April 25th, 2008 by zen2008

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Right as I’m about to die, I realize all the myths are fake. There’s no white light at the end of the tunnel. My life isn’t flashing before my eyes. All I can think about is how much I want to live.

I moved to New York City a month ago to become the best journalist the world had ever seen. To find the greatest stories never told. And now here I am–Henry Parker, twenty four years old and weary beyond rational thought, a bullet one trigger pull from ending my life.

I can’t run. Running is all Amanda and I have done for the past seventy two hours. And I’m tired. Tired of knowing the truth and not being able to tell it.

Five minutes ago I thought I had the story all figured out. I knew that both of these men–one an FBI agent, the other an assassin–wanted me dead, but for very different reasons.

If I die tonight–more people will die tomorrow.

 

Fun Facts

THE MARK was published in the US on June 26th, 2007.

It is currently scheduled to be released in approximately 12 countries by the end of 2008.

It will be published in the United Kingdom on May 16th, 2008.

THE MARK was written between March of 2005 and September of 2006, and was then edited between September and November. It was sold to MIRA Books as the first in a three book deal, the subsequent books being THE GUILTY and THE STOLEN.

It spent time on both the Barnes & Noble and Wal-Mart bestseller lists.

THE MARK was selected as the July “Need to Read” title by Levy distributors.

It was released as an audio book which is available at audible.com and on iTunes. The audio book was read by Noah Plenner.

THE MARK was part of MIRA’s “The Deadly Seven” promotion, alongside Alex Kava, Michelle Gagnon, Paul Johnston, M.J. Rose, Chris Jordan and J.T. Ellison.

 

Why It Was Written

There were several reasons why I wrote THE MARK, why I wrote it the way I did, and why Henry Parker came to be. From my youngest days I wanted to write a thriller, having been an avid fan of the genre for many years, but I also wanted to inject something new to a genre I felt was dominated by authors writing older characters. Lonely alcoholic cops. Sharks in suits. As far as I was concerned, my contribution to the genre would be best served staying away from conflicted lawyers and smooth bankers. There have been many brilliant novels written featuring those kind of characters, and forcing myself to write them would have been stuffing a penny loafer into a sneaker-sized hole.

I’d recently read a thriller by a major bestselling author where the main character was a young guy in his twenties. He was portrayed as a joke, a jackass who lied, cajoled and stole his way into major trouble and had to get out by lying some more. Forget the fact that he didn’t talk or act like any twenty-something outside of an episode of “The O.C.,” I hated that the author and readers (the book was a New York Times bestseller) seemed to feel that this character was indicative of my generation, aka Generation Lowest Common Denominator. I wanted to take the stereotype, strap a stick of dynamite to it, and blow it all to hell.

My generation needed a hero.

My protagonist had to be younger. A good head on his shoulders. With a good heart, but holding back some skeletons in his closet. His profession needed to be caught in between tradition and technology. That’s how Henry Parker came to be a newspaper reporter, hoping to bring ethics and stability to an institution whose foundation had been cracked.

A few months earlier I’d read another thriller, again by a New York Times bestselling author, that bugged the crap out of me. The setup was quite good, pitting the hero against a ticking clock where, if time ran out, Bad Things would happen to his family. But halfway through the book the clock runs out, and he spent the rest of the book, several weeks in book time, trying to find his family. I couldn’t stand it. There was such a palpable sense of tension and urgency in the first half that was dashed to pieces when the clock expired. What was our hero doing during weeks? Was he waking up in the morning, having a Venti Latte and reading the paper? Did he watch Letterman or Leno before bed? The sense of urgency had been lost.

So I wanted to write a book that never stopped, where every second was accounted for. The vast majority of THE MARK takes place over three days. And in each scene, you know exactly what the other characters are doing and where they are. I wanted it to be a runaway freight train, where you couldn’t stop it if you wanted to because the thing just didn’t slow down.

Most importantly, I wanted people to care about my characters. As much as THE MARK is a thriller, I consider it completely character driven. I didn’t want the cops to just be cops, or the killer to be some stock psychopath. I wanted them to have stories. Motives. Lives. Pathos. I didn’t want the villain to be a stock assassin, I wanted to give him flesh, blood, a heart. And in a way, the villain in THE MARK, despite being a cold, mean, ruthless son of a bitch, is the most sympathetic character in the book.

My characters have scars. These scars will not miraculously disappear in subsequent books. One pulled thread in THE MARK will affect every book to come. I want fans to journey with my characters, to love, laugh and cry with them. And maybe lose their breath a few times along the way.

I hope you enjoy THE MARK.

Jason

 

Foreign Editions

UK Watch the trailer! Publisher’s website	Australia	Germany
Sweden	Finland	Norway
Estonia	Poland	U.S.

 

Praise for THE MARK

“Debut novelist Pinter turns in a stellar performance, taking to the suspense-thriller field with great confidence and greater promise…Pinter’s a wizard at punching out page-turning action, and the voice of his headstrong protagonist is sure to win readers over; his wild ride should thrill any suspense junky.”
—Publishers Weekly

“From the opening sentence to the exhilarating conclusion, Pinter’s debut thriller gets the reader’s heart racing. Pinter…is able to use the best aspects of the genre to his advantage. With more Parker novels on the horizon, Pinter is clearly one to watch.”
—Library Journal (Starred Review)

“The story excels with its characterizations…The writing is solid throughout the novel, and the dialogue is peppered with humor. There are poignant stretches where Parker reveals deep emotional conflict and longing…the ending packs a punch of fire power, and unexpected results. There are more Henry Parker novels coming, and it’s worth the price of admission to find out what life has in store for this honest journalist.”
—Lincoln Journal-Star

“Thriller fans, we have a hot new name on the block to shout about! Jason Pinter’s high octane, confident debut marks his card as ‘one to watch.”

—The Daily Record (UK)

“Pinter’s debut novel showcases his fresh, witty voice and appreciation of the writers who’ve gone before him in the genre. Henry’s a terrific amateur sleuth, and if he survives this adventure, readers will undoubtedly look forward to many more.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 stars)

“This is a terrific thriller…an action-packed on the run investigative tale.”
—Midwest Book Review

“The Mark has the kind of explosive writing that will put Jason Pinter up there amongst the top names, with its go-for-broke thematic attitude and foreboding atmosphere makes it a big reason why the book stands out amongst the crowd.”

—ShotsMag (UK)

“A cracking debut.”

—The Daily Mirror (UK)

“At once chilling and shot through with humour, it boasts two very appealing protagonists. Pinter knows how to ramp up the tension so the reader is in that pleasurable zone of suspense, wanting to turn pages and yet not get to the end too soon. ”

—The Sunday Tribune (Ireland)

“…memorable…Mr. Pinter demands the reader’s attention from the first page…With his first effort Mr. Pinter has produced a likeable protagonist and a terrifying though not improbable situation for a seemingly ordinary young man.”
—The Mystery Reader

“Pinter has written a harrowing novel that keeps the adrenaline level high. The plot is so fascinating and twisting you can’t put the book down to sleep. He has created young untried heroes that you keep rooting to survive. Keep a close eye out for the next Pinter thriller. If it is half as good as this one you will be hooked.”
—New Mystery Reader Magazine

“All the elements are there, plus that something extra special that makes this book a publishing phenomenon that’s definitely not to be missed. Go on, I dare you not to finish it in one sitting!”

—CrimeSquad UK

“There are many reasons to read this book: the trials and tribulations of neophyte journalist Henry Parker; the developing chemistry between Parker and his forged-in- fire friend, Amanda Davies; the visceral writing style and sly knocks on a world where celebrity of any kind gives you credibility. But most of all, read it because if you do, you won’t be able to stop. At least, I couldn’t.”
—Sarah Weinman, editor, Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind

“I have to admit this. THE MARK by Jason Pinter took me by total surprise. It wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. Oh my, it was so much better than I ever dreamed it would be. THE MARK is an excellent book and Jason Pinter is a talented writer. I loved this and I look forward to reading more from this author.”
—Romance Reader at Heart

“Pinter’s thrilling debut promises to be a hit with readers this summer. This is definitely one that will have you hooked until the very last page.”
—Becky Lejeune, BookBitch.com

“THE MARK is one of the best thrillers I have read all year, and Jason Pinter is definitely a breakout author to watch…This is an extraordinary novel, and Jason Pinter has cornered the market on the next great mystery series!”
—Diana Risso, Romance Review Today (Perfect 10)

“A gripping page-turner you won’t be able to stop reading.”
—James Patterson

“THE MARK is a stunning debut! Just when we’re sure we’ve nailed the outcome, more surprises await. It’s ‘Front Page’ meets ‘The Sopranos,’ with more than a little Scorsese thrown in.”
—Jeffery Deaver

“A first-rate debut from an author who dares to take the traditional thriller in bold new directions.”
—Tess Gerritsen

“An excellent debut. You are going to love Henry Parker, and you’re going to hope he survives the story, but you’re not going to bet on it.”

—Lee Child

“A fast and furious page-turner.”
—Simon Kernick

“Jason Pinter has a wonderful voice. The Mark captivated me from the first. A page turner from the get go—I loved it.”
—Heather Graham

“Jason Pinter’s THE MARK is a hard-boiled thriller that cuts to the heart. From first line to last, the story rockets through a city rife with corruption and tangled loyalties, where one man holds the key to salvation…but only if he can walk through fire. A stunning debut by a major new talent!”
—James Rollins

“A brilliantly executed chase novel but it’s also a heartfelt exploration of honor, ambition, and courage.”
—Jeff Abbott

“A harrowing journey–chilling, compelling, disquieting. A remarkable debut.”
—Steve Berry

“A fast-paced, addictively suspenseful thriller that takes you on a dangerous ride from the nail-biting first page to the explosive ending. Authentic characterization and genuine tension make THE MARK a killer novel.”
—Allison Brennan

“THE MARK is lean, fast and furious with a tinge of classic noir and a voice all its own. It’s ‘The Fugitive’ for the new millennium. Pinter is among the best of a new generation of thriller writers.”
—Joseph Finder

“THE MARK is a terrific, riveting story! His prose is witty and lean, and his characters breathe and bleed in ways we can feel. This is a top-notch debut for a writer we will all know before long.”
—Michael Palmer

“Breathless, poignant and fresh…Jason Pinter’s debut thriller, THE MARK, is a story of good intentions gone wrong and what happens when cub reporter Henry Parker, Pinter’s charming and guileless protagonist, finds out the hard way what it’s like to be in the headlines instead of writing them.”
—P.J. Parrish

 

One month ago

I watched my reflection in the doors as the elevator rose to the twelfth floor. My suit had been steamed, pressed and tailored. My tie, shoes and belt matched perfectly. I nervously eyed Wallace Langston, the older man standing next to me. My brown hair was neatly combed, the posture on my six one frame ramrod straight. I’d bought a book on prepping for your first day at a new job. On the cover was an attractive twenty-something whose dentistry probably cost more than my college tuition.Security downstairs had given me a temporary ID. Not yet a member of the fraternity, still a pledge who had to prove his worth.
“Make sure you have your picture taken before the week’s up,” the husky security guard with huge, red-rimmed glasses and a personality-enhancing cheek mole told me. “If you don’t, I gotta run you through the system every day. And I have better things to do than run it through the system every goddamn day. You get me?” I nodded, assured her I’d have the photo taken as soon as I got upstairs. And I meant it. I wanted my face on a Gazette ID as fast as the lab could develop it. I’d take it to Kinkos myself if they ere backed up.
When the doors opened, Wallace led me across a foyer with beige carpeting, past a secretary’s desk with the words New York Gazette in big, bold letters mounted on the wall. I showed her my temporary ID. She smiled with an open mouth and chewed her gum.

Wallace pressed his keycard against a reader and opened the glass doors. As soon as the silence was broken, I thought how strange it was that all my hopes and dreams were embedded in one beautiful noise.
To an outsider, the noise might seemincessant, cacophonous, but to me it was as calm and natural as an honest laugh. Hundreds of fingers were pounding away, the soothing rattle of popping keys and scribbling pencils drawing a smile across my lips. Dozens of eyes, all staring at lighted screens with type the size of microorganisms, reading faxes and emails sent from all over the world, faces contorted as though the telephone was a human they could emote to. Some people were yelling, some softly whispering. If I hadn’t clenched my jaw trying to project confidence, it would have hit the floor like I’d stepped into a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

“This is the newsroom,” Wallace said. “Your desk is over there.” He pointed to the one unoccupied metal swivel chair among the sea of tattered felt, showing how every day I would be wading through greatness. Soon I’d be seated at that desk, computer on, phone in my hand, fingers rattling at the keyboard like Beethoven on Red Bull.

I was home.

If you’re in media or entertainment, New York is your mecca. Athletes count the days until their debut at Madison Square Garden. For classical pianists, Carnegie Hall is their holy ground. Professional stripper—sorry, exotic dancer—yeah, New York is their Jerusalem, too. It was no coincidence, then, that this was my holy land. The newsroom of the New York Gazette. Rockefeller Plaza, New York City. I’d come a long, long way to get here. I briefly wondered what the hell a twenty-four-year-old with little more on his résumé than the Bend Bulletin, was doing here, but this was everything I’d worked for. What I was destined for.

Wallace knew what I was capable of. Ever since my first page-one story in the Bulletin, the one that was syndicated in over fifty papers around the world, Wallace had been following me. When he heard I was accepted to Cornell’s prestigious journalism program, he made the three and-a-half- hour drive to take me out for lunch. And during my senior year, before I could even start to look for jobs, Wallace made me an offer to join the Gazette full-time.
The newsroom needs some new blood, he’d said. Young, ambitious kid like you, show the skeptics out there that the next generation has its head on straight. There are other papers in this city, but if you want to chase down real stories instead of celebrities on vacation, you’ll make the right choice. Make your mark, Henry. Make it with us. Plus, our first-year salary is five grand higher. I drank three bottles of champagne that night, and passed out in John Derringer’s shower with a Bic mustache and sideburns.
I felt Wallace’s hand against my suit jacket. I hoped he didn’t press too hard—my threads probably cost less than Wallace’s haircuts. Yet though Wallace was my professional benefactor, the top shelf on my wall of professional hero worship was permanently occupied. That man was seated just a few feet away. But as far as being indebted to a person, right after my mother giving birth, Wallace hiring me was a close second.
We snaked through the skewed chairs and cups of cold coffee, past writers who were too busy to tuck their chairs in. This was how they worked. I loved it. I knew not to interrupt a reporter on deadline, and sure as hell didn’t expect them to move. I was here to purify the blood of the newsroom, not to disrupt its flow.
I recognized some of the writers. I’d read their work, knew to look for their bylines. It was scary to think of them as my new colleagues. Not to mention how seldom they appeared to shave or shower.
I wanted them to respect me, needed them to respect me. But for now I was just a mark. A newbie. The guy all eyes would be on to see if he produced.
And then I saw him. Jack O’Donnell. Then Wallace pulled me forward and I remembered to breathe. As we walked by, I let my hand swipe O’Donnell’s Oxford blue shirt sleeve. A silent brush with greatness. I couldn’t have been any less subtle than if I’d taken out his latest book, asked for an autograph, then smacked him across the face with it. Talk to him later, I told myself. Follow him to the bathroom. To lunch. Offer to shine his shoes, raise his kids, whatever.
Man.
Jack O’Donnell.

Five years ago, if someone had said I’d be working fifteen feet from Jack I’d have kicked his ass formocking me. A few years ago, Jack O’Donnell was profiled in the New Yorker. I had a copy of the article at home. I taped one page above my desk, underlined one quote, the quote that threaded its way through every story I ever wrote.

News is the DNA of our society. It shapes how we think, how we act, how we feel. It dictates who we are and who we become. We are all beneficiaries—and byproducts—of information. Many people, myself included, credited the first injection of this strand of DNA to William Randolph Hearst. Hearst took over the San Francisco Examiner in 1887 at the tender age of twenty-three. The only guy who made me feel lazy.
Hearst was the first to truly sensationalize print media, splashing his newspapers with big, bold headlines and lavish illustrations. Conspiracy mongers blamed Hearst for inciting the Spanish- American war with his constant editorializing on the Spanish government’s civil rights atrocities. As Hearst reportedly said to illustrator Frederic Remington, “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”
Since then, it almost seems like journalism has taken a step backward. The scandal at the New York Times proved that. Some people laughed it off as an isolated incident. Others who knew their stories couldn’t hold up to scrutiny quietly updated their résumés. And I followed the whole thing shaking my head, trembling in anger, wanting to shake up the system. And if Jack’s quote was accurate—as I believed it to be—when that blood became tainted, it could spread disease through every capillary of society. Liars and fabricators and egos the size of Donald Trump were popping up like rats in the subway, from men and women who were supposed to report the stories, not be the stories.
Just last week, a junior reporter at the Washington Post came to work jacked on amphetamines, two pots of coffee, with a deadline in six hours for a thousand-word story he hadn’t written a sentence for. He cranked out the piece then returned home, punched his girlfriend, and took a header out of their fifth-story walk-up. Just more fuel for the fire. I wanted to be the antidote, to pick up Jack O’Donnell’s mantle, polish the surface and carry it with pride. I wanted to extract the venom that had poisoned journalism, to bring some credibility back to the newsroom in the wake of these lies. Jack O’Donnell had given me an unbreakable faith in what a good reporter could accomplish. And now here I was, within coughing distance of the legend himself. Time to put up or shut up, Henry.
After bobbing and weaving through jackets slung over chair backs and pens rolling along the floor like plastic dust bunnies, we arrived at my desk, a smile on my face as if it were opening day at Yankee freakin” Stadium. My desk was right by the window, overlooking the veranda that in the winter became Woolman rink. Prime real estate, baby. I could watch the multilingual tourists snapping away at the beautiful golden sculptures and international flags, people gazing at the fair city as though they never knew such architecture and panache existed. Sunlight poured over my workstation, glowing off the fresh-scrubbed walls, and I couldn’t help but feel blessed.

“Welcome to your new home,” Wallace said. “Comes fully stocked with, well, everything you see here.”
“Any assembly required?” I asked.
Wallace leaned in, whispered, “Some of the old-timers, I guess you can count myself in there, keep a flask in their desk.” I didn’t know what to say. Was he serious? Wallace laughed, clapped me on the back. “You’ll fit in just fine.”
He leaned over and tapped the shoulder of the woman whose workstation was adjacent to mine. She spun around, her swivel chair well-oiled and squeak-free, and glowered at me. She was slim, blond and quite attractive. Late thirties, early forties, with a “what the hell do you want?” look on her face so convincing I couldn’t help but think she practiced it in the mirror. She wore a pink tank top and black Capri pants, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. No wedding ring. And from the looks of it, no bra. If Mya asked what my co-workers looked like, I’d have to lie.
“Paulina,” Wallace said stepping aside, allowing her to view me in full. “Meet Henry Parker. This is his first day on the job.”
Paulina shriveled her nose. “He’s taking Phil’s old desk.” Wallace coughed into his hands, slightly embarrassed. “Yes, he’s taking Phil’s old desk.”
Paulina scanned me as if reading a computer printout. Finally she extended her hand. I shook it, her grip limp and apathetic.
“Welcome to the mad house, new guy,” she said.
“Thanks. I’m excited to…” “Tough luck taking Phil’s old desk. You tell him what happened to Phil,

Wally?”
Wallace sighed. “No, I haven’t had the chance yet.” Paulina shrugged. “Bad karma, Henry.” She looked at me inquisitively. “Henry. That’s a strange name for such a young man. How’d you get saddled with that?”
“Saddled? I…”
“What, your parents didn’t like you?” My eyes hardened. Paulina could tell she’d dug too far, and her face became all twinkles. “I’m just playing with you, Henry. You’ve got a fine name. I like things that are different.” She looked up at Wallace, apparently satisfied with my answers. “This is the kid from Oregon, right?” She looked at me again. “Wallace told me you were, quote, a prize find. That right?”
I tried to ease the tension. “Yeah, Kmart was having a blue- light special on junior reporters. Wallace got me at twenty-five percent off.” Paulina’s eyebrow cocked and she shook her head. Wallace turned away in shame. I gave myself a mental slap. Paulina said, “That’s not funny, Henry. You haven’t been here long enough to get away with making shitty jokes.”
“Sorry. From now on, only funny jokes.”
“Or no jokes,” she said.
“Or no jokes.”
She smiled, much warmer now.
“Good.” Paulina held up a pen, its nub chewed to a quick. I noticed several pairs of shoes under her desk. Shiny red dress shoes, worn sneakers, broken-in Birkenstocks.
“If you’re smart, you’ll keep a few good pairs of shoes around the office,” she said. “You never know what kind of story you’ll have to chase at a moment’s notice. You need to be prepared at all times.” Wallace nodded. I made a mental note to bring in my old Reebok pumps.
“Best of luck to you, Henry,” she added. “Wally’s a good guy. Listen to what he says.”
“Absolutely.”
Paulina turned back to her computer and began typing away.
“She’s a fine journalist,” Wallace said softly. “Paulina, here, found our hero of the day six times
this month alone.”

“Seven times, Wally,” Paulina said. “If you fuck that up on my performance review I’ll call my lawyer.”
“Hero of the day?” I asked.
“Every day has a hero,” Wallace said. “It’s our page-one feature, the main attraction, the story that sells papers. One day it could be the war, the next it’s the elections, the next it could be a man who keeps a Bengal tiger in his apartment as a pet or a celebrity discovered screwing his babysitter.”

Paulina added, “Every day has a different hero. Simply put, it’s that day’s biggest news. Every day needs a hero. Without one, there’s no news. We don’t sell papers, the Gazette brings in no money, we all get canned, you’re back in bumblefuck Oregon before the month is out. Plus, whichever reporter reports the most heroes over the calendar year gets a pretty nice bonus. So get cracking. There are a lot of rocks out there to turn over.”
Wallace said, “Don’t worry. You’ll have your chance. For now, though, try to observe how your new colleagues work. It’ll be hard to gain your footing and find your voice. Just remember everyone here started out exactly where you are. Mickey Mantle was an Oklahoma boy before he came to the Yankees. Pretty soon, you’ll be finding your own heroes for us.” He became serious, leaned in closer. “We’re counting on you to
find ones that matter.”
Paulina chimed in, “Unlike Phil.”
Wallace nodded resignedly. “Yes, unlike Phil.”
I decided not to inquire about this Phil. It was newsroom gossip and I hadn’t earned the right.
“Well, have a seat,” Wallace said. “See how the old desk fits you.”
Watching Wallace to see his reaction, I settled into my new that was constantly fidgeting, moving around. Designed more to keep you awake than keep you relaxed, and I was sure my spine would hate me for it.
“Well?”
“It’s perfect,” I said. Wallace laughed.
“Bullshit, but you’ll get used to it. Let’s have lunch Thursday. HR will send you info about benefits and 401k. Give me a holler if you need anything.” Just then a voice rang through the office. Wallace’s secretary. “Mr. Langston! Rudy Giuliani on line two.” He muttered, “Shit, he’s probably pissed about the piece on page five.”

Wallace gave me a quick pat on the back.
“And Henry?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t wear a suit and tie again. You’re a journalist, not a stockbroker. Lesson number one, your sources will want to feel you’re on their level. Not a level above them.”
As I settled in, Paulina turned to me, a cagey look on her face. “And one more thing,” she said.

“Yeah?”
“Remember one thing, and make sure you remember it good in every story you write. Ninety percent of this job is reporting good versus evil. And without evil, we’d be out of a job.”

Readers Review THE MARK

“I Just finished your book THE MARK…and let me tell you I LOVED it…it started great and kept my attention throughout…the ending was satisfying…too many books start off good and leave you disappointed in the end…but NOT yours, I am looking forward to reading more of your books.”
–Sheryl C.

“I am sad to say I just finished reading THE MARK. It was great! I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want it to end.”
–Yvonne R.

“Just finished THE MARK and really enjoyed it; can’t wait for the next one.
–Harry S.

“I just finished THE MARK and enjoyed the book. Good work…I commend you on your writing.”
–Lloydine P.

“I just finished THE MARK and I was astounded. This is absolutely one of the best books I

have ever read.”
–Carol S.

“If anybody noticed that I didn’t get any work done today I will blame it on you for writing a story I

couldn’t out down.”
–Eileen P.

“I just finished your book THE MARK…I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading THE

GUILTY.”
–David W.

“Excellent book, can’t wait for the 2nd one. Exactly the type of book that I stay up late and keep turning the pages to see what happens next.”
–John B.

“I just finished your book yesterday. I loved it. It’s one of those books that grabs you right away and won’t let you go.”
–Tracy M.

“I love THE MARK!”
–Brad M.

“I absolutely loved THE MARK…I was very wrapped up in your novel and really could not put it down. Thanks for a great read.”
–Dan K.

“I just finished reading THE MARK and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for allowing me to find a new reader to follow.”
–Bob K.

“Just finished reading your book. It was terrific! I couldn’t put it down.”
–Olga A.

“I thoroughly enjoyed THE MARK. It was definitely a fascinating story and a memorable reading experience.”
–Mary D.

“I just wanted you to know that if I cannot wake up for work in 2 hours, it is your damn fault. I just finished THE MARK and I have to say that this was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a very, very long time.”
–Jon L.

“I just wanted to tell you that I just finished THE MARK and I loved it. Henry Parker is such a great character. I was spellbound by the whole scenario.”
–Judy R.

“There has been a huge hole in my reading agenda since the death of Lawrence Sanders. I believe I have found someone to fill that.”
–Kevin M.

“Your thriller, THE MARK, is so excellent that I had to comment before even finishing the book.”
–Philip J.

“I just wanted to tell you that I just finished THE MARK (in under two days no less) and I have to tell you that it was such an awesome read! I couldn’t put it down.”
–Anna P.

“Okay, bought the book last night, stayed up most of the night. I am HOOKED. Fun book, this is really a gripping novel.”
–Carole B.

“I just finished THE MARK and it was merely superb, full of suspense, action, surprises, you name it. The only criticism I have is that I did not want to put it down but was forced to because my husband insists on eating.”
–Barbara C.

“Just read THE MARK and found it to be a very good book. Keep up the good work!”
–Sean C.

“I have long been a big fan of the genre and THE MARK is a worthy and wonderful addition.”
–Michael T.

“I bought THE MARK Monday, and I finished it yesterday, which was a Wednesday. I can’t wait for the next books. My mother is next in line and then my grandma. I’ll get them both hooked too.”
–Danielle A.

“I just finished THE MARK, couldn’t wait to see how it ended…good job! Keep up the good work, you’ve definitely got a knack for a story.”
–Robert F.

“I just finished THE MARK last night and was wonderfully surprised that you will keep the Henry Parker character going in a series. So many times you fall in love with a character only to have the author use him or her once. I am looking forward to future installments.”
–Jason B.

“Fantastic book! I have read it twice this week.”
–Shane R.

“What a book - I loved it, loved it, loved it - believed me you are headed to the top!”
–Julie H.

“I loved it. I completely became engrossed in Henry’s plight and the extraordinary circumstances he found himself in. I read everything, from Dean Koontz to Nora Roberts, and everything in between. I’m thrilled to have a new author to add to my collection.”
–Tracy R.

“I bought THE MARK last night and I am hooked! Congratulations on a great book. I look forward to reading more from you.”
–Michael V.

“I just finished your book yesterday having picked up on Friday. I very much enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.”
–Colin B.

“I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your book. I was up half the night finishing it. I am looking forward to the next one.”
–Marc F.

“I started it yesterday morning and finished it this morning. It was thrilling. I just wanted to say thank you for the effort and that I am on the edge of my seat to follow you as you leap ahead.”
–Jan W.

“I just wanted to let you know that I read your book and absolutely loved it! I’ve got a co-worker hooked as well and we anxiously await your next novel.”
–Marcy G.

“What a fun read!”
–Larry S.

“I read a LOT. This is one of the best novels I have ever read. And it is certainly the first time I have ever taken the time to congratulate an author.”
–Steven D.

“Just a great story and very well told.”
–Jason B.

“When I started reading it I couldn’t stop.”
–Troy E.

“One of those books your read cover to cover without stopping!”
–Susan M.

“Thank you for bringing such an exciting book–and Henry Parker–into existence!”
–Nellie T.

“I have just finished THE MARK and it is absolutely one of the best novels I have ever read. It has been ages since I felt this way about a story and characters.”
–Kat T.

“Your book was zigging when I thought it would have been zagging. Every time I thought I had it figured out I was wrong.”
–Scott L.

“I absolutely loved your book! Please hurry with the next one!”
–Judi D.

“I loved the book! Henry Parker seemed so alive to me. A great job, I can’t wait for the next one!”
–Joyce K.

“I just finished reading THE MARK and BRAVO!”
–Sandy W.

“It’s the best book I’ve ever read and I’ve read a lot. I couldn’t put it down more than two feet away because I wanted to know what happened next.”
–Jesper L.

“I picked up THE MARK last week and could not put it down. I can hardly wait for your next book to come out.”
–Ed L.

“Best book I’ve ever read…can’t wait for the next one!”
–Jenni K.

“Henry is a great character and I can see him having a whole string of books. There’s nothing better than spending a Sunday reading.”
–Jennifer M.

“I just want to tell you that your first book, THE MARK, was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I had a headache all day from not being able to put the book down last night.”
–Dale J.

“I just wanted to send you a message applauding your great work in THE MARK. It was one of the greatest books I’ve ever read.”
–Josh K.

“I just finished reading THE MARK and wanted to tell you that it was one of the best thrillers I have ever read.”
–Bbob R.

“Keep up the good work and hurry up with the next one.”
–Rita I.

“Loved the book, can’t wait for your next one.”
–Sam T.

“I started it on Sunday and finished it on Monday. I read a couple of hundred books per year and thought that this one was right up with the best of them.”
–Jack G.

“I just finished your book. It was great.”
–Kathy S.

“I loved your book THE MARK. I am awaiting for THE GUILTY to arrive in stores.”
–Stacey S.

“I read THE MARK like I was Pac-Man and your words were those little circle things. It was crazy amazing and I can’t wait until THE GUILTY comes out!”
–Bethany H.

“Tthe story was great and kept me interested throughtout the entire.”
–Malissa P.

“Great read. I couldn’t put it down!”
–Ellie B.

“It was one of the best suspense novels I’ve read in quite a while.”
–Andy H.

“I just finished THE MARK. Loved it.”
–Othello B.

“An excellent book. Keep writing, from one very satisfied customer.”
–Lindsey P.

“I just got done reading your book THE MARK and LOVED it!”
–Stacy T.

“I read your book and I thought it was really good. Wow, what a page turner!”
–Rhonda B.

“I just wanted to let you know that I absolutely loved THE MARK! I’m so excited that I have a new book series to read.”
–Brittany R.

“I just wanted to let you know that I loved your book THE MARK. It was a truly thrilling experience to read.”
–Brad T.

“I just finished your novel THE MARK and I wanted to tell you congrats, I really enjoyed it and look forward to your next one.”
–Miles L.

“I’ve become addicted to thriller novels and The Mark was the easiest to read and kept me wanting to turn the pages like none other in quite a while.”

–Todd K.