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Deadly Serious
A standup comic haunted by a family secret.
It’s 1980 Los Angeles, and Dan Goodis, a struggling stand-up comic, witnesses a brutal assassination of a brilliant hermit physicist who gave him a secret code. He soon discovers he is being hunted down by members of a dark cabal who want to silence him and prevent him from revealing the truth.
Obsessed with the puzzle, he realizes he must solve the riddle of the hermit’s death.
He enlists the help of family and friends and a new lover, Lauren. But he doesn’t know who she really is. A stormy relationship makes him realize that by involving his allies, he exposes all of them to imminent danger.
He finds he is in too deep, and there is no turning back. The only way out is for Dan to put everything on the line even though he knows disclosure of the hermit’s code will cost him his life.
“A Kafkaesque ’80s odyssey. Ambitiously plotted.” - Kirkus Discoveries
“After a captivating first chapter, the intriguing twists and turns in this thriller keep readers spellbound as the storyline moves forward at a fast pace. - A must-read thriller.” - IP Book Reviewers
It’s 1980 Los Angeles, and Dan Goodis, a struggling stand-up comic, witnesses a brutal assassination of a brilliant hermit physicist who gave him a secret code. He soon discovers he is being hunted down by members of a dark cabal who want to silence him and prevent him from revealing the truth.
Obsessed with the puzzle, he realizes he must solve the riddle of the hermit’s death.
He enlists the help of family and friends and a new lover, Lauren. But he doesn’t know who she really is. A stormy relationship makes him realize that by involving his allies, he exposes all of them to imminent danger.
He finds he is in too deep, and there is no turning back. The only way out is for Dan to put everything on the line even though he knows disclosure of the hermit’s code will cost him his life.
“A Kafkaesque ’80s odyssey. Ambitiously plotted.” - Kirkus Discoveries
“After a captivating first chapter, the intriguing twists and turns in this thriller keep readers spellbound as the storyline moves forward at a fast pace. - A must-read thriller.” - IP Book Reviewers
- GenresFiction
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2016
59 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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November 5, 2021"This book has received a DNF due to a menage/orgy scene which violates InD'Tale Magazine's steam content guidelines."
October 25, 2021
As a Connecticut Yankee, I personally love books that start out in that cold, dark, snow-laden state. The promise of suspense is there as you feel the chills from the winter weather go up your spine and words that stream like fascinating poetry begin. Yes, that is what this author gifted me on the very first page, and made sure to keep my attention until the story came to a close.
Simply put, you are looking at a dark comedy that stars a wealthy young man born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Dan Goodis is his name, and he has a father that’s among those Fortune 500 CEO’s who make money even while they sleep from their successful oil company. Dan, however, doesn’t want to follow that path; he’s actually partial to working as a stand-up comic and making people laugh.
A fateful day arrives when Dan comes across a murder in progress that affects his own life and emotional state even more. The dying soul is not only a hermit, but he is a highly intelligent physicist that unintentionally bestows upon Dan a secret code; a puzzle that Dan becomes obsessed with solving. Although the struggling comedian doesn’t really want to deal with this on top of everything else, he soon finds out that he doesn’t really have a choice; because of this secret, Dan is now in peril. Not only has he become a “target” for a dangerous group that wishes to stop and silence him forever, Dan also enters into a romantic relationship with a woman named Lauren who seems to have secrets of her own that may or may not negatively affect Dan even more once her hidden story comes to light. And if you think Dan’s rich daddy is on the up-and-up, you’ll be surprised to learn about his interesting and slightly shady past as well!
The author does a wonderful job mixing the darkness and mystery with both romance and humor as he explores Dan’s turmoil over finding and solving the meaning of life; true love versus lies; how to trust in a world that is basically untrustworthy; as well as how to do ‘good’ without becoming a victim.
Trying to distinguish between the villains and Dan’s real allies is a whole lot of fun, and being sent back to the 1980’s to roam the world (which was much happier back then) was an added bonus. It does not surprise me that this work was so ambitious, seeing as that the author has penned a slew of screenplays, novels, short films and more, that have gone on to garner him awards.
For those interested in the darker side of life, mixed perfectly with thrills and romance, will absolutely love this! “5 Stars” is given to this author who left no stone unturned when he created this awesome read.
