The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon

by Barry Maher

Wickedly funny dark humor horror novel that blends supernatural horror with a thrilling murder mystery.

It’s 1982. Steve Witowski, a failed songwriter on the run from the law, finds himself caught in a supernatural thriller after an apparently innocent act of heroism—saving a woman from a vicious assault by a seemingly unstoppable wino. The woman, Victoria, is just part of a mystery Steve can’t unravel. Even as he’s looting the decomposing dead for the secrets of a self-proclaimed sorcerer. Even as he plummets into a nightmare of fire and blood and murder. Even then, Steve remains certain the sorcerer’s spells, the occult rituals—the supposed demons and supernatural horror—are simply delusion and fantasy. Steve is wrong.

Victoria, who has just bought a dilapidated church with a haunting past, entangles Steve in a deadly game of dark magic and rituals. As, unknown to him, the demon grows desperate, Steve plunges deeper into a world of crypts, grave robbing, and long-forgotten secrets, all while trying to escape his own haunted past. But when the face of the man Steve killed appears on his arm, the line between reality and nightmare begins to blur.

This supernatural novel will leave you on the edge of your seat, with wickedly funny dark humor and, ultimately, pulse-pounding suspense, as Steve and Victoria navigate a twisted adventure full of occult horror, supernatural suspense, and shocking revelations.

Genres: Horror

462 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2025

About the author

In his misspent youth, Barry Maher committed journalism of sorts, freelance. His work appeared in maybe a hundred different publications, and in order to eat he held nearly that many jobs. At one point he lived on the beach. Not in a house on the beach. On the beach. With the sand and the seagulls.

Then he started telling his stories to audiences. Known for for keynotes that mix sharp insight with deadpan humor, that took him all over the country and around the world, his clients a who’s who of multinational companies and top associations, His media appearances include The Today Show, CNN, CBS and CNBC. And he’s been featured in everything from The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal to, yes, his personal favorite, Funeral Service Insider.

Maher writes the “Slightly Off-Kilter” syndicated column and, is of course, the author of The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon, a darkly funny, supernatural thriller set in California in 1982. with acclaim like, “wholly fresh and original,” “witty, literate, scary, sexy,” and “an absolute blast.”

Barry’s education includes four years at the University of Notre Dame, ninety minutes at UC Berkeley’s Graduate Journalism Program, and five befuddled weeks at Burger King’s Whopper College.

On the downside, he's been incarcerated twice. Once for not making a left hand turn out of a left hand turn lane. And once for adding and abetting a loiterer. He's deeply repentant. Especially about the weeks at Whopper College.

Reviews

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Dick and The Dysfunctional Demon by Barry Maher is a supernatural thriller, and dark horror which I have not read that many of these genre before. We get to know the MC who starts the story with being on the run from the police. He talks about killing someone and how he is a completely different person and everything bothers him about the first woman he is with. I found that part interesting as a reader. It makes you wonder how a killer thinks. He meets a new woman who he likes better than the woman who was with him at the start of the book and high jinks ensue. These two stay together for a while and then there are supernatural aspects with a kind of witch doing witchcraft. The story is amazingly engaging and well written by the author for a horror based book. I also love the included police procedures, demons, and witchcraft like elements you will LOVE this book! I would love to see more by this author in the future:)

[Michelle Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wanted to love this, but nothing happens for the first 75% of the book. Very nearly a DNF, but I persevered. Got going a bit towards the end, but still a lacklustre ending for me ☹️

[Don Anelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a fairly fun comedic-tinged genre effort. The great setup present, involving a rather convoluted but still immensely likable storyline where it takes a series of impressive attributes into a fun whole, starts this off rather well with not only our introduction to the main lead and why he's on the run from the police but also the eventual run-in with the new woman in his life that leads him into the supernatural shenanigans that occur here. We get a tongue-in-cheek style that introduces the main group as they slowly start to succumb to these strange experiences they fall into. The first encounter brings him and his girlfriend into contact with the other woman, who slowly starts turning their life around for the worse, dealing with the escalating danger around them.

