New York Times Bestselling author Linwood Barclay has a new
novel on bookshelves and Kerry Hammond wants to tell us about it.
A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay was released in Hardcover
on July 24, by William Morrow. Barclay is the author of nearly twenty novels,
both standalones and series installments. I’ve read quite a few of his
creations and I always enjoy the interesting plots that he cooks up. When I
found out that A Noise Downstairs contained a possibly sinister vintage
typewriter I was immediately hooked.
In A Noise Downstairs, Paul Davis is a college professor in
Connecticut. His world is turned upside down when an encounter with a colleague
turns into a nightmare. Davis catches another professor, Kenneth Hoffman, in
the process of disposing of the bodies of two women he’s murdered. When Kenneth
perceives Paul as a threat, he attempts to make him his third victim. Paul
survives the encounter, but does not come out unscathed. He suffers from memory
loss and a form of PTSD, which requires him to seek the help of a therapist.
Paul’s wife brings home a vintage typewriter to inspire his
writing, and to cheer him up. He couldn’t be happier to receive such a gift, but
the typewriter’s novelty soon wears off when Paul wakes in the night to hear it
typing. All by itself. With no one in the house. As if it were possessed. What follows
is Paul’s possible descent into madness and his struggle to deal with what
happened with Kenneth Hoffman.
This book had a very unique premise and I love that. I
couldn’t decide if the story was going to stay within the realm of reality or
trail off into science fiction, but I was along for the ride and ready for
whichever way it might take me. I think Barclay is a true storyteller and I
enjoyed the ride, including the shout out to the vintage typewriter! There were more
than a few twists and turns and I didn’t guess half of them. If you’re looking
to be entertained by an interesting story, you’re in for a treat.
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