Deepest Doors

by Paul Winters

Two sets of fugitives Two sets of enemies One bizarre encounter When a chance collision with a beautiful woman in Central Park results in a head injury, international business consultant James McBride's perfectly structured and rote life suddenly begins to unravel as he learns that every memory he has seems to be false and, in fact, he is not the same person that he thinks he is. James McBride is a workaholic who thinks his life is almost perfect the way it is. He goes into the office early, stays late, works weekends, travels to exotic locations and has no ambitions of a wife, girlfriend or any type of social life. With a spectacular Park Avenue apartment and all the material goods a person could want, he is content with his seemingly perfectly planned, albeit one-dimensional, existence. All of this changes one afternoon after a collision with Sarah Plummer, a beautiful and free-spirited woman, forces him to 'break routine'. Injured and dazed by a fall, she helps him to her apartment to rest. He awakens confused, only to be talked into doing something he could not ever recall doing; taking the day off. By the next day, they find themselves being pursued by people from his firm, singularly intent on killing her and capturing him. Only by a bizarre encounter with Bob Eaton, a white-hat computer hacker and security consultant, himself on the run from the mafia, does he begin to unravel the reason for these events, and understand how they can confront their respective enemies. Deep in the mind, beyond the deepest doors, is the truth

Genres: Thriller

276 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2013

About the author

Paul Winters, a former international consulting executive, has been an avid reader of the thriller genre since his days in college. His favorite authors include Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton. He holds an MBA from Indiana University where he majored in Marketing and International Business Administration. Paul currently lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife, two children and an ever-changing number of dogs.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free download of "Deepest Doors" from the author, Paul Winters, in exchange for an honest review. This is a fast-paced mystery thriller, with a touch of the paranormal woven into the plot, that gets you hooked right from the beginning, and won't let go until you are finished.The plot is intricate and exciting.

One of the things that makes this novel so great, is the author's ability to alternate POV through various characters' minds as we alternate between chapters, between two main protagonists, Bob Eaton,a computer hacker, working from home, hacking into banker companies to test their security flaws, and James McBride, a high paid consultant who, holds a deep dark secret, that once revealed, will change his life forever.

Once James' and Bob's worlds collide, there is no turning back, as we see events unfold and begin to gain a glimpse of past happenings that make this story a memorable one. I truly enjoyed this great read and intend to read more of this author. The plot is compelling, and the characters are very believable. I must say it was easy for me to relate to Bob's character, as I am a IT person working from home, and worked many years in Mainframe Security administration in the Government. A very enjoyable mystery thriller that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

[Allison James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot is intricate and exciting. The author does a masterful job of letting the reader see what is going on in various characters' minds as we alternate between chapters and characters, like Bob, the computer hacker, and James McBride, who, deep within his subconscious, holds a secret, that once revealed, will change his life forever. There is a touch of the paranormal that is intricately woven into the plot, and a recurring dream that foreshadows the realism that is to surface about James' past. And then there is the unintended relationship that James is beginning to develop with Sarah, as his emotions show his more human side, and not the workaholic side. Once James' and Bob's worlds collide, there is no turning back, as we see events unfold and begin to gain a glimpse of past happenings that make this story a memorable one. I truly enjoyed this great read and intend to read more of this author. I read the book in two days, which is telling of how good a story it is and that the plot is compelling. The plot adds dimension to the story, and there is never a dull moment.

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book, I was very unsure of what I was reading. The first few chapters made me doubt that I would be able to finish this book. Boy am I glad that I stuck with it. By chapter 3 I was hooked. I could not possibly stop reading. I even was up way past my usual bedtime and got up early to keep reading. This is a book that was taken wherever I went and read every available minute.

The character of James, or Jammer, intrigued me. I could not imagine not knowing my history, not having any friends, and being “programmed.” He lived his life as it was planned never knowing to question what he was doing. When he met Sarah Plummer, or rather got ran over by, his whole life changed, for the better and for good. He became real, not just doing the motions but actually living life. The emotions between Sarah and James were real. Not rushed and hot and steamy. They were not the main focus of the story, more of a back ground story.

This is not a romance story. This is a mystery and suspense novel. I highly recommend that you check out this novel and Paul Winters. You will not be sorry.

[C.C. Yager · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of thrillers, especially espionage and assassin thrillers. Paul Winters understands the basic thriller formula and narrative structure and he created fairly likable although not deep characters. His main protagonist, James McBride, is a business consultant who specializes in international business. The novel opens with him on the job in Baku, Azerbaijan. Winters chose to alternate points of view in sections within each long chapter rather than alternating POV by chapter. That's OK, but there was too much description in the first chapter. The story really didn't get moving until chapter 2. Pacing was a problem throughout the novel as Winters focused on clothing, food, and setting details that did nothing to move the story forward or reveal character.

I enjoyed this novel nonetheless, and was pleasantly surprised by what James McBride really was and how he'd changed as a result of meeting the other characters and his experiences with them. Winter wrote several action set pieces extremely well. As with the first chapter, subsequent chapters suffered from too much description that slowed the pace.

E-book publishing offers writers the opportunity to publish fast. It's important to make certain that your work is in the best, most professional shape you can make it before you e-publish. That means hiring a really, really good, competent editor who can deliver bad news to writers with a gentle but firm touch. Winters' novel needed a close, careful line edit in the worse way, and the sloppiness just worsened as the novel progressed. It made me sad, but also impatient, annoyed, and distracted me from the story and the characters.

While this was clearly a first novel, it also clearly showed the writer has potential. I hope for his next novel he gets a professional editor and also takes the time to proofread before publishing.

Thriller readers will enjoy this story.

[Aurumora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressions

I think the main reason why I like this book is Sarah. She has a strong personality and and had a sense for other personalitys. She gave James and Bob more character thru questions she asked and ideas she gave.
I wished they had seen each other at the end of the book. Some final talk part. Somehow there are friends I think.
There are many character I will call the evil ones. These evil ones are so mutch people, some times I forgott who is who? The final solution of the one evil group was alwas clear for me, but the other group I don't realy understand.
(Perhaps it is becaus my english isn't the best).

I like the book. The feeling of chace and some sort oft safty.

[J. Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few pages were a bit difficult to understand and I wasn’t immediately captured into the book. But as I continued reading, I was quickly encapsulated into the story. This is well written and the author provided sufficient detail of each scene and setting. The alternating stories of James McBride and Robert Eaton added suspense and kept my interest. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense leading up to the final standoff scenes. This is a great read and highly recommended.

[Jenifer Ruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and the clever parallel plots that come together, couldn't wait to get back to it each time I had to put it down. Loved the characters, especially Robert Eaton, the computer hacker. Sort of like a Jason Bourne of the IT world, capable and intelligent. You can't help but rooting for him. The settings are real, interesting and sophisticated. Looking forward to Paul Winter's next book.

[Barbara D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing novel!
Deepest doors is a solid read with clearly defined and realistic characters. The book started slowly, but it definitely picked up after several chapters.
I enjoyed the subject and the multiple story line approach. I would recommend this book to lovers of a good mistery thriller novel.
I will be reading more books by this author.

[Lee Gimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good thriller.

This is a very good read. A thriller with mystery, suspense, and lots of action. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. I liked the main characters, James McBride and Sarah Plummer, found both very compelling.
I look forward to reading more by Paul Winters.

[Laune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Winters has created a fast-paced and exciting book. It has realistic, clearly defined characters that keep you on edge. It is a compelling thriller. I received this book thru a Goodreads giveaway.

[Portia Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written,with like able characters though at times there were predictable moments. Still, the plot maintained my interest through out the 272 pages.