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The Game Master of Somerville
Unable to resist a mystery, Jerry uncovers an on-line gaming site referring to a ‘secret place’ for young people who feel they don’t fit in and a game master who promises them a world where they will belong. When the daily news headline reads, “Pritchett, James (31), Murderer, Escapes from Prison,” Jerry’s mind begins to race, and after a bit of research, he finds more about the elusive Mr. Pritchett. Guilty of murdering the Watts family, he escaped prison and was last seen not far from the city of Somerville. But is the escaped prisoner the game master?
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2014
5 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Raven
8 books28 followersWriter of mystery/paranormal/crime books. Also like to read and write stuff on the internet...you know, blogging about TV shows, comic books, anime, manga, and all that stuff. Did my B.Sc (hons) in Bio-technology and B.A (hons) in Psychology. Have also completed my M.Phil in Bio-technology!
I have written seven books in total, that make up two mystery series. 'Arousing the Legacy' is actually four books in the Colville Mystery series together! It features Anya, a female teenager, and her friends trying to survive paranormal occurrences. I've always been a fan of complex female character so, you'll see a lot of that in my books.
The other mystery series follows a bespectacled boy named Jerry as he tries to cope with high school drama, growing up, and solving crime cases in his town. The series includes two books "Missing in Somerville" and "The Game Master of Somerville". The third book "The Escaped Murderer of Somerville" has also been released!
Maybe the two series will have a cross-over in the near future. Who knows!
I have written seven books in total, that make up two mystery series. 'Arousing the Legacy' is actually four books in the Colville Mystery series together! It features Anya, a female teenager, and her friends trying to survive paranormal occurrences. I've always been a fan of complex female character so, you'll see a lot of that in my books.
The other mystery series follows a bespectacled boy named Jerry as he tries to cope with high school drama, growing up, and solving crime cases in his town. The series includes two books "Missing in Somerville" and "The Game Master of Somerville". The third book "The Escaped Murderer of Somerville" has also been released!
Maybe the two series will have a cross-over in the near future. Who knows!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 17, 2014
Really great YA mystery with fast-pace scenes and unexpected twists that kept me on my toes. The writing style of the author flowed easy and intertwined action, suspense, and humor seamlessly into each scene. The characters were developed with distinctive personalities the audience could easily relate to. The unlikely hero of the story is Jerry, a smart, nerdy type with glasses who has a talent for sleuthing.
After solving their first case, Jerry and his friends are faced with another mystery most of them are reluctant to dive into—until innocent kids begin missing. Drama and intrigue unfold as they search for leads, landing Jerry in danger once again.
I thought the premise of the story was very clever and plausible considering our obsession with the internet. A psychotic man uses a fantasy game on the internet to lure kids away with the promise of a new world where they belong.
I really enjoyed this book and will absolutely read more from this author. I would recommend to anyone looking for a mystery that’s fun to read with well-written yet easy prose and intriguing characters and plots.
After solving their first case, Jerry and his friends are faced with another mystery most of them are reluctant to dive into—until innocent kids begin missing. Drama and intrigue unfold as they search for leads, landing Jerry in danger once again.
I thought the premise of the story was very clever and plausible considering our obsession with the internet. A psychotic man uses a fantasy game on the internet to lure kids away with the promise of a new world where they belong.
I really enjoyed this book and will absolutely read more from this author. I would recommend to anyone looking for a mystery that’s fun to read with well-written yet easy prose and intriguing characters and plots.
December 29, 2014
Well, I'm usually always a fan of action-packed YA stuff, and TGMoS didn't disappoint. Raven does a good job of setting up the story to be standalone, even though it's the second in a series. I wanted to give this one four stars, but I had a few bones to pick with it. I'll do pros and cons separately.
Pros: The story had a good flow. Jerry was a likable protagonist and his ragtag group of friends complimented him well. Each one had their quirks to separate them from the rest, and it was fun seeing how they interacted in different situations. There was a good amount of tension throughout the whole thing, and the way it built faster and faster toward the end made it even more exciting. The final moments were thrilling and came to a great close.
Cons: There were a lot of characters, and aside from them each having one solid thing that set them apart, almost all of them were shells aside from Jerry and Kevin. Kevin's storyline was talked about a lot for having it not really go anywhere, and I struggled to see his importance in the overall scheme. Courtney was also a character that I felt cheated on. More backgrounds and surrounding detail would have helped immensely for me personally, as I didn't really connect with any of the characters besides Jerry, though I think it was because I didn't read book one first.
Having just finished this story a few minutes ago it's still fresh, and I can say it's a great light read. Anyone that's into YA stories will find something to like, especially if solving cases is your thing. A.J. Raven isn't an author to sleep on, so if you get a chance to check this out, take it.
Pros: The story had a good flow. Jerry was a likable protagonist and his ragtag group of friends complimented him well. Each one had their quirks to separate them from the rest, and it was fun seeing how they interacted in different situations. There was a good amount of tension throughout the whole thing, and the way it built faster and faster toward the end made it even more exciting. The final moments were thrilling and came to a great close.
Cons: There were a lot of characters, and aside from them each having one solid thing that set them apart, almost all of them were shells aside from Jerry and Kevin. Kevin's storyline was talked about a lot for having it not really go anywhere, and I struggled to see his importance in the overall scheme. Courtney was also a character that I felt cheated on. More backgrounds and surrounding detail would have helped immensely for me personally, as I didn't really connect with any of the characters besides Jerry, though I think it was because I didn't read book one first.
Having just finished this story a few minutes ago it's still fresh, and I can say it's a great light read. Anyone that's into YA stories will find something to like, especially if solving cases is your thing. A.J. Raven isn't an author to sleep on, so if you get a chance to check this out, take it.
December 16, 2014
An outstanding story.
I could not put this book down. I was on the edge of my seat from word one until the final page. As Jerry and his friends got closer and closer to finding the kidnapper of the three missing children the tension continued to mount.
Jerry is a very engaging character, comprised of conflicting characteristics. In some ways he is the weakest link in the group, with his short stature, glasses that keep falling down his nose, and passive nature that avoids confrontations. However, Jerry is looked upon as the leader of the group because of his quick mind and bold courage.
The book did a great job of establishing an intriguing relationship between the diverse members of this group of teenagers. It made me interested to peer into their lives and to observe how they responded to the mystery that was unfolding before them.
The story kept me captivated with its twists, turns, and unusually deft use of red herrings. I especially like how the author used foreboding text to create an even stronger atmosphere of apprehension.
For example, the protagonists, Jerry set an eerie tone at the beginning of the book by observing,
“Want to get some sort of a reaction? Try heating up the molecules! I guess the same thing was going to come true for me and my friends as well. There was no way we could’ve avoided what was coming for us. But at that time, writing down notes in the lab, none of us had the slightest idea how things would change in just a few days.”
I highly recommend this book.
I could not put this book down. I was on the edge of my seat from word one until the final page. As Jerry and his friends got closer and closer to finding the kidnapper of the three missing children the tension continued to mount.
Jerry is a very engaging character, comprised of conflicting characteristics. In some ways he is the weakest link in the group, with his short stature, glasses that keep falling down his nose, and passive nature that avoids confrontations. However, Jerry is looked upon as the leader of the group because of his quick mind and bold courage.
The book did a great job of establishing an intriguing relationship between the diverse members of this group of teenagers. It made me interested to peer into their lives and to observe how they responded to the mystery that was unfolding before them.
The story kept me captivated with its twists, turns, and unusually deft use of red herrings. I especially like how the author used foreboding text to create an even stronger atmosphere of apprehension.
For example, the protagonists, Jerry set an eerie tone at the beginning of the book by observing,
“Want to get some sort of a reaction? Try heating up the molecules! I guess the same thing was going to come true for me and my friends as well. There was no way we could’ve avoided what was coming for us. But at that time, writing down notes in the lab, none of us had the slightest idea how things would change in just a few days.”
I highly recommend this book.
December 19, 2014
This book ranks as one of the most enjoyable I've read this year. For a young adult mystery novel it's got everything you could hope for: there's drama, suspense, a gripping plot and interesting characters.
In my opinion, one of the stronger qualities of The Game Master of Somerville is the way it balances the crime/mystery driven side of the story with the high-school lifestyle of its teenage characters. Jerry and his four friends are constantly juggling their investigation of the kidnapped children with their social lives, relationships and school-work. As a result, it was easy for me to invest in the characters, and I was just as interested in the group dynamics as I was in the plot twists and turns (always a good sign).
I've not read Missing in Somerville - which this is a sequel to - but it was fine as the events of the first book are only referred to occasionally, so you don't need to have read it in order to understand this story. Incidentally I'll definitely be reading the first book now and hopefully there'll be more in the future! Well done to the author - definitely one of the better YA writers out there.
In my opinion, one of the stronger qualities of The Game Master of Somerville is the way it balances the crime/mystery driven side of the story with the high-school lifestyle of its teenage characters. Jerry and his four friends are constantly juggling their investigation of the kidnapped children with their social lives, relationships and school-work. As a result, it was easy for me to invest in the characters, and I was just as interested in the group dynamics as I was in the plot twists and turns (always a good sign).
I've not read Missing in Somerville - which this is a sequel to - but it was fine as the events of the first book are only referred to occasionally, so you don't need to have read it in order to understand this story. Incidentally I'll definitely be reading the first book now and hopefully there'll be more in the future! Well done to the author - definitely one of the better YA writers out there.
December 26, 2014
This exceptional YA mystery is a must read. I really enjoyed the character development and energetic plot of "The Game Mater of Somerville." Vivid dialog details among the characters helps set the tone for the wonderful written story and I thoroughly enjoyed each twist and turn.
The story is a fast paced tale about Jerry and his friends and their search for a kidnapper who targets neighborhood kids. Jerry, the focus character, with his short stature and glasses, is held as the leader of his group because of his bold courage and ability to solve mysteries. As the story unfolds, you quickly realize, he doesn't disappoint being held to that position.
This is the second book in a series about Jerry, with the first being "Missing in Somerville"(which I plan to read next) but I found this book to be a great stand alone book.
A.J. Raven does a wonderful job keeping the reader engaged. A page turner with suspense/mystery/action/humor. I would recommend this must read to everyone.
The story is a fast paced tale about Jerry and his friends and their search for a kidnapper who targets neighborhood kids. Jerry, the focus character, with his short stature and glasses, is held as the leader of his group because of his bold courage and ability to solve mysteries. As the story unfolds, you quickly realize, he doesn't disappoint being held to that position.
This is the second book in a series about Jerry, with the first being "Missing in Somerville"(which I plan to read next) but I found this book to be a great stand alone book.
A.J. Raven does a wonderful job keeping the reader engaged. A page turner with suspense/mystery/action/humor. I would recommend this must read to everyone.
January 10, 2015
This book is great fun, and although it’s labelled YA, I think all ages will enjoy this. I adored the main character, Jerry, he could be my little brother. A J Raven did a fantastic job of capturing all his little quirks and because of that, I felt attached to what was happening, I wanted to protect him (Jerry, not the author). When Jerry was reluctant to put himself and his friends in danger, I agreed with him, who cares about the other kidnapped children?
A unique story, very easy to read, very hard to put down, and even though I haven’t had the opportunity to read the first book in this series, that didn’t matter. The author sprinkled just enough of the previous adventure, then used this to compliment the characters and create their development.
This book was a real page turner I loved it! Five stars from me.
A unique story, very easy to read, very hard to put down, and even though I haven’t had the opportunity to read the first book in this series, that didn’t matter. The author sprinkled just enough of the previous adventure, then used this to compliment the characters and create their development.
This book was a real page turner I loved it! Five stars from me.
April 15, 2015
This was a really fun mystery. It was fast paced and easy to read It had some great twist. My favorite thing is the characters. The young amateur detectives who keep finding things out before the cops can even if their parents tell them to stay away. The relations between the members in the group are great. Jerry’s insecurities felt realistic for a teenager in high school.
Even though this is the second book in the series we get enough info on the previous book for it to be a great stand alone.
At the end of the book I wished I could have gotten more from some of the characters . We got too much info on Kevin for me considering that it didn't do much for the plot of this story. I’d much rather see more about Kate, Ash, Nick or even Jason. Hopefully we will get that in the next one especially since there are still some questions after that ending.
Even though this is the second book in the series we get enough info on the previous book for it to be a great stand alone.
At the end of the book I wished I could have gotten more from some of the characters . We got too much info on Kevin for me considering that it didn't do much for the plot of this story. I’d much rather see more about Kate, Ash, Nick or even Jason. Hopefully we will get that in the next one especially since there are still some questions after that ending.
December 10, 2014
Not being a fan of YA I took a chance buying and reading this book; I was not disappointed. It was a fun read with lots of suspense and adventurous characters. A group of kids from Somerville, led by Jerry, the amateur sleuth was instrumental in solving one mystery and now believes without their help, the police of Somerville can't solve the recent disappearance of first one, then three neighborhood kids. The main character, Jerry appears to harbor a secret, but it’s not mine to tell. The author only hinted at it and since the book ended on a cliffhanger, with the identity of the Game Master still not revealed, it’s a safe bet to say we’ll get to meet Jerry again. Great YA, in my humble opinion.
December 22, 2014
This book is fun to read. It reminds me of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries that I read when I was younger. The main character, Jerry, is pretty much an anti-hero with his short stature and glasses. He becomes popular in his group of friends at school because he was able to solve a mystery in their town (in the first book). His parents want him to stay safe and not solve any more mysteries. But he becomes involved in a second mystery with missing kids and an evil game master.
Jerry has to live through the usual trials and tribulations of teenager life, but he also feels responsible for keeping his friends and his town safe. His friends look up at him. Who is the evil game master? You will just have to read the next book.
Jerry has to live through the usual trials and tribulations of teenager life, but he also feels responsible for keeping his friends and his town safe. His friends look up at him. Who is the evil game master? You will just have to read the next book.
January 4, 2015
This book is the second in the series but I don't think it's necessary to read the first book to understand the storyline since there are references to the first. That being said, I enjoyed this book!
If you like YA novels that have ongoing storylines that are fast paced, thrilling, and have likeable characters then you should definitely try The Game Master of Somerville.
Although the characters were likeable as I had mentioned, I think everyone else besides Jerry and Kevin needed a little more depth. But that may be just something I would have liked to see.
There does seem to be more to tell and hopefully A.J. Raven has something planned for the fans of the series!
Overall, it's a good read and I recommend it to those who are looking for something to read next.
If you like YA novels that have ongoing storylines that are fast paced, thrilling, and have likeable characters then you should definitely try The Game Master of Somerville.
Although the characters were likeable as I had mentioned, I think everyone else besides Jerry and Kevin needed a little more depth. But that may be just something I would have liked to see.
There does seem to be more to tell and hopefully A.J. Raven has something planned for the fans of the series!
Overall, it's a good read and I recommend it to those who are looking for something to read next.
December 19, 2014
A fun YA mystery romp!
The Game Master is just plain fun. It gathers back together a spunky group of junior PI’s who have gained fame for solving a previous mystery (in the first of this series, Missing in Somerville) and now grieving parents have high hopes that Jerry and his friends can solve the kidnapping of their children. I loved how reluctant Jerry was in regards to his natural sleuthing skill and how his parents just wanted him to stay home, safe and sound. It was the realism and true teenage emotion with all its resident insecurities, plus the great adventure mystery that kept me interested until the end. Highly recommended!
The Game Master is just plain fun. It gathers back together a spunky group of junior PI’s who have gained fame for solving a previous mystery (in the first of this series, Missing in Somerville) and now grieving parents have high hopes that Jerry and his friends can solve the kidnapping of their children. I loved how reluctant Jerry was in regards to his natural sleuthing skill and how his parents just wanted him to stay home, safe and sound. It was the realism and true teenage emotion with all its resident insecurities, plus the great adventure mystery that kept me interested until the end. Highly recommended!
December 14, 2014
This is a fun YA mystery story. In the small town of Somerville, youngsters are being kidnapped. A group of friends set out to get to the bottom of the mystery and in an exciting climax in the sewers, all is revealed. As befits a YA story, the author has an easy to read style and the central characters are all well described.
This story also has an important message about the potential dangers of the Internet for young people, which is to be applauded.
This is the second book in the series and I'm sue there will be many more.
This story also has an important message about the potential dangers of the Internet for young people, which is to be applauded.
This is the second book in the series and I'm sue there will be many more.
February 16, 2015
**I was given a free copy in exchange for my review.**
First of all, this is the first book I have read by this author. Secondly, I don't normally read YA. However, I was quite engaged in this tale about a teen sleuth and his group of friends. I enjoyed how the author kept the mystery going (and kept my attention, even though I wouldn't normally read a book in this genre). All in all, a great read. I look forward to seeing more by this author.
First of all, this is the first book I have read by this author. Secondly, I don't normally read YA. However, I was quite engaged in this tale about a teen sleuth and his group of friends. I enjoyed how the author kept the mystery going (and kept my attention, even though I wouldn't normally read a book in this genre). All in all, a great read. I look forward to seeing more by this author.
May 3, 2015
Although I'm not a YA reader, I could quite easily understand
why teens would enjoy A.J. Raven's book. His writing skills are
excellent. I felt for Jerry and found the author's portrayal to
be very convincing. I could picture this awkward teenager, struggling
with his glasses, undertaking the task of solving a mystery.
My only issue was the cover. It did not seem to match the tale.
The editing was very well done.
why teens would enjoy A.J. Raven's book. His writing skills are
excellent. I felt for Jerry and found the author's portrayal to
be very convincing. I could picture this awkward teenager, struggling
with his glasses, undertaking the task of solving a mystery.
My only issue was the cover. It did not seem to match the tale.
The editing was very well done.
January 1, 2015
I usually find it very hard to read a book series out of order, but the author did a wonderful job making the second book easy to follow. I found that the book was full of unexpected surprises, which kept me turning the pages. I really loved this book; it was different from what I usually read, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of YA mystery action-packed thrillers.
December 21, 2014
I think is a very well wrote short story. the character development and plot line were really good. All and all a good short read. Was well worth the time. Two thumbs up.:)
July 8, 2016
When I read "Missing in Somerville" about three years ago (my gosh, has it been that long ago?) I said this was like Archie Andrews and gang meets the Hardy Boys, and that is exactly how I felt the second time around! Again, Jerry is like Archie, Kate is like Veronica Lodge, and so on. And Archie Andrews comics now has the gay character Kevin Keller!
Being a big fan of Archie and the Hardy Boys when I grew up, I took an easy liking to this novel. I see a big improvement in the author's writing style since Missing in Somerville. The writing is much more crisp and easy to read, and the dynamics between the teenage friends, as always, is fun to watch.
The mystery isn't as big a part of the book as Missing in Somerville, perhaps because now Jerry gets a lot of warnings from adults (parents, teachers, and police officers) not to get involved. Well we know how that will turn out. You can't keep the boy away from the mystery!
It was nice to see how subtle Jerry's gay identity is, exactly what it probably would be for someone so young. He obsesses over another teenage boy his age, but that's as far as it goes. Fun beach read.
Being a big fan of Archie and the Hardy Boys when I grew up, I took an easy liking to this novel. I see a big improvement in the author's writing style since Missing in Somerville. The writing is much more crisp and easy to read, and the dynamics between the teenage friends, as always, is fun to watch.
The mystery isn't as big a part of the book as Missing in Somerville, perhaps because now Jerry gets a lot of warnings from adults (parents, teachers, and police officers) not to get involved. Well we know how that will turn out. You can't keep the boy away from the mystery!
It was nice to see how subtle Jerry's gay identity is, exactly what it probably would be for someone so young. He obsesses over another teenage boy his age, but that's as far as it goes. Fun beach read.
July 19, 2015
The kids of Somerville are the newest mystery solving team!
I grew up reading The Three Investigators and the Hardy Boys. Jerry and his friends are the new YA mystery sleuths. Jerry and his friends get themselves entangled with a new mystery after three kids in Somerville disappear. The police don't want them to get involved in the case since Jerry almost got himself killed during the last mystery he tried to solve. It is full of mystery, plot twists along with the normal teenage high school drama. Sit back and enjoy the mysterious ride.
I grew up reading The Three Investigators and the Hardy Boys. Jerry and his friends are the new YA mystery sleuths. Jerry and his friends get themselves entangled with a new mystery after three kids in Somerville disappear. The police don't want them to get involved in the case since Jerry almost got himself killed during the last mystery he tried to solve. It is full of mystery, plot twists along with the normal teenage high school drama. Sit back and enjoy the mysterious ride.
May 5, 2015
I didn’t read the first book in this series but I wasn’t puzzled by the preceding events since the author nicely padded the way for me with his expert writing skills. I liked Jerry from the beginning because he seemed like a likeable, huggable friendly nerd. The story had plenty of puzzles and I really enjoyed the fast tempo and the neat finish. Potentially a very popular YA mystery series - highly recommended!
July 6, 2016
Not at all what I was expecting, but this book was a tremendously well-written read. There are some really cool twists and turns and the main character is really easy to identify and get along with. I just loved the way the story came together at the end, and it really did justice to the original book in the series.
At moments it is completely young adult, but I think any audience would find enjoyment in this novel and really have fun with it!
At moments it is completely young adult, but I think any audience would find enjoyment in this novel and really have fun with it!
October 5, 2014
An amazing sequel to "Missing in Somerville". AJ Raven didn't forget what Jerry and his friends went through in their previous mystery and their experiences were used to further develop all the characters. I'm looking forward to more books in the series. The way sexuality was handled was quite impressive and everything had a 'real life' feel to it.
November 23, 2014
The sequel to the mystery book 'Missing in Somerville'. Really enjoyed writing this one and making Jerry and his friends go through more trouble.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews