Solving mysteries is never easy. Dealing with an infuriated mob boss and acute amnesia only makes it worse.
"The Orientation of Dylan Woodger" is the story of a young man who is torn between his capacity to do evil and his desire to do what’s right. This book explores racism and feminism, and addresses controversial topics such as male rape, hate crimes, and misogyny toward women. Readers may be disturbed by the characters, but the book aspires to be hopeful, as these characters ultimately succeed in finding some measure of humanity.
Dylan Woodger is a college student who is captured and tortured by the mafia. After amnesia obscures the last three years of his life, Dylan learns that he has stolen three million dollars from a ruthless mafia boss. When, how, and why – he doesn’t remember. But someone betrayed him and gave him a drug that erased his memory. He was then given over to be tortured.
Determined to recover his memory, Dylan begins delving into the events of the past. But as each new piece of the puzzle falls into place, Dylan realizes that no one is who they seem . . . especially himself. People who claim to be his friends are hiding secrets from him. And his girlfriend is beautiful, but that’s all he knows about her. Who are these people? And who is Dylan? Even he doesn’t know! But he has links to rapists, white supremacists, and murderers. And his quest for the truth is made even more complicated by the presence of assassins, gangsters, and detectives.
There are so many unanswered questions . . . But first, Dylan must survive the torture.
CHIUBA EUGENE OBELE is a poet, writer, and author of "The Orientation of Dylan Woodger: A Central New York Crime Story." He can usually be found reading a book, and that book will more likely than not be a crime fiction novel. Chiuba lives and works out of his home in Boston, Massachusetts. When not absorbed in the latest page-turner, Chiuba enjoys spending his summers vacationing with his parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews.
This book is an interesting, intriguing, and suspenseful crime fiction read filled with intense, emotionally sensitive themes, storylines, and plot points.
This book starts off with the main character, Dylan Woodger, claiming to having lost his memory, and having been kidnapped, tortured, and interrogated by the Utica mafia. Dylan states that he is suspected of stealing three million dollars from the mafia but doesn’t remember where the money is or if he actually took it. However, if he doesn’t tell them where the money is, they plan to kill him.
This book then quickly shifts to Dylan reflecting on his last recallable memories, which include his arrival to Utica, New York to attend college in 2016, three years earlier. Dylan goes into great detail describing his road trip journey with his mom to Hamilton College while trying to recover additional memories that led him to his current predicament.
This book covers many important and difficult topics that the author pushes the characters to face head on. The author clearly doesn’t shy away from making the characters and on occasion the reader uncomfortable, hesitant, and unsure while the author drives the reader to be completely swept up in the storyline. The author was able to create deep, complex, multidimensional characters that he enjoyed pushing them to their limits to see how everything would fizzle out – and he held no punches.
Many scenes in this book felt realistic, raw, and well represented. The author clearly seems to have done his research and/or possess insider information that truly made these scenes genuinely authentic and well detailed. The author does include an acknowledgement at the beginning of the book that he did meet and interview actual residents of Utica, alumni from Hamilton College, and real sexual assault survivors, among a variety of other sources to help create truthful and accurate details for his book.
This book is certainly not a quick read as it is in on the much longer side, divided up into three parts, spanning over 19 chapters and covering 448 eBook pages.
I appreciate the author having included a vitally important trigger warning at the beginning of the book, which cautions readers that this book does contain scenes of rape, which may be upsetting and uncomfortable to readers who have experienced sexual assault. As an avid reader and someone who has been a survivor of sexual assault, I truly appreciate the author enclosing such an important detail. It is very upsetting when authors don’t, and these types of scenes are just sprung on readers.
Furthermore, I would like to point out that I found the author’s note at the very beginning of the book, inspiring and encouraging. The author stated that he published this book on April 5th, 2022, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and that he wanted this novel to help make a difference for rape survivors. In addition, he pledged 25% of this book’s earnings to be donated to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network!! Even more reason for readers to pick up this book and help support such an important cause!!!
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming but will enjoy watching unfold!!
While this book is on the lengthier side, and covers a large array of material, it does conclude with a thorough ending wrapping up any loose ends and is sure to leave the reader satisfied.
This book is not currently listed as part of a book series. It can easily be read as a standalone.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!! I think all crime fiction readers and mafia book fans will like this book too!! As this book supports such an invaluable cause, RAINN, and was created to help sexual assault survivors cope and heal; I would recommend this book to other survivors for guidance and support to encourage them that they are not alone; it’s not something you just get over but there are ways to push through; and the trauma will probably always stay with you, but you learn to carry it, live with it, and even grow from it. A sexual assault does not define you; it is one page in a very long book. So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**
Very good first novel by Chuba Obele. The author wrote so the story paced along very smoothly. The beginning was a little slow but I stuck with it and glad I did. The author grabbed a hard topic and went full force ahead with it. It is an intriguing story and brings awareness to a difficult subject. Obele did not shy away from the subjects of racism, misogyny, feminism, drug use and sexual assault on both males and females. In this book, there are conversations that are eye opening and thought provoking. The readers may feel uncomfortable or hesitant at times. The book can be very intense and emotional for some also. Politics were pulled into this book a bit in which I think was totally unnecessary. The author definitely did his research and speaks not about rape victims, but rape survivors. The assaulted persons have to decide were they a victim or survivor? He described a realistic world that many people do not want to enter and probably never will. Obele wrote an excellent crime thriller novel with layers of mystery, deceit, and intrigue. A reader will not want to stop and will be kept guessing until the end.The ending satisfies the reader’s curiosity and does tie up loose ends so the reader is not left hanging.
Many thanks to #partnersincrimevbt and the author, #ChiubaE for an ARC copy of this crime thriller mystery. I have read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Unflinching and unnerving, The Orientation of Dylan Woodger holds nothing back as the college student tries to recall three missing years of his life during torture sessions by dark characters who want the three million dollars they say he owes them.
Despite a slow, overly detailed beginning, this read becomes a page-turner as Dylan pieces together his past not knowing what to believe or who to trust. Determined to find out who betrayed him, Dylan convinces his captors to work with him to find their money.
Family dysfunction, politics, feminism, racism, and crime are just some of the themes covered in this read, but considering the current climate surrounding Roe vs Wade, it’s the subject of rape, male and female, that stands out.
Realistic and raw, the focus isn’t on so much what victims went through, but how they survive it and move on despite an assault that forever changed their lives. Strong writing and fully developed characters pulled me into their stories and had me invested in the good and the bad.
There are several turns and a few twists before an extraordinary ending. A satisfying read, Dylan’s story isn’t about orientation to college but to life… and it’s dark ugliness.
Twenty-five percent of proceeds from this book are being donated to Rainn, an organization that support survivors of sexual assault and works to prevent it.
"But this much is clear: Utica would forever change my life."
What would happen if one's normal, everyday life not only turned upside down but morphed into a nightmare? When Dylan J. Woodger finds himself being questioned by a ruthless mafia boss in 2019, the last thing he remembers is being dropped off by his mother at Hamilton College in Utica, New York, in 2016. Apparently, he's stolen three million dollars but has no memory of how, when, or why after being tortured, raped, and given a memory-impairing drug. One never truly understands the depths of evil or one's own capacity to commit crimes until seized by the talons of desperation. . .
MY THOUGHTS - Boy do I have some thoughts. I have very mixed feelings about this book. Overall - Yes, I did like it and I couldn't stop reading it. Even with all the things I didn't like... I still had to read on. It was like an addiction. The good, the bad, and the ugly - The good - It was definitely a fun read. Lots of action and quite a few graphic scenes (which don't really bother me, but may bother some people). It was the kind of book where I HAD to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. There was really not a dull moment. It was very unrealistic, but that didn't bother me! I try to keep in mind that I am reading fiction so it doesn't have to be realistic for me to like it. The bad - There were a few things that bothered me. I didn't like any of the characters. I do like those characters that you love to hate, but.. I really didn't like ANY of them. And second, without picking it apart - While talking, they kept using each other's names, over and over. People don't do that in normal conversation. I will sit in a room with my friend for an hour and never once mention her name. I don't need to because she is the only one there. I know this is nit-picky but it did bother me. And now the ugly - A LOT of controversial subjects in this book1 I am not saying it's bad - just ugly! I am very much against racism and I am definitely NOT a Trump supporter, so I agreed with most of what the author was writing. But it still did feel a little ranty/preachy for me.
So, I will end by saying that I did like the book and agreed with most of it. It was fun, exciting, and I even loved the controversary!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!
Overall this book is a good read. Very informative of how people are labeled by their race and sexuality. I was glad to see that the author had written the story showing both sides of the coin so to speak. Women vs men and what each are capable of. Dylan and Sebastian's debate. The group of survivors. Some men are victimized as well as women and children. Minus half ⭐s. Towards the end it seemed as though it was rushed. The ending with Terrell was a no go. Same with ruthless mafia Boss. No where near reality. Distaste for political figure wasn't a reason to put in story. No, I'm not into corrupt political bs. Way too much emphasis on rape.
Three years ago someone erased Dylan's memory. The Utica Mafia has interrogated him since he supposedly stole three million dollars from them. "That’s right, I’m a feminist! But being a feminist doesn’t make me any less of a man. In fact, it makes me more of a man because I don’t feel threatened by recognizing that women should have equal rights. Besides, feminism isn’t just a woman’s battle… it’s everyone’s battle. And it affects us all.” When Dylan wakes up he has no recollection of his past. He doesn't know who to trust. On his journey he tries to unravel the mystery surrounding his amnesia and who gave him the amnesia drug. 25% of proceeds of this book are donated to RAINN which is the largest anti-sexual violence organization that supports survivors and helps prevent sexual violence. Thank you Booksirens and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
I'm a little torn on this one, so let's start with what I really liked about this book. Obele doesn't shy away from hard topics, and handles them really well. The characters are well-developed, and they'll absolutely elicit a real reaction from readers. The pacing was very slow in the beginning, and made it difficult to really get into the story. The book opens with a pretty big information dump that doesn't really add much to the story for me, and definitely slowed down that first chapter quite a bit. That said, Obele does a great job describing the setting around the characters, (like the diner in the opening chapter), and you can see and almost smell where they are at the time. Overall, an interesting read.
This book was a good read and yet not really my type of read. While everything does not have to be sunny for me to enjoy a book, this is a dark story. There are subjects that should be brought up and talked about, but there is a lot of violence in this story.
This is not badly written at all. It moves quickly, and the more I read, the more I got involved. I would not say this was slow to start, it just took me a while to become acclimated to Dylan and all of the characters. On the other hand, it didn’t by any means take me as long to catch on as it did Dylan to figure out what happened to his missing days.
"Grim, dark, and emotional, The Orientation of Dylan Woodger...is an immersive mystery tale from start to finish." — Readers' Favorite
"Obele explores serious and controversial topics such as misogyny, sexual abuse, hate crimes, and other strong themes in this well-crafted work that hooks readers from the very first page. The tension builds up steadily into an explosive climax. In turns disturbing and utterly suspenseful, this thriller with nuanced characters and excellent prose is intelligently and masterfully executed." — The Book Commentary (five stars)
"This unique, first-person spin on the gangster genre is visceral-with plenty of energy, heart, and a social conscience." —IndieReader.com
"The novel's major strengths include how it explores white supremacy, feminism, misogyny, and sexual assault of both females and males. Author Obele brings philosophical and psychological depth to the gun-and-run crime sprees." —U.S. Review of Books
"Chiuba Obele's immersive story delivers a beguiling beginning. He deftly handles sensitive topics such as rape, misogyny, and racism...Further, evocative conversations are eye-opening and thought-provoking, making this illuminating as well as escapist entertainment...[T]hriller fans will find this a well-layered story that offers a satisfying brew of romance, crime, and mystery." —BlueInk Review
"Obele takes a dark crime setup and makes the most of it through clever twists and intelligent plotting. His skillful use of crime landscape lends plenty of atmosphere to accompany the tale's lessons of determination, caution, courage, and integrity. Along the way, he delves into loneliness, alienation, regrets, familial bonds, friendship, trust, betrayal, heartbreak as well as the controversial themes of male rape, racism, and faith." —The Prairies Book Review
"Obele's mystery is persistently engaging...The novel touches on serious issues, including sexual assault, misogyny, and racism." —Kirkus Reviews
"The Orientation of Dylan Woodger is a bold debut that takes positive risks in subject matter, interwoven with a gripping mob thriller." — Self-Publishing Review (four stars)
"The Orientation of Dylan Woodger is an excellent book for crime novel enthusiasts and anyone who would like to broaden their understanding of the macro-level social issues men face in the age of modernity." — San Francisco Book Review (five stars)
"Obele delivers an entertaining web of twists and turns in this New York-based organized crime thriller...Obele has crafted an enticing tale that will keep readers guessing until the end...Fans of gritty, organized crime thrillers will appreciate this story's layers of mystery and intrigue." —BookLife.com
"[Y]ou will find this a highly entertaining read...Not every novel should read like a fairy tale, and this story brings you very realistically into a world you would never want to encounter but enjoy being immersed in while reading...Highly enjoyable read." —The International Review of Books
Official Selection in the 2022 Crime List — The Orientation of Dylan Woodger was selected by Ink & Cinema among twenty-two submissions out of 567 scripts, books, short stories, and stage plays in genres that feature a crime story (Top 4%)
The last thing Dylan Woodger remembers is being dropped off at college by his mother. The next thing he knows he wakes up and three years have gone by. He has lost three years of his life. Dylan awakens to a life of crime. He can’t believe all the things he is being told that he has done. He doesn’t believe that he would do half the things he is being told that he did.
The mafia claims that he stole three million dollars from them but of course, Dylan has no member of this. The mob captures Dylan and torches him trying to find out where their money is but of course he doesn’t know. Hoping to get him to spill his guts Dylan is raped and beaten. They threaten the lives of his extended family hoping that he will corporate.
I guess after a while they start to believe him and let him go on one condition and that is he has to find their money or they will kill him and the rest of his family. Oh and he can’t go to the police either.
After the mob lets him go Dylan starts looking into his past hoping to find out what happened to him. Dylan learns that he has friends that he never knew about. He couldn’t believe that he had friends, he didn't before. Are these people truly his friends or are they lying to him? Who are these people? What do they want with him?
It took me a while to connect with the characters but once I did I was lost in their world. The more about Dylan’s past was revealed the more I began to understand him. It took a while but he did start to grow on me. At first, I couldn’t figure out who was telling the truth and who wasn’t. The Orientation of Dylan Woodger held onto its secrets revealing them slowly one at a time. The mystery alone is enough to keep the pages turning.
The mafia boss didn’t seem too realistic to me as he didn’t act like you would think a mafia boss would act. I mean he let Dylan go instead of killing him but I guess there are some bad guys with a heart too or maybe he just wanted his money and that was the only way he thought he could get it.
The Orientation of Dylan Woodger is a dark story and may not be for everyone. The Orientation of Dylan Woodger touches on violence, male rape, murder, racism, misogyny, and more.