Book Blurb:
The Lost Treasure is a thriller about four young adolescents who come together to solve a deadly mystery. The spirit of a long-dead pirate seeks his 300-year-old buried treasure through the possessed body of a diabolical descendant. It’s up to Bobby Holmes from England, his American cousin Brenda Watson, and a couple of unlikely heroes, one of whom has Asperger Syndrome, to traverse the darkened halls of a school at night, and the suffocating caves of a haunted mountain, to save each other and come out alive!
My Review:
Dang! Snagged by the cover again. Well, it’s a great cover! The book is aimed at middle school children and it might very well be fine for pre-teens. It’s simple, easy to read and the storyline no doubt what children of that age could identify with, concerns of the age. I wasn’t sure, however, of the time period, as it spoke of (telephone) receivers being placed back in the cradle. The mothers almost harken back to 50s sitcoms with aprons, fresh baked cookies, and dinner. Lots of dinners.
Four children, one from the UK and one with Asperger’s Syndrome, part of the reason I picked it up since I have a grandchild with the Autism spectrum. Different levels of the problem, different symptoms. This child seemed capable of tolerating overly bright lights and sirens. (well, maybe)
The writing style is geared for that age, so is not on a par with an adult thriller, but it is well-plotted and well-paced except for a couple hiccups. The kids plot out how they will tackle the problem because the adults won’t believe their theory, and there is the prescribed inept police. The children are not well-fleshed–they are kids. Kids are kids. The mothers almost harken back to 50s sitcoms with aprons, fresh baked cookies, and dinner. Lots of dinners. The conclusion took some heroic efforts by the kids, I’m sure every child’s fantasy, so it may very well work for them.
I received this digital download by the publisher and NetGalley and appreciated the opportunity to read in return for a review. These are my honest opinions. This novel could use an additional edit or two and another look at the epilogue. Recommended for school children but adults will chafe at the errors.
Book Details:
Genre: Children’s Scary Stories
- ISBN-10:1484084942
- ISBN-13:978-1484084946
- ASIN: B00EK4LO34
Print Length: 237 pages
Publication Date: August 14, 2013
Source: Publisher and NetGalley
Title Link: The Lost Treasure
Rosepoint Publishing: Three of Five Stars 
The Author: J.M. Kelly has been a middle school teacher, a vice-principal, a principal, a Co-Director of the New Jersey State History Fair, a consultant for the New Jersey Foundation for Educational Administration, a current Board member of the Global Learning Project, a non-profit, and Past-President of the Morris County Association of Elementary and Middle School Administrators. He has been the recipient of numerous education awards such as the New Jersey Governor’s Teacher Award, two Geraldine Dodge Foundation Grants, and by acclamation of his school staff, received the New Jersey Principal’s and Supervisor’s Association Principal of the Year Award for Visionary Leadership in 2007. He has authored two professional books: Student-Centered Teaching for Increased Participation and In Search of Leadership.
The Lost Treasure, available on Amazon.com, is his first novel. His love of mysteries, adventures, and everything about Sherlock Holmes, helped in the creation of eleven-year-old Bobby Holmes and his cousin Brenda Watson. Tommy Ails: Good For What Ails You, also available on Amazon, is a humorous off-beat mystery, and his first novel for adults. He is currently working on a sequel to The Lost Treasure entitled Monster of the Moors, which involves the same characters and takes place in England.
Jim divides his time between Sea Girt, New Jersey and Sarasota, Florida, with his wife Bronwen. They have three grown children, Peter, Alex, and Brianna.
Contact
Phone: 973-229-6778
Email: jmkellyauthor@gmail.com
Website: JMKellyauthor.com
©2020 V Williams 
Rosepoint Publishing 