If you don’t have a fear of elevators before you start this book you may well do after finishing it! Let’s just say that I’ll be sticking to the stairs for a while 😉

In this story we see a city in fear as elevators begin to malfunction causing terrifying events to unfold. The descriptions in a way weren’t particularly graphic (except for maybe one) instead the reader is given just enough detail to convey the fear and horror that the victims experienced, which of course heightens the tension with each event. Elevator Pitch definitely had the power to keep me turning those pages, wondering what would happen next and how everything would fit together!

The pacing of Elevator Pitch is for the most part pretty consistent, moving at a good speed with the different characters helping to keep my attention focused. There are a few characters to follow but to be fair they all have distinct personalities so it is easy to go along with each one. I can’t say that I became especially attached to any of the characters. I liked that they had flaws and had their own set of troubles or issues that they were working through. I guess it actually helped to make them just that little bit more interesting! All in all Elevator Pitch has an intense, dark and twisty storyline one that is guaranteed to make you think twice before you step inside an elevator!

I feel the beginning of any book is the most crucial part. And especially thrillers they need to grab my attention from the very start. Unfortunately, it was difficult for me to get into this book. It started well, but then I felt every time a chapter started getting interesting, it'd change to a different story / perspective. So it was time-consuming for me to regain interest during those crucial first moments.

The concept and hook were promising, but I just didn't feel invested enough throughout the development. Overall, I just wish the pace was a bit faster.

Getting stuck in an Elevator (Or a lift – because I’m Scottish and we don’t usually say Elevator) is horrible. Truly horrible. It has only happened to me once and that was more than a decade ago and I still remember the claustrophobia and the fear. And that lift didn’t suddenly plummet. SCARY. Scary stuff.

The book starts off with a terrifying bang and doesn’t let up.

I have wanted to read something by Linwood Barclay for a long time now, his books have been on my wishlist for ages, but they have never quite made it over to my TBR pile. Why has it taken me SO long to read anything by Linwood Barclay? WHY?!?!

So, when Elevator Pitch popped up on NetGalley I hit that request button and crossed all my fingers and toes… can you even cross your toes? Nope, I can’t. Just as well I’m typing this at home!

And going by the BLOCKBUSTER that was Elevator Pitch I have been missing out!

The writing was fast paced, and the plot was well thought out, even if I did feel there was maybe a few surplus smaller subplots. And I loved all the short snappy chapters – I’ve been finding short snappy chapters in quite a few books so far and I almost always love them. Long may the trend of short and snappy continue!

I really enjoyed Elevator Pitch – there was never a dull moment, the action, the intrigue and the suspense didn’t stop. It was action packed from start to finish. But what I loved more than all the thrilling twists and turns, were the characters. Often in action packed thrillers character development can take a back seat – it’s the action that is firmly centre stage. But Linwood Barclay found the sweet spot – the balance that makes this a memorable read for me. So many of the characters were well developed and interesting, I thought Barbara was great.

And I LOVED the ending – wow! I didn’t guess it. I wasn’t even close with my guesses.

Elevator pitch was original. Totally over the top. And a definite page turner. It reminded me a bit of one of those action movies that will never win any awards but is exactly what you want to watch on a Saturday night with a delicious takeaway.

Entertaining.

Elevator Pitch was entertaining. And sometimes all I want is an easy and entertaining read, don’t you?

I don’t live anywhere like the vertical world of New York and after reading Elevator Pitch, I am very glad that my regular daily life does not involve anything more than a few flights of stairs.

Have you read Elevator Pitch? Have you read any of Linwood Barclay’s other books – I would love some recommendations on what to read next?

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley – Thank you!

I have always enjoyed Linwood Bacrclsy’s writing and this book was no exception. It really got me thinking all through the book and I never did guess. A great book but I am not wondering if I want to get in an elevator again...!

Well, that's me never going on an Elevator again. I enjoy Linwood Barclay books and this one is a good one, although a little slow at first, then the pitch and the pace heats up. As always incredibly well written. Recommended

About one third of the way into this book I had it all worked out. I knew who the killer was and why he was making these things happen. I was wrong, so very wrong. The story is full of suspects most of whom have good reason to be carrying out the attacks but for every suspect there are half a dozen red herrings and in my opinion that makes a really good book even better. This book will gain a lot of new readers for this author. Unfortunately I will have to wait for him to write another book as I have read all of his back catalogue.

Having been a fan of Linwood Barclay I was disappointed with this most recent release. It felt slow paced and I was waiting for something to happen for long periods of time! I'm hoping this was a glitch and Linwood will be back to his best soon!

Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read this book pre-publication. I really did try to like this book but I only got half way through and was still waiting for something monumental to happen !
Will retain the option to finish it but I don't think it is living up to the hype, sorry.

Read this in 3 or 4 days, a bit different to his usual style which I do find a little disappointing, but I still enjoyed it. As always with Linwood Barclay, his characters are so good again. There are plenty of teists and turns along the way. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to have an ARC

Actions have consequences always. Whether the consequences are fulfilled is another story. This book is a story that weaves around several lives. They are connected but not in the way you think. You are taken on a journey that involves elevators failing, a man murdered, and a crazy activist group flung in the middle. as you read the book you think you know what is happening but there are so many red herrings in the book that throws you off. A well written descriptive book that makes you think

A brilliant thriller! Someone has taken control of New York’s elevators and is sending them crashing to the ground. This is a disaster for a city with so many sky rise buildings, what can Richard Headley, the mayor, do? Who is doing this and why? I love Linwood Barclay’s novels and this one is a great read. Couldn’t put the book down, I was desperate to find out how the story would be resolved. A great read!

Elevators, or Lifts as we call them in the UK, are almost everywhere now. With the increase of apartment living a lot of people have to use Elevators to get to their residence, or to and from their place of work, especially those who work in big cities.
Getting stuck in a lift is a very real fear for lots of people – but imagine that after the lift stops, it begins to plummet to the ground 70+ storeys at speed, only to meet with a hard stop at the bottom. Terrifying, right?

Well that’s what happens at the beginning of Linwood Barclay’s latest novel, Elevator Pitch. Set in the skyscrapers of New York City, there’s a freak Elevator accident, which attracts media attention because of its nature, but also because there are a couple of celebrities in the car when it happens. But no-one’s really worried. These things happen once in a blue moon, and with so many elevators in use all over the city, it’s amazing it doesn’t happen more often.

Then there’s another. Not quite the same, but just as horrific – ask the little boy covered in blood and cowering from a decapitated human head when the doors open. Then…another. Well, you get the picture. When a car bomb goes off outside a hotel, people start to get the idea that these are not accidents – but who is behind this? Is it terrorists? If so, who? And what are they trying to achieve?

Mayor Richard Headley (yep, that’s Dick Headley) is desperate to figure out what is happening while keeping his voters happy. However journalist and thorn in his side Barbara Mathieson is also determined to find out what’s going on, and how, if at all, the good Mayor is involved. 

Although it’s a bit slower than you’d usually expect from Linwood Barclay, I found this book a real page-turner, the writing is good and the plot is solid. I didn’t like the subplot that ran along and was revealed towards the end; I didn’t feel it was necessary and didn’t add anything to the story, in anything, it cheapened it a little.

But all in all, a great, exciting read.

One of the world's most vertical cities is plunged into chaos if people can't trust elevators how will they cope?

This claustrophobic scenario is brimming with suspense and intrigue. The tension is palpable in opening chapters, you just know something terrible is going to happen and are instantly fearing for the characters.

The short chapters help ensure it stays fast-paced and only helps to racks up the tension, as you try a work out who this ruthless killer is, as the death toll increases. Pact with twists and turns that finale is breathtakingly shocking. Even if you guess the killer (on this occasion I did) the unveiling of his deadly plans motives are jaw-dropping.

A terrifying premise with all the with so much possibility to be a reality it makes you think twice before you step in the elevator. Barclay is a master at his craft. If you are looking for an intense thrill, look no further you have found it!

Elevator Pitch is a brilliant and fast moving crime thriller.  The title tells the reader that they will expect twists and thrills.  I am a big fan of Linwood Barclay and he does not disappoint.

Ok so the best way to describe this book is its a bit like an 80s action film that's not going to win any Oscars but will be very entertaining and which you will thoroughly enjoy watching.

Its set in New York City and is about someone sabotaging elevators around the city.  I found it to be very fast paced from the beginning with the first chapter really sucking you in.  With New York City being a vertical city the thought of someone tapering with elevators is certainly a scary one!  And with some buildings being 50, 60, 70+ stories tall you wouldn't really want to take the stairs!

I also thought the characters were great and fleshed out enough that you got to know them without being overly detailed.

I would definitely recommend this book if you want something that isn't too heavy, that you can suspend your disbelief a little bit and just be entertained.  I will be looking out for more books by this author when I want such a hit!

This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed it. Fast-paced and original. A bit contrived but nevertheless a page-turner.

This book had me from the title and description.  Very cleverly written, not to many characters which makes it more enjoyable.  Thought I had guessed the ending but sadly I got it wrong! 
Very believable which makes it equally scary. Wish it had been longer but would definitely recommend to my groups and friends.

6/10

A decent thriller that does enough to keep you interested throughout without ever really hitting a proper stride to make it unputdownable. There are a few different threads that switch throughout but the characters within feel a little thin and I never felt fully invested in it and by the end it had turned into a bit of a evil super villain. It was lightweight but entertaining whilst it lasted, a fast food style book if you will. 

I’ve read a few of Linwood Barclay’s books now and they all seem to strike this level, entertaining whilst you read it but pretty much instantly forgotten moments later. That’s not always a bad thing and sometimes I need that type of book to keep me ticking over. This was one of those times. In between a house move this was pretty much ideal reading so I can’t fault it at all. 

A couple of weeks after reading it and trying to review it I can only vaguely remember the characters but something that did standout was the elevator scenes with their grizzly outcomes. These were entertaining to read and easily the best parts of the book for me. 

Worth a try if you need something quick, easy and entertaining in the moment.

Loved this book perfectly paced,  characters had personality, kept me guessing until the end, thought I had the culprit in sights but I was mistaken.

Another glorious read by Linwood Barclay. Not as fast-paced as his others yet still a brilliant plot. With hints of revenge, family ties and espionage. This was a great read.