Here's one that comes screaming straight of today's headlines.
Chicky Diaz is the doorman at one of the most elite and exclusive apartment buildings in Manhattan. Chicky is old school. Ever the professional, Chicky takes his job and responsibilities seriously. He smiles, greets the sickeningly wealthy tenants, scrapes up their pet waste, hurts his body loading and unloading their heavy possessions. Everybody likes good old Chicky Diaz.
Chicky cannot pay his late wife's medical expenses. They have left him behind on his rent. He grovels for the extremely rich, to whom a million dollars is nothing. Chicky is a man on the verge of desperation. On a night of rage and explosive violence in the city, Chicky is, for the very first time, carrying a gun.
Emily was a struggling young Manhattanite who got lucky when she met and married Whit, a filthy stinking rich businessman. But the happiness she anticipated has turned into a nightmare. Whit has no morals or scruples. Unsavory details about his company have come to light. People are angry and want retribution.
Julian is an upscale art broker. He once cared about his job, but paintings and other works of art have become commodities like stocks and bonds. If he fudged a detail or two in his dealings, well, the rich can afford it, right? Julian is another man on the edge. His doctor has delivered some unwelcome news about his health.
Meanwhile, two Black men have been shot by the police. Protesters are gathering. Counter-protesters are thirsty for blood. It will be a night of violence. I'd say the innocent will suffer along with the guilty, but who really is innocent?
I'd heard of Chris Pavone, but I've never given his work much thought. The Doorman is getting a lot of deserved attention, so I thought I'd take a look. This book blew me away. It's like reading a good Don Winslow novel.
The Doorman is heavily political, but Pavone treats the subject with an even hand. The rich are obviously monsters, but the far reactionary left isn't blameless. It's a potent look at our world that pulls no punches and takes no prisoners.
Through it all, the doorman, steady, reliable Chicky, is a monument of humanity. He sees it all from his sentry post, holds his tongue when he needs to, treats everyone with respect, and tries to be the best man he can be. Even when he is faced with nothing but bad choices. Chicky is the kind of person we all should aspire to be.
I've been on a roll with outstanding new books lately, but The Doorman is one of the best I've read. It will probably top my list of favorites of 2025.
Written by Mark Sieber
Chicky Diaz is the doorman at one of the most elite and exclusive apartment buildings in Manhattan. Chicky is old school. Ever the professional, Chicky takes his job and responsibilities seriously. He smiles, greets the sickeningly wealthy tenants, scrapes up their pet waste, hurts his body loading and unloading their heavy possessions. Everybody likes good old Chicky Diaz.
Chicky cannot pay his late wife's medical expenses. They have left him behind on his rent. He grovels for the extremely rich, to whom a million dollars is nothing. Chicky is a man on the verge of desperation. On a night of rage and explosive violence in the city, Chicky is, for the very first time, carrying a gun.
Emily was a struggling young Manhattanite who got lucky when she met and married Whit, a filthy stinking rich businessman. But the happiness she anticipated has turned into a nightmare. Whit has no morals or scruples. Unsavory details about his company have come to light. People are angry and want retribution.Julian is an upscale art broker. He once cared about his job, but paintings and other works of art have become commodities like stocks and bonds. If he fudged a detail or two in his dealings, well, the rich can afford it, right? Julian is another man on the edge. His doctor has delivered some unwelcome news about his health.
Meanwhile, two Black men have been shot by the police. Protesters are gathering. Counter-protesters are thirsty for blood. It will be a night of violence. I'd say the innocent will suffer along with the guilty, but who really is innocent?
I'd heard of Chris Pavone, but I've never given his work much thought. The Doorman is getting a lot of deserved attention, so I thought I'd take a look. This book blew me away. It's like reading a good Don Winslow novel.
The Doorman is heavily political, but Pavone treats the subject with an even hand. The rich are obviously monsters, but the far reactionary left isn't blameless. It's a potent look at our world that pulls no punches and takes no prisoners.
Through it all, the doorman, steady, reliable Chicky, is a monument of humanity. He sees it all from his sentry post, holds his tongue when he needs to, treats everyone with respect, and tries to be the best man he can be. Even when he is faced with nothing but bad choices. Chicky is the kind of person we all should aspire to be.
I've been on a roll with outstanding new books lately, but The Doorman is one of the best I've read. It will probably top my list of favorites of 2025.
Written by Mark Sieber
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