Simply put, you are looking at a dark comedy that stars a wealthy young man born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Dan Goodis is his name, and he has a father that’s among those Fortune 500 CEO’s who make money even while they sleep from their successful oil company. Dan, however, doesn’t want to follow that path; he’s actually partial to working as a stand-up comic and making people laugh.
A fateful day arrives when Dan comes across a murder in progress that affects his own life and emotional state even more. The dying soul is not only a hermit, but he is a highly intelligent physicist that unintentionally bestows upon Dan a secret code; a puzzle that Dan becomes obsessed with solving. Although the struggling comedian doesn’t really want to deal with this on top of everything else, he soon finds out that he doesn’t really have a choice; because of this secret, Dan is now in peril. Not only has he become a “target” for a dangerous group that wishes to stop and silence him forever, Dan also enters into a romantic relationship with a woman named Lauren who seems to have secrets of her own that may or may not negatively affect Dan even more once her hidden story comes to light. And if you think Dan’s rich daddy is on the up-and-up, you’ll be surprised to learn about his interesting and slightly shady past as well!
The author does a wonderful job mixing the darkness and mystery with both romance and humor as he explores Dan’s turmoil over finding and solving the meaning of life; true love versus lies; how to trust in a world that is basically untrustworthy; as well as how to do ‘good’ without becoming a victim.
Trying to distinguish between the villains and Dan’s real allies is a whole lot of fun, and being sent back to the 1980’s to roam the world (which was much happier back then) was an added bonus. It does not surprise me that this work was so ambitious, seeing as that the author has penned a slew of screenplays, novels, short films and more, that have gone on to garner him awards.
For those interested in the darker side of life, mixed perfectly with thrills and romance, will absolutely love this! “5 Stars” is given to this author who left no stone unturned when he created this awesome read.
October 8, 2021
A bit different to my usual reads!
Dan Goodis wants to be a stand-up comedian; witnessing an execution wasn’t in his plans – and neither was being the recipient of a secret code from the soon to be assassinated man, a brilliant physicist who lived on his own in an old shack. Dan doesn’t want to be involved, but there are people out there who need the information he unwittingly has – and will stop at nothing to gain it. Dan realises that he needs to solve the puzzle himself and involves those around him to this end. Too late, he understands that he has put them all in danger, and there is more than his life on the line . . .
By the time I came to read this, I had completely forgotten about the ‘darkly humorous’ part of the novel and was expecting more of a thriller – which it certainly seemed to be. With the introduction of other characters, I began to struggle to keep all my ducks in a row but I was getting there. Then came the considerable dialogue with Lauren and Dan which swung back and forward (several times) and I not only lost the thread of the conversation but began to lose the will to continue. But continue I did – and struggled through to the very end. Not the easiest novel I’ve ever read; I do have a strong sense of humour but am well aware that I grapple with the ‘dark comedy’ side of things, so I expect other readers will understand the storyline far more quickly than I. I must add that when I reached the final page, lots of things clicked into place. If dark humour appeals to you, I suspect you will get far more out of this novel than I did. For me, this is a 3.5* read.
Dan Goodis wants to be a stand-up comedian; witnessing an execution wasn’t in his plans – and neither was being the recipient of a secret code from the soon to be assassinated man, a brilliant physicist who lived on his own in an old shack. Dan doesn’t want to be involved, but there are people out there who need the information he unwittingly has – and will stop at nothing to gain it. Dan realises that he needs to solve the puzzle himself and involves those around him to this end. Too late, he understands that he has put them all in danger, and there is more than his life on the line . . .
By the time I came to read this, I had completely forgotten about the ‘darkly humorous’ part of the novel and was expecting more of a thriller – which it certainly seemed to be. With the introduction of other characters, I began to struggle to keep all my ducks in a row but I was getting there. Then came the considerable dialogue with Lauren and Dan which swung back and forward (several times) and I not only lost the thread of the conversation but began to lose the will to continue. But continue I did – and struggled through to the very end. Not the easiest novel I’ve ever read; I do have a strong sense of humour but am well aware that I grapple with the ‘dark comedy’ side of things, so I expect other readers will understand the storyline far more quickly than I. I must add that when I reached the final page, lots of things clicked into place. If dark humour appeals to you, I suspect you will get far more out of this novel than I did. For me, this is a 3.5* read.
January 18, 2022
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
17th January 2021
TITLE: Deadly Serious
AUTHOR: A. J. Thibault
Star Rating: **** 4 Stars!
‘A stylishly written thriller with a strong plot and a host of unforgettable characters.’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
To begin with, let me say I very much enjoyed this novel. I happen to enjoy a good thriller, so this was right up my street. Not only is it stylishly written, it's also cleverly plotted, darkly atmospheric and the home to a number of memorable characters. There's always plenty happening, and the author is always happy to throw another twist into the plot to keep the readers guessing.
Set in the 1980s, the story follows a struggling comic called Dan Goodis who, after the brutal murder of a physicist, is given a secret code. Now, a malignant organisation is after him, determined to silence him forever. All in all, this is a very enjoyable romp. It’s a bit by the numbers but, often, that's what readers of this sort of book are looking for. Even in terms of character development, it's good for the genre, the central protagonist, Dan, being just the right mix of complex, imperfect, and dogged in his hunt for the truth.
In terms of writing style, the author's very talented. He works well with speech, and he knows when to keep a sentence short; this is not an author who's fallen into the trap of purple prose. In fact, the odd paragraph can read a bit like a list (Then it grew dark. Dan opened his eyes. The anxiety was intense), but you sort of get used to it, and nobody will ever say this book suffers from slow pacing!
So now to the important bit. Who is this novel for? Well, if you enjoy a good thriller, you’ll probably enjoy this. The fact the hero is a stand-up comic adds to the mix, and trust me when I tell you, you’ll never get bored. If you love a bit of John Grisham or Tom Clancy, you can’t go wrong with A J Thibault’s Deadly Serious.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
17th January 2021
TITLE: Deadly Serious
AUTHOR: A. J. Thibault
Star Rating: **** 4 Stars!
‘A stylishly written thriller with a strong plot and a host of unforgettable characters.’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
To begin with, let me say I very much enjoyed this novel. I happen to enjoy a good thriller, so this was right up my street. Not only is it stylishly written, it's also cleverly plotted, darkly atmospheric and the home to a number of memorable characters. There's always plenty happening, and the author is always happy to throw another twist into the plot to keep the readers guessing.
Set in the 1980s, the story follows a struggling comic called Dan Goodis who, after the brutal murder of a physicist, is given a secret code. Now, a malignant organisation is after him, determined to silence him forever. All in all, this is a very enjoyable romp. It’s a bit by the numbers but, often, that's what readers of this sort of book are looking for. Even in terms of character development, it's good for the genre, the central protagonist, Dan, being just the right mix of complex, imperfect, and dogged in his hunt for the truth.
In terms of writing style, the author's very talented. He works well with speech, and he knows when to keep a sentence short; this is not an author who's fallen into the trap of purple prose. In fact, the odd paragraph can read a bit like a list (Then it grew dark. Dan opened his eyes. The anxiety was intense), but you sort of get used to it, and nobody will ever say this book suffers from slow pacing!
So now to the important bit. Who is this novel for? Well, if you enjoy a good thriller, you’ll probably enjoy this. The fact the hero is a stand-up comic adds to the mix, and trust me when I tell you, you’ll never get bored. If you love a bit of John Grisham or Tom Clancy, you can’t go wrong with A J Thibault’s Deadly Serious.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
June 10, 2017
Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
Deadly Serious: Terror is no Laughing Matter by A.J. Thibault is a dark comedy that follows the “poor little rich boy” Jon Goodis as he tries to come to terms with what his role in life should be. With his father, a wealthy and successful CEO of an oil company, Jon knows one day, the wealth will be his, but what is it that life is about? What is it that he’s continually searching for? Fired from his job as a teacher, Jon tries his hand at the thing he’s always wanted to do, stand-up comedy. When Jon stumbles across a murder and gains some information that makes him a marked man, his life is changed forever. He doesn’t know what he has in his possession, but he knows plenty seem to want to kill for it or scare him senseless. Wracked with loneliness, Jon embraces a new relationship with the beautiful Lauren, but all may not be as it seems.
Deadly Serious is one of those stories that straddles genres. It’s more than just a simple “spy” thriller, with much of the emphasis, in the story, on the relationship between Jon and the “love of his life”, Lauren. This allows the author to ask and attempt to answer some of life’s big questions, such as what is our purpose in life, what are we trying to achieve, and what makes a relationship work? Whether the author achieves this, through his characters will be up to each individual reader to decide. I found Jon to be a fascinating character torn between his desire to do what was right, to be alone, strong and independent and his deep-seated need to love, be loved and to trust and be trusted. In summary, this is a solid attempt to create more than “just another spy thriller”, it definitely has more going for it than that.
Deadly Serious: Terror is no Laughing Matter by A.J. Thibault is a dark comedy that follows the “poor little rich boy” Jon Goodis as he tries to come to terms with what his role in life should be. With his father, a wealthy and successful CEO of an oil company, Jon knows one day, the wealth will be his, but what is it that life is about? What is it that he’s continually searching for? Fired from his job as a teacher, Jon tries his hand at the thing he’s always wanted to do, stand-up comedy. When Jon stumbles across a murder and gains some information that makes him a marked man, his life is changed forever. He doesn’t know what he has in his possession, but he knows plenty seem to want to kill for it or scare him senseless. Wracked with loneliness, Jon embraces a new relationship with the beautiful Lauren, but all may not be as it seems.
Deadly Serious is one of those stories that straddles genres. It’s more than just a simple “spy” thriller, with much of the emphasis, in the story, on the relationship between Jon and the “love of his life”, Lauren. This allows the author to ask and attempt to answer some of life’s big questions, such as what is our purpose in life, what are we trying to achieve, and what makes a relationship work? Whether the author achieves this, through his characters will be up to each individual reader to decide. I found Jon to be a fascinating character torn between his desire to do what was right, to be alone, strong and independent and his deep-seated need to love, be loved and to trust and be trusted. In summary, this is a solid attempt to create more than “just another spy thriller”, it definitely has more going for it than that.
February 6, 2019
A member of a wealthy family stumbles upon a crime being committed. The book then follows the innocent (?) man throughout his life and how the fateful day affects his life and his relationships.
The book gets bogged down in the middle with extensive details about the main character's love life. It is difficult to sense the chronology of the events, and the details do not add to the story at all.
Overall, the book is inconsistent and uneven. A good premise is swallowed by excessive and confusing details.
The book gets bogged down in the middle with extensive details about the main character's love life. It is difficult to sense the chronology of the events, and the details do not add to the story at all.
Overall, the book is inconsistent and uneven. A good premise is swallowed by excessive and confusing details.
November 3, 2018
I won this here on goodreads. This story had a lot of potential. I actually put it down a number of times. The arguing dialogue and detail was a bit too much. I don't think it really added much to the story. There were pieces where I thought there would be more detail, then it ended up being nothing. There was also quite a bit that lacked believability. A little bit of clean up and this could be a great novel.
October 12, 2020
Brilliant thriller
What a brilliant page turner! Amazing, marvelous, terrific, a super thriller. Loved reading every single line. The author has enthralled the readers with a fast-paced thriller with appropriate twists and turns to keep us guessing. Excellent book.
What a brilliant page turner! Amazing, marvelous, terrific, a super thriller. Loved reading every single line. The author has enthralled the readers with a fast-paced thriller with appropriate twists and turns to keep us guessing. Excellent book.
April 9, 2022
It was pretty book, bordering on meh almost. I say that in the best light.
The book constantly builds, but you have to stick with it! Believable characters... Simply, a man that doesn't know he wants... There's a surprise. 🤨
The book constantly builds, but you have to stick with it! Believable characters... Simply, a man that doesn't know he wants... There's a surprise. 🤨
July 28, 2018
Great storyline
September 8, 2022
Espionage story
I didn't care for this story. It was hard to follow. It didn't make much sense . it rambled on too much with the feelings and insecurities of the main character Dan.
I didn't care for this story. It was hard to follow. It didn't make much sense . it rambled on too much with the feelings and insecurities of the main character Dan.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews