Customer Reviews

Downtick

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the most original suspense novels I've read in a while. No cardboard characters or retooled scripts here; Ashbaugh holds your attention and gives just enough chlling surprises. You might as well stay up all night reading it-- it's not likely that you're going to sleep in any case!

This book was a pleasant suprise! A true page turner! Before you read, make sure you put enough time aside to really settle in and enjoy. The book has a lot of twists and turns and is constantly suprising. I love when an author really challenges the readers instinct to predict what happens next. I cannot wait for his next novels. What a great debut!

This is pretty good debut novel. I would have given it five stars except for the fact that for some stupid reason the opening scene is taken from a long way into the book so you know what is going to happen and are just hoping that part will hurry up and occur so you can read the rest with no surprises. Good thriller, good characters and a good read apart from that.

Psychopath Fenton has stopped taking his medicine that was keeping his mind under control. One day while buying a porno mag he happens to glance at the front page of a newspaper and see the face of David Johnson who has just landed a successful billion dollar business deal. David was briefly Fenton's roommate before he and the other flatmate Jonah betrayed him and kicked him out. Fenton will have his revenge if David can't use his power and money to protect himself and his family. Jonah's life choice of a recluse in the Maine woods is suddenly going to have unwanted company as well.

Pocket Books is promoting this book as one of their lead titles with good reason. This novel draws the reader into it and never lets go. The details and imagery bring this book to life.

Wall Street is the backdrop of the story with the action revolving around someone terrorizing - with the intent of ultimately killing - two of the Securities Industry's top stars. The suspense is relentless throughout as the reader follows the cat-'n-mouse chase between the killer and the police. The story is full of twists, so the reader doesn't have a chance to become complacent.

Much of the story's character development emerges as each individual deals with the havoc brought into their lives. The killer perpetuates their terror at every opportunity, sparing no one. Their reactions range from noble and protective to egocentric and opportunistic.

The book is thoroughly researched and the reader learns much through the story about Wall Street, police investigation and the workings of a deranged mind.

If you like psychological thrillers, this book definitely fits the bill.

now i know what the true meaning of breathtaking is!!! just reading the last 25 pages of this book literally takes your breath away!!! and yes this comes to as close to perfection as a book of this type can come!!! i am soooooo glad that regan's 'slasher' editor showed such tremendous restraint in allowing this book to be the marvelous length that it is as you were able to savor the amazing character development and to understand all of the incredible police procedurals that he took you through!!! his love of maine really comes across in this book....cannot wait to visit!!! but this book is just so awesome that i find it verrrrrrrry difficult to believe that his publisher didn't do a monumental ad campaign heralding its printing!!! i had to order it and a number of other copies (to give to friends) as i can't find it in any of my local bookstores....and, i've told tons of people to read this excellent book! now i've got to get into his new one!!! can't wait!!! hey, mr. publisher, show regan some support and respect....give him the advertising budget that you would to any of your other top writers cuz this guy tops any and all of them hands down!!! he is, simply put, AMAZING!!!

David Johnson is a big name on Wall Street. Jonah Roberts is a farmer in Maine. Both men are being stalked by a psychopath they met once in college and haven't thought about since. The story that follows can only be described as amazing.

Downtick has no dull moments and is full of interesting police procedure, an insider's view of Wall Street, and a very accurate portrayal of rural Maine. Regan Ashbaugh keeps upping the stakes until by the end of Downtick the reader would like to jump into the pages and catch this psychopath himself. The whole book is full of twists and turns and the last Part is suspense at its best.

Regan Ashbaugh is not a literary writer and Downtick contains some cliches. However, his characters are not stereotyped, his vilian is terrifying, and his suspense is perfect.

I have read this thriller twice. Highly recommended.

I HAVE NEVER READ A THRILLER QUITE AS GOOD AS THIS ONE. IT KEPT MY ATTENTION THROUGHOUT THE BOOK. NEVER A DULL PAGE. SEEMS REGAN DID QUITE A BIT OF STUDYING ON THIS ONE, IT CAME THROUGH IN HIS BOOK.HE REALLY KNEW HIS STUFF. CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE RED LINE. HOPE IT'S AS GOOD.

This is truly a great novel and if you are from Maine, it is a true delight with many landmarks noted. Regan is really a talented author and I look forward to more. His second is even better, can't wait for the third.

I HAVE NEVER READ A THRILLER QUITE AS GOOD AS THIS ONE. IT KEPT MY ATTENTION THROUGHOUT THE BOOK. NEVER A DULL PAGE. SEEMS REGAN DID QUITE A BIT OF STUDYING ON THIS ONE, IT CAME THROUGH IN HIS BOOK.HE REALLY KNEW HIS STUFF. CAN'T WAIT TO READ IN THE RED. HOPE IT'S AS GOOD.

Mr. Ashbaugh combined a great knowledge of the Street with a hair-raising plot to come up with a book that is an instant winner. I highly recommend this book!!!