This was an entertaining dual timeline story about a Cold War scientist attempting the impossible and two teens who stumble on a present day threat. This started strong but wandered a bit half way through. All in all, a fun read! Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this one.

3.5 Stars raised to 4 due to the historical descriptions. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Departure 37 by Scott Carson. I had not read anything by the author, but I purchased his previous book as I enjoy his writing style. This was a fascinating and unique story, well-written and thoroughly researched. The book's description categorizes it as horror/terror, but I struggle to fit it into that category. It is based on historical fact and fiction/and SciFi. It is a thriller that combines suspense and tension. I found parts confusing, and it took me longer than usual to read. I had to stop and ponder some of the passages, rereading parts.

The story begins in the present day with a baffling puzzle. Hundreds of pilots receive late-night phone calls from their mothers, warning them not to fly the following day. Their mothers deny making the calls, and some of them were dead. This was part of a government conspiracy to shut down air travel on the next day.
The story is told in two timelines, 1962 and 2025. In 1962, during the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, a physicist named Martin Higgins made a remarkable, far-fetched discovery. His specialty was meteorology and atmospheric science. His research was so bizarre that it gave the story an eerie atmosphere. Cuba was in the process of being overtaken by the Soviet Union. I remember the event and the worry caused by the Cuban Missile Crisis when American forces were confronting Soviet vessels bound for Cuba. People were frightened and relieved when it was announced that the Russians had turned back. Due to the race, Higgins never had time to fully understand the explanation of how his discovery worked. The government put it to use almost immediately. There were fictional plans to send a plane with a nuclear weapon to bomb Cuba.

I will not say much about his bizarre invention, except that it was an implausible tale involving time travel using planes, and the possibility of bringing them back. The military and AI experts search for answers, and the government is busy with a cover-up. Following Higgins' experiment, some planes vanish, and the government agencies declare they have crashed, killing those onboard.

In the present day, Charlie is a 17-year-old girl living along the coast of Maine. An old, abandoned airfield and naval base are nearby. She finds an old balloon carrying an unusual object and a message from 1962. She meets some people from the past. Her explanations of historical changes since 1962, along with her use of an iPad and iPhone, keep them dumbfounded. She is intelligent, brave, and wants to learn what is happening and why. She finds her search for the truth places her life in jeopardy.

Highly recommended for its accurate portrayal of historical events in the early 1960s, and how it is tied in with the present. There are some twists that will keep prospective readers entertained, as well as hints of espionage and citizens being kept in the dark. Publication is scheduled for August 5/2025.

Scott Carson's Departure 37 is a thrilling ride that blends elements of science fiction, historical fiction, and suspense, making it a unique addition to his repertoire. It's a bit of a departure from the traditional horror I've come to know and love, so that may surprise some folks. The good news is that it certainly delivers an entertaining experience.

The pacing of the book picks up significantly in the latter chapters, creating a sense of urgency that keeps readers engaged. For the most part, the narrative maintains a non-stop momentum, which is a hallmark of Carson's writing style.

One of the features of Departure 37 is its use of two timelines. Each timeline is crafted with care, offering distinct and entertaining perspectives that enrich the overall story. This narrative structure adds depth and complexity, allowing readers to jump from timeline to timeline in an engaging way.

I appreciated the nod to Carson's previous work, Lost Man's Lane. This connection doesn't really add to the story, but those types of easter eggs always make me smile.

So, while Departure 37 may not top my list of Carson's works, it remains a captivating read that showcases his talent for storytelling. If you're a fan of genre-blending narratives with a fast-paced plot, this book is definitely worth picking up. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for this free book Atria Books @atriabooks Netgalley @netgalley and Scott Carson @scottcarsonauthor
“Departure 37” by Scott Carson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♉️🉐Genre: Thriller/Time Travel. Location & Time: Crane, Indiana USA 1961-62, and Ash Point, Maine USA, 2025.

One October day, 100s of pilots refuse to fly, triggering a complete ground stop in the USA. The pilots all received disturbing, middle-of-the-night calls from their mothers, and each mother had an urgent request: “Do not fly today”. But none of the mothers remember calling them—and some of the mothers are dead. Meanwhile, on the Maine coast, Charlie (16) just wants to move back to Brooklyn-her dad’s craft brewery by an old airfield is a disaster. Now she watches a strange, silvery balloon drift across the water. Her Maine home is ground zero for a story that began in 1962 at a remote Indiana naval base when physicist Martin Hazelton discovered something extraordinary and deadly. Hazelton wanted time to understand it, but secret government agencies pressured him into a Cold War race.

Author Carson has written a book that meshes forgotten Cold War mysteries with a speculative impact on today. He uses dual timelines and characters to weave Cold War espionage, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, into contemporary issues. I found the 2025 timeline more engaging than the 1962 timeline, but maybe that’s because I already lived through the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. On the other hand, he definitely gave me some new areas for thought regarding the Cold War! Carson’s dialogue and descriptions are timely and relevant: (2025: “…you’re alarmed by the wrong things. Your capacity for alarm has exceeded the demand.” “Give me 1 example.” “Pronouns”); (1962: “…but this was autumn of 1962, the season of distrust, wariness worn like perfume.”)
Stephen King calls this book“scary and perfect”, so I knew I couldn’t go wrong picking it up! It’s 4 stars from me 📚👩🏼‍🦳#departure37 #scottcarson

In 1962 I was eleven years old and I will never forget the intense anxiety and fear that everyone around me felt during the 13 day Cuban crisis. Everyone was just waiting for Russia to launch a nuclear bomb at the United States. This was a time when fallout shelters, drills and talk of WWIII was a constant threat to all.
Reading Departure 37 has brought me back to that scary time. It is a story about government secrets and nuclear experimentation that went on in the 1960’s without the general public’s knowledge. I somehow thought I was going to be reading a book about a plane that disappeared. It definitely is about a missing B52 bomber plane,
but there is much more to this story.
There a definite fantasy “twilight zone” subject matter here. I say that, but who knows what is truth or fantasy in today’s world. There may be many scientific advancements and government secrets that we are all unaware of.
I did enjoy the book. The story line was interesting. It certainly brought me back to my unsettling and anxious childhood . Perhaps we have all become desensitized to the fact that our world could end in a matter of minutes depending on those who have their finger on the nuclear button.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy. This is my own opinion.

I loved Lost Man's Lane so I was excited to read this one but I felt mislead from the synopsis. This was not a horror story! The phone calls were creepy but they were explained right away, which i found disappointing because it took away the creep factor. The story was good and Carson's writing style superb. I liked the coming of age aspect. The past timeline was bogged down with science and slowed the plot down for me at times.

Departure 37 opens with every pilot in America getting a call from their mother, telling them “Do not fly today.” Yes, every mother, even ones that are no longer alive! Thus begins an amazing novel that combines sci-fi with a coming-of-age that knocked my socks off. The book was a little clunky in the first few chapters as the science was explained that would be used throughout the book, but once the story got going, it never stopped.

A dual timeline story centering around two teens in 2025 and the lives of those involved in Project Kingmaker in 1962, during the height of the cold war between America and the Soviet Union. I love stories with two timelines and usually like one of the stories better than the other, but this book was different in that I loved both equally. I was completely invested in how it would all work out and can’t recommend this book highly enough!

This book is my favorite book of 2025 so far. Go pick it up right now…what are you waiting for?!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked from the first chapter. I felt that Departure 37 read a little more like a science fiction vs a horror. Maybe that's just me? I did find that enjoyed the present day chapters a little more than the flashbacks. I think I preferred the characters in that timeline a little more. I wish there would have been more Abe - especially at the end. I really enjoyed this. It was well done. The mixing of true events with fiction was seamless. I feel like I may be part of a conspiracy now. The negative that I found is that towards the back half of the story it did feel like it started to lag a little bit. But that is minor.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The publisher’s blurb says it’s a “horror meets coming of age” story. This unlikely combination of genres really does an injustice to the book I read. While the book has its share of suspense, there is very little I would classify as horror (and that's a good thing, at least for me). As far as the “coming of age” description, yes, the female protagonist is 16 and yes, she is chomping at the bit to leave her small town and make her own life, but her actions throughout the book paint her as a mature teenager with a lot of smarts and deductive ability. All of this is to say that I would classify the book as science fiction/suspense, with a dual timeline/historical fiction element.

Good science fiction writers are able to use scientific elements in a way that can engage both the science buff and the people like me who find science a foreign language. This book was only moderately successful at this. The dual timeline helped the reader understand the decisions that were made in 1962 and the effect those decisions had on the world in 2025 (it is *so* hard to write this without spoilers!). But it got into the weeds a lot. It didn’t help my understanding that there were elements of the scientist’s work in 1962 which worked, some elements he didn’t know if they were successful or not, and other elements that played out completely differently in 2025 because the world had changed so much. I ended up,with a lot of questions that I didn’t feel were adequately answered.

The highlight of this book for me was the development of the main characters in both time periods. All of them were extremely bright, but sensitive people who did their job as best they could given the circumstances.

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have read and enjoyed Scott Carson in the past, but unfortunately Departure 37 felt like it was written by a completely different author. The writing felt a little juvenile and the pacing was off.

If you like a military thriller- this one is for you! This book was a wild ride, full of conspiracy theories brought to life, and twists at every corner.

Dual timelines keep you guessing, and the writing is well researched and interesting. The use of very real components past and present make this a harrowing thriller that fills you with existential dread.

Thank you @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the privilege of reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Scott Carson novel and won't be the last. I couldn't put it down. Loved the main character Charlie. I don't want to give anything away other than to say I recommend for those who enjoy historical fiction, thrillers, and science fiction.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.

I think this is science fiction, historical fiction a little like horror all rolled up into one! For sure this author never disappoints! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Scott Carson's "Departure 37" grabbed me from its opening premise—pilots across the country receiving warning calls from their mothers, some of whom are already dead. The cold prickle that ran down my spine wasn't from supernatural horror but from something far more relevant: the terrifying potential of deepfake technology in our increasingly AI-dominated world.

Carson masterfully blends time travel, advanced technology, and shadowy government agencies in one neat package. The speculative department pulling strings behind the scenes felt unnervingly plausible—as if pulled from tomorrow's headlines rather than fiction.

The dual timeline structure worked brilliantly for me. I was equally invested in the Cold War scientist's story—his connection to the mysterious plane disappearance unfolding like a classified file being slowly declassified—and the teenage girl whose sharp perceptions threaten to expose secrets that powerful people desperately want buried. The tension between these narratives created a tightening noose of suspense that had me reading late into the night.

Despite being marketed alongside horror, this struck me as pure science fiction with historical roots. The terror doesn't come from supernatural elements but from the all-too-possible applications of technology we're already developing. I kept thinking about who actually controls these advancements—the faces we see, or unseen powers calculating moves on a board most of us don't even know exists.

The moments when these timelines intersected hit me with unexpected emotional force. Carson creates a thought-provoking exploration of how our past connects to our future through technology's double-edged sword—promising connection while enabling unprecedented deception.

My special thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for my advance review copies.All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Departure 37 is a genre-defying, spine tingling, heck of a good time! It has a little something for everyone; sci-fi, action, adventure, coming-of-age, and even a smidge of romance. There are dual timelines, which keeps the pacing tight and the tension even tighter. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in 2 days. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. 4.25 stars

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

The blurb says this is a horror coming of age story. I disagree that it’s a horror novel, but it’s propulsive and entertaining nonetheless. Scott Carson is masterful at crafting a unique, entertaining story, but he can go a bit overboard on details. Some of the sci-fi elements went over my head and I found myself skimming. Overall, a solid book and I’ll continue to look forward to reading whatever comes next from Carson.

This was a good book, although not what I was expecting. It seems to be marketed as horror, but it more of a science fiction/spy thriller type of novel. Scott Carson is a good writer, and some of the historical information was very intriguing and added a nice layer to the novel. There are dual timelines, and those were also an interesting way to tell the story. I'll definitely be reading more of Scott Carson's work.

Thank you, as always, to the publisher for the ARC! I saw this get blurbed by the master, Stephen King, and I had to look it up. This was my first time reading Carson, and I am definitely going to check out his other novels! Excellent dual timeline thriller story perfect for thriller/mystery fans!

I don’t read horror. I’m a total chicken. The only Stephen King book I’ve ever read is 11/22/63, which is not horror. I’ve never seen Jaws, The Exorcist, you name it. So why did I pick this book, despite the publisher characterizing it as horror? Because I’m from Maine and I’m a big Cold War buff—and I just had a feeling this wasn’t really the kind of super scary horror stuff I can’t deal with. And I was right. So if you’re also a big chicken about horror, don’t let that prevent you from reading this if the description otherwise appeals to you. This is basically a historical thriller with a dual timeline, one in the present and one (mostly) during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Teenage girl Charlie has been reluctantly taken from her home in Brooklyn to move with her father to a tiny coastal town called Ash Point in Downeast Maine. Her father is working to open a combination brewpub and museum featuring a mysterious plane crash that took place in the 1960s. One day, Charlie sees a big silver balloon float to the plane crash site and she hurries there, where she has a frighteningly inexplicable experience.

The mysterious events of today have their roots near Bloomington, Indiana, in 1962, where experimental physicist Al Hazleton is exploring ways to shield airplanes from the radiation from nuclear blasts. He is not only successful, but he also finds a way to make planes disobey the usual rules of time and space. But how can he ensure his discovery is used for good rather than as yet another tool in the ever-escalating worldwide weapons race?

This is a nice mix of a coming-of-age story and historical thriller, with moments of high tension and heartfelt emotion.