The Contest: A Stepper's Dream or Nightmare

by Gregory B. Dickerson

Gregory B. Dickerson was born in 1960 in West Brighton, a district of New York City's borough of Staten Island. He is a graduate of Susan E. Wagner High School and the College of Staten Island, majoring in Business Management. An employee of the Mass Transit Authority (MTA) for the past 25 years, he currently resides in Staten Island. The Contest is his second narrative.

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Ayeshah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Contest: A Stepper's Dream or Nightmare was a great read! You know the characters, familiar and authentic, some from your circle and some you know but only hear or talk about. It's funny how when you're looking for one thing people give up so much more. This whodunit is so enthralling because it truly invokes that old addage "hindsight is 20/20". Not until it's revealed do you know who did what and it ain't who you thought it was, but yup who it turns out to be had to have done it, ... and who you thought it was couldn't have! lol

Layered plots that show just how small the world really is, lots of twists & turns but no running around, believable characters, believable scenarios, some you can almost even get advice from. You can't put it down till your done! ... Then you gotta go back because it fit together so well you just want to check out the pieces again. Great read, would make a compelling mini series and I would dvr each episode!

[Cheryl D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this was a very enjoyable read, would not do it justice. It was totally amazing. Mr. Dickerson had me engrossed from start to finish. His attention to detail in describing scenes and characters allowed me to visualize as I read. It was as if, I was not reading a book, but part of the action. There were many characters and each had a seemingly unrelated story. At the end of each chapter, I was compelled to read on. The ah ha moment came when I realized the different characters were part of the big picture and the end was not what I was expecting. Very well done!!

[Isaiah R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gregory B. Dickerson has become one of my adopted authors at the moment. This means I enjoy his two books in which I read just recently; the two books were really good that I want to share them with others so I made more purchases to have them be donated to one of our local library here in North Carolina. Mr. Dickerson great job done! I might add that meeting your publicist was an honor; she was direct, vibrant & a no nonsense type of woman. She challenged me to read both of your books & although, seeing her passion & conviction of your work led me to make purchase of them. I never heard of this author but when I read both books I was impressed.

The story behind ‘The Contest’ was extremely precise and nothing of which I thought the book would be about but the author made his characters so real that in my mind it became vivid and easy to follow. His formula to put his characters and plots were so thorough that I was engrossed from page one right through to the end. Each character had their own personality that could be compared to those who we associate in our every day walks of life. I am originally from Atlanta, GA so this novel was true, funny, realistic and far from reading a boring book as he made it easy for me to visualize every scene out in my head and out in the city of Chicago. I was so involved in the entire police scene and all the drama that followed. I am happy someone is putting a book to associate Chicago style stepping to our book viewers. This is one book that is well put together and very tasteful for both genders to read.

I finished both books in a week and a half; a challenge I put myself and to impress this publicist I just met in passing at the CIAA (I don’t know her and I am not sure if she will read my comments here as she only gave me the website to post my comments ha ha ha) but I did finish the books and I did enjoyed them both. Overall; I want the author to know his novel and his short story is definitely a win-win deal for the community he is reaching out to. He will reap a great audience because one of the books is base on facts and the second is based on the reality with a twist to solve a murder mystery in which I couldn’t unravel until the end. Great job!

[Paula D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in and gone instantly with this book, especially how the author made it simple to view in a micro-scopic view how the world we live in really is. It was love at first sight with the plots, the scenes in each characters, the story and ALL. There’s just so much to like.

The first chapter flooded over me with so much information and so many characters to follow-up with but I was happily immersed from then on.

Often with suspense and fantasy one always knows how a story would end but with this nvoel it blinded me and I wasn't able to figure out who the real culprit was; although, all the characters would have fit to be the possible suspect after reading up on all their track records.

I love the idea that Mr. Dickerson, the author was doing with introducing a eloquent dance with a sususpense to allow us readers to figure out as guessing what and who has done it. Leaving us with a real, gritty, experience feel in his writing.

As with most if not all books that I fall for ‘at first sight’, this is rich with clever, broken, human characters. What I like to call creatively flawed. People you want to spend time with or maybe not, but one in which you would want to listen to the tales of their lives; Mr. Dickerson gave us that and much more. Great novel!

[Vivian M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an astonishing debut! I was absolutely addicted to this novel from start to finish and obsessed about it when reading wasn't possible. Without spoiling details - what I found most fascinating about the novel was its concept of its time in a broken society. It is indeed an insane each page' "The Contest" and the author does not shy away from allowing central characters to actively engage in the dirty business of revenge. Yet, despite it all, I fell in love with so many of the characters in this book, enjoyed their backstories (both amusing and tragic), genuinely worried about them. True to the central concept of rebuilding an egalitarian and classless society, even a laundress can be complex and significant to the outcome of a society who is use to having these types of emotions, conflicts and lifestlye. So fascinating! The novel moves in an aggressive manner, full of action, mystery and intrigue that make it especially hard to put down. Overall, it's a damn fine read that will appeal to both novice and expert fantasy readers. I can't wait for the sequel! To the publicist,thank you for introducing me to such a great book!

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does a good job with ramping up the tension and the action with his characters' enough to keep me interesting. At first, I had to start this book twice because the amount of intensity for everything and I had to be hands on if not I lose sight of the many characters to unsolved the secrecy of such mystery. Overall, I was very please to read a great book. The author did a very good job with narrating his plots and making each page intriguing. I applaud him for a well thought-out process to get us a great book in our hands that we can relate with life. Congrats for his team who is making it happen! Dickerson; who is your publicist??? I mean going to the social media (FB) & reading comments from your page and reading her exclusive, one of kind cliché’s add a fresh and inspired class to your page. Seeing her post other than yourself motivated me to finish reading your book because I wanted to hear what was so great about it; but you out did yourself with this book! This is one of many more to come and I hope for another great book achievement!!!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think Mr. Dickerson book would be appealing all because I am not a fan of murder mystery or mushy contest prize story line. So I bought this book mainly because of the high ratings it was recieving on here in goodreads. All i have to say is wow!!! I loved this book, at times i had to put it down to clear my head of the many characters & plots i was reading. No matter how many books i have read, True or fiction based. The story behind these pages were so real and realistic to the common of what we call normal people. I was surprise by the twist at the end, infact i couldn't cottoned on to the person who did it quiet early. Saying this it did not take away anything in the story that was unfolding but rather added for me to enjoy this type of hysterically funny humor novel, seemingly sad and exotic episode that made it enticing from beginning to end. This book will stay with me for a while and will recommend it to friends alike.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Contest: A Stepper's Dream or Nightmare; this book definitely is an excellent mystery and one with so many different angles as well as characters which makes this novel extremely stimulating! I could not put this book down; the plots was so complex and just when you think you have it all figured out; the author brings another twist that leaves the reader guessing. The characters symbolizes contemporary and multi-layered work that has a velocity and trajectory that is dazzling, with a tough enveloping, and an exhilarating voice that cannot be equaled. You never knew how this book was going to end but once I finished the book; there was a cliffhanger at the end making me want to read more! Overall, this book was an excellent novel to read and it should have a mini series… For I am sure we would all agree!

[Eric Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was really good; didn't think much about it when it was given to me as a gift but once I read it; I wish I would had picked it up from the jump start. The five mysterious couples all with the different backgrounds but with one goal in mind; and that was to win the final prize a big load of loot. The author Dickerson shed light on the issues affecting domestic life in America: love quarrels, drug abuse, distorted lifestyles, and crazy relationships that makes you wonder how complicated dilemmas in his plots were made so real to life. This novel is a success because the author got close to real life, real people, real problems and that made this novel better to read and better to relate. Got to give my hands up, this was a real good mystery novel and quite well put together. Keep bringing it on.

[Najda G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It brought out a plethora of emotions. I felt anger at the characters who were so dysfunctional and felt it was ok to do the things they did to hurt others or themselves, and whole range of feelings with those who felt it was ok to get revenge as they went through their plight. Notice I said “with” those because the author had me right there with them in every situation. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone so I won’t go into any of the plot details, but this is a book you do not want to miss. It is the adventure of a lifetime; I did not want to put it down from the moment I started reading it. Glad I got a flyer and was intrigued to the promotion of this great book out in NC while at in my stay for a function and the gal promoting it wasn’t wrong when she is told me “YOU WON’T REGRET IT”; and I sure didn’t.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was thrilling and kept me on my toes... The story line was great; the plots were remarkable and thought provoking. If so rather seemingly complicated at first because you couldn't tell which direction to go with the characters they all seem to be guilty but this novel was alluring to the me because it made me turn each page with so much excitement and how appealing to figure out who was the murderer but I never did figured it out until the very end. This novel stepped it up to make an intriguing start to a mini series or a movie. It would be interesting to see how the author continues to develop another novel without becoming repetitive. Thank you Mr. Dickerson for making this book an amazing read! Wish there was a sequel.

[Trisha M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I just had to know what came next. I was even a bit confused after finishing the epilogue and still not knowing for sure who had orchestrated the elaborate scenario that resulted in all each insane chapters with nearly all suspicious characters, craved recognition and left us lingering as to who actually done it. To think so many characters with so many skeletons in their closets felt like a nursery rhyme rewritten as a prophecy of self-fulfilling in more than one case of doom. This novel had a excellent mix of ingredients and the author let it bake in the Chicago Sun for three days and wallah! So many unanswered questions and great finale. Definetely a must read for any suspense, romance, and mystery aficionado.

[Tiffany N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is one that I feel came out on top time from all the suspense or mystery I have read so far. I enjoyed how all the love quarrels in each relationship and how the cops in this novel all had a big part as well. I related a lot with the entire church scenarios which I found to be so funny but yet soooo realistic but not so farfetched from all the other characters that added so much life into a crazy world we live. This novel allowed me to role play what people really do to the far extent to win a contest and to win a love one back as well. To say the entire enticement with other ethnicity was so on point and made this novel deserving to have a sequel or a movie made of it; as definitely, people will go and watch it for sure.

[Sarah L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel will literally keep you guessing up to the very last second. It has it all: Romance, Suspense, Intrigue, Mystery and Inspiration. I absolutely could not put this book down. Just when I thought I was going to uncover something, the author Gregory B. Dickerson switches the point of view character. Every time I said to myself, “Okay, just one more chapter” I ended up reading for at least another hour, “C’mon,” I thought. “The suspense is killing me! With complex, realistic characters, descriptive settings, and an intricately woven plot, my craving for a meaty story was completely satisfied page after page. I really felt like Gregory B. Dickerson took his time planning this novel which, as a reader, made me feel valued. This guy knows his stuff.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Grace Davis ~ This is a good book!! From the opening paragraph to the last page I was on the edge of my seat excited to see what was going to happen next. It has a little bit of all of us in it. It has a great story line, it's exciting, funny at time, a little mystery and not to mention some of that good crazy love going on too...... you know what I mean!! LOL!! All of the main ingredients you need for a good book. I'm just saying, if you love a good book to curl up with .....buy The Contest: A Steppers Dream or Nightmare by Gregory B. Dickerson, I promise you, you won't be disappointed!! Keep the books coming Greg....... I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Cheryl R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book was OK but and I said what's so big about a contest... It's hilarious, it has too much drama which I enjoyed reading, it also taught me a lot of human behaviors that are so realistic when living with people who are so much alike as the characters in this book. I fear what really was going thru the minds of the author when he wrote about certain characters to make them out to be so surreal. This entire book was good and wishing he would write some more to add to his collection. But there was one thing; it was hard to connect with the characters in the beginning but once you pass the first chapter; it was flowing. The author did a great job!

[Jolie M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, among other things, but a gripping page-turner. However, my personal refusal to put it down had less to do with any interest in the author but what he wrote did made it a desperate desire to get to the very end. The only one thing I did dislike was that this book for what ever reasons was difficult to get it started. I like the author's vivid immagination but don't know if it was the publishing house or his editor but the continous mis-spelled words drove me insane. However, over looking all that I enjoyed the fantasy in which he involved his characters and was delighted to be able to invision it all in my head chapter by chapter.

[Heather Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dickerson takes you into the Steppers' world, even for a neophyte like myself to understand. The characterizations are detailed and realistic,with just enough insight and mystery to make you want to continue to turn the pages. It is easy to get caught up in the web of intrigue and lies that are built upon throughout the story.
The surprise conclusion that Dickerson has written, will keep you on your toes. The twists and turns of the story and, the characters that you come to love and hate make this book a must read.

[Tracey S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that just grabs you into it and you cannot put it down? Author Gregory B. Dickerson does a magnificent job in writing a story full of mystery - suspense - romance that puts the reader into a trance! My colleague Sarah L. and I go to NYU- and she has already voice her comments but "WE" couldn't leave out without saying that when the publicist was handing out flyers at the school to read this book; she understated how great this book is- Yes it is great but IT IS beyond great!

[Jamall Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this novel was a good read; no doubt. Nick Brown was the man and all the characters in this entire book was like the everyday friend, neighbor or oneself. Hands up to the author who finally put a book out there; that of one in urban community could relate to. My wife is now reading the book as I just finished it and she is anxious since she saw me doing nothing else but finish this book. Man this book was funny, sad at times but real to vivid imagination. Great job my brother!

[William B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could only sum this into 7 adjectives: Awesome, thrilling, exoctic, wild, realistic, passionate and fanatical!!! Hands down to a great book. I enjoyed all the female characters; my mind ran wild and for all the male characters: man let's just say, it was crazy to think and be able to really connect and fit into play with them to the most part. I think we all have a little of each of the characters in us. Well job!

[Dan G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with great plots... His writing style is great, easy to read and fast. He explains things so you understand but without revealing who's done it. His characters are well developed in this novel and are entertaining. Another thing I really liked was that his chapters are always flowing back & forth so you can always get to a good stopping place and never miss a beat!

[Brook Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi, I feel that this book was certainly a good book. Suspense after suspence that lead up to a dramatic moment chapter after chapter. The book opens the emotion that arises the thoughts and knowledge about the development of every menaingul event that occurs. I was curious as to who dunit and who won the contest but most of all the flavor that makes you relate to our life.

[Brittany Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the book!!! Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I stayed up until 2am in the morning so that I could finish the book. Every time I thought I knew who the suspect was it would change it definitely kept me guessing. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

[Gregory Dickerson]

Michelle wrote; Hello there. I just finished reading your book, I consider myself an avid reader and I must say you are an exemplary writer. I truly enjoyed your book.