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Dex Territory
Detective Rick O’Shea is an ordinary cop in an extraordinary world of superheroes and super-villains, most of whom are out to kill him, and a few who only want to love him. His job is to keep them from killing each other, made more difficult by a serial killer known as the Reaper. When a riot between superpowers breaks out, and half the downtown area is in ruins, Rick must untangle a web of lies and betrayals, team up with his archenemy, and uncover the true mastermind of the violence before he’s busted down to meter-maid and the entire city is reduced to shambles.
392 pages, Paperback
First published December 11, 2014
2 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Mark Aberdeen
3 books23 followersMark Aberdeen was born and raised on a family farm along the Southeastern Connecticut shoreline. He cobbled together an education and a varied career, which includes: armament technician in the US Army, submarine builder for the US Navy, cook, restaurant manager, retail sales, highly unpaid actor, and currently works in field of telecommunications despite a lack of talent, skill, or the study of anything useful. He currently lives in North Georgia with his wife and two rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 4, 2016
This was a huge surprise. The first 20-30 pages weren’t bad. As a matter of fact, the novel started out with a banging brawl in New London (don’t know if there’s a real New London) with super humans being the cause of all the mayhem. So I’m thinking X-men packaged in the novel form. Fair enough except that from where I sit the superhero genre has become somewhat passé in cinema which put me at a crossroads as to trudge on in this story or move on to something else. Boy, am I glad I continued. This novel only barely resembles the superhero genre overdone at the box office. Mark Aberdeen has crafted a magnetic tale that demands your attention from beginning to end.
Dex Territory is one of those stories that perform at every level. It hits the middle ground of being smart, but too smart in its plot. It’s extremely funny without trying to be. I found myself laughing out loud the further along I read. Aberdeen accomplishes this with keen character development starting with hard-to-like, hard-to-hate flawed protagonist, detective Richard O’Shea, head of the Superhuman Task Force (STF). Aberdeen puts you square in the mind of O’Shea with a first-person P.O.V. that rocks out like film noir/Mickey Spillane. But he doesn’t stop there; he does the same with an array of other minor characters that almost literally jump off the page the way your favorite actor or actress might light up the screen.
Minor characters include loyal partner, Duke, mysterious girlfriend, Danielle, and new love interest, curvaceous Pink Panther aka Monica Voight. Check out these cool characters that round out the Dexes (short for spandex): The Reaper, Phantasm, Plague, The Chessman, Ruff ‘N Tuff. There’s even a mad scientist that wears the coolest glasses ever, named Quarks.
Aberdeen obviously has a talent for character development. Even characters that make an appearance late in the story, like American Eagle and the sensuous Tink have there own voice in a big way, so much so, you always know who’s talking without being clued in. It’s hard to believe this is Aberdeen’s first novel. The writing and storytelling are stellar. I love the settings. The descriptions are vivid. The dialogue is snappy and authentic, and the plot keeps you guessing until the very end. Simply put, the story is strong and sexy. This book that makes me rethink some of the fives I’ve given and sets the bar a little higher.
One of my colleagues thought that good reviews should always give some negatives along with positives (He’s dark like that) Here’s my negative on Dex Territory. It made me truly sad that I might never see this masterpiece of the superhero genre depicted on the big screen, because it really deserves to be there. Oh … one more thing, an important thing. The hero of the story is no superhero at all, but a human among super humans. I love it. You rock Mark Aberdeen. I can’t wait to read part two of this, which I just recently found out exist.
Dex Territory is one of those stories that perform at every level. It hits the middle ground of being smart, but too smart in its plot. It’s extremely funny without trying to be. I found myself laughing out loud the further along I read. Aberdeen accomplishes this with keen character development starting with hard-to-like, hard-to-hate flawed protagonist, detective Richard O’Shea, head of the Superhuman Task Force (STF). Aberdeen puts you square in the mind of O’Shea with a first-person P.O.V. that rocks out like film noir/Mickey Spillane. But he doesn’t stop there; he does the same with an array of other minor characters that almost literally jump off the page the way your favorite actor or actress might light up the screen.
Minor characters include loyal partner, Duke, mysterious girlfriend, Danielle, and new love interest, curvaceous Pink Panther aka Monica Voight. Check out these cool characters that round out the Dexes (short for spandex): The Reaper, Phantasm, Plague, The Chessman, Ruff ‘N Tuff. There’s even a mad scientist that wears the coolest glasses ever, named Quarks.
Aberdeen obviously has a talent for character development. Even characters that make an appearance late in the story, like American Eagle and the sensuous Tink have there own voice in a big way, so much so, you always know who’s talking without being clued in. It’s hard to believe this is Aberdeen’s first novel. The writing and storytelling are stellar. I love the settings. The descriptions are vivid. The dialogue is snappy and authentic, and the plot keeps you guessing until the very end. Simply put, the story is strong and sexy. This book that makes me rethink some of the fives I’ve given and sets the bar a little higher.
One of my colleagues thought that good reviews should always give some negatives along with positives (He’s dark like that) Here’s my negative on Dex Territory. It made me truly sad that I might never see this masterpiece of the superhero genre depicted on the big screen, because it really deserves to be there. Oh … one more thing, an important thing. The hero of the story is no superhero at all, but a human among super humans. I love it. You rock Mark Aberdeen. I can’t wait to read part two of this, which I just recently found out exist.
April 4, 2016
I started this book and then had to stop for awhile because it wasn't what I was after at the time. This weekend I had a craving for something different and edgy and started again and then I couldn't stop. Not what I expected but certainly worth the read if you like superhero/cop/suspense. Loved the gritty storytelling and pace and the characters were creative, well-developed and often humorous. I'm on to the next book soon.
October 24, 2015
As an author myself, I sometimes find it hard to write reviews for other authors, as I can be a bit more critical than the general readership. In this case, however the review wrote itself. Mark has created an interesting world where the extroadinary has become normal, and everyone is learning how to 'deal' with the repercussions.
The cast of this experience is long, and that is perhaps the one hesitation I have in relation to this book is there are a lot of characters to get to know. This is offset well; however, in the fact that our main interest in the book is Detective O'shea, and we follow him exclusively through this book as he tries to do his duty as a police officer in a world where his adversaries can do the unbelievable.
Marks writing is excellent, carrying you along with O'Shea, describing the world that he lives in.
If you are like me and love to pursue the idea of a world very different than our own, where super heroes and just as capable villians live, this is definitely a book for you
The cast of this experience is long, and that is perhaps the one hesitation I have in relation to this book is there are a lot of characters to get to know. This is offset well; however, in the fact that our main interest in the book is Detective O'shea, and we follow him exclusively through this book as he tries to do his duty as a police officer in a world where his adversaries can do the unbelievable.
Marks writing is excellent, carrying you along with O'Shea, describing the world that he lives in.
If you are like me and love to pursue the idea of a world very different than our own, where super heroes and just as capable villians live, this is definitely a book for you
October 27, 2015
Recommend to fans of Gotham and those who like their novels with lots of action and substance. 'Dex Territory' by Mark Aberdeen gives you a kick in the face, but in a joyful way that you'll like. After a long week at work, I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense and settings of this hard-boiled detective story. The author captures the unique detail of each character, making them real as if the reader already knows them personally. He masterfully lets the reader enjoy the vibrant warmth and charm of the main character Rick O'Shea as he intertwines the strengths and flaws in all of the character as the plot unfolds. Excellent read!
February 17, 2015
If the world is going to Hell in a hand-basket, I know who I want on my team!
Rick O'Shea is a top-notch, rough-and-tough detective who's not only sexy and smart, but skilled in dealing with super heros and super villains. And he's got his hands full of both in this can't-put-down action thriller by Mark Aberdeen.
This book is well written and fun to read. The characters are as colorful and original as the plot. You'll be on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
I highly recommend Dex Territory!
Rick O'Shea is a top-notch, rough-and-tough detective who's not only sexy and smart, but skilled in dealing with super heros and super villains. And he's got his hands full of both in this can't-put-down action thriller by Mark Aberdeen.
This book is well written and fun to read. The characters are as colorful and original as the plot. You'll be on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
I highly recommend Dex Territory!
November 26, 2015
Are you ready for a narrative told in classic Mickey Spillane first person straight-from-the-shoulder style by an archetypal, square-jawed, rule-bending lawman with an Irish name versus X-People in Spandex bending every which way while demonstrating an infinite capacity for creating every kind of superhero/villain butt-kicking action-movie mayhem? And how willing are you to suspend disbelief? If the answers to those two questions are “Yes” and “Very”, this is the series for you!
Mark Aberdeen demonstrates his mastery of the style in the first couple of pages, and then gives you fair warning of the rollercoaster plot-ride you’re about to take by plunging you into a downtown riot of Gothamesque proportions. The inference seems to be: if you can take this then you’ll be fine for the rest of the book.
John Locke once said that his books weren’t for everybody, but they were for some people and he knew how to find them. A glance at the reviews reveals that Mark Aberdeen has found an enthusiastic following among those who post in amazon.com but is yet to be discovered by those who post in amazon.co.uk. Maybe I can help him with that!
There were times in the story when the words “Gimme a break!” came to mind, and other times when I had difficulty keeping up with the sheer number of Dexes with their bewildering plethora of super-powers. I was reminded of the kind of first person shooter video game where no matter how terminal your injuries might be you can always find a medical kit that restores you to health, ready for the next crazy confrontation. There was something very comic book about it, which for me made it hard to empathise with the main character – Detective Rick O’Shea – and the moral dilemmas Mark Aberdeen gave him in an attempt (it seemed to me) to add depth to the character.
As a writer myself, I am well aware that reviews tell you more about the reviewer than they do about the book being reviewed. I’m also aware that I’ve entered some honest caveats, but stress that they’re mine and not necessarily anyone else’s. It’s a highly entertaining book and a challenging fusion of genres. It’s largely very well written in a style that has stood the popularity test of time, and it moves along at breakneck speed. There is certainly an enthusiastic readership out there for ‘Dex Territory’.
Mark Aberdeen demonstrates his mastery of the style in the first couple of pages, and then gives you fair warning of the rollercoaster plot-ride you’re about to take by plunging you into a downtown riot of Gothamesque proportions. The inference seems to be: if you can take this then you’ll be fine for the rest of the book.
John Locke once said that his books weren’t for everybody, but they were for some people and he knew how to find them. A glance at the reviews reveals that Mark Aberdeen has found an enthusiastic following among those who post in amazon.com but is yet to be discovered by those who post in amazon.co.uk. Maybe I can help him with that!
There were times in the story when the words “Gimme a break!” came to mind, and other times when I had difficulty keeping up with the sheer number of Dexes with their bewildering plethora of super-powers. I was reminded of the kind of first person shooter video game where no matter how terminal your injuries might be you can always find a medical kit that restores you to health, ready for the next crazy confrontation. There was something very comic book about it, which for me made it hard to empathise with the main character – Detective Rick O’Shea – and the moral dilemmas Mark Aberdeen gave him in an attempt (it seemed to me) to add depth to the character.
As a writer myself, I am well aware that reviews tell you more about the reviewer than they do about the book being reviewed. I’m also aware that I’ve entered some honest caveats, but stress that they’re mine and not necessarily anyone else’s. It’s a highly entertaining book and a challenging fusion of genres. It’s largely very well written in a style that has stood the popularity test of time, and it moves along at breakneck speed. There is certainly an enthusiastic readership out there for ‘Dex Territory’.
April 16, 2025
'Dex Territory' is a deft blend of a hard-boiled Mickey Spillane detective story set against a background of spandex-clad superheroes gone wild after being tricked into a drug-induced big Brawl downtown.
Rick O’Shea, the protagonist, tells his own story (in the 1st person voice) of how, as a cop, he set about the thankless job of exonerating his Dex friends and bringing the evil parties to justice, even if the authorities would rather he just do it all as quietly as possible and then disappear. His commentary on the people and events that cross his path unfolds with a wry sense of the absurd and the comic that had me laughing and smiling out loud throughout. And seriously, I’m not even a fan of the detective genre, yet I enjoyed this homage to all its familiar elements. It also has some of the tone of Hellboy, and I’d argue surpasses the banter and violent high jinks of such crime fiction as J. A. Konrath’s ‘Jack Daniels’ novels.
The plot moves along fast as O’Shea, recovering from multiple injuries, unravels the multiple setups and deceptions he encounters on the case. The characters all come to us through him, through his observation, interaction, and dialog. They confront, lie to, betray, drink with, walk out on, confide in, drown their sorrows with, make ultimatums to, and joke with – O’Shea, much to his chagrin, resignation, and occasional good grace.
The superhero angle works fine, though some genre purists may take it amiss. Their function is to be the framed innocents who Rick works to clear. It works well here, and they add more hilarious complications to O’Shea’s already complicated life.
'Dex Territory' is well worth your time even if you aren’t a fan of detective fiction.
Rick O’Shea, the protagonist, tells his own story (in the 1st person voice) of how, as a cop, he set about the thankless job of exonerating his Dex friends and bringing the evil parties to justice, even if the authorities would rather he just do it all as quietly as possible and then disappear. His commentary on the people and events that cross his path unfolds with a wry sense of the absurd and the comic that had me laughing and smiling out loud throughout. And seriously, I’m not even a fan of the detective genre, yet I enjoyed this homage to all its familiar elements. It also has some of the tone of Hellboy, and I’d argue surpasses the banter and violent high jinks of such crime fiction as J. A. Konrath’s ‘Jack Daniels’ novels.
The plot moves along fast as O’Shea, recovering from multiple injuries, unravels the multiple setups and deceptions he encounters on the case. The characters all come to us through him, through his observation, interaction, and dialog. They confront, lie to, betray, drink with, walk out on, confide in, drown their sorrows with, make ultimatums to, and joke with – O’Shea, much to his chagrin, resignation, and occasional good grace.
The superhero angle works fine, though some genre purists may take it amiss. Their function is to be the framed innocents who Rick works to clear. It works well here, and they add more hilarious complications to O’Shea’s already complicated life.
'Dex Territory' is well worth your time even if you aren’t a fan of detective fiction.
August 11, 2015
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads and it turned out to be a good book.
I needed a long time to read the first 50 pages and often wanted to stop reading because I wasn`t hooked, but due to all the good reviews I decided to finish it. And I am happy that I did so, because it became much better and I really liked it.
Lots of action, interesting characters, good story. A recommendable easy read for action fans.
I needed a long time to read the first 50 pages and often wanted to stop reading because I wasn`t hooked, but due to all the good reviews I decided to finish it. And I am happy that I did so, because it became much better and I really liked it.
Lots of action, interesting characters, good story. A recommendable easy read for action fans.
September 19, 2015
I won this book as part of a Goodreads Firstreads promotion.
This book was a bit slow to get into at first, but it was an enjoyable read. Detective Rick O'Shea is having a really hard time. He lives in a world of super heroes and villains. Throw in a killer called the Reaper and all heck breaks out. But leave it to Rick to get to the bottom of everything. You will enjoy this book!
This book was a bit slow to get into at first, but it was an enjoyable read. Detective Rick O'Shea is having a really hard time. He lives in a world of super heroes and villains. Throw in a killer called the Reaper and all heck breaks out. But leave it to Rick to get to the bottom of everything. You will enjoy this book!
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January 20, 2020I won a paperback copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
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September 26, 2015This book was my first novel that I felt had what it took to get published. It's a crazy story where I put an ordinary police detective, living with serious problems out on the street way in over his head. He not only battle criminals he can't hope to win, but inner demons left from a very bad day on the battlefield. He was an Army ranger and has the scars and the night sweats to prove it. Thankfully, Rick isn't alone he's part of a task force of other ordinary cops and it's there job to handle Dex related issues. Dex is short for spandex.
Rick has built up some good will and earned friends in the Dex community and he knows there are heroes out there and other who exploit their powers. It leads to tension in the community, sometime epically.
I wrote a book that was about escapism, some hard boiled fun, a damsel that would save the hero from being in distress. I knocked some tropes around to give the reader a messy world, filled with relationships that aren't easy and friends that may have a different agenda. Some that might have Rick's back and some that would rather stick a laserbolt through it.
The city is New London. It's a working class town. it doesn't have the majestic skyscrapers of New York, or Chicago, but has crime built into the very foundations of the buildings. It's a place where a smart cop lives long enough to retire, and a good cop better have a life insurance policy.
I want the reader to have a good time as Rick hunts down a killer and figures out why his city has gone bonkers with super-powers. There's a woman, there's always a woman, but is she prey, or a praying mantis.
And finally, hope of cure to the retrovirus that made everything possible twenty years ago. The CEO of UltraGen, Jonathan Ford, seems to think so. World the world endure the extraordinary merely becoming the ordinary. Could someone come back from a life a great deeds to something mundane?
Come join the adventure of endless impossibilities.
Rick has built up some good will and earned friends in the Dex community and he knows there are heroes out there and other who exploit their powers. It leads to tension in the community, sometime epically.
I wrote a book that was about escapism, some hard boiled fun, a damsel that would save the hero from being in distress. I knocked some tropes around to give the reader a messy world, filled with relationships that aren't easy and friends that may have a different agenda. Some that might have Rick's back and some that would rather stick a laserbolt through it.
The city is New London. It's a working class town. it doesn't have the majestic skyscrapers of New York, or Chicago, but has crime built into the very foundations of the buildings. It's a place where a smart cop lives long enough to retire, and a good cop better have a life insurance policy.
I want the reader to have a good time as Rick hunts down a killer and figures out why his city has gone bonkers with super-powers. There's a woman, there's always a woman, but is she prey, or a praying mantis.
And finally, hope of cure to the retrovirus that made everything possible twenty years ago. The CEO of UltraGen, Jonathan Ford, seems to think so. World the world endure the extraordinary merely becoming the ordinary. Could someone come back from a life a great deeds to something mundane?
Come join the adventure of endless impossibilities.
February 3, 2016
Loved this. Moving on to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews