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Lacking Evidence to the Contrary: A Lowbrow Novel of Questionable Necessity
Mark A. Henry's acclaimed debut novel takes place in the thin slice of time between the present day and the dystopian future we've been reading so much about. Chris Dawkins, a young man of uncertain everything, finds himself in the FBI's crosshairs when he accidentally signs the online Terms and Conditions to join an Islamic extremist group. (And I suppose YOU read all the fine print?) With the help of his billionaire boss Jasper Wiles and badass attorney Biz Byner, Chris must thread a narrow path to freedom, squeezing through the colliding worlds of law enforcement, the news media, Silicon Valley, entrepreneurial jihadists, teenage dark web nuclear arms dealers, rogue military officers, street hustlers and side hustlers, living their own truths all. One part thriller, one part action-adventure, one part buddy comedy and nine parts social and political satire, Lacking Evidence to the Contrary examines the age-old struggle between uncertainty and conviction in a postmodern world where nothing is as it seems.
421 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2020
About the author
Mark A. Henry
2 books54 followersMark A. Henry is the author of the novels LACKING EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY and THE HONOLULU SITUATION. Mark is a ten-time winner of The Hartford Courant Cartoon Caption Contest, a four-time champion of the Hopewell Elementary School Field Day Water Balloon Toss and he once found a gold coin by following a treasure map. He lives a charmed life in New England with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 28, 2021
Very fun read with laugh out loud moments. More comic parody than subversive satire but maybe that’s a good thing. :-)
PS A big thank you to Mr. Henry for autographing my copy of his debut novel. Hopefully he becomes a huge success so my great grandkids can sell it for a gajillion dollars. ;-)
PS A big thank you to Mr. Henry for autographing my copy of his debut novel. Hopefully he becomes a huge success so my great grandkids can sell it for a gajillion dollars. ;-)
April 4, 2021
To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. I absolutely loved it! As the story goes Chris Dawkins, a Silicone Valley I.T., who works for multi-billionaire Jasper Wiles owner of Sixdub, where Dawkins spends his day looking for internet video clips. When he finds a good one he then uses his software programs to rework and dub in lyrics by such modern day rappers like Drednott. Unfortunately for Chris he picks an interesting clip from MILF, the Militant Islamic Liberation Front run by Wahiri Shwarma whose organization claims credit for many a terrorist incident around the globe including an explosion in a Brighton mall.
Chris sees the video and thinks it might do just fine with a little reworking. He signs the standard disclosure agreement linked to the clip and suddenly, unaware as all get out, he has just become a card carrying member of a middle eastern terrorist organization. To make matters worse a couple of FBI desk jockeys have just been given orders to find some 'crime' of interest that will make the American Public sit up and take notice of how well the FBI is protecting them. As luck has it Chris' boss Jasper has taken a liking to him and dragged him out for a night on the town to pick his brain a little but mostly to just enjoy a night on the town. The very next morning a severely hung over and very ill Chris is arrested by the Feds and incarcerated in the local Federal holding building. All of this while not knowing anything about why. Enter Biz Byner, Jasper's personal lawyer whom he helped make the bar after watching her and a friend promoting their doggie toothbrush on the entrepreneur television show, Piranha Dome. The three now linked together proceed to battle government, news media, middle eastern terrorists and to say nothing about goats! These three players take us all on a whirlwind ride to try and save Chris without getting anyone else in trouble with the Feds.
It has been a long while since I've read a book that I have enjoyed so much! The satire is sometimes so subtle I think I've missed it or it is so right there in your face that you either chuckle or laugh out loud! Case in point for me is the short segment with the Piranha Dome and the characters therein. My dear sweet wife loves the Dragons and I must suffer through many episodes. When I read through those pages I had to put the book down and stifle an out loud laughing fit! It was very late at night, after all!
I do not want to give away any more of the story. Mr. Henry has concocted a wonderful ride and his insights on so many of the big and little elements of everyday life are quite to the point and done in such a way as to draw attention and realization. Case in point is his handling of television media. This is a book that everyone who likes an underdog adventure should read. It is also satire and makes some statements. It is also a book that goes onto my already crowded bookshelves to be read again after a while. I know that as quick a reader as I am, I have certainly missed some of Mr. Henry's finer points and I look forward to discovering them.
