry people take them hostage in the middle of Grand Central Station. Not what they expected when they set out for dinner but it's what they've got to deal with and deal with it they do. This is a page turner that Driscoll wisely kept short. There's interesting details about negotiating and I liked the Grand Central setting. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. While it's the latest in a series, it will be just fine as a standalone.

We were never going to meet in the middle.’

A word of advice for Gemma and Sean when they attempt a redo of their first real date: Netflix and chill. Anything else would definitely be hazardous to their health at least and most certainly life threatening! In this thrilling, fast paced attempt at dinner, they find themselves on the wrong end of a hostage situation in Grand Central Station. As hostages they have to use their wits (And eventually this fists) to save them and a dozen others while the other five Capello’s and the A-Team struggle to find a way to stop the suicide bomber and his cohorts from decimating another chunk of New York City and taking all of them with them.

Instead of negotiating for others, Gemma is negotiating for hers and Sean's lives.

This series is such a fast paced, high stakes read. Told from a unique police perspective, a negotiator. It's fast paced and adrenaline filled from start to finish. I was on the edge of my seat from almost the start and rooting for Gemma and Sean. I was so pleased they were finally trying to date (again) and that made the stakes ever higher. Trying to not disclose they are together as they try and diffuse the situation and save everyone, including each other.

Grand Central Terminal is such an iconic setting that added to the plot. I've been there and can somewhat picture it. The author goes into such detail about their surroundings as the plot unfolds.

Both characters get to use their strengths to try and keep each other safe. I really felt right there in the middle of it and at times i was holding my breath.

I am known for liking police procedurals, but this one really took things up a level. Such a fantastic read.

A night out for Gemma and Logan for a wonderful dinner quickly becomes the stuff of nightmares when armed men take over Grand Central Terminal. The beginning pages are gruesome and terrifying as these armed men slaughter men and women alike. Chaos is all around, but Gemma and Logan keep their heads and use their training to help save several people. Gemma is a top notch negotiator with the NYPD and Logan is a part of a elite crew of officers that are called when lives are in danger. These are two of the best the NYPD has to offer. She is the brain and he is the muscle. Together they are the perfect ones for the job.

After the bullets stop flying, Gemma and Logan realize they need to hide their identity as officers of the law, but they can still use their personal skill sets to hopefully bring this horrifying event to an end without any further loss of life.

The tension was at the red level and the suspense of wondering how they were going to get out of this horrible situation was enough to cause me to tense up while reading it, so much so that I had a sore neck afterward. It was well worth the sore neck and sleepless night to see these two in action.

This author's attention to details about the scenery, the characters, police procedures, etc. make this book come alive. I could almost smell the toxic odor from the gunfire and feel the fear of the hostages. The possible realism of this book makes it even more frightening. Danger, action and high level police procedures make this book an entertaining book to dive into. Let's just say these guys picked the wrong day to take over this terminal because two of their hostages are fearless, highly intelligent and highly skilled in human behavior. This is book #4 in this series, and every one is just as good as the one before. This is a series, and you do not have to read the other books.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, the author and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Very good book!

On their way to a "real" date (years after they broke up), Gemma Capello and Sean Logan are crossing Grand Central Station when a group of 3 terrorists start shooting and take over the station. Since both are sworn police officers, their instinct is to take down the terrorists but they have to stay alive to do so!

Gemma is brave. She's been through this situation once already in her life, when she was 10, she and her mother were caught up in an attack. Unfortunately that didn't turn out very well, and Gemma feels the pain every day, but not more than today while re-living it. Despite her PTSD, she has to think quick and find a way to get a message out. Her whole family is in law enforcement, she knows they are there to support her.

Both Gemma and Logan were hoping for an exciting evening together, but this wasn't exactly the kind of excitement they were looking forward to! This was a fast-moving, well-written, sit on the edge of your seat kind of novel. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Terminal Impasse is the fourth book to the NYPD Negotiators series and it does not disappoint. This one follows Gemma who ends up working undercover after she is taken as a captive after a group of paramilitary is threatening to destroy Grand Central Terminal. The book is a suspenful page turner from beginning to end. This author did a great job writing this book and all of the characters in this are great. Thank you to the Author and NetGalley for this great read in exchange of my honest review of Terminal Impasse.

