What do you think?
Hollow Man #2
Dominic
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.
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.
239 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2018
About the author
Mark Pryor
41 books684 followersMark Pryor is a former newspaper reporter from England. He moved to the US in 1995 and subsequently spent 16 years working as a prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, in Austin, Texas. He is now a partner at the law firm of Cofer & Connelly, in Austin.
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 1, 2018
Thanks to Prometheus Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
DOMINIC is book two in the Hollow Man series by Mark Pryor. While this could be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading HOLLOW MAN. You'll definitely get to know Dominic much better this way!
Dominic is an Englishman living in Texas. He's a musician and a prosecutor - what no one else knows is that he's also a psychopath. Only two other people in his life know this about him and what he has been able to get away with. The special woman in Dominic's life and her younger brother, Bobby. Bobby and Dominic have one thing in common, they are both psychopaths.
When a detective starts to dig around in the past crimes that Dominic had committed things start to get stirred up. Bobby offers to help permanently solve the problem, but Dominic tries as best he can to convince Bobby to leave the detective alone. Psychopaths aren't known for their impulse control or for following instructions.
I loved book one and I think this second installment was even better! You get to dive into the minds of two psychopaths and see how they tick and what makes them differ from each other. You definitely get more information from the first book when it comes to the crimes that Detective Megan Ledsome is digging up.
Overall, if you want a good crime thriller with an anti-hero as the main character, then you'll want to dive into DOMINIC (like I previously mentioned, I think reading HOLLOW MAN first would be best). There are some twists throughout the book and I really enjoyed Pryor's writing style.
I give this one 4.5/5 stars!
DOMINIC is book two in the Hollow Man series by Mark Pryor. While this could be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading HOLLOW MAN. You'll definitely get to know Dominic much better this way!
Dominic is an Englishman living in Texas. He's a musician and a prosecutor - what no one else knows is that he's also a psychopath. Only two other people in his life know this about him and what he has been able to get away with. The special woman in Dominic's life and her younger brother, Bobby. Bobby and Dominic have one thing in common, they are both psychopaths.
When a detective starts to dig around in the past crimes that Dominic had committed things start to get stirred up. Bobby offers to help permanently solve the problem, but Dominic tries as best he can to convince Bobby to leave the detective alone. Psychopaths aren't known for their impulse control or for following instructions.
I loved book one and I think this second installment was even better! You get to dive into the minds of two psychopaths and see how they tick and what makes them differ from each other. You definitely get more information from the first book when it comes to the crimes that Detective Megan Ledsome is digging up.
Overall, if you want a good crime thriller with an anti-hero as the main character, then you'll want to dive into DOMINIC (like I previously mentioned, I think reading HOLLOW MAN first would be best). There are some twists throughout the book and I really enjoyed Pryor's writing style.
I give this one 4.5/5 stars!
January 2, 2018
Dominic is a psychopath who happens to be a prosecutor in juvenile court and has to remind himself how to react appropriately in certain conditions to appear normal to everyone around him. (Think along the lines of Dexter.) As a psychopath, he doesn't like taking no for an answer, is used to being in control of every situation and will do whatever it takes to protect himself.
We get the viewpoints of Dominic, his girlfriend, Elizabeth and his fellow prosecutor, Brian. I found it most interesting to see Dominic's point of view and how he ran his every day life. The internal struggle of a psychopath. One who finally feels something for Elizabeth and couldn't protect her little brother, Bobby, also a psychopath (it takes one to know one!).
This is the second book in the Hollow Man series from Pryor. I unfortunately did not read the first book but I don't think you need to in order to follow Dominic. The author does a good job of throwing in Dominic's past without it being too much or you feeling lost.
While it's nice to see another telling from the POV of the psychopath, I struggled to find a connection with Dominic, or any of the characters. In other books from this point of view, such as You and Perfect Days, I felt empathetic and became enamored with the main protagonist/sociopath. In this particular book, this didn't quite work for me as well as I had hoped it would.
The writing is well done and there are certainly some plot twists I did not see coming. However, I could see the clues building so I was not overly surprised with the final couple of chapters. This is a deliciously dark read from a psychopath's mind where he's managed to damp down his impulse control and go for the long goal. Well executed - I just wish I had a little more rapport with Dominic himself.
Huge than you to Seventh Street Books for this copy!
We get the viewpoints of Dominic, his girlfriend, Elizabeth and his fellow prosecutor, Brian. I found it most interesting to see Dominic's point of view and how he ran his every day life. The internal struggle of a psychopath. One who finally feels something for Elizabeth and couldn't protect her little brother, Bobby, also a psychopath (it takes one to know one!).
This is the second book in the Hollow Man series from Pryor. I unfortunately did not read the first book but I don't think you need to in order to follow Dominic. The author does a good job of throwing in Dominic's past without it being too much or you feeling lost.
While it's nice to see another telling from the POV of the psychopath, I struggled to find a connection with Dominic, or any of the characters. In other books from this point of view, such as You and Perfect Days, I felt empathetic and became enamored with the main protagonist/sociopath. In this particular book, this didn't quite work for me as well as I had hoped it would.
The writing is well done and there are certainly some plot twists I did not see coming. However, I could see the clues building so I was not overly surprised with the final couple of chapters. This is a deliciously dark read from a psychopath's mind where he's managed to damp down his impulse control and go for the long goal. Well executed - I just wish I had a little more rapport with Dominic himself.
Huge than you to Seventh Street Books for this copy!
April 9, 2018
Not as good as the first.
January 23, 2018
Excuse my language, but DAMN, Dominic is cold, cunning and complicated! Ok, I know he's a psychopath and has zero feelings like the rest of us, but wow, this is the second in the series and it's still hard to wrap my head around that completely. I mean, I hate cats, so I can understand not giving a crap what any cat thinks about me. Extrapolate that to include everyone, dogs, coworkers, partners, cops, EVERYONE.
It's really starting to make me wonder about one of my favorite authors, Mark Pryor, if he can get inside the head of someone that messed up. (Make sure you check out his other series, Hugo Marston, head of security at the American Embassy in Paris, book lover, all around likable and noble guy who always gets his man or woman.)
Okay, so Dominic does spot young offenders that have his same..cough...issue and semi-mentor them. Or at least he does it when the offender has a drop dead good looking sister. Which usually he wouldn't care about, being a psychopath, but there is something about this woman that not even he can put his finger on that keeps him coming back for more and more and more. as well as try to protect her and by association, her brother. However, teen psychopaths are a bit like normal teens, they think they know better and don't like being told what to do. So things fall apart when Bobby decides he doesn't like a certain cop.
Then there is Dominic's office mate that bugs the crap out of him and they both want the judgeship opening. Brian doesn't know it, but it's never a good thing to want the same thing as a psychopath, especially a smart one that can control his more awful instincts most of the time. He doesn't even have an idea what he's up against and looks to Dominic to be one of the cool guys that he'll just about do anything to hang with the cool guys.
One of the most amazing and a wee bit personally freaky about Dominic is the way he thinks or plans. Life is like a giant chessboard and he can see so many moves ahead than normal people and act a role that covers any slips. It's personally freaky because I've been accused of seeing things like a chessboard, thinking moves ahead, but I swear, I am not a psychopath and I suck at goals. We are talking I am good at projects or packing/moving or scheduling things so they are all in a row, saving time. LET ME REPEAT: I am not a Psychopath, possibly on the spectrum, but NOT A PSYCHOPATH.
I've noticed others refer to him as an anti-hero in their reviews of the first book and while I can see how they got there, I couldn't disagree more. There is no hero about him. The only person that he gives a care about is himself, entertaining himself, getting what he wants, and most importantly, not getting caught. That's not heroic in my mind in any way shape or form.
Still, as an armchair psychologist, I am glued to this series and every time I put the books down I hope that there aren't any people like him in my life. He ain't right and he makes ice look warm.
It's really starting to make me wonder about one of my favorite authors, Mark Pryor, if he can get inside the head of someone that messed up. (Make sure you check out his other series, Hugo Marston, head of security at the American Embassy in Paris, book lover, all around likable and noble guy who always gets his man or woman.)
