Jack: Secret Histories (Repairman Jack Novels)
Although some may consider this a kind of prequel to his best-selling adult Repairman Jack series, Wilson’s first young adult book gives only a slim indication of the future Jack; here Jack fights evil occult forces while attempting to solve a mystery. Jack and his two friends stumble upon a body and a strange stone pyramid box in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Things grow even more mysterious when the kids discover links to a cult of sorts in their very own town—and cult members start dying off. Most of the intrigue comes from the trio’s attempts to find out what mysteries the black box holds. The plot is helped out far too much by the fact that a sheriff dates Jack’s older sister, who shares what she learns with Jack. Jack. Blue Balliett’s object-puzzle mysteries (The Calder Game) are much more intriguing, but this does have some gripping moments. Grades 6-9. --Connie Fletcher