The longer they stay together as a unit and get drawn into a series of encounters with a supernatural entity that offers more pronounced witchcraft and other impressive elements, all combined in a fun way, this slowly creates a solid setup that suffers from a slightly complex and convoluted storyline. There's quite a lot going on here, from the witchcraft angle to the black magic sorcery involved in fighting against him, a haunted church with a crazy backstory, a curse afflicting the main guy, and much more going on here, that, regardless of how fun this all comes off, it is whiplash to have all this going on. It's not that it doesn't come together in the end, but this could've easily been streamlined without so much happening that it feels like it's introducing something new every ten pages or so, but there's still a lot to like here.

4/5

[Ikfanny Alfi Muhibbah Shalihah · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, you're welcome to read my full review in detail via the following link. Thank you in advance for your time and interest.

🔗https://ikfannyalfms.medium.com/recko...

So, here we go!

Barry Maher’s background as a speaker, consultant, and bestselling author of Filling the Glass: The Skeptic’s Guide to Positive Thinking in Business is deeply embedded in the novel’s DNA. Known for keynotes that blend sharp insight with deadpan humor, Barry Maher brings that same clarity and irony to his fiction. His prose is lean, his dialogue sharp, and his scenes purposeful—each one driving the narrative forward while revealing layers of character psychology. Steve’s arc mirrors the transformation journey often found in leadership training, such as crisis, confrontation, and the possibility of redemption. But here, the stakes are existential, and the lessons are laced with grotesque satire. The demon Dick isn’t just a supernatural threat; he’s a metaphor for Steve’s ego, guilt, and denial—a darkly comic embodiment of the illusions we build to avoid vulnerability. Barry Maher’s pivot from his syndicated column Slightly Off-Kilter to fiction is no accident. The Great Dick: And The Dysfunctional Demon channels his storytelling instincts into a surreal thriller that’s as psychologically rich as it is absurdly entertaining.

As a literary experiment, The Great Dick: And The Dysfunctional Demon is bold and thought-provoking. Its strengths lie in its original mix of genres, clear and purposeful prose, and symbolic depth. Barry Maher successfully balances grotesque horror with satirical insight, making the story both entertaining and meaningful. Grotesque horror here refers to the use of bizarre, distorted, and emotionally unsettling elements—such as decomposing bodies, surreal rituals, and psychological breakdowns—not merely to shock, but also to reflect deeper internal conflicts. Rather than relying on traditional scares, Barry Maher disturbs through discomfort and contradiction, revealing the protagonist's ego, guilt, and denial in exaggerated, often absurd forms. Steve's character arc is compelling, and the use of humor adds emotional texture to the narrative, allowing readers to navigate the chaos with both unease and empathy.

However, the novel's surreal tone may not resonate with all readers—particularly those who favor conventional horror grounded in linear storytelling and familiar tropes. Its provocative title, while thematically justified and satirically sharp, risks misinterpretation and may alienate more conservative audiences who approach the book with literal expectations. The narrative's psychological and symbolic density demands active engagement; readers seeking a straightforward plot may find themselves navigating layers of metaphor, emotional dissonance, and genre-bending ambiguity. Steve's unreliable narration, though artistically effective, demands close attention and may leave some story elements intentionally ambiguous. It is deliberately constructed to blur the boundaries between perception and reality, requiring interpretive patience and inviting multiple readings. This ambiguity is not a flaw, but a narrative choice that reinforces the novel's central themes of ego, illusion, and psychological fragmentation.

In conclusion, The Great Dick: And The Dysfunctional Demon is more than just a horror novel. It's a smart, daring, and emotionally layered story that uses personal experience and professional insight to explore big ideas. It invites readers to laugh, cringe, and reflect—often all at once. For those who enjoy genre-bending fiction, psychological thrillers, or darkly comic horror, this book is a must-read. And for anyone interested in how personal philosophy and narrative strategy can shape fiction, Barry Maher's novel is a compelling case study in turning lived experience into literary depth.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced and filled with Dark humor. Can you handle it?
This is a book with numerous clever references, featuring a dark comedy drama style. Satire and provocative. Plenty of snarkiness and witty banter. A lot happens too. The author sends us on a journey that will stay in our minds for a while, making this satire a unique read. I think this book would make a great audiobook as well.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a creepy book to add to your Oct reading list, grab this one.
Steve saves Victoria from a brutal attack. She in turn offers him a job helping restore an old church she’s bought. Victoria doesn’t really do a whole lot but go on dates. Meanwhile she has Steve looking for some buried treasure that’s supposedly hidden in the church. It’s a slow build til the end which will leave you scratching your head in wonder.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing story that includes mystery, police investigation, demons, a treasure hunt and several dazzling characters. Barry Maher offers a stunning reading experience that will help you escape the mundane world around you. Stunning read!

[Kristen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sharp, clever read that mixes humor with a dose of real-world observation in a way that feels effortless. It’s quirky, bold, and has plenty of personality—definitely the kind of book that sticks with you because it’s not afraid to be a little different. A fun and engaging read that earns its four stars.

[Kayte Shearwood]

This was an interesting read. While it wasn’t my cup of tea it was still a decent read. The writing was done well and the plot was cohesive.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Bruce Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve's Interesting Experience

Bruce Von Stiers

Barry Maher is a motivational speaker and a blogger. His blogs have catchy titles such as Business Is Like Sex and How To Kill A Career.

Barry has also written a few books. Some of them have been business related and another is a novel that blends dystopia and horror. Now Barry has written a new novel that mixes early 1980's culture with the supernatural.

The title of the novel is The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon. It was published by Crystal Lake Publishing. The novel is a bit long, coming in at 445 pages.

John Harris is a professor at Harvard. Or at least he was. He disappeared. But at his last class lecture, he equates The Great Gatsby to Moby Dick. It's a bizarre comparison, apparently fueled by a mind over enhanced by smoking pot.

This starts the novel off with a bang. Of sorts. At least you know from the start that this isn't going to be a boring, eyes can't stay open, kind of novel.

From this introduction, the reader next hops to March of 1982. A Sunday to be exact. The reader knows this because there is a section heading titled Two Women and a Corpse, along with the date I just mentioned. Barry breaks up the novel into both chapters and section headers.

Having travelled from Indiana to California, the narrator, Steve, is ready to ditch his female companion, Maria. They've stopped at her uncle's place. Steve writes a note for Maria, half-truth and half lie. He tries to get his jacket and leave. But he hears arguing and a painful shriek.

Then Steve comes upon a man attacking a woman. He tries to intercede and becomes entrenched in a fight to the death with the man. Then the other man utters some words in Latin and Steve responds, in Latin. What's that all about? And then the other man is struck by a trunk and his body in now nowhere to be found.

Then Steve sees the woman, standing over the man, with both hands on his body. After saying a few things, including that the man was dead, she shoves his body over the edge of a railing, dropping him into the water.

She introduces herself as Victoria Fairchild and Steve tells her his name is Steve Witowski. He picks up the knife that the guy was going to use on Victoria. It had strange carvings with a snakehead on it and three words in Latin.

Then Victoria has Steve walk her home. They end up at the cemetery by the church that Steve had been across the street from, at Maria's uncle's place.

Then the reader finds out that Victoria had recently lost her husband. He'd been some kind of self-help guru.

From there the novel moves along with Victoria offering Steve a job, helping renovate the old church building she's been living in.

But a supernatural type of thing happens to Steve as a tattoo appears on Steve's arm. It is of the guy that Victoria pushed over the railing. But that is only the start of weird things that happen.

There are hints at the supernatural all through the novel. From the title, you'd expect some kind of demon or demonic element to pop up somewhere along the way. I kept waiting for the big reveal, or some semblance of one, as I read along. But when it happened, I was taken by surprise by the reveal. It was quite a bit different from where I thought the novel was leading me towards.

Victoria had bought the church building because it had once belonged to this dude named Zandie. Back in the late 1800's, Zandie was some kind of a cult leader, with supposed supernatural abilities. He was purported to have been buried somewhere on the church property. According to legend, there was a book of spells buried with him. The book of spells, and other artifacts, could be very valuable and fetch a lot of money.

Along with the timeline of 1982, the novel moves back in time ever so often. The reader learns that Steve was a failed songwriter. And that he'd been in prison and was now a fugitive for something unrelated to his incarceration. Oh, and that Steve Witowski wasn't his real name.

