What do you think?
Rate this book
Floor 24
"From the mob underworld to the tops of new skyscrapers, Floor 24 is a heart-thumping New York 1920’s historical mystery!” — Holly Newman, bestselling author of the A Chance Inquiry mystery series
Manhattan, 1926.
War veteran turned reporter Alan Priest never expected a falling pen to change his life. But when it leads him to the 24th floor of a Manhattan skyscraper, he finds an open window, a corpse on the pavement below—and a witness who swears he’s the killer.
Moments later, a policeman lies dead, and Alan is branded a murderer. In a city where the mob owns the cops and justice comes at a price, he has nowhere to run.
His only ally is Lorraine Marquette, a sharp-tongued hostess who knows the underworld all too well. Together, they’re forced into a deadly uncover the secret behind Fritch Designs, or end up in the East River with the rest of the mob’s enemies.
In a city of shadows and skyscrapers, where every floor hides a lie, Alan and Lorraine must survive a world where loyalty is a death sentence and the truth is more dangerous than a bullet.
Floor 24 is a dark, fast-paced noir mystery of murder, corruption, and survival on the mean streets of New York.
Manhattan, 1926.
War veteran turned reporter Alan Priest never expected a falling pen to change his life. But when it leads him to the 24th floor of a Manhattan skyscraper, he finds an open window, a corpse on the pavement below—and a witness who swears he’s the killer.
Moments later, a policeman lies dead, and Alan is branded a murderer. In a city where the mob owns the cops and justice comes at a price, he has nowhere to run.
His only ally is Lorraine Marquette, a sharp-tongued hostess who knows the underworld all too well. Together, they’re forced into a deadly uncover the secret behind Fritch Designs, or end up in the East River with the rest of the mob’s enemies.
In a city of shadows and skyscrapers, where every floor hides a lie, Alan and Lorraine must survive a world where loyalty is a death sentence and the truth is more dangerous than a bullet.
Floor 24 is a dark, fast-paced noir mystery of murder, corruption, and survival on the mean streets of New York.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
8 people are currently reading
1142 people want to read
About the author
Martin Hill Ortiz
39 books13 followersMartin Hill Ortiz has also published under the name of Martin Hill. He lives in Puerto Rico where the mother's maiden name becomes a second surname.
He grew up in New Mexico and California. After receiving a BS in Biology and BA in Psychology, he worked three years as a social worker in inner city Washington, DC. He went on to get a PhD at George Washington University and teaches at Ponce University of Health Sciences.
He has authored four published books, fifty short stories and one novella. His latest work, Floor 24 is available through Oliver-Heber Books.
He grew up in New Mexico and California. After receiving a BS in Biology and BA in Psychology, he worked three years as a social worker in inner city Washington, DC. He went on to get a PhD at George Washington University and teaches at Ponce University of Health Sciences.
He has authored four published books, fifty short stories and one novella. His latest work, Floor 24 is available through Oliver-Heber Books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 26, 2025
Floor 24 is a gripping historical murder mystery with noir suspense and witty humor. It’s the first installment in The Skyline Murder Mysteries trilogy.
The story follows Alan Priest, a WWI veteran who lost a hand in the war and is now a reporter for the New York World. When out on an assignment, a pen falls from a high-rise building, shattering at his feet. The pen’s barrel bears the name “Fritch Designs” and an address on the 24th floor. Curiosity piqued, Alan ventures to the 24th-floor office to discover an open window and a corpse now on the sidewalk below. A witness spots Alan at the scene, leading to a chaotic pursuit that results in a policeman’s death and Alan being accused of both murders. Seeking refuge on the 16th floor, Alan meets Lorraine Marquette, a gentlemen’s club hostess, who claims to have seen the real culprit fleeing. In a quest to clear Alan’s name, the unlikely duo begin to investigate the enigmatic secrets of Fritch Designs and are immediately thrust into a world of mobsters and corrupt police officers.
