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Shadow Dance
“Ott's prose crackles and sizzles. There's never a dull moment, right to the riveting end. It's the kind of novel Hemingway might have written had he been alive today.” ~Erik Martiny, author of Night of the Long Goodbyes West is a man looking to flee the past, barely old enough to drink and looking to rediscover himself after several tours in Afghanistan as a POW prison guard. After going AWOL, West looks to reunite with Solomon, his childhood best friend, who exists in the dark underworld of a Los Angeles gentleman’s club, Club Paradise. West soon finds himself caught in the web of an Iranian family and its patriarch, Big Z Pourali, a former wrestler with a dark side and side businesses that put his dancers, employees, and family in peril. West stays in LA to look after Solomon but soon falls for the club owner’s daughter Nikki. West must come to terms with the raw underside of a Los Angeles crime family and his own past, all the while hoping to maintain his sanity in the process.
- GenresFiction
206 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2023
1 person is currently reading
2733 people want to read
About the author
Martin Ott
14 books129 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Born in Alaska and raised in Michigan, Martin Ott served as an interrogator in U.S. Army military intelligence.
He moved to Los Angeles to attend the Masters of Professional Writing Program at USC, and often writes about his adopted city, including in the novel The Interrogator's Notebook (currently being pitched by Paradigm as a TV pilot) and poetry books Captive, De Novo Prize Winner, C&R Press and Underdays, Sandeen Prize Winner, University of Notre Dame Press (Fall 2015).
Social and political themes are prevalent in all of his books, particularly Poets' Guide to America and Yankee Broadcast Network, coauthored with John F. Buckley, Brooklyn Arts Press and his short story collection, Interrogations, Fomite Press (Spring 2016). His novel Spectrum, C&R Press, (Fall 2016), asks what if a wall is built in a post-apocalyptic America, fueled by bigotry and the unintended consequences of technology.
His most recent poetry book, LESSONS IN CAMOUFLAGE, C&R Press, 2018, explores the hidden reservoirs of his life as an interrogator, divorced father, and estranged son to a dying mother, all with an eye on truths easy to conceal and sometimes painful to reveal.
His Writeliving blog - http://writeliving.wordpress.com/ - has been read by more than 30,000 people in 100+ countries. More at www.martinottwriter.com.
Born in Alaska and raised in Michigan, Martin Ott served as an interrogator in U.S. Army military intelligence.
He moved to Los Angeles to attend the Masters of Professional Writing Program at USC, and often writes about his adopted city, including in the novel The Interrogator's Notebook (currently being pitched by Paradigm as a TV pilot) and poetry books Captive, De Novo Prize Winner, C&R Press and Underdays, Sandeen Prize Winner, University of Notre Dame Press (Fall 2015).
Social and political themes are prevalent in all of his books, particularly Poets' Guide to America and Yankee Broadcast Network, coauthored with John F. Buckley, Brooklyn Arts Press and his short story collection, Interrogations, Fomite Press (Spring 2016). His novel Spectrum, C&R Press, (Fall 2016), asks what if a wall is built in a post-apocalyptic America, fueled by bigotry and the unintended consequences of technology.
His most recent poetry book, LESSONS IN CAMOUFLAGE, C&R Press, 2018, explores the hidden reservoirs of his life as an interrogator, divorced father, and estranged son to a dying mother, all with an eye on truths easy to conceal and sometimes painful to reveal.
His Writeliving blog - http://writeliving.wordpress.com/ - has been read by more than 30,000 people in 100+ countries. More at www.martinottwriter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 10, 2023
Martin Ott’s Shadow Dance is the perfect L.A. Noir novel for our times, with a little of everything—romance, drugs, filmmaking, PTSD, twisted families, repressed memories, and mysterious disappearances—all set in a sketchy strip club in Little Persia on L.A.’s West Side. Ott’s Buddy Rivet is a deeply flawed character, a hard-luck Army vet, who readers will root for, a soulful guy who wants to save the world but isn’t sure he can save himself. This book is L.A. Confidential meets The Family Fang, with all the deception and double-cross of a terrific crime story, told in breathless, blunt-force-trauma prose.
December 3, 2023
This book is the story of Buddy who was a POW prison guard in Afghanistan that has gone AWOL once returning to the states. He travels to Los Angeles to be with his lifetime friend Solomon and tells everyone his name is West. After breaking up a fight at a strip club, he immediately gets hired as a bouncer, which turns into a chauffeur for the owner's family. The owner, Big Z, is a former pro wrestler and Iranian crime family. Buddy's parents disappeared in Louisiana during a hurricane and Buddy has been searching for any sign that they are still alive ever since.
Buddy/West tries to please everyone and fix everyone's problems throughout his whole life. Solomon tells him at one point that his "parents really did a number on him". His Uncle Miles, who "took care of him" after his parents disappeared isn't a very good role model or someone that West can turn to. Solomon is the only one and he is so wrapped up in his drugs and life with women that he doesn't seem to give West the time of day.
I can't say that everything wraps up in this story, so perhaps, (as I have seen suggested in other reviews) there will be a sequel. I am not sure how I feel about the ending. My mind went in so many different directions, so I am not sure what really happened. Although I think that West came to terms and an understanding of his life but, all I know for sure, is the gun went off. If there is a sequel, 4 stars. If not 3 1/2, because I am still left wondering...What happened in Big Z's office and where is Solomon.
Thank you Martin Ott for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Buddy/West tries to please everyone and fix everyone's problems throughout his whole life. Solomon tells him at one point that his "parents really did a number on him". His Uncle Miles, who "took care of him" after his parents disappeared isn't a very good role model or someone that West can turn to. Solomon is the only one and he is so wrapped up in his drugs and life with women that he doesn't seem to give West the time of day.
I can't say that everything wraps up in this story, so perhaps, (as I have seen suggested in other reviews) there will be a sequel. I am not sure how I feel about the ending. My mind went in so many different directions, so I am not sure what really happened. Although I think that West came to terms and an understanding of his life but, all I know for sure, is the gun went off. If there is a sequel, 4 stars. If not 3 1/2, because I am still left wondering...What happened in Big Z's office and where is Solomon.
Thank you Martin Ott for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2023
I liked the pace of the novel, and the characters were very well-drawn. Since I am also a veteran, I could easily understand what the author was depicting. An AWOL Soldier searches for a childhood friend and gets more than what he bargained for. The action is rapid, and the plot will twist and turn. This seems to be the first of a series. At least I hope so!
November 30, 2023
Martin Ott's SHADOW DANCE is a high-octane rip through Los Angeles' underground. West (Buddy) is AWOL from the Armed Forces and arrives in Southern California looking for his childhood best friend. West takes a job working security for a former professional wrestlers' strip club and gets tangled up in family drama and the seedy sex culture of tinsel town.
This was a lot of fun. I had read Martin's THE INTERROGATOR'S NOTEBOOK a few years back and when he reached out with a copy of his book for review, I jumped at the chance. There is enough sex, drugs and insanity here to shake a stick at. West is a compelling character and his adversaries are friends one minute and foes the next. Lots of twists and turns leading up to the climax that had me rushing through the pages to the end.
This was a lot of fun. I had read Martin's THE INTERROGATOR'S NOTEBOOK a few years back and when he reached out with a copy of his book for review, I jumped at the chance. There is enough sex, drugs and insanity here to shake a stick at. West is a compelling character and his adversaries are friends one minute and foes the next. Lots of twists and turns leading up to the climax that had me rushing through the pages to the end.
November 25, 2023
First I'd like to thank Martin Ott for gifting me this ARC to read before it's official release date. A truly gritty and action packed book with great characters. So many twist and turns to keep you always engaged.
December 6, 2023
West has gone AWOL and decides to hide out in Los Angeles to pay a visit to his childhood best friend, Solomon. With few options as an army deserter, he takes on a job at the strip club where Solomon DJs and becomes involved in the seedy underbelly of the owner's shady family businesses.
This gritty novel explores the workings of a crime family and the fallout for everyone involved. West hides from the government and himself as he tries to help Solomon out of increasingly bad situations while becoming further entangled in the Pouralis' organization.
