Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

As far as thrillers go, this series is definitely raising the bar. Lucas Page, in his second outing, is one of those memorable fictional characters I've come across in recent years. Action is super intense, I never thought the sequel could match the fiery-ness of the debut in CITY OF WINDOWS, but I was wrong. This book starts with an epic bombing and the nonstop pace only accelerates from there! Terrific page turner, I couldn't put it down until I was done.

Robert Pobi's "Under Pressure" plunges you into a heart-pounding mystery thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. The story revolves around Dr. Lucas Page, a brilliant but acerbic astrophysicist whose sharp wit and sharp tongued cynicism matched with his protective heart make him a compelling protagonist. Page's internal conflicts and observations add a layer of depth and complexity to the story, making him a character you'll root for even when his cynicism is biting. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each playing a vital role in the narrative, the twists and turns will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, The ending might have a few moments that stretch believability, but the overall impact is one of satisfaction and anticipation for more. Pobi clearly knows how to craft a story that leaves you wanting more, and I for one, can't wait to see what Dr. Page gets up to next.

The second in this thrilling series finds Lucas once again helping the FBI as New York City is rocked by a series of horrific explosions.

The first hint that NYC is under siege occurs when a detonation and conflagration at the Guggenheim Museum results in over 700 casualties. Further explosions rock the city and every available resource is needed to analyze the situation. The SAIC of Manhattan, Brett Kehoe, knows that Lucas Page is the man he needs. So many deaths in such intricately planned bombs. Who is behind this and what is the motive?

Lucas Page is quite the protagonist and is uniquely positioned to be able to sift through massive amounts of data with his gifted mathematical mind. He's a survivor -- a near death event cost him a leg, an arm, and one eye. Evidence points to a very diabolical plot, but the public is quite quick to want to attach blame to conspiracy theorists and lunatic fringe factions. Lucas puts himself right in the middle of the action and the danger as he pits himself against a vast amount of unknown entities.

Again, this is masterful plotting with lots of action and a high body count. Lucas is a very interesting character and there is a lot going on his head. He's antisocial, does not suffer fools, and thinks rings around everyone else as he's always the smartest person in the room. Every other character in the books is basically a foil for him and not typically fleshed out beyond the basic details, but it works in this series. I've read all 3 of them not, not in the correct order, but I am really looking forward to the fourth installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I had hoped that eventually this would manifest as as film or series adaptation, but it seems the author is not interested in the movie business.

Oops I didnt read the description clearly enough and this was a DNF finish for me. Anything with spy thrillers or governement thrillers it turns me off

Well, here I go again. I read the second book in series first. I need to quit doing this. It's an easy fix and actually you can read this one before the first and not be lost.

This was faced paced. In some places I laughed out loud (which the hubby always looks at me like I lost my mind), other places I was rushing through the book to see what was going to happen next.

In the first chapter there is a massive explosion. This sets off an amazing read. Lucas Page is a genius. An astrophysicist that looks at things different than others. He is a wiz at numbers and find the anomaly in any problem. That's just the person the FBI needs to help with this case.

Someone is out there blowing people up. They seem to have nothing in common, but, yet, they must. The only question is: can Lucas Page find out who before it's too?

If you like fast paced, action packed novels, you need to read this series. Be better than me and start with the first one.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Pobi for the Kindle Version of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A tech company has rented out the Guggenheim Museum for a private event when a massive explosion kills the over seven hundred attendees. The staggering number of victims makes the investigation a nightmare so Special Agent Brett Kehoe calls in help. Former FBI Agent Dr. Lucas Page is now a anti-social university professor and astrophysicist - a whiz at numbers and much needed computational power with a special gift of visualizing crime scenes. While he wants nothing to do with the investigation, his city is under attack and so he relents and joins the team.

Under Pressure is an intense, compulsive story that I had trouble putting down. While the villain claims he attacked because of his belief that technology is destroying the world, investigators feel sure there's more to it. Page knows the truth is always in the numbers and so he follows the money trail. The story unfolds at a fast, driving pace with witty characters and riveting action. While this is book 2 in the Lucas Page series, I found the author offers enough backstory to pick this one up as a standalone. Having said that, my plans are to backtrack to book one and then work my way through the series. Highly recommended to fans of mystery, suspense and thrillers.

City of Windows was one of the smartest thrillers I’ve ever read, but Under Pressure just blew it out of the water. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lucas Page is my favorite. He is brilliant, complicated, and unlike any thriller protagonist I’ve ever read. I love that each book of Pobi’s gives us a bit more background into who Page is, but always leaves us wanting to know more and more.

I read this in two sittings, barely able to put it down. I cannot wait for the next Lucas Page novel - I’ll probably be rereading the first two in preparation!

Under Pressure is the second book in the Lucas Page series by Canadian author, Robert Pobi. When an explosion at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum incinerates over seven hundred people, while leaving the building largely intact, Dr Lucas Page is unsure what he can offer to the investigation. But FBI Special Agent in Charge of Manhattan, Brett Kehoe, wants his expertise with numbers.

“No system— and that includes a series of crimes— is intrinsically random; the observer just has an imperfect understanding of how said system operates. If you see something that appears to be random, you’re missing data. And hidden inside larger seemingly organized structures, you can find smaller ones that look like they’re nothing—statistical noise— but they’re not. They’re just part of a different pattern.”

The device is apparently highly sophisticated and its design, ensuring maximum cruelty, zero survivors and the destruction of artwork worth a billion dollars, suggests several possible motives. A warning email sent to a CNN journalist, which denounces humanity’s reliance on technology, leaves Lucas unconvinced even when the next target, an internet hub, fits this motive.

Lucas firmly believes they need to look for the money: who would benefit? But is that the right question? Further explosions and victims don’t clarify the issue of motive, but are all linked to the high-profile company whose gala IPO launch at the Guggenheim was bombed. Horizon Dynamics is a company using nano-technology and AI driven solutions for rejuvenation and repair of eco-systems, and its directors are linked to each event on several levels.

As more bombs explode and more people die, some of them potential suspects, initial theories are challenged, but the sadistic aspect of the bombs leads Lucas to conclude there is a personal element. Lucas enlists the help of his post-grad students to analyse a mountain of data that has stumped the FBI, reasoning that: “The bureau’s people were fettered by both protocol and lack of vision.” Not so his clever students.

Another excellent dose of Lucas Page and Alice Whitaker that features land mines, a puppy, a confetti bomb, sniffer rats, an opportune pair of handcuffs, and a very large body count. Once again, Pobi’s plot is clever, with lots of excellent deductive work, twists, red herrings, plenty of tension and a heart-stopping climax. Entertaining dialogue is another hallmark of this series.

Will Lucas work with the FBI again? While he enjoys the stimulation it offers his mind, his wife and family certainly don’t appreciate that it takes him away from them and potentially puts his life (and theirs) at risk. Nor is this the first occasion that his involvement seems to be associated with unfortunate consequences for the Special Agent In Charge of the case. It will be interesting to see if Pobi gives fans further instalments of Lucas Page. Excellent crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and St Martins Press

Great thriller! I loved the combination of a genius who is reluctantly a snarky, part time detective. This story had non-stop action - I’m already looking for the first book in the series!

The small glimpses of his quirky family sound like they would make a great book on their own. I would love to learn more about them and their dogs.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I definitely recommend!

The second in the Lucas Page series. It can be read as a stand alone, there is enough backstory for the reader to realize what a unique character Lucas Page is, but the first book, City of Windows, was a killer thriller too. They are both very good books. A little bit of James Patterson's Michael Bennett, a little bit Jeffrey Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme and echoes of the six million dollar man....as I said, unique.
Robert Pobi centers his stories in New York's Manhattan district where FBI area director, Brett Kehoe, runs a smoothly operating organization, at least until he runs into crimes that need a unique investigator. Enter Lucas Page. Against the wishes of his wife and family, even the dog, Lucas agrees to help again. Lucas is a astrophysicist who teaches at Cornell University. He once worked for the FBI but was severely wounded in an "event" that cost him an arm, a leg and and eye. They have been replaced with technologically enhanced prothesis. But it's Lucas' brain that makes him such a valuable asset. These stories are non stop thrillers with lots of puzzles to keep you reading closely else you miss a clue. The crimes are very unique, a bomber who has no boundaries and no conscience. An absolutely WOW of a read.

When I read City of Windows, last year, it was without a doubt one of the best mystery, suspense thrillers I’ve read. I loved Dr. Page from square one, and the complexity of the mystery he was tasked with solving. Under Pressure also falls under that same umbrella, top notch writing with great characters. As the story unfolds, we catch up on what’s been happening in Dr. Page’s world and it’s not all good.

Under Pressure is exceptional, start to finish. The mystery is intricate and multi-layered with someone blowing up buildings across New York City. The story is filled with a lot of characters that nearly requires a flowchart to follow. Personally, I love the wide array of characters and intricate plot. It pulls you in and keeps you wondering who and why. There is no lack of action here and some highly entertaining dialog. Dr. Page’s internal, as he puzzles out the problem, and the dialog between himself and his partner, Agent Whittaker.

Dr. Page is easy to love, hate, root for and connect with. This is a character that made me laugh on several occasions. We also get to know him better as the story takes a deep dive into his life while growing up with the family who adopted him. I’d highly recommended this book, and City of Windows to anyone who loves an excellent mystery. One that makes you think, and doesn’t give anything away. It’s smart, tight, and well-polished.

The second Lucas Page novel is very similar to the first, so much so, that it doesn’t really matter which you read first. The propulsive plot is interspersed with moments of deliberation and Dr. Page’s signature deduction explanations. Some of the references are a little dated and others are somewhat obscure so you feel a sense of accomplishment when one lands! The more interesting recurring characters take a bit of a back seat in this novel but the formula doesn’t deviate much making it an entertaining read.

Robert Pobi writes a great story. Wonderful characters and a good story! I'm hoping there will be a third installment! Enjoy

Lucas Page is a greatly different protagonist and a delight to read. Having nearly escaping with his life, Lucas sees things differently than everyone else and can spot patterns that seem to not be there.

Getting to know him and the way he thinks with these seemingly random bombings, was wonderful.

This book has mystery, intrigue, and romance all rolled into one. It is well written and keeps you guessing throughout, even after you think you have it all figured out. The main character, Isabelle, is a female architect in a male dominated career who has come home after her mother died. She discovers that there is a lot her mother has kept hidden from her. I liked this book- it is well written and has a few unexpected twists including a slight foray into the supernatural.


#Underpressure #amazon, #minotaurbooks

Wow. What a ride! This book grabbed me at the beginning and had me flipping pages. There is plenty of action to keep you in suspense. Lucas Page is a great character and I look forward to reading more of his adventures.
Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lucas Page sees things in a different way – mathematical angles and connections that often elude others. In this new book, he has to solve the murder of over 700 people at the Guggenheim while there was no structural damage. Page’s training as an astrophysicist, and his hacker students, have to help him find the needle in the haystack – who was the real target. All the while his former FBI colleagues are under pressure to cut him loose, and those internal tensions cause rifts in the investigations. He’s a great character and this book lets him show his talent and vulnerabilities, including his family of adopted children, in great form. A first rate read.

this was a great mystery novel, I really enjoyed getting to know Lucas Page. It was well written and I enjoyed the story. I look forward to more from Lucas Page.

This book is a great alternative to the typical hero protaganist that everyone cheers for and is liked by all the characters in the novel As an antihero, Dr. Lucas Page allows the reader to both love and hate him at the same time, while also guessing at who the actual culprit is. The only complaint I have about this book is that I wish I had read the first in the series prior to reading this one to give a bit more background to the characters. I will 100% be reading the first in the series and all that Robert Pobi continues to write.

Skillfully crafted and masterfully planned. An intense, well written read. An outstanding job done developing the characters, which added a lot more to the book. An excellent read.