A former flight attendant turned successful thriller author has uncovered a terrifying security flaw that she fears could trigger a nuclear apocalypse.
New York Times bestselling author TJ Newman, 41, came up with the idea for her latest book, “Worst Case Scenario,” after asking pilots to share their worst fears.
A pilot told her that he was often afraid that a plane could crash into a nuclear power plant. This “laid the foundation for her third novel,” says Newman.
She soon began investigating his fear to find out if “his fears were justified” and soon discovered that although reactors – the heart of nuclear power plants – are hardened, the material stored outside the reactors could trigger a major disaster.
“The research scared me a lot, and it became clear very quickly that the premise of the book was completely plausible,” she said.
New York Times bestselling author TJ Newman, 41, recently released her latest thriller novel, Worst Case Scenario, a book about a terrifying security breach that causes a nuclear apocalypse
She soon realized that although reactors – the heart of nuclear power plants – are hardened, the material stored outside the reactors could cause a major disaster.
In the novel, which hit theaters on August 13, a massive airplane crashes into a nuclear power plant near the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, killing about 300 passengers.
After the plane crash, the power plant appears to have largely survived the impact. But cracks and leaks are soon discovered in the spent fuel storage facilities, exposing the entire Mississippi Valley to a nuclear threat.
Newman, who worked as a flight attendant for 10 years, said The Orange County Register that writing this book was not easy for her and that she often became emotional while doing so.
“This time it wasn’t so difficult,” she says. “There are a lot of vulnerabilities in a nuclear power plant that I didn’t know about and that really shocked me,” she said.
Newman explained that through her research, she discovered that the largest power plant in the United States is located right near her home in Arizona.
She added that there are about 94 nuclear power plants across the country and that “the average citizen” would have no idea what to do if a disaster were to occur at one of them.
Newman, who worked as a flight attendant for 10 years, told the Orange County Register that writing the book was not easy and that she often became emotional in the process.
The novelist noted that although many people believe these facilities are fenced or encased in concrete, “some of the most dangerous materials are stored outside of fences in truly unfortified buildings.”
However, the Phoenix-based journalist told DailyMail.com that this is the most extreme sequence of events that could take place in the sky and that the most likely disruptions travelers would experience would be mild turbulence.
She said that first and foremost, the first safety measure anyone can take is to wear a seatbelt.
Even though it may seem like they are complaining, Newman said it is always “imperative to follow the instructions of crew members” and they are “on board for one reason: safety.”
Newman continued the same suggestion, adding: “Familiarize yourself with the aircraft’s exits and emergency equipment, then you will not hesitate in the unlikely event of an evacuation.”
“You already know which direction to go. The difference in these seconds could save your life.”
The novelist noted that although many people believe these facilities are fenced or covered with concrete, “some of the most dangerous materials are stored outside the fencing in truly unfortified buildings.”
When asked why she chose to set her new book outside an airplane rather than inside like her first two novels, Falling and Drowning, she explained that she wanted to get out of her comfort zone.
Although she had her reservations about the change, she said she had received “overwhelmingly positive” reactions so far.
“This book was a tough test for me. It was emotionally the most difficult book I have ever written.
“And, no spoilers, but I’m not always happy with how things end for the characters. It breaks my heart. I grieve, I mourn for them,” she said.
Newman added that her first two books were a great help in writing “Worst Case Scenario.”
Newman, who recently embarked on a book tour for her new novel, said she is not actually afraid of flying, even though she writes extreme thrillers about terrifying flights.
Her first two books are currently being made into films: “Falling” at Universal Pictures and “Drowning” at Warner Brothers.
She announced that Paul Greengrass, creator of “United 93” and “The Bourne Supremacy,” will direct “Drowning.”
Newman, who recently embarked on a book tour for her new novel, said she often feels the desire to help the airline crew.
“It’s still weird for me to just sit there and have a drink served to me instead of serving them,” Newman admitted.
For now, however, she is making sure to secure a window seat on the plane to enjoy the view and think of more story ideas, she said.
