Fatal Pose

by Barna William Donovan

MUSCLES, MAYHEM, MURDER Venice, Where you’ll find the hottest beaches, hottest gyms, and hottest bodies. This is where ex-bodybuilder turned private investigator, Gunnar Marino, runs his business. The World BodyBuilding The most successful health and fitness empire in the world. But WBBF President of Operations, Laura Preston, suddenly finds herself in the middle of a blackmail scheme, with bodybuilder Brad Holt threatening to expose a shattering secret from her past. Where two adversaries After Holt dies at a contest from what appears to be a dangerously unhealthy dieting regime, Marino is hired to look into whether or not his demise might have been the perfect act of murder. But the deeper Marino digs into the case—pressed by a personal obligation to Holt's sister—the more unsettled he is by Holt’s background, questioning the morality of seeking justice for a corrupt murder victim and pursuing a prime suspect who might have been a victim herself. A showdown no one might walk away Finding himself in an escalating battle of wills and wits with Laura Preston, Marino is aided by a group of athletes he employs as an investigative staff, and Dr. Erika Lindstad, his former lover and ex-bodybuilder in her own right. But the more troubled Marino gets by the case, he realizes that he has no choice but to see the investigation to its conclusion...because suddenly he and everyone he cares for are targeted for death.

345 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2021

About the author

Barna William Donovan, a professor of communication and media studies, is a graduate of the film school of the University of Miami and he earned his Ph.D. from Rutgers University. His books on film and fandom include “The Asian Influence on Hollywood Action Films,” “Blood, Guns and Testosterone: Action Films, Audiences, and a Thirst for Violence,” and “Conspiracy Films: A Tour of Dark Places in the American Conscious.” He is also the author of the novels “Confirmation: Investigations of the Unexplained” and “The Cedar Valley Covenant.” His commentaries on film, television, and popular culture have been quoted in media like the BBC, Variety, LiveScience, Forbes, Yahoo News, HLNTV, and various publications from Europe to Latin America.

Reviews

[Hermione Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder mystery wedging its way into a bodybuilding contest. This is what the plot of Fatal Pose is centered around. This suspenseful one-of-a-kind mystery kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. The idea of a victim attempting to “eliminate” a blackmailer in the middle of a bodybuilding competition and using the unhealthy judging standards as a cover for murder is an ingenious idea for a story. It's highly original, creative, and unprecedented. Not only is the plot of incredible depth but the author also did an impressive research of terminology—ranging from medical terms to bodybuilding glossaries. Also, the conventional standards for both genders are presented and discussed in the plot. While the main characters Laura and Gunnar wholeheartedly support female bodybuilders in their career, World BodyBuilding Federation star Brad Holt says otherwise. This leads to the main conflict in the book, which eventually swells into a huge problem that puts the safety of Gunnar and his fellow detectives at stake.

Author Barna Donovan creates wholesome, well-developed characters in this fascinating mystery novel. From protagonists like Laura and Gunnar to the supporting characters Erika, Brad, and Diane, everyone has an interesting backstory that shapes them into who they are today. I won’t disclose the details in my review, but everyone’s backstory has a deep meaning and deserves to be explored and examined; they arouse reflections on social issues such as the cycle of evil and the lasting influence of traditional gender stereotypes on modern society.

Fatal Pose is written in two narratives— one the detective's, the other the killer's. Different from the traditional who-did-it crime books, we are aware of the identity of the murderer at the beginning. Both the antagonist and the protagonist take turns narrating the rest of the story from their own perspective. As the plot progresses on, we follow the pattern of Gunnar's thoughts and theories as he inches closer and closer to the truth and uncovers this murder mystery at last. At the same time, we get a glimpse into the murderer's mind and learn what drove her to resort to this drastic measure. Being able to follow both sides of the story, I found myself inexplicably rooting for both the culprit and the detective. There was a shocking plot twist at the end of the book that seized my attention and had me devouring the remaining pages, desperate to find out the truth. Barna Donovan's words successfully captured my mind and whisked me into the world of Fatal Pose. I couldn’t stop thinking about the book even after I finished the last page.

Fatal Pose is a gripping novel full of bumps and bends. Every chapter clings on to my thoughts, every character demands my attention, every carefully foreshadowed detail re-emerges later and becomes a new ray of hope for cracking the case. Mystery and thriller lovers, this is a must-read book you should all check out! You haven’t read real mystery if you haven’t read Fatal Pose.

[Kelly Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling Review:
Fatal Pose by Barna William Donovan is a hard hitting, high octane mystery that blends the adrenaline of the bodybuilding world with the grit of a classic detective thriller. Donovan paints Venice as more than just sun-soaked beaches and glamorous gyms it becomes the backdrop for a dangerous tale of secrets, corruption, and murder.

Gunnar Marino, an ex-bodybuilder turned private investigator, is a refreshingly unique protagonist. Tough, disciplined, but deeply human, his sense of justice is tested when he’s hired to investigate the suspicious death of bodybuilder Brad Holt. What begins as a case of extreme dieting gone wrong quickly spirals into a deadly game of blackmail, betrayal, and power.

The novel thrives on moral complexity. Donovan doesn’t give readers easy answers was Holt a victim or villain? Is Laura Preston a ruthless manipulator or another casualty of a ruthless industry? These blurred lines add a depth that elevates the story beyond a standard whodunit.

With sharp dialogue, vividly drawn gym rat culture, and a fast paced plot, Fatal Pose is a gripping blend of muscle and mystery, perfect for fans of Robert B. Parker, Michael Connelly, and anyone who loves their crime thrillers with both brains and brawn.

[KerryO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fatal Pose – A behind the scenes story about the cutthroat world of body building. Gunnar Marino, an ex-body builder turned Private Investigator is hired by the family of a famous but much despised body builder to take a more in-depth look at his untimely death. The story is a slow-build to a very intense ending. #FatalPose #NetGalley

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Preston is being blackmailed by Brad Holt so she takes it upon herself to do what needs to be done. After Holt is dead, his sister asks Gunnar Marino to find out if her brother was murdered. There is so much backstabbing no one knows who is good and who is bad, This story contains plenty of action plus romance, and has a happy ending. Highly recommended.

[Zarya Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book! I managed to finish it and I'm so glad I got a chance to read it. The world of bodybuilding in the book, I will admit, I thought I wouldn't find all that interesting, but the way Donovan writes it keeps you so interested and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat that I couldnt put this book down!

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read by any means especially if you like the world of body building. In a way this book gave me more of an understanding of that world. But it has a twist as well. Well put together read!