A YA prequel to Wilson's Repairman Jack novels (which I've never read). Jack is a young teen in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. He and his friends find a mysterious object--and a dead body--in/near an ancient mound out in the woods. The body is tied to the mysterious and influential Lodge, and now more members are dying. Heart failure or supernatural intervention? And just what is that pyramid they found?

My biggest complaint is all the name-dropping of brands, music, TV shows, and technology. Okay, okay, this is 1983; I get it already. Other than that, it's an enjoyable book. I'll have to look for more Repairman Jack novels. ( )

Jack and Weezy are in the summer between 8th grade and high school, they live in a small town on the edge of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and they find a mutilated body with strange artifacts. As news of the artifacts leak out people begin to die and Jack and Weezy try to figure out what is going on. ( )

Mystery, Secrets, and Supernatural Things; Pretty Cool, huh?

Jack: Secret Histories by F. Paul Wilson
Publication Date: June 2008
5 out of 5 stars

It all began when Jack and his friends, Weezy and Eddie, discover a dead body while exploring Pine Barrens and some mysterious burial like mounds. Along with the body is a small black box, covered with strange symbols. And the only person who can open it is Jack. What is this box? What does it say? Who put it their?

While questions arise, odd events are occurring. A man drops dead, a strange woman claims to be a witch, their rooms are broken into, the box gets stolen, there is mysterious meetings in the middle of the night, and something called the Klazen is killing Septimus Lodge members. Jack is beginning to really see for the first time that everyone and everything has a secret. And the greatest secrets are those of secret histories.

It wasn’t a piece of art, it doesn’t scream out at you to finish it in one day, it wasn’t… well, I think that’s all the cons!

You could stop reading the book pretty much whenever you wanted but while you were reading the book completely engulfed you. Everything wasn’t just happening to the characters but also you. You were right along side of them wondering what the heck was going on. You felt triumph with every discovery. You hold your breath with every close call. Maybe you won’t be overcome with these feelings but you will experience them.

Jack’s best trait was his curiosity. Have you heard the saying, “Curiosity killed the cat,”? It was the complete opposite for Jack. His curiosity and want to learn more enabled him to solve the mystery! He was also smart, logical, had a willingness to do what was needed of him, witty, clever, loyal, a little nosy, and these are only a few of his great characteristics.

All of the characters were lively and different. None of them were alike. They all had their ups and downs, cons and pros, faults and pluses; it made them all the more believable.

If you want a quick read thick with mystery and secrets, and a little supernatural icing that will leave you wondering what would happen next, I suggest Jack: Secret Histories.

The ending obviously proved it was just the first in the series, but it didn’t really bother me that all my questions weren’t answered. Some questions were left open but these unanswered questions didn’t ruin the plot or story at all. I will for sure be reading the next installment when it comes out (second book, Jack: Secret Vengeance, due for release sometime 2009).

Date Reviewed: October 5th, 2008 ( )

I have been a fan of Wilson’s since 1983 (the year in which this is set) & I can’t tell you how much fun it was to learn all this back ground about one of my favorite characters in popular literature. Reading this was like meeting an old friend and reminiscing about jr. high. I kept stealing minutes throughout my day to crack it and read a few more pages (I was never so happy that my computer told me it needed updating). You can just see the man Jack will become in the character Wilson creates here. AND you get to meet and spend a little more time with his family members. Jack does his first fixes. There’s a gross and creepy mystery. And an old lady with a dog (Jack fans know what I’m talking about). If you are a fan, this is a must read. If you like conspiracies and slightly supernatural mysteries/thrillers, you’ll like the whole series & this is a fine place to start. If you know a YA who likes those kind of books, here’s a chance to set them up with a whole series of books they won’t want to put down—unfortunately they (and ME, more importantly!) have to wait for the next two books in the young Jack trilogy—they aren’t out yet. (and yes, I am cognizant of the horrible grammar I just perpetrated :-) ( )

A YA prequel to Wilson's Repairman Jack novels (which I've never read). Jack is a young teen in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. He and his friends find a mysterious object--and a dead body--in/near an ancient mound out in the woods. The body is tied to the mysterious and influential Lodge, and now more members are dying. Heart failure or supernatural intervention? And just what is that pyramid they found?

My biggest complaint is all the name-dropping of brands, music, TV shows, and technology. Okay, okay, this is 1983; I get it already. Other than that, it's an enjoyable book. I'll have to look for more Repairman Jack novels. ( )