THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS JUST SAID GOODNIGHT
On the anniversary eve of the 9/11 terror attack, New York swelters under a heat dome of record temperatures. Even the global leaders assembled at the UN HQ are forced to admit that the climate crisis has reached boiling point and the world’s time is running out.
That same day, at precisely 5:25 p.m., everyone on Manhattan Island – every man, woman and child, including all the world leaders at the UN – falls unconscious. Everyone that is, except for Samantha Rossi, a single mother reeling from devastating personal news and Nick Lockwood, a wounded NYPD detective who wakes from a coma just as the City That Never Sleeps falls into one.
Rossi’s first concern is her daughter. Lockwood’s is his city. As night draws in, they must work together to unravel the mystery of what has happened and why. Each must decide how far they will go and what lines they will cross to save what matters most to them.
It's my pleasure to be sharing my review of Manhattan Down by Michael Cordy today. Many thanks to Ransom PR and Transworld for inviting me and for sending me a copy of the novel. Please accept my apologies for my delay posting due to me mixing up my dates.
Most speculative thrillers I've read which involve a threat to humankind feature some sort of devastating global event. Manhattan Down is different; only the people on Manhattan Island are affected but after almost every person there suddenly falls asleep at 5:25pm, the implications for the world are still terrifying.
Set in a near-future New York, the climate crisis has reached a critical moment and time is running out for the world – particularly the richest nations – to finally take some sort of decisive action to save the planet. As world leaders gather for the United Nations Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, it has been termed the Summit of Resilience and Hope. Despite the sweltering temperatures, thousands of protestors are marching but Samantha Rossi insists her teenage daughter Zoe has to attend school. It's not long, however, before Sam hears far more distressing news but before she has the chance to talk to her daughter, almost everyone in the city falls unconscious.
Meanwhile, readers have already been introduced to Detective Nick Lockwood whose attempt to protect his partner, Paula O'Malley when she chases a lead many believe to be nothing but a conspiracy theory, results in him waking up eight days later from a coma. Lockwood wakes to discover nearly everybody is asleep while Samantha is unable to sleep. The explanation as to why neither has fallen victim to the audacious attack is quickly explained and is entirely plausible given the circumstances.
Nick's guilt regarding his past means he is determined to protect his city but after he witnesses another man attempting to assault an unconscious woman, he is presented with the opportunity to discover just what the small group of people responsible for the attack are hoping to achieve. Without knowing what his role is supposed to be, or what the ultimate aim of the gang is, the risk of being uncovered is high and Manhattan Down is a tense read throughout. Sam's sole focus is on protecting her daughter but after the pair cross paths, they have to decide whether they can trust one another.
Although being sent to sleep sounds like a relatively benign attack, the truth is more sinister; from the first few deaths which occur as a result of the suddenness of their induced slumber to the tragic accidents shortly afterwards, to the loves lost due to the actions of others, danger is never far away here. Poignantly, this event takes place on the anniversary of 9/11 but with the residents of Manhattan, as well as the world's leaders, once again apparently under attack, the objective here is never clear. While the world calls them terrorists, the Waking Eye group describe themselves as activists and are motivated by a desire to force change. It becomes chillingly evident however, that some of them have far more lethal plans beyond their declared demands.
The descriptions of a city which has been forcibly stalled but still teems with life as hordes of rats and other crazed animals roam the streets are vividly atmospheric. Nick and Sam are forced to make some difficult decisions and as well as being a high-octane read, Manhattan Down also challenges its readers to consider what they might do in the same situation. Michael Cordy clever explores some pressing contemporary issues and the dynamic storyline is nuanced and empathetic throughout.
With its likeable, authentic main characters, devious villains and a particularly moving redemption subplot, readers are never allowed to forget that whether humanity needs protecting from sophisticated tech attacks, avaricious treachery or the calamitous consequences of climate change, the eventual solutions are more likely to be found through the co-operative efforts of those courageous enough to take a stand. Packed with shocking twists, Manhattan Down is an addictively dramatic, thought-provoking novel; perfect for anybody who enjoys intelligent, pulse-pounding high concept thrillers!
Manhattan Down is published by Bantam Books/Transworld, purchasing links can be found here.
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