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Spider
A deeply jaded ex-CIA agent with a long-held grievance. A disillusioned politician's daughter, called to account for her father's sins. A teenage prostitute in a hopeless downward spiral.
San Diego lawyer Cassandra Dunne is trapped in a world she wants no part of, with a father whose career has controlled the entire trajectory of her life. But when she is yanked out of this existence by a dark man with a terrifying past, she must re-rexamine everything she thought she understood about herself and her father.
For the man holding her is no run-of-the-mill kidnapper. He was once of the CIA's most dangerous agents, a man whose moral compass has been destroyed by a decade of torture and murder—and the methods he honed at the behest of men like Cassandra's father he soon turns on Cassandra. Confined in a mysterious cell in an unknown location, tormented by a teenage girl whose behavior makes little sense, Cassandra can only survive by coming to understand the true meaning of freedom.
Redemption is there. If only she can take it.
San Diego lawyer Cassandra Dunne is trapped in a world she wants no part of, with a father whose career has controlled the entire trajectory of her life. But when she is yanked out of this existence by a dark man with a terrifying past, she must re-rexamine everything she thought she understood about herself and her father.
For the man holding her is no run-of-the-mill kidnapper. He was once of the CIA's most dangerous agents, a man whose moral compass has been destroyed by a decade of torture and murder—and the methods he honed at the behest of men like Cassandra's father he soon turns on Cassandra. Confined in a mysterious cell in an unknown location, tormented by a teenage girl whose behavior makes little sense, Cassandra can only survive by coming to understand the true meaning of freedom.
Redemption is there. If only she can take it.
- GenresErotica
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2016
15 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Michael Dalton
82 books321 followersMichael Dalton is a professional journalist and editor.
Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.
Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.
Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.
Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 5, 2016
I have read much of Michael Dalton’s work. To say I am a fan of his writing is an understatement. But this? This is, by far, my favorite. In my humble opinion, it is a work of literary genius. It has everything great literature is made of and has the erotic darkness that I so crave in my reading. Spider gripped me from the very first page until the very last. I couldn’t put it down.
"The man,” is a dark figure. He is an ex CIA agent, and he is flawed and unemotional, and in the weirdest way, I was drawn to him. He is not kind, and yet he has that sexier-than-hell-but-I-only-want-him-in-my-fantasies flavor. Even more, Dalton allows us glimpses into his nature that show he is not all he appears to be. He is not completely shrouded in darkness, which gives us room to empathize with him, even if in small doses.
If you're looking for an erotic read, the erotic elements begin from that very first scene, drawing the reader into the main character's persona immediately, but Spider is so more than that. It is filled with literary constructs, such as the flashback, to great effect. History is weaved in as well, making this dark tale so believable, it is chilling. You can imagine him, stoic and a victim of his past. You can imagine the teenage prostitute, lost and alone. And you can imagine the victim of kidnapping, confused and unhappy with her previous life.
What is even more remarkable is the way Dalton weaves the tale, just as a spider might, and the ending sent me reeling, sitting straight up in bed with my heart beating a mile a minute. I just didn’t see it coming. And I thought about the story long after I put it down.
I loved this book. Truly. It is part dark romance, part mystery, part thriller, part historical fiction, and what is left is a web that you are guiltily happy to have been trapped in. Eagerly awaiting the sequel.
"The man,” is a dark figure. He is an ex CIA agent, and he is flawed and unemotional, and in the weirdest way, I was drawn to him. He is not kind, and yet he has that sexier-than-hell-but-I-only-want-him-in-my-fantasies flavor. Even more, Dalton allows us glimpses into his nature that show he is not all he appears to be. He is not completely shrouded in darkness, which gives us room to empathize with him, even if in small doses.
If you're looking for an erotic read, the erotic elements begin from that very first scene, drawing the reader into the main character's persona immediately, but Spider is so more than that. It is filled with literary constructs, such as the flashback, to great effect. History is weaved in as well, making this dark tale so believable, it is chilling. You can imagine him, stoic and a victim of his past. You can imagine the teenage prostitute, lost and alone. And you can imagine the victim of kidnapping, confused and unhappy with her previous life.
What is even more remarkable is the way Dalton weaves the tale, just as a spider might, and the ending sent me reeling, sitting straight up in bed with my heart beating a mile a minute. I just didn’t see it coming. And I thought about the story long after I put it down.
I loved this book. Truly. It is part dark romance, part mystery, part thriller, part historical fiction, and what is left is a web that you are guiltily happy to have been trapped in. Eagerly awaiting the sequel.
