Game More, Pay Less
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Millions of titles. Learn more
Read now
OR
£1.00

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon Media EU S.à r.l..
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships and Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

DJ Johnson
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Critical Path Kindle Edition

by DJ Johnson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 out of 5 stars 59 ratings
A dark, disturbing story of a man's life torn apart, and what he must do to rebuild it.

Travelling home on the Underground, Matt, a twenty-nine-year-old Londoner, is subjected to a brutal assault. As he struggles to come to terms with his ordeal, he is forced to examine the changing relationships with his partner Laura, his friends, family and Oliver, the benevolent stranger who took him to hospital.

Chased by nightmarish memories and beset by doubts regarding identity, masculinity and how to live when long-cherished planning has failed and certainty vanished, he withdraws into paranoia, deceit and the need to ensure he is never a victim again. He questions the beliefs and politics that shaped him, their origins and whether they are still valid.

Increasingly distant from the people around him and the compassionate individual he was, Matt realises that if he is to retain his humanity, he must forge a fresh outlook and a new way of living.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    270 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    6 Nov. 2012
  5. File size
    2.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00A3DCCJ6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DJ Johnson
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 6 Nov. 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 270 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 59 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
DJ Johnson

DJ Johnson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
59 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book gripping and well-written, with exceptionally well-drawn characters and thought-provoking content that is well-researched. The story receives mixed reactions from customers.

Select to learn more

ReadabilityWriting styleThought provokingCharacterizationStory quality
13 customers mention ‘Readability’10 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging and gripping, with one customer noting they read for three hours straight.

"...n't have read it due to the dark subject the story hinges on, but it was brilliant. The `incident' wasn't gratuitously described - phew!..." Read more

"...All in all an excellent novel, I'll certainly be looking out for more by this author." Read more

"...The twist was predictable but well-executed and overall, it was a satisfying read." Read more

"A superb read. The dark issues explored in this book are sensitively written. The relationship between Matt and his dad is particularly well crafted...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Writing style’10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as well-crafted and poetic, with one customer noting its effective use of descriptive techniques.

"...So, gripping book, great story, well written, great characterization but hey, what do I know? ... I give it 5 stars." Read more

"...If we'd been in his position what would we have done. This debut novel is written well and has been well researched, it's dark very thought..." Read more

"...I found it very disturbing and, although well written very dark and depressing." Read more

"...All very cleverly crafted by the author I think, who seems to have a great understanding of how people can lash out and behave badly when they're in..." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and well-researched, with one customer noting how realistic the conversations and thought processes are.

"...The characters were completely believable, their conversations and thought processes were so real and thought provoking...." Read more

"...This debut novel is written well and has been well researched, it's dark very thought provoking and is guaranteed to stay with you for some time...." Read more

"...I'm not sure. This book goes deep into the mind of Matt as he struggles to make sense of events and relate to his life and his girlfriend...." Read more

"...I found it thoroughly engaging, well written and incredibly well researched (I hope)...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Characterization’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-drawn characters in the book.

"...The characters were completely believable, their conversations and thought processes were so real and thought provoking...." Read more

"...Matt's character is exceptionally well drawn...." Read more

"...It wasnt. The main character was well writen and you can not help but wonder how you would react yourself under such circumstances...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Story quality’6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story quality of the book, with some finding it good while others describe it as disturbing and unpleasant at times.

"...So, gripping book, great story, well written, great characterization but hey, what do I know? ... I give it 5 stars." Read more

"...I found it very disturbing and, although well written very dark and depressing." Read more

"...unfortunately isn't the case with some novels, even when the story itself is good...." Read more

"...The twist was predictable but well-executed and overall, it was a satisfying read." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Happymum
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, thought provoking, a great read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 February 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I hardly ever read books, so I'm no expert. I get bored, start thinking about shopping and kids and then have to re-read pages, pop to the loo and go and load the dishwasher. I also get infuriated with stupid characters doing daft things then getting themselves into pickles which are completely their own fault. Even some `classics' everyone raves about I find irritating.

    This book was recommended to me, so I thought I'd give it a go. I downloaded a free kindle app to my android phone and bought this book.

    WOW! Luckily I didn't read the forward as I certainly wouldn't have read it due to the dark subject the story hinges on, but it was brilliant. The `incident' wasn't gratuitously described - phew! The characters were completely believable, their conversations and thought processes were so real and thought provoking. I sank into this book - unheard of - and actually read for 3 hours and was moved to tears at the end!
    So, gripping book, great story, well written, great characterization but hey, what do I know? ... I give it 5 stars.
    Helpful
     Report
  • B. Robinson
    4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling yet dark read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 April 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    If I could have given this 4.5 stars that is what it would have had.

    This is not an easy read due to the subject matter but it's a compelling read. Matt's life is turned upside down following a very brutal attack one night on the Underground.

    A good samaritan called Oliver takes him to the Hospital. As the story progresses Matt strikes up a friendship with Oliver which takes over in some ways the relationship that he had with his girlfriend Laura. He has feelings of guilt and anger that he can't control.

    As Matt begins to doubt his masculinity and feelings, he hurts the people he loves most. As he spirals deeper and deeper downwards, he acts completely out of character. He eventually decides that he has to turn his life around and take control. He makes some decisions and does things that he feels propel him forward to this goal, that make him feel that he is the victim no longer.

    If we'd been in his position what would we have done. This debut novel is written well and has been well researched, it's dark very thought provoking and is guaranteed to stay with you for some time. I'm looking forward to the next novel by this Author with baited breath.

    If there is one novel that I recommend people to read so far this year, it's this one sadly it's only available as an e-book.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ismay1012
    3.0 out of 5 stars Taboo topic well examined
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This story is about a male rape victim and examines his decline into paranoia and breakdown of his heterosexual relationship after the attack, which he does not disclose to his partner. I found it very disturbing and, although well written very dark and depressing.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing and very well written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 August 2017
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I downloaded this book more than four years ago, no idea why I hadn't read it but I wish I had done so sooner. I found the story to be totally absorbing and, gripping. It was also very well written which unfortunately isn't the case with some novels, even when the story itself is good. The only small niggle was the author's use of the word 'gotten' - not in a British novel please! Oh, and the spelling of Middlesbrough as Middlesborough!

    I initially felt great sympathy for Matt after the attack but his subsequent behaviour led me to feel rather a dislike for him. As the story developed further we were given an understanding of Matt's deeper feelings and the sympathy returned. All very cleverly crafted by the author I think, who seems to have a great understanding of how people can lash out and behave badly when they're in such turmoil.

    All in all an excellent novel, I'll certainly be looking out for more by this author.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Debbie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Critical Path
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 April 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Would this be classed as a "literary thriller"? I'm not sure. This book goes deep into the mind of Matt as he struggles to make sense of events and relate to his life and his girlfriend. It's believable and well-written, if at times a touch slow and ponderous. I did find myself skipping long passages occasionally when Matt began over-thinking the same things - while that may be the case in real-life, fiction tends to be the edited highlights - but that level of detail may well be what other readers enjoy. The twist was predictable but well-executed and overall, it was a satisfying read.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Marianne Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2016
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    A superb read. The dark issues explored in this book are sensitively written. The relationship between Matt and his dad is particularly well crafted. The writing style is extremely descriptive, verging on poetic. Whereas normally that would put me off, here it drew me in and as I progressed through the story I found myself more and more eager to find out what was going to happen to Matt. The descriptive style was also used fantastically at various points, such as when Matt tries to go to the shop for the first time after the attack. A very powerful and moving story, that I think might just stay with me for a while. Would highly recommend.
    Helpful
     Report
  • HayesMcFlurry
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Critical Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 January 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    A life long fan of the audible book, the generic thriller and sporting bios, I was told I had to read this emerging author's work by a friend concerned about my 'reading history'.
    I refused to listen to the recommendation despite being gifted the book through Amazon and repeatedly told it would change my perspective on reading. It was the dark subject matter that put me off.
    Late one night unable to sleep with nothing trashy left to read, I thought I'd give chapter one of TCP a chance. I found it thoroughly engaging, well written and incredibly well researched (I hope). I'm now a D Johnson fan and look forward to his second, third and fourth books.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • OSWALDO HENRIQUEZ
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 December 2016
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    muy bueno
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report