On Mountaintop Rock

by John McLay

A story or all ages, On Mountaintop Rock is a charming and humorous novel which reveals a passion for the mountains.

It’s 1954, in the small town of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Bears roam the streets tipping garbage cans, and deer eat from flowerbeds.

When Jenny and Edward meet a crusty yet endearing man named Fraser McKillop, their lives become entwined with the romance of the fur trade and the stories of Sherlock Holmes. They set out on a quest to solve a true mountain mystery. The work is fiction, but it has a basis in truth, as most good stories do. McLay’s evocative style of writing lets you take home your own piece of the Canadian Rockies.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

186 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2001

About the author

John McLay was born on March 23, 1947 in London, England. He and his parents immigrated to Canada in 1953 taking residence in the mountain town of Jasper, in Jasper National Park. In his novel On Mountaintop Rock, McLay entwines the reality of his own childhood with a fictional episode in the lives of two children. The story is told from the point of view of Edward, a wide eyed boy growing up in Jasper in 1954. Edward and his best friend, Jenny, lead readers through the hills as well as the back alleys of the Rocky Mountain town. These children capture the curiosity of youth and weave it into a tapestry of history, mystery and healthy humor. On Mountaintop Rock is a historical mystery based on David Thompson’s discovery of the Athabasca Pass. Be prepared for a lively story that travels back to the 50s and an idyllic childhood.

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a mystery, but the mystery is not that interesting (to me). What I really liked about this book was how well the author conveyed the real experience of children, witnessing strange behavior in grown-ups but not really understanding entirely. I also loved the descriptions of the Canadian wilderness.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

My buddy John McLay's first book, based somewhat on his childhood growing up in Jasper, Alberta. I learned a surprising amount about the history of the region by reading this book.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s NOT an adult book though was classed as such. Its young adult in style, but the content is a mysterious opening, which by the end you work out to Norma Jean’s (aka Marilyn Munroe) trip to Jasper in 1954 when her marriage to Joe DiMaggio was faltering. Writing style is uneven, and some things are somewhere between improbable and impossible (jogging with a paint box in your pocket!) However, it gives a nice tour of Jasper for those of us who know it. And an intro for those who don’t.

[Jack Mclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love you Dad

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

John McLay has created an excellent mystery for readers approximately 9-12 years old. Taking place in Jasper, Alberta, the book includes two children--a male and a female--who act as sleuths, rich descriptions of the region and its history, and adult characters who are eccentric but likeable. The novel is well-written, with vocabulary terms that might be difficult being explained in a very natural manner to the children by their parents or adult friends. While it has been used by teachers in the classroom for its excellent historical content and description of Jasper, it is also simply an enjoyable read for younger mystery lovers.