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Elevator Pitch
It all begins on a Monday, when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. Each presses a button for their floor, but the elevator proceeds, non-stop, to the top. Once there, it stops for a few seconds, and then plummets.
Right to the bottom of the shaft.
It appears to be a horrific, random tragedy. But then, on Tuesday, it happens again, in a different Manhattan skyscraper. And when Wednesday brings yet another high-rise catastrophe, one of the most vertical cities in the world—and the nation’s capital of media, finance, and entertainment—is plunged into chaos.
Clearly, this is anything but random. This is a cold, calculated bid to terrorize the city. And it’s working. Fearing for their lives, thousands of men in women working in offices across the city refuse leave their homes. Commerce has slowed to a trickle. Emergency calls to the top floors of apartment buildings go unanswered.
Who is behind this? Why are they doing it? What do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line? Two seasoned New York detectives and a straight-shooting journalist must race against time to find the answers before the city’s newest, and tallest, residential tower has its Friday night ribbon-cutting.
Right to the bottom of the shaft.
It appears to be a horrific, random tragedy. But then, on Tuesday, it happens again, in a different Manhattan skyscraper. And when Wednesday brings yet another high-rise catastrophe, one of the most vertical cities in the world—and the nation’s capital of media, finance, and entertainment—is plunged into chaos.
Clearly, this is anything but random. This is a cold, calculated bid to terrorize the city. And it’s working. Fearing for their lives, thousands of men in women working in offices across the city refuse leave their homes. Commerce has slowed to a trickle. Emergency calls to the top floors of apartment buildings go unanswered.
Who is behind this? Why are they doing it? What do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line? Two seasoned New York detectives and a straight-shooting journalist must race against time to find the answers before the city’s newest, and tallest, residential tower has its Friday night ribbon-cutting.
467 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2019
1974 people are currently reading
16744 people want to read
About the author
Linwood Barclay
83 books7,197 followersLinwood Barclay is the #1 internationally bestselling author of seventeen novels for adults, including No Time for Goodbye, Trust Your Eyes and, most recently, A Noise Downstairs. He has also written two novels for children and screenplays.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,297 reviews
July 12, 2019
In Elevator Pitch, Linwood Barclay writes brilliantly about the fear and mayhem experienced by New Yorkers when elevators appear to take on a life of their own, killing all those on board.
It begins when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. Each of them have pressed a button for their particular floor, but the elevator ascends right to the top, stops for a few seconds and then plummets right to the bottom of the shaft. On Tuesday it happens again in another building . Wednesday yet another high rise tragedy occurs, plunging the city into complete chaos. Elevators are closed throughout the city - people are unable to work - medical emergencies on top floor apartments go unanswered, but just who is responsible? Is it a terrorist organisation, or the Russians, or an individual with some ulterior motive. One thing’s for sure, the perpetrators need to be caught, and fast, or the whole of New York and its economy will be brought to it’s knees.
I think what makes this a compelling read is, that given the high tech world in which we now live, I can imagine that this scenario could be entirely plausible, and one can only imagine the adverse effects on the financial markets and of society as a whole.
This was a gripping read, and it’s literally no smooth ride, as the story picks up ever more speed, bowls along, broadens out and takes the reader on a journey to hell. With expert use of smoke and mirrors, I never did guess who was behind these horrific events, and as expected, Barclay carries the plot forward to a thrilling climax.
* Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
It begins when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. Each of them have pressed a button for their particular floor, but the elevator ascends right to the top, stops for a few seconds and then plummets right to the bottom of the shaft. On Tuesday it happens again in another building . Wednesday yet another high rise tragedy occurs, plunging the city into complete chaos. Elevators are closed throughout the city - people are unable to work - medical emergencies on top floor apartments go unanswered, but just who is responsible? Is it a terrorist organisation, or the Russians, or an individual with some ulterior motive. One thing’s for sure, the perpetrators need to be caught, and fast, or the whole of New York and its economy will be brought to it’s knees.
I think what makes this a compelling read is, that given the high tech world in which we now live, I can imagine that this scenario could be entirely plausible, and one can only imagine the adverse effects on the financial markets and of society as a whole.
This was a gripping read, and it’s literally no smooth ride, as the story picks up ever more speed, bowls along, broadens out and takes the reader on a journey to hell. With expert use of smoke and mirrors, I never did guess who was behind these horrific events, and as expected, Barclay carries the plot forward to a thrilling climax.
* Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
September 2, 2019
2.5 STARS rounded to 3
I'm keeping this brief, because it's obvious from my rating that this one just wasn't for me, and I think it's because I was expecting something a bit more fast paced with more elevator scenes. I will say that I appreciate so much that the author put a lot of time and effort into proper research of local NYC haunts that my friends who live in the city said meant so much to them. I'll always be a huge fan of Barclay's, and not every book by an author will appeal to every reader. I say pick this one up for yourself and see what you think!
*Arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I'm keeping this brief, because it's obvious from my rating that this one just wasn't for me, and I think it's because I was expecting something a bit more fast paced with more elevator scenes. I will say that I appreciate so much that the author put a lot of time and effort into proper research of local NYC haunts that my friends who live in the city said meant so much to them. I'll always be a huge fan of Barclay's, and not every book by an author will appeal to every reader. I say pick this one up for yourself and see what you think!
*Arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
August 9, 2019
Linwood Barclay writes an intense, dark and fast paced thriller set in the most vertical city in the world, New York has more skyscrapers than anywhere else, with elevators a critical requirement for almost everyone in their daily lives. In a terrifying premise that has all the hallmarks of realistic possibility, it begins on a Monday in Morris Lansing's building, an elevator goes crazy, leaving four people dead. Elevator accidents happen, they are rare, it is at first assumed that this is just such a tragedy. However, on Tuesday, there is another elevator accident that results in a gruesome death. The ambitious mayor, Richard Wilson Headley and his team are to find themselves under extreme stress and pressure as evidence emerges that these may not be unfortunate tragedies, it seems someone has embarked on the path of creating terror, fear and mayhem. Headley finds himself in the midst of a crisis as he orders all elevators to be shut until essential checks are made, bringing the city to a standstill, whilst more die who rely on elevators.
Barbara Matheson is a journalist who has made life difficult for the mayor, she loses a friend in the first elevator disaster. She wants to know who is behind the attacks, surely there are easier ways to cause death and mayhem? She is shocked when her daughter, Arla, finds herself a job in the mayoral office, and concerned by comments left on her articles by someone calling themselves Going Down. An alt-right group calling themselves, The Flyovers, headed by Eugene Clement, is suspected of explosions in coastal cities like Boston. Clement and his wife have arrived in New York, ostensibly for their wedding anniversary, but clearly there is another agenda. NYPD Detectives Jerry Bourque and his partner, Lois Delgado, find themselves on the scene of a murdered man, near the railtracks. The man's face has been destroyed and his fingertips have been cut off, someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to prevent him being identified. Why?
Barclay ratchets up the tension with skill with his short chapters, providing the reader with a myriad of colourful and interesting characters, and the best possible location to illustrate just how much peoples' reliance on elevators can be exploited to deadly effect, and fan the fears of all who live in one of the most important cities in the US. This is a high octane intense read, full of suspense and tension, and effortlessly gripping. This is for all those who love their crime thrillers, written by an experienced author who can be relied on to provide the necessary thrills and chills. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
Barbara Matheson is a journalist who has made life difficult for the mayor, she loses a friend in the first elevator disaster. She wants to know who is behind the attacks, surely there are easier ways to cause death and mayhem? She is shocked when her daughter, Arla, finds herself a job in the mayoral office, and concerned by comments left on her articles by someone calling themselves Going Down. An alt-right group calling themselves, The Flyovers, headed by Eugene Clement, is suspected of explosions in coastal cities like Boston. Clement and his wife have arrived in New York, ostensibly for their wedding anniversary, but clearly there is another agenda. NYPD Detectives Jerry Bourque and his partner, Lois Delgado, find themselves on the scene of a murdered man, near the railtracks. The man's face has been destroyed and his fingertips have been cut off, someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to prevent him being identified. Why?
Barclay ratchets up the tension with skill with his short chapters, providing the reader with a myriad of colourful and interesting characters, and the best possible location to illustrate just how much peoples' reliance on elevators can be exploited to deadly effect, and fan the fears of all who live in one of the most important cities in the US. This is a high octane intense read, full of suspense and tension, and effortlessly gripping. This is for all those who love their crime thrillers, written by an experienced author who can be relied on to provide the necessary thrills and chills. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
August 25, 2019
Whoa, what a ride. After reading this book I'll guarantee you wont want to get into an elevator for a long, long time. New York is in a state of chaos. Someone has sabotaged an elevator in Manhattan. Then there's another incident...and another. Before long the city is in a panic and the mayor has put an embargo on the use of all elevators, effectively bringing the city to a halt. Who is behind the sabotage? And why? Does it have something to do with a taxi that was blown up? Well, you'll have to read this book to find out!
Like the elevators in this book in freefall, you'll find yourself devouring the pages with great speed. It's quite fast paced, but it's not all action, as we get to know the stories of those involved, from the detective on the case, the reporter covering it, even the mayor himself. So strap yourselves in and hold on tight. Meanwhile, I'll be taking the stairs...
My thanks to Harper Collins Australia for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
Like the elevators in this book in freefall, you'll find yourself devouring the pages with great speed. It's quite fast paced, but it's not all action, as we get to know the stories of those involved, from the detective on the case, the reporter covering it, even the mayor himself. So strap yourselves in and hold on tight. Meanwhile, I'll be taking the stairs...
My thanks to Harper Collins Australia for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
July 27, 2019
It's one thing to get stuck in an elevator, it’s another thing to, well, have it plummet-picking up speed-going faster and faster-until ....
Manhattan, a city of skyscrapers, so many elevators, so many people, so many ways for things to go wrong. It all begins when four people are in an elevator that plummets to the bottom of the shaft. It's not going to be the only one. There will be others. What first looks like a tragedy, soon begins to look like an act of terror. Someone is behind all these elevator mishaps. Who and why?
There is a fair amount of characters in this book with the main plot and subplots going on, which of course had me guessing how they were all related. There was one subplot that, although interesting, upon finishing the book, I didn't feel was even necessary. A plus, for me, were the characters relevant to the story. I enjoyed Barbara and Detective Bourque the most. I loved flawed characters. Let’s face it, they are more interesting, and I always want to root for them.
The writing was solid and apart from feeling that one subplot wasn't necessary, I enjoyed the book. I will probably remember this book the next time I step in an elevator. Plus, this book did teach me to never step forward when an elevator door opens until I am sure the elevator is actually there- nuff said.
This is a solid book with underlying tension by Barclay. Not my favorite by this author but still enjoyable with mounting tension as the book reaches its conclusion.
3.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Manhattan, a city of skyscrapers, so many elevators, so many people, so many ways for things to go wrong. It all begins when four people are in an elevator that plummets to the bottom of the shaft. It's not going to be the only one. There will be others. What first looks like a tragedy, soon begins to look like an act of terror. Someone is behind all these elevator mishaps. Who and why?
There is a fair amount of characters in this book with the main plot and subplots going on, which of course had me guessing how they were all related. There was one subplot that, although interesting, upon finishing the book, I didn't feel was even necessary. A plus, for me, were the characters relevant to the story. I enjoyed Barbara and Detective Bourque the most. I loved flawed characters. Let’s face it, they are more interesting, and I always want to root for them.
The writing was solid and apart from feeling that one subplot wasn't necessary, I enjoyed the book. I will probably remember this book the next time I step in an elevator. Plus, this book did teach me to never step forward when an elevator door opens until I am sure the elevator is actually there- nuff said.
This is a solid book with underlying tension by Barclay. Not my favorite by this author but still enjoyable with mounting tension as the book reaches its conclusion.
3.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April 30, 2020
5★ No need to self-debate this one.
So, finally broke my Barclay' cherry, and wish I checked this author out, sooner.
It was compelling, throughout, with a large cast of layered character's to keep track of - one complex character, multiple sub-plots and a few red herrings, that caught me off guard - and the occasional bit of humour. LMAO.
Monday morning:
Four people enter an elevator at Lansing Towers, one of them, Stuart Bland (should've had more scenes with this character), is only there to pitch an idea to the Vice President of Creative, Sherry D' Agostino, who he's harassed in the past. Unfortunately, as he's trying to sell his idea, the elevator, goes haywire - leaving three dead, initially, and a fourth - who succumbed to her injuries in hospital. Is it an accident, or has someone sabotaged it?
The following day, there's another incident, and fatality, involving a Russian scientist, Fanya Petrov, who did work at Rockfella University. Accident or were there more sinister forces at work? This one puts the Mayor of New York City (Richard "Dick" Headley), on edge. He is a very amusing at times; especially when taking advice from his son, Glover, who is his advisor, lol. Headley must've thought his son was his nemesis.. or something.
And there are more incidents involving elevators , on the Wednesday and Thursday.
Elsewhere, two detectives are dealing with a John Doe. Liked the dynamics between these two: Jerry Bourque and his partner Lois Delgado.
In conclusion: Loved this one. Never a dull moment. I was engrossed, from the onset - regardless of who's perspective - and there's a plethora of them. I think I liked the Mayor's perspective, the most. Loved the reveals' towards the end, as well, where everything started to come together. Will probably do a reread, someday.
So, finally broke my Barclay' cherry, and wish I checked this author out, sooner.
It was compelling, throughout, with a large cast of layered character's to keep track of - one complex character, multiple sub-plots and a few red herrings, that caught me off guard - and the occasional bit of humour. LMAO.
Monday morning:
Four people enter an elevator at Lansing Towers, one of them, Stuart Bland (should've had more scenes with this character), is only there to pitch an idea to the Vice President of Creative, Sherry D' Agostino, who he's harassed in the past. Unfortunately, as he's trying to sell his idea, the elevator, goes haywire - leaving three dead, initially, and a fourth - who succumbed to her injuries in hospital. Is it an accident, or has someone sabotaged it?
The following day, there's another incident, and fatality, involving a Russian scientist, Fanya Petrov, who did work at Rockfella University. Accident or were there more sinister forces at work? This one puts the Mayor of New York City (Richard "Dick" Headley), on edge. He is a very amusing at times; especially when taking advice from his son, Glover, who is his advisor, lol. Headley must've thought his son was his nemesis.. or something.
And there are more incidents involving elevators , on the Wednesday and Thursday.
Elsewhere, two detectives are dealing with a John Doe. Liked the dynamics between these two: Jerry Bourque and his partner Lois Delgado.
In conclusion: Loved this one. Never a dull moment. I was engrossed, from the onset - regardless of who's perspective - and there's a plethora of them. I think I liked the Mayor's perspective, the most. Loved the reveals' towards the end, as well, where everything started to come together. Will probably do a reread, someday.
March 24, 2021
The book starts with four people getting into an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. The elevator proceeds to the top of the building before pausing and then plummeting to the bottom. This appears to be an accident until the following day when the very same happens again in another high rise, and then it happens again.
The city is engulfed in fear and chaos. The question is who is behind it and why. Who is behind this? Why are they doing it? What do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line? Two seasoned New York detectives and a straight-shooting journalist must race against time to find the answers.
Elevator Pitch is a part thriller and a police procedural mystery. Elevator Pitch is not an out-and-out thriller but it also explores the lives of the characters. The book manages to touch on quite a few topics like corruption, terrorism, politics, the role of the media, etc. As the story picks up it focuses more on the characters and the mystery. There is a lot going on in this book with several characters and storylines. The fact that there were so many different perspectives about the same events makes the story interesting. These many plot lines are tied together nicely and there are a few twists and turns which you will never see coming.
Having said that, I was expecting something a bit more fast-paced action with more elevator scenes. The elevator accidents form a really small part of the story and the multiple different characters and subplots take up most of the story, so it feels more like a drama than a mystery. The book felt very slow, especially in the first half, and the many different POVs never really combine to form a single picture. I also felt it was about 50 pages longer than required.
Overall, Elevator Pitch has a good story and some nice characters, I found it rather slow. It certainly started well, with events happening from the beginning, but it failed to engage me as much I would have liked. If you like a character-driven drama with some mystery, you will like this book.
Many thanks to the publishers HarperCollins and Edelweiss for the ARC.
The city is engulfed in fear and chaos. The question is who is behind it and why. Who is behind this? Why are they doing it? What do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line? Two seasoned New York detectives and a straight-shooting journalist must race against time to find the answers.
