Interesting view through the eyes of a former FBI Director. A bit heavy on some of the textbook terms at times.
Leaning more on the high class crimes.
Although political, it does keep you engaged.

I am torn on this book, as it reads like a traditionally modern crime thriller but nothing like his memoir. This leads me to one of two conclusions: 1) that this book was ghosted or 2) that Comey went back to his roots as an AUSA/USA to show us someone that has been hidden since then.

That aside, the story itself was good with some twists that I wasn't able to predict despite my best efforts. One narrative element I would quibble over was (SPOILER ALERT) the bisexuality of the protagonist, only because it seemed to be a mere plot point and not a character element that was explored fully enough.

All I have to say is that if this is the new James Comey, then I suspect he has a successful second act ahead of him.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, James Comey, and The Mysterious Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

James Comey made many headlines during the lead-up to the 2016 US presidential election, and the fallout with former President Trump. Now, Comey has moved into writing fiction and hoped to make a splash, ending up on the New York Times bestseller list and away from a place above the fold. A great crime thriller that pulls on some great policing, as well as strong courtroom drama, Comey keeps the reader hooked as the story progresses. Wonderful writing and laying the groundwork for something series-based, Comey is sure to garner some great publicity, as Trump remains above the fold in shackles.

Having worked on a case against a powerful mobster that has spanned many years, Assistant US Attorney Nora Carleton feels that she can finally put things to rest with this one witness. However, things take a turn when the defendant passes along a note, promising some information on a local case. The murder of a former New York governor, pinned on the man’s current wife, could see a new accused, should the mobster’s intel be substantiated. Nora cannot ignore this and approaches the news delicately, but with vigour. What follows is an investigation that could change the direction of these two cases significantly.

When the murder of Dominic “The Nose” D’Amico comes to light, Nora is sure that this is a message that his leaking information could not go without notice. Nora works to find the real killer of the disgraced former governor, apparently a mob hit, even as the evidence points to the wife. When she is able to nail something down, she will not only have to convince her superiors, but the prosecution, who are sure they can get a conviction in state court. Working all the angles, Nora secures an arrest, but will have to take the case to trial, in hopes of showing that the deception and treachery committed were all part of a larger scheme to enforce a message on a politician who had deep pockets and no morals.

As the case reaches its climax, Nora’s family is threatened and a new tactic must be taken to ensure a conviction. Nora works her courtroom magic, while keeping an eye over her shoulder as the pressure mounts. With a drastic change coming to her personal life and an attempt to process everything taking place, Nora will have to find a way to convict the accused and bring this mess to a close before anyone else dies. Comey does a great job, illustrating the investigative and judicial side of a case throughout, keeping the best for last in this stunning debut thriller.

There are many who have had their time in the limelight that try their hand at writing. Some are successful, while others fall flat. James Comey had a wonderful history working within the FBI on both criminal and legal matters, though his firing left him with a fair bit of time on his hands. This venture into writing has shown that he is capable of spinning a story and keeping the reader enthralled. A powerful narrative that moves at a swift pace, balancing courtroom drama with the underlying investigative prowess, proves to be the cornerstone of this great piece. Strong characters, some of whom with great roots that could develop into a strong series, emerge throughout the book, leaving the reader begging to know more. There are various plots twists that build and keep the reader wanting to learn just a little more as they make their way through the story. For his first work of fiction, James Comey has all the elements of a great novel. I can only wonder if there will be more, Nora Carleton or another powerful protagonist. Whatever the future holds, I will keep an eye out for more by Comey, as he is surely at the top of his game in this crowded genre.

Kudos, Mr. Comey, for a great debut piece of fiction. I am eager to see where things go and how you will impress readers with your next published work.

A fast-moving, engaging legal thriller that weaves its way deftly through courtrooms in NYC. Nora is a complex, intriguing character who should star in future novels as she works into a new career and family situation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publications for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Okay, I must 'fess up. When I opened this book on my Kindle, my first thought was this: Please, Lord, let this be good; I really, really don't want to be the one to tell the former director of the FBI - especially one who's at least a foot and a half taller than I am - that his first-ever fiction book stinks.

And it doesn't (whew). In fact, joking aside, I very much enjoyed it. It's a well-written, well-crafted story, but more than that, perhaps, it provides insights into the legal system, from both inside and outside the courtroom, that could come only from someone who's spent the lion's share of a professional lifetime working within it. The most important takeaway, though - at least for me - is if the FBI wants you, there aren't many places you can hide (not even a Starbucks).

The primary characters are U.S. Atty. Nora Carleton, a single mom struggling a bit to make ends meet while she takes on the world of organized crime, and her very personable (and formidable) investigator, Benny Dugan. Early on, a former state governor - one who keeps his lips zipped but articles of his clothing not so much - is found dead of a suicide that turns out to be murder. Maybe, just maybe, his permanent silence was a mob hit; but that's only conjecture, since his ex-wife Kyra has been charged with, and is on trial for, the killing.

The two trials - Nora's and the one against Kyra - play off each other as the investigations (and trial witnesses) begin to reveal in-common details. The back-and-forths also showcase the conflict among federal and state prosecutors, none of whom seem to much enjoy sharing (again, a nod, I'm sure, to reality but something I've never quite understood; if our goals are the same, why can't we all hold hands and play nice)?

Of course, I can't reveal any details without spoiling the whole thing for other readers, but I sure do recommend it to those who enjoy stories about crimes and courtrooms. If I must carp a bit, I'll say the transition could use a little improvement - in spots, it jumps around a bit. I also can't say I was thrilled with the ending, but that's not a negative - I'm pretty sure it reflects reality more often than not (sometimes bad people do good things, sometimes good people do bad things, sometimes neither gets found out). It also, it seems to me, makes great starting fodder for a next book - to which I'm definitely looking forward. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to dive into a pre-release copy of this one. Well done!

I was really hoping to like this one, but not for me. Not as thrilling as a thriller should be. I'll give him another try, next book.

For all your readers who love legal thrillers and courtroom dramas, this is a perfect recommendation -- made even more exciting because it is James Comey's debut fiction novel. As an author, Comey truly understands the genre and "gets" the readers. That, plus obviously drawing on his authentic real life experiences, makes this a book that checks all the boxes and goes way beyond. I truly look forward to recommending this title.

I had previously read A Higher Loyalty, which I found to be an insightful sharing of Mr. Comey's life. As such, I was eager to read his foray into crime novel writing.

And so with that background, I read Central Park West. I struggled a bit with the first half of the book. It felt a bit predictable and the characters seemed a bit trite. However, it is a fast-paced story, which moves even faster in the second half. I wished for more character development, although I thought the court scenes were the best in the book. The peek inside a prosecutors mind was fascinating.

The ending was a bit of a let down though, I had hoped that perhaps I would get to know the SDNY "Team" a bit more in future novels. Yet, two integral members of that team left for richer pastures.

All in all, I think this book was an excellent new addition to the crime scene genre. If you are looking for a fast-paced book, this is a great place to begin. Likewise, the courtroom bits were so fascinating!

I very much recommend Central Park West and I want to thank Netgalley, Penzler Publishers, and Mysterious Press for this ARC.

I guess ordering something unusual at Starbucks while simultaneoulsy using your points card is not a great move if you want to stay under the radar. I was interested in this book by the premise and the author. I hoped Comey had a different twist to things due to his time in government. He does and this is a well done debut novel. It almost reads like two parts and each is really good. I loved the behind the scenes stuff that isn't in a lot of other novels. I look forward to reading more in the future. It ends in my mind the perfect way as only in movies does everything wrap together in a perfect way.

Comey may be the new, hot crime fiction author we've been waiting for! In this, his first fiction book, he hits a home run. A very intelligent, believable, intriguing story, without the typical rule-breaking, kick-ass "super-cop" so many authors sink to using. No, this book is full of very interesting insights into the FBI's methods, courtroom procedures and technological applications into crime solving. And who would know more about this than a former FBI director? The author really digs deep and turns out an incredibly interesting novel. I heartily recommend this book, and am eagerly awaiting his next book.

This book was great, not just good, but great! I look forward to more from Comey, who knew! This has it all, interesting characters, fast pace, great story, court room drama, and series potential for sure! Loved it! Highly recommend!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I sped through this book! Great pool side read on my vacation. Lots of likeable characters and twists that neatly came together at the end. I feel like there could have been more of a shocking big reveal… I almost felt the author was setting up for it at times with Benny or a potentially corrupt US Attorney but nothing ever came of those tidbits. I enjoyed the fun facts that I didn’t know about before - like the WITSEC prison in NM - that come with having an experienced author with inside knowledge, and the diversity of characters I like to think are loosely based on people he worked with over the years. Overall a fun read that I will recommend!

I was curious as to James Comey's ability to write a book. Mr. Comey definitely has writing ability; and obviously knows legal drama; however the book did not connect for me.

Ok, I tried. I really did. But this book is so poorly written that it's laughable that the former director of the FBI actually wrote it. I'm sure Comey had to write memos in his tenure, so I think he should stick to non-fiction (or get a better ghost writer).. From the Mary Sue of Benny Dugan to the thinly disguised Rudy Guiliani, Comey seems more interested in trying to make himself look better than everyone else. The use of repeated dialogue to make characters seem more deeply connected was lazy. And some parts are just stupid--why would you feel the need to tell someone who lives in NYC that a well-known neighborhood is in Brooklyn? Yet not explain obscure legal references to the reader? Nora was a good character, but the rest of it was flat.

I'd give this book 0 stars if possible.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.

Memorable, multi-faceted characters and a twisty, psychologically dense plot kept me on my toes throughout the book. This captivating debut novel both teaches and entertains the reader as the author leads us masterfully through complex political and legal situations, often intertwined as in real life. Although former FBI director James Comey already has many impressive chapters in his career, he can now add best-selling author to his lengthy resume.

Central Park West is an intriguing tale of murders and courtroom drama. There are two separate stories revolving around the Mafia and their disciples and a struggling single mother who is a prosecuting attorney. There are several murders, court trials, prisoner visits and, somehow, Mr. Comey ties them all together in an interesting fashion. His knowledge of how the FBI operates is apparent and the investigative techniques and tools utilized throughout the book are astounding and amazing — Big Brother is always alert and watching you!

I can wholeheartedly recommend this novel to all readers and thank NetGalley and Mysterious Press (and especially James Comey for a captivating page turner debut novel) for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

How could I possibly resist reading a book written by the famous former FBI director James Comey? Described as a legal and political thriller, Central Park West, is based on the world of crime, mobsters prosecutors and politicians that Comey knows first hand.
There are two interrelated sub plots Immediately there is a murder. And the victim is the NYS governor who is known to be a ladies man ( does it sound like a recent real life NYS governor.?) . It’s likely the perpetrator is someone who knew him well, leaving his estranged wife as suspect number 1. At the same time, Federal Prosector, Nora Carleton, is preparing to try high ranking organized crime figures in a huge case that has taken years to bring to trial. The Defendant known as The Nose, shakes up the proceedings by claiming he knows who killed the governor, and I it’s one of his compadres.
What ensues is a conflict between federal investigators and the NYPD in a battle for authority and power. . Knowing Comey’s background, I felt that the details were based on real life experiences. The action is fast paced, mostly credible, and full of surprises.
This might have been a five star read if the ending kept pace with the very engaging beginning and middle. There seemed to be a wordy slower paced ending, Nonetheless I will be on the lookout for James Comey’s next book and won’t be disappointed if it’s a sequel to this one. Four well earned stars for Central Park West. My thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers/ Mysterious Press ( publication date May 30, 2023) for offering me and advance copy in return for an honest review.

Central Park West by by James Comey is a thrilling first crime novel by the former Director of the FBI. It is clear from the very beginning that he has a depth of knowledge and experience about crime and the people who commit crime. James Comey permits the reader to discover actions and connections that occur behind the scenes while Nora, the federal prosecutor, attempts to solve the murder of a former governor of New York. Politics, organized crime, and the legal community are all involved in this murder case, and they are not always on the same side. There are twists and turns as the case develops that involve corruption at some of the highest levels. Central Park West is a fast-paced book that will keep your attention until the final page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves both mysteries and thrillers. I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of Central Park West by James Comey from Mysterious Press through NetGalley.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed this book. It was a little wordy with descriptions.I liked the main characters. I would read another book by this author. 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.

I was curious about Former FBI Director James Comey’s novel (Central Park West), and when I saw the blurb describing it as “…a masterful blend of legal thriller, police procedural and psychological drama,” I was REALLY intrigued because those are among my very favorite genres for escapist fiction.

A couple of things Comey knows VERY well are mobsters and politics. In this novel, the former governor, who had to resign in disgrace, is murdered. An extremely powerful mob boss has decided to tell the Feds everything, claiming the former governor's death was actually an assassination ordered by the mob. The mob boss sends a note to the Feds offering to tell them EVERYTHING. Then all kinds of fun things happen!

Federal prosecutor Nora Carleton is thrown into a high-stakes investigation of conspiracy, corruption, and danger. Comey’s own experience as a mob prosecutor, then the chief federal prosecutor, make him well qualified to tell the story. The book has fascinating characters (some of which I am sure are thinly disguised people from Comey’s own career), a fast-paced plot including lots of juicy tales of corruption, and terrific legal storytelling.There are also a couple of unexpected twists, and an ending I didn’t see coming (not unusual for me). I liked this book A LOT. Four stars, almost five – and I look forward to Mr. Comey’s next novel. Many thanks to Penzler Publishers/Mysterious Press and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review.