The Doorman by Chris Pavone: Smart, Satirical, and Surprisingly Timely
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In The Doorman by Chris Pavone, the espionage author best known for globetrotting thrillers like The Expats and The Paris Diversion takes a sharp detour – straight into the doorman’s booth of a high-end New York City apartment building. Set entirely within the walls (and sidewalks) of “the Bohemia,” a fictional residence for the ultra-wealthy, The Doorman delivers something different: a novel that balances social satire, slow-burn suspense, and biting commentary on the state of modern America.
And while it might not be the international thrill ride some readers expect from Pavone, it’s definitely a ride.
Key Takeaways: The Doorman by Chris Pavone
What It’s About: The Doorman by Chris Pavone
Chicky Diaz has worked as a doorman at the Bohemia – New York’s most exclusive apartment building – long enough to know everyone’s secrets. One spring evening, following a police shooting of an unarmed Black man, protests erupt across the city. Inside the Bohemia, tensions simmer: Emily Longworth is trapped in a loveless marriage to a ruthless arms magnate; Julian Sonnenberg, an art dealer, is reckoning with mortality and regret; and Chicky, feeling the world closing in, makes a decision that will change everything.
With Manhattan teetering on the edge of unrest, Chicky steps into his uniform and breaks a cardinal rule – he brings a gun to work. As political demonstrations clash with elite facades inside the building, loyalties shift, and secrets unravel. In a single night, life at the Bohemia spirals into violence, betrayal, and revelation that strikes at the core of class, power, and identity in modern New York.
My Review Rating – 4 out of 5 stars.
I gave this book 4 stars. It’s a sharp, character-driven satire that trades Pavone’s usual globe-trotting thrills for a tense night inside one iconic New York building. It’s smart, timely, and full of biting observations – with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
What I Liked
The Characters:
Let’s start with the trio of characters at the heart of it all: Emily Longworth, Julian Sonnenberg, and Chicky Diaz (yes, the doorman). They’re wildly different and each delightfully flawed – quirky, sharp, sad, and strangely endearing. Chicky, especially, is a standout. A quiet observer of New York’s elite, he’s far more than a uniform with keys. He’s a keeper of secrets, a man with a plan, and maybe the only person who truly sees what’s going on around him. I liked them all.
I also appreciated hearing in an interview that Pavone infused pieces of himself into all three characters. It shows. They feel fully realized, like they’re drawn from the lived experience of watching the world from a slightly skewed-but-knowing angle.
The Tone & Commentary:
Rather than taking cheap shots or relying on caricatures, The Doorman leans into something more nuanced: a dry, observational satire that reflects the absurd contradictions of modern life. Pavone manages to highlight the cultural noise on all sides, without scolding or sermonizing. It’s sharp, but never smug. Absurd, but grounded.
The book serves as both satire and a strangely sincere snapshot of a time when it seems like we’re all just trying to survive the noise, the outrage, and the chaos. Without preaching or pointing fingers, it lays out a world where no one escapes unscathed… but everyone is still clinging to hope, one way or another.
The Message:
At its core, The Doorman reminds us that the people we overlook – the ones holding the door open, quite literally – are often the ones who see the most. It offers a sharp, observant window into the greed, isolation, and quiet power struggles playing out between those who live upstairs and those who serve them.
By the time I reached the halfway point, I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
What I Didn’t Like
It took me a little while to find my footing. The perspective shifts, the slow build, and the flashbacks made the early chapters feel a bit disjointed. Once I got into the rhythm of it, I was hooked – but it definitely required some patience at first.
If you’re picking up The Doorman expecting the pulse-pounding international tension of The Expats, this isn’t that. And I’ll be honest – I kind of missed it. I admire authors who try something new, and this was bold. But for me, it didn’t quite reach the high bar set by his earlier thrillers.
Still, if this book marks a new direction for Pavone, I’ll be watching closely… and secretly hoping he also brings us back to Europe sometime soon.
Is The Doorman a thriller like Chris Pavone’s earlier novels?
Not exactly. While it contains moments of suspense, this book leans more into social satire and character study than international espionage or high-octane twists. Think quieter tension, not car chases.
Do I need to read any of Chris Pavone’s other books first?
Nope! The Doorman is a standalone novel and doesn’t connect to his earlier books. That said, if you enjoy his writing style, you may want to explore titles like The Expats or The Paris Diversion.
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers who enjoy layered characters, city-based dramas, and thought-provoking fiction with a satirical edge. It’s a great choice for book clubs, especially those that enjoy dissecting class dynamics, modern culture, and moral ambiguity.
Is this book political?
While it touches on timely cultural and political issues, it doesn’t take sides. Instead, it highlights the absurdity and contradictions of modern life, whatever your viewpoint.
Does it have a fast pace?
It starts slow and builds. The first few chapters take their time introducing the characters and setting the stage, but the second half picks up significantly.
Conclusion: One Night At the Bohemia, and Everything Changes
The Doorman by Chris Pavone is a thoughtful, sharply observed, and surprisingly emotional look at modern urban life, social divisions, and the quiet power of the people we overlook. Once the story hits its stride, it becomes a fast-paced examination of class, justice, and identity, with just enough chaos to keep you wondering what’s going to happen next.
While I personally prefer the high-stakes intrigue of Pavone’s earlier work, this one offers a different kind of impact – quiet tension and timely themes.
📚 Did You Know?
Chris Pavone has said in interviews that while none of the characters in The Doorman are directly based on him, each of the three main characters contains “bits and pieces” of himself. He also lives in a building much like the fictional Bohemia and drew inspiration from the people and power dynamics he observed over time. So yes… the doorman might be watching.
You Might Also Like
If you enjoyed The Doorman by Chris Pavone, you might also like:
- Chris Pavone Books in Order – Want to explore more of his work? Start here with the full book list, including his international thrillers.
- Steve Berry Books in Order – If you like Pavone, you’ll like Berry too 🙂
- Review of The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell – Twisty thriller not to be missed if you’re a thriller fan.
- Mystery and Thriller Genres Explained – Curious about what defines a mystery vs. a thriller? This guide breaks down the different types of suspense fiction—and where books like The Doorman fit in.
Similar Authors to Try Next
If you’re drawn to Pavone’s blend of smart suspense and cultural observation, here are a few authors you might enjoy:
- Daniel Silva – Espionage thrillers with rich detail and global stakes
- Anna Pitoniak – Psychological fiction with political undercurrents
- Olen Steinhauer – Complex spy fiction with literary depth
- Joseph Kanon – Historical thrillers with moral tension
- Louise Candlish – Domestic suspense with social commentary
