The Blackout of Markus Moore

by Dan Grylles

Is he a victim, a suspect, or a target?

His most urgent concern is why he woke up on a bar room floor. Replacing his fallen glasses clarifies nothing. The ache in his head worsens as he realizes he has no idea who he is. Suddenly, he is on the run for his life with no time to figure it out.

A high speed car chase ensues, guns firing and police sirens wailing. Landing in a hospital waiting room, he glimpses a news report of a woman found murdered in her home. Her husband speaks into the microphone as his name scrolls across the bottom of the screen. It's him!

Dr. Markus Moore now knows his name but nothing about his life or why he is part of a dangerous and murderous game. Keeping his memory loss private, he risks his vocation, his freedom and his life to find the killer of his wife and the secret of his identity.

Propulsive and introspective, this debut psychological thriller is full of gripping twists and turns to the shocking end!

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2023

About the author

Dan Grylles is an award winning short story author. At a young age he developed three lifelong passions - writing computer programs, writing music to play on his guitar, and reading mystery/crime novels. Later, lured by the intrigue of thriller mysteries, he followed the clues of his own life and began writing those too. Dan's professional background includes many years managing a pet sitting business which inspired his fun and quirky novella, M is for Dog Show. Contact: Dan@DanGrylles.com.

Reviews

[Dan Grylles]

Author’s note:

I originally conceived of The Blackout of Markus Moore as a short story, but soon realized there was much more to it than that. The original title, just ‘Blackout’, was a play on words: a black man cast out of his comfort zone by a sudden occurrence of amnesia, and confronted with a hostile and chaotic world which he does not understand. A great premise for a murder thriller!

But, the timing of the writing of the book was on the heels of the protests of the George Floyd murder. After researching the ability to cause a man to pass out like Markus did, only then did I discover the similarities between the scene in the bar and the choke hold placed upon George Floyd. Neither the character of Markus, the assault upon him, nor racism expressed as white prejudice toward a rich, successful black man, are intended as a symbolic representation of Floyd or a social or political treatise on racism. Rather, it is simply the art that this author could express during the time in which that tragedy loomed large in America. For me, it offered the opportunity to bring positivity via other American minorities who show up to support him: an Indian medical assistant, a Chinese doctor, and a Hispanic female bartender.

The Blackout of Markus Moore is first and foremost a fictional thriller which places one obstacle after another in a man’s journey to find the truth about his wife’s murder, no matter what the cost. How he experiences certain obstacles are compounded by his conscientiousness of being a black man, even when he has amnesia and can’t remember his name. The tropes are familiar and modern, yet readers have caught on to the sensitivity in some reviews, for which I am thankful. It is a journey which I hope keeps you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the very end!

Thank you for reading my stories.

[Holly Cerutti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book from Author Dan Grylles. This story introduces you to Markus Moore. Right from the beginning the story has you guessing. Markus wakes up on the floor of a bar after a severe beating and doesn’t even know how he got there, or who he even is. In his quest to find out what happened to him, he encounters several people, some who seem to want to help him, and others whose motives aren't very clear. The story definitely kept my attention all the way to the end of the story about who did what to Markus and why. Very good read!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free (pre-publication) copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily providing a review.
Wow! This is a different and fascinating read, as Dr. Markus Moore struggles to recoup last memories due to amnesia resulting from an assault. Marcus suddenly realizes he does not know who he is, and what he maybe did but surely did not do, or what his involvement might or might not be in the murder of his wife. His panic - driven search for his identity while evading police while trying to figure it all out is so engrossing it held my interest all the way to the surprise ending.

[Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an end to a great book! Until the very end, the writer keeps you in the dark about what happened next and I loved that!

The black psychiatrist who had to overcome a lot to be where he is today. Only....... Now he doesn't know who he is!
In a bar with only white men, he gets into a fight with some of them and is beaten so hard that he is knocked unconscious. When he comes to he doesn't know where he is but even worse...... who he is! And why is he sitting in a bar in a white-only town knowing he's putting himself in danger as a black man? And where should he go?
Who is he?

He realizes that he shouldn't let it be known that he has lost his memory, especially when he finds out his name through the news. His wife was murdered in broad daylight (Was he married then? To a white woman?) and he knows nothing.

This book takes you into the life of Markus Moore in search of himself and his memory! A rollercoaster of developments where he is amazed at his own actions and his feelings. Where he tries to find out what happened from the moment his wife was killed until 24 hours later. If he doesn't get his memory back...... he may be seen as the prime suspect in his wife's murder.

A bizarre story where you sympathize with Markus, think about the solution and eventually close the book with a big secret .....

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow..

