The Mark (A Henry Parker Novel, 1)

This book was a fast paced page turner. Wow

I actually picked this book up after reading Pinter's second novel, THE GUILTY. While the plot isn't the most original ever created--guy accused of murder, teams up with a headstrong, sexy female counterpart to clear his name and find the truth--it's handled much better than most in the genre, mainly because Henry Parker is an engaging protagonist, and the voice of the character is different (in a good way) than most in crime fiction. This book adds a bit of backstory to the Parker and Amanda Davies characters, so after the grabbing opening chapter there's a short lull, but once the plot is set it motion it's an awfully hard book to put down. It's not perfect--there are some improbabilities (name me a thriller that doesn't have a few)--but it's a very strong first novel. Pinter's second book actually has a more original storyline, but this book works in many ways as a good opening chapter to a longer story. Paired up with THE GUILTY, these are strong initial entries in what should be a terrific series.

Excellent debut novel! I saw The Guilty on the shelf at Coles when it came out and read the synopsis. It sounded intriguing. Plus, the quotes from authors I've read helped as well, so I picked it up. I hadn't realized it was the second book, so I picked up the first, The Mark. Am I ever glad I did! And I had to agree with the reviews. The book is a gripping page-turner and I had a hard time putting it down. I felt bad for Henry, being stuck in the position he was in. While most of us would turn away and run for help, he jumped in with both feet - then had to run for his life. Henry is a good-guy through and through, with a mind that works quickly, making decisions I don't think I'd ever be able to make. He goes through a lot in seventy-two hours. The characters involved really put the pedal to the metal, and there's no letting up. Plenty of action to keep a reader on their toes and their brains thinking. While the already know the who and how, it's the `package' that keeps a reader guessing. An excellent debut novel. I immediately picked up The Guilty ... I'm already on chapter 7, LOL!

The Mark has to be one of the best books I have read in many years! This book starts with a bang and never stops. Anyone who enjoys thrillers will absolutely love this one! Jason Pinter is the BEST and I can't wait to read his new book The Guilty. Henry Parker Rules!

With the popularity of The DaVinci Code, and other thrillers like it, I feel too many authors are trying to make their works too complex and too intelligent. Jason Pinter, whom I have never heard of and I am sure you may not have either, has burst onto the scene with an extremely readable straight forward thriller in the Hitchcockian theme of the wrong man at the wrong place at the wrong time. I read this book in 3 days, felt it was somewhat plausible, but most of all felt it was time well spent. The main characters are fairly well drawn out, but this is really a plot driven story more than anything. If you want a fairly quick read and something perfect for the plane or the beach that can simply take you away from every day life and not make you think too hard...this is it.

Jason Pinter has shown a true craft in creating not only a suspenseful page turner that kept me up all night, but also a craft in the overlooked ability of writing deep and multifaceted characters. Not one character, whether introduced for a scene or present in the entire book, is portrayed in just one light. Rather, we see at work the constant struggle between good and evil, pride and humility, love and hatred, hope and despair. I was surprised to find myself sympathizing with the villain and again surprised when I found myself loving the main character, Henry Parker, in spite of his flaws. No character is perfect and in that way, they all are. I highly recommend this well crafted, fresh voiced debut.