The book brilliantly captures the essence of 1926 New York City, with a noir suspense vibe brimming through the pages from start to finish. The already impressive skyline takes center stage throughout the story, becoming a character in its own right. In many key scenes, Ortiz emphasizes the skyline’s shift from stone-faced buildings to steel-framed skyscrapers—a metaphor for a metropolis that’s rapidly evolving while simultaneously becoming a more divided society. The real historical landmarks that become an integral part of the narrative, including the Adams Express Building and the Vanderbilt Mansion on Fifth Avenue, make the novel even more compelling.
The characters in this story are all compelling and charismatic, even the dubious mobsters and morally grey police officers. Alan Priest is an admirable and likable protagonist for many reasons. After the backstory of his wartime injury is revealed, it’s evident that he's a remarkable man with a positive outlook and won’t let any impairment stop him from advancing in life. When he’s wrongfully accused of the murders, his resiliency and determination are further evident, as he’s quick to focus on getting to the truth instead of his dire situation.
Lorraine Marquette is the perfect counterpart to Alan’s strong character. Her experience as a hostess gives her a world of experience with all kinds of men, and she’s not afraid to speak about it or express any opinions. She’s the antithesis of how women were represented in that era—with charismatic boldness, worldly intelligence, and demands of being treated as an equal in her partnership with Alan. In fact, she mostly outshines Alan in several key moments of their investigation, and readers will find her lovable and utterly refreshing. The romance that develops between Lorraine and Alan is foreshadowed by their immediate rapport and flirtatious banter, but it takes a back seat to their investigation and the overall story. With their teamwork and chemistry being the real highlight of the story, let’s hope both characters return and their relationship develops even further in the next two books of the trilogy!
The book has good pacing, with plenty of action scenes and compelling dialogue that is always expanding character development and relationships. The novel's unpredictable narrative and multitude of twists and turns make it a great choice for seasoned mystery readers who are looking for more intricate, unguessable stories. It’s evident that the author did a lot of historical research while writing this novel, as there’s an abundance of interesting information about the city's societal structure, the existing and new skyscrapers of the era, the thriving newspaper industry, and the city’s mob crime network. All of this is seamlessly woven into the narrative without overwhelming the reader, and what’s even more fascinating is that some of the characters in the story were real-life individuals of the time. The epilogue at the end is definitely worth a read or listen—it’s not really an epilogue of the story, but instead more of an “author’s note” providing fascinating insight into the real-life characters and incredible architecture in that pivotal moment in NYC’s history!
Overall, Floor 24 is a unique murder mystery set in a pivotal time in New York’s history that fans of noir suspense, detective sleuthing, and historical fiction will love! It’s a promising start to a new series with its lovable and charismatic lead characters and fascinating exploration of New York City’s early 20th-century architectural and societal structure. If you enjoy unguessable murder mysteries, unlikely duos, and compelling historical fiction, give this book high consideration!
The story follows Alan Priest, a WWI veteran who lost a hand in the war and is now a reporter for the New York World. When out on an assignment, a pen falls from a high-rise building, shattering at his feet. The pen’s barrel bears the name “Fritch Designs” and an address on the 24th floor. Curiosity piqued, Alan ventures to the 24th-floor office to discover an open window and a corpse now on the sidewalk below. A witness spots Alan at the scene, leading to a chaotic pursuit that results in a policeman’s death and Alan being accused of both murders. Seeking refuge on the 16th floor, Alan meets Lorraine Marquette, a gentlemen’s club hostess, who claims to have seen the real culprit fleeing. In a quest to clear Alan’s name, the unlikely duo begin to investigate the enigmatic secrets of Fritch Designs and are immediately thrust into a world of mobsters and corrupt police officers.
The book brilliantly captures the essence of 1926 New York City, with a noir suspense vibe brimming through the pages from start to finish. The already impressive skyline takes center stage throughout the story, becoming a character in its own right. In many key scenes, Ortiz emphasizes the skyline’s shift from stone-faced buildings to steel-framed skyscrapers—a metaphor for a metropolis that’s rapidly evolving while simultaneously becoming a more divided society. The real historical landmarks that become an integral part of the narrative, including the Adams Express Building and the Vanderbilt Mansion on Fifth Avenue, make the novel even more compelling.
The characters in this story are all compelling and charismatic, even the dubious mobsters and morally grey police officers. Alan Priest is an admirable and likable protagonist for many reasons. After the backstory of his wartime injury is revealed, it’s evident that he's a remarkable man with a positive outlook and won’t let any impairment stop him from advancing in life. When he’s wrongfully accused of the murders, his resiliency and determination are further evident, as he’s quick to focus on getting to the truth instead of his dire situation.
Lorraine Marquette is the perfect counterpart to Alan’s strong character. Her experience as a hostess gives her a world of experience with all kinds of men, and she’s not afraid to speak about it or express any opinions. She’s the antithesis of how women were represented in that era—with charismatic boldness, worldly intelligence, and demands of being treated as an equal in her partnership with Alan. In fact, she mostly outshines Alan in several key moments of their investigation, and readers will find her lovable and utterly refreshing. The romance that develops between Lorraine and Alan is foreshadowed by their immediate rapport and flirtatious banter, but it takes a back seat to their investigation and the overall story. With their teamwork and chemistry being the real highlight of the story, let’s hope both characters return and their relationship develops even further in the next two books of the trilogy!
The book has good pacing, with plenty of action scenes and compelling dialogue that is always expanding character development and relationships. The novel's unpredictable narrative and multitude of twists and turns make it a great choice for seasoned mystery readers who are looking for more intricate, unguessable stories. It’s evident that the author did a lot of historical research while writing this novel, as there’s an abundance of interesting information about the city's societal structure, the existing and new skyscrapers of the era, the thriving newspaper industry, and the city’s mob crime network. All of this is seamlessly woven into the narrative without overwhelming the reader, and what’s even more fascinating is that some of the characters in the story were real-life individuals of the time. The epilogue at the end is definitely worth a read or listen—it’s not really an epilogue of the story, but instead more of an “author’s note” providing fascinating insight into the real-life characters and incredible architecture in that pivotal moment in NYC’s history!
Overall, Floor 24 is a unique murder mystery set in a pivotal time in New York’s history that fans of noir suspense, detective sleuthing, and historical fiction will love! It’s a promising start to a new series with its lovable and charismatic lead characters and fascinating exploration of New York City’s early 20th-century architectural and societal structure. If you enjoy unguessable murder mysteries, unlikely duos, and compelling historical fiction, give this book high consideration!
September 13, 2024
This book is an enigma. I’ve read it and I’m not quite sure what to think or how to feel. It’s oddly compelling and yet it’s filled with so many cliches it’s hard to push through. There are moments such as when Alan thinks back on his war experience that it shines. Then we are filled again with gangsters and corrupt cops and there’s the feeling of why am I reading this again? I am not one who likes to be overly harsh in reviews. I would not say that I would recommend this, but at the same time to each their own. You may find it a fabulous read, I am just unsure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2024
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. Overall, this was an entertaining, mostly well-paced crime thriller. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives with the unlikely duo of Alan and Lorraine. I really enjoyed the bits of humor and rom com aspects, but there were parts that I felt didn't 100% add to plot advancement or character development. I also don't feel like it stuck the landing. With that being said, the more I sat with the ending, the more I debated if I liked it or not, which I appreciate in a read. 3/5 stars.
December 28, 2024
This was a great read, I won it as a goodreads giveaway. Lorraine is my favorite character, her charisma and smarts, how she knows what she wants and where she wants to be. I would read a second book with both Alan, Lorraine, and Detective Santarelli.
October 21, 2024
The main characters were complex and lovable. I also loved the dry sense of humor through out the book. It was highly entertaining-I read it in a couple days.
January 24, 2026
Fast-paced noir mystery/thriller with strong descriptions of characters and setting, NYC in the 1920s
February 23, 2026
I love period noir and this book brings 1920s New York to life. A scheming crime reporter, a beautiful dame and an assortment of gangsters provide heart pounding suspense, memorable quips and encounters with the famous and infamous of the age including Mae West and George Raft.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews