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Follow Me Down
Urban explorer Lucas Tremaine should buckle down and complete his Masters in Architecture, but the past torments him. Six years earlier, Drax Enterprises’ negligence killed his father and left his mother strung out on Valium. Lucas longs to punish the corrupt behemoth of Cincinnati real estate development, but what can one man do?
"Plenty," says old Mr. Blumenfeld, Lucas's boss and a former photojournalist with too many secrets. Evidence to bury Drax exists, he claims, but to find it, Lucas must breach the city's welded-shut subway system. Lucas takes the plunge, aided by his best friend and moral compass, Reuben Klein.
The deeper the duo infiltrates the dangerous underground, the further back they turn the clock. They learn that Drax's corruption intertwined with fascism's rise in Germany. That campfire tales of a subway crypt were true. That no one can be trusted, not even Lucas's boss.
"Plenty," says old Mr. Blumenfeld, Lucas's boss and a former photojournalist with too many secrets. Evidence to bury Drax exists, he claims, but to find it, Lucas must breach the city's welded-shut subway system. Lucas takes the plunge, aided by his best friend and moral compass, Reuben Klein.
The deeper the duo infiltrates the dangerous underground, the further back they turn the clock. They learn that Drax's corruption intertwined with fascism's rise in Germany. That campfire tales of a subway crypt were true. That no one can be trusted, not even Lucas's boss.
259 pages, Paperback
Published November 2, 2017
383 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Gordon MacKinney
6 books7 followersGordon MacKinney's first novel, Follow Me Down, was published in 2017 and won the Literary Titan Gold Award. His second novel, Tell Anyone You Want That I Was Here, was published in 2022.
Gordon lives and writes in the foothills of Northern Colorado. He was a columnist for The Coloradoan for more than a decade and has written guest columns for the Denver Post. He has co-owned a successful marketing communications agency, Lightsource Creative Communications, Inc., for more than 20 years.
He and his wife, Dr. Kristy Dowers, have five children and one big brown dog — Tulio.
Gordon lives and writes in the foothills of Northern Colorado. He was a columnist for The Coloradoan for more than a decade and has written guest columns for the Denver Post. He has co-owned a successful marketing communications agency, Lightsource Creative Communications, Inc., for more than 20 years.
He and his wife, Dr. Kristy Dowers, have five children and one big brown dog — Tulio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 12, 2019
This one had me at subway spelunking. Nazi mystery tie ins. Cover ups. Yeah, it all sounded like fun. And to be fair, it was, mostly. Set in the 1970s, without distractions of modern technology, and yet completely functional all the same, the plot follows a young man passionate about Cincinnati’s buildings past and present (and I had no idea Cincinnati actually registered on any such grandiose scale, so it was nice to learn about through some terrific vividly rendered descriptions) who defying powers that be, decides to photograph them by night, hoping that his art might change public opinion about turning a former train station into mall. An utterly preposterous notion, of course, to fight the overwhelming powers of consumerism with beauty, but the young are naïve. So he sets off on his quest and inadvertently gets involved with a wealthy local clan of Drax Enterprises. Secrets will be uncovered dating all the way back to feeding money into the Nazi regime (a disturbing amount of companies have actually done so, especially in the early days) and powers that be will be fought. One of those stories where ordinary people take on fighting large companies for justice. Fun tale, likeable characters (although the main guy’s almost arrogant sort of brashness of the very young was occasionally trying) and pretty well written (minus a couple of genuinely terrible metaphors) for a debut, but for some reason read very slowly. Not sure why, actually, the pacing was fine. But at any rate it’s an adventure one can follow, although maybe not all the way down, because, frankly, that’s just way too dangerous and I can’t relate to the thrills of spelunking of any sort, but, you know, far enough. For a random Kindle freebie this was plenty entertaining, not to mention well edited. Photography fans ought to be extra pleased with all the details and effort it took in the bygone days. Now they’d just probably sneak in there with smartphones.
December 3, 2019
the book is so absolutely fantastic.
