THE PROCEDURE HAS BEGUN…
Fifteen years earlier. Jasper College is buzzing with the news that famed literature professor Richard Aldiss will be teaching a special night class called Unraveling a Literary Mystery—from a video feed in his prison cell. In 1982, Aldiss was convicted of the murders of two female grad students; the women were killed with axe blows and their bodies decorated with the novels of notoriously reclusive author Paul Fallows. Even the most obsessive Fallows scholars have never seen him. He is like a ghost. Aldiss entreats the students of his night class to solve the Fallows riddle once and for all. The author's two published novels, The Coil and The Golden Silence, are considered maps to finding Fallows's true identity. And the only way in is to master them through a game called the Procedure. You may not know when the game has begun, but when you receive an invitation to play, it is an invitation to join the elite ranks of Fallows scholars. Failure, in these circles, is a fate worse than death. Soon, members of the night class will be invited to play along . . .
Present day. Harvard professor Alex Shipley made her name as a member of Aldiss's night class. She not only exposed the truth of Paul Fallows's identity, but in the process uncovered information that acquitted Aldiss of the heinous 1982 crimes. But when one of her fellow night class alums is murdered— the body chopped up with an axe and surrounded by Fallows novels—can she use what she knows about Fallows and the Procedure to stop a killer before each of her former classmates is picked off, one by one?
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"Nine elite literature students are invited to take a class, given by satellite by a renowned literary professor who has been convicted of the murder of 2 students. What follows is a psychological game playing chase as the sstudents attempt to answer a myriad of questions. I couldn't put it down." — Diane (4 out of 5 stars)
"Nine elite literature students are invited to take a class, given by satellite by a renowned literary professor who has been convicted of the murder of 2 students. What follows is a psychological game playing chase as the sstudents attempt to answer a myriad of questions. I couldn't put it down."
“A brilliant concept, brilliantly executed. Dominance soars to the top of the thriller genre by infusing its rapid-fire plot with the mysteries of literature and authorship and offering cutting-edge (so to speak) psychological insights into minds both noble and horrifically demented. You’ll never look at professors, authors, or, well, books the same way again. Oh, and that last page…”
“Dominance is a twisting, intriguing, and compelling psychological thriller of the first order. Will Lavender has created a clever maze of plot, fraught with dark corridors and deadly ends. With this novel in your hands, you’ll be voraciously turning the pages late into the night, maybe thinking you’re a step ahead, until you realize you’ve always been a step behind—right up until the stunning final scene.”
“Visceral…Dominance is quick and complicated…Part of Mr. Lavender’s sleight of hand involves flattering the reader’s keen intelligence.”
“With Dominance, Will Lavender has written a fascinating novel. If you like puzzles you will enjoy this book. If you are a fan of twists you will like this book. If you like both puzzles AND twists then you will probably flip over this book. It will have you guessing until the final page.”
" I couldn't get past page 75. I wanted to like it, but it was so slow. Like Secret History, but really boring. With a whiny narrator. "
" Holy crap that was awesome! I sat down intending to read a chapter or two and ended up reading the last 150 pages. I'm definitely going to be looking for other books from this author. "
" It promises more than it can deliver, plot-wise. But entertaining for sure. His next novel better not just be another version of the first two, though! "
" The first half was half was pretty disjointed. The book has a great premise but unfortunately falls short on believability. "
" I really, really like this book. it was very enjoyable to read. :) "
" Very interesting book. Quite the puzzle. "
" It got the one star/I couldn't get through it grade. Totally didn't grasp or hold my interest. "
" Why write a thriller if you don't have any thrills in it? Too many characters, lots of time shifting, and just overall a bit boring. It wants to be Silence of the Lambs, but sorry, not even close. "
" I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. Thank you so much first reads for such a wonderful gift! "
" I really liked this book. The ending is spine chilling and I loved it. Definitely a book in my Top 100 :) "
" Definitely a page turner. But you have to suspend your disbelief because there are several important story points that are completely implausible: a doctor discloses patient information to a random stranger? I think not.... "
" I loved this basic thriller set in an English class at a small Vermont college. It's basically about the mystery behind Thomas Pynchon, but fictionalized. I'd LOVE to see another book from Will Lavender. The mystery aspect of it is a bit simplistic: several red herrings. "
" Not bad, but got a little convoluted. End was great -- did not see it coming at all. "
" Simply amazing! Definitely one of the top reads of this year. "
" Lavender's newest puzzle mystery had me in its thrall from page one - creepy and satisfying! --Review by Lauren "
" Loved it...everything I hoped it would be!!!You have to read every word of this book and do so rather slowly...and I do believe Will lavender is toying with us...I think he is working on book three...the ending makes me think he is!!! "
" Review is on the way. First some sleep (hello almost 4am!) and time to clear my thoughts! In the meanwhile: favourite book of the year! Read. Read. Read. "
Will Lavender teaches literature and writing in Louisville, Kentucky. He has an MFA in creative writing from Bard College and his short fiction has been published in various small journals.
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