Okay, so Dominic does spot young offenders that have his same..cough...issue and semi-mentor them. Or at least he does it when the offender has a drop dead good looking sister. Which usually he wouldn't care about, being a psychopath, but there is something about this woman that not even he can put his finger on that keeps him coming back for more and more and more. as well as try to protect her and by association, her brother. However, teen psychopaths are a bit like normal teens, they think they know better and don't like being told what to do. So things fall apart when Bobby decides he doesn't like a certain cop.
Then there is Dominic's office mate that bugs the crap out of him and they both want the judgeship opening. Brian doesn't know it, but it's never a good thing to want the same thing as a psychopath, especially a smart one that can control his more awful instincts most of the time. He doesn't even have an idea what he's up against and looks to Dominic to be one of the cool guys that he'll just about do anything to hang with the cool guys.
One of the most amazing and a wee bit personally freaky about Dominic is the way he thinks or plans. Life is like a giant chessboard and he can see so many moves ahead than normal people and act a role that covers any slips. It's personally freaky because I've been accused of seeing things like a chessboard, thinking moves ahead, but I swear, I am not a psychopath and I suck at goals. We are talking I am good at projects or packing/moving or scheduling things so they are all in a row, saving time. LET ME REPEAT: I am not a Psychopath, possibly on the spectrum, but NOT A PSYCHOPATH.
I've noticed others refer to him as an anti-hero in their reviews of the first book and while I can see how they got there, I couldn't disagree more. There is no hero about him. The only person that he gives a care about is himself, entertaining himself, getting what he wants, and most importantly, not getting caught. That's not heroic in my mind in any way shape or form.
Still, as an armchair psychologist, I am glued to this series and every time I put the books down I hope that there aren't any people like him in my life. He ain't right and he makes ice look warm.
August 7, 2018
Disclosure: I did not read Hollow Man, the first in this series.
Firm belief: Reading the first is not necessary. I had no problem picking up on the backstory.
Opinion: This is tightly-written, smoothly-plotted book with more than a few cool twists and one tasty whopper at the end.
Dominic is big idea told at a small, believable, day-by-day scale. Yes, it’s a leap to believe that one of our narrators here (the main driving force of the book) is a prosecutor who also happens to be a psychopath. He’s also an Englishman who happens to work in Austin. Since it’s Austin, he’s also a musician—a guitarist and singer. A lot to handle? Not to worry. Mark Pryor pulls us in with a smooth style and sharply defined first-person voices.
Dominic is a piece of work, both charming and lethal. Pryor gives us ample insight into Dominic’s interior space; our protagonist is fully self-aware, starting with the killer opening sentence: “The first time I realized my potential for manipulating people was at age eleven, when the headmaster at my prep school handed me a bowl of soup instead of a beating.”
His extreme level of self-awareness occasionally had me wondering how a guy with no feelings, no sense of empathy, understands himself so well. “As for my true self, well, I say that I’m a harmless, musically gifted but empathy-disabled Noussian. I take that from the word nous in Greek philosophy, representing mind or intellect. Not that I’m smarter than anyone else, but when you have no soul or spirit, well, there’s not much left to go on.”
I’ll leave the probable level of self-analysis of psychopaths to others and just say Pryor makes it work, in highly entertaining fashion.
We also get to see Dominic through his colleague Brian. “Dominic was watching me with that look he has … It’s a cross between looking right through you, and seeing everything you’re thinking.” Brian is us (and we are nervous because we know so much more than Brian does about the true nature of his cohort). It’s a terrific device.
The story involves the younger brother of a woman who is in a secret relationship with Dominic. Dominic is trying to keep the kid out of jail. The kid, Bobby, is a problem. Bobby thinks he’s smarter than the law. He is, in fact, a junior version of Dominic. There are some references to the first book but we get the general idea, that Dominic wriggled out of being “framed.” Um, more like Dominic covered his tracks.
Well, trouble ahead. And when Bobby turns up dead, well, Dominic has to put an intricate plan in motion that can’t look like … an intricate plan in motion.