Each section of the novel builds on the previous one, with interesting characters and situations appearing. There is Humpert, and later, Leo, who are assisting Victoria liquidate assets. There is O'Ryan, Maria's uncle, who seems to be a little bit crazy. And Maria's husband, Al, who shows up later in the story. There is also quite a bit about this guy, Zandie. It seems his cult was based on sex and the occult.

Steve keeps trying to get next to Victoria, but she keeps brushing him off. At the same time, she seems to be taking on lovers. Is Steve just not appealing to Victoria, or is something else, something nefarious, going on? Along the way, there are some bits and pieces of biting humor that help define the characters.

As I was reading the novel, I kept on trying to figure out just what was going on. I thought at one point that Victoria would turn out to be an incarnation of Aphrodite. Or that she was a succubus. Or that maybe, despite the title, the novel really wasn't about anything too supernatural. Like I mentioned earlier, the reveal was something that I hadn't expected.

The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon is an interesting novel. Steve is like the loser in high school who wants to be with the hottest girl in school but just can't seem to get there. Victoria leads him on and then lets his hopes slip into the dust. And things are not even close to what they seem. The novel blends the loser mentality, lust, some biting humor and the supernatural for an extremely entertaining reading experience.

The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon is available at amazon and other book retailers.

To learn more about the novel, and Barry Maher, visit his official web site at https://www.motivationalpresenter.com/

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barry Maher’s The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon starts with a Harvard professor in the late sixties riffing on Moby-Dick and The Great Gatsby and tossing off the idea of a modern version called “The Great Dick.” The story then jumps to 1982 and to Steve Witowski, a thirty-something screwup on the run from a botched drug deal who stumbles into a brutal assault near an old church on the California coast. He tries to help, kills the attacker in chaotic self-defense, and meets Victoria Fairchild, a luminous stranger with secrets of her own. From there, the book slides into a mix of road novel, noir, and supernatural thriller as Steve gets dragged deeper into a tangle of murder, occult relics, demons that may or may not be real, and his own talent for bad decisions.

Steve opens by flat-out calling himself an asshole, and the narration never lets him off the hook. His inner monologue is sharp, petty, funny, horny, scared, sometimes all in the same beat. The writing leans hard into sensory detail and low-level absurdity, like the reek of the Checker cab or the way cheap weed and an old song drift through the scene right before the attack. The fight on the embankment is brutal and weirdly intimate. Keys in his fist, Latin muttered at the worst possible moment, a truck roaring closer. I could feel the panic in my throat. When the book slows down afterward and lets Steve and Victoria talk, that same energy hums under the dialogue. The tone stays casual and foul-mouthed, yet there is a careful rhythm in the sentences. It feels tossed off in the way really worked-over prose often does. I found myself rereading lines just to enjoy how a joke landed or how an image curved at the end.

The book plays with failure and faith in a way that was thought-provoking. Steve keeps trying to patch his life with lies, quick exits, and a little dope, then suddenly he is neck deep in something that smells like capital E Evil. The dagger with the names of Jehovah, Ahura Mazda, Huitzilopochtli, and Asmodeus etched into the handle is such a great symbol for the book’s spiritual chaos. It pulls Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Aztec gods into the same creepy object and then hands it to a loser who just wanted to dodge a prison sentence. I liked how the story keeps asking what counts as sin, what counts as choice, and where simple cowardice shades into something darker. At the same time, it never reads like a lecture. It feels like a wild story that happens to drag big questions in behind it.

The book is full of sex, violence, and black humor, yet there are small, quiet moves that give it an unexpected emotional weight, little flashes of shame or tenderness or sheer exhausted relief. The setting, work around coastal California, and the abandoned church give the more supernatural turns a solid, grimy base to grow out of, which I really liked, and the whole thing runs on a kind of nervous, late-night momentum.

I would recommend The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon to readers who enjoy flawed, talkative narrators, morally messy thrillers, and horror that leans into both jokes and genuine unease. If you like work in the vein of Carl Hiaasen or early Stephen King but wish it had more occult weirdness and a bit more sex, this will probably hit the spot. For anyone up for a fast, foul-mouthed, slightly unhinged ride that still has something on its mind, I think this book is absolutely worth the trip.

