#allthebookreviews: A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay @wmmorrowbooks @linwood_barclay
A Noise Downstairs
by Linwood Barclay
Thanks so much to Edelweiss and William Morrow for this copy!
Publisher: William Morrow
Publish Date: July 24, 2018
Kindle Edition
464 Pages
Standalone
Genres: Thriller, Suspense
College professor Paul Davis is a normal guy with a normal life. Until, driving along a deserted road late one night, he surprises a murderer disposing of a couple of bodies. That’s when Paul’s "normal" existence is turned upside down. After nearly losing his own life in that encounter, he finds himself battling PTSD, depression, and severe problems at work. His wife, Charlotte, desperate to cheer him up, brings home a vintage typewriter—complete with ink ribbons and heavy round keys—to encourage him to get started on that novel he’s always intended to write.
However, the typewriter itself is a problem. Paul swears it’s possessed and types by itself at night. But only Paul can hear the noise coming from downstairs; Charlotte doesn’t hear a thing. And she worries he’s going off the rails.
Paul believes the typewriter is somehow connected to the murderer he discovered nearly a year ago. The killer had made his victims type apologies to him before ending their lives. Has another sick twist of fate entwined his life with the killer—could this be the same machine? Increasingly tormented but determined to discover the truth and confront his nightmare, Paul begins investigating the deaths himself.
But that may not be the best thing to do. Maybe Paul should just take the typewriter back to where his wife found it. Maybe he should stop asking questions and simply walk away while he can. . . .
My Review:
Chit chit. Chit. Chit chit chit.
I'm fairly certain whenever I hear real typewrite clickety clack noises now, I'll be thinking back on this book. OMG, readers! This is a book you will eat right up in one fast sitting. The prologue BOOMS and pulls you right into this big bear of a thriller that is fast paced and perfect for what is now a category amongst itself - popcorn thrillers! POP POP POP! And I can see why. After the prologue, all I wanted to do was grab a bowl of popcorn and BE ENTERTAINED!
Told through various points of view, we see Paul, the man who barely survived almost being murdered by a fellow colleague - someone he considered a friend. We also see through his wife, Charlotte's, eyes and how she is trying to help with his PTSD. Barclay also gives us a glimpse into the life of Paul's therapist, Anna - who is dealing with issues of her own. All play a big role in everything that happens in this book, as you would assume, duh. Haha.
I tell you what, I was mostly fascinated with Anna's other patient and his sociopathic ways. I almost wish I could get a book just based on Gavin's brain. WOW. If you've read the book, tell me if you feel the same! I loved little moments of levity - especially in Paul's trying to explain to his young son, Josh, about what a typewriter is. It's fascinating to see how kids view this world filled with technology - especially as a person who grew up going into the technology age but certainly was a big part of the days that were pre-cell phone and computers in the classroom. I used to LOVE typing on a typewriter!
There were lots of twisty turns in this novel - and I didn't see any of them coming. I LOVE IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS! It may have gotten a little too convoluted at the end with too many things going on... however, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire ride!
★★★★
I'm so sad to say that this is my first encounter with anything that Linwood Barclay has written - this was long overdue! A NOISE DOWNSTAIRS is one where once you start, you won't want to put it down. Damn, that prologue instantly sucks you in.
Paul Davis' life completely changed the night he decided to pull over and see if his friend and colleague needed help on the side of the road. Now suffering from PTSD from the ordeal, Paul is trying to find a new sense of normal. His wife, Charlotte, attempts to cheer him up by bringing home an old typewriter for him to finally write his novel. The problem? Paul swears that he hears it typing on its own at night. Paul fears that this is somehow connected to the killer he narrowly escaped that night - is there something more sinister at hand or is he starting to lose his mind?
Imagine hearing that clicking sound all night long and no one else being able to hear it in your house? I haven't had much experience with using typewriters but the few times I have, that sound is so distinct and wonderful. But, I wouldn't want to hear that clicking away in my basement at night! This is told in multiple perspectives - Paul, Charlotte, and a little bit through the eyes of Paul's therapist. I agree with my partner reader, Chandra, her other patient was fascinating! Is it weird that we love the sociopath characters?
This is a thriller that you won't want to stop once you open it up, so make sure you have a comfy chair and some snacks. Plenty of twists throughout the book that I did not see coming, and for someone that frequents the thriller genre, this is always so fun!
I give this 4.5/5 stars!
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