Most of Chris Pavone’s thrillers have taken place abroad and I loved “Two Nights in Lisbon.” I think the author should have kept closer to action packed suspense plots and international locations. “The Doorman,” set in New York City, is a very serious, slow moving, sad version of “Only Murders in the Building,” more a political or class satire with a lot of reflection on the state of modern day racism and wealth inequality. From the title, you’d assume the book should be starring Chicky Diaz, the Hispanic doorman of a Dakota-like upper West Side co-op (the “Bohemia”) who in the prologue is armed for the first time and worried about spillover from possible protests after a Black man was unjustly killed (with no guarantee that the civil disturbance will become a ransacking riot).

But we’re also delving into the lives of tenants like penthouse dweller/unhappy housewife of a billionaire villain Emily and lower level resident/co-op board member Julian. We endure multiple vignettes about the characters’ pasts and their current situations. There is literally no action until Chapter 9 when the board argues about hiring extra armed security in anticipation of the street protests and whether they should allow a Black athlete willing to pay 10% above the asking price to buy an apartment there. Continuous banter occurs about secrets and who’s hiding what, but it’s mostly so frustratingly vague.

Pavone commits what I consider a mortal error: no character is likable enough to care about in order to keep reading. Chicky, Emily, and Julian are all lost souls, each angry with some part of their worlds, but I just couldn’t work up much sympathy even knowing that these are the three people I should be invested in.

Thank goodness for Edoardo Ballerini, a narrator extraordinaire. I was fortunate enough to have access to both the ebook and audiobook, and if not for the well-known narrator, I might have DNFed “The Doorman” at the one third point. Ballerini’s excellent narration kept me going to — at last — the final part of the book titled “Tonight” at the 80% mark. This is where a plot finally appears and there’s enough action worth staying until the end. Overall, in comparison to his previous works, Pavone’s story disappointed me and only rates 3 stars, but Ballerini’s performance is a 5 that rescues “The Doorman.” I recommend the audiobook version if you decide to select this and be prepared to skip ahead. The final chapters are twisty and well-plotted, but it’ll take patience to get there.

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Hailey’s bright blue eyes are the only eye colors mentioned.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO There is an acknowledgement about the stand of American elm trees in Central Park that is being defended by arborists against Dutch Elm disease.

Thank you to Farrah, Straus, Giroux and NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for advanced reader copies.

This book had me hooked from the start. It’s one of those stories where you just know everything is going to unravel in the worst way possible—and I mean that as a compliment. The tension builds slowly, but once things start to go wrong, they really go wrong.

Chicky Diaz is such an interesting character. He’s been the guy who watches and listens for years, but tonight, he’s stepping into the action. The Bohemia’s residents all have their own messy problems—Emily’s stuck in a marriage she can’t escape, Julian’s facing his own irrelevance, and all of it is happening against a backdrop of citywide unrest. The way these different storylines collide is intense, and Pavone does a great job making the building itself feel like a pressure cooker about to explode.

That said, there were some flaws. Some of the characters felt a little too archetypal—like they existed to make a point rather than feeling fully fleshed out. And while the slow build worked in some ways, there were moments where it felt like the plot was almost stalling before the real action kicked in.

But when it does kick in? It’s gripping. The final act is packed with tension, and the way it all unravels feels chaotic in the best way. If you like thrillers that dive into power, class, and the things people do when pushed to their limits, The Doorman is definitely worth a read. Not perfect, but still a wild ride.

The Doorman has been the surprise of the year so far. It feels like a new season of Succession with extra blood-soaked choice scenes. Or even Bonfire of the Vanities with Die Hard undertones.

This streamlined and bitingly modern novel takes place around the historic Bohemia on Park Avenue in NYC. The building is a stratified anthill of class and wealth with a vile king and savvy, sympathetic queen atop the pile. Our titular doorman and other staff don't often circulate above ground levels but daring drones can bring down an entire hill.

A vivid cast of across every political and socioeconomic background animates this fabulous story. The precariousness of modern times is fully realized by characters that do much more than just check boxes. The reader is reminded how an errant step, slight nudge or wrong word can bring down kingdoms.

Pavone creates a realistic world where the rich might not be respected but the power wielded by their money must be. It is especially impressive how well “normal” people from the lower and middle classes blend so well into the orbit of the wealthy. The novel has a conversational tone that draws the reader matched with crisp pacing to keep the pages turning. A must read for fans of Don Winslow, Dennis Lehane, or Greg Iles.

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC which is published May 20, 2025.

This book is well written and descriptive of a swath of New York City population in the 21st century. While the doorman is a primary character, there are others each with their own lifestyles and complications. The mystery doesn't unfold until the last part of the book, although a few subtle hints are introduced earlier. Although it has been many years since I read Bonfire of the Vanities, this novel is very reminiscent of that one. While I have read and enjoyed all of Chris Pavone's previous novels, this one is completely different in my opinion. I read it cover to cover, but it seemed long, slow, and neither enlightening nor enjoyable. I was attracted by the author's previous books and the publisher's description which I found to be somewhat misleading. I gave it a 4 star rating based on the writing, not my like/dislike of the novel.

I always thought that those doormen of Central Park East (West, North, South) knew so much that they would put any TMZ paparazzis to shame. This book was a story of exactly that. Slimy businessman, neighbors having affairs, closeted big guys - this was exactly what I thought was going on in those buildings. Also, how those doormen really protect their turf…

Chicky was one of those doormen you want guarding your door. He was respectful, he was determined to protect Bohemia’s residents, and he was also in love with the First Lady of the Bohemia. He would do anything to save that woman even though her husband might be one of the secretly scariest guys out there. When Emily could not deal with her husband anymore because of his shady business and world ended up at their doorstep to protest him, she did one thing she could do: use the situation for her advantage as any rich woman would do and sprinkle money where she could not.

I definitely liked Two Nights in Lisbon and decided to pick this one to see if I’m going to get similar vibes. Unfortunately not as much. Maybe it was because of the characters in the story and how unlikeable they are as people. Chicky was great but everyone else was NY’s crème de la creme rubbing their privilege to everyone’s faces.

The Doorman is my first book by Chris Pavone. I loved the writing throughout this story—it was full of clever and insightful passages that pulled me into the narrative and made me want to read further. I was initially intrigued by what I thought was the premise of this book—the main character being a doorman to one of the most beautiful and famous apartment buildings in New York City. I looked forward to reading about this world through Chicky’s point of view and couldn’t wait to see how the story unfolded. I hadn’t realized that Chicky would be one of a few point of view characters; that there would be a number of separate but somewhat related stories concerning other residents and staff at the Bohemia. I didn’t love all these story lines, but they did all come together in an intense rush of action, murder, and mystery at the end. The book is also heavily mired in layers of racism, classicism, privilege, etc., that often dragged the whole story down. It’s A LOT to get through, especially picking up this book anticipating one thing but getting something else altogether. Chris Pavone’s way with words was so compelling though, and I look forward to checking out his other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've read all of Mr. Pavone's previous books and this was new one was very different from them. I wouldn't classify it as a mystery or thriller though it is suspenseful. It's more like a character study, primarily of Chicky, the doorman and two wealthy residents in a historic Central Park West building.

The novel had more of a literary, social critique feel to it and reminded me of something like Richard Price would write. I really enjoyed it though I kept saying to myself, this is a Pavone book right?

It's certainly very relevant for the times we live it and having lived in Manhattan for over 25 years, I enjoyed seeing the city through his lens. It's very well observed and well written. In retrospect there are clues a build up to the dramatic tension fueling the story. Not every character gets a happy ending but it's a smart and well-plotted book.

Current issues are explored in this book through the stories of a doorman at a very wealthy exclusive residence, a rich woman in a bad marriage with a bad man and the man she is having an affair with. Racial tension is exploding on the streets between white supremacists, and people of color and gay people, and the police. There is a lot to discuss in this book, and a lot of disgusting attitudes of some of the white wealthy heterosexual people who live there and some of the white people who are trying to do better.

I am a big fan of this author's books. This one didn't work as well as some of the others. It was the story of a building, a wealthy building and some of the residents and the doorman who works there. It is the story of the very rich and the working class, struggling with debt and possible eviction. It is the story of racism, classism homophobia, anger, exclusion, tension in the streets.. As the tension in the streets built so did the tension in the building coming to a dramatic conclusion. It was a long book and at times I felt, like i got the point and stuff could have been left out. I liked the ending and that made it worth reading for me.

After enjoying the pace and escapism of Two Nights in Lisbon this new novel wasn't quite what I was expecting from Chris Pavone.
His clever plot is derailed to a degree, especially during the first half of the book, by long passages detailing the author's views on the politics of modern day America and while he makes his points in an intelligent way this may not be what many readers have signed up for. On saying this though Pavone's portrayals of the lives of both rich and poor feel spot on and once the story hits its stride it became unputdownable. 3.5 stars
My thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Netgalley for an advance review copy.

I was a had hesitant about this one, as I had heard that this book was more about classism, racism and privilege then it was a traditional thriller and considering the fact that this author is a thriller author I did not reach for his book in order to read a political commentary, but even with my predisposed notions I quickly became emerged in this story because he manages to bring all those topics and weave them in perfectly with a thrilling crime story.

Basically a doorman of a very wealthy building brings a gun to work one day because of his own personal problem, and it is this act that ends up drastically affecting the course of the novel and everyone’s lives within the building. This shown with cultural understanding and as the author lives in New York City it felt very Authentic, real, and informed. I wouldn’t say that I loved this as much as his other two books that I read but it was miles above most thrillers out there today, it has intelligence and cultural understanding woven in perfectly with a compelling narrative and great character characterizations of humans that are privileged flawed but still worth caring for, I appreciated that this didn’t wind up being some skating attack on the upper class.

Chicky Diaz is the doorman at the Bohemia, an opulent but steadily decaying apartment building in New York City, where the rent is as astronomical as the worth of its millionaire residents. Despite his modest position, Chicky carries himself with unwavering politeness and professionalism, going above and beyond for the building's elite inhabitants—many of whom fail to acknowledge his hard work. Chicky struggles with a mountain of medical debt from his late wife’s battle with cancer. The stress of unpaid rent looms over him. How much longer can Chicky maintain his integrity under such pressure? Will his financial desperation jeopardize his work or his moral compass?

As the story unfolds, readers are introduced to the eccentric and morally complex residents of the Bohemia. Among them are Emily and Whit, the penthouse occupants (with a sinister secret tied to Whit’s lucrative career). Then there’s Julian, an art dealer and his lawyer wife, Ann as well as various workers., Pavone skillfully layers intrigue and interpersonal drama, crafting a web of relationships that reflect the power struggles and moral ambiguities of contemporary life.

Chris Pavone masterfully uses the microcosm of the Bohemia to delve into broader societal issues as he weaves commentary on race, class, and the relentless grind of capitalism. The pacing is electrifying, reminiscent of a high-stakes thriller, yet Pavone balances this with literary depth that elevates the story. The Doorman is a fast-moving, thought-provoking narrative that grips you from start to finish, blending the author’s signature flair for suspense with richly drawn characters and sharp social critique. Pavone once again proves his ability to tell a story that is both highly entertaining and intellectually engaging.

If you love stories that combine razor-sharp writing with compelling plots, The Doorman will not disappoint!

#FarrarStrauss #ChrisPavone #TwoNightsInLisbon #TheDoorman

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Chris Pavone's "The Doorman" is a captivating character study disguised as a suspense novel, offering a fascinating glimpse into the hidden lives that unfold within the gilded cages of Manhattan's luxury high-rises.

The story revolves around a doorman at a prestigious Upper East Side building. From his privileged vantage point, he observes the lives of the wealthy residents, their triumphs and tragedies, their secrets and desires. But when a resident is found dead under suspicious circumstances, The doorman finds himself drawn into a dangerous investigation, forced to confront the complexities of his own life and the ethical dilemmas that arise from his unique position.

Pavone masterfully weaves together a tapestry of interconnected lives, each resident a carefully crafted portrait of ambition, loneliness, and the pursuit of happiness. The Doorman becomes an unlikely and compelling protagonist, a silent observer who gradually becomes an active participant in the unfolding drama.

"The Doorman" is a mystery as well as a social commentary on wealth, class, and the illusion of perfection. It's a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that even in the most glamorous settings, human connection and genuine happiness can be elusive.

Recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, social commentary, and thrillers with a touch of social realism.

Absolutely loved The Doorman. I've read all of Chris Pavone's books and this may be my favorite. I've enjoyed the locations, but most of all I enjoyed a book that takes place in my own neighborhood. Great characters and the usual twists and turns that make a Chris Pavone so worth reading.

The Doorman was very different from Pavone’s other novels. Although a good read, it lacked the twists and turns of his other books

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book.

Chicky Diaz stands on his little patch of the earth, the clean quiet sidewalk in front of the Bohemia Apartments, thinking: there sure are a lot of great places to kill someone in this city.

He’s everyone’s favorite doorman at the Bohemia, New York City’s world-famous home of celebrities, financiers, and the cultural elite.

In the penthouse, Emily Longworth seems to lead a perfect life: perfect kids, perfect homes, perfect outfits, perfect profile of museum boards and charity work. And while Emily’s husband is perfectly wealthy, she has quietly loathed Whit since well before the recent revelations that he’s a profiteer. But their marriage came with an iron-clad prenup, and Emily can’t bring herself to leave. Yet.

In apartment 2A, there’s nothing perfect about Julian Sonnenberg’s morning.. He’s already struggling with the mundane indignities of turning fifty, and now his doctor says he needs heart surgery, immediately. Things are falling apart, and awfully fast.

Down in the staff room, where the Bohemia’s working-class staff are all Black and Latino, word is spreading that the NYPD has killed an unarmed Black man and that the streets are filling with protestors. Upstairs, the residents panic about safety; downstairs, the guys are worried about survival—and justice. As Chicky dons his epauletted suit for tonight’s shift, he tucks a pistol into his waistband for the first time ever.

Someone, tonight, is going to die.

The Doorman, as The Bonfire of the Vanities did before it, presents a city poised to boil over. In what is far and away his best and most ambitious book yet, Chris Pavone has delivered a piercing portrait of the way we live now that is also a finely-honed thriller of tock-clicking suspense. The Doorman is a book about class and privilege, about race and racism, principles and sacrifice, love and loyalty. And murder.

I found that this book didn't keep my attention. I've read the author's previous book and really enjoyed it. This book, not so much. Concentrated too much on politics for my liking.

2.5 out of 5 ⭐️

What a truly wonderful novel this is!

I've read several of Pavone's earlier novels, some of which I liked and some of which I didn't, but THE DOORMAN functions on an entirely different level from anything he has published before. This is a classic, old-fashioned, epic novel of the very highest caliber. This is Pulitzer Prize material, not just another readable piece of pulp fiction you grab to pass the time.

The comparison to BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES is obvious, but just because it's obvious doesn't make it any less accurate. This is indeed a BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES for 2025, with all the slightly painful, discomforting commentary that description implies.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of The Doorman by Chris Pavone in exchanged for my review.

After reading Two Nights in Lisbon I was looking forward to reading more from Chris Pavone. Unfortunately, this book is an DNF for me.
I got about a third of the way through and lost all interest. The book is bogged down by politics, class, and race. The central plot takes a back seat to the authors commentary on the politics of modern day America. This may interest some but it is not what I expected and not something I want to spend my free time reading.

I agree with the hype around The Doorman which claims Chris Pavone’s thriller is less about crime and more about classism, privilege and racism. But Pavone manages to expertly bring the crime into the story as the reader watches in suspense as the tension rises page after page.
The Doorman is such a smart novel. New York City is about to boil over with rage at the killing of yet another unarmed black citizen. The scene for most the book – a luxury apartment building filled with very rich residents and not-rich staff, with an honorable doorman named, Chicky. On one fateful night, Chicky brings a gun to his duties because of his own problems, and that gun will make all the difference to everyone in the building that night.
Pavone’s characters are defined and drawn-out page after page, while the reader prepares for what is to come. Though not sure of how the character intrigue, adultery and love will play out, the reader is given a hint of what is to come even while learning to care for these characters. New York, as the setting, shows us that the way we live now only has one resolution. Murder.
I loved this insightful novel, and I thought that Pavone could not out do his wonderful first novel, The Expats, one of my most favorite mysteries of all time. (The Expats won the Edgar Award and the Anthony Award in 2013 for Best first Novel). But Pavone grew up in New York City and lives there now so The Doorman shines with realism and current cultural understanding. And also, it is a damn good mystery.
My rating: 5 of 5

This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review. The Doorman will be published on May 20, 2025.

The Doorman is one fine novel. i could barely put it down. Chris Pavone has created an exciting cast of characters to go with many plots. The main one is about the wealthiest couple in the Bohemia, a luxury residence akin to the Dakota. With wealth, desire and corruption, what could go wrong? Best to read it for your self to find out.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.