Member Reviews
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley. Quick read and I couldn’t put it down at once it got closer to the end. I enjoyed it and would read more by this author. It’s a very clean book for someone looking for clean books to read, no language, violence or sexual content, add this to your to be read pile!
A novel based on the Champlain Towers collapse in Florida. Written from three perspectives - the property developer, residents Bob and Hannah and the first responders. A swift and chilling read. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
An interesting way to look at a building from its inception to its demise. From the developer and his man cutting corners on the build, to the buyers of the condos, right to its end in collapse. Good characters and an excellent read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hat City Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Based on the Champlain Towers collapse, this book focuses on three perspectives, the first responders, the developer and a couple of residents. It was a fictional account that seemed to follow reality pretty closely.
3.5 stars.
My dad lives in a high rise in Fort Lauderdale, fortunately one that is up to date on maintenance, and I have spent a lot of time there so I found myself morbidly fascinated with the Champlain Towers tragedy. Based on that I was interested in reading this book. I thought the residents' account of the necessary maintenance and the resistance of some residents was interesting and rang true. I didn't really get the point of the developer and his love affair with his girlfriend and didn't feel like it added much to the story. Overall, this was a bit of a mixed bag. Had I not been so interested in the real story, this would have been a miss, but because I was so interested this book was a decent quick read.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
This is an interesting fictional novel based on the true story of the condominium that collapsed in Florida in June 2021. It provides a walk-through of the makings of the towers. I found it interesting how it shows the political corruption of using money to pay for influence for government officials which can be very true.
The characters are very interesting my favorites were Bob and Helen. They are such a cute couple! This novel is written from the viewpoint of 3 different people, Jack, Bob, and the first responder. It's a quick read! I didn't know much about the collapse of the real condominium however, after reading this novel I feel like the details would match the events of that tragic day.
I sadly couldn’t get into this book. It was based in a location I love. Sounded like a great book. But it just wasn’t for me. I really didn’t enjoy it
The real story was local to me, so when I saw this book, I knew I needed to read it!
It was such a tragic event, and I think this novel was great! The author really did a great job with this !!!
A well written novel of the event in Florida involving the collapse of a housing tower. The characters are well-done, and the story will keep your attention. I could not put this one down! It was a fast read, but more importantly, a good read!
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The premise of this book looked interesting and I thought I'd give it a go, knowing it is loosely based on a tragic event. I enjoyed this book, I think it is well written, engaging and easy to follow. The beginning drew me in straight away where firefighters are called to a collapsed building, and search for survivors. The story is told through different characters - Jack Brooks the real estate developer, Hannah and Bob who move into the building and Dan Crawford one of the firefighters who was first on the scene the night the building collapsed. I didn't like the real estate developer, nor the apparent political corruption which is all too believeable. I liked Bob and Hannah and was interested reading about the residents meetings and the differing views not only on the structural issues, the cost and urgency in rectifying these issues. I had such a feeling of dread knowing what was coming up and hoping Bob and Hannah survived. The last part of the story covers the aftermath of the collapse and is told through Dan Crawford and is a sad, poignant and heartbreaking read.
4 stars
A PAGE TURNING DISASTER THRILLER.
Based on the condo collapse in Surfside Florida in 2021, this three-part novel works well, showing the relentless effort by the first responders, an inside look at the developers, and the negligence of the board of directors over the last few years, as told by the residents. Although a work of fiction, it gives the reader a true sense of what really happened. I found myself captured by the depth of the characters and rooting for the residents to survive.
This debut novel demonstrates the authors ability to create relatable characters, linked by the looming tragedy, ultimately revealing the cause of the disaster. I look forward to more from this author.