Chris sees the video and thinks it might do just fine with a little reworking. He signs the standard disclosure agreement linked to the clip and suddenly, unaware as all get out, he has just become a card carrying member of a middle eastern terrorist organization. To make matters worse a couple of FBI desk jockeys have just been given orders to find some 'crime' of interest that will make the American Public sit up and take notice of how well the FBI is protecting them. As luck has it Chris' boss Jasper has taken a liking to him and dragged him out for a night on the town to pick his brain a little but mostly to just enjoy a night on the town. The very next morning a severely hung over and very ill Chris is arrested by the Feds and incarcerated in the local Federal holding building. All of this while not knowing anything about why. Enter Biz Byner, Jasper's personal lawyer whom he helped make the bar after watching her and a friend promoting their doggie toothbrush on the entrepreneur television show, Piranha Dome. The three now linked together proceed to battle government, news media, middle eastern terrorists and to say nothing about goats! These three players take us all on a whirlwind ride to try and save Chris without getting anyone else in trouble with the Feds.
It has been a long while since I've read a book that I have enjoyed so much! The satire is sometimes so subtle I think I've missed it or it is so right there in your face that you either chuckle or laugh out loud! Case in point for me is the short segment with the Piranha Dome and the characters therein. My dear sweet wife loves the Dragons and I must suffer through many episodes. When I read through those pages I had to put the book down and stifle an out loud laughing fit! It was very late at night, after all!
I do not want to give away any more of the story. Mr. Henry has concocted a wonderful ride and his insights on so many of the big and little elements of everyday life are quite to the point and done in such a way as to draw attention and realization. Case in point is his handling of television media. This is a book that everyone who likes an underdog adventure should read. It is also satire and makes some statements. It is also a book that goes onto my already crowded bookshelves to be read again after a while. I know that as quick a reader as I am, I have certainly missed some of Mr. Henry's finer points and I look forward to discovering them.
May 27, 2021
When a received this book the first thing I thought is OMG this is thicker than an old phone book, so it’s got to be boring. But was I surprised as after I delved into it! I was awake at 3:30 AM still reading! After the first few pages that are character development, you start to realize the satire of the author. H. Jablowme!!! Omg I almost peed my pants laughing!!! The author makes fun of himself and others along the way. For a first novel, I say” Well done, Mr. Henry!!!
November 5, 2021
*I received a free copy in a Goodreads giveaway.
Hysterical from the get-go, with the introduction of Militant Islamic Liberation Front! Satire is really well done.
Then it stretches too long and really the FBI screwing up and covering up doesn't feel like parody.
Hysterical from the get-go, with the introduction of Militant Islamic Liberation Front! Satire is really well done.
Then it stretches too long and really the FBI screwing up and covering up doesn't feel like parody.
June 24, 2021
Hilarious! Haven't enjoyed reading a book so much in ages!
Treat yourself to some madcap humor and read this book.
Treat yourself to some madcap humor and read this book.
October 26, 2021
Honestly, this was not a book that would seem interesting to me. However, I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. The author does an excellent job of writing the background chapters to tie the whole story together. It also brings together everyday events of life and world issues to make a great read. If you’re looking for something different, give this a read.
April 3, 2021
A Must Read!
Mark A. Henry’s debut novel Lacking Evidence to the Contrary: A Lowbrow Novel of Questionable Necessity the author mocks everyone and everything from the FBI to Cable News, from Middle Eastern terrorists to Silicon Valley App-developers, lawyers (well, duh), Goat-fighting aficionados, himself and Dan Brown? Frequently Laugh-out-Loud funny and reminiscent of Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder Novels. Sometimes misguided but earnest people who despite their best attempts end up in How-the-Hell-did-I-get-Here situations.
Though mocking and satirical, Henry writing is refreshingly NOT mean-spirited making this novel a Necessity for the times in which we now live.
Note to Author:
More Murphy and Sullivan needed.
Mark A. Henry’s debut novel Lacking Evidence to the Contrary: A Lowbrow Novel of Questionable Necessity the author mocks everyone and everything from the FBI to Cable News, from Middle Eastern terrorists to Silicon Valley App-developers, lawyers (well, duh), Goat-fighting aficionados, himself and Dan Brown? Frequently Laugh-out-Loud funny and reminiscent of Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder Novels. Sometimes misguided but earnest people who despite their best attempts end up in How-the-Hell-did-I-get-Here situations.
Though mocking and satirical, Henry writing is refreshingly NOT mean-spirited making this novel a Necessity for the times in which we now live.
Note to Author:
More Murphy and Sullivan needed.
April 18, 2021
This book is hilarious! Part Dan Brown novel, part Carl Hiaasen novel, and a possible Guy Ritchie movie. The plot is just crazy enough to happen. The story is told through a series of characters who’s dialogue and antics will have you laughing out loud. The author clearly shares this is his first book, and he humbly breaks the 4th wall throughout adding to the books charm and humor. Loved it!
April 16, 2021
Just finished reading Lacking Evidence to the Contrary....and...I loved it! It was like if Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen had a baby and that baby decided to write a book! Lacking Evidence has mystery, suspense, hilarity, and adventure. The author's notes perfectly interrupted my reading. This is a great first novel by Mark A. Henry. Bravo!
March 19, 2021
I would like to thank Goodreads and Mark Henry for the autographed copy of this book. Sorry to say it was just not my type of book. It’s just me, I like beach reads, love stories and simple mysteries.
Read
April 12, 2021refreshing story, not like othercookie template books by popular writers. fun to read ,humor, outragous entanglements, excitement. a pleasure to read cover to cover. when is your next novel Mark?
AL POSKUS
OAKVILLE, CT
AL POSKUS
OAKVILLE, CT
March 16, 2021
Dazzling to behold! A real page turner! I never wanted it to end. Highly recommended. Looking forward to his next book.
January 8, 2024
Either this is an amazing cultural and political satire, or it's a sad truth about how our country is doing. Either way it was hysterical and an enjoyable read
May 18, 2021
I received this as a Goodreads giveaway and was pleasantly surprised when it arrived signed by the author.
Sometimes books come along at just the right time and the time was right for me to meet this novel. I started reading this during a Covid-19 lockdown of my province so escapism was really needed and this provided me with that.
This was a really clever novel, it combined humour while taking a magnifying glass to our world today. It balances what should be ludicrous but has an underlying plausibility that keeps you hooked.
I don't want to give any spoilers but how many of us actually read the Terms and Conditions on anything before we agree? I had lots of laugh-out-loud moments (and if you consider the aforementioned lockdown situation, that was no small feat).
This was a really fun read and I especially liked the author notes throughout and the names of people, places, social media, etc. (even though the author claims not to be good at names). For me, this is a 4.5-star book and a great first novel. I will be watching for more from Mark Henry. :)
Sometimes books come along at just the right time and the time was right for me to meet this novel. I started reading this during a Covid-19 lockdown of my province so escapism was really needed and this provided me with that.
This was a really clever novel, it combined humour while taking a magnifying glass to our world today. It balances what should be ludicrous but has an underlying plausibility that keeps you hooked.
I don't want to give any spoilers but how many of us actually read the Terms and Conditions on anything before we agree? I had lots of laugh-out-loud moments (and if you consider the aforementioned lockdown situation, that was no small feat).
This was a really fun read and I especially liked the author notes throughout and the names of people, places, social media, etc. (even though the author claims not to be good at names). For me, this is a 4.5-star book and a great first novel. I will be watching for more from Mark Henry. :)
July 22, 2021
Unique well told story with some humor, maybe not enough
April 6, 2021
I won this book in exchange for an honest & fair review. Thanks. The only thing better than a good book, is a free good book.
When I first got this book, I was both impressed and intimidated by how thick it was. It is 466 pages including the acknowledgements. But then, has anyone ever read the acknowledgements in a book. I mean, unless you are one of these “special people” being acknowledged, who cares. Eliminating those 2 pages, it’s still a whopping 464 pages. I still have a telephone book from 1986 that only has 325 pages that I haven’t finished reading yet. (And please don’t tell me how it ends.) I never thought it had much of a plot, but what a cast of characters! Sorry for wandering there a bit.
I couldn’t tell anything about this book by reading its cover. I never heard of the author, Mark Henry. Oh wait… wasn’t he a WWE wrestler? And the title, “Lacking Evidence To The Contrary. A Lowbrow Novel Of Questionable Necessity”. What the hell is that all about? Right away I knew that this will never be made into a movie because the title alone would never fit onto a movie marquee. Ok, let’s dive into it.
Most books, especially of this size, (let’s not get into that again) take forever to introduce and establish the characters. Not this one. They come quickly and the story starts to unfold from the first few pages. This is an outlandish but believable story (kinda) of how one can get into trouble just by innocently looking for information on the internet. It is both a page turner and a quick read.
In just one afternoon, I hardly believed that I read 200 pages. It was so fun to read that I decided to forgo my 2 favorite afternoon guilty pleasures: Judge Judy & The Peoples Court. I just love Judge Judy’s “Get Off Of My Lawn” attitude. We are about the same age, so I can relate. Although I think Judge Marilyn Milian from the Peoples Court is pretty hot. And why is Harvey Levin still on that show? Doesn’t he make enough money from his TMZ program? Sorry for rambling again.
The writing in this book is fun, the satire is subtle, and the author’s notes are amusing. The way he describes the television media’s interpretation of facts is dead on. Other reviews tell you a lot about the story, so I won’t. Go read their reviews. All I will say is that it was fantastic. Besides fun, this book is slightly educational. Can you answer these 2 trivia question? What is the sport of gentlemen? And how hot is it in Zazaristan? You will never know unless you read this book.
The best compliment I can give is that I hope Mr. Henry doesn’t die before cranking out some more good stuff like this. But if he does pass on, I have a personally autographed copy of this book, signed by the author, not the wrestler, that you can soon purchase on Ebay.
When I first got this book, I was both impressed and intimidated by how thick it was. It is 466 pages including the acknowledgements. But then, has anyone ever read the acknowledgements in a book. I mean, unless you are one of these “special people” being acknowledged, who cares. Eliminating those 2 pages, it’s still a whopping 464 pages. I still have a telephone book from 1986 that only has 325 pages that I haven’t finished reading yet. (And please don’t tell me how it ends.) I never thought it had much of a plot, but what a cast of characters! Sorry for wandering there a bit.
I couldn’t tell anything about this book by reading its cover. I never heard of the author, Mark Henry. Oh wait… wasn’t he a WWE wrestler? And the title, “Lacking Evidence To The Contrary. A Lowbrow Novel Of Questionable Necessity”. What the hell is that all about? Right away I knew that this will never be made into a movie because the title alone would never fit onto a movie marquee. Ok, let’s dive into it.
Most books, especially of this size, (let’s not get into that again) take forever to introduce and establish the characters. Not this one. They come quickly and the story starts to unfold from the first few pages. This is an outlandish but believable story (kinda) of how one can get into trouble just by innocently looking for information on the internet. It is both a page turner and a quick read.
In just one afternoon, I hardly believed that I read 200 pages. It was so fun to read that I decided to forgo my 2 favorite afternoon guilty pleasures: Judge Judy & The Peoples Court. I just love Judge Judy’s “Get Off Of My Lawn” attitude. We are about the same age, so I can relate. Although I think Judge Marilyn Milian from the Peoples Court is pretty hot. And why is Harvey Levin still on that show? Doesn’t he make enough money from his TMZ program? Sorry for rambling again.
The writing in this book is fun, the satire is subtle, and the author’s notes are amusing. The way he describes the television media’s interpretation of facts is dead on. Other reviews tell you a lot about the story, so I won’t. Go read their reviews. All I will say is that it was fantastic. Besides fun, this book is slightly educational. Can you answer these 2 trivia question? What is the sport of gentlemen? And how hot is it in Zazaristan? You will never know unless you read this book.
The best compliment I can give is that I hope Mr. Henry doesn’t die before cranking out some more good stuff like this. But if he does pass on, I have a personally autographed copy of this book, signed by the author, not the wrestler, that you can soon purchase on Ebay.
June 27, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. It’s been a very long time since I’ve thought it was actually “fun” to read a book, but this hilarious book was just that! The author jam-packed it full of wit, satire, fun absurdities, and character, and had me frequently laughing out loud. The jokes came from all angles, and yet the plot kept me engaged to the very end. Can’t wait to read the next one. Highly recommend!!
May 16, 2021
I liked this quirky adventure novel. This is a witty take on a plausible, yet ridiculous, not so distant future with some absurd tangents. The author's notes scattered throughout the book are a clever breaking of "the 4th wall" (or whatever the term is for books). Without giving it away, I loved the ending! I look forward to more books from Mark Henry.
April 27, 2022
I won this book and thought it would be a good read for my husband. He really liked it. It was a very good farce/ action-adventure story with lots of laughs. He also thought it was a relevant political satire. His only complaint was the ending. The demise of a character was upsetting to him, as that character was his favorite.
May 1, 2023
I loved this book. Read it in a few sittings. It reads like a thriller while at the same time being a masterful work of comic fiction. The jokes all land, but, more impressively, they manage to be silly and sharp.
July 10, 2023
This was a interesting premise for an entertaining novel. Really great characters that are humorous enough but not too absurd. The plot line is a good farce. Overall I just got bored reading it at times so it was hard to finish.
April 8, 2021
Won this autographed by on Goodreads...couldn't get in to it - hopefully someone in my reading group will enjoy it. https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
May 8, 2021
Brilliant. I recommend this read to anyone and everyone
October 5, 2021
I received this book for free as part of a first reads promotion.
May 1, 2023
I loved this book! So clever, funny, and fast-moving. I came to love all 3 of the main characters and my heart was pounding so many times. Read this book. It's great!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews