Manhattan Lockdown: A Novel

by Paul Batista

Overview

USA Today Best-Selling Author

Terrorists' bombs explode in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

A birthday party on a beautiful summer Sunday afternoon on the roof garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the guest of honor, Roland Fortune, mayor of New York City.

Suddenly multiple explosions rock the entire building. This is not an accident, not a gas leak, but a heinous act of terrorism. Among the injured is the mayor himself, and although he survives, the woman he loves does not. And the terrorism does not stop there. As the city's other iconic sites are targeted, the mayor throws Manhattan into lockdown.

In the chaos that ensues, law enforcement groups converge on New York City. The FBI, Homeland Security, the armed forces, even the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the President, come to the aid of the New York City Police Department.

Amidst this massive joint effort, only New York City Police Commissioner Gina Carbone is closing in on the terrorists. Her tactics well outside legal bounds, her cell operating in total secrecy, Carbone takes vigilantism to a new level. Will her illicit actions succeed—or plunge the city into further catastrophe?

Perfect for fans of Nelson DeMille's John Corey

While Manhattan Lockdown is a standalone novel, here is the publication order of Paul Batista's legal thrillers:

Death's Witness
Extraordinary Rendition
The Borzoi Killings (Raquel Rematti Legal Thriller Series #1)
Manhattan Lockdown
The Warriors (Raquel Rematti Legal Thriller Series #2)
Accusation (Raquel Rematti Legal Thriller Series #3) —coming in March 2022

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608091966
Publisher:	Oceanview Publishing
Publication date:	07/19/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	921,669
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Paul Batista, novelist and television personality, is one of the most widely known trial lawyers in the country. As a trial attorney, he specializes in federal criminal litigation. As a media figure, he is known for his regular appearances as guest legal commentator on a variety of television shows including,Court TV, CNN, HLN and WNBC. He's also appeared in the HBO movie, You Don't Know Jack, starring Al Pacino.

A prolific writer, Batista authored the leading treatise on the primary federal anti-racketeering statute,Civil RICO Practice Manual, which is now in its third edition (Wiley & Sons, 1987; Wolters Kluwer, 2008). He has written articles for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The National Law Journal.

Batista's debut novel, Death's Witness, was awarded a Silver Medal by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). Batista is a graduate of Bowdoin College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and Cornell Law School. He's proud to have served in the United States Army. Paul Batista lives in New York City and Sag Harbor, New York.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2016
At the start of this fast-moving if unconvincing terrorist thriller from Batista (The Borzoi Killings), New York City's mayor, Roland Fortune, is celebrating his birthday at the roof garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when a series of bombs detonated in food carts along Fifth Avenue claim hundreds of lives, including that of his significant other. As Manhattan is placed on lockdown, Fortune's police commissioner, Gina Carbone, the NYPD's first female leader, scrambles to find those responsible for the outrage, even as the terrorists strike elsewhere. Unlikely developments, such as the U.S. president flying into the city without the NYPD being told he was en route, could have been dispensed with without lessening the drama inherent in the book's premise. None of the characters have any depth, and odd turns of phrase (the doctor attending to an injured Fortune is described as a "sober man with the weight and presence of a rabbi") further detract from what could have been a suspenseful look at a plausible scenario. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Batista knows his way around Manhattan and it shows in this battle of wills, where the tension and turmoil add up to high-stakes suspense, the pages hot enough to singe your fingers.” —Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author


“From its literally explosive first pages through its literally explosive last pages, Manhattan Lockdown brings us into a battle for the streets of Manhattan as the city’s most treasured icons are blown apart by terrorists.” —Lis Wiehl, New York Times best-selling author


“Paul Batista's provocative tale of a game-changing terrorist attack in New York City is both a superb procedural thriller and stark morality tale that asks how far are we willing to go to stay safe.” —Jon Land, USA Today best-selling author


“This terrific book takes the reader into an all-out battle for the mean streets of Manhattan as some of the worlds most treasured and recognized symbols are blown sky high by terrorists. Police Commissioner Carbone bursts onto the scene as the most frightening and unforgettable character in modern suspense/thrillers.” —Suspense Magazine


“Manhattan Lockdown may well be this summer’s thriller. Its fast-moving plot not only provides entertainment, but will make you think, ‘Could this really happen?’” —San Francisco Book Review


“. . . a suspenseful look at a plausible scenario.” —Publishers Weekly


“A solid thriller that will keep action-craving readers interested.” —Booklist


Praise for Paul Batista

“Slide over John Grisham and Scott Turow and make room on your narrow bench for Paul Batista to join you as a fellow top legal thriller author.” —Killer Nashville


“The Warriors is immaculately plotted, as you’d expect of such a credentialed author. So for maximum enjoyment, focus on the courtroom and crime action, and let the wild ride carry this thriller.” —New York Journal of Books


“Powerful courtroom scenes and well-drawn characters are pluses…fans of TV commentator Batista won’t want to miss [The Warriors] this one.” —Publishers Weekly


“A real pleasure here is the literate language in the courtroom clashes, plus electric scenes stolen by diminutive, ancient judge Naomi Goldstein.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

"A solid thriller that will keep action-craving readers interested."
—Booklist

“This terrific book takes the reader into an all-out battle for the mean streets of Manhattan as some of the worlds most treasured and recognized symbols are blown sky high by terrorists. Police Commissioner Carbone bursts onto the scene as the most frightening and unforgettable character in modern suspense/thrillers. Question is: will her very belligerent attitude and actions succeed or will they bury the U.S. in a far greater and more deadly disaster? It’s hard to not tell the secrets of this one…just know that not one page of this book can be missed! “
—Suspense Magazine

“Batista knows his way around Manhattan and it shows in this battle of wills, where the tension and turmoil add up to high stakes suspense, the pages hot enough to singe your fingers.”
—Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of The Patriot Threat

“Manhattan Lockdown is about as terrifyingly timely as it gets. Paul Batista's provocative tale of a game-changing terrorist attack in New York City is both a superb procedural thriller and stark morality tale. Riveting and relentless.”
—Jon Land, USA Today best-selling author of Strong Light of Day

“Manhattan Lockdown brings us into a battle for the streets of Manhattan as the city’s most treasured icons are blown apart by terrorists. Arising from the chaos, Gina Carbone, New York City’s Police Commissioner, explodes on the scene as the most chilling and memorable protagonist in modern thrillers.”
—Lis Wiehl, New York Times best-selling author of The Newsmakers

Manhattan Lockdown is engrossing from first page to the last. Great for a beach read. Don't miss it. And if you are planning to be in New York, you could also use the novel as a guide to the city's attractions.”
—Book Loons

“Manhattan Lockdown may well be this summer’s thriller. Its fast-moving plot not only provides entertainment, but will make you think, “Could this really happen?”
—San Francisco Book Review

Review text - Paul Batista