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Dark Matter
Rasputin “Monk” Lowdermilk wanted to end it all. But when he is run down by a car on the way to his suicide, he finds that life is just beginning.
As he recovers from Chrysler-induced head trauma, he begins to discover strange new abilities. He can draw portraits so precise they look like photographs. He can remember with flawless clarity everything he’s ever seen or heard, no matter how trivial. He can read strangers so well it verges on telepathy.
But with these gifts come strange visions tinged with menace. And the one thing Rasputin doesn’t know is that his new abilities have been noticed, by ancient and evil forces who recognise what the gifts mean and what they will become. Unfortunately, his new life is only of benefit to them if he’s dead.
Dark Matter is a cerebral mystery that plays fair -- and dares you to solve it.
As he recovers from Chrysler-induced head trauma, he begins to discover strange new abilities. He can draw portraits so precise they look like photographs. He can remember with flawless clarity everything he’s ever seen or heard, no matter how trivial. He can read strangers so well it verges on telepathy.
But with these gifts come strange visions tinged with menace. And the one thing Rasputin doesn’t know is that his new abilities have been noticed, by ancient and evil forces who recognise what the gifts mean and what they will become. Unfortunately, his new life is only of benefit to them if he’s dead.
Dark Matter is a cerebral mystery that plays fair -- and dares you to solve it.
- GenresThriller
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2012
182 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Brett Adams
16 books19 followersEver since I discovered that the 1000 page tome my parents left resting against the kitchen TV was not some boring political treatise, but in fact the greatest piece of fantasy ever written―I'm talking, of course, about The Lord of the Rings―I've wanted to write. I was fascinated not only by Tolkien's world and characters, but by how he could plot something so large and intricate.
Which is why my first novel, Dark Matter, was a biology-based-paranormal-fantasy-with-a-twist-of-science-fiction-adventure-and-just-a-hint-of-thriller. It took five years to write and led to a lot of counseling.
My second book, Strawman Made Steel, is hard-boiled detective fiction with a side of sci-fi, and simpler ;)
The third is a thriller, to be published by Fremantle Press in September 2022, titled Blood and Ink.
Kind regards,
Brett.
Which is why my first novel, Dark Matter, was a biology-based-paranormal-fantasy-with-a-twist-of-science-fiction-adventure-and-just-a-hint-of-thriller. It took five years to write and led to a lot of counseling.
My second book, Strawman Made Steel, is hard-boiled detective fiction with a side of sci-fi, and simpler ;)
The third is a thriller, to be published by Fremantle Press in September 2022, titled Blood and Ink.
Kind regards,
Brett.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 13, 2013
This is an intelligent, original and very surprising book. The characters, even the disturbing ones, are wonderful people to spend time with, if a little disconcerting. I would seriously love this book to be widely read and do really well. It deserves to. Trouble is, it is very hard to pigeon-hole and in this day it seems that everything must have a box to go in. Dark Matter doesn't easily fit in any box, that's part of its brilliance. Not a book for people who don't want to concentrate on what they are reading. I cannot recommend it too highly.
June 26, 2013
I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I accepted initially because a) the author is from my home state in Australia, and b) the blurb intrigued me.
Though it did take me a while to get through this book, I found it thoroughly engaging. The opening was excellent, with the main character, Rasputin, setting out to plan the perfect suicide. Events transpired so that wouldn't take place, and over the course of the first two chapters or so, we discover there are a couple of characters with some interesting abilities. I don't want to go into too much detail and spoil the story so I'll leave it at that.
There were a couple of particularly long Rasputin chapters that took me a while to get through -- not really because of the content, but more because I found it hard to have the time to sit down and read that much. I like to read chapters in one sitting if possible, but I couldn't do that with those ones (the difficulty of having children and a busy life!)
Also, though necessary, I did find the scenes where Rasputin was in his head a bit difficult to read because of all the imagery and description. I don't think it hurt the book or the story, it just doesn't tend to be what I usually like reading.
The Cain chapters were shorter and thus easier for me to get through. I found once I finished a Rasputin one, I pretty much immediately read the Cain ones. He was a really curious and intriguing character. Overall, I just wanted to find out more about both of them and what was going on. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect.
Of course, it didn't hurt that much of the book was set in Perth, Australia, in places I know reasonably well and have been to! I thought that was pretty cool. I'm sure anyone who has been to UWA will like the fact it's a prominent setting in the book. Brett Adams does pretty well in describing the layout and atmosphere for readers who've never been there, though.
