G942 Book Review of Dominic by Mark Pryor
Author: Mark Pryor
ISBN: 978-1-63388-365-9
Publisher: Seventh Street Books
Part of a Series: Hollow Man sequel
Type of book: prosecutor, Austin, Texas, sociopath/psychopath, modern times, musician, hiding crimes, murder, role model, lying, omission of truth,
Year it was published: 2017
Summary:
Only two other people know that Dominic, a charming Englishman, prosecutor, and musician in Austin, Texas, is also a psychopath. They also know that a year ago he got away with murder.
One of those people is his "special lady," and the other is her brother, a teenager and fellow psychopath called Bobby. When a wily homicide detective starts digging up that past murder, little Bobby offers to take care of the problem--permanently. Dominic tries to dissuade him, but as he himself knows, psychopaths aren't good with following instructions. Or impulse control.
As Detective Megan Ledsome circles closer, Dominic knows his life depends on keeping his secrets hidden, from her and the rest of the world. And when his annoying office-mate declares his interest in a judicial position, one he himself would like, Dominic realizes that one of his carefully-orchestrated plans could kill two birds with one stone.
Of course, that means some sleight of hand and a sacrifice or two. But if there's one thing a psychopath doesn't mind, it's sacrificing other people.
Characters:
Main characters include Dominic, a psychopathic/sociopathic prosecutor part time musician who has come from United Kingdom with his parents. He is good at mimicry and often fools people into believing something he is not. He is also acting as sort of a role model for his girlfriend's younger brother and has ambitions to do whatever he can to reach the top. In theory he seems to have a perfect life on the surface, but as soon as cracks begin to appear, he will do whatever he can to repair them. There is also Brian McNulty, Dominic's co-worker and who also desires to be friends with Dominic and to be seen as more of a human being than someone boring. The girl in the green dress and her younger brother who shares Dominic's traits also make appearances. There are secondary characters but most of them tend to be flat and don't show much personality.
Theme:
Prepare for more tangled webs to be spun
Plot:
The story is in first person narrative from Dominic's and Brian's points of view, occasionally the girl in the green dress joins in. Because I was reading an ARC, I was going to mention that character names for the chapter could have been beneficial, but the final copy does have it. Even knowing Dominic from Hollow Man, I was still surprised and shocked by the ride and the plan he gave his readers.
Author Information:
(From the book)
Mark Pryor is the author of the Hugo Marston novels The Bookseller, The Crypt Thief, THe Blood Promise, The Button Man, and The Reluctant Matador, and the true-crime book As She Lay Sleeping. A native Hertfordshire, England, he is an assistant district attorney in Austin, Texas where he lives with his wife and three children.
Opinion:
In my opinion, yes the previous book, Hollow Man, needs to be read in order to enjoy this one and to know what is going on because while there are some explanations about Dominic's previous crime, its too tantalizing to skip over. All I also can think of is "what tangled webs we weave when first learn to deceive" picking up from the previous book, Dominic begins to attempt to figure out how to cover up his previous crime, and oh boy, with Dominic, get ready for another thrilling ride from the psychopathic/sociopathic prosecutor part-time musician. New victims are found and emotions are once again toyed with while full truths are concealed from the reader. I look forward to more of Dominic's adventures.
This was given to me for my honest opinion
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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