Dark Matter

by Hugh Macnab

Racked by grief and loneliness, enraged by those he believes responsible for the death of his wife, one man thirsts for revenge. The Press labels him the BBQ Killer.

After being rejected and humiliated, another Killer hides in plain sight, cloaked in kindness and compassion. Patient yet lethal. Only revealed by happenstance.

As the body count rises, D.S. Eli Ross and his team are joined in the hunt by FBI Agent Sally Cope.

When Ross’s nephew, Ollie, is discovered to have been concealing his real self for complex reasons, he is revealed as a Savant with the intellect of Einstein but the emotional intelligence of a gnat. Cope recognizes his potential and risks her career by offering him an FBI consultancy contract. But where Ollie brings remarkable insights, he also brings emotional turmoil in equal measure.

Ross must now balance his nephew’s usefulness with a duty of care - something Ollie doesn’t understand.

Where Ollie can help identify the killers, Eli must get into their minds.

In one, he finds a man damaged by injustice and the cruelty of life; in the other, he finds an emotional vacuum with no soul.

In a race against time, Ross will be faced with choices. Choices with deadly consequences where his experience tells him he can’t save everyone.

Genres: Mystery

437 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2023

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.

For starters...the typographical errors in this book suggest to me that it either was not edited, or was very poorly edited. Sometimes characters were referred to as the wrong names or their names were misspelled. Other tines quotation marks were placed incorrectly...often when there was no speech at all, or sometimes only at the end of speech. All of these made it very difficult to follow at times.

Secondly...the characters are very stereotypical. Hard-case higher ups, cops who love donuts, pretty FBI girl who joins the team. Even the cases follow very predictable patterns.

Lastly...it was very repetitive. A lot of the information was repeated multiple times. The days passed in the same ways...wake up, work, donuts, home, dinner and beer.

The most interesting part was the autistic genius nephew, who offered some variety. However...he was all over the place, consulting for the FBI, writing for a scientific journal, going to school, helping various businesses improve, and somehow finding time to live and breathe in between. All at the age of 12.

There was just a lot going on. It was difficult to read and very busy. A lot was said...but there was little emotion involved. I just didn't connect with the characters. I just didn't FEEL anything. The storyline had potential, and I had high hopes. It just didn't quite get there.

[Cassian Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Matter delivers a gripping blend of psychological tension, procedural detail, and emotional complexity. Hugh Macnab introduces D.S. Eli Ross as a detective still reeling from profound personal loss, then places him at the center of a hunt for two killers whose motives diverge as sharply as their methods. The novel’s standout element is the character of Ollie, Ross’s autistic, savant-level nephew, whose extraordinary analytical abilities contrast with his fragile emotional world.

Macnab weaves police work, character-driven drama, and themes of trauma, justice, and moral ambiguity into a fast-paced narrative that rarely pauses for breath. While some pacing repetition and editorial inconsistencies have been noted by readers, the overall story offers strong emotional resonance and compelling suspense. Dark Matter succeeds both as a thriller and as an exploration of the burdens placed on those who see the world differently.

[Alaric Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Matter is a masterclass in modern thriller writing. Hugh Macnab blends relentless tension with genuine emotional weight, creating a story that grips from page one. D.S. Eli Ross is a compelling lead, shaped by grief yet driven by duty, and his struggle to balance the pressures of an active investigation with caring for his gifted nephew adds powerful depth to the narrative.

Ollie, the young autistic savant, is the book’s standout character. His extraordinary intellect and unpredictable emotional responses make him both fascinating and unforgettable, bringing a fresh and original perspective to the crime-solving process.

Macnab’s pacing is sharp, the dual-killer plot is cleverly executed, and the psychological insights elevate the novel beyond a standard procedural. With its memorable characters and smart, fast-moving storyline, Dark Matter sets a new benchmark for psychological crime fiction. A superb series opener and an absolute must-read.

[Merritt Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh Macnab launches the Eli Ross series with a thriller that balances high-stakes investigation with a deeply human core. Dark Matter follows D.S. Ross as he navigates two chilling murder cases while learning to care for Ollie, his brilliant but socially vulnerable nephew. Macnab’s portrayal of Ollie is both sensitive and intriguing, his intellect offers breakthrough insights, yet his emotional volatility raises the stakes of every discovery.

