An intriguing cast of characters and a propulsive storyline kept me reading. This novel had a different feel
than Pavone’s other works…but was still satisfying.

The novel is mostly set at The Bohemia, a posh upper west side (NYC) co-op building. The story features the doorman at The Bohemia, Chicky, and several of the well-heeled occupants. Pavone tackles the current political climate, major social justice and differences in the classes, as well as lots of quirky nuances of NYC. The story flowed well, and I read it quickly. Recommended!

I thought this was well written sometimes, I thought it was a little slow. The different characters' stories were well written and it does shed a light on some social and political issues that we have today.. I haven't read anything by this author but I will be definitely be looking into more of his books.

I have read several of Chris Pavone’s books, most recently the exciting Two Nights in Lisbon, so I was quite surprised by the plot of The Doorman. It’s being marketed as a thriller but a compelling thriller needs suspense, high stakes, unexpected twists, a strong protagonist and antagonist, conflict, and a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The Doorman is a well written and engaging novel, however, it lacks most of these key elements. I found the book more of an interesting social and political commentary on how the elite one percent maintains an affluent social lifestyle on the Upper West Side of New York City. Think billionaires row.

The book’s fictional building is the Bohemia that caters to the wealthy and super wealthy. Name a famous artist or fashion designer and you will find their works hanging on the walls and bags/clothes lining their closets. We are talking billions of dollars residing in one upscale building. The lives of those who work for them, maids, nannies, cooks, chauffeurs, butlers, and cleaners are part of the social divide permeating the book. An Upstairs/Downstairs look inside these living units.

The book revolves around the long-time doorman, Chicky Diaz, Emily Longworth, the disenchanted wife of an arrogant, very unlikeable somewhat shady billionaire, and Julian Sonnenberg, and art dealer. The chapters bounce around slowly revealing the lives of each character leading up to current day. Their lives are like a roller coaster with many secrets hidden as they navigate their worlds. Boring they are not.

Chris Pavone has provided us a penetrating look at the uber-wealthy, the lives of those who serve them, and a jittery NYC in the aftermath of several Blacks shot and killed by police leading to violent protests. The Bohemia turns out to be a perfect robbery target from an unsuspecting source during the confusion taking place on the streets of New York. Almost all the book’s action takes place in the last few chapters. The author does a wonderful job of wrapping up The Doorman with a deft touch that will satisfy the reader.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read Chris Pavone’s latest and engrossing novel.

This book encompasses so many genres. Read on one level it is a simple thriller with Chicky Diaz ( ghe doorman) as the central character but interwoven with that is an exploration of racism ,ostentatious wealth, marital discord, social commentary and an in detailed look at all the strata of society in the BIG APPLE. On some level it is a perfect book for the political climate in which we live today. The ending is a surprise but thinking about it is absolutely perfect for the events in the novel. I am a fan of the author and this one is a good thriller but superb social commentary.

This is my first Pavone book and I can’t wait to hit the backlist. Incredibly taut, suspenseful thriller. Memorable characters and a complex love letter to New York City. Explores class issues and the common bonds of humanity that unite us all. Timely read.

The Doorman by Chris Pavone starts off as a character-driven glimpse into the life of a longtime NYC doorman and quickly turns into something much more layered: a politically charged, multi-POV thriller packed with social commentary and a city on the brink of boiling over. It’s ambitious, timely, and undeniably thought-provoking—even if it’s not quite the straightforward mystery some might expect.

The story revolves around Chicky Diaz, beloved doorman at the exclusive Bohemia Apartments, where the rich, powerful, and sometimes insufferable elite live out their picture-perfect lives. Chicky’s job is to keep the chaos of New York at bay, serving as a quiet, steady presence—until the night everything comes undone. Protests erupt after a police shooting, tensions rise both outside and inside the building, and Chicky finds himself pulled into a deadly situation he never saw coming.

Alongside Chicky’s story, we meet a cast of characters living in or connected to the Bohemia: Emily Longworth, a disillusioned socialite with secrets of her own; Julian Sonnenberg, a man spiraling from personal and professional crisis; and a range of staffers and residents who reflect the deeply entrenched class and race divides in the city. The alternating POVs provide depth, but also make the narrative feel scattered at times—there’s a lot happening, and not every thread feels fully developed.

That said, the writing itself is sharp and immersive. Pavone has a gift for keen observations and capturing the tension of modern life—especially the contradictions of a city like New York, where people from wildly different worlds share the same block but live entirely separate realities. The book is less about solving a mystery and more about the systems that enable injustice and inequality. There’s definitely a message here, and while it’s not always subtle, it does hit hard.

If you’re looking for a tightly plotted whodunnit, this might not be your perfect match. But if you’re into thought-provoking, socially conscious fiction that blends suspense with real-world urgency, The Doorman is a compelling, if slightly uneven, read.

Thank you to NetGalley and MCD for the advance reader’s copy!

Chris Pavone is fabulous!
The summary of this novel does not do it justice. Yes, it is about power and privilege and wealth juxtaposed with all the hardworking people behind the scenes who oil the machinery for the lives of the rich and powerful. However, there is no real protection from the greed and corruption that is rampant through all strata of humanity.
Chicky Diaz and Emily Longworth live lives as far apart as Chicky’s daily routine as the doorman and Emily’s life on the 11th floor of one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan. However, they ultimately find themselves aligned as closely as possible, sharing a secret beyond anything they could have imagined. What binds them and separates them from all the others is literally the inherent goodness of their hearts.
Chris Pavone has a wonderful gift for developing very human, multi-dimensional characters who become your friends and your enemies. He draws you into their world and connects you with characters that you still think about long after you have read the last page.

Wow what a beautiful read about love, racism and murder. This book has it all, and it was written thoughtfully with details you didn’t see coming, details you weren’t sure how they were going to play, and details intricately the characters their story and how they are intertwined. I love it!

Chicky was quite the interesting person; I liked him a lot. Whit was a character that I didn't like in the beginning and still didn't like him in the end either.. But he sure kept things interesting !!This is the first book that I have read by Chris Pavone. I liked how it started out strong. It did drag down a bit for me in the middle because of all the different tenants in the building and the not so good characters outside the building. Each tenant did have a very full backstory and the atmospheres of each place they owned was very well described ! However, I did get lost with who was with who when it came to couples. And just as I thought I had a handle on them, there was a lot of bed hopping on both sides of the couples.
Things did get better the further I went along and I ended up liking it a lot because like in the beginning place Chicky started things off with a bang and the story ended the same way! Breathtaking ending !
I hope to give a try to some of the other stories by this author again !!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher MCD for the digital ARC. I had really enjoyed Two Nights in Lisbon for the fast pace and interesting characters. Sadly, this was not the case with The Doorman. It took so long to get to any action and there were SO many characters to keep track of while none of them were particularly likeable and there was so much hateful rhetoric on both sides. I really tried to invest in the characters and the stories, but it was just not happening and ended up being a bit of a disappointment. I did not give it 2 stars because I still like the author’s descriptions and writing style but this just feels like it was trying too hard.

Great book! A real feeling NYC Upper West Side novel that totally entertains.
I wasn't able to put this down and I was very happy with the ending that I never saw coming.
Lots of fun to read. I will look for other books by this author.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. I liked the main story with Chickie, but all of the other characters were horrible people in one way or another. The book dragged down with so many anti-PC things which already are coming at us from all angles under the current presidential administration so I did not find it enjoyable at this point in time because I read to escape reality.

I don't like to leave negative reviews. But I am a big fan of Chris Pavone's writing, and I am so disappointed by The Doorman. He has the makings of a good story here, but it is so bogged down in political and social commentary -- it reads like an East Side nanny's diary with snarky observations about her employers. Quite frankly, I don't think I'll finish it. I do not care enough about the characters to find out what happens to them.

REVISION 3/25: I have never revised a review here. But in fairness, I did wind up finishing the book because about midway through it drew me in, turning into a fast-paced, twisty thriller (which is what I've come to expect from Chris Pavone. He didn't let up on the social commentary, but the plot unfolded in breathtaking manner, with an ending I did not see coming. Just sayin' if he'd left out all the snarky comments about "woke" it would have been a better read.

Thank you #FarrarStrausAndGiroux and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is May 20, 2025.

3 Stars • "The Doorman" by Chris Pavone is a thriller set in a tense New York City night, where Chicky Diaz, a doorman at the elite Bohemia building, navigates chaos after an NYPD shooting sparks protests. Amid class and racial divides, Chicky carries a gun, secrets unravel among residents, and a deadly showdown looms, blending suspense with social commentary.

#TheDoorman #ChrisPavone #Bookish

Riveting.

Chickie is the doorman of an iconic NYC high rise who struggles financially and prefers to keep his distance from the residents he serves.

Emily Longworth is the beautiful and desperately unhappy wife of a wealthy man on the 11th floor.

Julian Sonnenberg is a handsome and successful gallerist He and his wife live on the 2nd floor.

Within 24 hours their lives will be irrevocably changed.

Perfectly paced, The Doorman will hook you from cover to cover.

This book was a lot. The beginning was intriguing and started off strong. I didn't realize the doorman's character was just one of many POVs. The book seemed really long too. Just not what I expected but well written.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is all about what’s wrong in society. The social strata of class and racism. This apartment building full of wealthy people who are mostly racist towards black people, yet are themselves plagued by racists outbursts, being that they are different nationalities. Money is a huge motivator. So many lies and horrendous actions are taken in the name of more money. For the most part there are not many characters that aren’t terrible people. Even the ones that are somewhat likable have made illegal decisions. The book is well written and makes you pause and think about what you just read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This is my first book by this author. Although I liked the story, full of suspense, it was also filled with too many social and political opinions. It's a great read for someone that's OK with that, but not for me.

First, thank you to Chris Pavone, NetGalley and MacMillan for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Doorman. When I read the plot summary I was totally hooked.

This is a book about The Dakota... oh, I'm sorry, "The Bohemia," a luxury apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (my old neighborhood). It's a mysterious building, home of many famous (or were famous to a specific genre and generation)) and rich New Yorkers. So, when you get a mix of "nouveau rich" and "old money rich", conflict is bound to arise.

And then you have the "unseen". The (mostly hispanic) building staff, who hold open doors, clean apartments, and most-importantly, guard the secrets of the residents.

I love a good New York City soap opera, and that's what The Doorman provides: insights to the unhappy wealthy couples, the secrets that go behind closed doors and what could go wrong... and does!

The story revolves around 2 apartments, and the connections (business and personal) between them all, along with the story of the actual Doorman of the building, "Chicky", of whom the book is titled. And the City. Don't forget the City, that also plays a major character. And this City is on the verge of blowing up due to racial tensions and murders that stereotypically creates tension between the "haves and have nots." (Keeps the book current with today's - or last years times, I suppose.)

For me, Chicky's story was actually the least interesting, but he plays an increasingly pivotal role as the gatekeeper of the building.

I really enjoyed "The Doorman." It's a lesser "Bonfire of the Vanities," but definitely has those aspirations. It's a page-turner, and for fans of the author (Why haven't I read "Two Nights in Lisbon"? I know I heard of it when it came out, and I certainly want to! I did read "The ExPats", and looking back at my review, I wasn't so hot on it. "The Doorman" is a much better read, and I hope it does well !)