Social media users must decide hostage fates in this suspense novel

by Shuyler Clark

This suspense novel explores the ethics of artificial intelligence, online anonymity masking people’s true feelings, and determining who is most valuable to society. Image credit: amazon.com

This novel is set In the near future, with automated vehicles dominating the roadways in many countries, replacing most driver-controlled cars. Although this development is touted as the safer alternative, many are skeptical of the reliance on artificial intelligence (AI). Their suspicions are confirmed when eight vehicles in England are hacked and the Passengers’ plights are broadcast on television. With two and a half hours and an ultimatum to save only one of the Passengers, a jury, assisted by the voices of social media, must make a decision, thus revealing the biases within each other.

John Marrs’ suspense novel The Passengers serves as a commentary on many issues, including the ethics of relying on AI, the ways in which anonymity on the internet unmasks people’s true feelings, and how we determine who is most valuable to society. In executing this, Marrs presents the perspectives of six of the eight Passengers as well as that of Libby Dixon, one of the jurors determining the Passengers’ fates. 

Although the initial focus seems to be on the Passengers, a large chunk of the book follows Libby in her attempts to save as many Passengers as possible. Most of the Passengers are hiding past wrongdoings, something the vehicle hackers use to sway the populace into voting against them. The swapping between Libby’s perspective and that of the Passengers provides a nuanced look into the morally gray area of the Passengers’ actions, contrasting with how the public views them despite minimal context. As a result, the focus on Libby’s perspective provides a realistic look at how most people would make judgments in similar situations, and that focus does not overly dominate the Passengers’ perspectives.

That said, Marrs’ commentary tends to wander between his points. While the initial set-up suggests the book will focus mostly on whether or not society should rely on automation, it soon veers into how social media users are quick to target and harass individuals while reveling in the chaos. Adjusting the balance between these ideas would make a more well-rounded story and could provoke more consideration of how society might integrate automation in real life.

In relation to this commentary, some of the story beats outright contradict each other. For instance, Marrs establishes that in this future, a company dedicated to matching soul mates has almost completely eradicated bigotry by using genetics to match people of different races and genders. However, this development is almost immediately undermined by the choice of which Passenger the populace chooses to eliminate first. While sadly predictable, it seems out of place with the society Marrs has established, further confusing his criticisms.

Regardless of these flaws, The Passengers delivers a suspenseful narrative that offers readers an opportunity to reflect on the ideas Marrs presents. Fans of moral grayness and high-stakes conflict will enjoy this novel.

“Reading Between the Lines” columnist and SCN board of directors member Shuyler Clark

Shuyler Clark is a graduate of Stockbridge High School and Lansing Community College. When she is not reading or writing, she can be found snuggling with her birds.