The dual-killer structure gives the novel a layered suspense, and the introduction of FBI Agent Sally Cope adds procedural sharpness and momentum. Though some technical editing issues appear in the text, the novel’s strengths lie in its strong character arcs, authentic investigative detail, and a surprising, emotionally charged finale. This is a promising start to a series with room to grow and characters worth following.

[Juniper Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

n Dark Matter, Macnab constructs a thriller that is as much about the human psyche as it is about the crimes committed. Ross, grieving and exhausted, becomes an anchor for the story’s emotional weight, while Ollie, part genius, part enigma, injects freshness into the detective genre. Macnab handles the subject of autism with nuance, presenting both the frustrations and the beauty of neurodivergent brilliance.

The narrative alternates between methodical police work and intimate character revelation, offering a window into the killers’ motivations without relying on excessive gore or shock value. The result is a thriller grounded in empathy as much as tension. Although the manuscript would benefit from tighter editing, the storytelling is compelling, thoughtful, and driven by memorable personalities. A strong entry in contemporary crime fiction.

[Fabienne Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Matter is an electrifying psychological thriller that showcases Hugh Macnab at his absolute best. The novel blends razor-sharp pacing with a deeply emotional core, delivering a story that is both pulse-pounding and profoundly human. D.S. Eli Ross is a compelling lead, wounded, capable, and relentlessly driven, and his relationship with Ollie elevates the narrative beyond standard crime fiction.

Ollie is one of the most unforgettable characters to appear in a modern thriller: brilliant, unpredictable, and rendered with delicate authenticity. Macnab’s ability to weave investigative tension with personal vulnerability gives the novel remarkable depth. Dark Matter is a standout achievement and a powerful beginning to a series with massive potential.

[Marlowe Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh Macnab’s Dark Matter fires on all cylinders. Fast, smart, and emotionally gripping, it delivers everything a thriller reader craves: escalating danger, cleverly intertwined plotlines, and characters who feel alive on the page. The dual-killer structure is executed with expert precision, turning every chapter into a fresh jolt of adrenaline.

But what truly sets the book apart is its heart. Ross’s struggle to care for Ollie, and Ollie’s extraordinary analytical gifts, creates a rich layer of humanity that balances the high-stakes action. The dynamic between Ross, Ollie, and FBI Agent Sally Cope is magnetic and promises an exceptional series ahead. A top-tier thriller from a writer at the height of his craft.

[Elowen Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Dark Matter, Hugh Macnab delivers a rare feat: a thriller that entertains as intensely as it resonates emotionally. The writing is confident and atmospheric, with each scene layered in tension and psychological insight. The killers are complex and chillingly believable, and the moral questions threaded throughout the narrative linger long after the final page.

Macnab excels at character development. Ross is multifaceted and authentic, but it is Ollie who steals the spotlight, a savant rendered with sensitivity, brilliance, and heart. Their evolving bond enriches the story, grounding the action in something deeply human. This is a beautifully crafted, absorbing novel that deserves wide acclaim.

[Dorian Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Matter is the kind of thriller that commands attention from the very first page. Macnab’s storytelling is confident, intricate, and cinematic, balancing intense procedural detail with stunning emotional clarity. The plot unfolds with expert timing, keeping readers constantly off-balance while building toward a payoff that is both surprising and deeply satisfying.

Ollie’s character is a triumph, fresh, dynamic, and brilliantly written. His intellect drives the story forward, but it is his vulnerability that gives it soul. Paired with Ross’s grit and Cope’s sharp professionalism, the cast feels like the foundation of a major franchise. Gripping, intelligent, and exceptionally well crafted.

[Aletha Pagett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller. There was more than one story going on yet they connected. I felt I knew each of the characters and certainly didn't see the end coming. I appreciated he can tell the story without profanity and extraneous sexual scenes. I gave this 4 stars because it does need some editing. this e-book was received from Goodreads.

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I own this book in a goodreads drawing.

A police procedural where all of the characters are just characteristics.