Review: A compelling mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 14, 2013
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.Edgar Wilde is a fifteen-year-old who would rather be running cemetery tours than worrying about high school. He volunteers at the library so he can dig up the best historical research for his tours. When he finds records of a man who seems to be left out of the official records, his need to find the truth compels him to dig deeper. Along the way, he discovers a mysterious book with powerful secrets--the Lost Grimoire--a book that others would do anything to obtain.Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire is a quick read for a novel. The writing quickly sucked me into another world. I'm not always fond of books that start in another time and then change to present-day in the second chapter, Paul Ramey pulls off the duel timeline very well--with a few trips back in time, each is well-paced and provides another clue to Edgar's mystery.Edgar... Do people these days really name their kids Edgar? When I picked up the book, I expected it to be about an old man not a fifteen-year-old. It isn't any wonder the kid isn't interested in school or girls, but instead prefers to spend his time doing historical research on cemeteries (that makes him pretty cool in my book). He's an interesting and strong character, with a unique perspective and voice. Then, we have Shelby, she's also not like the other high-schoolers. She gives Edgar a chance, and even more than that as the two develop a relationship. She supported Edgar and remained loyal to him--even in the face of her friends.Despite the high school protagonists, I forgot that this was a Young Adult novel as I got wrapped up in the mystery and storytelling. The characters weren't cliché--they may have been "outcasts" as far as the rest of the High School was concerned, but they were the kids I would have enjoyed hanging out with. There were a few places where problems seemed to be solved too conveniently, but overall--considering this is his debut novel--Paul certainly has a handle on weaving a good, mysterious novel.