This .....I was good with how things were ending until the actual ending... That was...it my word. I'm still in shock. I can't believe it. This was so good and that was a HUGE twist. Wow

[Brandie Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I was lucky enough to win as part of Goodreads giveaways. It was a little different starting a book without a build up of the character or history and some of it seemed repetitive, however toward the end when he starts fitting the puzzle pieces in it really comes together. And the ending, he got so right!

[Behind The Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to have your mind blown as you navigate the twisted mind games of a psychological thriller in "The Blackout of Markus Moore" by Dan Grylles, Crime Writer, racing against time to uncover the truth behind a gripping crime investigation, leaving you waiting to exhale.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book for so many reasons. I enjoyed because it had many elements that make an amazing book. It had history, mystery and intensity. The book makes you feel emotional for the characters. It is about a man, Markus, who wakes up with Amnesia after an assault. He don't know who he is and if he murdered his wife. The story was beautifully written and I was hooked til the very end with a surprise ending that I didn't see coming. Wow!

[Dominique Valiquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow..
The book had me hooked from the first chapter. The writing flowing so well and kept you captivated and wanting to turn the page faster than I could read.
Just when you think you've figured out an answer or a clue, you realize you didn't and that with each page and each surprise you're only more interested in getting to the end to figure out the truth. And let me tell you, even that will have you shocked! It's definitely an amazing ending and a very well written book. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes psychological thrillers and suspense. This book had me on my toes from beginning to end.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is written in the present tense, so readers read the narrative in real-time. A personal pleasant way to read since nothing in the future can be foreseen and readers learn what happens at the same time as the character. In this instance, Markus recalls his journey - to himself - the moment he has amnesia so there is no past to mention. The story is action-packed and character-driven as readers follow Markus discover more and more of himself.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Dias · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was reading Blackout it kept me engaged and I didn’t want to stop reading except to think about Marcus situation and different scenarios to solve the mystery. Each time another incident would send me on a different track. I enjoyed very much reading the book and the details were very well done and painted the scenes so well. I have to say I was very surprised at the end and thrilled on being so well entertained! Looking forward to more of Dan’s stories!

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I can’t remember the last time I read a book that was so gripping from the very first page.

[Courtney Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the pacing of this book, but I wish there would have been a bit more to the plot. I also felt that the amnesia bit could have been better executed to make it more believable and fit the plot better. I was expecting a twist at the end that never came. I was left mostly unsatisfied with the ending. Not a terrible read, but had the potential to be so much better.

[Ash Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a guy who wakes up with amnesia who finds out his wife has been murdered and now he doesn't know of he's the suspect or the killer. This was a fabulous read and a fantastic story. Dan's use of inner dialogue really added to the affect of this story. Super enjoyable and a fast read. I'd recommend this to anyone trying to get out of a reading slump, or really just anyone. I'm excited to check out more books from this author!
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About the book:
Is he a victim, a suspect, or a target? Pursued by cops and his forgotten past, a doctor must solve his wife’s murder to save his own life.
A black man awakens on a bar room floor, after a beating by angry rednecks. Searching his aching head for answers, he realizes he has no idea who he is. Peril strikes and he is on the run for his life, with no time to figure it out.
A high-speed car chase ensues through Knoxville, guns firing and police sirens wailing. Landing in a hospital waiting room, he glimpses a news report of a woman found murdered in her home. Her husband speaks into the microphone as his name scrolls across the bottom of the screen. It’s him!
Dr. Markus Moore now knows his name but nothing about why he is part of a dangerous and murderous game. Keeping his memory loss private, he launches into a frantic search for the truth. To find the killer of his wife and the secret to his vanished identity, he risks everything - his vocation, his freedom, and his very life.
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[Felecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this to be my first read of Dan Grylles, I thought that this was a good book! It definitely kept me wanting to come back to read more when I had to stop. I felt that there were times where it seemed as though it was drawn out. I'm still lost on how the main character ended up in the bar and kept experiencing amnesia. But in all, it was a good read!

[Janice Bunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I couldn't put this book down. Loved the characters and the intense moments. Couldn't wait to find out the killer. It will blow your mind.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I expand my literary horizons out to self-published and independently published novels, I find myself also drawn to genres I wouldn’t normally choose for myself, in this case, thrillers. I’ve only ever occasionally read mysteries and thrillers, though in retrospect, after reading them I find I’ve deeply enjoyed the suspense.

Suspense is one of the appeals of The Blackout of Markus Moore and it has it in abundance. Indeed its mystery is spun out to the very end. For readers who enjoy domestic thrillers, reflective and tortured unreliable narrators, and edge-of-your-seat urgency, this is the novel for you.

The novel opens — and reads — like a blockbuster film, with a bang (literally) and the blackout of the its eponymous protagonist. Markus is blind to his past, to his present, and finds himself chasing who he is just as much as he finds himself being chased relentlessly by others. This is a man born under an unlucky sign, but there is the possibility that he has designed this complicated constellation himself — and is now the victim of his own making. Readers may find themselves both rooting for and against Markus; even he himself isn’t entirely sure of his role in all this mess. I will leave it to the reader to discover the outcomes themselves.

