Some elements of this plot were a little far-fetched, but this was the sort of book where I was prepared to roll with it. Barclay knows how to write a page-turning story. I was relieved to find that I was not afraid of elevators while reading this book, although the highest elevator I had to take during the time I read the book was 12 stories and not the 90-some stories or more that some of the characters would have to take. ( )

Suspense

A very different plot, someone is sabotaging elevators in New York skyscrapers and the Mayor is feeling the pressure. Barbara, a journalist is campaigning against the mayor, but has secret personal issues partly driving it. The police are investigating the murder of an elevator technician who could be linked, as well as a right-wing domestic terrorist group's bombing campaign. All these elements are cleverly brought together with a cast of believable characters and a few red herrings. ( )

Set in Manhattan, this suspense novel follows journalist Barbara Matheson, mayor Richard Headley, and Detective Jerry Bourque as the city is in the grip of an elevator tragedy that puts every elevator in the city out of commission. With lots on interpersonal relationship twists, Barclay keeps the reader guessing who the culprit is and how they are causing such deadly tragedy using elevators as weapons.

This novel is fast-paced and character-driven, though not the type I typically read. I liked the format with each section comprising of a single day and each chapter focused on different sets of characters.

When there are elevator mishaps in New York City three days in a row – mishaps where people died in each one – the mayor must take drastic steps. Meanwhile, there is a reporter, Barbara Matheson, a single mom to a now-adult daughter (though her parents raised her daughter), who seems to have a grudge against the mayor. The mayor did approach her to write a biography about him, which she rejected.

I wasn’t quite as interested in the political aspects of the book with the mayor, though it was important to the book. I was more interested in Barbara’s and her daughter’s lives. The POV did switch around with each chapter. Through most of the book, I would have rated this 3.5 stars (good), but it really ramped up in the last 20% of the book. It was very suspenseful at that point and I didn’t want to put the book down (and I didn’t) until I finished! That was enough to increase my rating. Overall, although it turned out really good, it is not one of my favourites by Barclay. ( )