Gemma and Sean passing through classic Grand Central Station in New York on the way to dinner when they hear shots fired. Both being on the police force their training kicks in and they immediately try to save people while also getting as much info about the shooters as they can. Over the next few hours the two work to end the hostage situation and limit loss of life. Gemma is someone I could immediately relate to and root for. I’m nothing like Gemma but I admired her cool approach. The reader also gets insights into police training from Gemma and Sean, which I found fascinating. A book you won’t want to put down!

Gemma and Logan are finally going on that date they have been promising each other for ages - to see if there is something worth pursuing and if they might have a future together.

As they enter Central Station, however, their world is forever changed. Mercenaries have taken over the station, killed people in horrific ways and now they are part of a hostage group.

How the heck are they going to get out of this situation? One of the hostage takers has C4 strapped to his body and a dead man's switch in his hand, and there are two other guys, heavily armed, who don't seem to be playing games either. If these guys find out Gemma and Logan are law enforcement, they are dead. Then there are the other hostages to take into account and to keep safe. Tricky situation all round!

This entire book was an incredibly fast-paced, thrilling roller-coaster ride and I loved every page of it! I even took my Kindle with me to the theatre so that I could continue reading over intermission, it was that good.

Can't wait for the next book in this series.

5 stars from me.

Gemma and Sean are finally on a date...which had been a long time coming. As they are passing through Grand Central Terminal, shots ring out. Now they're trapped in a hostage situation, and they are without weapons and their teams. Luckily, Gemma is a seasoned hostage negotiator and Sean is a detective with the Apprehension Tactical Team and they both know how to keep cool under pressure. But it will still take all of their combined skills to get through this, stop the hostage takers, and save their fellow hostages.

Wowsers! I was on the edge of my seat while reading this one! It's interesting, fast-paced, thrilling, dangerous, and captivating. I adore Gemma and Sean so much. They make a great team. And maybe one day they'll actually get to go on that date.
Highly recommend!

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Off for a lovely dinner and an enjoyable evening together, Detective Gemma Capello and Detective Sean Logan are in for a rude surprise. With the restaurant not far away, they are enjoying the ambiance of strolling through Grand Central Terminal in NYC. Plenty of folks rushing to get to their destinations, and yet this time together brought only the company and the beauty of the surroundings to their attention. Until….machine gun firing.

This story kept me fixated until I reached the end, not knowing if I should expect Gemma and Sean to even survive. Reading this is perhaps best done where you can look out the window in between to keep yourself grounded. You do not want to miss NYPD Negotiators #4! An early copy was received through Kensington Publishing Corp. and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

(4.5 stars, rounded up)
Sara Driscoll knows how to write a page-turner! Terminal Impasse puts NYPD negotiator Gemma Capello right in the heart of the action. She is out on a date with her maybe-boyfriend, fellow officer Sean Logan, and they are passing through Grand Central Terminal on their way to dinner nearby when shots ring out. Instead of being outside the action, negotiating with a hostage-taker, Gemma finds herself as a hostage herself, along with Sean. Her challenge is to convince the perpetrators that she’s an experienced business negotiator (the two of them don’t dare let the perpetrators know that they are cops) and can help them get what they want, while providing coded hints to the actual negotiating team. I was fascinated by how she did this.

This series is always an exciting story, told from the unique perspective of a police negotiator, and this book is no exception. I didn’t want to put it down and finished it over two days - and it only took that long because I had other things I needed to do! I love Grand Central Terminal and am familiar with it, but not to the extent that Driscoll writes. Her attention to detail is superb. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in this magnificent space, you will feel like you are there.

I’ve read two of the three earlier books in this series and I feel you could read this as a standalone. Driscoll harks back to earlier events here and there, but they don’t impact the current plot directly. Of course, you wouldn’t have all the backstory but she provides enough information for a newcomer to the series. Gemma is a member of a large Italian family with a lot of other police officers (her dad and three of her four brothers - the fourth brother is a firefighter!). Gemma and Sean come off as real people, not cardboard stereotypes.

I can’t wait to see what’s next for Gemma and Sean!

Thank you to the author, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

So much for Gemma and Sean having a date night. As they are walking through Grand Central Terminal, gunfire erupts. And of course, they fall into full law enforcement mode. I loved the premise of this story which had these two caught up as hostages but also using their experience to try and help guide the outcome. There was plenty of tension as they tried to keep their relationship as well as professions under wraps.

This story is filled with suspense, emotional ups and downs, and camaraderie. It took the whole hostage negotiation team as well as others, to bring a resolution to the situation.

Terminal Impasse
Sara Driscoll
May 27, 2025

Out for a pleasant dinner date, Gemma and Sean are working their way through Grand Central Station. Suddenly the unthinkable happens. Guns fire, locals drop, and the duo hide.This beginning is a terrifying story of the way paramilitary groups function. Hostages are taken and tied. The war begins. This is book 4 in Sara Driscoll’s NYPD Negotiators series.
Terminal Impasse will be published by Kensington Books on May 27, 2025. I was able to read Driscoll’s latest novel via NetGalley. As usual her Negotiators series is tough to read. Once again she develops the scene and plot by using a great deal of research. I say little about the actual story line as the reader must follow the horrific order that plays out. This book is an excellent study in what can happen under such conditions, one I pray I am never involved in.

Thanks, @netgalley , the author & publisher for the ARC.

This is apparently the 4th book in the NYPD Negotiators series and I'm gutted that this is the first I've heard about it, because if the other 3 are as good as this, then I'm in for a real treat! Apparently, they can all be read as standalones
It's a real, proper nail-biting thriller that did, in part, have me on the edge of my seat, and it was nice to read something a bit different from my usual crime thriller books! I had to stop myself from binge reading!
I am definitely looking forward to the next book!

5/5 stars: This is the fourth entry in Driscoll's NYPD Negotiators series, which is a Police Procedural Mystery Thriller that features a NYPD hostage negotiator and her tactical officer colleague who must hide their identities while working to save themselves and their fellow hostages after a paramilitary group threatens to blow up Grand Central Terminal. Working fast and smart, the negotiator persuades the deadly trio's leader, who's wearing a bomb vest and is threatening to detonate it and other explosives if their imprisoned fellow soldiers aren't released, to allow her to negotiate with law enforcement. As she earns their trust, her male colleague plots to free himself to take on the gunmen. But time is running out; the abductors are growing more impatient and violent with every passing moment. With their NYPD colleagues on the outside, the duo must use all their negotiation experience and tactical skills to prevent the situation from escalating into a bloodbath. With plenty of twists and turns, Driscoll writes a gripping fast-paced investigative tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. I really like how Driscoll's plot unfolds and the deft way everything weaves together so effortlessly. Told in multiple POVs, Driscoll's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Gemma even under this intense situation. And I love seeing her working with (Sean) Logan and seeing them coming to terms with past events. Additionally, I love Gemma's family and it's great to see them and her NYPD team and colleagues working together to end the deadly situation. With tact and sensitivity, Driscoll tackles some sensitive topics, so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Exit Strategy. Driscoll's a favorite author and I can't recommend this series enough!

I received this eARC thanks to Kensington Publishing | Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This is a fantastic series! I was a bit behind in the series, so I went back and caught up before jumping into Terminal Impasse. Each book focuses on a different hostage situation and certainly can be read as a standalone, but each book is so much better if you’ve started the series from the beginning. This is one of those books that keeps you riveted to the very end! In this installment Gemma Capello and Sean Logan, an NYPD hostage negotiator and an elite NYPD assault team officer, become hostages in a terrorist attack at Grand Central Terminal. In order to save themselves and the other hostages they’ll need to figure out how they can use their individual skills to diffuse the situation. The attention to detail in setting, negotiation processes and how negotiators and assault teams work together to end hostage situations, makes this series an intense, suspenseful, riveting reading experience!

NYPD negotiator Gemma Capello and her date, SWAT team member Sean Logan are cutting through Grand Central Terminal when the shooting starts. They and a number of other survivors are taken hostage by armed terrorists, one of whom is wearing an explosive vest. Faced with the terrorists’ impossible demand and a rapidly approaching deadline, Gemma and Sean must find a way to save themselves and the other hostages.

This fast paced thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. I read it in one afternoon because I couldn’t put it down.

My Review
☆☆☆☆☆

Terminal impasse.
Sarah driscoll.

It's friday night date night. Walking through new york terminal, leisurely, and then all of a sudden, everything explodes.
Danger everywhere. Like no other.
Hostages are taken.

Hostage takers want things that are impossible, ready to take a life if they don't get what they want. At moments things heat up between the hostage takers.

Will the hostage takers get what they want or will everyone die. This book grabs you and doesn't let go. I must say my favorite book by driscoll so far.

Driscoll, writes books that are simply phenomenal. They pull you in from the beginning and , don't let you go.
Absolute must read. Never been disappointed from any book.I've read of this authors.
Her books are phenomenal.Terminal impasse.
Sarah driscoll

Jen J. Danna
I absolutely loved this.
Thank you.