To complicate matters, Dominic and Brian are both after the same judgeship vacancy and, well, Dominic has ideas about how that friendly (not-so-friendly) competition will play out. A key judge has been compromised and, well, opportunities abound. It doesn’t take us long to get the gist of this guy. He’s going to get his way.
Drop your guard a bit, and enjoy watch these guys (both Dominic and Mark Pryor) go to work.
Firm belief: Reading the first is not necessary. I had no problem picking up on the backstory.
Opinion: This is tightly-written, smoothly-plotted book with more than a few cool twists and one tasty whopper at the end.
Dominic is big idea told at a small, believable, day-by-day scale. Yes, it’s a leap to believe that one of our narrators here (the main driving force of the book) is a prosecutor who also happens to be a psychopath. He’s also an Englishman who happens to work in Austin. Since it’s Austin, he’s also a musician—a guitarist and singer. A lot to handle? Not to worry. Mark Pryor pulls us in with a smooth style and sharply defined first-person voices.
Dominic is a piece of work, both charming and lethal. Pryor gives us ample insight into Dominic’s interior space; our protagonist is fully self-aware, starting with the killer opening sentence: “The first time I realized my potential for manipulating people was at age eleven, when the headmaster at my prep school handed me a bowl of soup instead of a beating.”
His extreme level of self-awareness occasionally had me wondering how a guy with no feelings, no sense of empathy, understands himself so well. “As for my true self, well, I say that I’m a harmless, musically gifted but empathy-disabled Noussian. I take that from the word nous in Greek philosophy, representing mind or intellect. Not that I’m smarter than anyone else, but when you have no soul or spirit, well, there’s not much left to go on.”
I’ll leave the probable level of self-analysis of psychopaths to others and just say Pryor makes it work, in highly entertaining fashion.
We also get to see Dominic through his colleague Brian. “Dominic was watching me with that look he has … It’s a cross between looking right through you, and seeing everything you’re thinking.” Brian is us (and we are nervous because we know so much more than Brian does about the true nature of his cohort). It’s a terrific device.
The story involves the younger brother of a woman who is in a secret relationship with Dominic. Dominic is trying to keep the kid out of jail. The kid, Bobby, is a problem. Bobby thinks he’s smarter than the law. He is, in fact, a junior version of Dominic. There are some references to the first book but we get the general idea, that Dominic wriggled out of being “framed.” Um, more like Dominic covered his tracks.
Well, trouble ahead. And when Bobby turns up dead, well, Dominic has to put an intricate plan in motion that can’t look like … an intricate plan in motion.
To complicate matters, Dominic and Brian are both after the same judgeship vacancy and, well, Dominic has ideas about how that friendly (not-so-friendly) competition will play out. A key judge has been compromised and, well, opportunities abound. It doesn’t take us long to get the gist of this guy. He’s going to get his way.
Drop your guard a bit, and enjoy watch these guys (both Dominic and Mark Pryor) go to work.
December 28, 2017
Dominic by Mark Pryor is a recommended novel featuring a psychopathic antihero.
Dominic is a charming Englishman, prosecutor in juvenile court, and musician living in Austin, Texas. He is also a psychopath who got away with murder a year ago. Dominic has known since he was in school in England that he is a psychopath. He has no natural sense of empathy, guilt, or fear, so he has studied other people to learn how to imitate appropriate responses. But he can also recognize other psychopaths, which is how he recognized that Bobby, the teenage brother of the young woman he is seeing, is also a psychopath. For his nameless girlfriend, Dominic has been trying to protect Bobby from incarceration and steer him in the right direction, but, as he well knows, psychopaths think they are too clever to get caught and aren't good at impulse control or following directions.
When Brian McNulty, Dominic's annoying fellow juvenile prosecutor, expresses interest in a judicial position that Dominic is also interested in, Dominic knows he's going to have to orchestrate a plan. Adding to the problems is Detective Megan Ledsome, an officer who is still keeping an eye on Dominic and suspects he was involved in the unsolved murder from a year ago. Dominic needs to come up with a complicated plan to keep himself safe and get what he wants.
You can easily follow the plot in this second novel featuring Dominic without having read the first novel, 2015's Hollow Man. The chapters alternate between the voices of Dominic, Brian, and Dominic's girlfriend. Dominic plans out his dark, evil scheme while maintaining his charming facade, although readers are privy to his darker thoughts.
Dominic is well-written and certainly has some surprising plot twists. It held my attention throughout. The biggest hurdle Pryor has to clear is helping readers find, if not sympathy, at least some rapport with his psychopathic antihero who lacks normal human emotions. It's kind of a hard sell that, while it has worked for other readers, didn't really work for me. I began to hope that Brian McNulty was not the schlub he seemed to be and was secretly planning his own long-con behind Dominic's back. I guess it doesn't bode well for your antihero protagonist when the reader is hoping he gets taken down.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Prometheus Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2017/1...
Dominic is a charming Englishman, prosecutor in juvenile court, and musician living in Austin, Texas. He is also a psychopath who got away with murder a year ago. Dominic has known since he was in school in England that he is a psychopath. He has no natural sense of empathy, guilt, or fear, so he has studied other people to learn how to imitate appropriate responses. But he can also recognize other psychopaths, which is how he recognized that Bobby, the teenage brother of the young woman he is seeing, is also a psychopath. For his nameless girlfriend, Dominic has been trying to protect Bobby from incarceration and steer him in the right direction, but, as he well knows, psychopaths think they are too clever to get caught and aren't good at impulse control or following directions.
When Brian McNulty, Dominic's annoying fellow juvenile prosecutor, expresses interest in a judicial position that Dominic is also interested in, Dominic knows he's going to have to orchestrate a plan. Adding to the problems is Detective Megan Ledsome, an officer who is still keeping an eye on Dominic and suspects he was involved in the unsolved murder from a year ago. Dominic needs to come up with a complicated plan to keep himself safe and get what he wants.
You can easily follow the plot in this second novel featuring Dominic without having read the first novel, 2015's Hollow Man. The chapters alternate between the voices of Dominic, Brian, and Dominic's girlfriend. Dominic plans out his dark, evil scheme while maintaining his charming facade, although readers are privy to his darker thoughts.
Dominic is well-written and certainly has some surprising plot twists. It held my attention throughout. The biggest hurdle Pryor has to clear is helping readers find, if not sympathy, at least some rapport with his psychopathic antihero who lacks normal human emotions. It's kind of a hard sell that, while it has worked for other readers, didn't really work for me. I began to hope that Brian McNulty was not the schlub he seemed to be and was secretly planning his own long-con behind Dominic's back. I guess it doesn't bode well for your antihero protagonist when the reader is hoping he gets taken down.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Prometheus Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2017/1...
March 30, 2018
Oh boy, Dominic is back. (he made his debut in "The Hollow Man") He is even more unhinged than before. he is a prosecutor in the juvenile division in Austin, Tx. He tells the story of how at 11 in boarding school, he learned to manipulate and charm his way out of trouble. The author does a great job of describing Dominic's psychosis while carrying out his latest horrors. Easy one day, and creepy, read.
March 20, 2018
Really liked the first Hollow Man and was very much looking forward to a follow up. I must say, the author does not disappoint. Even knowing Dominic is a psychopath I didnt see the twists and turns that were coming. I wasnt sure at first the book was going to hold its own with the first installment. A lot of time was spent with Dominic's office-mate and I wasn't quite sure why their was so much real estate dedicated to the character.... but, it paid off and paid off big. Neither was I ready for the angle with Dominic's special lady friend... neither will you. How does a psychopath deal with another psychopath...interesting. How does a psychopath deal with competition... interesting as well.
Think you're just being haha funny with an office-mate...trading innocent jabs...find out first if they are a psychopath. Think you want to run with the "big dog"... listen to that inside voice. Poor McNulty.... no clue.
Lots of twists and turns and slight of hand. You'll find yourself saying "Wow! I didnt see that coming." quote - "Three people can keep a secret... a) if two of them are dead, or b) when two of them are guilty.
And, there is still room for another installment. How would psychopathic judge work?
Think you're just being haha funny with an office-mate...trading innocent jabs...find out first if they are a psychopath. Think you want to run with the "big dog"... listen to that inside voice. Poor McNulty.... no clue.
Lots of twists and turns and slight of hand. You'll find yourself saying "Wow! I didnt see that coming." quote - "Three people can keep a secret... a) if two of them are dead, or b) when two of them are guilty.
And, there is still room for another installment. How would psychopathic judge work?
February 7, 2018
Thank you to Seventh Street/Prometheus books for sending me a free copy of Dominic in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
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.
My Review:
This book definitely picked up where Hollow Man left off, which I liked, but I still felt a disconnect from all of the characters. Hollow Man was told completely from Dominic's point of view, but in this sequel, the story is told from other characters' points of view as well. This got a little confusing because the chapters were only numbered, so it took a few sentences for me to figure out who was talking every time it switched.
I felt like Hollow Man was a little more fun to read with the heist and some dark humor. Dominic was a little more serious and I just didn't love it. However, my husband read both of these and liked them a lot more than I did, so maybe I was just not the right reader. While the writing is very good, I liked this book but did not love it. I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
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.
My Review:
This book definitely picked up where Hollow Man left off, which I liked, but I still felt a disconnect from all of the characters. Hollow Man was told completely from Dominic's point of view, but in this sequel, the story is told from other characters' points of view as well. This got a little confusing because the chapters were only numbered, so it took a few sentences for me to figure out who was talking every time it switched.
I felt like Hollow Man was a little more fun to read with the heist and some dark humor. Dominic was a little more serious and I just didn't love it. However, my husband read both of these and liked them a lot more than I did, so maybe I was just not the right reader. While the writing is very good, I liked this book but did not love it. I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars.
November 10, 2017
It is rare that authors write from the anti-hero perspective because most readers identify with the hero and naturally feel distaste by reading from the anti-hero POV, I know I did. The most famous anti-hero series that I've read (Flashman), the author slowly (either consciously or not) de-villained Flashy as the series went along. My hat's off to Mark Pryor because he did a good job of maintaining Dominic's villainy and yet kept me reading.
This is a very short book at 223 pages and easy to read and get into. There are 3 narratives here, the villain's (Dominic), his office mate's and his girlfriend's. They're intermixed but you can easily figure out which is which. I'm not a fan of mixing narratives, I don't think it bought anything extra to the story and I thought it just prolonged the story.
This is also the second book in the series but you don't need to have read the first one to read this. The story is basically a continuation of the first book where complications arise and the protagonist takes care of business very cleverly and neatly.
Overall, I think the author did a great writing job. He managed to keep the story interesting while keeping me repelled by the protagonist at the same time. However, even though I liked this book and thought it was a good book, I wouldn't spend money to read the next in the series nor will I recommend this to others, it was just too unsettling for me. In fact, I will be keeping this book in a far corner of my bookcase where no others will stumble on to it. I want to stress however, that this is indeed a good book and these are only my personal feelings and others might enjoy it very much.
I got this book free as an ARC.
This is a very short book at 223 pages and easy to read and get into. There are 3 narratives here, the villain's (Dominic), his office mate's and his girlfriend's. They're intermixed but you can easily figure out which is which. I'm not a fan of mixing narratives, I don't think it bought anything extra to the story and I thought it just prolonged the story.
This is also the second book in the series but you don't need to have read the first one to read this. The story is basically a continuation of the first book where complications arise and the protagonist takes care of business very cleverly and neatly.
Overall, I think the author did a great writing job. He managed to keep the story interesting while keeping me repelled by the protagonist at the same time. However, even though I liked this book and thought it was a good book, I wouldn't spend money to read the next in the series nor will I recommend this to others, it was just too unsettling for me. In fact, I will be keeping this book in a far corner of my bookcase where no others will stumble on to it. I want to stress however, that this is indeed a good book and these are only my personal feelings and others might enjoy it very much.
I got this book free as an ARC.
March 8, 2018
Review of Advance Reading Copy
British émigré Dominic works in the juvenile division of the district attorney’s office. He’s managed to work himself into a corner, so to speak, with a robbery and unplanned murder that could put him behind bars if the truth became common knowledge.
But Dominic is a sociopath and has a great deal of practice in the finer art of protecting himself. If only Bobby, the young brother of his girlfriend, hadn’t suffered the same affliction as Dominic. If only he hadn’t decided to take out a police officer. If only the aspiring-judge-prosecutor who shared his office hadn’t been quite so annoying. If only there’d been another way. But Dominic has never had a problem sacrificing others . . . .
In this sequel to “Hollow Man,” Dominic is still keeping his true self under wraps as he schemes to protect himself and to get the judgeship he desires. Dominic is an intriguing character, well-drawn and interesting. There are unexpected twists and reveals that combine to create a cunning tale of strategy and maneuvering, a gritty and dark exploration of the world as navigated by a psychopath. Readers are likely to find it a most unique experience.
Recommended.
British émigré Dominic works in the juvenile division of the district attorney’s office. He’s managed to work himself into a corner, so to speak, with a robbery and unplanned murder that could put him behind bars if the truth became common knowledge.
But Dominic is a sociopath and has a great deal of practice in the finer art of protecting himself. If only Bobby, the young brother of his girlfriend, hadn’t suffered the same affliction as Dominic. If only he hadn’t decided to take out a police officer. If only the aspiring-judge-prosecutor who shared his office hadn’t been quite so annoying. If only there’d been another way. But Dominic has never had a problem sacrificing others . . . .
In this sequel to “Hollow Man,” Dominic is still keeping his true self under wraps as he schemes to protect himself and to get the judgeship he desires. Dominic is an intriguing character, well-drawn and interesting. There are unexpected twists and reveals that combine to create a cunning tale of strategy and maneuvering, a gritty and dark exploration of the world as navigated by a psychopath. Readers are likely to find it a most unique experience.
Recommended.
May 5, 2018
The second book in the series continues in the exact same vein but adds a new wrinkle: an alternate narrator. At first I will admit I stumbled with this a bit. Brian is no Dominic – and that’s made abundantly clear when you find yourself inside his head. It’s a churched-up, flimsy, naughehyde place to be. I found myself annoyed being there and if I didn’t like it I knew Dominic wouldn’t be caught dead there. Unless he needed to be… And that’s where the fun begins, really. Once I realized that, I fell into the discordant rhythm of the two men’s voices and found the music atonal but still oddly compelling. It made for an interesting sideways view of each character, allowing peripheral vision to bring them each into fuller perspective than they had when everything was relayed through the single lens of Dominic.
And then when Pryor added in Elizabeth (Dominic’s “special lady”) at the end, things really started spinning – in the best, most nausea-inducing, way possible. I simply can’t believe how well Pryor manages secrets and reveals; he makes surgical cuts, slipping in Junior Mints with scalpels (if you don’t get the Junior Mints reference, it’s from Seinfeld – and you are too young to read this if you don’t know who Seinfeld is, seriously…) and the result is brilliance. I couldn’t believe the reveal that came in – literally – the last words of the book. I probably should have seen it coming, but I totally didn’t because with Dominic you never know what (or who) to believe. That’s a huge credit to Pryor, and I hope that he plans to keep Dominic around for a while because the stories are incredible…
My review copy was provided by the great folks at Seventh Street Books.
And then when Pryor added in Elizabeth (Dominic’s “special lady”) at the end, things really started spinning – in the best, most nausea-inducing, way possible. I simply can’t believe how well Pryor manages secrets and reveals; he makes surgical cuts, slipping in Junior Mints with scalpels (if you don’t get the Junior Mints reference, it’s from Seinfeld – and you are too young to read this if you don’t know who Seinfeld is, seriously…) and the result is brilliance. I couldn’t believe the reveal that came in – literally – the last words of the book. I probably should have seen it coming, but I totally didn’t because with Dominic you never know what (or who) to believe. That’s a huge credit to Pryor, and I hope that he plans to keep Dominic around for a while because the stories are incredible…
My review copy was provided by the great folks at Seventh Street Books.
January 16, 2021
Liked it more than I thought I would. Liked the local touches - restaurants & clubs, etc. One thing, Mr. Pryor (if you read your reviews) - you should talk to a library worker before you portray one in your book. Because, no. Otherwise, I liked it. One of the things at the end I saw coming, the others I didn't. Hope there's a 3rd book & the sister makes another appearance, because there is something wrong with her.
November 18, 2017
This dark story has a very twisty and convoluted plot. Dominic, the title character, is unreliable, despicable and totally unlikable. If all of that adds up to a book you want to read then this one is for you. For me, it's a bit much and I feel a little like a need a shower before I move on to something else.
November 20, 2017
Dominic is a thriller about a psychopath. The writing was OK, but not the thick descriptive literary prose that makes you feel like you are in the room with the characters. I also didn't really connect with the characters. I received a free review copy of Dominic through Goodreads Giveaways.
March 19, 2018
a psychopath is a psychopath is a psychopath and thinks of no one but him or herself. dominic has shared his secret with his "girl" and her brother. for someone who has always kept his secret to himself this is new territory. the only safe secret between 3 people is when 2 of them are dead. can dominic survive when 2 others know he is a psychopath and has killed before?
March 29, 2018
This book starts a little better than it finishes. There are intriguing parts, and Pryor does generate some legitimate reader interest, etc. In this case the choice to alternate the story in first person from different characters hurts, not helps, the overall delivery. Still, this series has promise.
January 22, 2018
DOMINIC deconstructs the typical detective novel and stands it on its head. This isn’t for readers looking for a good-guy hero. But it’s a brilliantly executed, disturbing story. Pryor plots this book perfectly. A dynamite ending is the cherry on top.
March 10, 2018
I liked this book much more than I expected to. I was not sure I could get interested in a story about a psychopath and his self-serving actions, but the author has created a fascinating, complex plot that pulls you in and keeps you hooked to the last sentence.
March 18, 2018
This is the second in this series about a sociopath killer who is also a district attorney in Austin. Makes you wonder if it is really “based on a true story”. It was really hard to keep my interest in the plot until the book was almost over; by then, who cares?
June 24, 2018
I read this book thinking it was a stand-alone. I loved it!! Different take on a protagonist; you want to see him win but hate him at the same time. I'll go back and read Hollow Man now that I know this was the second in a series. I look forward to the third!
February 4, 2019
Even if I am not enjoying a book I have to read the end as it bugs me otherwise. The start I found slow and got a bit better as it went on. I found the ending good but the last page was shit and don’t get how it works but cannot be bothered to put a lot of thought into it as well.
July 10, 2019
I very much enjoyed the style of writing with the different perspectives of the characters. The plot was slightly predictable yet I was still surprised by the ending. I definately recommend if you're looking for a quick read and want any tips on being a prudent psychopath.
March 5, 2022
Interesting follow up to Hollow Man but not sure where else Pryor can take this character. There were a few twists but I had mostly figured out the ending by the time I got there. Overall, an easy and fast read which is what I'm looking for as I rekindle my reading habit!
January 26, 2024
Not my usual cup of tea, but I could not put this down. I was fascinated with Hollow Man and Dominic proved to be just as engrossing. It's not often one roots for this type of character, with no way of knowing how it will all end up.
June 1, 2024
I guess the reason to not give a 5 star is that I don't care very much reading about a sociopath. The writing is good, and there are twists and also plot ideas to think about. I just don't like the characters.
December 17, 2024
Spoiler alert:
Although I did like the character building and the switch between multiple people’s vantage points, I really didn’t like the ending and the way that the psychopath truly does get away with not just one but multiple cold-blooded murders.
Although I did like the character building and the switch between multiple people’s vantage points, I really didn’t like the ending and the way that the psychopath truly does get away with not just one but multiple cold-blooded murders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2017
Loved this book! Easy, enjoyable book! Hated to finish reading. Look forward to reading more, from this author! I received this book through The Goodreads book review.
January 24, 2018
Nice twisty plot. Main character is a psychopath. I knew one who was charming. This guy is just horrid. Never suspect that he has any feelings. He doesn't.
February 7, 2018
Full marks to the author: returning to the unreliable narrator probably shouldn't work at all, but it largely does.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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