A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay

Paul Davis is living a normal, slightly boring life as a college professor. Late one night as he’s driving down a nearly deserted road, he comes upon a murderer disposing of two bodies. From that point, Paul’s life will never be the same. Barely escaping with his life, Paul spends the next several months recuperating, battling PTSD, memory loss and depression. To cheer him up, his wife Charlotte buys him a vintage typewriter as sort of an inspiration to work out his issues by writing about them. Instead, Paul becomes convinced that the typewriter is typing by itself during the night.

The murder victims Paul happened upon had been forced to type apologies on an old typewriter. That typewriter was never found. Could it be sitting in Paul’s study? Receiving messages from the dead? Paul is determined to confront his own nightmares and begins questioning everyone involved in the case. But will he find answers and peace? Or is his nightmare only beginning?

Linwood Barclay is as good as it gets at creating suspense and tension. He is a master at creating an atmosphere that makes you uneasy even if you are not sure why. Paul is a sympathetic character confronted with a mystery that defies explanation. His problems both physically and mentally since his encounter with a murderer having him questioning his own sanity. Paul is doing all the right things. Working on his problems, talking with his therapist, Anna, trying to get better. But are his efforts leading him towards solving the mystery or towards something worse?

This novel is filled with interesting characters and a page-turning pace that will grip you from beginning to end. An ending that is as thrilling as it is unexpected. The only thing missing is a single light bulb swinging wildly back and forth as a chair spins around revealing a mummified corpse. Barclay has delivered a suspenseful mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through and makes you jump at every little noise that goes bump in the night. You’ll want to read this with the lights on and leave at least one light on when you go to sleep -- if that’s even possible. Highly recommended.

There’s a noise downstairs...and it’s not what you think.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.

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