May 15, 2016
I don't normally review books. I'll only do it in rare circumstances, usually when I want to share an author I really like, one I took the chance on reading when I have a TBR list that's a mile high. I was intrigued by the title and the description of this book, thus I even went so far as to pre-order it on Amazon--another thing I rarely do.
An ex operative with a score to settle, his past was dark, gritty, and filled with dirty business. The women he targeted and encountered were dissatisfied with their supposed lot in life, willing to take the plunge when opportunity presented itself, no matter how strange it might have seemed.
Spider is the first book I've read by Michael Dalton, and I was never more impressed. I must say that I've never read so smooth an author. I never once got confused about who the characters were, and was able to keep track of them all with ease. The chapter transitions were smooth and logical; I didn't have to go back and re-read to re-orient myself. The prose was clear and contained just enough information to set the scene and characters and pull me in. No extra fluff anywhere.
The erotica in this book was enough to make it fit nicely into the genre, and blended well into the story. The author seemed to have a good handle on BDSM and some of the philosophies behind it. Total trust, surrendering that makes you truly free. There was a good balance of story with erotic elements. Nothing was overdone or lacking.
This is not a sweet story, nor does it contain cheesy dialogue and silly actions that I sometimes find in books of this nature.
What I found interesting is that the author left an enticing trail of treats, pulling me in one nibble at a time, until I realized that I was halfway through the book and still didn't have a handle on just what the big picture or the goal was. What's more interesting is that it didn't matter. I knew enough chapter by chapter that I wanted to keep reading to find out. Everything made sense.
The twist at the end was amazing and all in all I enjoyed how everything came together in one seamless action and chapter at a time.
Character development was concise and smooth. I knew just enough about each one so I could appreciate their past and subsequent behavior. I never grew bored and looked forward to each read until I reached the end. If you're looking for a story that's dark, mysterious, descriptive, and alluring, Spider will not disappoint.
An ex operative with a score to settle, his past was dark, gritty, and filled with dirty business. The women he targeted and encountered were dissatisfied with their supposed lot in life, willing to take the plunge when opportunity presented itself, no matter how strange it might have seemed.
Spider is the first book I've read by Michael Dalton, and I was never more impressed. I must say that I've never read so smooth an author. I never once got confused about who the characters were, and was able to keep track of them all with ease. The chapter transitions were smooth and logical; I didn't have to go back and re-read to re-orient myself. The prose was clear and contained just enough information to set the scene and characters and pull me in. No extra fluff anywhere.
The erotica in this book was enough to make it fit nicely into the genre, and blended well into the story. The author seemed to have a good handle on BDSM and some of the philosophies behind it. Total trust, surrendering that makes you truly free. There was a good balance of story with erotic elements. Nothing was overdone or lacking.
This is not a sweet story, nor does it contain cheesy dialogue and silly actions that I sometimes find in books of this nature.
What I found interesting is that the author left an enticing trail of treats, pulling me in one nibble at a time, until I realized that I was halfway through the book and still didn't have a handle on just what the big picture or the goal was. What's more interesting is that it didn't matter. I knew enough chapter by chapter that I wanted to keep reading to find out. Everything made sense.
The twist at the end was amazing and all in all I enjoyed how everything came together in one seamless action and chapter at a time.
Character development was concise and smooth. I knew just enough about each one so I could appreciate their past and subsequent behavior. I never grew bored and looked forward to each read until I reached the end. If you're looking for a story that's dark, mysterious, descriptive, and alluring, Spider will not disappoint.
January 17, 2022
Wow. This really wasn’t what I thought it was going to be.
Masters and doms mixed with army marines, twists and turns.
We don’t even get the main male characters name the whole book everyone just calls him the man. Even the narrator in third person.
It’s intriguing and narration whilst listening via audio on kobo was good.
3 stars
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review.
Masters and doms mixed with army marines, twists and turns.
We don’t even get the main male characters name the whole book everyone just calls him the man. Even the narrator in third person.
It’s intriguing and narration whilst listening via audio on kobo was good.
3 stars
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2022
I loved the narration of Emery Erickson, perfect for this book
This is a a fast paced , dark and twisted tale that take you out of your comfort zone.
An ex-CIA Agent who is a damaged alpha male on a mission to get revenge on politician Dunne by kidnapping his sweet and innocent daughter Cassandra. The mind games begin. He wants to turn Cassandra into a sex slave, he plans to sell her
This is a a fast paced , dark and twisted tale that take you out of your comfort zone.
An ex-CIA Agent who is a damaged alpha male on a mission to get revenge on politician Dunne by kidnapping his sweet and innocent daughter Cassandra. The mind games begin. He wants to turn Cassandra into a sex slave, he plans to sell her
April 10, 2025
wow
I am a fan of the author but until I read this story I did not appreciate what an amazing writer he is. As always, it is well written and edited….no glaring typos or grammatical errors. The plot holds many twists and surprises and ends in a most satisfying manner along with the hint of future expansion, I can not recommend it highly enough.
I am a fan of the author but until I read this story I did not appreciate what an amazing writer he is. As always, it is well written and edited….no glaring typos or grammatical errors. The plot holds many twists and surprises and ends in a most satisfying manner along with the hint of future expansion, I can not recommend it highly enough.
May 20, 2021
Loved it
I have to say one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.Dark and insane rolled up into one book.You like dark material this is your book.
I have to say one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.Dark and insane rolled up into one book.You like dark material this is your book.
August 1, 2016
Read. This. Book. Gripping, edgy and cerebral, Spider is one of the best works of erotic fiction I have ever read. If you’re over the current trend in erotica with the same three recycled plots, this will blow you away. Get ready to be mind-effed.
“The man,” as our protagonist is referred to throughout the book, is a former CIA agent who’s spent the last few decades experiencing the worst of what men can be and do. He is hardened, cold, calculating, and will not hesitate to end anyone who creates the slightest hindrance to his agenda. Even Makayla, a nineteen year old street rat and potential love interest, knows her life is over the second she becomes an inconvenience. So what makes “the man” so damn sexy? What has random women throwing their panties his way (literally), and abandoning all reason and self respect to serve as his momentary plaything? He does not lie to them, or butter them up with pretty words. He simply tells them what he wants and they succumb to his whims. Perhaps they can tell he isn’t easily impressed, thus it is an honor to get beyond his metal stare and barbed wire disposition, even if just to be gagged, bound, and pumped for an hour.
“The man” is never without purpose and focus. It is part of what makes him so deadly. Now he has a personal score to settle through a plan that has been years in the making. Lives will be destroyed, people will come undone, and you will be hard-pressed not to find your own truth in watching it all unfold. Yes, there is lots of effing in this book, the deliciously filthy kind that makes you bite the edge of your bottom lip just thinking about it, but the author is giving us so much more. The characters have such dimension and the story, albeit bizarre, is incredibly realistic. Anything is believable if you can be made to believe it, and Dalton sells this one like an auctioneer. For the record, chapter one alone is worth the cover price. Read. This. Book. It is soooooo good.
“The man,” as our protagonist is referred to throughout the book, is a former CIA agent who’s spent the last few decades experiencing the worst of what men can be and do. He is hardened, cold, calculating, and will not hesitate to end anyone who creates the slightest hindrance to his agenda. Even Makayla, a nineteen year old street rat and potential love interest, knows her life is over the second she becomes an inconvenience. So what makes “the man” so damn sexy? What has random women throwing their panties his way (literally), and abandoning all reason and self respect to serve as his momentary plaything? He does not lie to them, or butter them up with pretty words. He simply tells them what he wants and they succumb to his whims. Perhaps they can tell he isn’t easily impressed, thus it is an honor to get beyond his metal stare and barbed wire disposition, even if just to be gagged, bound, and pumped for an hour.
“The man” is never without purpose and focus. It is part of what makes him so deadly. Now he has a personal score to settle through a plan that has been years in the making. Lives will be destroyed, people will come undone, and you will be hard-pressed not to find your own truth in watching it all unfold. Yes, there is lots of effing in this book, the deliciously filthy kind that makes you bite the edge of your bottom lip just thinking about it, but the author is giving us so much more. The characters have such dimension and the story, albeit bizarre, is incredibly realistic. Anything is believable if you can be made to believe it, and Dalton sells this one like an auctioneer. For the record, chapter one alone is worth the cover price. Read. This. Book. It is soooooo good.
January 9, 2017
I became a fan of Michael Dalton from his Twin Magic series but the BDSM/sex slave objectives in the premise goes beyond what it hints, and in my opinion, is quite a turn off. So with that said, I had to put down the book at 30%.
Honestly, it was good for the 30% that I read. Michael Dalton can weave an interesting story with gripping characters. But at times though, I found the way the characters in this book behaved beyond my suspension of disbelief. The story demanded that the characters behave this way, so I can't really blame the way the author portrayed them, but it's utterly ridiculous.
I just wished the story focused on some clandestine, ex-CIA stories with some adventure/action as the main plot instead of a story about how to make a BDSM sex slave 101.
It's a good book if you're into hardcore BDSM/sex slave stories but the ridiculousness of how to make a sex slave 101 isn't my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews