Dominic's Park

by Anne Callanan

"He didn't know it then, but he cycled right by the spot where his body would soon be dumped, left to decay." In his youth, JJ believed that old 'you can be anything you want to be if you just try hard enough'. He had built his whole life around it. But now, middle-aged and with his past erupting into his present, it's clear to him that life is just not that fair. With his son's disappearance acting as a catalyst, JJ is forced to make some unsavoury decisions in order to survive. But the choices he makes have consequences, and with his life and the lives of his friends and family being turned upside down, will anyone come out the other end unscathed?

384 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2022

Reviews

[Alex McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, but I didn’t love it.
**spoilers**
I usually prefer books in first person, this book is written from third person.
What I loved about it being third person is how you got so many perspective from so many different characters throughout the book. It really allowed you to get to know more than just the “main characters”. On the flip side, since you got so many different perspectives sometimes it felt like it jumped around a bit or felt some holes missing..
Overall I also liked but didn’t love the writing style. At times it felt so vivid and realistic, other times it felt very vague and general.
I loved the character development and plot. You really get to know the characters on a deep level and learn about their past that makes them who they are. I really loved all the unexpected twists and turns with the character relationships. I feel like I could really see the characters and the setting throughout the book. You hate to love some of the characters which I really appreciate.
As far as the plot.. overall it was really good, but had a few holes for me as far as the story line adding up..
I also expected a really grand ending but it kind of fell flat a little bit, it was good but I was expecting more..
I thought there would be a little bit more clarity with JJs intentions, I still never really understood why kidnapping his son would “give his wife a lesson”..
I also don’t know how Harry got paint on his shoes if it was out in the shed..
It really added to the mystery affect how Harry was nonverbal, but I kind of thought he would know enough sing language to communicate to his mom where he was..
I also wanted more information on JJ and Eugene’s relationship.
I did love the cliff hanger how Long John got rid of the body before they dug up the park.

I received this book as a “blind date with a book”, very very good read! Would definitely still recommend this book for anyone interested in mystery. Looking forward to seeing more books from the author!

[Karen Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading Anne’s novel ‘Dominic’s Park’. I thoroughly enjoyed the book…a real page turner… Congratulations Anne, it is a great story, with twists & turns and written in such a way that I felt I was present with the characters… I could clearly visualise each setting & I had a picture of each character in my mind….the sign of a well written book. As I neared the end I slowed down as I didn’t want to finish the book… Brilliant Anne…. I look forward to reading your next book….. hopefully you will write many more…. Thank you Anne… wishing you every success with you writing career. Karen

[Aileen (Ailz) Grist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad and melancholic tale. JJ feels everyone else has had it easy and he's been a victim and never had a chance. Yet it's a moving story about life with an autistic child.

A good book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, such an intense build up throughout the story. I truly enjoyed the twists and how gripping it was. I think the author's writing style made this flow effortlessly. With the build up, I thought the ending would be so much more dramatic so that kind of fell flat for me though it worked out for the characters better how it ended. I loved how the story was told through multiple character's aspects, it made this novel more intriguing to me.

I received this ARC by NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first novel for Anne Callanan and she certainly has complete control of the storyline which pulls the reader in at every turn. The plot is delivered with an intensity that keeps the page turning consistent to the end. Looking forward to seeing more from this author in the future.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a tale. Appears to start as a straight forward story but quickly becomes more complex and interesting as the lives of the various characters intertwine. Hard to leave this book down, the end of each chapter leaves you wanting more. Can we have another!

[Sile Horan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut novel for Calanan but written like a seasoned writer of the genre. Full of twists and turns and the tension is palatable . The characters are well rounded and you develop an empathy with most of them. Highly recommend it. Looking forward to next book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are well developed with their backstories so well written. As I read each page I could envision each person and how their stories intertwined. So impressed by this author's first book. Can't wait for the next one!

[David Satterlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. Great pace, believable characters who I came to care about, and understand, even as they did terrible things. I loved the twists and surprises and didn’t see them coming, which is not typical. Looking forward to this authors next book.

[Trish Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was brilliant! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and their back story. It moved at a good pace, and I found it hard to put down as there were different story lines and I was keen to know how they all linked in together. I look forward to more from Anne Callanan.

[Deirdre Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Book was gifted to me ,genuinely had me gripped from start, great story line and brilliant twist of events very cleverly done. Well done look forward to more from Anne Callan.

[Sonya Evanosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast moving, good story line!

[Esther Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Really gripping read, thoroughly enjoyed this book & would recommend. Brilliant characters & a great plot with plenty of twists!