By: Owen Thomas
Publication Date: October 31, 2025
Publisher: OTF Literary
ISBN: 979-8987167786
Reviewed by: Alma Boucher
Review Date: January 5, 2026
In The Big Dream, Owen Thomas presents a gritty, emotionally resonant crime novel that fuses hardboiled detective fiction with a profound exploration of loss, ambition, and moral dilemmas. Once again, Thomas proves his talent for creating intricate narratives where the external mystery reflects the inner conflicts of his characters.
Former Chicago homicide detective Mack now leads a life as an unsuccessful crime fiction author, grappling with alcoholism, PTSD, a lung issue, and Triple-D, an out-of-body experience that allows him to observe himself from afar. His only companions are a bottle of bourbon and Philomina, the cat of his deceased wife, Marlo. He navigates a complex web of corruption in search of answers about his late wife’s enigmatic past.
A missing informant and a dead man’s camera thrust Mack into the limelight, shattering his life. He is hunted by his former boss, who suspects Mack is targeting his position, and by José Beggemon, known as Big Man, a relentless adversary tangled in drugs, murder, and sex trafficking. A foreign agent operating beneath the FBI’s radar is using Mack as a pawn to dismantle Big Man.
New truths about Marlo emerge, and Mack questions whether he ever truly knew his wife. He is driven by a need for answers and navigates a city filled with corruption involving the police, governor’s office, and even the mayor. The storyline is a mix of noir, thriller, and psychological suspense. The chapters reflect the fragmented psyche of a man deprived of sleep.
Equipped with his acute instincts and memories of his wife, Mack prepares for his final confrontation, with only Phil the cat, possibly witnessing his success or failure. As someone once told Mack, he has one foot on a ladder leaning against the clouds, the kind that allows one to leave everything behind and vanish into the great dream. As the narrative progresses, Mack uncovers layers of deceit, shatters ambitions, and long-hidden truths.
Thomas’s writing is incisive and succinct, intertwined with moments of dark humor that alleviate the tension and prevent the story from becoming excessively grim. The characters are imperfect, relatable, and frequently navigate moral ambiguities, lending credibility to the narrative and maintaining the reader’s engagement.
What truly enhances The Big Dream is its emotional richness. Beneath the mystery, the book delves into themes of sorrow, remorse, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of dreams within a harsh reality. Thomas refrains from providing simple solutions or tidy endings, instead allowing readers to confront the unease and intricacies of the narrative.
Quill says: A thought-provoking, dark crime novel that combines an engaging mystery with profound emotional depth, The Big Dream is an exceptional choice for enthusiasts of contemporary noir and literary thrillers.
For more information about The Big Dream, please visit the author's website at: owenthomasliterary.com/
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