Elevator Pitch is a part thriller and a police procedural mystery. Elevator Pitch is not an out-and-out thriller but it also explores the lives of the characters. The book manages to touch on quite a few topics like corruption, terrorism, politics, the role of the media, etc. As the story picks up it focuses more on the characters and the mystery. There is a lot going on in this book with several characters and storylines. The fact that there were so many different perspectives about the same events makes the story interesting. These many plot lines are tied together nicely and there are a few twists and turns which you will never see coming.
Having said that, I was expecting something a bit more fast-paced action with more elevator scenes. The elevator accidents form a really small part of the story and the multiple different characters and subplots take up most of the story, so it feels more like a drama than a mystery. The book felt very slow, especially in the first half, and the many different POVs never really combine to form a single picture. I also felt it was about 50 pages longer than required.
Overall, Elevator Pitch has a good story and some nice characters, I found it rather slow. It certainly started well, with events happening from the beginning, but it failed to engage me as much I would have liked. If you like a character-driven drama with some mystery, you will like this book.
Many thanks to the publishers HarperCollins and Edelweiss for the ARC.
August 13, 2019
I might be opting for the stairs for awhile.
Someone is messing with the elevators in NYC, which gave me a sudden sense of horror . I know I'm going to think about this book the next time I step into one.
There are quite a few characters in this book and it is longer than most, but I was wrapped up in the mysteries and it was certainly a page-turner. Turns out that Barclay is the master of chapter cliff-hangers too! Let the mayhem begin....
There are two police partners investigating the crimes and they added intrigue and I was rooting for them along the way. Loved these two!
The tension and suspense increased as the pages turned.
Feel like some intense suspense mixed with some intriguing characters? Pick this one up for a thrill ride!
Thanks to EW for my review copy. OUT 9/17/19
Someone is messing with the elevators in NYC, which gave me a sudden sense of horror . I know I'm going to think about this book the next time I step into one.
There are quite a few characters in this book and it is longer than most, but I was wrapped up in the mysteries and it was certainly a page-turner. Turns out that Barclay is the master of chapter cliff-hangers too! Let the mayhem begin....
There are two police partners investigating the crimes and they added intrigue and I was rooting for them along the way. Loved these two!
The tension and suspense increased as the pages turned.
Feel like some intense suspense mixed with some intriguing characters? Pick this one up for a thrill ride!
Thanks to EW for my review copy. OUT 9/17/19
August 14, 2019
Do you have a fear of elevators? No? You will after reading this book!
Someone is sabotaging the elevators in the high rise buildings of New York City. The casualties are piling up! What elevator is next? Do you trust the one you’re about to step on with? Nope, not me!!
This is a fast paced thriller that kept me guessing throughout! Is it personal? Random? Or is this the work of a homegrown terrorist group??
I’ve been reading Linwood Barclay books for years and he never disappoints! They are always intricate thrillers that captivate me from start to end! I’m already looking forward to his next!
Thank you to Edelweiss Harper Collins - William Morrow and Linwood Barclay for an ARC to read and review.
Someone is sabotaging the elevators in the high rise buildings of New York City. The casualties are piling up! What elevator is next? Do you trust the one you’re about to step on with? Nope, not me!!
This is a fast paced thriller that kept me guessing throughout! Is it personal? Random? Or is this the work of a homegrown terrorist group??
I’ve been reading Linwood Barclay books for years and he never disappoints! They are always intricate thrillers that captivate me from start to end! I’m already looking forward to his next!
Thank you to Edelweiss Harper Collins - William Morrow and Linwood Barclay for an ARC to read and review.
October 4, 2019
I was pleased to get my hands on the latest Linwood Barclay novel, as I find the author never fails to keep me thinking throughout a reading experience. Barclay turns the relatively mundane elevator into a masterful inanimate antagonist in this piece that may leave readers debating whether to ‘take the stairs’ next time. It was a Monday like any other in New York City, until it wasn’t. When an elevator plummets in a Manhattan office tower, four are dead and Mayor Richard ‘Dick’ Headley is forced to do some damage control. In the Office of the Mayor, anyone who can seeks to spin this and turn it on poor inspector records, though there is barely any time to breathe before new fires emerge. A gritty journalist, Barbara Matheson, wants answers and Headley’s head on a platter. She rushes to the scene and discovers a personal tie to the accident, one she was not expecting. Meanwhile, NYPD Detectives Bourque and Delgado are called to the scene of a body found by a jogger. They run the few leads they have and identify the victim as an elevator repairman, but there is still no clear motive for his murder. When another elevator plummets on Tuesday, all eyes turn to Mayor Headley, who is scrambling to keep his city at ease while wondering what is going on. Further acts of violence, including a bombing and yet another elevator mishap lead some to wonder if this is the work of a domestic terror organization seeking to push their message out however they can. When it is discovered that someone has planted cameras in all the elevators that crashed, new theories about how one might be able to ‘remotely control’ the elevators emerges, only fuelling the idea that this might be a form of terrorism. Barbara Matheson works her magic and finds a parallel between all three locations of the elevator malfunctions, which could cause havoc if it’s released too soon. While the world watches, New Yorkers are left paralyzed as all elevators are shut down by decree of the mayor. Political suicide, perhaps, but there has to be an answer somewhere in all of this. Barclay offers a thrilling ride that will leave all readers a little less certain about what they would do when arriving in a lobby of a multi-storey building. Recommended to those who love a good thriller, as well as readers who are longtime fans of Linwood Barclay.
I can usually count on Linwood Barclay to serve up a wonderful novel that will send chills up my spine and cause many of my brain synapses to spark. His ideas are well plotted, though there is usually a twist or two that could not have been predicted. With a wide cast of characters, it is hard to choose a single as the protagonist. The reader can learn a little more about Detective Jerry Bourque and the personal struggles he has on the job, while trying to solve this murder, or they might want to focus their attention on Mayor Headley, who is always keen on spinning things to go in his direction. The character development of Barbara Matheson is intriguing, both from a personal and professional angle. She has a gritty nature to her, but it is surely one the reader will enjoy, given the opportunity to envelop themselves in her backstory. There are many other characters from which the reader can choose when focussing their attention. Some may say this multi-layer story can distract the reader, but I find that it all connects together on some level and serves to permit a variety of views on a single, large event. The entertainment factor is high yet again, as Barclay uses this multi-character approach, pulling the reader in deeper. The story itself was quite ingenious, taking something as simple as an elevator and turning it into a weapon. The plot moves along well,, not rushing but also not dragging, as Barclay seeks to give the reader something to ponder while the story advances. With a mix of chapter lengths and just the right amount of suspense built in, the reader can follow as the narrative gathers momentum. There is certainly a great pace here and I can only hope readers find themselves as enthralled as I was in this piece. I may stay away from elevators for a while... or take the risk!
Kudos, Mr. Barclay, for another great novel. I can always count on a wonderful story when you are at the helm.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I can usually count on Linwood Barclay to serve up a wonderful novel that will send chills up my spine and cause many of my brain synapses to spark. His ideas are well plotted, though there is usually a twist or two that could not have been predicted. With a wide cast of characters, it is hard to choose a single as the protagonist. The reader can learn a little more about Detective Jerry Bourque and the personal struggles he has on the job, while trying to solve this murder, or they might want to focus their attention on Mayor Headley, who is always keen on spinning things to go in his direction. The character development of Barbara Matheson is intriguing, both from a personal and professional angle. She has a gritty nature to her, but it is surely one the reader will enjoy, given the opportunity to envelop themselves in her backstory. There are many other characters from which the reader can choose when focussing their attention. Some may say this multi-layer story can distract the reader, but I find that it all connects together on some level and serves to permit a variety of views on a single, large event. The entertainment factor is high yet again, as Barclay uses this multi-character approach, pulling the reader in deeper. The story itself was quite ingenious, taking something as simple as an elevator and turning it into a weapon. The plot moves along well,, not rushing but also not dragging, as Barclay seeks to give the reader something to ponder while the story advances. With a mix of chapter lengths and just the right amount of suspense built in, the reader can follow as the narrative gathers momentum. There is certainly a great pace here and I can only hope readers find themselves as enthralled as I was in this piece. I may stay away from elevators for a while... or take the risk!
Kudos, Mr. Barclay, for another great novel. I can always count on a wonderful story when you are at the helm.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
September 14, 2019
EXCERPT: The elevator car maintained its slow descent.
