D.R. Martin

I really enjoyed the first book in the Johnny Graphic series so when the author offered to send me an e-book version of this, the second book in the series, I was pleased as punch. And I must say I wasn't disappointed. It is even better than the first!

I won't discuss the plot as it is described adequately in the book description on Amazon's website and other good booksellers. What I would like to discuss are the facets of this (and the first book) that I found most interesting and show more enjoyable.

First of all, the style, like a great recipe, blends Biggles, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew together, with a soupcon of Tom Swift and a dash of Goosebumps, to serve up a fast-paced adventure story that younger readers from ten up couldn't help but love, as would older readers who grew up on on fun adventure stories. And with Johnny's pal Nina and his sister Mel playing almost an equal part in the adventure it would be of appeal to girls as well as boys.

Secondly, the history in the alternative world the story is set in has been so well thought out. The fact that some people can interact with the dead who have not passed on could not but help but to have changed history slightly, so instead of the United Kingdom we have the Royal Kingdom (where most of the action in this novel is set) and its capital Royalton.

The landmass which in our universe is made up of Canada and the U.S.A. is made up of Frontiere (roughly the area which you could describe as French Canada), Northland (the rest of Canada, Freedonia and its capital Neuport (New York?), the Plains Republic out west with its capital Zenith (Johnny's home town), and down south the Old Dominion.

I couldn't help but smile at Moorland Yard, the Royal Kingdom's national police headquarters, or when Johnny and co. have to travel north to foggy Moorland to continue their investigations. I also can't help but wonder if our villain's name, Percy Rathbone, is a nod to that great actor Basil Rathbone who while known for Sherlock Holmes, was such a great villain in movies like The Adventures Of Robin Hood, Captain Blood and The Mark Of Zorro. (Oh I do hope for a swordfight in the third book in the series.)

Finally, the book is set in 1936, in our world the golden era of flying boats, and this is reflected in both Johnny Graphic novels, although less-so in this one. Hopefully we will see more aerial adventures in the third novel which is due to be set at least partly in the frozen island country of Okkatek (Iceland).

Overall, great fun from start to finish. show less

I received this book as a member giveaway some time ago, but only just read it.

What attracted me to this book was the great cover with the great artist's impression of a flying boat from the "Golden Age Of Aviation" soaring over our eponymous boy hero with what looks like an atomic bomb's mushroom cloud in the background. These are three of the four main features of the novel; the only thing missing are ghosts.

If you accept the alternative timeline of the novel (and its sequels) and the show more fact that ghosts/spirits are real and able to interact with the living, (but only when a human directs them), then it is a great "boys own adventure" yarn. I see that it is for ages 9-12. Well, I'm considerably older than this, and I really enjoyed it.

If you enjoy (or enjoyed when you were younger) Biggles, the Hardy Boys and Goosebumps, then this is the book for you.

Highly recommended! show less

Mary MacDougall is heiress with a passion for detective work. Having previously helped solve two cases, she is eager to jump into a case of her own and become a consulting detective. She gets her chance when a local police detective sends her a lead about a young woman who believes that her mother may have been murdered.

What starts out as a simple inquiry into the circumstances of the woman’s death leads Mary and her Aunt into fearsome adventure where all of may’s quick wits and tenacity show more will be needed.

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I LOVE great historical fiction and this book delivers. From the descriptions of the tableaux vivants in the beginning of the book to details of travel, dress, and healthcare, this book is written with a deep understanding of the time period that pulls the reader in. You can feel and commiserate with Mary and her confusion of how she fits into her society when what she wants seems to be at odds.

Despite being the pampered daughter of a millionaire, Mary is at once likable and relate-able. What makes a story though are the side characters. Each adds something into the mix. I love how Aunt Christene is not your typical “maiden aunt” of the time. The folks of Dillmont’s loyalty to the good Doctor Applegate was an interesting story point and I enjoyed the twist of not knowing if he was a good guy or bad guy until the very end.

I did like the fact that although Mary was able to use her persistence and determination to keep moving forward with her case, that there were real consequences to her actions. Cozy mysteries don’t often give the characters a chance to grow.

This is the third installment of the Mary MacDougall Mysteries and though many references were made to the previous two adventures, this book works well as a stand alone. I do plan on playing catch up with the first books.



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

I can give you an honest review, but forget about it being unbiased! (Several of our kids went to Mn universities, and we are all Norse). And we love dogs!
This is a fun mystery with thefts, alcohol problems (not the dog or the hero), murder, secrets, a temporary mayorship, and all set in a Norse country small town in Minnesota. King Harald finds erotic gnomes, then a body, tells his part of the story, performs heroically. Andy, divorced once and dumped once, is an artist, works as host in show more his sister's upscale cafe, is friends with many interesting people, is the one who is partners with King Harald, gets coerced into becoming temporary mayor, is dragged into the murder and investigation. This book is interesting, an easy fun read with lots of laughs along the way.
Thanks to LibraryThing giveaways. show less