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American Picts: A High Octane Thriller.
“… Jack Dancer is a slightly less violent (but wackier) Tarantino, and while it is possible Jack may be batshit crazy himself, he is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary authors. Reading his work makes me smile.” 5-Stars, Gaius Konstantine for Readers’ Favorite.
What’s it all about?
In the secluded McKinnon County of North Carolina, Tucker Blue's simple family visit entangles him in a struggle against a billionaire seeking global power through the county's quartz mines, the backbone of the semiconductor industry. Amidst emerging love, whistleblower revelations, and a community's deep-rooted history, Tucker allies with unexpected forces to challenge high-tech exploitation and historical injustices, questioning whether the echoes of ancient Pictish warriors can inspire a fight for the county's future.
In a heart-stopping climax filled with unexpected allies, deadly technology, and shocking revelations, one question Can the ghosts of the past truly set the future free?
What Readers Are
“Dancer's captivating storytelling style creates a one-of-a-kind adventure that will appeal to mystery and action enthusiasts.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“With the use of extreme characters and humor, the author wonderfully highlights the dangers of unfettered and unregulated capitalism, as well as systemic racism in today’s society.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“American Picts by Jack Dancer is a genuinely funny and touching thriller…” Reader Review.
“The twists and turns of the plot will keep readers riveted.” Reader Review.
“Author Jack Dancer never fails to craft a gripping and immersive read, and this tale has a unique blend of history, technology, and the complexities of human nature.” Reader Review.
“…thrilling and poignant, with some explosive action moments that cut through the tension in sudden atmospheric bursts.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“American Picts by Jack Dancer is not your usual novel; it is a chess match of the insane.” Reader Review.
“The strange and the sublime, the gorgeous and the deadly” are equally intertwined in American Picts.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“…where this tale is beyond outstanding is the characters and pace.” Reader Review.
“…no shortage of loony and eccentric individuals.” Reader Review.
“I would certainly recommend American Picts as a unique work of thriller fiction not to be missed.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
What’s it all about?
In the secluded McKinnon County of North Carolina, Tucker Blue's simple family visit entangles him in a struggle against a billionaire seeking global power through the county's quartz mines, the backbone of the semiconductor industry. Amidst emerging love, whistleblower revelations, and a community's deep-rooted history, Tucker allies with unexpected forces to challenge high-tech exploitation and historical injustices, questioning whether the echoes of ancient Pictish warriors can inspire a fight for the county's future.
In a heart-stopping climax filled with unexpected allies, deadly technology, and shocking revelations, one question Can the ghosts of the past truly set the future free?
What Readers Are
“Dancer's captivating storytelling style creates a one-of-a-kind adventure that will appeal to mystery and action enthusiasts.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“With the use of extreme characters and humor, the author wonderfully highlights the dangers of unfettered and unregulated capitalism, as well as systemic racism in today’s society.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“American Picts by Jack Dancer is a genuinely funny and touching thriller…” Reader Review.
“The twists and turns of the plot will keep readers riveted.” Reader Review.
“Author Jack Dancer never fails to craft a gripping and immersive read, and this tale has a unique blend of history, technology, and the complexities of human nature.” Reader Review.
“…thrilling and poignant, with some explosive action moments that cut through the tension in sudden atmospheric bursts.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“American Picts by Jack Dancer is not your usual novel; it is a chess match of the insane.” Reader Review.
“The strange and the sublime, the gorgeous and the deadly” are equally intertwined in American Picts.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
“…where this tale is beyond outstanding is the characters and pace.” Reader Review.
“…no shortage of loony and eccentric individuals.” Reader Review.
“I would certainly recommend American Picts as a unique work of thriller fiction not to be missed.” Readers’ Favorite Review.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2024
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Jack Dancer
16 books3 followersJack Dancer isn't your average Joe – he's more like a human pinball, bouncing from one insane situation to another with all the grace of a drunk elephant.
Born with a silver-plated spoon in his mouth (which he promptly hocked for beer money), Jack's been everywhere from the gutter to the penthouse, sometimes within the same week.
By 11, Jack figured out Santa was just Dad with a better PR team. By 13, he discovered girls were not, in fact, icky. By 14, he decided God was just another adult-approved fabrication for the gullible and about as real as his chances of becoming a professional yodeler.
At sixteen, high on hormones and low on common sense, Jack decided the South was too small for his dreams. So, he rounded up a teenage dream team - his best friend and two willing jail baits - and made a beeline for the Big Apple. But instead of fame and fortune, they found themselves living in a basement with a wino and a dwarf until Daddy dearest drug his ass back home.
Lesson learned? Nah, just the first chapter in Jack's "How to Piss Off Authority" guidebook.
At eighteen, he landed a gig at an infamous Florida school for sociopaths, which miraculously earned him a "get out of Vietnam" pass. He then hitched to Boston with a new wife and a cat, embracing the counterculture and anti-war vibes of the time—while working as a welder for a major defense contractor.
Yep, life is one big contradiction.
Jack's resume reads like a drunk's dartboard of career choices. Ice cream man? Check. Boardwalk barker? You bet. Welder, drywall guy, snake oil salesman – sorry, "advertising executive." He's done it all, usually just long enough to get fired or bored, whichever came first.
Jack’s early education came courtesy of his father’s hand and belt, followed by a post-grad crash course on street smarts and hard knocks, baby. Oh, and some fancy degrees he probably bought off a guy in an alley.
It all landed him back in New York, slinging bullshit on Madison Avenue. Life's a circle, and Jack's riding it like a drunk on a merry-go-round.
Money? Jack's bank account has had more ups and downs than a menopausal rollercoaster. He's been so broke he couldn't pay attention and rich enough to blow through millions. The only constant? His talent for spending it all
Marriage? Jack's been to the altar more times than a narcoleptic priest. Four wives, countless "almosts," and one 28-year marathon that probably qualifies him for sainthood; one "oops, how did that happen?" moment, and a current "till death do us part" gig with a California girl named Penny because the fourth time's the jackpot, right?
Finally, Jack’s writing the chapter titled "Happily Ever After... No, Really This Time."
Fatherhood taught Jack that having kids is like getting a tattoo on your face—seemed like a good idea at the time, but now you're stuck explaining it for the rest of your life.
Jack's life philosophy is as subtle as a sledgehammer to the nuts. God? Santa? Tooth Fairy? All bullshit. The real force running the show? Testosterone – nature's very own weapon of mass destruction. It's why we have skyscrapers, monster trucks, and an inexplicable number of "Fast and Furious" movies. It might even be God himself.
In the end, Jack Dancer is just riding this cosmic rollercoaster called life; middle fingers raised high.
In Jack’s book, life is simple: it’s the stretch between birth and death, and there’s no sequel. Be grateful for the ride. You’ve already won the cosmic lottery just by existing, so go out a winner—only losers cry for more.
p.s. Jack’s considering a pen name - something Smith or Jones.
Born with a silver-plated spoon in his mouth (which he promptly hocked for beer money), Jack's been everywhere from the gutter to the penthouse, sometimes within the same week.
By 11, Jack figured out Santa was just Dad with a better PR team. By 13, he discovered girls were not, in fact, icky. By 14, he decided God was just another adult-approved fabrication for the gullible and about as real as his chances of becoming a professional yodeler.
At sixteen, high on hormones and low on common sense, Jack decided the South was too small for his dreams. So, he rounded up a teenage dream team - his best friend and two willing jail baits - and made a beeline for the Big Apple. But instead of fame and fortune, they found themselves living in a basement with a wino and a dwarf until Daddy dearest drug his ass back home.
Lesson learned? Nah, just the first chapter in Jack's "How to Piss Off Authority" guidebook.
At eighteen, he landed a gig at an infamous Florida school for sociopaths, which miraculously earned him a "get out of Vietnam" pass. He then hitched to Boston with a new wife and a cat, embracing the counterculture and anti-war vibes of the time—while working as a welder for a major defense contractor.
Yep, life is one big contradiction.
Jack's resume reads like a drunk's dartboard of career choices. Ice cream man? Check. Boardwalk barker? You bet. Welder, drywall guy, snake oil salesman – sorry, "advertising executive." He's done it all, usually just long enough to get fired or bored, whichever came first.
Jack’s early education came courtesy of his father’s hand and belt, followed by a post-grad crash course on street smarts and hard knocks, baby. Oh, and some fancy degrees he probably bought off a guy in an alley.
It all landed him back in New York, slinging bullshit on Madison Avenue. Life's a circle, and Jack's riding it like a drunk on a merry-go-round.
Money? Jack's bank account has had more ups and downs than a menopausal rollercoaster. He's been so broke he couldn't pay attention and rich enough to blow through millions. The only constant? His talent for spending it all
Marriage? Jack's been to the altar more times than a narcoleptic priest. Four wives, countless "almosts," and one 28-year marathon that probably qualifies him for sainthood; one "oops, how did that happen?" moment, and a current "till death do us part" gig with a California girl named Penny because the fourth time's the jackpot, right?
Finally, Jack’s writing the chapter titled "Happily Ever After... No, Really This Time."
Fatherhood taught Jack that having kids is like getting a tattoo on your face—seemed like a good idea at the time, but now you're stuck explaining it for the rest of your life.
Jack's life philosophy is as subtle as a sledgehammer to the nuts. God? Santa? Tooth Fairy? All bullshit. The real force running the show? Testosterone – nature's very own weapon of mass destruction. It's why we have skyscrapers, monster trucks, and an inexplicable number of "Fast and Furious" movies. It might even be God himself.
In the end, Jack Dancer is just riding this cosmic rollercoaster called life; middle fingers raised high.
In Jack’s book, life is simple: it’s the stretch between birth and death, and there’s no sequel. Be grateful for the ride. You’ve already won the cosmic lottery just by existing, so go out a winner—only losers cry for more.
p.s. Jack’s considering a pen name - something Smith or Jones.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 10, 2025
American Picts by Jack Dancer hits the ground running from the first page with its fast-paced action and twisty, thrilling plot. Tucker has landed an inheritance from a distant relative in McKinnon County, North Carolina, in the depths of Appalachia. The residents there — mostly members of the same complex family tree — are tough; jaded; and tattooed blue like their ancestors, Pictish warriors native to Scotland. Along with his inheritance, however, comes an increasingly complicated murder mystery. The obvious culprit is Julian Blackhardt, head of Blackhardt Mining Company, which has international reach but particularly values the high-purity quartz found in McKinnon County. But who else is involved? And how does all of this pertain to a 1923 assault case which has plagued local race relations for a century?
This was a fun book full of surprises. Admittedly, I found myself a little lost at times, and I felt like a lot of action was packed in at the end. Similes were overabundant in the text, but Dancer has an undeniable talent for writing. His snappy, witty style and charming characters have me hooked. I highly recommend this book.
This was a fun book full of surprises. Admittedly, I found myself a little lost at times, and I felt like a lot of action was packed in at the end. Similes were overabundant in the text, but Dancer has an undeniable talent for writing. His snappy, witty style and charming characters have me hooked. I highly recommend this book.
March 25, 2025
A Thriller Forged in Fire...
Jack Dancer delivers a relentless, high-octane thriller that grips from page one and never loosens its hold. American Picts plunges readers into a maelstrom of action, intrigue, and dark humor as Tucker Blue’s simple visit home spirals into a brutal fight for survival. Between ruthless billionaires, high-tech assassins, and echoes of an ancient warrior past, this novel is a chess match of chaos, strategy, and unexpected alliances. With razor-sharp wit, explosive twists, and a pulse-pounding pace, Dancer blends history, technology, and corporate greed into an electrifying ride. Fans of action-packed thrillers won’t want to miss this. Highly recommended.
Jack Dancer delivers a relentless, high-octane thriller that grips from page one and never loosens its hold. American Picts plunges readers into a maelstrom of action, intrigue, and dark humor as Tucker Blue’s simple visit home spirals into a brutal fight for survival. Between ruthless billionaires, high-tech assassins, and echoes of an ancient warrior past, this novel is a chess match of chaos, strategy, and unexpected alliances. With razor-sharp wit, explosive twists, and a pulse-pounding pace, Dancer blends history, technology, and corporate greed into an electrifying ride. Fans of action-packed thrillers won’t want to miss this. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews