ABOUT THE 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 and 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? 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 . . .
Pulsating with tension, Elevator Pitch is a riveting tale of psychological suspense that is all too plausible . . . and will chill readers to the bone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Linwood Barclay is the international bestselling author of many critically acclaimed novels, including No Safe House, A Tap on the Window, Trust Your Eyes and the Richard & Judy 2008 Summer Read winner and number one bestseller, No Time for Goodbye. He lives near Toronto with his wife.
MY REVIEW:
Elevator Pitch is the latest standalone thriller by Linwood Barclay and boy is this a good ‘un! We start with four seemingly random, unconnected people getting into an elevator (lift if you are from the UK) in a busy Manhattan skyscraper. Within minutes the elevator seems to have a life of it’s own – taking these victims to the top floor and then plummeting to the bottom killing them all.
What appears to be a random malfunction of the software controlling the elevator then becomes far more horrific and sinister as more elevators malfunction killing the occupants across New York.
Elevator Pitch tells the story with several main characters points of view. There is Richard Headley (DickHead) the Mayor of New York trying to control the panic and fear of the citizens and ensure their safety, the two police officers who find a fingerless murder victim on the same night as the first “accident” and a determined reporter Barbara Matheson who despises the mayor and is determined to uncover who is behind the elevator murders.
This really is a thrilling exhilarating ride which keep me turning the pages and one that I highly recommend for fans of fast paced action with great characters and plenty of dead bodies.
Warning: DON’T read this book if you have a fear of heights or elevators! DO read this book if you love claustrophobic, atmospheric and scary thrillers – but be warned – next time you press the button waiting for an elevator you might think about taking the stairs.