In Doorman Wanted, author Glenn R. Miller gives readers insight into the lifestyles of the Haves and Have Nots, with unexpected revelations. Thirty-something Henry Franken eschews the wealthy trappings of his father, a New York City real estate mogul, choosing instead to work at a Los Angeles shelter. Upon his dad’s demise, Henry inherits a flashy apartment building in the Big Apple’s Upper East Side, complete with its own penthouse, and reluctantly travels across the country to take care of the necessary paperwork. The marble-ensconced L’Hermitage has a Doorman Wanted sign, and Henry prankishly applies for the position. He creates the name “Franklin Hanratty” for himself, keeping secret his identity as the new owner of the building. From this point on, the proper, uniformed Franklin will observe and participate in life at the high-rise from both the lobby level and the penthouse.

Glenn R. Miller’s novel has the rare quality of simultaneously making you laugh and making you think. Doorman Wanted provides readers with an examination of both sides of the wealth spectrum through Franklin’s relationships with L’Hermitage residents, visitors, passers-by, and the homeless who learn that Franklin is ready with a cup of coffee for those who need it. The novel is an easy read, with a prologue setting the stage and chapters that fly by, encouraging readers to enjoy just one more chapter each night before retiring. The mystery of new building owner Henry Franken tends to grow in intrigue due to his rumored travels, even resulting in residents’ ‘sightings’ of the reclusive multi-millionaire. One might suspect that the author’s own wittiness is fully reflected in Henry/Franklin’s personality. I found myself wishing I could stream this as a series on TV. Come on in … the doorman is waiting to be of service.

When does having too much money become a problem? Two weeks after his father died from a heart attack, Henry Franken claimed the keys to the luxury condo building that he inherited. The problem is that Henry had consciously steered away from his father whose reputation was less than sterling, and had settled on his own as the idealistic "progressive liberal" doing a lot of service jobs. He finds his sudden change in financial status and wealth faster than a New York minute and the shift in situation becomes quite daunting as he feels unprepared to take over. As he enters the building to get the keys, he notices a sign that says Doorman Wanted. He decides to apply for the job. He uses the name Franklin Hanratty without anyone knowing that he is the current owner of the building. But what Henry didn't realize was that his exposure to the building and his interactions as a doorman with both its residents and the homeless people around it would give him a chance to use his wealth for good.

Doorman Wanted by Glenn R. Miller shows us how Henry tries to navigate his newfound opportunity using his fortune for the betterment of society while handling the intricacies of estate ownership and the demanding responsibilities that come with it. The well-written and witty prose features unforgettable characters and sustains the interest of the reader with an intriguing plotline. Miller's keen and colorful descriptions of locations, persons, and things are almost like an immersive experience of the sights, sounds, and smells of a typical busy day in Henry/Franklin's L'Hermitage apartments and New York City. What's also interesting is seeing how the characters develop, especially doorman Franklin who slowly becomes the capable heir apparent Henry Franken as his experience as a doorman and his associations with the people that he meets each day form and enrich some sort of vision in his mind. He unwittingly prepared himself to take the helm of the business that he inherited with the best training that he could have by being the doorman of his condo building. Doorman Wanted by Glenn R. Miller is a highly recommended, entertaining novel about misconceptions and how people treat you according to the persona that you allow them to see or reveal to them.