It did not stop at the lobby level. It continued, slowly, on its inexorable downward path.
The injured man, no longer visible, could be heard shouting, 'Make it stop! Stop the f***ing thing!'
Frantically, the security guard, unable to think of anything else to do, kept jabbing at the button. 'Come on! Stop, you son of a bitch!'
The top of the elevator car now dropped below the level of the lobby florr.
The screams from the man in the pit grew more intense, and were joined by the woman. A bone-chilling, two-person chorus of death.
The elevator car, like some cunning animal moving in on its prey, maintained its slow descent until it finally came to a stop.
The screaming ceased.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: It all begins on a Monday, when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. Each presses a button for their floor, but the elevator proceeds, non-stop, to the top. Once there, it stops for a few seconds, and then plummets.
Right to the bottom of the shaft.
It appears to be a horrific, random tragedy. But then, on Tuesday, it happens again, in a different Manhattan skyscraper. And when Wednesday brings yet another high-rise catastrophe, one of the most vertical cities in the world—and the nation’s capital of media, finance, and entertainment—is plunged into chaos.
Clearly, this is anything but random. This is a cold, calculated bid to terrorize the city. And it’s working. Fearing for their lives, thousands of men in women working in offices across the city refuse leave their homes. Commerce has slowed to a trickle. Emergency calls to the top floors of apartment buildings go unanswered.
Who is behind this? Why are they doing it? What do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line? Two seasoned New York detectives and a straight-shooting journalist must race against time to find the answers before the city’s newest, and tallest, residential tower has its Friday night ribbon-cutting.
MY THOUGHTS: Not the most chilling novel I have read about elevators - I will still ride them, but pretty damned good!
The chapters are short, tension-filled, and to the point. Linwood Barclay doesn't muck around...no detours, no side roads, no sight-seeing. Its wham, bam, thank you ma'am, get your teeth into this, do up your seat beat, and hold on tight!
Barclay keeps us guessing as to who is behind the elevator attacks; there are plenty of possibilities. ISIS? The Flyovers?.... or is it someone closer to home? Is the car bombing related? And where will they strike next? Will it be your building? Questions buzzed around my brain the whole time I was reading, but Mr Barclay kindly answered them all by the end.
As I have said occasionally in the past, the scariest thing is....this could happen. Probably will happen at some point. Maybe I won't ride elevators after all.
****
THE AUTHOR: Linwood Barclay is the #1 internationally bestselling author of seventeen novels for adults, including No Time for Goodbye, Trust Your Eyes and, most recently, A Noise Downstairs. He has also written two novels for children and screenplays.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia & MIRA via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please visit my profile page on Goodreads.com, or the about page on Sandysbookaday.wordpress.com.
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
It did not stop at the lobby level. It continued, slowly, on its inexorable downward path.
The injured man, no longer visible, could be heard shouting, 'Make it stop! Stop the f***ing thing!'
Frantically, the security guard, unable to think of anything else to do, kept jabbing at the button. 'Come on! Stop, you son of a bitch!'
The top of the elevator car now dropped below the level of the lobby florr.
The screams from the man in the pit grew more intense, and were joined by the woman. A bone-chilling, two-person chorus of death.
The elevator car, like some cunning animal moving in on its prey, maintained its slow descent until it finally came to a stop.
The screaming ceased.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: It all begins on a Monday, when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. Each presses a button for their floor, but the elevator proceeds, non-stop, to the top. Once there, it stops for a few seconds, and then plummets.
Right to the bottom of the shaft.
It appears to be a horrific, random tragedy. But then, on Tuesday, it happens again, in a different Manhattan skyscraper. And when Wednesday brings yet another high-rise catastrophe, one of the most vertical cities in the world—and the nation’s capital of media, finance, and entertainment—is plunged into chaos.
Clearly, this is anything but random. This is a cold, calculated bid to terrorize the city. And it’s working. Fearing for their lives, thousands of men in women working in offices across the city refuse leave their homes. Commerce has slowed to a trickle. Emergency calls to the top floors of apartment buildings go unanswered.
Who is behind this? Why are they doing it? What do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line? Two seasoned New York detectives and a straight-shooting journalist must race against time to find the answers before the city’s newest, and tallest, residential tower has its Friday night ribbon-cutting.
MY THOUGHTS: Not the most chilling novel I have read about elevators - I will still ride them, but pretty damned good!
The chapters are short, tension-filled, and to the point. Linwood Barclay doesn't muck around...no detours, no side roads, no sight-seeing. Its wham, bam, thank you ma'am, get your teeth into this, do up your seat beat, and hold on tight!
Barclay keeps us guessing as to who is behind the elevator attacks; there are plenty of possibilities. ISIS? The Flyovers?.... or is it someone closer to home? Is the car bombing related? And where will they strike next? Will it be your building? Questions buzzed around my brain the whole time I was reading, but Mr Barclay kindly answered them all by the end.
As I have said occasionally in the past, the scariest thing is....this could happen. Probably will happen at some point. Maybe I won't ride elevators after all.
****
THE AUTHOR: Linwood Barclay is the #1 internationally bestselling author of seventeen novels for adults, including No Time for Goodbye, Trust Your Eyes and, most recently, A Noise Downstairs. He has also written two novels for children and screenplays.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia & MIRA via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please visit my profile page on Goodreads.com, or the about page on Sandysbookaday.wordpress.com.
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 13, 2022
This is a Mystery/Thriller. I have to say I was bored the first part of the book and almost DNF the book. The ending was really good, and the ending makes you understand the beginning. I won this book from a goodreads giveaway, but this review is 100% my own opinion about the book.
May 13, 2020
Linwood Barclay has done it again with Elevator Pitch, i just could not put this one down it was an edge of your seat thriller that was well written fast paced& the characters were believable, BUT I DONT THINK I WILL GET INTO A ELEVATOR AGAIN!!
Set in New York where there are the tallest scry scrapers in the world four people get into an elevator each press the floor they want to get out on but for some reason the elevator goes straight to the top, then falls to the bottom in one almighty crash. The Mayor Richard Headley looks into the accident but the owner of the building Lansing Tower Morris Lansing is the developer & best friend of the Mayor Richard Headley start to panic as they dont want to be associated with the accident.
So Detective Jerry Bourgue & his long time partner Lois Delgardo are brought in to solve what happened. Borgue & Delgardo are best friends there is nothing both won't do for the other.
The longer the case goes both think it maybe another terrorist group called the flyovers, but there is no proof.
meanwhile an unidentified body has been found his fingertips cut off no ID late 50's found behind a bench in the dead of night his face mangled is this a connection or is New York going mad? there is chaos everywhere as Delgardo & Bourgue struggle to find answers.
MY THOUGHTS
I love Linwood Barclay he never disappoints this was a thrilling intense thriller that kept me invested i could not put down the characters were likeable & believable, the pacing never stopped i could feel the tension build in every chapter a must read.
Set in New York where there are the tallest scry scrapers in the world four people get into an elevator each press the floor they want to get out on but for some reason the elevator goes straight to the top, then falls to the bottom in one almighty crash. The Mayor Richard Headley looks into the accident but the owner of the building Lansing Tower Morris Lansing is the developer & best friend of the Mayor Richard Headley start to panic as they dont want to be associated with the accident.
So Detective Jerry Bourgue & his long time partner Lois Delgardo are brought in to solve what happened. Borgue & Delgardo are best friends there is nothing both won't do for the other.
The longer the case goes both think it maybe another terrorist group called the flyovers, but there is no proof.
meanwhile an unidentified body has been found his fingertips cut off no ID late 50's found behind a bench in the dead of night his face mangled is this a connection or is New York going mad? there is chaos everywhere as Delgardo & Bourgue struggle to find answers.
MY THOUGHTS
I love Linwood Barclay he never disappoints this was a thrilling intense thriller that kept me invested i could not put down the characters were likeable & believable, the pacing never stopped i could feel the tension build in every chapter a must read.
August 18, 2019
Confession time - Elevator Pitch was my first Linwood Barclay book! I know, I know I am a shocker. Once I started this book I did not want to put it down, it was all I could think about. I am absolutely a fan of this writer now and I will be looking for more books by him. This book completely sucked me and it scared me! Getting into an elevator was something that I started to dread, and honestly contemplated taking the stairs. What happens in this book is scary because it could happen! You will never look at an elevator the same way again after reading this book.
New York City - the most vertical city in the world. Home of the tallest skyscrapers and buildings that are inhabited by millions of people. So when the elevators in these buildings start to malfunction all hell breaks loose. It starts with one on a Monday morning. 4 people get in and press their floors. But the elevator races to the very top, before plummeting to the very bottom at a very fast pace - kind of like the Guardians of the Galaxy ride at California Adventure at Disneyland. Only this is not a ride you want to be on. This is just the start of the terror. The next day and the day after that more elevator incidents happen in Manhattan and the city is frightened. People are afraid to go to work or leave their apartments. The mayors office is under pressure to shut all the elevators down which will basically shut the city down. All the while 2 NYPD detectives are looking into the murder of a man whose fingers have been cut off and left on the high line. Are the 2 things connected? Who is doing this and why? Journalist Barbara Matheson is like a dog with a bone with this story and nothing will get in her way to get the headline. Can they make the city safe again before Friday when the tallest tower in New York is set to open?
Thanks to Harlequin HQ Book Club for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
New York City - the most vertical city in the world. Home of the tallest skyscrapers and buildings that are inhabited by millions of people. So when the elevators in these buildings start to malfunction all hell breaks loose. It starts with one on a Monday morning. 4 people get in and press their floors. But the elevator races to the very top, before plummeting to the very bottom at a very fast pace - kind of like the Guardians of the Galaxy ride at California Adventure at Disneyland. Only this is not a ride you want to be on. This is just the start of the terror. The next day and the day after that more elevator incidents happen in Manhattan and the city is frightened. People are afraid to go to work or leave their apartments. The mayors office is under pressure to shut all the elevators down which will basically shut the city down. All the while 2 NYPD detectives are looking into the murder of a man whose fingers have been cut off and left on the high line. Are the 2 things connected? Who is doing this and why? Journalist Barbara Matheson is like a dog with a bone with this story and nothing will get in her way to get the headline. Can they make the city safe again before Friday when the tallest tower in New York is set to open?
Thanks to Harlequin HQ Book Club for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
August 19, 2019
This was an interesting one and, having read it, I may never look at an elevator in the same way again. Especially one in a high rise building.
There were some very inventive details and a few very gory deaths. The author used his imagination fully to create original and amazing ways to die in an elevator incident. I was completely fooled by the ending. There was one huge red herring which made me think I was very clever - until I was not. Very well done and definitely worth a read.
There were some very inventive details and a few very gory deaths. The author used his imagination fully to create original and amazing ways to die in an elevator incident. I was completely fooled by the ending. There was one huge red herring which made me think I was very clever - until I was not. Very well done and definitely worth a read.
October 1, 2019
This book is an excellent read though it has a bit of a slow start. After reading this book, the elevator now gives me the creeps. I almost feel excited that I don't have to use the elevator anytime soon until I went to my doctor appointment and then I had to get on one. I immediately thought about this book and felt nervous the entire ride. I like following Barbara's view. She's a strong independent woman who doesn't feel afraid to speak her mind. Normally I don't like books with a lot of views but in this case it helps to understand what each person is thinking before they die if their character is short lived. Definitely interesting to learn more about New York reading this book. I like that it's considered as the vertical city since there are many tall buildings.
This book begins with a prologue, told in the third person point of view following Stuart, 38 as he waits around by the elevator under a disguise for Sherry, Producer, to pitch her into giving him a chance to be the newest screenwriter. After he, Sherry and two other people got on the elevator, it begins to have problems. The book then started with Barbara Matheson, journalist who brought to light a new allegation against Mayor Headley of NYC. The second view is Detective Jerry Bourque, 40 who came out to look at the new murder scene. The third view is Garnet aka Bucky who is a member of the Flyover group. The fourth view is the anonymous boy who hangs around his ill mom written in italicized. The fifth view is Fanya, a visiting scientist from Russia who lives on the 28th floor. She's waiting for the elevator to go down and feeling mad at the children and their parents for keeping the elevator. This book is organized from Monday to Friday. The sixth view is Headley, NYC Mayor. The seventh view is Alexander, Russia Ambassador. The eight view is Glover, advisor and son of the mayor. The ninth view is Eugene, an older figure that Bucky looks up to and is the leader of The Flyover group. The tenth view is Chris who works for the mayor. The eleventh view is Arla, Barbara's daughter. The twelfth view is Anjelica who invited Eugene for an interview on TV. The thirteenth view is Elliot as he and his partner from Canada wait for the elevator to arrive at their 15th floor. There are more other small characters I won't list them all.
Elevator Pitch is very well written and most definitely an interesting read. I love the reminder about how our eyes are always glued to the phone and how it could harm us if we don't watch where we are going. The simple thing about elevator being made into a scary ride is excellent. The author is sure creative. I enjoyed all of the different scenarios of how an elevator can cause an accident. "Eyebrows like mutant caterpillars," haha Love that description! Love the unexpected twists, Jerry not ducking, and Barbara's touchdown. I like how the ending tie to the prologue, pitching an idea in an elevator. I recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: elevator, terrorist acts, mobile phones, page turner, New York City, some humor, lesson learned at the end
Con: bit of a slow start
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to William Morrows for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest. xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
This book begins with a prologue, told in the third person point of view following Stuart, 38 as he waits around by the elevator under a disguise for Sherry, Producer, to pitch her into giving him a chance to be the newest screenwriter. After he, Sherry and two other people got on the elevator, it begins to have problems. The book then started with Barbara Matheson, journalist who brought to light a new allegation against Mayor Headley of NYC. The second view is Detective Jerry Bourque, 40 who came out to look at the new murder scene. The third view is Garnet aka Bucky who is a member of the Flyover group. The fourth view is the anonymous boy who hangs around his ill mom written in italicized. The fifth view is Fanya, a visiting scientist from Russia who lives on the 28th floor. She's waiting for the elevator to go down and feeling mad at the children and their parents for keeping the elevator. This book is organized from Monday to Friday. The sixth view is Headley, NYC Mayor. The seventh view is Alexander, Russia Ambassador. The eight view is Glover, advisor and son of the mayor. The ninth view is Eugene, an older figure that Bucky looks up to and is the leader of The Flyover group. The tenth view is Chris who works for the mayor. The eleventh view is Arla, Barbara's daughter. The twelfth view is Anjelica who invited Eugene for an interview on TV. The thirteenth view is Elliot as he and his partner from Canada wait for the elevator to arrive at their 15th floor. There are more other small characters I won't list them all.
Elevator Pitch is very well written and most definitely an interesting read. I love the reminder about how our eyes are always glued to the phone and how it could harm us if we don't watch where we are going. The simple thing about elevator being made into a scary ride is excellent. The author is sure creative. I enjoyed all of the different scenarios of how an elevator can cause an accident. "Eyebrows like mutant caterpillars," haha Love that description! Love the unexpected twists, Jerry not ducking, and Barbara's touchdown. I like how the ending tie to the prologue, pitching an idea in an elevator. I recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: elevator, terrorist acts, mobile phones, page turner, New York City, some humor, lesson learned at the end
Con: bit of a slow start
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to William Morrows for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest. xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
March 11, 2022
Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay is a 2019 William Morrow publication.
One piece of advice…
Take the stairs!
It has become increasingly obvious that someone is sabotaging elevators in New York City. This goes as well as one might expect. The mayor has no idea what to do, the press is making all manner of wild conjectures and elevator engineers are working to figure out the schematics of the attacks, while a group calling themselves ‘The Flyovers’ are the prime suspects behind the tragedies, which might also include a spate of bombings.
The question is:
Is it safe to ride the elevator in the country's most vertical city?
This novel is tense, suspenseful, but also caustically funny at times.
Barclay nails the reactions of politicians, the press, and talking heads perfectly. I laughed out loud several times as the author depicted the 24 hour news channels and the various conspiracy theories that immediately sprang to life. He also eerily predicted how people would respond to a crisis, should something like this really happen.
The story profiles the life of Barbara, a journalist who frequently targets the mayor, who is hoping to expand his political career further, and her daughter, with whom she has a complicated relationship.
We also follow a pair of detectives- one of whom is suffering from extreme anxiety, and a member of the ‘Flyovers’, and of course the inner workings of the mayor’s office as they slowly realize they have a genuine disaster on their hands…
I really enjoyed the way the author managed the rather large cast of characters, weaving the threads together perfectly. The feeling of dread steadily increases as the reader begins to realize the story is barreling towards a huge finale and some of our favorite people could be in danger.
Overall, this is a solid, well-executed thriller. I was engaged from beginning to end and thought the author did a really good job with this one!
4 stars
One piece of advice…
Take the stairs!
It has become increasingly obvious that someone is sabotaging elevators in New York City. This goes as well as one might expect. The mayor has no idea what to do, the press is making all manner of wild conjectures and elevator engineers are working to figure out the schematics of the attacks, while a group calling themselves ‘The Flyovers’ are the prime suspects behind the tragedies, which might also include a spate of bombings.
The question is:
Is it safe to ride the elevator in the country's most vertical city?
This novel is tense, suspenseful, but also caustically funny at times.
Barclay nails the reactions of politicians, the press, and talking heads perfectly. I laughed out loud several times as the author depicted the 24 hour news channels and the various conspiracy theories that immediately sprang to life. He also eerily predicted how people would respond to a crisis, should something like this really happen.
The story profiles the life of Barbara, a journalist who frequently targets the mayor, who is hoping to expand his political career further, and her daughter, with whom she has a complicated relationship.
We also follow a pair of detectives- one of whom is suffering from extreme anxiety, and a member of the ‘Flyovers’, and of course the inner workings of the mayor’s office as they slowly realize they have a genuine disaster on their hands…
I really enjoyed the way the author managed the rather large cast of characters, weaving the threads together perfectly. The feeling of dread steadily increases as the reader begins to realize the story is barreling towards a huge finale and some of our favorite people could be in danger.
Overall, this is a solid, well-executed thriller. I was engaged from beginning to end and thought the author did a really good job with this one!
4 stars
August 11, 2019
As one elevator after another malfunctioned and people were killed, the mayor of New York, Richard Headley was trying to calm the people of his city. But Headley’s decision to shut down all elevators – in a city that was mainly vertical – meant chaos ensued. Who was causing this? And why?
NYPD Detectives Delgado and Bourque were investigating the brutal death of an elevator mechanic when suddenly the links to the two connected. And reporter Barbara Matheson, for Manhattan Today, was asking questions – about Headley, and once again, the why. The depth of the investigations; the crisis that New York was facing – people were terrified. Those who lived in high rises couldn’t leave their apartments because of the climb back to the top. Minor needs like groceries and prescriptions had to be forgone. But people were dying and whoever was behind it all needed to be stopped.
With the latest high rise, Top of the Park, due to open, the rush to make sure the elevators passed inspection was on. Almost one hundred floors with the party on the top level – the elite of New York attending – would it be safe? Would it go ahead? The race was on…
Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay is a standalone psychological thriller with an electric pace and plenty of twists. I thought I knew who the perpetrator was – I was wrong. A chilling read with a good dose of suspense; Elevator Pitch is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
NYPD Detectives Delgado and Bourque were investigating the brutal death of an elevator mechanic when suddenly the links to the two connected. And reporter Barbara Matheson, for Manhattan Today, was asking questions – about Headley, and once again, the why. The depth of the investigations; the crisis that New York was facing – people were terrified. Those who lived in high rises couldn’t leave their apartments because of the climb back to the top. Minor needs like groceries and prescriptions had to be forgone. But people were dying and whoever was behind it all needed to be stopped.
With the latest high rise, Top of the Park, due to open, the rush to make sure the elevators passed inspection was on. Almost one hundred floors with the party on the top level – the elite of New York attending – would it be safe? Would it go ahead? The race was on…
Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay is a standalone psychological thriller with an electric pace and plenty of twists. I thought I knew who the perpetrator was – I was wrong. A chilling read with a good dose of suspense; Elevator Pitch is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2021
2.5 stars
I am shocked I didn't like this one but it has to happen, right? You can't love them all, even when the book is by a favorite author.
A lot is going on here, but not much happens to keep my interest. The pacing is off, just when things seem to pick up, it slows down again.
I don't really have much more to say and I can't bring myself to saying anything more negative about this one because it feels like talking bad about a friend you have some history with, so I am chalking it up to a bad day for both the author and me!!!
I received a copy from the publisher through EW.
I am shocked I didn't like this one but it has to happen, right? You can't love them all, even when the book is by a favorite author.
A lot is going on here, but not much happens to keep my interest. The pacing is off, just when things seem to pick up, it slows down again.
I don't really have much more to say and I can't bring myself to saying anything more negative about this one because it feels like talking bad about a friend you have some history with, so I am chalking it up to a bad day for both the author and me!!!
I received a copy from the publisher through EW.
August 4, 2019
After reading this, you'll never look at an elevator the same way, and if you're smart you'll certainly never step into one without looking first.
It all began on a Monday in Manhattan, when an elevator accident caused four people to plummet to their deaths. At least it was thought to be an accident until another elevator accident happened on Tuesday followed by a third on Wednesday. The Mayor's office is in a spin - who is targeting elevators and will there be any more incidents? Do they keep quiet and hope there won't be or do they close down all 70,000 elevators in the city bringing the whole city to a standstill, and causing hardship for all those living in high rise apartments? The NYPD have few leads to follow to find the culprit and have others matters to investigate such as a faceless, fingertip-less corpse and a terrorist bomber loose in the city, who might or might not be connected to the elevator incidents.
Linwood Barclay has taken something very familiar to the everyday lives of city dwellers (elevators) and made it into something very scary indeed. It would probably have to be the most effective way of crippling a city with the least number of deaths. The plot moves along well, centred on the Mayor and his closest staff, a hard hitting journalist (and long time thorn in the Mayor's side) Barbara Matheson and the two very likeable detectives on the case, Jerry Borque and Lois Delgardo. The final chapters are very thrilling indeed as Barclay ramps ups the tension as the culprit manipulating the elevators steps out of the shadows and their motives are revealed.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Australia for a digital ARC to read.
It all began on a Monday in Manhattan, when an elevator accident caused four people to plummet to their deaths. At least it was thought to be an accident until another elevator accident happened on Tuesday followed by a third on Wednesday. The Mayor's office is in a spin - who is targeting elevators and will there be any more incidents? Do they keep quiet and hope there won't be or do they close down all 70,000 elevators in the city bringing the whole city to a standstill, and causing hardship for all those living in high rise apartments? The NYPD have few leads to follow to find the culprit and have others matters to investigate such as a faceless, fingertip-less corpse and a terrorist bomber loose in the city, who might or might not be connected to the elevator incidents.
Linwood Barclay has taken something very familiar to the everyday lives of city dwellers (elevators) and made it into something very scary indeed. It would probably have to be the most effective way of crippling a city with the least number of deaths. The plot moves along well, centred on the Mayor and his closest staff, a hard hitting journalist (and long time thorn in the Mayor's side) Barbara Matheson and the two very likeable detectives on the case, Jerry Borque and Lois Delgardo. The final chapters are very thrilling indeed as Barclay ramps ups the tension as the culprit manipulating the elevators steps out of the shadows and their motives are revealed.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Australia for a digital ARC to read.
August 22, 2019
You've heard the saying..
Once is chance
Twice is Coincidence
Third Time is a pattern..
It all begins on Monday, when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower, and the elevator proceeds, non-stop to the top, pausing briefly, before plummeting right to the bottom of the shaft.
It seemed like another horrific, but random, tragedy for the World's most vertical city.
Till, it happens again in a different skyscraper on Tuesday.
And, then there is yet another catastrophe involving a high rise and an elevator on Wednesday.
Well developed characters Barbara Matheson, a straight shooting reporter and no fan of the current Mayor, Richard Headley, AND Detectives Jerry Bourque and Lois Delgado, are determined to figure out WHO is behind these attacks and WHY.
Is a terrorist group using the elevators of NY to paralyze the city?
The book synopsis promises that this thriller will do for elevators what Psycho did for showers and Jaws did for the beach...and as the elevators plunged, my heart was racing!
This was another top notch thriller that would make a great blockbuster movie, and with all of the sequels and remakes produced this year, it's clear to me that Hollywood could use an original idea like this! 🍿
Although last year's "A Noise Downstairs" remains my favorite Linwood Barclay book, so far (I have lots of his earlier work yet to read!) -I have no hesitation in recommending this to readers who enjoy suspense and thrillers!
Thank You to Edelweiss, William Morrow Publishing and the author for allowing me to read a digital ARC in exchange for a candid review! This book will be released on Sept 17th, 2019!
Once is chance
Twice is Coincidence
Third Time is a pattern..
It all begins on Monday, when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower, and the elevator proceeds, non-stop to the top, pausing briefly, before plummeting right to the bottom of the shaft.
It seemed like another horrific, but random, tragedy for the World's most vertical city.
Till, it happens again in a different skyscraper on Tuesday.
And, then there is yet another catastrophe involving a high rise and an elevator on Wednesday.
Well developed characters Barbara Matheson, a straight shooting reporter and no fan of the current Mayor, Richard Headley, AND Detectives Jerry Bourque and Lois Delgado, are determined to figure out WHO is behind these attacks and WHY.
Is a terrorist group using the elevators of NY to paralyze the city?
The book synopsis promises that this thriller will do for elevators what Psycho did for showers and Jaws did for the beach...and as the elevators plunged, my heart was racing!
This was another top notch thriller that would make a great blockbuster movie, and with all of the sequels and remakes produced this year, it's clear to me that Hollywood could use an original idea like this! 🍿
Although last year's "A Noise Downstairs" remains my favorite Linwood Barclay book, so far (I have lots of his earlier work yet to read!) -I have no hesitation in recommending this to readers who enjoy suspense and thrillers!
Thank You to Edelweiss, William Morrow Publishing and the author for allowing me to read a digital ARC in exchange for a candid review! This book will be released on Sept 17th, 2019!
June 24, 2021
Elevator Pitch is definitely not the book you want to read if you have a fear of elevators. This was my second Linwood Barclay book and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. I thought the pacing was on point and I could feel the tension continually escalating as the story progressed. There is a large cast of characters (Detective Bourque being my favorite) and a few different threads going on at the same time (making it easy to get misdirected), but he does a great job converging them and tying up the loose ends without the ending being over the top. What I didn't really care for were the political opinions which were a bit heavy-handed in my opinion, but I've learned to just overlook those things as I read. Overall, 4 stars and I look forward to reading some of his older series which I've heard great things about.
July 21, 2019
This stand alone novel by one of my favourite authors Linwood Barclay was good but not great. It started well and the end was dramatic and very good but a lot of what came between did not do it for me.
The book start with four people getting into an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. They all press the buttons to indicate their destination but the elevator proceeds to the top of the building before pausing and then plummeting to the bottom. This appears to be an horrific accident until the following day when the very same happens again in another high rise building. Further incidents occur and the city is reduced to fear and resulting chaos. The question is who is behind it and why.
There were plenty of high spots in this book so I don't want to be too negative about it, I did enjoy it and love the writing of Linwood Barclay so I fully understand why other reviewers will give more favourable ratings.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and HQ for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book start with four people getting into an elevator in a Manhattan office tower. They all press the buttons to indicate their destination but the elevator proceeds to the top of the building before pausing and then plummeting to the bottom. This appears to be an horrific accident until the following day when the very same happens again in another high rise building. Further incidents occur and the city is reduced to fear and resulting chaos. The question is who is behind it and why.
There were plenty of high spots in this book so I don't want to be too negative about it, I did enjoy it and love the writing of Linwood Barclay so I fully understand why other reviewers will give more favourable ratings.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and HQ for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2020
Tense, twisty, and scary! Tall buildings and elevators make me nervous to begin with, so this book only made my phobias worse...eek! ;-) In the latest thriller from Linwood Barclay, the whole of New York City is at the mercy of a terrorist sabotaging elevators. Are the buildings being targeted randomly? Who is behind the attacks and why? Two police detectives and a journalist rush to put the pieces together before another elevator disaster kills more innocent people. Elevator Pitch is an intense and entertaining read. Fantastic follow up to A Noise Downstairs. {Borrowed from the library}
September 1, 2019
How is it possible to read two thrillers based on malfunctioning elevators in one month? I don’t know. I definitely don’t have a thing for elevator thrillers and I certainly would prefer not to develop a fear of elevators. But there it is. I read The Escape Room a few weeks ago, and now I just read Elevator Pitch, and I might just have to start taking the stairs...
Joking aside, I quite enjoyed Elevator Pitch. It starts with one nasty elevator incident in New York, and then another... The story focuses on a number of characters who are affected by the incidents, including a journalist and her daughter, the mayor and his son, and a couple of police officers. It’s a smooth narration, in short chapters, telling the story from different perspectives. The political issues are contemporary. The focus on what would happen to New York if all elevators were taken out of service is really interesting. I have a bit of a complaint about the improbability of one of the connections between the characters, but otherwise this one was a fun and clever read.
But now the real question is whether I should take the elevator or the stairs when I go back to work on Tuesday?
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
Joking aside, I quite enjoyed Elevator Pitch. It starts with one nasty elevator incident in New York, and then another... The story focuses on a number of characters who are affected by the incidents, including a journalist and her daughter, the mayor and his son, and a couple of police officers. It’s a smooth narration, in short chapters, telling the story from different perspectives. The political issues are contemporary. The focus on what would happen to New York if all elevators were taken out of service is really interesting. I have a bit of a complaint about the improbability of one of the connections between the characters, but otherwise this one was a fun and clever read.
But now the real question is whether I should take the elevator or the stairs when I go back to work on Tuesday?
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
August 22, 2019
There is something deliciously safe yet still scary reading about one of your fears isn’t there?
I cant stand lifts/elevators and so absolutely couldn’t wait to read about something I could MORE than imagine
Even if your not wary of lifts everyone knows that somersault tummy moment when the door of the lift doesn’t open quite quickly enough and you wonder......
In Elevator Pitch you meet ‘normal’ people who are in lifts whilst New York is suffering a spate of tragic accidents relating to lifts, like any good disaster film, you get to know them quickly and then they are embroiled in the disaster, same as in this book
I felt every panic, every ‘false bit of humour’ and every manic hope as these people became involved in a ‘lift event’, some survive and some don’t, it felt very realistic to me
The book then through various characters comes to solve what and why this is happening and ends on a scene to make ‘Towering Inferno’ proud!
Now, its very American, thats not a criticism just an observation, the actual descriptions of New York are wonderful, the author obviously loves it and it built a great picture of the City in my mind
The characters, from the typecast Mayor ( with secrets ) to the embittered journo trying to cause the Mayor as much hassle as she can are not immediately or in some
cases ever likeable but they play their parts well although it did take me a while to ‘get to know them’
All in all a satisfyingly chilling read with breathing space for everything to be told and come together in a thrilling ending
August 21, 2020
I prefer more positivity than this novel produces. 4 of 10 stars
August 6, 2025
“Let me leave you with one bit of advice … take the stairs.”
The mayor of New York city was asked a simple, point blank question,
“Is it, or is it not, safe to take an elevator in the city of New York?”
His grim but equally simple answer
“I don’t know”
provoked a fire storm of fear in a vertical city whose economy, not to put too fine a point on it, was entirely dependent on functioning vertical daily and minute-to-minute transportation in the form of elevators.
Picture yourself, if you will, making your morning coffee and listening to the following breaking news report from CNN’s Wolf Blitzer,
“After three elevator tragedies in as many days, New York is now facing the possibility of a serial saboteur. There is evidence to suggest that all three incidents, in random buildings across the city are disconnected. Stunningly, it was revealed moments ago that these elevators may have been hacked, raising the horrifying specter that these conveyances that carry millions of people every day could be remotely manipulated. This startling news comes at the same time as the Flyovers, a militant domestic group believed to be responsible for terrorist acts in several coastal cities, has claimed responsibility for a taxi bombing in New York.”
Holy crap, serial domestic terrorism coupled with hard right-wing racist, nationalist overtones. Shades of January 6th insurrection and 9-11! Linwood Barclay has created a credible, masterful nail-biter that draws on the ugly political climate that the world is being forced to witness in today’s USA. Barclay’s marvelous depiction of the knee-jerk right-wing response to the New York mayor’s bravura but impossibly difficult decision - shutting down the entire city’s elevator system in response to the unspeakable magnitude of the threat involved - is class and absolutely spot-on!
“This is an outrageous overreaction. You simply cannot shut down every elevator in the biggest city in the country. We have no idea how real this threat is, …”
“Are you kidding me? Would you get on an elevator in New York today?”
“Yes I would, and you know why? Because this is all a load of fake news designed to frighten people and make them submit to the will of –”
Hmmm … where have I heard that before? And then, as if the perennial allusions to “fake news” weren’t enough, Barclay takes a moment to take a potshot at the US right’s racism and anti-immigration stance:
“The only group alleged to have taken responsibility for anything that had happened in New York in the previous three days was the US-based Flyovers … that did not stop many individuals, including more than a few politicians at very senior levels, from arguing that this was more evidence that American needed to curb immigration and tighten its borders. “We cannot,” said one bombastic talk radio host (can’t you just hear the voice of Alex Jones?), “allow these illegals into our country to wage war on us. But yet, that’s what we do! Just how stupid are we, ladies and gentlemen?”
Biting political commentary coupled with a breathtaking thriller that will make you pause for a moment the next time you’re about to step into the open doors of an elevator. ELEVATOR PITCH is a psychological thriller with an eyebrow-raising level of plausibility that will set your heart to beating faster. Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
The mayor of New York city was asked a simple, point blank question,
“Is it, or is it not, safe to take an elevator in the city of New York?”
His grim but equally simple answer
“I don’t know”
provoked a fire storm of fear in a vertical city whose economy, not to put too fine a point on it, was entirely dependent on functioning vertical daily and minute-to-minute transportation in the form of elevators.
Picture yourself, if you will, making your morning coffee and listening to the following breaking news report from CNN’s Wolf Blitzer,
“After three elevator tragedies in as many days, New York is now facing the possibility of a serial saboteur. There is evidence to suggest that all three incidents, in random buildings across the city are disconnected. Stunningly, it was revealed moments ago that these elevators may have been hacked, raising the horrifying specter that these conveyances that carry millions of people every day could be remotely manipulated. This startling news comes at the same time as the Flyovers, a militant domestic group believed to be responsible for terrorist acts in several coastal cities, has claimed responsibility for a taxi bombing in New York.”
Holy crap, serial domestic terrorism coupled with hard right-wing racist, nationalist overtones. Shades of January 6th insurrection and 9-11! Linwood Barclay has created a credible, masterful nail-biter that draws on the ugly political climate that the world is being forced to witness in today’s USA. Barclay’s marvelous depiction of the knee-jerk right-wing response to the New York mayor’s bravura but impossibly difficult decision - shutting down the entire city’s elevator system in response to the unspeakable magnitude of the threat involved - is class and absolutely spot-on!
“This is an outrageous overreaction. You simply cannot shut down every elevator in the biggest city in the country. We have no idea how real this threat is, …”
“Are you kidding me? Would you get on an elevator in New York today?”
“Yes I would, and you know why? Because this is all a load of fake news designed to frighten people and make them submit to the will of –”
Hmmm … where have I heard that before? And then, as if the perennial allusions to “fake news” weren’t enough, Barclay takes a moment to take a potshot at the US right’s racism and anti-immigration stance:
“The only group alleged to have taken responsibility for anything that had happened in New York in the previous three days was the US-based Flyovers … that did not stop many individuals, including more than a few politicians at very senior levels, from arguing that this was more evidence that American needed to curb immigration and tighten its borders. “We cannot,” said one bombastic talk radio host (can’t you just hear the voice of Alex Jones?), “allow these illegals into our country to wage war on us. But yet, that’s what we do! Just how stupid are we, ladies and gentlemen?”
Biting political commentary coupled with a breathtaking thriller that will make you pause for a moment the next time you’re about to step into the open doors of an elevator. ELEVATOR PITCH is a psychological thriller with an eyebrow-raising level of plausibility that will set your heart to beating faster. Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
September 26, 2022
Three elevator mishaps in three days is a bit much, even for New York. Authorities are at a loss as to who could be behind the incidents and why.
I didn't realize it had been such a long time since I read a Linwood Barclay book but apparently it's been over 3 years. I enjoyed this story but wouldn't list it high on my favourites. The version I was reading was a paperback that had over 500 pages so there were times I felt like I was never going to finish it and it took me a long time to read it. I was expecting more tension and excitement but never got it. There was nothing wrong with the writing, the plot or the characters so I think I was just not in the proper mood for this one. I have a couple of his more recent books on my TBR and I'm looking forward to them.
I received this paperback copy of this book for my birthday last year.
I didn't realize it had been such a long time since I read a Linwood Barclay book but apparently it's been over 3 years. I enjoyed this story but wouldn't list it high on my favourites. The version I was reading was a paperback that had over 500 pages so there were times I felt like I was never going to finish it and it took me a long time to read it. I was expecting more tension and excitement but never got it. There was nothing wrong with the writing, the plot or the characters so I think I was just not in the proper mood for this one. I have a couple of his more recent books on my TBR and I'm looking forward to them.
I received this paperback copy of this book for my birthday last year.
September 13, 2019
On Monday morning four people enter an elevator in an office building. They each press the button for their designated floors but the elevator sails passed them right to the top. Once there it sits idle for a few minutes before plummeting to the ground killing three immediately and one a few hours later from her injuries.
On Tuesday an elevator malfunctions in an apartment block and stops dead. Inside is a young boy on his way to school and a Russian scientist. They manage to prise open the doors and the scientist climbs out but upon reaching for her purse the elevator drops, killing her instantly.
On Wednesday an elevator door opens and two people step on, but there is no elevator and they fall, luckily not too far. Injured but alive people come to their rescue, that is until the elevator moves down crushing the pair.
New York is in terror as the residents and workers refuse to use the elevators leaving some people stranded in their high-rise buildings. The Mayor is catapulted into the limelight as people want answers and what does a fingerless man found dead on the Highline have to do with the issue? It’s up to detectives Jerry Bourque and Lois Delgado to work quickly and put the pieces together.
If you have a fear of elevators (lifts) then you might want to give this book a miss, for those that don’t have a fear of them this might make you think twice before stepping onto one!
Elevator Pitch is an intense thriller that weaves a lot of plotlines together. In the beginning, I was a little confused as the book moved from the initial accident onto a journalist and her dealings with the New York Mayor. We then meet two detectives who are dealing with a crime scene on the Highline where a man has been found brutally murdered and his fingers cut off.
I struggled a little to try to work out how all these characters and scenes would come together but once we find out who the murdered man is and the events that occurred on Tuesday everything starts to come clear and the book began to make sense again. It’s at this point the book truly came alive and I raced through it.
Not only do we have elevators malfunctioning there is also a terrorist on the loose blowing up things. Are the two connected?
This is the first book by Linwood Barclay that I have read and from how much enjoyment I had reading it, it won’t be my last. Elevator Pitch is chilling and exciting, yes, it begins slowly but keep going as it certainly will take you for a ride. The ending is perfect and I like how it incorporated the prologue too.
On Tuesday an elevator malfunctions in an apartment block and stops dead. Inside is a young boy on his way to school and a Russian scientist. They manage to prise open the doors and the scientist climbs out but upon reaching for her purse the elevator drops, killing her instantly.
On Wednesday an elevator door opens and two people step on, but there is no elevator and they fall, luckily not too far. Injured but alive people come to their rescue, that is until the elevator moves down crushing the pair.
New York is in terror as the residents and workers refuse to use the elevators leaving some people stranded in their high-rise buildings. The Mayor is catapulted into the limelight as people want answers and what does a fingerless man found dead on the Highline have to do with the issue? It’s up to detectives Jerry Bourque and Lois Delgado to work quickly and put the pieces together.
If you have a fear of elevators (lifts) then you might want to give this book a miss, for those that don’t have a fear of them this might make you think twice before stepping onto one!
Elevator Pitch is an intense thriller that weaves a lot of plotlines together. In the beginning, I was a little confused as the book moved from the initial accident onto a journalist and her dealings with the New York Mayor. We then meet two detectives who are dealing with a crime scene on the Highline where a man has been found brutally murdered and his fingers cut off.
I struggled a little to try to work out how all these characters and scenes would come together but once we find out who the murdered man is and the events that occurred on Tuesday everything starts to come clear and the book began to make sense again. It’s at this point the book truly came alive and I raced through it.
Not only do we have elevators malfunctioning there is also a terrorist on the loose blowing up things. Are the two connected?
This is the first book by Linwood Barclay that I have read and from how much enjoyment I had reading it, it won’t be my last. Elevator Pitch is chilling and exciting, yes, it begins slowly but keep going as it certainly will take you for a ride. The ending is perfect and I like how it incorporated the prologue too.
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