The Donzerly Light

by Ryne Douglas Pearson

Praise for Ryne Douglas Pearson's novels... "A must... A gripping blend of techno-thriller and detective story... The suspense runs at a high pitch"   Publishers Weekly  for 'Cloudburst' "Mind-boggling... A hyperreal whiz-bang novel by a gifted high-tech specialist"   Kirkus Reviews  for 'Cloudburst' "Suspenseful and filled with precise descriptions of weaponry; will appeal to Tom Clancy's readers"   Booklist  for 'October's Ghost' "Pearson delivers another riveting technothriller... Highly recommended"   Library Journal  for 'October's Ghost' "...chillingly prescient..down-to-the-wire suspense"   Publishers Weekly  for 'Capitol Punishment' "Action-packed and fast-paced... Keeps the reader flipping pages frantically"   Library Journal  for 'Simple Simon' "Excellent entertainment from first page to last"   Booklist  for 'Simple Simon' "Aerodynamic prose and superb pacing... A one-sitting book that will make the hours fly by"   Publishers Weekly  for 'Simple Simon' "An interesting twist on the serial-killer thriller"   Publishers Weekly  for 'Top Ten' __________________________________________________  With a destitute childhood and the tragic loss of his parents a distant but constant memory, Jay Grady has come to Wall Street to make a name, and a fortune, for himself. But the success he'd imagined is frustratingly elusive.

Until he meets the bum. An enigmatic transient who occupies a Manhattan corner, offering puzzling morsels of wisdom on a sign he changes daily. Drawn to the bum one day by a familiar snippet on his sign, Jay gives the man some spare change.

What he gets in return shakes him to his core.

Suddenly gifted with some power of prescience, Jay becomes the darling of Wall Street, picking winning stocks as if he can glimpse the future.

Or shape it.

But the dark side of this gift reveals itself as a curse when Jay tries to turn away from what he's been given, leading the bum to reach into his life with murderous results. Running from the horrific reality that his power now unleashes, Jay finds his flight coming full circle as he must face the man, the thing, that set him on this path.

Genres: Mystery, Horror, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Paranormal

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2010

About the author

Ryne Douglas Pearson is an accomplished novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of several novels, including Cloudburst, October's Ghost, Capitol Punishment, Simple Simon, Top Ten, The Donzerly Light, All For One, Confessions, and Cop Killer. He is also the author of the short story collection, Dark and Darker. His novel Simple Simon was made into the film Mercury Rising. As a screenwriter he has worked on numerous movies. The film Knowing, based on his original script, was released in 2009 and opened #1 at the box office. Receiving Four Stars from Roger Ebert, who branded it ‘among the best science-fiction films I’ve seen’, it went on to earn more than $180 million worldwide. He has also done uncredited work on films such as the remakes of The Day The Earth Stood Still and The Eye.

Despite the often ‘dark’ nature of his novels and films, Pearson has been noted to have a ‘sweet, disarming quality’ by Entertainment Weekly–an accusation he has been unable to shake. When not writing he is usually thinking about writing, or touting the wonders of bacon in online conversations. He is addicted to diet soda and the sound of his children laughing. A west coast native, he lives in California with his wife, children, a Doberman Kelpie and a Beagle Vizsla.

Reviews

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW: THE DONZERLY LIGHT by Ryne Douglas Pearson

I read this novel more than a week ago, and postponed writing my review till now. THE DONZERLY LIGHT is so exceptional, so original, so imaginative, I wasn't certain I could encapsulate it. Remember a television series decades ago, THE MILLIONAIRE, about a man who randomly gave out cash? Imagine something similar: you encounter a seemingly harmless, perhaps even pathetic, individual, who somehow transfers to you clairvoyance--a specific context of precognition, and by it you become the new "darling," and rich beyond your wildest dreams...at an immensely steep and also unimaginable price.

[Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very refreshing horror novel and a nice change of pace from the formulaic and over-gored mainstream horror tale. Novice Wall Street wanna-be meets a New York bum in front of Trinity Church who gives him a gift...or is it a curse? If you are wondering what a Donzerly Light is, you may know of its cousin, Richard Stands, the guy who we pledge allegiance to. But that's the only hint you are getting. For this is quite a different form of supernatural tale. It starts out as sort of a "Monkey Paw" story but then turns into new territory which should please both the horror fan and the thriller aficionado. Highly recommended.

[Shawn Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the most original books I've ever read and had some scenes that I will never forget. If you'd find it as refreshing as I did to read a story so seemingly void of anything typical, then check out the Donzerly Light. The story's concept was awesome... that it wasn't truly revealed until close to the end, wonderful! Ryne knows how to keep the pages turning (or scrolling)! Already have two more of his books lined up to read!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting plot idea. Second half reads faster than first part. Could use rewriting to be tighter, cut the fat, and it would be a better suspense story. A man is given supernatural powers that make him rich on Wall Street but ruins him personally. Faustian theme turns into something else when he loses the positive power for what he perceives is a punishment, experiencing death in accidents he foresees. When fate throws him with a woman who survived one of those accidents, she pieces together what is happening and they set off on a quest with a surprise ending.

[Diane Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre supernatural thriller, where a junior stock broker suddenly has the ability to pick winners, thanks to a 'gift' from a bum on the street. Quick riches and success, which spiral out of control, then the streak stops and instead he gets premonition of horrific deadly accidents. The 2nd half of the book is a 'road trip' where the main character tries to figure out what it all means, why he was given the 'gift' and who (or what) the mysterious bum is. Fast-paced and a real page-turner.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise is very unusual -(I won't give anything away here),and I really enjoyed it. It kept me wondering up until the final page. There are several grammatical mistakes that were repeated and bothered me, like "between he and the car". A published author should know better, and any kind of editing should catch that. I would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

better than expected.

[Gerald Rice]

I got bogged down in the very prolonged kabuki bar scene and lost interest. It started out fantastically. Maybe I'll try it again later.

[Jamie DeBree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, mysterious, and philosophical read (in a completely accessible way). Read it. Awesome.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book with an interesting plot. Made going back to work from lunch difficult 'cause I wanted to keep reading.

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Donzerly Light is an engaging and wackily horrific story. I deeply cared for several characters, especially the main protagonist, Jay. It was clear that I shouldn't like one character from the moment I met them, but it didn't become clear why until most of the way through the book. The book is divided into multiple interviews with an investigator. The prose could have more effectively integrated the interview process into the story. Unfortunately, the interaction between Jay and the interrogator was merely a breathing point in the story, which mostly was told as though the interrogator didn't exist. Removing the interrogator from the story wouldn't work, but the book would have been more cohesive if he had played a more prominent role as the story unfolded. All in all, though, the book was very entertaining.

[Darlene Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

Captivating, I couldn’t wait to continue to read. Will be looking for this author to read more of his books

[Melissa Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!!

[Susan Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryne Douglas Pearson’s The Donzerly Light opens with an interrogation. The man being interrogated – Jay Grady – has just murdered someone – but the people holding him don’t seem to be policemen. And, for Jay, that’s probably the nearest thing to normal that’s happened to him in eight long years.

Pearson creates a spider web of a plot that draws not only his protagonist but also the reader in and refuses to let either go. The spider, as it turns out, is a bum who holds the sign bearing the words “Buy the donzerly light” early in the book. Jay, an ambitious Wall Street junior broker, is the fly. Jay’s life is forever changed when he drops some change into the bum’s can: first, he’s given the Midas touch and then something much more sinister.

Though the main character is initially somewhat unlikeable, the story is so fascinating that this reader kept turning the pages anxiously. The path the young man is forced to walk eventually strengthens his character and makes him sympathetic. All of the characters seem real, from his childhood sweetheart to the man interrogating Jay, which helps to ground the more fantastic elements of the story.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in paranormal suspense. It was highly entertaining and had a great twist at the end.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an original book. Nothing derivative here. That gives it high marks in my opinion. The story is about a man, Jay Grady, who in return for giving a bum loose change, is given a 'gift' of knowing things. The gift announces itself by having all the change in his pocket, or on a table, or wherever, suddenly turning 'heads' up. This is followed by some insight, at first into the stock market where he becomes wealthy beyond his imagination. But at some point things change and all the coins begin coming up 'tails' and it is then his knowing changes to death. Predictions, but more than that. He experiences each of the deaths he predicts....... i'm not going to tell the whole story, but it continues unfolding in surprising ways that make the reader push ahead with interest. Since i had no idea what to expect when i started this book, it was a very pleasant surprise.

[B.L. Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Donzerly Light was a work written in the mid-90s, and just now released for the e-book market. A chance Pearson took in the cut and dried world of publishing, to step outside his own genre. We thank you.
This story is a look into the human condition, with the macabre twist. Do we have free will? Or are our lives all preordained. Does that one chance meeting with a down and out old man, dictate how you will live. Fate. Does our footprint on the world, depend on a flip of the coin? If we never asked how or why, could we live our lives in peace.
Pearson takes you on a trip to there and back again, should you ride along? I bought my ticket and it was a hell of a ride.
This one will really get under your skin.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't your typical financial success story - but then again, I have yet to read a book by Pearson that was typical in any way. The premise was not unusual, but the method of getting there certainly was. For me, much of the first half of the book was a struggle to get through, because I knew it had to be too good to be true and am not a fan of Wall Street type books; however, like some of the earlier Stephen King books, something weird and bad was about to happen. Once it did, I wasn't able to put the book down until 1:00 AM when I finished it. I have to give this one 4.7 stars. Jim read this one 6-15-14 and gave it 5 stars. (High praise from him!)

[Lisa Denn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I was asked to sum up my impression of The Donzerly Light, a psychological thriller, written by Ryne Douglas Pearson in one sentence it would be, "Creativity at its best!!" Employing a handful of coins as the foundation for predicting both the fortune and misfortune in the life of stock broker, Jay Grady was an absolutely brilliant choice by Pearson given Grady's profession.
A definite must read for anyone who enjoys this genre. You won't be disappointed nor will you want to put the book down for even one second!

[Grady Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn't fall easily into any one category. It has elements of the thriller, the horror story, the supernatural story and the quest story all mixed together. That's probably the reason I'd recommend it - it's not much like any story I've read before.

It doesn't promise any grand insights into the meaning of life, it's just an intriguing story. This is not a knock on it; the problem with a story that does seem to be leading up to an amazing insight is that it rarely delivers; amazing insights are, after all, few and far between.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. This was a bit of a crazy read. Lots of reality mixed with paranormal but it was kinda tough to pick out each. The bad guy was super bad because he appeared to offer good gifts. Gifts that quickly consumed Jay's life and drove away every person who cared about him. Then the gift changed to years of torture and homelessness and lots and lots of "WHY?" and loneliness. So many things seemed random but were expertly orchestrated. Very clever!! It ended well but I wanted just a little bit more for my own personal closure.

[Jennifer DiCecco]

I could NOT get into this book at all. It was a free Kindle download, and I had read "One for All" by Ryne Douglas Pearson and really liked it, but I just can't get into this book at all. I found myself skimming over a lot of it out of sheer boredom. The author goes into great detail about Jay and his girlfriend Carrie, the exchange between the homeless man and Jay was excruciatingly long winded and confusing. It was becoming a chore to read rather than an entertaining story.

[Yolande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was a great read. Being a long-time fan of mystery and suspense, this book surpassed my expectations. The writing is excellent, the menace always lurking just under the surface and the play between good and evil subtle but oh so potent though out the story.

The story took a while to get going, but it had enough mystery to keep me reading. About forty pages in, I had a hard time putting this down. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to be subtly scared out of their wits.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free Kindle download for me and a rather enjoyable read. The story had enough twists that although I had my suspicions about some of the conclusions I couldn't guess all. I don't read a lot of popular fiction so I was a little underwhelmed with the prose style and some of the cruder turns of phrase. All in all, worth the read.

[Nelta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title seemed interesting and had me downloading and the reading page after page....It was definitely entertaining and not my usual read....at times it was difficult to dredge. thru some of the pages but all in all the twists and turns and unknown kept me turning until the end. Better watch who you make "deals" with....

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A down and out homeless man wakes up in handcuffs being held by some unknown person. This person interrogates him about his life and the strange circumstances that brought him to this point. The story revolves around a bum with some kind of special powers to effect peoples' lives and brig them luck or death. Very involved and imaginative.

[Carly Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly incredible

This story kept me hooked. Though I wasn't a big fan of the main character, Jay, the situation he was in and the sequence of bizarre things that continued to happen to him kept me coming back for what might happen next.

I don't want to give away anything, so I'll just say that the ending is completely satisfying!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kindle freebie.
Kindle freebies are usually hit or miss and this was a HIT!
Very original, bizarre and fast-paced thriller (with a twist at the end) that I could not put down!
A recommended read! Will definitely check out other books by this author!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the early Steven King books I read years ago. Always enjoyed his books. This was easy to follow and not so far out there that you could almost believe this is happening. Good story line....

[Therese]

$0.0

[David Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took a different path then what I was expecting... which is a good thing. A good read and will read more by the author.