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High Risk
The higher the climb, the further the fall.From the authors of the mind-bending epic, HISTORY OF LIES, comes HIGH RISK, an intense, claustrophobic thriller set fifty stories high.
An ambitious business executive, Jim Sloane, is imprisoned in his high-rise office over the long holiday without food, water, or power. Cut off from the world, Jim must figure out who locked him in and why. As he unravels the mystery, Jim discovers that his list of enemies is long and his time to escape is short.
Can he find a way out, or will he die trying?
An ambitious business executive, Jim Sloane, is imprisoned in his high-rise office over the long holiday without food, water, or power. Cut off from the world, Jim must figure out who locked him in and why. As he unravels the mystery, Jim discovers that his list of enemies is long and his time to escape is short.
Can he find a way out, or will he die trying?
- GenresThriller SuspenseFiction
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 17, 2021
This was a really nice story with A Christmas Carol vibes. Jim is a top Real Estate Executive who discovered the true important things in his life and fought to keep those things close to him. A quick read and written very well.
April 14, 2023
High Risk, written by T.S. Maynard and W.J. McNally, is a thrilling novel that follows the life of a self-centered businessman named Jim. After receiving an opportunity to work on an important business deal, Jim decides to stay late at work, causing him to miss his flight home to his family. Unfortunately for him, Jim finds himself locked inside his own office building. With no way out, no phone or internet connection, and the water turned off, Jim is forced to fend for himself for four long days until the staff returns to work.
The story commences with Jim on the rooftop of his building, contemplating his life choices while clutching a forty-five-degree ledge at the top of a fifty-story skyscraper. This opening scene instantly captivates the reader and creates suspense, setting an excellent tone for the rest of the novel.
The story then transitions back four days to give readers an insight into how Jim ended up in this predicament. The third-person narrative allows readers to gain an overview of the situation, with a primary focus on Jim's experiences. However, dialogue between other characters when Jim is not present, helps to build a more vivid picture of his character.
Maynard and McNally have crafted a book full of suspense and drama, with a classic closed-room mystery of who locked Jim in and how he will escape. Each chapter, while some may be brief, offers a glimpse into the characters' stories, is action-packed, and poses intriguing questions that drive the reader's curiosity.
High Risk is an easy and captivating read that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking an engaging and entertaining story. This is a quick and smooth mystery thriller that will have you guessing until the very end.
The story commences with Jim on the rooftop of his building, contemplating his life choices while clutching a forty-five-degree ledge at the top of a fifty-story skyscraper. This opening scene instantly captivates the reader and creates suspense, setting an excellent tone for the rest of the novel.
The story then transitions back four days to give readers an insight into how Jim ended up in this predicament. The third-person narrative allows readers to gain an overview of the situation, with a primary focus on Jim's experiences. However, dialogue between other characters when Jim is not present, helps to build a more vivid picture of his character.
Maynard and McNally have crafted a book full of suspense and drama, with a classic closed-room mystery of who locked Jim in and how he will escape. Each chapter, while some may be brief, offers a glimpse into the characters' stories, is action-packed, and poses intriguing questions that drive the reader's curiosity.
High Risk is an easy and captivating read that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking an engaging and entertaining story. This is a quick and smooth mystery thriller that will have you guessing until the very end.
January 11, 2025
This is a Book with a lot of Thrilling Promises, But It Vears Off into a Book of Morals and Cheer
MAYBE this Book is what YOU want to read when you glance at its description, teasing you with a death-grip view of tumbling off a 50-story office building. And although the story creeps in and out of such a tale, The Author has other plans for you … with designs to put you into a familiar Christmas Cheer, full of bubbly, gifts and a happy family life.
The Author consistently tantalizes The Reader with insight to corporate greed, stomping on the little guy, and enjoying the riches that such people enjoy. But, while this book builds The Reader up with one story, The Author quickly changes to a different tale near the end. Yes, The Author probably wrote what he intended — but, unfortunately, it’s probably NOT what The Reader wanted by the time the last page is read.
MAYBE this Book is what YOU want to read when you glance at its description, teasing you with a death-grip view of tumbling off a 50-story office building. And although the story creeps in and out of such a tale, The Author has other plans for you … with designs to put you into a familiar Christmas Cheer, full of bubbly, gifts and a happy family life.
The Author consistently tantalizes The Reader with insight to corporate greed, stomping on the little guy, and enjoying the riches that such people enjoy. But, while this book builds The Reader up with one story, The Author quickly changes to a different tale near the end. Yes, The Author probably wrote what he intended — but, unfortunately, it’s probably NOT what The Reader wanted by the time the last page is read.
December 29, 2021
"Jim Sloane, a successful business executive, finds himself locked in his 50th-floor office over the Christmas holiday."
This is totally my worst nightmare to be locked through the holidays at work with no way out.
From the beginning, I was caught and just had to know what happens to Jim. Although he is not really the perfect person to his family, colleagues, or friends I got attached and wanted him to find a way out. With every clue he assumes a person in his life is responsible I think yes that should be him, then another clue comes up and it could be a totally different person. Just kept me guessing till the end.
"The higher the climb, the further the fall…"
I loved this book and would recommend it as a fast read with a few twists.
New to me author, will look for more books!
A free Amazon ebook.
This is totally my worst nightmare to be locked through the holidays at work with no way out.
From the beginning, I was caught and just had to know what happens to Jim. Although he is not really the perfect person to his family, colleagues, or friends I got attached and wanted him to find a way out. With every clue he assumes a person in his life is responsible I think yes that should be him, then another clue comes up and it could be a totally different person. Just kept me guessing till the end.
"The higher the climb, the further the fall…"
I loved this book and would recommend it as a fast read with a few twists.
New to me author, will look for more books!
A free Amazon ebook.
December 26, 2021
This story is short and pretty well written. I would have given it 4 stars, but the main person was so vile, I just never believed he’d find any redemption. Maybe this is how people at the top of businesses really operate, but I didn’t find it interesting because I hated the lead character so much. The author was great in coming up with ways to escape from the room that mostly didn’t work. If you like reading about unredeemable businessmen, this is a good choice. It just wasn’t suitable for my tastes in reading. It was very clever, though.
May 8, 2024
Superb
I couldn't put this down, absolutely gripping from first to last page!
High Risk is a modern day twist on A Christmas Carol.
The story opens on a cliffhanger - literally.
Jim Sloane seems to have it all on the surface, but underneath everything is cracking. Instead of going home on Christmas Eve, Jim finds himself locked in his stunning high-rise office. But who locked him in, cut off the power, and watches him like a hawk? With time to reflect, Jim realizes the list of enemies is quite long.
Highly recommended, a great short thriller.
I couldn't put this down, absolutely gripping from first to last page!
High Risk is a modern day twist on A Christmas Carol.
The story opens on a cliffhanger - literally.
Jim Sloane seems to have it all on the surface, but underneath everything is cracking. Instead of going home on Christmas Eve, Jim finds himself locked in his stunning high-rise office. But who locked him in, cut off the power, and watches him like a hawk? With time to reflect, Jim realizes the list of enemies is quite long.
Highly recommended, a great short thriller.
February 28, 2025
That was awesome
Didn’t put the book down until I was finished. Took me an hour and seventeen minutes and I consider it time well spent. Great story, extremely well written and the Die Hard reference was chef’s kiss. I don’t normally read thrillers, I prefer SciFi or Romantasy, I was able to handle the tension despite my fear of heights. This book showed up when I was looking for something else and since it was the second time I’d come across it I took a leap of faith and am glad I did. I recommend this book with no reservations.
Didn’t put the book down until I was finished. Took me an hour and seventeen minutes and I consider it time well spent. Great story, extremely well written and the Die Hard reference was chef’s kiss. I don’t normally read thrillers, I prefer SciFi or Romantasy, I was able to handle the tension despite my fear of heights. This book showed up when I was looking for something else and since it was the second time I’d come across it I took a leap of faith and am glad I did. I recommend this book with no reservations.
December 31, 2021
A STORY TO READ.
Jim Sloane had found himself clinging to the edge of the top of a fifty-story skyscraper.
How did he get there ?
Was he going to fall ?
--------------
I loved the very beginning of the novel (the first chapter) completely mind-blowing and addicting !
I liked less the sequel , which traces the last events in the life of the unfriendly character of Jim Sloane.
I recommend this very well written story in its genre.
Jim Sloane had found himself clinging to the edge of the top of a fifty-story skyscraper.
How did he get there ?
Was he going to fall ?
--------------
I loved the very beginning of the novel (the first chapter) completely mind-blowing and addicting !
I liked less the sequel , which traces the last events in the life of the unfriendly character of Jim Sloane.
I recommend this very well written story in its genre.
October 6, 2024
Not what I expected!
I absolutely don't want to give it away, but I got to say this was a great read! I did nitnsee the end coming and I bet you won't either! The author did a great job showing all the possibilities, but I bed you don't guess the real situation! Fast paced, well written, we'll planned. I'm looking forward to more from this writer! Read it, you won't be disappointed!
I absolutely don't want to give it away, but I got to say this was a great read! I did nitnsee the end coming and I bet you won't either! The author did a great job showing all the possibilities, but I bed you don't guess the real situation! Fast paced, well written, we'll planned. I'm looking forward to more from this writer! Read it, you won't be disappointed!
December 30, 2021
Reads quickly like a novella with tones of "The Christmas Carol". Jim Sloan is caught up in doing his best job using methods that are not exactly clean and cost him dearly with his family. Then someone puts him in a situation that can easily get him killed. The intensity as he tries to escape and find out who is doing this makes this an unforgettable read. A fantastic ride!
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February 26, 2023
Good Suspense Thriller!
An ambitious and intelligent broker who, despite making mistakes to reach his goals, still shows signs of conscience. It's Christmas and he's trapped in his office on the fiftieth floor and in extreme conditions we want to know the end of Jim Sloan's story. Who and why are doing this to him?
An ambitious and intelligent broker who, despite making mistakes to reach his goals, still shows signs of conscience. It's Christmas and he's trapped in his office on the fiftieth floor and in extreme conditions we want to know the end of Jim Sloan's story. Who and why are doing this to him?
August 23, 2023
An enjoyable read
The mystery definitely gets you hooked, although there are times when it can be hard to tell when in the story you are, or who is speaking. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed it as 'Scrooge' got his due and tried to uncover who his ghost of Christmas past was before time ran out.
The mystery definitely gets you hooked, although there are times when it can be hard to tell when in the story you are, or who is speaking. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed it as 'Scrooge' got his due and tried to uncover who his ghost of Christmas past was before time ran out.
April 9, 2022
A Modern Take On Scrooge….
Just like old Ebenezer, Jim Sloane lived for money and power, the most important things in life…until a few days before Christmas, when he learned what really matters.
Just like old Ebenezer, Jim Sloane lived for money and power, the most important things in life…until a few days before Christmas, when he learned what really matters.
March 20, 2023
This book hooked me!
I was looking for something new to read and I liked the cover, I was hooked in the first 10 pages. Once the story starts I was turning pages till about 2 am. If you are looking for a mystery that will get you hooked I highly recommend this book!
I was looking for something new to read and I liked the cover, I was hooked in the first 10 pages. Once the story starts I was turning pages till about 2 am. If you are looking for a mystery that will get you hooked I highly recommend this book!
March 31, 2023
Exciting Thriller
This was a fun, fast read. Jim, a cut-throat businessman, finds himself trapped in his posh high-rise office over Christmas. It quickly becomes clear that what at first seemed like an accident was actually a trap. But who is responsible and why? More important, how can Jim survive the long break with no food or water? Fast-paced and engaging, this was an exciting thriller with an unexpected ending.
This was a fun, fast read. Jim, a cut-throat businessman, finds himself trapped in his posh high-rise office over Christmas. It quickly becomes clear that what at first seemed like an accident was actually a trap. But who is responsible and why? More important, how can Jim survive the long break with no food or water? Fast-paced and engaging, this was an exciting thriller with an unexpected ending.
January 12, 2022
I received this book for free from Hidden Gems Books.
This book pulled me in right from the start.
It is a lot like "A Christmas Carol" without the ghosts.
It is a very captivating, quick read.
This book pulled me in right from the start.
It is a lot like "A Christmas Carol" without the ghosts.
It is a very captivating, quick read.
February 28, 2023
Thrilling to the end
If you like Die Hard, you’ll love High Risk! Great (imperfect) characters, plenty of twists and an unlucky hero triumphs. What more could you ask?
If you like Die Hard, you’ll love High Risk! Great (imperfect) characters, plenty of twists and an unlucky hero triumphs. What more could you ask?
September 30, 2023
Fun read. I liked the main character and enjoyed his efforts (physical and mental) to figure out what was happening to him...and why. I liked the link to the value that family plays in one's life.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews