When I was growing up, back in the mists of time, summer vacation was when I read books all night. This was before I spent all nights writing novels.
Among them, I can vividly remember F. Paul Wilson’s The Keep, an epic fantasy that starts like Dracula and ends like Lord of the Rings.
And then, there is Vertical Run, which is the thriller to end all thrillers. It’s even the first book I ever reviewed. But when I bring it up, few seem to ever know of it, since the author died in 2005.
I’d like to rectify that.
The Story
David Elliot gets up to go to work. He kisses his wife good bye, has breakfast, and jogs to work. After getting to his office on the the 45th floor of the 50 story tall office building and uses the private shower in his office, he gets dressed for a casual day at work.
Then Elliot’s boss comes into his office with a gun, trying to kill him.
And that’s the first chapter of Vertical Run.
After that, it seems everyone is trying to kill Elliot. His fellow employees have been clear out of the way, and mercenaries armed to the teeth are out to get him. Hans Gruber wishes he had his many gunmen. His wife seems to have turned on him. His son seems to have turned on him. They have control of the building. Everyone he knows seems to want him dead, and they just do not stop coming.
But the gunmen have two problems. They think Elliot is easy prey. But Elliot had been in the jungles of Vietnam. He’s not Rambo, but he’s not going to roll over and die.
Every moment is spent with Elliot on the run, or trying to figure out why he’s being hunted. Why would anyone want to kill him? And who could hire this army of gunmen after him.
Garber keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last word on the very last page. Because the reason they’re trying to kill Elliot is just as deadly as the mercenaries themselves are.
Thirty years later, writing this review from memory, Vertical Run is the action novel that I compare any other action novel to. The pacing is relentless. Our hero is smart, thoughtful, and innovative. If it took more time to dwell on events, and take a breath, I would even call it a true novel, like Year of the Locust or Living in Times of Dragons.
But truly, Vertical Run goes so fast you won’t even notice the passage of time. As I said, I started and finished it in one night. The story is pure suspense and doesn’t stop for anything.
The only thing that pisses me off about Vertical Run is that Joseph Garber died after writing only four novels—two of which aren’t in print anymore.
The Characters
Garber tells you the story from the viewpoint of the hunted. He’ll show you how Dave thinks and his creativeness under pressure. He even describes past experiences that gave David the instincts that will keep him alive.
The World
This is very much our world. Maybe the world of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. There are plenty of flashbacks to Elliot’s time in Nam and training that even brings that era to life as well.
Politics
None. Really, none.
Content Warning
I’d call it rated R, probably for language and violence.
Who is it for?
If you liked Die Hard, or Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X, you’re going to enjoy Vertical Run. It is fast, tightly written, and just excellent.
Why buy it
This is still the thriller I compare all other thrillers to, 30 years after I read it.
Thanks very much for the glowing review. I am excited even before puttng my hands on the book.
Thanks. Used hardback copy at Amazon for $1.35. Bought it.