January 21, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Gordon MacKinney about Lucas Tremaine, an urban explorer and his sidekicks who get their thrills by infiltrating the architectural treasures of Cincinnati during the off-hours. Their hobby leads them to becoming involved in a plot to bring down the corrupt leaders of a huge corporation, the same company that was responsible for the death of Lucas’ father. This is a very well-written story with lots of action that kept me interested and engaged throughout. The author is a master of description, and I’ll certainly be on the lookout for more of his work.
December 8, 2017
GNAB Follow me down is a complex mystery, very well put together and a joy to read. The settings are unique and well defined, and the characters are lovable and easily understood. These urban explorers of the layers of Cincinnati, Ohio are intrepid and driven to uncover secrets that will help them quiet their ghosts. This is a book I am quite comfortable recommending to my family, teens to seniors. Gordon Mackinney is an author I will watch for.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Gordon Mackinney, and Black Rose Writing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Nov 2, 2017
Rec Dec 3, 2017
Black Rose Writing
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Gordon Mackinney, and Black Rose Writing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Nov 2, 2017
Rec Dec 3, 2017
Black Rose Writing
January 21, 2018
I received another fantastic read from @blackrosewriting in the form of Follow Me Down by Gordon MacKinney. This is the tale of Lucas, an urban explorer whose father was killed in a construction accident while working for Drax Industries, the largest building contractor in Cincinnati. With his friends Reuben and Tricia, Lucas tries to find evidence in the long-abandoned subway systems that will enable him to take down Drax..
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MacKinney has done a wonderful job creating characters the reader can empathise with, and his storyline is original enough to keep the reader riveted. I could not put this book down from the time I received it until the last page. I expect more great things from the author in the future.
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My Rating: 4.5/5 stars
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MacKinney has done a wonderful job creating characters the reader can empathise with, and his storyline is original enough to keep the reader riveted. I could not put this book down from the time I received it until the last page. I expect more great things from the author in the future.
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My Rating: 4.5/5 stars
November 13, 2017
Secrets Rise from the Depths
Near the end of Follow Me Down by Gordon MacKinney delivers a moment of ordinary in this extraordinary novel: “I took Tricia’s hand in mine, squeezed to quell her trembling, and turned to stare out the window. The owner of the news kiosk wiped down a metal countertop. A deliveryman in white overalls shouldered a case of tomatoes into a Greek restaurant. A city worker with a push broom waved toward a second story window. So normal, but nothing felt normal.”
Indeed, nothing feels normal for the reader either as MacKinney takes the reader down into the abandoned Cincinnati subway system to unearth a nefarious history that rests below the surface. MacKinney’s uses the journeys of his narrator Lucas to serve as an allegory for both the psychic and physical secrets buried beneath the city streets. Lucas’s urban explorations are borne from the tragic loss of his father, his tutelage under the legendary photographer Alfred Blumenfeld, and his abiding loyalty to the city’s architectural legacy.
An engaging narrator, Lucas seethes with anger toward the downright evil Drax Enterprises, often undermining his ability to coolly gather evidence against their corrupt operations. The sage advice of legendary urban explorer N. Jefferson Chapel reverberates in Lucas’s head like a wily Superego as our narrator appreciates its wisdom yet refuses to follow. Lucas’s impulsive bluntness fills Follow Me Down with irony, amusement, and lively exchanges of dialogue.
Lucas’s explorations in the long sealed off Cincinnati subway tunnels pullulate with excitement and revelations as he must endanger the few people he cares about while confronting three generations of Drax leaders, their brutal security agents, and a dark past long entombed. MacKinney has plotted this novel well and his attention to detail of the city’s surface and below it give Follow Me Down layers and surprising resonances.
For me, the best novels introduce the readers to hidden places and ideas that have yet to be fully explored. Follow Me Down offers such pleasures and an opportunity to rethink my notions of the urban landscapes around and below us, to reconsider the foundations onto which they’ve been built. Given its dynamic plot, terrain, and intellect, Follow Me Down is a terrific read.
Near the end of Follow Me Down by Gordon MacKinney delivers a moment of ordinary in this extraordinary novel: “I took Tricia’s hand in mine, squeezed to quell her trembling, and turned to stare out the window. The owner of the news kiosk wiped down a metal countertop. A deliveryman in white overalls shouldered a case of tomatoes into a Greek restaurant. A city worker with a push broom waved toward a second story window. So normal, but nothing felt normal.”
