Chicky Diaz was the premier doorman of the Bohemia Apartment House. Located on the edge of Central Park in New York City, it was home to a variety of celebrities.
The beautiful Emily Longworth resided in the penthouse with her wealthy husband, with whom she was actively seeking a way out of their unhappy, tortured marriage.
Julian Sonnenberg, a well-known figure in the art world, in 2A, has just received notice that he has aged out of his role and will soon be replaced.
When news reaches the Black and Hispanic staff in the building that the police killed a Black man uptown, everyone gears up for a night of counterdemonstration and violence in the city.
As Chicky prepares for his night duty, he does something he never thought he would do. He packed his gun, which he had bought hours before, determined to defend his area in front of the Bohemia. Only he was aware of a night of terror and death ahead that nobody ever expected would happen there.

I had not read anything by Chris Pavone but had heard good things about his prior novels, so was happy to give this book a try. I don't think I'll be trying any other novels of this author.

The Doorman is about a doorman, Chicky Diaz, who works at an exclusively famous apartment building in NYC near Central Park. There is no mystery, per se, but there is a crime. It is NOT a 'who done it' in any way though. The first two thirds of the book, we delve into the back grounds and lives of the folks who work there (Hispanic, Black, etc. who are barely getting by) and the folks who live there (white and rich). We jump from person to person a lot. The writing is heavy on prose, very light on actual dialogue. We are told everything, in great detail, with nothing left for the reader to imagine for themselves. Yes, it's pretty much as slow moving as it sounds. I made it almost halfway through before deciding to jump to Part Five and read the last eight chapters. Yes, this book is definitely longer than it needed to be. Anyway, I will say those last eight chapters were well worth the read. Too bad the first 54 chapters weren't as good as those last 8.

The Doorman was not quite what I expected, but it turned out to be pretty exciting at its conclusion. I have read one of Chris Pavone's novel's, Two Nights in Lisbon, which I totally enjoyed, especially the espionage aspects, the setting, the complex story structure and the twisty but well-crafted conclusion.

Unlike Two nights in Lisbon, The Doorman is not an espionage novel, and the setting is New York rather than an international location. The setting for me was problematic. Mr. Pavone is obviously familiar with New York and its social structures. I feel he spends too much time dealing with the social conflicts in New York City and this gets in the way of a very good story. I think he does a great job of dealing with the minefield of New York City social structure and does a decent job of being neither too far to the right or too far to the left. There is A LOT of discussion of social problems, however and the actual story takes too long to develop. Frankly, this might dissuade a lot of readers, and I found it a little tough to wade through until the conclusion.

The story is complex and the conclusion is twisty and well-crafted. There are many point of view characters, and while this may get confusing and jumpy, the characters are well-developed, but not particularly likeable. The conclusion is taut and well-paced. The conclusion of the book is its high point, and it is worth wading through what I felt was a little too much social commentary.

Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing a free review copy.

Have you ever wondered about those grand, historical Manhattan apartment buildings, like the Apthorp on Broadway or the Dakota on Central Park West? Imagined the spacious, beautifully furnished apartments of the famous people who’ve lived there, like Yoko Ono and John Lennon. <i>Murders in the Building</i>, amusing as it is, falls short in portraying the grandeur of these monuments to early 20th century New York.

Chris Pavone’s <i>The Doorman</i> is both a paean to those marvelous edifices and an Upstairs Downstairs novel rolled into one novel. The eponymous doormen live a life of smiling subservience downstairs, safeguarding the secrets of their wealthy upstairs patrons, waiting for their annual holiday tips. The Bohemia Apartments is hardly utopian, yet it’s a relatively stable environment for New York’s rich and super-rich. Among the Bohemia’s owners, Pavone introduces us to two unhappily married couples, one rich and one super-rich, one with feints towards virtue and the other without. The two couples and the doormen become inextricably intertwined in building and familial dramas.

Chris Pavone writes good and imaginative thrillers, witness his <i>The Expats</i> and <i>The Paris Diversion</i>. With <i>The Doorman</i>, Pavone shows us that he can write engagingly about a family dynamics in a socially and economically bifurcated New York.

4 stars

With thanks to NetGalley and MCD Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Impressive Setting for this Thriller

The demarcations of the classes in the United States seems to have become more evident in terms of money, education and power. In fact, the upper class seems to be determined by the billions not the millions. Some have ill-gotten gains and often come from “old money.” The author, Chris Pavone, seems more than competent to weave a tale that includes these super wealthy and the lower classes. This group includes many old world immigrants and hard-working service people. The middle class is mostly omitted, if our country can even define a middle class anymore.

Pavone uses a hoity-toity co-op building, Bohemia Apartments on Park Avenue in New York City and introduces the reader to the apartments locale based on money and/or reputation. There are many, many service employees. Pavone’s main character is Chicky Diaz, a doorman for 28 years. He is a pro on keeping his mouth shut and knowing every resident’s name and demands. He is a widower and father of two college girls who has startling debt and no way to ever resolve it. Amongst the Hoppers, Chagalls and Picassos, are the very rich and educated. One such couple Whit and Emily Longworth, live in 7000 square foot apartment. He is a billionaire by selling body armor and she is a beautiful woman who works hard at downplaying her rich-by-marriage relationship. Emily finds the relationship unfulfilling and hateful. She begins an extra-marital affair and finds love.

In the meantime, Chicky is well aware of a growing unrest. White supremacists are killing innocent Black men. This is an important part of the plot as incidents weave in and out of comings and goings. Chicky never speaks against anyone, he follows the rules and greets every resident by name. He factually knows who is bad and the desires of many of the tenants. Pavone enters a mob-type of incident when a gang member believes a the head thug was offended. This technique initiates murder and mayhem leaving many residents as victims of criminals. Chicky appears to be one of the few non-violent. Does it save him?

My gratitude to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this pre-published book.

I really liked Pavone's book Two Nights in Lisbon, which made me super excited to read The Doorman, but it kind of felt like a letdown. I don't mind books about politics, but with the current political environment, I read to escape and this was not a good escape. For most of the book, I didn't have a clear reason to keep reading, but I did power through in case the ending had some big plot twist that made it all worth it. It didn't.

An intriguing book. The Doorman by Chris Pavone covered many current social issues focused on one apartment building in NYC and the residents. Brilliantly written.

This seems to be a precis of January 6th.

The NY West Side crowd, probably in the Dakota across from Central Park fear many things.

The story shifts between the doorman--working class--a gallery owner--upper middle class--and a rich mother--rich.

Some reviews are comapring the story to THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITITES. I think doing so is a disservice to Tom Wolf. There may be themes in common, but no comparison.

I love Chris Pavone's propulsive and suspenseful writing. What I really enjoy about his thrillers is he does not shy away from incorporating biting social commentary. His insights and jabs at the wealth class structure, sociopolitical movements, and the tumultuous state of being that the Empire State has been in since COVID are a lively backdrop for this apartment centered murder mystery. It's a bit like Only Murders in the Building meets Succession and I enjoyed every bit of it!

I have enjoyed several of Chris Pavone's previous books, especially The Expats, The Paris Diversion (a follow-up to The Expats) and The Accident. The story of his latest book, The Doorman, is very ambitious. The plot centers around a doorman named Chicky Diaz who acts as the greeter and guardian of a very old, very established New York City apartment building called the Bohemia. Chicky and the other building employees have very different living situations from the residents, and the novel clearly points this out. But not everything is perfect for the wealthy residents, notably Emily and Whit Longworth, whose fabulous lifestyle actually covers up a disastrous marriage.

The novel's storylines might be uncomfortable for some, considering they touch on issues prevalent in the U.S. right now -- power, politics, race, money. It is difficult at times to read, and there is a lot to keep up with, but I like how Pavone structured the novel and tied up the loose ends. This book reminds me of some of John Grisham's novels, and I mean that as a compliment.

Many thanks to NetGalley, MCD Books and the author for the e-ARC and the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Thanks to Chris Pavone; Farrar, Straus and Giroux; and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book intertwines three stories of the rich and not so rich while considering racism and class. The common thread is the Bohemia, an old school condo near Central Park in New York City. The author has captured a great sense of New York City, and the struggles people have with money, racism, marriage, social justice, and love.

A well written and thought-provoking story filled with realistic characters to love and hate. The ending wraps things up nicely with some unexpected twists and turns. This is one of those books you will likely think about for quite some time after you have finished it. Recommended.

Great ending

I am a big fan of this author. The stories are usually fast-paced and I like the characters. This one started slowly for me. There is a big set up to the excellent finale where the characters are introduced. There is Chicky, the doorman. He is still dealing with the aftermath, both financial and emotional, of losing his wife to cancer. He works as the doorman at a New York co-op filled with wealthy residents. One of the wealthiest is Emily. She is a very kind woman married to a pretty awful man. Julian, another resident, is an art dealer who is in financial straits. Although the whole book is good, I expected a "can't put it down" read like other Pavone work. This one got put down a lot until the big finish, where I stayed up to complete it. It is an excellent book, but I wish there was a little more action earlier on.

I will be anxiously looking forward to the next book by the author.

Thank you for the opportunity preview The Doorman. I was lucky enough to get the chance to read this book as I wished for it!
Interesting read though not a thriller.
The plot of the book revolves around a man work who works at an exclusively rich building in NYC. Only the wealthy can afford to live there and they are entitled and self absorbed.
What happens in this building involves people with different backgrounds and status. Most characters I found were stereotypes.
There are alot of elements of social justice and current issues that form a lot of the plot
Interesting characters and plot although not suspenseful. Entertaining. 3.5 stars

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!