Martin Dash

by Andy Bailey

What would it be like to have no feelings? No desire, no anger, no pleasure? Behold Martin Dash. A man who possesses stunning features that captivate all who encounter him but is also cursed with a medical condition that means he has no emotion to give in return. But one woman is convinced that there is something behind the apparently blank façade and sets out on a dark trail to uncover the haunted past that holds the key to the mystery; a journey that takes in politics, criminal finance, London's neo-burlesque scene and, finally . . . murder. MARTIN DASH is the first book of a trilogy that relates the bizarre experiences of a young man whose life was always destined to be terrifying as well as exceptional. "It's a humdinger of a first novel. Main characters who bounce off each other from the start. An intriguing romance - or is it? This story keeps you guessing against a backdrop of money, legal wrangles and political grey areas. Definitely one for the times we live in." - Pamela Brough Sandiford, author of award winning The Burma Play. "I found it impossible to put down and am anxiously waiting for Bailey to complete the next book in the trilogy so that I can discover what happens to the characters I grew to know and like so much. Highly recommended." - Rick Ford, bestselling author of The Faradawn Trilogy

Genres: Thriller, Romance

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2015

Reviews

[Edee Fallon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the majority of the beginning but the 14 month jump felt like a lost opportunity to show the reader the growing relationship between Susan and Martin. Then BAM! This crazy club scene pops up out of nowhere and the story takes a weird direction that made me feel as if I were on drugs and experiencing a completely different book than the one I'd been reading. Then we get Martin's ramblings (which I thought were genius and the saving grace of this story for me). Overall, I thought the plot had serious potential but the relationship between Susan and Martin was too subtle and understated then all of a sudden they're deeply in love. I guess I just feel that the romance could have been better developed and the author missed a great opportunity for character development. Other than that, I did enjoy the mystery and intrigue surrounding Martin and the subsequent challenges that followed. I wish I could edit this book to update the inconsistent punctuation marks and expand certain areas that would have deepened the mystery surrounding Martin's past and Michael's odd behavior.

Great story. Mediocre execution.


PS what was up with the sudden confession from Joan? It just seemed so rushed towards the end.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a interesting read and the concept of Martin Dash as being a man who has no feelings what so ever by suffering from the condition known as anhedonia was just fascinating.

However I wasn't a fan of the authors writing style, I didn't flow smoothly for me and sometimes was more like a report listing things and then using a lot of asides in brackets, not seen that done before but I didn't like it as such.

This has some twists and turns that will have you wondering about Martin Dash, I would love to read the next book, but hope the style of writing improves (or this may just be Andy Bailey's trademark)

4 stars

[Tilly Greensmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little difficult to get into at first, with quite a few characters being introduced so quickly and Martin being dropped into the story just as the reader is. However, if you pay close attention your patience is rewarded! Andy has certainly done his research on every aspect of this book (something that really impressed me) including character backgrounds and locations, so if you felt the need, you could actually go to the places the characters meet.
Overall, quite a clever book.

[C. Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Bailey has great attention to detail and makes everything from the setting, to the characters feel very real. It makes for a wonderfully written and very suspenseful novel.

Definitely not for the faint of heart as this one definitely left me looking over my shoulder.

Fast paced and filled with surprising moments. A solid Thriller.

[R.K. Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid Thriller Novel. The premise is unique, which made me excited to read it just from the synopsis. This is one of those stories that will start off with a bang and not let up until the very last page. It really keeps on a great pace throughout.

Andy Bailey has really created an imaginative Thriller that has plenty of twists and surprises.

[Megan =^..^= · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike anything else I've ever read. Extremely well written, with a captivating story and amazing characters. 100% recommend!!

[John Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

An innovative and original novel