If You Like Manifest, You’ll Love This Epic Sci-Fi Thriller By The Show’s Creator

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Created by Jeff Rake, Manifest is considered one of the most captivating science fiction shows of recent years. It first aired on NBC in 2018 and ran for three seasons before being canceled. However, thanks to a dedicated fan campaign, Netflix picked up the series. Manifest quickly became a hit on Netflix, achieving high viewership and concluding with a well-received fourth and final season.

Manifest was a compelling show that skillfully combined science fiction, mystery, and realistic drama. It followed the passengers and crew of a plane that vanished, only to reappear five years later. The series explored the emotional impact of being missing for so long, while also unraveling the enigma of what happened to the flight. Now, the show’s creator, Jeff Rake, is back with another story that expertly mixes futuristic concepts with relatable human struggles.

Detour Follows in Manifest’s Footsteps in the Best Possible Way

Rake collaborated with bestselling author Rob Hart (known for The Warehouse and the Ash McKenna series) to create Detour, a story that starts with a premise similar to the TV show Manifest (available on Amazon). However, the situation quickly escalates when a test flight to Titan encounters major problems. The crew returns to Earth, but something feels off – and fans of science fiction will likely realize this involves alternate realities, a popular theme right now. Detour stands out as a unique multiverse story, prioritizing compelling characters and their journeys over complex time travel explanations.

“Detour” is an unexpectedly engaging book. While the story’s destination is hinted at from the beginning, the authors, Rake and Hart, dedicate a significant portion of the narrative to character development and world-building. This deliberate pacing allows readers to truly connect with the characters and experience the emotional impact of their journey, making their eventual return to Earth as jarring for the audience as it is for them. The book utilizes familiar multiverse concepts – characters reflecting on pivotal “what if” moments – but cleverly avoids predictable outcomes and easy resolutions.

Despite the complex premise, Detour excels by cleverly revealing information to the reader that the characters don’t yet know, immediately establishing the vastness of what’s happening. This creates a real sense of scale, as it quickly becomes apparent that traveling between universes isn’t without serious repercussions – it threatens the very structure of reality. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe explores similar ideas with its interdimensional travel, Detour handles them more effectively, grounding the cosmic stakes in deeply personal terms.

Detour’s Hook Shows How To Do A Multiverse Story Well

To be upfront, Detour isn’t quite like Manifest. While that show balanced mystery with character development and featured large-scale surprises, Detour doesn’t rely on those elements, especially for viewers who’ve seen similar stories about multiple universes. However, Detour excels where bigger, more extravagant stories often fall short – it focuses on the characters themselves. The creators, Rake and Hart, spend considerable time exploring each character’s inner world, building a compelling story about an unusual space crew who must lean on each other while facing a reality that feels subtly and strangely off.

The story benefits from a compelling central figure—though he’s not a typical villain. The mission is funded by Jeff Ward, a billionaire running for president who clearly resembles a mix of Elon Musk and Donald Trump. The crew includes seasoned astronauts alongside civilians brought on board mostly for publicity. This diverse group features a scientist vital to understanding the complex physics involved, an ordinary person who won a contest and has a knack for spotting patterns, and a police officer who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Each crew member has a personal and complicated backstory.

Like many great stories about alternate universes, the six main characters in Detour have to rely on each other while navigating a strangely altered world. What sets this story apart is that some of them actually enjoy the new lives they’ve found, while others are surprised—and disturbed—by what they learn about themselves. For instance, the police officer realizes his strong sense of right and wrong has caused many of his problems, and that his family might be better off if he didn’t have such a strict moral code. While the story uses some familiar themes, they mostly work well.

Just be aware that Detour is the first book in a series. While the immediate mysteries are solved – especially if you read the included extras – the larger story is still ongoing. It feels like the end of a first season of a TV show, intentionally setting things up for more. Fortunately, the publisher has already ordered a sequel, so you won’t be left hanging. If you enjoy shows like Manifest and are happy to start a new series, Detour should definitely appeal to you.

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2026-02-22 18:40