Read this one for a dance on the dark side, where questionable decisions are a way of life, and self-discovery comes at a steep cost.
This gritty novel explores the workings of a crime family and the fallout for everyone involved. West hides from the government and himself as he tries to help Solomon out of increasingly bad situations while becoming further entangled in the Pouralis' organization.
Read this one for a dance on the dark side, where questionable decisions are a way of life, and self-discovery comes at a steep cost.
December 11, 2023
Usually, people go to Los Angeles to find themselves, and get that big break. West had a different idea in mind. Martin Ott will take you to the LA underground as if you were employed by Big Z himself. The action, and a little bit of mysticism definitely made this a fun read. I kept wanting to know how West would adapt to the situation at hand.
I would like to thank the author for my complimentary advance reviewer’s copy in exchange for this review.
I would like to thank the author for my complimentary advance reviewer’s copy in exchange for this review.
November 7, 2023
In Martin Ott's Shadow Dance, West finds himself in a state of confusion as he tries to figure out his next move in life. After returning from multiple tours in Afghanistan as a POW prison guard, he struggles to find peace and make solid connections with those around him. As he contemplates his past and the sophisticated layers of his relationships, he finds himself drawn to a shadowy curse that seems to follow him everywhere he goes. In his journey through Los Angeles, he reflects on a psychic’s prophecy and the concept of a “dead zone” surrounding him as he discovers things are not always as they seem in the dark corners of Los Angeles.
Shadow Dance is the story of one man's quest for meaning in a complex life filled with mysteries, curses, and questionable intentions. Martin’s first-person narrative is centered on an engaging protagonist, whose surprise-filled journey and introspective nature quickly immerses readers in the plot. Also, his past and the present are cleverly intertwined to create a broad, all-encompassing view of his character. As he grapples with his experience in Afghanistan and his tumultuous childhood, he endeavors to make the right choice regarding his new and rekindled relationships.
The vivid descriptions of places and characters, from the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles to the colorful clubs and their wild inhabitants, create an unforgettable reading experience. I love that the physical themes and descriptions of the Los Angeles environments create an atmosphere that allows for understanding the protagonist’s search for identity and relationships. Readers who have experienced a sense of disconnection will find the story highly relatable.
Woven within the tapestry of the narrative, the author touches upon a myriad of themes, ensuring a rich and diverse reading experience. Although certain themes occasionally seem to stand alone, creating a sense of fleeting familiarity, it provides an opportunity to delve deeper and connect the dots as an engaged reader. While elements like curses or past losses occasionally transition swiftly to other subjects, readers of multifaceted storytelling will find it adds to the layered complexity of the tale. This book certainly stands out in the genre of war fiction and offers readers a unique journey.
For those who appreciate stories that artistically portray urban life, Shadow Dance, by Martin Ott is worth exploring. It delves into a compelling mix of internal conflicts and intricate relationships, offering an immersive reading experience. Ott's writing feels so real that readers will find themselves absorbed in West's tale.
Shadow Dance is the story of one man's quest for meaning in a complex life filled with mysteries, curses, and questionable intentions. Martin’s first-person narrative is centered on an engaging protagonist, whose surprise-filled journey and introspective nature quickly immerses readers in the plot. Also, his past and the present are cleverly intertwined to create a broad, all-encompassing view of his character. As he grapples with his experience in Afghanistan and his tumultuous childhood, he endeavors to make the right choice regarding his new and rekindled relationships.
The vivid descriptions of places and characters, from the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles to the colorful clubs and their wild inhabitants, create an unforgettable reading experience. I love that the physical themes and descriptions of the Los Angeles environments create an atmosphere that allows for understanding the protagonist’s search for identity and relationships. Readers who have experienced a sense of disconnection will find the story highly relatable.
Woven within the tapestry of the narrative, the author touches upon a myriad of themes, ensuring a rich and diverse reading experience. Although certain themes occasionally seem to stand alone, creating a sense of fleeting familiarity, it provides an opportunity to delve deeper and connect the dots as an engaged reader. While elements like curses or past losses occasionally transition swiftly to other subjects, readers of multifaceted storytelling will find it adds to the layered complexity of the tale. This book certainly stands out in the genre of war fiction and offers readers a unique journey.
For those who appreciate stories that artistically portray urban life, Shadow Dance, by Martin Ott is worth exploring. It delves into a compelling mix of internal conflicts and intricate relationships, offering an immersive reading experience. Ott's writing feels so real that readers will find themselves absorbed in West's tale.
January 22, 2024
‘You can’t save everyone. When the time comes, save yourself.’
Los Angeles author/poet Martin Ott was born in Alaska, raised in Michigan, and served as an interrogator in U.S. Army military intelligence. He now lives in Los Angeles having earned his Masters of Professional Writing Program at USC. Firmly established as one of today’s important poets, Martin submits yet another fine novel in SHADOW DANCE that proves his skills in prose match those in his poetry!
Engaging the reader with the opening lines is a skill Martin has polished: “You’re not invisible. You may think you’ve snuck away, dropped off the grid, kept it all on the down-low. Don’t fool yourself, though. You’ve left a ripple of your presence wriggling in the intersection of darkness and light like a villain’s gloved fingers…” And with telling words from a palm reader (see the title of this review), the primary character, West, embarks on a life that absorbs the trends of his Louisiana childhood and his imprinted experiences from his Afghanistan military tour, and the hustle through his move to the underbelly world of Los Angeles, dark experiences, love, and more, always yearning to make the world ‘better’ as he grows into full adulthood.
One of the many reasons this novel works so well is Martin’s constant propinquity to his gifts as a poet, underscoring the challenging dark aspects of this mystery with a radiance rarely found in the books of others. Read and grow, and fall under the spell of this very fine author!
Los Angeles author/poet Martin Ott was born in Alaska, raised in Michigan, and served as an interrogator in U.S. Army military intelligence. He now lives in Los Angeles having earned his Masters of Professional Writing Program at USC. Firmly established as one of today’s important poets, Martin submits yet another fine novel in SHADOW DANCE that proves his skills in prose match those in his poetry!
Engaging the reader with the opening lines is a skill Martin has polished: “You’re not invisible. You may think you’ve snuck away, dropped off the grid, kept it all on the down-low. Don’t fool yourself, though. You’ve left a ripple of your presence wriggling in the intersection of darkness and light like a villain’s gloved fingers…” And with telling words from a palm reader (see the title of this review), the primary character, West, embarks on a life that absorbs the trends of his Louisiana childhood and his imprinted experiences from his Afghanistan military tour, and the hustle through his move to the underbelly world of Los Angeles, dark experiences, love, and more, always yearning to make the world ‘better’ as he grows into full adulthood.
One of the many reasons this novel works so well is Martin’s constant propinquity to his gifts as a poet, underscoring the challenging dark aspects of this mystery with a radiance rarely found in the books of others. Read and grow, and fall under the spell of this very fine author!
July 13, 2023
Though this novel amounts finally to a miraculous cleansing, a rediscovery of love, its protagonist is a haunted, driven man, burdened by the nightmare he helped to inflict: the torture of innocent Afghans, as a prion guard with the US forces. His name is Buddy, a/k/a West, and he leads this SHADOW DANCE like a spastic Astaire. “Strange," he muses, "how the language of relationships can mimic that of war.” The line goes to the heart of Martin Ott’s fevered imagining, one in which "relationships" also spin off into an eye-popping and wisecracking tour of the L.A. underworld. You’ve never had such fun at an exorcism.
June 12, 2023
A Dance between Past and Present: A Review of “Shadow Dance” by Martin Ott. https://3k2q.short.gy/ShadowDance
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December 19, 2023
SHADOW DANCE is a powerful dance of language, a shadow of history, military trauma, and a unique coming-of-age tale of a man's own past and attempt to move forward. Martin Ott has created yet another masterpiece full of suspense, beauty, and heart. This book is chilling, wonderful, a must.
March 9, 2024
An engaging read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews