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Prey/Pray: Origin of The Average Man
2nd edition includes bonus material.
Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 25, 2020
What does it mean to be average?
I found myself pondering this question quite a bit as I read this book. In Prey/Pray, we meet a man who is, in many respects, average, but his life becomes the polar opposite of average.
The author intentionally leaves all the characters nameless, which left me with two dueling mindsets I found intriguing. On the one hand, the absence of names also meant a sort of absence of identity, keeping me at an emotional distance because these characters could be anyone. At the same time, this technique allowed me to imagine the characters as exactly that: anyone.
The plot is wholly original and entertaining.
Parts of the story get bogged down in excessive detail, slowing the pace. I confess to zoning out a little now and then. These sections are presented well, so it's just a matter of personal preference.
Pacing picks up during the last quarter or so, leading us to an explosive slap-in-the-face twist I did not see coming.
I'm looking forward to going wherever Dicky Kitchen takes us next.
*I received a review copy of this book.*
I found myself pondering this question quite a bit as I read this book. In Prey/Pray, we meet a man who is, in many respects, average, but his life becomes the polar opposite of average.
The author intentionally leaves all the characters nameless, which left me with two dueling mindsets I found intriguing. On the one hand, the absence of names also meant a sort of absence of identity, keeping me at an emotional distance because these characters could be anyone. At the same time, this technique allowed me to imagine the characters as exactly that: anyone.
The plot is wholly original and entertaining.
Parts of the story get bogged down in excessive detail, slowing the pace. I confess to zoning out a little now and then. These sections are presented well, so it's just a matter of personal preference.
Pacing picks up during the last quarter or so, leading us to an explosive slap-in-the-face twist I did not see coming.
I'm looking forward to going wherever Dicky Kitchen takes us next.
*I received a review copy of this book.*
May 28, 2020
Prey/Pray: Origin of the Average Man by Dicky Kitchen Jnr is a well written thriller that I enjoyed very much. I toyed between giving it 3/5 or 4/5 (which I'll explain in a mo) but the ending definitely made it a 4/5! It's written in two different styles - from a narrators point of view and from the protagonists point of view. I found the first couple of chapters a bit awkward because of this but very soon dropped into the story, at which point it was no longer an issue. The reason I wavered with my star rating was because it's a little too descriptive for me in places. Some of the description was beautifully written (I particularly enjoyed the paragraphs about The Rose and the comparison between The Rose and the wildflowers) but some of them were just too much for me and I found myself wanting to skip over them. Towards the end of the book though...wow! The ending was very clever. Past a certain point in the book I simply couldn't put it down and finished it in the course of an afternoon.
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October 6, 2020So, chalk this up to me being new to Goodreads. I was trying to assign myself as the author and accidentally set it up as having read the book. While I guess its true that I read the book, I think it would be in bad taste to review my own book. But that left me with a problem, I couldn't get rid of the label saying I was reading and would review my own book. I didn't want people to get the wrong idea, so I thought it would be best if I typed something.
If anyone has any questions or thoughts on the book they'd like to talk about, I always like hearing form readers. Feel free to reach out to me on instagram or through goodreads.
Happy reading!
If anyone has any questions or thoughts on the book they'd like to talk about, I always like hearing form readers. Feel free to reach out to me on instagram or through goodreads.
Happy reading!
July 13, 2020
A fantastic debut psychological thriller! What a page turner!
Fast paced, dark, intense, and bloody, with characters that you might want to hate for their actions, but once their motives are clear you just can't help but cheer them on!
The ending blew my mind! Its clear from the get go that there is a reason the Average Man picked the Tall Man to do the interview but my guess as to the reason was so wrong!
I'm definitely looking forward to Dicky's next book!
Fast paced, dark, intense, and bloody, with characters that you might want to hate for their actions, but once their motives are clear you just can't help but cheer them on!
The ending blew my mind! Its clear from the get go that there is a reason the Average Man picked the Tall Man to do the interview but my guess as to the reason was so wrong!
I'm definitely looking forward to Dicky's next book!
October 17, 2020
A not so average story!
Prey/Pray: Origin of The Average Man is a tantalizing thriller you can sink your teeth into. This is a story with a lot of meat on the bone. You can tell Dicky Kitchen Jr. Put a lot of research into producing this in depth mystery. The ending is ingenious!
Prey/Pray: Origin of The Average Man is a tantalizing thriller you can sink your teeth into. This is a story with a lot of meat on the bone. You can tell Dicky Kitchen Jr. Put a lot of research into producing this in depth mystery. The ending is ingenious!
February 21, 2021
PREY/PRAY: Origin of the Average Man, by Dicky Kitchen Jr.
Dicky Kitchen’s crime thriller is different than any other I have read. It has a gritty Film Noir feel and it is what I would call a Dexter style crime drama, but it is far more than that and really when all is read, absorbed and taken in, is not really like either. It is original. Terrible, murderous crimes are written in a matter-of-fact style that add up to just the opposite of that: strong and disturbing. It is all told using an interview style investigation between a reporter and the man in prison he is interviewing, the Average Man. Crimes unfold, and they are told in a harsh and unemotional way, preying on the reader’s unconscious as well as the victims who are prey to such terrible crimes. Praying will not help them, I can assure you. But despite this cold-hearted presentation, there is passion bubbling underneath. It all boils up with a totally mind-blowing ending in which everything you have been thinking gets turned on its head. It is a delicious ending and one that sets you up for book 2, just recently released: Prey/Pray, Hunting Party, The Nurse. I just got it.
Dicky Kitchen’s crime thriller is different than any other I have read. It has a gritty Film Noir feel and it is what I would call a Dexter style crime drama, but it is far more than that and really when all is read, absorbed and taken in, is not really like either. It is original. Terrible, murderous crimes are written in a matter-of-fact style that add up to just the opposite of that: strong and disturbing. It is all told using an interview style investigation between a reporter and the man in prison he is interviewing, the Average Man. Crimes unfold, and they are told in a harsh and unemotional way, preying on the reader’s unconscious as well as the victims who are prey to such terrible crimes. Praying will not help them, I can assure you. But despite this cold-hearted presentation, there is passion bubbling underneath. It all boils up with a totally mind-blowing ending in which everything you have been thinking gets turned on its head. It is a delicious ending and one that sets you up for book 2, just recently released: Prey/Pray, Hunting Party, The Nurse. I just got it.
December 22, 2020
What a rush! Prey/Pray takes you on a thrilling suspenseful adventure, and then finishes with a huge twist!
The book encompasses two, easy to follow, perspectives. The first is that of the reporter, or Tall Man, as he goes through the interview with the murderer (or Average Man). The second is from the Average man as he discusses his murders with the Tall Man. Both characters are well developed and have their own unique point of view.
I found the use of titles rather than real names throughout the story unique. And although I would love real names to connect better with the characters, I understand why the author made it this way.
The author dreamt up a wonderfully unique storyline with sprinkles of humor. The way he describes his scenes can be a little wordy, but I have no problem seeing the action and feeling all the feels.
I love how he described The Rose and I look forward to reading more about her story.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mystery, thrillers, and suspense books.
The book encompasses two, easy to follow, perspectives. The first is that of the reporter, or Tall Man, as he goes through the interview with the murderer (or Average Man). The second is from the Average man as he discusses his murders with the Tall Man. Both characters are well developed and have their own unique point of view.
I found the use of titles rather than real names throughout the story unique. And although I would love real names to connect better with the characters, I understand why the author made it this way.
The author dreamt up a wonderfully unique storyline with sprinkles of humor. The way he describes his scenes can be a little wordy, but I have no problem seeing the action and feeling all the feels.
I love how he described The Rose and I look forward to reading more about her story.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mystery, thrillers, and suspense books.
December 1, 2021
This thriller sits the Tall Man, a journalist, across from the accused Average Man so he can tell his story. Why five people are dead and why he is in jail because of it. But when the Tall Man finds out the story goes back further than those five, and the Average Man starts to tell him all the other murders leading up to those five...how can the Tall Man hope to remember every detail to get justice for those lives taken?
This is one of those books that you can't really detail the review too much because spoilers. I really enjoyed the interview/storytelling style of this book. My absolute favorite part about it though are the little hints dropped into your lap along the way, without you realizing it until you are done. At first it took a minute for my brain to grasp the no name "Tall Man/Average Man" but then I got so wrapped up in the story that it fell away and I found that I actually loved it (think: Reservoir Dogs). Honestly when I finished it, I was so glad my little brain had the forethought to purchase the novella because I definitely wasn't done with this story.
This is one of those books that you can't really detail the review too much because spoilers. I really enjoyed the interview/storytelling style of this book. My absolute favorite part about it though are the little hints dropped into your lap along the way, without you realizing it until you are done. At first it took a minute for my brain to grasp the no name "Tall Man/Average Man" but then I got so wrapped up in the story that it fell away and I found that I actually loved it (think: Reservoir Dogs). Honestly when I finished it, I was so glad my little brain had the forethought to purchase the novella because I definitely wasn't done with this story.
July 29, 2020
Surprisingly, given I didn't expect to connect too deeply with characters who weren't given actual names, I'm totally in love with them. One in particular was very well drawn out and I hope/am excited to see more about her one day.
The story itself is intriguing, although some bits of it were a little slow. Those parts would have made me give this a lower rating (I found myself skimming a few sections in the first half of the story) but reaching the end made up for everything. It did feel a bit abrupt but overall it was a fantastic debut.
The story itself is intriguing, although some bits of it were a little slow. Those parts would have made me give this a lower rating (I found myself skimming a few sections in the first half of the story) but reaching the end made up for everything. It did feel a bit abrupt but overall it was a fantastic debut.
December 22, 2020
So Dicky Kitchen Jr is one of my author friends and I was so happy to get my hands on a copy. And let me tell you, I absolutely LOVED it! I'm picky about thrillers but I love a good psychological story and this was just amazing.
So thought provoking, the pacing was spot on, and the ending left me speechless.
Can't wait for more books like this in the future!
So thought provoking, the pacing was spot on, and the ending left me speechless.
Can't wait for more books like this in the future!
October 13, 2020
As a long time reader of serial killer thrillers, I found this book to be a fun read. Until you reach the point when it completely blows your mind and every odd detail you found at first comes together. You end up gaping at the book, eagerly taking in every last word.
I was not expecting to feel this way about The Average Man.
Absolutely looking forward to the next book!
I was not expecting to feel this way about The Average Man.
Absolutely looking forward to the next book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews