59 Minutes
The most unmissable and heart-wrenching ‘what would you do?’ thriller of 2026
$24.37
- Paperback
352 pages
- Release Date
24 December 2025
Summary
PICKED BY THE GUARDIAN AS ONE OF THE BEST RECENT CRIME AND THRILLER NOVELS
‘Unreal and unforgettable’ Lisa Jewell
‘Genuinely blew me away’ Clare Mackintosh
‘Bold as hell’ Gillian McAllister
‘A gut punch of a novel’ Jennie Godfrey
If you knew you had fifty-nine minutes until everything and everyone you love would be lost forever, what would you do with tha…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781398709492 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1398709492 |
| Author: | Holly Seddon |
| Publisher: | Orion Publishing Co |
| Imprint: | Orion |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 352 |
| Release Date: | 24 December 2025 |
| Weight: | 248g |
| Dimensions: | 194mm x 128mm x 28mm |
You Can Find This Book In
What They're Saying
Critics Review
Genuinely blew me away. What a novel! I have always loved Holly’s writing, but she has truly levelled up - I was completely gripped. 59 Minutes is a race-against-time thriller, but it’s so much more than that. It tugged on my heartstrings and had me close to tears on more than one occasion. Impossible to put down. – Clare Mackintosh
A gut punch of a novel. Set primarily in the fifty-nine minutes prior to a nuclear strike, it poses the question ‘what would you do?’ and the answers feel all too plausible, from the terrifying to the wonderful. I held my breath for most of it, but ended up finding this as moving and reflective as it was suspenseful. – Jennie Godfrey
A big-hearted book that pulses with adrenaline on every page. Holly Seddon is at the top of her game as she shows us the absolute best and the absolute worst of humanity. Stop what you’re doing and read it. – Erin Kelly
Part thriller, part love story, 59 Minutes is a tender contemplation of what it means to be human in the face of an extinction-level event. Peopled with characters whose lives matter from the very first moment, Holly Seddon perfectly captures the panicked, messy chaos of trying to reach loved ones in time. – Fiona Cummins
Some thrillers thrill, but 59 Minutes will change the way you think about humanity. Universal, challenging, and bold as hell: it’s going to take over the world. – Gillian McAllister
A race against the clock thriller that packs a huge punch. I was desperate to find out what happened to the group of characters whose lives Holly draws us into so brilliantly from the very first page. Such an original premise - bravo.
– Nikki SmithA tense and captivating read, with strong female leads and a cast of characters that I cared about deeply.
– Lisa BallantyneAmazing premise, truly relatable characters, brilliant twist. Bravo! – Jenny Blackhurst
It’s one thing to have an incredible idea (which this is) but another to execute it like this. I cared so much about the characters. And the twist… F*CK ME. So clever. – Deborah O’Connor
Utterly chilling, propulsive and thought-provoking - 59 Minutes is a page-turner and a must-read. * Mark Edwards *
Fresh, original, powerful and thought-provoking, I raced through this clever novel, desperate to find out what was going on and how it would all come together. Wonderful. * Andrea Mara *
This fast paced book grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let you go until you know what’s happened. I raced through this highly original thriller with a heart in no time. * Heidi Perks *
Beautifully written and utterly terrifying, 59 Minutes is the very definition of a page turner. As three different women deal with the news that a nuclear attack has been launched on the south of England, Seddon shows us the very best and worst of humanity. I read this in one sitting, my heart in my mouth. Bold, thought-provoking and unexpected. – Heather Critchlow
This was on another level! I read it so hard and so fast that the pages fell out. An unreal and unforgettable reading experience in every way * Lisa Jewell *
Immersive, intense and utterly unique, this is a thrill ride that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go. Masterful! * Ellery Lloyd *
Some thrillers thrill, but 59 Minutes will change the way you think about humanity. Universal, challenging, and bold as hell; it’s going to take over the world. * Gillian McAllister *
Compelling from the first page, 59 Minutes cleverly unravels the chaos of a nuclear alert, tapping into the darkest fears and anxieties of our modern world. It is an unforgettable and deeply emotional journey with some brilliant surprises along the way.
* Lesley Kara *About The Author
Holly Seddon
Holly Seddon is the international bestselling author of TRY NOT TO BREATHE, DON’T CLOSE YOUR EYES, LOVE WILL TEAR US APART and THE HIT LIST.
After growing up in the English countryside obsessed with music and books, Holly worked in London as a journalist and editor. She now lives in Kent with her family and writes full time.
Alongside fellow author Gillian McAllister, Holly co-hosts the popular Honest Authors Podcast. You can find her on Twitter @hollyseddon, Instagram and Facebook @hollyseddonauthor.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.