The only negative comment I really had to say about the New York aspect was a reference to "New Idea," which is an Australian magazine. It felt out of place in that setting (but New York was only a small part of the story).
The ending worked really well for the story, including the epilogue. I know epilogues aren't always useful, but this one was, and I'm glad it was included.
I hope I'll get to read more from this author in the future. It really was a worthwhile read!
Though it did take me a while to get through this book, I found it thoroughly engaging. The opening was excellent, with the main character, Rasputin, setting out to plan the perfect suicide. Events transpired so that wouldn't take place, and over the course of the first two chapters or so, we discover there are a couple of characters with some interesting abilities. I don't want to go into too much detail and spoil the story so I'll leave it at that.
There were a couple of particularly long Rasputin chapters that took me a while to get through -- not really because of the content, but more because I found it hard to have the time to sit down and read that much. I like to read chapters in one sitting if possible, but I couldn't do that with those ones (the difficulty of having children and a busy life!)
Also, though necessary, I did find the scenes where Rasputin was in his head a bit difficult to read because of all the imagery and description. I don't think it hurt the book or the story, it just doesn't tend to be what I usually like reading.
The Cain chapters were shorter and thus easier for me to get through. I found once I finished a Rasputin one, I pretty much immediately read the Cain ones. He was a really curious and intriguing character. Overall, I just wanted to find out more about both of them and what was going on. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect.
Of course, it didn't hurt that much of the book was set in Perth, Australia, in places I know reasonably well and have been to! I thought that was pretty cool. I'm sure anyone who has been to UWA will like the fact it's a prominent setting in the book. Brett Adams does pretty well in describing the layout and atmosphere for readers who've never been there, though.
The only negative comment I really had to say about the New York aspect was a reference to "New Idea," which is an Australian magazine. It felt out of place in that setting (but New York was only a small part of the story).
The ending worked really well for the story, including the epilogue. I know epilogues aren't always useful, but this one was, and I'm glad it was included.
I hope I'll get to read more from this author in the future. It really was a worthwhile read!
March 18, 2015
It's very hard for me to review this book. On the one hand, it is very well written, with only one word error that I noticed ('thoughts' instead of 'through') near the end. The author uses a lot of big, long words that you probably know the meaning of, but using several of them in one sentence often, gets a little tiring. There are two story lines and you have no idea how they merge until 75% through. (At least I didn't!) This was a little confusing as I had no idea where the story was going. It took me forever to read Dark Matter. I think this was because I didn't read it in big chunks, but rather in small increments. It was too in-depth for me, but as I said, it was very well written, so it gets 3 stars for the writing. The storyline was an interesting concept - you can read the blurb to find out.
January 14, 2013
I loved the originality of Dark Matter, something I don't find all that often in stories. This is an intelligently and well written novel that is part thriller, part mystery, and even a hint of the paranormal (if that's the right word). To get the most out of this story you need to give it your attention - this is not mindless pulp - and the second chapter certainly throws a curveball at you. The reward though, is an excellent and intriguing story - one that will have you guessing wrong on more than one occasion.
January 29, 2023
Seriously? ;)
September 29, 2024
I found this book by accident looking for a different book of the same title and somehow stumbled upon what is, hands down, one of the best pieces of literature I have ever read. Gruesome, poetic, filthy at times, highly imaginative and artistic. This will be forever on my radar. I know I will find myself reading this time and time again.
The book is very verbose, and the author seems to drone on occasionally, but please stick with it! It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's absolutely worth it in my opinion. If I could give it 10 stars, I would!
The book is very verbose, and the author seems to drone on occasionally, but please stick with it! It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's absolutely worth it in my opinion. If I could give it 10 stars, I would!
January 18, 2021
I’m not real sure where all of these glowing five-star reviews came from – without having a spoiler the first part of the book was fair but had possibilities which had me turning a few more pages, then it all started going downhill. While categorized as a thriller, I would place it in a dark fantasy that really had no plot and uninteresting dialogue. Luckily, I got this for free vs. its regular price of $4.95 in the Kindle store which adds a star to my review. It’s rare I don’t read a book to its conclusion but, reading as far as I did, I realize I have lost that time investment forever. I would give this book a wide pass.
March 27, 2024
Dark Matter is a mix of my favorite genres. A little science fiction, some fantasy and a large dose of thriller. I will not offer spoilers because it’s not fair to potential readers. I can say that this book contains some of the most vivid descriptions of setting and characters I have read to date. This book was a first effort by a talented author. I am ready to read other works by this author as they come available. I highly recommend this book to all readers of the genres mentioned above. This book is worthy of a second read. Clearly, this book is worthy of a first read for those who have yet not had the pleasure.
October 30, 2022
I found this in a Jefferson Smith anthology of novels. It was one of the more challenging reads, with a sophisticated story line. Overall, a bit dark but leavened by plenty of existential notes and a happy-ish ending.
Rasputin T. Lowdermilk’s date with suicide is rudely interrupted by a car thief, and he wakes up with new powers -- and a chilling new problem. He'll go head-to-head for survival with Gottfried Schuermann, more simply known as "Cain". A dark, twisty and sophisticated novel that requires patience but rewards perseverance.
Rasputin T. Lowdermilk’s date with suicide is rudely interrupted by a car thief, and he wakes up with new powers -- and a chilling new problem. He'll go head-to-head for survival with Gottfried Schuermann, more simply known as "Cain". A dark, twisty and sophisticated novel that requires patience but rewards perseverance.
December 1, 2024
Intriguing Plot, Overwhelming Vocabulary
I think the imagination put into this plot was amazing. However, I struggled with the delivery. The vocabulary was challenging, written in a way that hurt my head at times! Additionally, I found myself lost at times, as it wasn't always clear which character was being described at the beginning of each chapter.
I think the imagination put into this plot was amazing. However, I struggled with the delivery. The vocabulary was challenging, written in a way that hurt my head at times! Additionally, I found myself lost at times, as it wasn't always clear which character was being described at the beginning of each chapter.
January 17, 2021
Intriguing
Well written story about a student who is struck by a vehicle and receives a head injury and goes into a coma. When he awakens, he has become a savant which caused him to become hunted by a very scary monster. Great read
Well written story about a student who is struck by a vehicle and receives a head injury and goes into a coma. When he awakens, he has become a savant which caused him to become hunted by a very scary monster. Great read
July 11, 2024
Soooo I meant to read a different book titled Dark Matter and didn't realize I'd read the wrong one until I started watching the show and was like "these are not even close to the same." lol whoops. This was pretty different from my usual type of read, but it was interesting!
January 22, 2021
Difficult to categorize
Sometimes a ray of hope, sometimes a torrent of turgid, ponderous vocabulary, always reminiscent of a bad trip on tainted acid
Sometimes a ray of hope, sometimes a torrent of turgid, ponderous vocabulary, always reminiscent of a bad trip on tainted acid
February 5, 2021
Good Read
This book had many twists and turns which keeps the reader guessing as to which way it will go never seeing how it will end.
This book had many twists and turns which keeps the reader guessing as to which way it will go never seeing how it will end.
April 9, 2021
Not an easy read but worth the effort
A deeply intelligent, inventive story of a suddenly powerful mind.
Some very interesting characters and action.
A deeply intelligent, inventive story of a suddenly powerful mind.
Some very interesting characters and action.
February 1, 2025
Soooo intense I finish this in a day. I loved the ending. So much mystery and misconception. you never know what is going to happen. AMAZING read !
March 16, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
While intrigued by the premise, I don't know that I've ever had a harder time getting into a book. I started over at least four times after putting it down, and after nearly two years, I've finally managed to finish it.
The story itself was pretty interesting, but the buildup is slow and the writing style (and long chapters) didn't help.
While intrigued by the premise, I don't know that I've ever had a harder time getting into a book. I started over at least four times after putting it down, and after nearly two years, I've finally managed to finish it.
The story itself was pretty interesting, but the buildup is slow and the writing style (and long chapters) didn't help.
October 2, 2016
I love books which inspire me to seek out a definition, a history, consult an atlas, whatever. I first read this book three or four years ago. Even more so than the first time, I found it one of the most enchanting accounts of bravery and redemption I have ever read. This book goes beyond the pale in its intelligence and originality. I am grateful to authors who refuse to "dumb-it-down" so oft found in contemporary novels. I hope the author finds it in his heart, and the time, to produce a sequel. A hearty ten stars.
May 29, 2016
DNF at 36%. While the premise was interesting, and the author accomplished an atmospheric 'film noir' sort of style, I just couldn't enjoy this book. I found the language increasingly pretentious and condescending, and verbosity destroyed any pace the book may otherwise have held. I had no reason to read onwards.
dnf
August 27, 2019I just can't get into it. Moving on.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews