Headcase by Jack Heath

March 31, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Headcase by Jack Heath
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A Chinese astronaut is found dead in a NASA training environment in Houston, Texas. No one can explain how he got there. Amid fears of a diplomatic catastrophe, the CIA dispatches Timothy ‘Hangman’ Blake to investigate a convicted kidnapper who works in the facility – someone Blake put away seven years ago.

Blake is deeply insane, afflicted by terrible urges he can barely control – but he’s also brilliant. Zara, his beautiful and deadly CIA handler, suspects a secret Chinese spacecraft is surveilling the United States, but Blake can see something much more sinister is going on. Something connected to the kidnapping seven years ago, to the technologies being developed at NASA, and to the serial killer known as the Texas Reaper.

Will Blake survive long enough to uncover the truth? And if he does, will anyone even believe him?

When a Chinese astronaut is found dead at a NASA training environment no one understands how he got there. When it’s found a convicted kidnapper works at the facility the CIA decide to send in Timothy Blake to investigate – since Timothy was the one who caught the kidnapper years ago during his work for the FBI. The case quickly gets more complicated as it becomes clear a number of different sinister factors are at work inside the NASA facility. Can Timothy uncover what’s really going on?

I was lucky enough to stumble on the first book in this series shortly after it was published. I have been hooked ever since. While the first three stories are very closely linked and really should be read in order, I was pleased to find this fourth (and so far, seemingly last) book stands a bit better by itself. If possible, I’d still recommend reading these books in order – but if any of the books were picked up by itself, I’d suggest this would be the one to grab as I think it might be possible to read this without the others and still be thoroughly enjoyed.

Timothy is somewhat of an anti-hero character. He has a few (fairly serious) quirks and within those quirks he’s quite happy to try and do the right thing, but he’s by no means a hero or usual positive protagonist. I find him different and refreshing and really interesting to read. I was also quite impressed by the multi facets of the plotline of this book. There were three or four subplots all interlinked together and when you then add in the main characters, Timothy, his CIA handler Zara and his ex-FBI partner Thistle there is a whole lot going on within this story and I found it more than enough to maintain my interest.

I also enjoyed that for this book (unlike the others in the series) there are three main time periods the story jumps between, the present, a few weeks ago and a few months ago, so it’s quite clear from the first page that a few different things are going on and while I usually don’t like jumping forward and backwards throughout a story for this case it actually worked really well and helped me understand and link together the whole picture a lot more easily than I would have had it just started at the beginning and worked forward. Once I had a good idea of how the story was unfolding, I thought it was an excellent choice on the author’s behalf, and I completely agree with how the story is set up despite my usual resistance to jumping back and forth.

Readers who enjoy a layered plot and slightly complicated characters should really enjoy this mystery/suspense story. I can highly recommend the entire series and feel readers who are looking for something a little different and slightly offbeat should absolutely give this author and this series a try. A series well worth the investment.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Memoirs of Lady Greta by Heather Piper

March 27, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Memoirs of Lady Greta by Heather Piper
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The truth of a story often hinges on the perspective of the storyteller.

In her final hours, Lady Greta, an orphan adopted by the Kots, reflects on the pivotal events that led her to them. Her journey is recounted with poignant honesty, detailing her life with the Kots compared to haunting glimpses of her abusive past. As she faces death, she revisits her final adventure, offering a narrative that comes full circle with a surprising realization.

Her survival story unfolds through a kidnapping and a daring pet rescue, intertwined with the heartache and grief of losing a pet. The reader is guided from despair and doubt to a journey of faith, hope, and love.

Yet, Lady Greta’s story is more than just a straightforward tale. Told from her perspective, she omits a crucial detail that redefines the entire narrative. This twist forces the reader to question everything they’ve learned, demonstrating that perceptions can vary greatly depending on who tells the story.

Set against the backdrop of adventure, survival, and the grief of losing a pet, this narrative explores the complexities of perception, revealing that the truth is often more intricate—and no less heartbreaking—than it seems.

Adventures come in many forms.

Ms. Piper did a wonderful job of exploring a different perspective. Sometimes the Kots confused Lady Greta and vice versa, but there were excellent reasons for these misunderstandings for those who pay attention and think critically about what they’re reading. While I’d better not give any hints about who the protagonist really was, I enjoyed the process of figuring it out and thought those scenes were well done.

There were a few things about the timeline that I wish had been better explained. For example, how old was Lady Greta when the Kots adopted her and how old was Seven when these two met? This was set over such a long period of time that I was a little surprised by how many years it covered. Was this meant to be a subtle commentary on the different ways to think about how long a year is or was I supposed to take the protagonist at her word? I would have happily gone for a full five-star rating if this had been made clearer to me as a reader.

The ending was bittersweet and beautiful. Honestly, I don’t see how it could have been wrapped up in any other way, especially given the hints that were shared earlier on about what the characters were about to go through together. There’s something satisfying about seeing everything turn out the way it should and everyone get the fate they wanted and should have had. This doesn’t always happen in real life, so it’s marvelous to see in fiction.

Memoirs of Lady Greta made me grab a tissue and wish for a sequel.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Sunset Bay by Karen Stewart

March 25, 2025 By 5 Comments


Sunset Bay by Karen Stewart
Publisher: TellWell Talent
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

A self-professed hot mess express, Joy Sinclair is a 54-year-old divorcee living back at home in Sunset Bay. Tired of blind dates and a lack of eligible men, she’s resigned to being single. That is until she is literally knocked off her feet by a good looking stranger. Jeremy is only staying long enough to help his father recover from a broken foot. Is there any point even getting to know him?

Joy’s mother Helen Sinclair is 80 years young and a real sassy molassy. She dresses outrageously, talks to her dead husband Sam and nudges Joy out of her comfort zone as often as she can. Meeting Jeremy’s father Hank at the local seniors centre, Helen suddenly finds herself with a busy social life

Love is in the air with a wedding, birthday party, prom night and a major weather event all conspiring to shake things up.

Celebrating the messiness of finding yourself and the courage to follow your heart, Sunset Bay is a journey of love, loss, hope and new beginnings.

I truly enjoyed this look at this mother/daughter pair. They are as different, outwardly, as night and day, but they are a hoot to read about. The book is written from both Joy and Helen’s POV, with Joy getting the lion’s share of the chapters. I am glad the author labeled the chapters, because it made it easier to know who was “talking.”

There’s not a lot of action or conflict going on, which makes this a nice relaxing read. A little bit of romance and descriptions of Sunset Bay – I would love to visit and spend some time at the B&B Joy and Helen run. As I am inbetween these ladies in age, I enjoyed so many of the references throughout the book. And, their interaction made me miss my own mother quite a bit.

I would love to read more about Sunset Bay, these ladies, and this community… thanks for a nice read, Ms. Stewart.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Team Of Three by Brad Lee

March 25, 2025 By Leave a Comment


A Team Of Three by Brad Lee
Publisher: Simply Sensible Entertainment
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Freedom isn’t free.

America’s newest enemy launches an audacious plan to incapacitate the country. A never-before-seen danger is about to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public. And the world faces a crisis unlike any before.
Can intelligence analyst Haley put the puzzle together in time from the safety of her office – or is she meant to risk it all as a field asset?

Is Axe, a former Navy SEAL, capable of overcoming a foe with nothing to lose?
The clues are cleverly hidden. The threats are terrifying.

And the stakes have never been higher. For the USA, the world, Axe, and Haley.
They are on their own, in deep, and desperate.

All they have is each other, their dedication, and their skills… but will that be enough to prevent death and destruction?
Join them for their most dangerous mission yet.

It was meant to be a fairly simple – albeit covert – missions. Axe would break into a Mexican cartel’s mansion, rescue the American nurse being held kidnapped there and with Kelton driving the getaway boat the three of them would return to America, safe and undiscovered. As Axe and Hayley know all too well – the only easy day was yesterday.

I have absolutely loved the first two books in this series – A Team Of One and A Team Of Two – and so I had very high expectations for this third book. I was not disappointed. This is quickly growing to be both my new favourite author and series.

While I do feel this book can be read by itself, I admit to having a stronger and quicker emotional connection to the team members and small cast of characters because of the previous installments. I don’t feel they would be necessary to read to thoroughly enjoy this book, though I can see sooner or later the weight of these life altering situations and the shared history will mean readers will need some of the background knowledge and not simply be able to pick up anywhere in the series. We’re not there yet – but I can see that might occur sometime soon.

Similarly to the previous two books I loved that this is a fast paced, action oriented adventure and mystery story. There is a giant plot going on overhead, with a number of working parts and links. I was pleased this time – unlike in the second book – we learn more about the big picture as Haley and Axe do and I think this helped give the plot and momentum of the story a more linear feel to it. I admit I prefer this style of storytelling and while the back and forth of the second novel is still good, my preference is the style shown in this and the first book.

The characters are believable and relatable. While Hayley is almost preternaturally smart and Axe unbelievably brave and focused, I could relax and just go with the flow on these points when really I don’t necessarily need a real-life type of person in my adventure and espionage style stories. We want our heroes to be larger than life. Axe was certainly in dangerous situations and Hayley had to work hard to analyse her data and put the puzzle together, but we do want them to get there in the end before the bad guy wins.

I feel readers who are happy with action paced, fast moving and addictive stories where it’s clear from the beginning that the good guy will win – they’ll just need to work for it – then this should be a book right up your alley. With plenty of action and adventure, a solid plot that grows and expands and some very memorable characters this was a brilliant read and one I will happily be adding to my keeper shelf. I can’t wait for more of this series and author. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

At the Island’s Edge by C. I. Jerez

March 18, 2025 By Leave a Comment


At the Island’s Edge by C. I. Jerez
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

An Iraq War veteran returns to Puerto Rico to reconnect with―and confront―the past in a heart-wrenching novel about duty, motherhood, and the healing power of home.

As a combat medic, Lina LaSalle went to Iraq to save the lives of fellow soldiers. But when her convoy is attacked, she must set aside her identity as a healer and take a life herself.

Although she is honored as a hero when she returns to the US, Lina cannot find her footing. She is stricken with PTSD and unsure of how to support her young son, Teó, a little boy with Tourette’s. As her attempts to self-medicate become harder to hide, Lina realizes she must do the toughest thing yet: ask for help.

She retreats to her parents’ house in Puerto Rico, where Teó thrives under her family’s care. Lina finds kinship, too―with a cousin whose dreams were also shattered by the war and with a handsome and caring veteran who sought refuge on the island and runs a neighborhood bar.

But amid the magic of the island are secrets and years of misunderstandings that could erode the very stability she’s fighting for. Hope lies on the horizon, but can she keep her gaze steady?

Combat medic Sergeant Catalina (Lina) LaSalle-Rivera returns from Iraq a hero but struggles with the moral implications of having taken a life during an attack. Lina moves back to Puerto Rico with her son, Matteo (Teó), who has Tourette’s syndrome, to be with her family. However, hidden family secrets and past misunderstandings threaten to further drive her into a downward spiral, leaving her to question whether she can truly find healing and hope.

The early parts of the novel are engaging and emotional, particularly as Lina navigates the growing tension between her personal turmoil and her family. Lina’s journey is compelling and heart-wrenching, but it seems her life has always been overshadowed by sadness. She has faced pressure from her family, feeling inadequate as a female. She later grappled with feelings of disappointment after becoming pregnant and joining the Army. The family dynamic, which aimed to ensure that Lina had a better life, is understandable; however, after her return, it seems the pressure then turned to her being a good parent. Lina holds in a lot of her emotions, yet her family remains unaware of her struggles. Though I empathize with Lina, I believe she needed counseling long before the incident in Iraq.

**Warning**: For readers struggling with depression or low self-esteem, Lina’s story may be triggering.

I enjoyed the author’s story; the pacing was consistent, and there were a few twists that I did not see coming. I appreciated the cultural history and visual details of Puerto Rico, and I especially liked the inclusion of Spanish phrases throughout the book. Since I can read Spanish better than I can speak it, this was a real treat.

Lina’s story is one that many military and medical professionals can relate to. They take an oath to heal and treat those in medical need, but it can be traumatic for them if they are involved in causing someone to lose their life. Processing that experience can be heavy and difficult.

Lina was very shut off from others, trapped in her own thoughts, which were overwhelming her. Her despair led her to seek escape in alcohol. I was glad to see her courage to recognize that her drinking was problematic and to accept therapy—not only for her own well-being but also for Teo’s sake.

Although I was captivated by the story, it felt like some phrases were repeated several times throughout the book. The supporting characters, especially Tia Lisandra and Papi, often seemed one-dimensional. Tia Lisandra was very vocal and took charge of the family, but I did not fully understand her motivations. I was hoping for more details and closure between Lina and her Tia, as well as between Tia Lisandra and her daughter Dolores. It appeared that Tia Lisandra was alone and bitter, driven by pride rather than love and compassion. Papi had chauvinistic opinions, but there were conversations with Lina that revealed a loving and softer side to him. I was grateful that Lina found support from her niece Dolores and a fellow veteran, Elijah Montgomery, who helped Lina through her healing process.

The shocking revelation regarding the misunderstanding with Leonardo, Teo’s dad, seemed to indicate that the author did not want to portray Leonardo as a villain, but rather this created a family secret. Nevertheless, I was pleased that things were resolved in the end. The resolution and Lina’s redemption brought her back to feeling like a healer, enabling her to serve her country again.

The author wrote from a sensitive perspective, and I appreciated that. At the Island’s Edge is a touching exploration of trauma, healing, and the enduring power of family. Jerez crafts a compelling narrative that resonates with raw emotion, inviting readers to connect with Lina’s struggles and celebrate her resilience. This is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The First Avocado by Greg Schindler

March 17, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The First Avocado by Greg Schindler
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This is the true story of a family’s 1927 move from Michigan to Florida and the two years they live near Tampa. They move because the oldest boy breathed mustard gas in WWI and his lungs worsen each winter. During the eventful, seven week trip they camp nightly by the road and bathe in nearby streams. Near Tampa they live on a farm.

Flyers in Michigan promise warm winters, beautiful beaches, and a plethora of oranges in Florida. Those flyers don’t lie, but fail to mention the dreadfully hot summers, snakes, hurricanes, and the KKK.

The coming-of-age narrator of the story, Annie asks her mother some of life’s difficult questions and receives the wisest of answers. Annie and her niece, Doris, are baseball playing tomboys who insist on barging into a boys’ sport before the term “women’s lib” was ever coined. And her Dad, Fred, gets their beloved farm manager, Thaddeus, in trouble by being too nice to him.

Family is forever.

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored difficult topics from a child’s point of view. For example, Annie had a lot of questions about how babies are made, what causes hurricanes, why grownups make so many decisions that kids don’t always understand, and why some people are prejudiced against other races. Adults have explanations for these things that a kid can’t always wrap their minds around right away, and I enjoyed comparing Annie’s understanding of how they worked versus how her parents and adult siblings would describe them.

It would have been helpful to have more character development. Annie was a tomboy who loved baseball, but I would struggle to describe her personality beyond saying that she was a kind kid who tried to see the best in everyone. This was a pattern that was even stronger for her various family members who travelled with her as there wasn’t a lot of information about whether they were introverted or extroverted, grumpy or cheerful, creative or practical, or anything else like that. As much as I wanted to give this a full five-star rating, I needed more information about the characters as people to justify that.

I loved the humor in this book. Annie and her family faced all sorts of problems on their trip to Florida and during the time they needed to adjust to southern culture once they arrived there. There were multiple times when I chuckled as I read about how they fixed their car with limited supplies, what they thought of avocados, and how they adjusted to the heat and humidity down south. Finding the funny side in the surprises of life is so important!

The First Avocado was full of adventure.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Movie Review: The Christmas Quest Directed by: Dustin Rikert

March 17, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Christmas Quest
Directed by: Dustin Rikert
Writers: Andrew Gernhard, Marcy Holland, Dustin Rikert
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Kristoffer Polaha, and Derek Ridell
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars (8 on IMDB)
Reviewed by Dicentra

An archaeologist, her ex-husband who is a Norse language expert, search for legendary treasure in Iceland during Christmas. Others join the hunt, leading to a thrilling race to secure the treasure before the wrong people obtain it.

Lacey Chabert is one of the unquestioned queens of holiday movies, and her newest Hallmark release, The Christmas Quest, was a charming holiday tale that meshed the best of cozy movies and the Indiana Jones style mystery dynamic. The movie, which also stars Kristoffer Polaha and Derek Ridell, takes the characters on a trip to Iceland to find a hidden treasure before Christmas day.

This is the first time I’ve heard of the legend of the Yule Lads, and it’s such a fun tale. Each of the lads comes down from the mountain on their specific day to enact mischief and collect what they love most (i.e. candles, milk, etc.). They also drop off a potato to children who misbehave (I’m not sure if that’s better or worse than coal, haha) The Yule Lads story such a playful tale compared to some of the other holiday stories around the world, and I loved how the history bridged the gap between Lacey Chabert’s character and her mother (both archaeologists).

I also loved the setting of the story. A lot of Hallmark movies in the past have featured New England settings, but this has Chabert and Polaha traveling to an Icelandic locale. They make their way through the mountains, traverse caves, and even set off booby traps a la Temple of Doom. The Indiana Jones references were not lost on the writers, as the map detailing their travels mirrored the one from the movies and they subtly nodded at some of the most famous scenes.

Overall, The Christmas Quest was an entertaining and exciting movie. I’m excited to see the new creative direction Hallmark seems to be going in, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of their new movies as they release. Check out this movie if you like adventure and romance complete with mystery and folktales.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings, Movie Review, Television Show Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

DEATH: Friend or Enemy?: Views from the Other Side by Ann Merivale

March 14, 2025 By Leave a Comment


DEATH: Friend or Enemy?: Views from the Other Side by Ann Merivale
Publisher: 6th Books
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Death, as the saying goes, is the great leveler, and though many fear it, while others view it as a blessed release, its inescapability affects us all in some way. The author of this unusual book makes use both of her spiritual reading and of the knowledge she gained from 20-plus years’ experience of taking her Deep Memory Process clients back to deaths in their previous lives, thus giving a broad spectrum of possible post-death scenarios. These she illustrates with a combination of famous and fictional characters, drawn both from accounts that came from the ‘other side’ through her figurative pen and from factual research. Part of the book’s aim is to dispel all fears of death itself and to demonstrate that the notion of eternal damnation is mistaken. At the same time, it shows the reader that whether a lifetime lasts 10 years (as did Annie Darwin’s) or 97 (like Bertrand Russell’s), it has a clear purpose and value. The stories’ precise truth is, however, immaterial, as you will find them enjoyable, educational, and reassuring.

Ann Merivale’s DEATH: Friend or Enemy?: Views from the Other Side offers a fascinating and ultimately comforting exploration of death and the afterlife, viewed through a unique lens. This book offers a captivating blend of anecdotal evidence, historical context, and spiritual insight, all aimed at demystifying our ultimate fate.

Merivale’s 20+ years of experience with Deep Memory Process, guiding clients through purported past life regressions, provides a compelling foundation for the narratives within. The author cleverly weaves together accounts purportedly channeled from the “other side” through her “figurative pen” with factual research and historical figures like Annie Darwin and Bertrand Russell. This combination lends a sense of groundedness to the more ethereal aspects of the book, making it accessible to a wider audience.

The book’s strength lies in its storytelling. The promise of personal and up-close narratives from individuals who have passed is inherently intriguing. While the review acknowledges the “precise truth” of these stories may be immaterial, the reviewer emphasizes their enjoyable, educational, and reassuring nature. This suggests that Merivale has crafted compelling narratives that resonate on an emotional and intellectual level, offering a fresh perspective on the often-feared subject of death.

The inclusion of historical context adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting a blend of personal narratives and broader philosophical exploration.

Overall, DEATH: Friend or Enemy? is a unique read. It caters to those interested in exploring the mysteries of the afterlife, past life regression, and spiritual perspectives on death. While the book’s reliance on channeled accounts might not appeal to everyone, the combination of historical figures, personal stories, and the author’s extensive experience in Deep Memory Process makes it a compelling and potentially comforting exploration of life’s ultimate question. The promise of entertainment, education, and reassurance makes this book one to pick up this year.

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The Scorpion’s Tail by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

March 13, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Scorpion’s Tail by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Publisher: Head Of Zeus Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

A mummified corpse, over half a century old, is found in the cellar of an abandoned building in a remote New Mexico ghost town. Corrie is assigned what seems to her a throwaway case: to ID the body and determine cause of death. She brings archaeologist Nora Kelly to excavate the body and lend her expertise to the investigation, and together they uncover something unexpected and shocking: the deceased apparently died in agony, in a fetal position, skin coming off in sheets, with a rictus of horror frozen on his face.

Hidden on the corpse lies a 16th century Spanish gold cross of immense value.

When they at last identify the body — and the bizarre cause of death — Corrie and Nora open a door into a terrifying, secret world of ancient treasure and modern obsession: a world centered on arguably the most defining, frightening, and transformative moment in American history.

FBI rookie agent Corrie Swanston finds herself under investigation when an unexpected shoot out has Corrie using her gun and a senior agent finding himself hurt in the fire fight. Despite her supervisor assuring her the investigation is standard and it’s not her fault, Corrie feels an incredible amount of guilt. When she’s given a new case – that if a mummified corpse discovered at a remove ghost town it’s hard for Corrie to not feel as if she’s being punished. Yet slowly the case leads on to other things, including a breathtaking priceless artifact and a number of excavations where she requires the help of Dr Nora Kelly once again. Can Nora and Corrie work together to solve yet another serious crime?

I have been a massive fan of Preston and Child for many years and greatly enjoyed their earlier book featuring both Corrie and Nora. I found myself really pleased with this book and I got sucked into the whole thing really quickly. Readers who haven’t read the previous book – or indeed readers even new entirely to Preston and Child – are absolutely in for a treat. No prior knowledge of the two main characters is needed to thoroughly enjoy this story and while there are a few links thrown in for readers who know all the back story these references are fleeting and small so I really feel someone can just pick this book up cold and enjoy it virtually as much as I did.

As with most of Preston and Child’s stories this had a lovely multi-layered plot. Nothing was quite as simple as it first appeared, and I really enjoyed going along on the journey with Corrie and Nora as they unearthed everything. There was a fair bit of archaeological stuff which was where Nora obviously shone best and plenty of mystery/thriller action which was Corrie’s forte. Indeed, I really commend the balance the authors made between the two and at no point did I feel like one character outshone the other. I found the pacing and plot of the book was really well handled and very balanced and this was a big part of the reason I felt the story flowed so well and I as the reader got so caught up in everything.

Readers looking for a well moving plot with plenty of layers and a good chunk of history/archaeology and mystery solving should find this book gripping and a pleasure to read. With two strong female leads I really loved this aspect to it and some strong and really well written men as secondary characters who equally were vital to the plot going on.

An excellent book and a brilliant addition to my shelf of keeper stories by this pair of authors. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

I Know What UFO Did Last Summer by Kevin Garone

March 12, 2025 By Leave a Comment


I Know What UFO Did Last Summer by Kevin Garone
Publisher: Temor Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), YA, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The alien invasion is upon us! At least, that’s what twelve-year-old Marv thinks when a mysterious craft appears in the woods behind his house. If there’s one thing he’s learned from his trusty alien invasion guidebook, it’s that ETs are just as likely to land in your backyard as they are on the front lawn of the White House.

A plot to take over the planet is the only logical explanation for what’s going on. Why else would a suited pilot chase Marv and his friends through the woods? What else could explain the creepy leech-like creatures attached to the hull of the ship? As if that wasn’t enough, the recently moved-in next-door neighbor girl and her dad seem to be directly connected to the alien conspiracy.

The National Guard won’t take his calls seriously. His family thinks he’s making everything up. Marv and his friends are on their own if they want to stop the invaders from Pluto-unless that mysterious red pickup truck that keeps driving by is somehow involved in all this, too.

But Marv is wrong. The threat is real, but the aliens aren’t. And getting mixed up with the wrong people might still result in an abduction…

Aliens are full of surprises.

One of the reasons why I enjoy reading the middle grade genre so much has to do with the differences between how kids and adults can interpret the same experience. Mr. Garone tapped into this in order to give the audience multiple explanations for why certain things happened, and it made me chuckle to take note of how Marv and his friends understood those events versus what the average adult would probably say about them.

It would have been helpful to have more character development, especially for Marv. His interest in aliens was so strong that it sometimes overshadowed everyone else’s interests. There was a thought-provoking scene later in which another character confronted him for expecting his hobby to always be put first that I wish had been given more time to grow. Marv could be a little selfish at times even if he didn’t always realize he was coming across that way. If this had been explored more, I would have happily gone for a full five-star rating.

The plot twists in this book were imaginative and exciting. It was difficult for this reader to find good places to stop when I needed to go do something else for a while due to how often these revelations made me look at the characters in new ways. What an excellent problem to have! Every scene propelled things forward in some way, and I was surprised more than once by what Marvin, Nora, and Jace didn’t see coming.

I Know What UFO Did Last Summer made me wish for a sequel!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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