Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Crown Publishing, 2016

ISBN-10: 1101904224

ISBN-13: 978-1101904220

Availabile: Hardcover, audio, Kindle edition

Blake Crouch has written several fine thrillers in the past decade, but it was the breakout success of his Wayward Pines Trilogy (Thomas & Mercer, 2012-2014), that alerted the world to this talented author (and original drummer of the Killer Thriller Band). M. Night Shyamalan’s television series, “Wayward Pines,” based on the trilogy, gave the writer the spotlight he has long deserved. Now he returns with a new novel, Dark Matter. 

“Are you happy with your life?” It’s a question many people would rather not consider: so many torment themselves with “what-ifs” and “might-have-beens”. Dark Matter answers those haunting hindsight questions in a resounding manner. Crouch gives his character a second chance, presenting him with choices that create an intense, mind-bending novel, enough so that readers might just consider themselves lucky and forget all about those roads not taken. To speak much of the plot would give away twists and turns that make Crouch’s story so thrilling. However, a little won’t hurt— much.

College professor Jason Dessen lives happily with his wife, Daniela, and their teenage son, Charlie, in Chicago, where life is just…fine. One night, he goes out to help his buddy celebrate winning an esteemed science award, and is reminded that it could have been him receiving the accolade; he who could have changed the world. On his way home, a man in a geisha mask abducts Jason. Jason’s kidnapper seems to know many of the details of Jason’s life. The man asks him a question, and suddenly Jason’s world spins into chaos. Jason wakes up in a world where he never abandoned the quantum physics designs he toiled over prior to having a family, his wife never gave up her dream of becoming an artist, and life is no longer simple.

Though this is a well-worn premise, Crouch’s labyrinthine plot twists and gift for suspense make this a heroic treatment of the theory of a “do-over.” Just as readers believe the end is in sight, Crouch sends his readers back into the fray. This is the best kind of thriller: fast-paced and high concept, with unique twists on plot, and characters readers actually care about.  Already optioned for film, Dark Matter is poised to continue this author’s rise to the top. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by David Simms