But they should know there is little time to catch their breath; the novel accelerates, rather than slows down. There is no lull in this thriller. Moreoever, it culminates in an unpredictable, surprise ending. At 256 pages, the novel delivers its payload quickly, which, for some readers who dread heart palpitations, this will be a relief. Though, I imagine, most readers who favor thrillers will love the breath-catching factor of this novel.

Grylles’ prose sets the quick pace of the novel; it is straightforward and succinct, even while it permits the reader — and the novel’s characters — time to ruminate and reflect on events. This is a plot driven novel which proceeds much as a film of its genre would, with one thing leading catastrophically to another. That said, its characters — Markus, Maria, Clark, and even Jackie — are fully fleshed out individuals, visible to the reader both in terms of their physical representations and as players in the fatal cat and mouse game that runs Markus into a frenzy.

Overall, The Blackout of Markus Moore is well-crafted, both in its delivery and conceptualization, a true seat-gripper of a thriller.

[Roger Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Book Review by R.M. Campbell 📚
The Blackout of Markus Moore
By
Dan Grylles
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When a young, black man (Markus Moore) wakes up on the floor of an unfamiliar country bar, beaten and unable to remember who he is, how he got there, why his head is bleeding, and why he was in a bar brawl, the search for answers is only the beginning. His effort to find answers led him to find that his wife had been murdered, and the police are seeking him for questioning. Does he become their prime suspect, and will he have enough time to remember what happened and prove his innocence? On his quest to put the pieces together and find answers, Markus learns that his wife isn’t who he believed she was and encounters a mixture of individuals who are all involved in one way or the other. Who can he trust, and who will do anything to have his wife’s murder pinned on him?
I found this story to be a fantastic thriller with twists and turns around every corner. Just when you think you have something figured out, BAM, Dan Grylles throws you a curveball. The characters were well-written, and the plot was extremely well-conceived. The story was suspenseful and full of emotional tension. Following the flow of events and the unpredictable plot twists made this a fascinating and ripping read. A real page-turner for sure, to the VERY END! I would recommend this book as a terrific psychological thriller to anyone interested in a suspenseful, action-packed experience.

[Jafe Danbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Markus Moore is an enigma. As he tries to emerge from his deep fog, unable to remember anything about himself, his wife, his professional life...his whole world has become instantaneously murky...and suddenly everything has spun out of his control. Who is he? What has he done?
Just as he begins to catch his breath, news of his wife's shocking murder plunges him further into the the swampiness, as he desperately grasps at straws in a desperate bid to reclaim bits of his memory...before it's too late.
Dan Grylles uses great slight-of-hand here as he guides the reader through a world where nothing is as it seems. I was reminded of Hitchcock in that way, as the suspense keeps you turning the pages. This was my first book by this author, and it won't be the last. Well done, Dan!

[Marbea Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I understand why the author did what he did, being a white man writing a main character as a black man. You truly have to read this book in a certain perspective to see bc and understand how intricate the author had to be in his mindset to know what to, and what not to feed the reader to truly make this a psychological thriller. You'll truly be amazed at the delicate balance this writer teeter totter on writing this book and how perfect he captures every aspect of the characters, plot, scenarios, mystery, and conclusion to tie the entire novel together to give you a mind-blowing read.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Blackout of Markus Moore” by Dan Grylles, had me hooked from start to finish. The suspense and mystery surrounding Markus Moore’s strange situation kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. There were moments of humor that broke up the tension, making it all the more enjoyable. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the shocking twists completely threw me off. It was a fast-paced, unpredictable ride, and by the end, I was left speechless. If you love a good thriller with surprises, this book is definitely worth reading.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a good psychological thriller novel, I was hooked from the first page and it didn't let go until the end. I was invested in what was going on and glad I got to read this. The characters worked well overall and it does a great job in creating a tense atmosphere. I enjoyed the way Dan Grylles wrote this and look forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book immediately and completely hooked me. I read most of it in one day because I had to know what happened as quickly as possible!

[Natalie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the book grabs you from the beginning and we experience all of Markus's fears, doubts, encouragements right there with him. He goes on an introspective rollercoaster ride and takes the reader with him. Did he, or didn't he? Keeps him and you guessing until the end.

Note: At the time of this review, the Kindle format is currently on sale for FREE. Those sales end quickly so my tip is to take advantage of it and go for the Blackout of Markus Moore ride.

[Aphrodite the Reader ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF!!!!!!!

Twist and turns Starts off with action from the beginning to the end Definitely a great read.... Like wtf did I just read