Indeed, nothing feels normal for the reader either as MacKinney takes the reader down into the abandoned Cincinnati subway system to unearth a nefarious history that rests below the surface. MacKinney’s uses the journeys of his narrator Lucas to serve as an allegory for both the psychic and physical secrets buried beneath the city streets. Lucas’s urban explorations are borne from the tragic loss of his father, his tutelage under the legendary photographer Alfred Blumenfeld, and his abiding loyalty to the city’s architectural legacy.
An engaging narrator, Lucas seethes with anger toward the downright evil Drax Enterprises, often undermining his ability to coolly gather evidence against their corrupt operations. The sage advice of legendary urban explorer N. Jefferson Chapel reverberates in Lucas’s head like a wily Superego as our narrator appreciates its wisdom yet refuses to follow. Lucas’s impulsive bluntness fills Follow Me Down with irony, amusement, and lively exchanges of dialogue.
Lucas’s explorations in the long sealed off Cincinnati subway tunnels pullulate with excitement and revelations as he must endanger the few people he cares about while confronting three generations of Drax leaders, their brutal security agents, and a dark past long entombed. MacKinney has plotted this novel well and his attention to detail of the city’s surface and below it give Follow Me Down layers and surprising resonances.
For me, the best novels introduce the readers to hidden places and ideas that have yet to be fully explored. Follow Me Down offers such pleasures and an opportunity to rethink my notions of the urban landscapes around and below us, to reconsider the foundations onto which they’ve been built. Given its dynamic plot, terrain, and intellect, Follow Me Down is a terrific read.
April 12, 2020
I bought this book for a couple of reasons: it sounded like a good thriller and it’s set in 1973 Cincinnati. I was born in Cincinnati, raised in the western side of the county, and lived in Cincinnati in the sixties, so I thought I would enjoy reading a story set there near the time period I was a resident. I wasn’t wrong.
The story involves a young man, Lucas Tremaine, who works for a photographer while pursuing his master’s in architecture. His mother works information at Cincinnati Bell and is gradually withdrawing from a dependence on benzodiazepines. She’d gotten hooked on them after her husband, Lucas’s father, was killed on a construction site operated by Drax Enterprises, a company that has its hooks set deep in the county political system. Lucas and his mother are sure that his father’s death was due to negligence on the company’s part, but before the story in Follow Me Down begins, they’ve lost a lawsuit. Drax’s attorneys fabricated stories alleging his father was drinking on the job (even though he didn’t drink).
Lucas escapes from his own depression by urban exploring with his friend, Reuben. They’re very good at getting into off-limits places, and one day the photographer, an elderly Jewish man named Alfred, approaches Lucas about getting into Cincinnati’s subway system that was started in the early 1920’s and abandoned during the Great Depression. He wants Lucas and Reuben to take measurements that a friend of his will use to prove that Drax, the subway’s builders, cut corners and bilked the city and county out of money. Alfred and a reporter he worked with had tried to prove that in the past, and they’d also tried to expose Drax’s support of the Third Reich during WWII. The reporter disappeared, and Alfred believes Drax had him killed. The ruthless CEO and his son, one of Lucas’s former high school classmates and a bully, will stop at nothing to prevent their empire from threat. And so the fun begins.
This is a story based partly on fact. The subway was started and abandoned, but there is no such company as Drax and no indication that anyone cut corners building it. In fact, much of the subway still exists today with its entrances either concreted in or gated over. But it makes for an enjoyable and exciting read whether you know the city or not.
The story involves a young man, Lucas Tremaine, who works for a photographer while pursuing his master’s in architecture. His mother works information at Cincinnati Bell and is gradually withdrawing from a dependence on benzodiazepines. She’d gotten hooked on them after her husband, Lucas’s father, was killed on a construction site operated by Drax Enterprises, a company that has its hooks set deep in the county political system. Lucas and his mother are sure that his father’s death was due to negligence on the company’s part, but before the story in Follow Me Down begins, they’ve lost a lawsuit. Drax’s attorneys fabricated stories alleging his father was drinking on the job (even though he didn’t drink).
