Patricia Dunker's The Deadly Space Between is a well-written novel with tons of poetic flowing passages, a sexually-oriented story full of heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, and incest relationships taking place on the deadly space between these pages. The story starts off a little slow, but just a little, introducing characters and relationships. Then everything snaps out of whack. Suddenly you realize you are reading one bizarre thriller.

Toby Hawk is eighteen years old and only fifteen years younger than his mother, Iso. He never knew his father; he does not even know the man's name. Iso and Hawk are very close, spending days and days together as mother and son, but also as friends. Toby doesn't actually realize that he may be in love with his mother until he meets her newest lover, the mysterious Roehm. He knows he's jealous about the way Iso keeps this boyfriend a secret from him.

Iso isn't just keeping Roehm a secret from her son. She also does not want her Aunt Luce, and Aunt Luce's lesbian lover, Liberty, to anything about the man she is dating. Secrets like that are impossible to keep. When Luce meets the man of Iso's dreams, the two have a huge argument. Luce is upset, though, because she is afraid Roehmn will kill her.

When Toby finally meets Roehm, the sexual attraction between the two of them is strong, and it is Iso's turn to feel jealous. Toby does not know if Roehm is a first or last name. He and Liberty work at uncovering the man's hidden past, only to learn he may not have one, or that he may be one of many different men. Everything climaxes as Toby stands up to Roehmn and then goes on the run with his mother. But who, exactly, are they running from? Who is it they are trying to get away from -- or what, exactly, is after them?

Interesting and intriguing, The Deadly Space Between is a fast read, dark, a little disturbing, and full of strong sexual content and erotica. The fact that the book is a twisted and unsettling proves that Patricia Dunker has talent. She evokes emotion in the reader, and that's what storytelling is all about.