As a lover of Sheer Pressure, I was delighted to hear about the sequel Sheer Madness and dive into it — to follow the lives of Alex and Emily. This book is chock full of surprises, some of them spine tingling, as Abbott does a masterful job of taking the reader on an adventure that is both relatable and unique — and impossible to put down. A perfect follow up to the original story but with more depth as the characters encounter real life in spades! I couldn’t stop reading it, unable to resist what twist lurked around the corner and was never disappointed. The humor of Sheer Pressure is supplemented with keen observations — it is a tragicomedy, brilliantly paced and written, the most riveting novel I’ve read in years. Together, Sheer Pressure and Sheer Madness are destined either as two feature films or a Netflix series! Read it! You’ll thank me.
I loved Sheer Pressure and was excited to discover there was a sequel. I follow Greg Abbott’s website because I was hoping he would write another novel. This book is every bit as good as Sheer Pressure, a fabulous sequel that mesmerized me from the first paragraph.
Greg Abbott is a first-class writer … his words flow easily from page to page. He has a gift for citing the just right details without slowing the pace, so that I can feel like I’m there in the scene. I especially love the characters — the ones carried over from Sheer Pressure as well the new ones. Each is expertly and interestingly portrayed. Sheer Madness, with stories within stories, is suspenseful, unable to put down. I was so anxious to discover what was going to happen next.
I am an avid reader, reading at least one book a week. I read this in 3 days….truly couldn’t put it down. It was imaginative, sophisticated but fun, and complex….with relatable characters despite being from the Upper East Side. I am definitely a fan of Greg Abbott and so far this is my favorite book of 2023.
I loved Sheer Madness!!!!! I’d read Sheer Pressure so was eager to read the sequel. I think the reader will benefit from reading Sheer Pressure prior to Sheer Madness as together they comprise the same saga, but either way both are stand-alone novels — fitting together seamlessly yet quite different from one another. I enjoyed reading about journey of two lovers going from an illicit yet idealistic love affair into a more conventional Upper East Side life in which the challenges dwarf those in the first book. What a fertile imagination Abbott has!
The characters in this novel are REAL. They jump off the page; although most of them are affluent and educated, everyone can relate to someone in this book.
Greg Abbott is an articulate, bordering on masterful writer. His prose rings with distinctive style and rhythm. Every word he writes seems to count, as there is a special intensity to his expression of feelings and ideas — and never without heart and offbeat humor. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking to enjoy a creative reading experience.
Upon finishing his first book “Sheer Pressure” which was an absolute page-turner; I delved immediately into Abbott’s second book “Sheer Madness”. The two books flow together but couldn’t be more different in style and tone. Both books keep the reader’s attention as the main character, Alex finds his world turned upside down with blind love and later vindictiveness. The author expertly transports the reader into the live of Nee York society and all their expertly played games of love and money.
Mark Twain laid down the most basic maxim for writers: “Write what you know.”
One gets the feeling that with Sheer Madness (and its prequel Sheer Pressure) author Greg Abbott has followed Twain’s advice.
The scenes and characters are eerily true to life, told with a blend of soul and humor that could likely only come from an insider who has experienced the ups and downs of New York’s Upper East Side society.
In the mere telling of his unpredictable story, Abbott’s overriding message seems to be that being part of the privileged elite does not necessarily immunize one from the mishaps and vagaries of life, from searing pain, gut wrenching experiences, injustices, betrayals, criminality, abuse, and heartbreak — that even the rich are part of the human race, perhaps on steroids given the intense competition and ultra-high stakes that mark their existences.
Sheer Madness’s narrative shows how a good, decent, intelligent, even street-smart man can get chewed up and spit out, and yet persist and emerge all the stronger for it. There is probably an opportunity for a Sheer Three-quel, and based on how much I was both entertained and riveted by the first two Sheers, I certainly hope so.
Abbott is a superb writer and story-teller who has the ability to keep his readers engaged, who makes you feel a certain affection for even the evil characters while caring deeply for the protagonists. He humanizes all his characters — especially those who are too often are stereotyped.
Abbott’s backstory behind becoming rich and privileged is a truly relatable American story — rooted not in lucky-sperm ease but in toil and sweat, heart and soul — also telling us that the carrot that drives many of us can turn out not to be what we expected, and in fact can become a liability.
If indeed Sheer Madness reflects Abbott’s real-life experiences, as I somehow suspect, he has found a great outlet to express himself and his colorful but sometimes painful life.
Based on the quality of writing, introspection, humor, and story-telling, he has a promising future as an author. Sheer Madness (and his first book Sheer Pressure), are immensely enjoyable, fast-paced, and page-turning, which belong in a cinematic format.
After reading Sheer Madness and closing the cover, I wanted to read it again to see if I missed anything. It is immensely rich and well-written, an easy yet satisfying read, a fascinating sequel to Sheer Pressure that nonetheless evolves into a different book, much like its protagonist evolves into a man. Abbott humanizes a world (Upper East Side Manhattan) that most of us tend to stereotype, capturing the essence of its culture and various characters with an aplomb worthy of Tom Wolfe, though Abbott has his own unique voice, vision, and unpredictability. Wake up Hollywood! Whether it’s two feature films or one big fat miniseries, these two treasures, if done right, have the potential to become cinematic classics.
Greg Abbott has done it again with this delightful sequel to Sheer Pressure. Once again, the unique cast of characters we have learned to love find themselves in situations for which their Upper East Side upbringing didn’t quite prepare them. The result is an emotional and at times hilarious rollercoaster ride through private schools, police stations, corporate boardrooms as well as a few other unexpected venues. If you liked Sheer Pressure (and who didn’t?) you will love Sheer Madness.
As a lover of Sheer Pressure, I was delighted to hear about the sequel Sheer Madness and dive into it — to follow the lives of Alex and Emily. This book is chock full of surprises, some of them spine tingling, as Abbott does a masterful job of taking the reader on an adventure that is both relatable and unique — and impossible to put down. A perfect follow up to the original story but with more depth as the characters encounter real life in spades! I couldn’t stop reading it, unable to resist what twist lurked around the corner and was never disappointed. The humor of Sheer Pressure is supplemented with keen observations — it is a tragicomedy, brilliantly paced and written, the most riveting novel I’ve read in years. Together, Sheer Pressure and Sheer Madness are destined either as two feature films or a Netflix series! Read it! You’ll thank me.
I loved Sheer Pressure and was excited to discover there was a sequel. I follow Greg Abbott’s website because I was hoping he would write another novel. This book is every bit as good as Sheer Pressure, a fabulous sequel that mesmerized me from the first paragraph.
Greg Abbott is a first-class writer … his words flow easily from page to page. He has a gift for citing the just right details without slowing the pace, so that I can feel like I’m there in the scene. I especially love the characters — the ones carried over from Sheer Pressure as well the new ones. Each is expertly and interestingly portrayed. Sheer Madness, with stories within stories, is suspenseful, unable to put down. I was so anxious to discover what was going to happen next.
I am an avid reader, reading at least one book a week. I read this in 3 days….truly couldn’t put it down. It was imaginative, sophisticated but fun, and complex….with relatable characters despite being from the Upper East Side. I am definitely a fan of Greg Abbott and so far this is my favorite book of 2023.
I loved Sheer Madness!!!!! I’d read Sheer Pressure so was eager to read the sequel. I think the reader will benefit from reading Sheer Pressure prior to Sheer Madness as together they comprise the same saga, but either way both are stand-alone novels — fitting together seamlessly yet quite different from one another. I enjoyed reading about journey of two lovers going from an illicit yet idealistic love affair into a more conventional Upper East Side life in which the challenges dwarf those in the first book. What a fertile imagination Abbott has!
The characters in this novel are REAL. They jump off the page; although most of them are affluent and educated, everyone can relate to someone in this book.
Greg Abbott is an articulate, bordering on masterful writer. His prose rings with distinctive style and rhythm. Every word he writes seems to count, as there is a special intensity to his expression of feelings and ideas — and never without heart and offbeat humor. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking to enjoy a creative reading experience.
Upon finishing his first book “Sheer Pressure” which was an absolute page-turner; I delved immediately into Abbott’s second book “Sheer Madness”. The two books flow together but couldn’t be more different in style and tone. Both books keep the reader’s attention as the main character, Alex finds his world turned upside down with blind love and later vindictiveness. The author expertly transports the reader into the live of Nee York society and all their expertly played games of love and money.
I look forward to the next book and/or movie
Mark Twain laid down the most basic maxim for writers: “Write what you know.”
One gets the feeling that with Sheer Madness (and its prequel Sheer Pressure) author Greg Abbott has followed Twain’s advice.
The scenes and characters are eerily true to life, told with a blend of soul and humor that could likely only come from an insider who has experienced the ups and downs of New York’s Upper East Side society.
In the mere telling of his unpredictable story, Abbott’s overriding message seems to be that being part of the privileged elite does not necessarily immunize one from the mishaps and vagaries of life, from searing pain, gut wrenching experiences, injustices, betrayals, criminality, abuse, and heartbreak — that even the rich are part of the human race, perhaps on steroids given the intense competition and ultra-high stakes that mark their existences.
Sheer Madness’s narrative shows how a good, decent, intelligent, even street-smart man can get chewed up and spit out, and yet persist and emerge all the stronger for it. There is probably an opportunity for a Sheer Three-quel, and based on how much I was both entertained and riveted by the first two Sheers, I certainly hope so.
Abbott is a superb writer and story-teller who has the ability to keep his readers engaged, who makes you feel a certain affection for even the evil characters while caring deeply for the protagonists. He humanizes all his characters — especially those who are too often are stereotyped.
Abbott’s backstory behind becoming rich and privileged is a truly relatable American story — rooted not in lucky-sperm ease but in toil and sweat, heart and soul — also telling us that the carrot that drives many of us can turn out not to be what we expected, and in fact can become a liability.
If indeed Sheer Madness reflects Abbott’s real-life experiences, as I somehow suspect, he has found a great outlet to express himself and his colorful but sometimes painful life.
Based on the quality of writing, introspection, humor, and story-telling, he has a promising future as an author. Sheer Madness (and his first book Sheer Pressure), are immensely enjoyable, fast-paced, and page-turning, which belong in a cinematic format.
After reading Sheer Madness and closing the cover, I wanted to read it again to see if I missed anything. It is immensely rich and well-written, an easy yet satisfying read, a fascinating sequel to Sheer Pressure that nonetheless evolves into a different book, much like its protagonist evolves into a man. Abbott humanizes a world (Upper East Side Manhattan) that most of us tend to stereotype, capturing the essence of its culture and various characters with an aplomb worthy of Tom Wolfe, though Abbott has his own unique voice, vision, and unpredictability. Wake up Hollywood! Whether it’s two feature films or one big fat miniseries, these two treasures, if done right, have the potential to become cinematic classics.
Greg Abbott has done it again with this delightful sequel to Sheer Pressure. Once again, the unique cast of characters we have learned to love find themselves in situations for which their Upper East Side upbringing didn’t quite prepare them. The result is an emotional and at times hilarious rollercoaster ride through private schools, police stations, corporate boardrooms as well as a few other unexpected venues. If you liked Sheer Pressure (and who didn’t?) you will love Sheer Madness.