An end-of-the-world cult forms around a charismatic and troubled rock musician who leads his followers deep into the woods east of Oklahoma. A mysterious series of events leaves 250 people dead and 4,238 people missing with no official explanation emerging from months of investigation. The Dominant Hand assembles the stories of those affected by Jim Jacobs and his doomsday cult. This tell-all utilizes revolving perspective to reveal the events that led to the mysterious catastrophe whose true meaning has yet to be fully understood. Record shop owners, journalists, Jacob's estranged wife and other witnesses are all pulled into the cult's downward spiral. They must unravel the twisted conspiracy in order to escape from the woods where the believers have assembled for the culmination of Jacob's apocalyptic vision.

As a music writer for the Oklahoma Gazette, Charles Martin examined the many faces of Norman's music scene, from the urbane and cerebral world of music critics, record stores and art communities to the obsessive followers who develop zealous devotion to music icons. Martin began writing as a child, studying journalism at the Oklahoma Baptist University and continuing on after graduation as a freelance writer for a variety of magazines, newspapers and web sites.