[M. K. French · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1982, failed songwriter Steve Witowski is on the run. He tried to save a woman from an assault, but it turned out to be part of a larger supernatural conspiracy. Victoria brings him into the dilapidated church she bought. As much as Steve thinks the sorcerer's spells are delusions, the dark magic rituals are real. He's drawn into a world of grave robbing, crypts, demons, and occultism, where reality and nightmare blur together.

I'll admit it, the title is not one that would have caught my eye. But as a blind book date, mentioning it's "The Exorcist meets True Detective with a haunted-rockstar edge. Think dark, gritty, and deeply unhinged," and that summary definitely piqued my interest.

It takes a long time for any supernatural shift to happen. Steve isn't exactly a shining pillar of humanity, but he says that in the opening, and we eventually get glimpses of his life. He's sneaking out of one woman's room in the middle of the night when he meets Victoria, who is being attacked at knifepoint. She purchased an old church that had been turned into a whorehouse by a man who thought he was a sorcerer, then purchased by a cult group. With nowhere else to go, Steve stays to do renovations in exchange for a future payment. Victoria has a personal lawyer on retainer and a string of men that visit at night, and is looking for the old sorcerer's grimoire and belongings to sell. This takes up the bulk of the story, and what keeps me hanging on through it is the sense that something isn't quite right with Victoria, and that there's something more to the search for the grimoire.

The characters in this book aren't likable and are not trying to be, so reading this is like watching a car wreck. They're terrible and not particularly nice, but I was curious about what was happening next. The creepy part is in the last third, when the sorcerer's book and spells are real to some extent. The ending is rapid and an emotional mess, but explained everything that was going on. I'm not sure if I like the book, mostly because I didn't particularly like Victoria or most of the other characters. Maria was fine, with a fitting ending. The book is written well and kept me turning pages to find out what happened next, so mission accomplished. If you like morally gray characters, this is worth checking out.

[CHRIS CARTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the early 1980s, the story follows Steve Witowski (an alias), a washed-up songwriter and former counterculture figure now on the run after a disastrous drug deal involving two undercover cops. From the opening, Maher establishes a narrator who is self-aware, morally compromised, and sharply funny, someone readers immediately trust to lead them through chaos, even as he makes one terrible decision after another.

That chaos explodes when Steve intervenes in a violent assault and kills a man in the process. Instead of fleeing (which would be the smart move), he stays, because the woman he rescues, Victoria, is irresistible, mysterious, and clearly dangerous in ways Steve refuses to acknowledge. Her newly purchased building, a former church and long-abandoned brothel, becomes the novel’s beating heart, soaked in occult history, decaying secrets, and escalating dread.

One of Maher’s greatest strengths is tone control. The book is laugh-out-loud funny without undermining its horror. The humour is wicked, profane, and character-driven, making the supernatural turns feel even more unsettling when they arrive. The gradual reveal of the sorcerer’s legacy, the rituals, and the demon itself is masterfully paced, starting as absurd curiosity and curdling into genuine nightmare fuel.

The characters are gloriously flawed. Steve is obsessive, horny, insecure, and emotionally reckless, but deeply human. Victoria is magnetic, unsettling, and exquisitely written; the reader senses something is wrong long before the full truth emerges, and when it does, it lands with brutal effectiveness. Even the secondary characters feel lived-in, contributing to a world that feels both grimy and oddly affectionate.

The twists keep coming right to the end, and unlike many twist-heavy novels, they feel earned rather than gimmicky. The supernatural elements escalate naturally, and when the book fully embraces fire, blood, demons, and damnation, it does so without losing its wit or narrative momentum.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon by Barry Maher is one of the strangest, darkest, most unexpectedly entertaining books I’ve read in a while and I mean that as a compliment.

The story drops me right into 1982 with Steve Witowski, a failed songwriter who can’t seem to get anything right including staying out of trouble. One heroic act saving a woman from a brutal attack sends his life into a tailspin of supernatural chaos, grave robbing, and demon drama that feels part noir thriller, part fever dream. And yet, through all the madness, Steve clings to logic, refusing to believe what’s happening is real. Spoiler: it very much is!

Victoria, the mysterious woman with a haunted church and way too many secrets, is the kind of character who keeps you guessing: is she a victim, a manipulator, or something in between? The book walks that razor edge between the psychological and the supernatural so tightly that half the time, I wasn’t sure what was real and that’s exactly what made it so fun.

Maher’s writing is gritty, funny, and just the right amount of unhinged. It feels like The Exorcist took a detour through a rock bar and decided to hang out with American Psycho for a bit. There’s blood, there’s dark humor, there’s existential dread and somehow it all works.

By the time Steve starts questioning his own sanity and, uh, the demonic face growing out of his arm, I was fully hooked. It’s grotesque, weirdly profound, and impossible to look away from.

⚡️Thank you Author Marketing Experts and Barry Maher for sharing this book with me!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Great Dick & the Dysfunctional Demon surprised me in a really good way. The writing itself is superb, with the story being tight, confident, and immersive especially in how it builds atmosphere and character. The story takes its time getting to what most people would expect from a thriller or horror novel, and because of that, the opening leans more grounded and character-driven than scary. For a while, it feels like a supernatural mystery more than outright horror, and even when things start to turn, the horror elements stay fairly mild. That said, the slow burn works in its favor. It gives weight to Steve as a character and makes the world feel lived-in before things go completely off the rails.

Once the shoe finally drops, the book really takes off. The supernatural elements click into place, the tension ramps up, and everything that felt subtle early on starts to pay off in a big way. The story becomes gripping without losing its sense of control, and the ending is especially strong. The epilogue leaves you wanting more. Not because it feels incomplete, but because it opens the door to bigger questions. You can’t help but wonder what happens next, what other stories could exist in this world, and how certain events in Steve’s future actually came to be. It’s the kind of ending that sticks with you and makes the story feel larger than just this one book.

Overall, this is a well-written supernatural story that rewards patience and delivers when it counts. 4 out of 5 stars.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a fantastic horror novel. The author did an incredible job of capturing the campy 80s supernatural and occult vibes that the genre was known for during that era, while also infusing humor and wit into the character arcs and dialogue along the way. The suspense plays well in this narrative, initially seeming more like a thriller before slowly peeling back the layers and delving into the dark heart of characters readers have known throughout their lives.

The dynamic character development and supernatural mythology explored in the book are what make it so engaging. The book delves into occult rituals and witchcraft lore, while also blending psychological horror and other elements into the narrative. The story is very adult-driven, with bloody imagery and heated sexual tension laced throughout the narrative, and the climactic final chapters will keep readers tense as these characters come crashing together in ways no one could have seen coming.

The Verdict

Dynamic, entertaining, and compelling, author Barry Maher’s “The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon” is a must-read campy horror and occult novel. The twists and turns, the chilling atmosphere, and the captivating characters will blend well into the upcoming spooky season and do well with audiences who are rediscovering films such as Witchboard this holiday season.

[Nicole Dunton · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Title: The Great Dick
✍️ Author: Barry Maher
⭐️ Rating: (3.5 out of 5)
📅 Date Finished: September 27th, 2025
—————————————————————————
🧵 Quick Summary:
It’s 1982. Steve Witowski, a failed songwriter on the run, saves a woman under attack and winds up entangled in a gruesome supernatural conspiracy. The woman, Victoria, has just bought a dilapidated church with a dark past, and Steve soon realizes that something terrible from the dead is hunting them. As occult rituals, grave-looting, and a demon’s growing hunger collide, Steve must navigate a bizarre, violent underworld while trying to survive long enough to figure out what’s real and what’s hell.
💭 What I Loved:
- The fact that it takes place in the early 80s.
- The spooky vibes.
- The variety of tense conflicts sprinkled through
😬 What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Steve Witowski
- Some parts jumped a bit too fast and didn’t make sense to me.
🗣️ Final Thoughts:
Despite some things that rubbed me the wrong way, I really did enjoy this book more than I thought it would. I didn’t really pick up the paranormal vibes until about halfway or further through the book. That might be a me having a dense moment though. In all honesty, I didn’t like the main character. I kind of wish I could have read the book from another point of view. It might have added to my enjoyment of the story.

[Divya Agrawal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright- this book what felt like a murder-horror mystery turned out to be a mix of all.

The great dick follows the story for Steve Witowski, a Harvard grad and small time drug dealer running from a botched deal in the Midwest. He somehow gets ends up in the creepy coastal Californja town and crosses paths with Victoria, a gorgeous widow who he saves from an assault. They soon gets entangled into murder, guilt, sex and literal demons.

The first half of the story felt dragged with slow pace and too much inner monologue. I had stopped reading for while because of oversexualization of every other women Main character encountered.
Also, in the start it got difficult to get a hang of what was happening as where scenes shifting swiftly without any recollection or connection to previous one.

Apart from this, I enjoyed reading the last Act of the book. This book is a messy one with a cynical writing. Would recommend to readers who are a fan of dark humor and don't mind to stick around for a while.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Book Review 📖 Not every book is easy to judge by its cover and not every jerk turns out to be the villain in the story. Steve is a self-proclaimed a**hole on the run from the law with an alias and a myriad of questionable marks on his resume but maybe he’s not all bad…after all he did save a damsel in distress from an attack. Except Victoria is no real damsel in distress, she too is a beautifully complex character that adds layers of intrigue and humor to this multifaceted tale. As the two embark on a renovation of an old church that Victoria has purchased after the death of her husband, a web of sinister occurrences surround them.

Without a doubt, there are various evils that exist in this world and it comes in many forms. Barry Maher explores the depths from human forms to the supernatural in a brilliantly hilarious trip back to 1982 that bends reality the further into the pages you turn.

[Colin Garrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Failed songwriter Steve Witowski needs somewhere to hide. On the run from the police, he stumbles upon a woman being attacked and soon finds himself hailed as a hero. The victim, Victoria, invites him to stay with her in a haunted church where Steve becomes embroiled in a nightmare of blood and murder. Are these weird happenings simply delusion and fantasy? Probably not…

Set in 1982 this book starts off as a bit of a comedic romp with a hero who isn’t who he says he is and a strange woman who delves in black magic. There are various supernatural trickeries leading the hero into curses, sorcery and dark horror. Initially, I loved the characters and all the weird goings on, but after a while the plot did seem to become unnecessarily complicated, which tainted my enjoyment a little. Nevertheless, it’s a clever and witty tale with an interesting take on the traditional hero.

A witty tale of demons, cops, witchery and haunted churches.

[Maps R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the same, I love thrillers and I was aiming to find one that felt different. This one, with the Literary Titan Book Award, got my attention. Not disappointed, this book was perfect for me, it manages to get your attention from the beginning, it is a supernatural thriller blended with dark humor.

The author's writing style is great, you will be set into a chaotic journey in 1982 where everything seems quite confusing. You will get to know amazing characters like Steve, he is a hero, he is questioning reality and makes you question it too, and gets connected with Victoria in a particular way. This relationship will build up in an ongoing tension that will create the perfect pacing for the story, you will be so immersed that you will like to read it all very fast.

Every chapter is a new layer that adds spice to what is going on. Allow yourself to feel it with the characters and get immersed in a fantastic story.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @therealbookgal & Barry Maher for the gifted copy.


Okay, okay. This book was just not what I was expecting. It’s definitely not the kind of book I would’ve picked up on my own, totally out of my realm, but I’m glad I got the chance to read it. It’s got that horror, comedy, and ‘80s sarcasm all meshed into one. The book’s titled The Great Dick, and honestly, that seemed a bit intimidating if you ask me, lol. I wasn’t sure what to expect! The book is different but unhinged in a good way. The great part about it is that while it dives into this dark, occult storyline, it also doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s humor buried in there — deep, dark humor. Not the kind that makes you laugh out loud, but more of a dry, sarcastic edge that not everyone will find funny. You kind of have to have a certain sense of humor to really get it.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to see another book with Gavin Kennan AKA Steve Witowski

Absolutely loved this book, and I honestly want more. Barry Maher has a writing style that is distinctly his. It’s fun, witty and humorous. He’s one of those authors that if he wrote under a different pen name, you would quickly realize it was his writing (if you pay attention to a persons writing style that is)

The story is intriguing and unique, and if it wasn’t for a busy schedule, I would have had it finished in a couple of days. It was a hard one to put down.

The characters are well written, the story line is fantastic, the pace is just right and it’s is definitely a page turner.

How this book hasn’t received more recognition is beyond me. It is one I will be referring to fellow readers, and is actually being handed off to a friend.

It’s one that I would consider book shelf worthy.

[Logan Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barry Maher’s The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon is a dark, bizarre, and compulsively readable supernatural thriller that completely unchains itself from traditional genre conventions. The occult world building and hidden history are dense enough to rival the lore of a dark Pathfinder campaign. Maher's writing balances genuine supernatural tension with a razor-sharp, satirical voice. The protagonist's constant internal struggle between self preservation and doing the right thing makes for a surprisingly grounded anchor in an otherwise incredibly weird story. It's a fantastic, page turning read that serves up lurid crime, black magic, and sly wit in equal measure. I cannot recommend this book enough, it should be on everyone's nightstand, coffee table, desk, or end table next to their regularly dented futon seat.

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughing at what feels uncomfortable also says something

This book left me with a slightly strange feeling, because it mixes things that should be scary with moments that almost make you laugh. And you kind of do not know how to take it. But thinking about it, that also happens in real life… there are uncomfortable or difficult situations that people end up handling with humor, even if inside it does not feel funny at all.

It made me think that sometimes you do not really face things directly, you go around them, you disguise them, or just react however you can. Not always in the best way, to be honest. And that feels very close to real life.

I am not sure if it is a book to take too seriously, but it leaves that idea that even in something absurd there is something that reflects how people are.

[Carlos Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, the title alone made me stop and laugh a bit, which is probably why I decided to give it a chance and read it. I wasn't sure what I was getting into, but sometimes that's the best way to start a book.
What surprised me was how much I connected with the demon character. There's something about a creature that's supposed to be scary but just isn't quite working right that felt really relatable. Like, we all have that part of us that feels a bit broken or out of place.
This book made me think about how we deal with the things inside us that don't behave the way we expect. While reading, I kept thinking about my own dysfunctional sides, the habits, the fears, the weird thoughts. Maybe, we're all carrying something a bit chaotic with us.
It's not a perfect book, but it's the kind of story that stays with you in small, quiet ways. And sometimes that's enough.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Great Dick”, which won a major literary award, is undoubtedly a must-read, and there are two main reasons for this. First, because its style is surprising: mixing laughter with horror doesn’t seem like a compatible combination, and yet the author, Barry Maher, has crafted a memorable and magnificent tale. He’s exceptionally talented and I strongly believe he has to continue sharing his genius literary with the readers!
Second, and no less important, is the fast-paced narrative that left me breathless on more than one occasion.
It must be said that the story is extremely long, so you’ll need to take your time with it; however, as soon as you dive into its pages, you’ll forget everything, even getting some sleep—it’s completely addictive!

[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon by Barry Maher is a very different and surprising book based on my taste. At first, the title made me think the book would be just funny or strange, but the story is actually deeper than I expected. I really liked the main character, Steve. He is not a perfect hero at all, and sometimes he makes bad decisions. But that made him feel more real to me.

The story made me think about how people try to understand themselves and change over time. In my own life, there have been moments when I realized I needed to grow or do things differently, but it was not always easy. Sometimes we want to move forward, but we still carry parts of our past with us. I felt that same struggle in the character, and it made the story feel more personal.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise from the very first pages. It's not just horror or mystery; it has a dark humor that made me laugh at unexpected moments. The story moves quickly, and something strange or unsettling is always happening, which kept me hooked the whole time. The protagonist is flawed and somewhat chaotic, but that's precisely what makes him interesting and easy to follow.
I liked how the supernatural is mixed with almost absurd situations without losing tension. There are intense scenes, but also lighter ones that balance the reading experience well. I felt like I was on a strange, funny, and slightly disturbing rollercoaster ride. It's one of those unique books that you really enjoy.