Lucas escapes from his own depression by urban exploring with his friend, Reuben. They’re very good at getting into off-limits places, and one day the photographer, an elderly Jewish man named Alfred, approaches Lucas about getting into Cincinnati’s subway system that was started in the early 1920’s and abandoned during the Great Depression. He wants Lucas and Reuben to take measurements that a friend of his will use to prove that Drax, the subway’s builders, cut corners and bilked the city and county out of money. Alfred and a reporter he worked with had tried to prove that in the past, and they’d also tried to expose Drax’s support of the Third Reich during WWII. The reporter disappeared, and Alfred believes Drax had him killed. The ruthless CEO and his son, one of Lucas’s former high school classmates and a bully, will stop at nothing to prevent their empire from threat. And so the fun begins.
This is a story based partly on fact. The subway was started and abandoned, but there is no such company as Drax and no indication that anyone cut corners building it. In fact, much of the subway still exists today with its entrances either concreted in or gated over. But it makes for an enjoyable and exciting read whether you know the city or not.
December 7, 2017
I had the privilege of critiquing an early draft of Gordon MacKinney's debut thriller. It's not only a well-paced and exciting novel of crime and danger, but is also an education in something I'd never heard of before: urban exploring. Whether old abandoned public buildings, boarded-up basements and tunnels, or closed factories, a wealth of opportunities exist for those who seek interesting subjects for photography or, even more exciting, to find out what might be buried or hidden from the public. The characters are varied and interesting and the writing excellent.
December 15, 2019
Great page turner and well written
Very well written, this page turner establishes empathy for the protagonists. I shared the main character’s pain and frustration, I held my breath as he and his colleagues got into deeper and deeper trouble.
The theories behind their exploits were subtly explained and were credible.
I found myself wanting to find out how much of this is true and how much is fiction.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes well written, thoughtful prose. You don’t have to be a follower of the thriller genre to enjoy to enjoy it.
Very well written, this page turner establishes empathy for the protagonists. I shared the main character’s pain and frustration, I held my breath as he and his colleagues got into deeper and deeper trouble.
The theories behind their exploits were subtly explained and were credible.
I found myself wanting to find out how much of this is true and how much is fiction.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes well written, thoughtful prose. You don’t have to be a follower of the thriller genre to enjoy to enjoy it.
April 15, 2018
Interesting
I liked the premise of sneaking around forbidden places. Also liked the architectural details. The basic problem I had with the book was the main character. I understand where he was coming from but he had such tunnel vision and was stuck on one spot that he ignored everything else. That distracted too much for my liking. Finally he seemed to change but it was too little too late.
I liked the premise of sneaking around forbidden places. Also liked the architectural details. The basic problem I had with the book was the main character. I understand where he was coming from but he had such tunnel vision and was stuck on one spot that he ignored everything else. That distracted too much for my liking. Finally he seemed to change but it was too little too late.
December 3, 2019
WOW! A roller coaster of fear, awe, at times almost a sensory overload!
Senses are triggered throughout this story. History revisited along with strong visuals invoked. You hear the sounds of silence bouncing around along with the breaths drawn echoing in chambers. An adventure with suspense and action. Missed a full five star because I got lost in the words but that might be more my problem than the author's fault! 😳😌
Senses are triggered throughout this story. History revisited along with strong visuals invoked. You hear the sounds of silence bouncing around along with the breaths drawn echoing in chambers. An adventure with suspense and action. Missed a full five star because I got lost in the words but that might be more my problem than the author's fault! 😳😌
December 18, 2019
Fascinating story, full of historical details! Who knew Cincinnati had an abandoned subway system? The writing is excellent, first time in a long time I found no spell-breaking typos or usage and grammar errors, thanks Gordon and proof-readers! This first-person narrative has you wondering where we're going, but no tricks - it has a welcome integrity and relentless adventure.
May 20, 2020
Familiar tale of a "little guy" taking on the giant corporation. Corporation is responsible for the death of Lucas' father and at the same time Lucas is trying to get a real estate project by this corporation stopped.
While the story has its moments, there really is nothing to get excited about as a thriller goes.
While the story has its moments, there really is nothing to get excited about as a thriller goes.
May 25, 2020
This author knows how to set a scene—and keep you turning the pages to get to the next one. He gives a contemporary feel to an old story - as well as to the tunnels that apparently really exist under Cincinnati. The plot is original and creative, the characters colorful and well drawn. I very much enjoyed this book.
January 9, 2018
Revenge leads to destruction.
The story line was good. When his father was killed while working at Drax, Lucas set out to destroy Drax. With the help of a few friends an adventure of danger takes them to some of the most dangerous tunnels and up against a very evil man.
The story line was good. When his father was killed while working at Drax, Lucas set out to destroy Drax. With the help of a few friends an adventure of danger takes them to some of the most dangerous tunnels and up against a very evil man.
December 8, 2019
Very well done.
I love this story. Very well written. The characters are believable and well developed. The story is believable but the amount of trouble the main character causes for himself and others is a bit of a stretch. I definitely recommend buying this book.
I love this story. Very well written. The characters are believable and well developed. The story is believable but the amount of trouble the main character causes for himself and others is a bit of a stretch. I definitely recommend buying this book.
December 12, 2019
I give 5 stars for entertainment and ingenuity
Hard to believe the premise but once I went with it I couldn’t put the book down. Loved the characters and the dialogue and the humour.
Hard to believe the premise but once I went with it I couldn’t put the book down. Loved the characters and the dialogue and the humour.
December 13, 2019
A little different in a very good way
Well written and intriguing, good v bad but in an unusual setting. Well defined characters held my attention throughout, although the main character needed a slap now and then.
Well written and intriguing, good v bad but in an unusual setting. Well defined characters held my attention throughout, although the main character needed a slap now and then.
December 19, 2019
Brilliant story
I am not into photography but even I got carried away in the detail. The exploits of this very special young man and his friends.....what a tale. I would recommend this as good reading in a heartbeat. Very well written. Six stars!!!
I am not into photography but even I got carried away in the detail. The exploits of this very special young man and his friends.....what a tale. I would recommend this as good reading in a heartbeat. Very well written. Six stars!!!
January 4, 2020
Well what a start to the year a very good read indeed the story revolves around a lab technician that would like to avenge his fathers death all the main characters are well written please pick this one and read it
January 18, 2020
Good writer, fair story
The author is a good writer. The story synopsis pointed to a great scary tale. But it turned out to be an almost interesting story, but not quite. Anyway, try the author, but perhaps a different title.
The author is a good writer. The story synopsis pointed to a great scary tale. But it turned out to be an almost interesting story, but not quite. Anyway, try the author, but perhaps a different title.
May 7, 2020
Need a Follow Up
Loved the story, great characters and an interesting subject, well written, the underground descriptions were brilliant, made me want to go there, I will be watching closely for another book by the author.
Loved the story, great characters and an interesting subject, well written, the underground descriptions were brilliant, made me want to go there, I will be watching closely for another book by the author.
August 26, 2020
Action filled and fast moving
MacKinney did a great job with this book. Fast action, changing scenarios, and a great team of players that kept you guessing where to next. A very enjoyable read
MacKinney did a great job with this book. Fast action, changing scenarios, and a great team of players that kept you guessing where to next. A very enjoyable read
December 2, 2019
This book is really awesome.
December 2, 2019
The book was unquestionably fabulous.
December 2, 2019
super cool
December 6, 2019
Good read deserves the five stars
Well thought out, superb plot. This book should be in a top ten reading list.
So plausible , it could be true.
Well thought out, superb plot. This book should be in a top ten reading list.
So plausible , it could be true.
December 9, 2019
Seemed slow going at start...
But gathered momentum quickly, and like a train pulling until the stAtion, finished with a grand stop. Entertaining read. Recommended
But gathered momentum quickly, and like a train pulling until the stAtion, finished with a grand stop. Entertaining read. Recommended
Read
December 10, 2019Excellent
December 14, 2019
Perseverance
Not to be a spoiler ... it's hard to read but you can't stop.
Looking forward to more from this author.
Not to be a spoiler ... it's hard to read but you can't stop.
Looking forward to more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews