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Jake Weston Mystery Series #1
Murder at White Oak
WINNER 2019 LGBTQ Book of the Year FINALIST from Independent Author Network.
Currently, the White Oak Mystery Series is nominated for the American Library Association's Stonewall Awards and the 2020 Lambda Awards.
A murder mystery... a ghost story... and a gay love story.
Jake Weston, a seventeen-year-old cross between Holden Caulfield and Sherlock Holmes, is an openly gay American at a private British boarding school. He's got a lot on his plate. He's being haunted by the ghost of a former student, and he's fallen in love with his beautiful roommate. He's trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of Tommy Walker, a White Oak student who vanished in 1976... but piecing together a puzzle from the past will lead to real danger in the present. He'll inherit a fortune if he can solve a murder and make it out of White Oak Academy alive.
This genre-bending fusion of supernatural suspense, thriller and young adult LGBT love story has mind-blowing plot twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Murder at White Oak tackles some of the very real issues of bullying and beatings within the walls of prestigious boarding schools for boys and the difficulties of being gay in that restrictive, closed environment. This is the first book in The Jake Weston Mystery series.
WARNING: SHOCKING ENDING!
Currently, the White Oak Mystery Series is nominated for the American Library Association's Stonewall Awards and the 2020 Lambda Awards.
A murder mystery... a ghost story... and a gay love story.
Jake Weston, a seventeen-year-old cross between Holden Caulfield and Sherlock Holmes, is an openly gay American at a private British boarding school. He's got a lot on his plate. He's being haunted by the ghost of a former student, and he's fallen in love with his beautiful roommate. He's trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of Tommy Walker, a White Oak student who vanished in 1976... but piecing together a puzzle from the past will lead to real danger in the present. He'll inherit a fortune if he can solve a murder and make it out of White Oak Academy alive.
This genre-bending fusion of supernatural suspense, thriller and young adult LGBT love story has mind-blowing plot twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Murder at White Oak tackles some of the very real issues of bullying and beatings within the walls of prestigious boarding schools for boys and the difficulties of being gay in that restrictive, closed environment. This is the first book in The Jake Weston Mystery series.
WARNING: SHOCKING ENDING!
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2019
24 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Marko Realmonte
10 books40 followersBook #3 in the LGBTQ Jake Weston Mystery Series is now out!
The Michaelmas Killer.
Let me know what you think!
Murder at White Oak won Finalist for Book of the Year from the Independent Author Network.
The Michaelmas Killer.
Let me know what you think!
Murder at White Oak won Finalist for Book of the Year from the Independent Author Network.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 4, 2020
4 Hearts
Definitely unconventional, as this was not strictly a romance but mainly a murder mystery, the ending is a shocking development but perhaps not such a shocking revelation.
This book stars 16 year old Jake, who immediately draws you in. He’s over the top rich, devastatingly handsome, a star athlete, and a genius to boot. No doubt he’s charming, daring, mischievous, outrageously audacious, and he doesn’t hide who he is. He’s out in all his glory and not surprisingly, Jake hardly plays by the rules. Though he garners loyalty from many, his sense of justice for those he cares about gathers him just as many enemies. Envision a young blonde Tony Stark, with a lean towards athleticism and cultured brilliance rather than outright tech savant.
So, basically this showcases the day to day look at life at a British boarding school with all the hijinks one could imagine from such a cultured, set in stone institution, ripe with rules, traditions, and legends. One of those legends being a former student’s ghost who now haunts the grounds, whose body has never been found. While Jake sets his mind to solving the mystery, he falls in love, aces his classes, and trains to be an Olympian. It’s all in a hard day's work for “Richie Rich”.
What stands out here is the structure of this book which boasts no less than 10 different POV’s. The settings vary, the chapters are short, but it never lost my interest. I admit, I thoroughly enjoyed myself for the first 80%, and then I was shockingly devastated, angry, resigned - then somewhat vindicated and ultimately, satisfied despite my frustrations. I won't go into nitty gritty detailed spoilers. Other reviews have nicely done so, so if you want HUGE plot reveals investigate more! Admittedly, I’m still a bit peeved because I like my romance a certain way and this did not deliver on that…. but props to being original.
Overall again, if you want something different, if you like mysteries, if you don’t mind tame YA with a bit of romance thrown in, then prepare yourself for a shock and a hardcore bittersweet ending that just might tickle your fancy leaving you pleasantly surprised (fingers and toes crossed). If not (and the odds are kinda sorta leaning towards that opinion) - hopefully, just simply entertained.
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for a honest review
Definitely unconventional, as this was not strictly a romance but mainly a murder mystery, the ending is a shocking development but perhaps not such a shocking revelation.
This book stars 16 year old Jake, who immediately draws you in. He’s over the top rich, devastatingly handsome, a star athlete, and a genius to boot. No doubt he’s charming, daring, mischievous, outrageously audacious, and he doesn’t hide who he is. He’s out in all his glory and not surprisingly, Jake hardly plays by the rules. Though he garners loyalty from many, his sense of justice for those he cares about gathers him just as many enemies. Envision a young blonde Tony Stark, with a lean towards athleticism and cultured brilliance rather than outright tech savant.
So, basically this showcases the day to day look at life at a British boarding school with all the hijinks one could imagine from such a cultured, set in stone institution, ripe with rules, traditions, and legends. One of those legends being a former student’s ghost who now haunts the grounds, whose body has never been found. While Jake sets his mind to solving the mystery, he falls in love, aces his classes, and trains to be an Olympian. It’s all in a hard day's work for “Richie Rich”.
What stands out here is the structure of this book which boasts no less than 10 different POV’s. The settings vary, the chapters are short, but it never lost my interest. I admit, I thoroughly enjoyed myself for the first 80%, and then I was shockingly devastated, angry, resigned - then somewhat vindicated and ultimately, satisfied despite my frustrations. I won't go into nitty gritty detailed spoilers. Other reviews have nicely done so, so if you want HUGE plot reveals investigate more! Admittedly, I’m still a bit peeved because I like my romance a certain way and this did not deliver on that…. but props to being original.
Overall again, if you want something different, if you like mysteries, if you don’t mind tame YA with a bit of romance thrown in, then prepare yourself for a shock and a hardcore bittersweet ending that just might tickle your fancy leaving you pleasantly surprised (fingers and toes crossed). If not (and the odds are kinda sorta leaning towards that opinion) - hopefully, just simply entertained.
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for a honest review
not-for-me
March 24, 2019The premise here sounded exactly like my sort of thing. Unfortunately the author and I have very different ideas about the function and conventions of genre, and this book violates the conventions of its genres at the end. Probably the worst place to violate them, I think.
A lot of writers seem to balk at the constraints of genre, reasons vary. Sometimes the writer is unfamiliar with the constraints of the genre, which is kind of amazing, but happens. Often writers think that by violating the genre conventions they're being "original". But when genre readers say they want something original, they generally still want it to follow conventions. They want freshness and variation, but aren't particularly looking to leave their comfort zone, if they wanted to do that, they could easily pick a book outside it themselves.
Genre serves as a sort of promise to the reader about the type of story they're getting. Readers may like X, and Y, but not Z. Genre says, X? You like X, this is X. If the reader then gets to the end and finds out it's Z, the reader is generally going to be pissed. Nobody likes bait and switch.
Sometimes, if an author does an amazing job with a violation, a good chunk of readers will forgive the breach of convention. But those are exceptions and the author should expect a higher chance of failure.
Sometimes readers mistake the genre a book and end up disappointed. I've seen this with M/M readers reading gay fiction.
But this is marketed on amazon as LGBTQ-YA/Mystery/M-M Romance, but the author pulls something at the end that goes against the conventions of both Mystery and M/M Romance, which I'm sure will upset a lot of readers.
In a comment on another review, the author tries to justify the ending by citing (and it seems spoilery to me to even mention these, but the author did, so I guess it's fair) Personally I don't see how the conventions of have any relevance to a book marketed as LGBTQ-YA/Mystery/M-M Romance but maybe you'll disagree.
I wish I could have read the book in the genre and description told me I was getting instead of this one.
*edit: spoiler tags added after the author removed his spoiler-y comments
A lot of writers seem to balk at the constraints of genre, reasons vary. Sometimes the writer is unfamiliar with the constraints of the genre, which is kind of amazing, but happens. Often writers think that by violating the genre conventions they're being "original". But when genre readers say they want something original, they generally still want it to follow conventions. They want freshness and variation, but aren't particularly looking to leave their comfort zone, if they wanted to do that, they could easily pick a book outside it themselves.
Genre serves as a sort of promise to the reader about the type of story they're getting. Readers may like X, and Y, but not Z. Genre says, X? You like X, this is X. If the reader then gets to the end and finds out it's Z, the reader is generally going to be pissed. Nobody likes bait and switch.
Sometimes, if an author does an amazing job with a violation, a good chunk of readers will forgive the breach of convention. But those are exceptions and the author should expect a higher chance of failure.
Sometimes readers mistake the genre a book and end up disappointed. I've seen this with M/M readers reading gay fiction.
But this is marketed on amazon as LGBTQ-YA/Mystery/M-M Romance, but the author pulls something at the end that goes against the conventions of both Mystery and M/M Romance, which I'm sure will upset a lot of readers.
In a comment on another review, the author tries to justify the ending by citing (and it seems spoilery to me to even mention these, but the author did, so I guess it's fair) Personally I don't see how the conventions of have any relevance to a book marketed as LGBTQ-YA/Mystery/M-M Romance but maybe you'll disagree.
I wish I could have read the book in the genre and description told me I was getting instead of this one.
*edit: spoiler tags added after the author removed his spoiler-y comments
March 22, 2019
I wasn’t sure about this book at first. I read the sample, and found it hard to adjust to the short chapters, each from either a different person’s point of view, or of a place. But I bought the whole book, and quickly adjusted to the unusual writing style. It became hard to put down, as the story became more and more interesting.
Jake’s extreme wealth and extravagant spending habits were more and more over the top, but somehow it works. He’s also a prodigy, being exceptionally intelligent as well as being an Olympic level swimmer. He’s an amazing individual. Timothy is a lovely young man, also a prodigy with his violin playing. Between the two of them I wondered at some stages of the book if it was becoming a parody.
I liked Abbott the butler, and also Bea, Timothy’s mother. They added some depth to the story, although again the “too good to be true” thought popped into my mind.
Extreme spoilers ahead!
Overall it was an unusual, intriguing, hard-to-put down book, despite some reservations. **** 4.5 stars down from 5
Jake’s extreme wealth and extravagant spending habits were more and more over the top, but somehow it works. He’s also a prodigy, being exceptionally intelligent as well as being an Olympic level swimmer. He’s an amazing individual. Timothy is a lovely young man, also a prodigy with his violin playing. Between the two of them I wondered at some stages of the book if it was becoming a parody.
I liked Abbott the butler, and also Bea, Timothy’s mother. They added some depth to the story, although again the “too good to be true” thought popped into my mind.
Extreme spoilers ahead!
Overall it was an unusual, intriguing, hard-to-put down book, despite some reservations. **** 4.5 stars down from 5
Read
June 6, 2025dnf at 49%
Can’t seem to care what happens next. I think the two mc’s (who are 16/17 years old) are quite unreal and certainly no representation of real life teenagers, as to my experience at least. It started out quite good, but I no longer care.
This seems to be the year of dnf’s - I can’t remember having not finished so many books as I have so far this year.
Can’t seem to care what happens next. I think the two mc’s (who are 16/17 years old) are quite unreal and certainly no representation of real life teenagers, as to my experience at least. It started out quite good, but I no longer care.
This seems to be the year of dnf’s - I can’t remember having not finished so many books as I have so far this year.
April 12, 2022
You call THIS a love story?! Seriously?!
This book was so good to read. The story was nice, written in a bit unusual way, but it was easy to enjoy. And then, at about 80% of the book, the author made some very unusual choices that mainly killed my enjoyment of reading this story. Well, the synopsis for this book includes: ‘WARNING: SHOCKING ENDING!’ But there are some things that you generally don’t do if you want your book to be in a certain convention.
I think that the choice made by the author made the story somewhat cheaper. It has started to resemble one of those TV shows where the plot goes on for the fifteen consecutive seasons, viewership is dropping, and the screenwriters are desperately trying to renew the interest in the show with some shocking development. This story could have gone in so many different directions, but I think it lost its potential by choosing a cheap sensation over a solid storyline.
And I wouldn't really call this ending truly shocking, but rather disappointing. It's not that this particular twist was necessary to finish the story. We could end this story quite efficiently and with great success without resorting to such solutions. This particular twist was not really necessary for solving the mystery.
Besides, it's a pretty good story, although the main character is a bit too perfect to be real. I find some similar atmosphere in this book to The Secret Story by Tartt Donna. The author's writing style is quite different and requires some getting used to. And the frequently changing POVs are a bit confusing.
If the author had made other choices, I would have given this book 4 stars. Unfortunately that didn't happen so I’m giving three. I'm dissappointed.
This book was so good to read. The story was nice, written in a bit unusual way, but it was easy to enjoy. And then, at about 80% of the book, the author made some very unusual choices that mainly killed my enjoyment of reading this story. Well, the synopsis for this book includes: ‘WARNING: SHOCKING ENDING!’ But there are some things that you generally don’t do if you want your book to be in a certain convention.
I think that the choice made by the author made the story somewhat cheaper. It has started to resemble one of those TV shows where the plot goes on for the fifteen consecutive seasons, viewership is dropping, and the screenwriters are desperately trying to renew the interest in the show with some shocking development. This story could have gone in so many different directions, but I think it lost its potential by choosing a cheap sensation over a solid storyline.
And I wouldn't really call this ending truly shocking, but rather disappointing. It's not that this particular twist was necessary to finish the story. We could end this story quite efficiently and with great success without resorting to such solutions. This particular twist was not really necessary for solving the mystery.
Besides, it's a pretty good story, although the main character is a bit too perfect to be real. I find some similar atmosphere in this book to The Secret Story by Tartt Donna. The author's writing style is quite different and requires some getting used to. And the frequently changing POVs are a bit confusing.
If the author had made other choices, I would have given this book 4 stars. Unfortunately that didn't happen so I’m giving three. I'm dissappointed.
January 26, 2020
3/5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book.
I was given e-arc for exchange of honest review.
A 16 years Jacob Weston or Jake is a Wealthy, Athlete Swimmer, handsome American boy, sent to “White Oak school” which is fifteen miles outside of London in the countryside.
Jake lives in a cottage. his father took it over the lease for Jake. It is the nearest place to school and “st. John” where other boys live.
In his very first day at school, he introduced Timothy Ashlock. Eventually, they become friends and fall in love.
As the story goes on in a stormy night Jake sees a boy wearing the same school uniform as they have, outside of the cottage.
And then he learns that the boy was a ghost and this cottage is haunted.
He loves Timothy and his mother. He even cares about his butler Mr. Abbot, he is like his father to him. Jake is a very sweet caring boy.
Jake wants to find out who is this ghost? And how he died or murdered? Who is the murderer?
Both boys starts digging into the secret of the White Oak's mysterious past to find out the answers.
It is really engaging to read how the two find out who is the ghost? How he died? And the mysterious past of the White Oak School.
I feel like this book was particularly weak in describing situations like some emotional moments.
It feels like just told or written there.
but readers want to feel it.
I would've enjoyed the book more if I could feel characters emotions.
But I enjoyed this story because of its twist.
I really enjoyed this book.
I was given e-arc for exchange of honest review.
A 16 years Jacob Weston or Jake is a Wealthy, Athlete Swimmer, handsome American boy, sent to “White Oak school” which is fifteen miles outside of London in the countryside.
Jake lives in a cottage. his father took it over the lease for Jake. It is the nearest place to school and “st. John” where other boys live.
In his very first day at school, he introduced Timothy Ashlock. Eventually, they become friends and fall in love.
As the story goes on in a stormy night Jake sees a boy wearing the same school uniform as they have, outside of the cottage.
And then he learns that the boy was a ghost and this cottage is haunted.
He loves Timothy and his mother. He even cares about his butler Mr. Abbot, he is like his father to him. Jake is a very sweet caring boy.
Jake wants to find out who is this ghost? And how he died or murdered? Who is the murderer?
Both boys starts digging into the secret of the White Oak's mysterious past to find out the answers.
It is really engaging to read how the two find out who is the ghost? How he died? And the mysterious past of the White Oak School.
I feel like this book was particularly weak in describing situations like some emotional moments.
It feels like just told or written there.
but readers want to feel it.
I would've enjoyed the book more if I could feel characters emotions.
But I enjoyed this story because of its twist.
February 15, 2020
When Tal Bauer recommends a book, you can be sure I'll check it out - and Murder at White Oak proved to be very much worth the read. Combining murder mystery, ghost story and romance in a genre-bending YA novel set at an English boarding school, Realmonte's debut is a truly unique tale - and the blurb's warning of a shocking ending certainly applies. I'm quite intrigued to see what the sequel has in store.
May 13, 2020
Marko Realmonte has crafted a murder mystery with a lot of fun twists in Murder at White Oak! After being sent to boarding school, Jake Weston must navigate the complications of teenage love, all while trying to solve the murder of a student. Now throw in a ghost and it’s a party! Realmonte has blended multiple genres in a way that you wouldn’t believe would work, but I loved it! The key to a good murder mystery is having a good main character, which Realmonte achieves in Jake. Jake is funny and loveable, and I really enjoyed the romantic aspect of this story! If you love murder mysteries, YA romance, or even Harry Potter, this one’s for you!
March 5, 2019
3.5 stars
March 4, 2019
Excellent! It was so well written I could not put it down. I think I've another favorite author.
July 18, 2019
Murder at White Oak (White Oak Murder #1)
By Marko Realmonte
Published by KDP 2019
Five stars *
“I hope you aren’t afraid of getting filthy.”
“It’s what I live for.” (Jake Weston)
“WARNING: I break the rules. I don't believe in genre conventions or constraints. There are surprises, and mind-blowing plot-twists in my books.” (the author)
I was instantly hooked on this book – its characters, its setting, the quirky, constantly shifting perspective of the narrator. I loved both Jake Weston and Tim Ashlock, and the way that Realmonte gave crystalline individuality to each player in this sprawling YA novel. It was visually rich and filled with thought-provoking ideas. If the style is a bit clipped, it comes from the author’s career as a screen and script writer.
Realmonte warned us, didn’t he? But I should have known better. The plot twist, quite late in the book, derailed me entirely. It’s 2 a.m. and I’m writing this review having stayed up late to finish the book, hoping desperately it would turn out differently, only to have nightmares about it after I forced myself to fall asleep.
I watched half of the very first episode of “Game of Thrones.” Then I realized it was not a series I would ever be happy watching. My husband watched every episode over the next few years. Me, never again.
Which just goes to say that the *star* at the end of my five-star review is this: I don’t know if I’ll be able to read the next book in the series.
By Marko Realmonte
Published by KDP 2019
Five stars *
“I hope you aren’t afraid of getting filthy.”
“It’s what I live for.” (Jake Weston)
“WARNING: I break the rules. I don't believe in genre conventions or constraints. There are surprises, and mind-blowing plot-twists in my books.” (the author)
I was instantly hooked on this book – its characters, its setting, the quirky, constantly shifting perspective of the narrator. I loved both Jake Weston and Tim Ashlock, and the way that Realmonte gave crystalline individuality to each player in this sprawling YA novel. It was visually rich and filled with thought-provoking ideas. If the style is a bit clipped, it comes from the author’s career as a screen and script writer.
Realmonte warned us, didn’t he? But I should have known better. The plot twist, quite late in the book, derailed me entirely. It’s 2 a.m. and I’m writing this review having stayed up late to finish the book, hoping desperately it would turn out differently, only to have nightmares about it after I forced myself to fall asleep.
I watched half of the very first episode of “Game of Thrones.” Then I realized it was not a series I would ever be happy watching. My husband watched every episode over the next few years. Me, never again.
Which just goes to say that the *star* at the end of my five-star review is this: I don’t know if I’ll be able to read the next book in the series.
March 3, 2019
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Wow . . . That is my first thought after finishing Murder at White Oak. I was completely enthralled from the beginning, loving the slow-building and the mystery. Jake and Timothy were both very compelling and wonderful characters and I was so invested in this story and how it was going to end. I found myself holding my breath and teary several times, completely caught up in the intensity of the story. This would make an amazing movie. I loved how it was told in the present tense and from so many different POVs. It gave a real feeling of being there and experiencing everything in real time. I am definitely eager to read more from this author!
Wow . . . That is my first thought after finishing Murder at White Oak. I was completely enthralled from the beginning, loving the slow-building and the mystery. Jake and Timothy were both very compelling and wonderful characters and I was so invested in this story and how it was going to end. I found myself holding my breath and teary several times, completely caught up in the intensity of the story. This would make an amazing movie. I loved how it was told in the present tense and from so many different POVs. It gave a real feeling of being there and experiencing everything in real time. I am definitely eager to read more from this author!
February 20, 2020
It needed a big dose of suspension of belief at my end to swallow Jacob the Debonair, beauty, genius, rich etcetera etcetera. The other characters came off as required as well, the good friend, also a genius, the dapper Butler, the down to earth mum, the cold father............
Realmonte gave the impression that he had a set number of quaint 'Englishisms' to include in his text, so we get these interspersed right, left and center. Pity, I just had to play the game of 'oh spot the next one'.
March 5, 2020
Such an a amazing book it's a book that I had to reflect on after I finished ...
Story line - yes
Characters - Double yes
Emotional - yes
Fun - yes .
I could go on and on , this book has left such an impression that I have re-read the book.
For me everything in this book was what I adore , the writing was solid with such a different approach...This book is still in my head after two week...
I will be watching more books by Marko Realmonte.
Story line - yes
Characters - Double yes
Emotional - yes
Fun - yes .
I could go on and on , this book has left such an impression that I have re-read the book.
For me everything in this book was what I adore , the writing was solid with such a different approach...This book is still in my head after two week...
I will be watching more books by Marko Realmonte.
June 14, 2019
I received a free copy if this book in return for an honest review.
I’ve only just finished this book and I’m almost at a loss for words. I enjoyed it, the story was excellent, the mystery kept me guessing but something happens towards the end of the book which I did not see coming. I’m going to be very careful now in what I say because I really don’t want to give anything away.
Jake has it all. He’s gorgeous, filthy rich, highly intelligent and a hugely talented swimmer who is heading for the Olympics but at least one character in the book describes him as a sociopath. I totally disagree with this last description. Jake cares about people and he is faithful and supportive of his friends. Jake, by the way, is also openly gay.
Jake seems to have everything going for him but he is sent to a boarding school in England to avoid a scandal. There he meets Tim who, I guess you can say, becomes the love of his life. At the boarding school Jake also meets Tommy, the ghost of a past student who disappeared in mysterious circumstances a number of years before. Jake and Tim want to find out what happened to Tommy and so the investigation begins.
The author describes this book as being the first in a series of gay mysteries and this particular book can be classified as YA. There are no sex scenes: just some kissing and groping. The book is also written in the present tense. This is not something which has appealed to me in the past but I think that I am now getting used to it as I had no trouble reading the book.
Definitely recommended
I’ve only just finished this book and I’m almost at a loss for words. I enjoyed it, the story was excellent, the mystery kept me guessing but something happens towards the end of the book which I did not see coming. I’m going to be very careful now in what I say because I really don’t want to give anything away.
Jake has it all. He’s gorgeous, filthy rich, highly intelligent and a hugely talented swimmer who is heading for the Olympics but at least one character in the book describes him as a sociopath. I totally disagree with this last description. Jake cares about people and he is faithful and supportive of his friends. Jake, by the way, is also openly gay.
Jake seems to have everything going for him but he is sent to a boarding school in England to avoid a scandal. There he meets Tim who, I guess you can say, becomes the love of his life. At the boarding school Jake also meets Tommy, the ghost of a past student who disappeared in mysterious circumstances a number of years before. Jake and Tim want to find out what happened to Tommy and so the investigation begins.
The author describes this book as being the first in a series of gay mysteries and this particular book can be classified as YA. There are no sex scenes: just some kissing and groping. The book is also written in the present tense. This is not something which has appealed to me in the past but I think that I am now getting used to it as I had no trouble reading the book.
Definitely recommended
February 17, 2020
4.25 stars So this is a new to me recommended author so I figured I’d give it a shot. Very well-told story that kept me turning the pages. Characters were engaging. Jake was a bit over the top and too good to be true but I couldn’t help but love him. All was going well until the end. I was bewildered, shocked and dismayed but I won’t say more. Over all a good book and because of that ending I probably wont forget it.
March 11, 2019
For me, the characters are everything. The writing can be great and the plot riveting, but if the characters don't grab me, I'm outta there. Murder in White Oak is a winner on all counts. I had a hard time putting it down, and even now I can't stop thinking about it. Jake and Tim are my new favorite couple, and I absolutely adore Abbot. You'll understand why when you meet him.
March 15, 2019
An extremely well-written contemporary mystery/gay-romance that reads like a historical. A page turner from start to finish!! Can wait for the author's next novel.
December 20, 2020
I was never going to read this book. Never ever! Well I did and I am crying and gutted. Only reason I read it is because I saw there was a book two. I loved this book even if it destroyed me
June 25, 2020
I absolutely loved this adventure that Marko Realmonte took us on. I felt like the book observed the mystery genre rather well and I truly enjoyed how effortless the romance felt. I can not wait to read the next installment of this series.
March 21, 2020
A fun, fast-paced read that is well thought out and has a fascinating ending that is satisfying, while simultaneously leaving enough of an opening for the sequel.
March 13, 2020
Loved it!! Couldn't put it down and am immediately starting #2!!
March 1, 2019
** 4.5 Stars **
Although I very rarely read "young adult" novels, the blurb of Murder at White Oak definitely caught my eye! When there's a murder-mystery and a ghost story I just can't resist!
In fact this was a surprisingly good read and quite hard to put down. It is indeed a ghost story but the primary focus is on the relationship between Jacob Weston and Timothy James Ashlock who are two very gifted young adults but who also are poles apart which makes it even more interesting. The connection between them is one of the best things about this book, it felt real!
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing style, the sense of place, the pacing, the witty dialogue and the multiple points of view. The storyline and the plot are very well thought out. The atmosphere isn't overly angsty and the author did a great job slowly building and maintaining the suspense until the final twist and the big reveal. There are so many emotions in this book, the best and the worst.
I know some people only read books with hea or hfn but there's none here, Murder at White Oak has a bittersweet ending.
I really had no idea what to expect from this debut novel but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just give it a try!
Trigger warning :
Although I very rarely read "young adult" novels, the blurb of Murder at White Oak definitely caught my eye! When there's a murder-mystery and a ghost story I just can't resist!
In fact this was a surprisingly good read and quite hard to put down. It is indeed a ghost story but the primary focus is on the relationship between Jacob Weston and Timothy James Ashlock who are two very gifted young adults but who also are poles apart which makes it even more interesting. The connection between them is one of the best things about this book, it felt real!
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing style, the sense of place, the pacing, the witty dialogue and the multiple points of view. The storyline and the plot are very well thought out. The atmosphere isn't overly angsty and the author did a great job slowly building and maintaining the suspense until the final twist and the big reveal. There are so many emotions in this book, the best and the worst.
I know some people only read books with hea or hfn but there's none here, Murder at White Oak has a bittersweet ending.
I really had no idea what to expect from this debut novel but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just give it a try!
Trigger warning :
June 26, 2020
MUST READ!
I'm still brimming with tears as I'm typing this. I don't even know where to begin? This novel is brilliant. I usually never cry but, lord... Jacob and Timothy are adoring characters; it's hard to not be able to fall in love with them. The story really addresses the issues of bullying and discrimination towards gays that take place in boarding schools or conservative schools in general. I know this because I went to one myself and they would talk poorly about lesbians (all girls' schools, ya know).
I also like the setting of this boarding school and I didn't have much against the present tense writing as it still worked. So no complaints about that. But the ending will make you either love or hate this novel. I honestly didn't expect the ending to take such a huge twist! However, I did sort of have my doubts on the murderer but I didn't expect the way it linked them to Tommy Walker.
Gosh... The relationship between Timothy and Jacob is so real and pure. I absolutely enjoyed this novel, and it's been a while since I've read such a good one. I'm going to definitively recommend this to my sister but I don't think she'd be interested in it anymore cause I was practically cursing the murderer's name irl haha
I'm still brimming with tears as I'm typing this. I don't even know where to begin? This novel is brilliant. I usually never cry but, lord... Jacob and Timothy are adoring characters; it's hard to not be able to fall in love with them. The story really addresses the issues of bullying and discrimination towards gays that take place in boarding schools or conservative schools in general. I know this because I went to one myself and they would talk poorly about lesbians (all girls' schools, ya know).
I also like the setting of this boarding school and I didn't have much against the present tense writing as it still worked. So no complaints about that. But the ending will make you either love or hate this novel. I honestly didn't expect the ending to take such a huge twist! However, I did sort of have my doubts on the murderer but I didn't expect the way it linked them to Tommy Walker.
Gosh... The relationship between Timothy and Jacob is so real and pure. I absolutely enjoyed this novel, and it's been a while since I've read such a good one. I'm going to definitively recommend this to my sister but I don't think she'd be interested in it anymore cause I was practically cursing the murderer's name irl haha
March 8, 2019
Oh my! I just finished this book...and my eyes are all blurry with tears! I won't spoil the end...because you should really read it.
This is so many things that are fantastic to read... a romance, a comical romp at a boy's school, a mystery, friendship...devotion...and more. It's cleverly written with a complex cast of fully-fleshed-out characters.
It took me a little while to get in tune with the switching of narrators, but in the end, that gave the story a lot more depth. Be warned, even though the story is light-hearted, it can also be hard-hitting.
If you are the kind of reader who is always on the lookout for a story that's more than just a "queer romance" then this one is worth a read. I like that the relationships matter to the plot of the story and they're not just sidelines that make the novel more enticing.
Bravo Marko! Hoping there will be a sequel!
This is so many things that are fantastic to read... a romance, a comical romp at a boy's school, a mystery, friendship...devotion...and more. It's cleverly written with a complex cast of fully-fleshed-out characters.
It took me a little while to get in tune with the switching of narrators, but in the end, that gave the story a lot more depth. Be warned, even though the story is light-hearted, it can also be hard-hitting.
If you are the kind of reader who is always on the lookout for a story that's more than just a "queer romance" then this one is worth a read. I like that the relationships matter to the plot of the story and they're not just sidelines that make the novel more enticing.
Bravo Marko! Hoping there will be a sequel!
September 15, 2019
What a great mystery!
Had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Great cast of characters and superb writing make this a must read.b
Had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Great cast of characters and superb writing make this a must read.b
April 2, 2020
Loved this witty, twisty, gutsy, unconventional mystery. The characters and story will stay with me a long time.
March 24, 2021
4.75 Stars
Most of Marko Realmonte’s ‘Murder at White Oak’ (Jake Weston Mystery Series #1) was absolutely
While I’m typically not a fan of paranormal novels, the ‘ghosts’ in this story truly seemed to belong.
A number of completely unexpected tone changes and plot twists were surprising to say the least. But like everything else about this extraordinary novel, even those events were masterfully described.
And so it’s on to Realmonte’s second book in his Jake Weston Mystery Series, ‘The Butcher of Oxford’.
Most of Marko Realmonte’s ‘Murder at White Oak’ (Jake Weston Mystery Series #1) was absolutely
While I’m typically not a fan of paranormal novels, the ‘ghosts’ in this story truly seemed to belong.
A number of completely unexpected tone changes and plot twists were surprising to say the least. But like everything else about this extraordinary novel, even those events were masterfully described.
And so it’s on to Realmonte’s second book in his Jake Weston Mystery Series, ‘The Butcher of Oxford’.
July 14, 2020
In the beginning I didn't think I would be able to finish this. The writing style was difficult to get used to and would start to pull me out of the story. Then the story, plot and characters became too intriguing to leave and I am very happy I didn't.
Was it over the top in places - of course. One of the things I liked. I read for entertainment and this book hit the mark. After all, there was ghosts.
Overall, an unusual over-the-top story that I thoroughly enjoyed!
Was it over the top in places - of course. One of the things I liked. I read for entertainment and this book hit the mark. After all, there was ghosts.
Overall, an unusual over-the-top story that I thoroughly enjoyed!
October 13, 2019
So. On the whole, this is a good book. It's very different than the norm, so that's fun. But. BUT. It also made me cry, which I was not prepared for. Because there's a big, massive romance genre-bending WTF surprise that I wish I had known about because I just don't read books like that. I don't do that to myself on purpose. I'm going to put this in spoiler tags, but still be warned, it's a giant spoiler. Don't read it if you don't want THE major plot twist in the mystery ruined:
I had a few nitpicks with the relationship-building, but it was mostly working for me until THAT happened. So yeah, safe to say much more a mystery book than anything else :)
If you're good with that, I would definitely recommend it. The setting and details were all interesting. I really loved Jake and how self-assured he was. He was just a smidge too clever to feel realistic at times, especially for his age, but it was enjoyable.
Also, one more warning for traditional romance readers: This mostly worked for me due to their ages and their not-inaccurate take on being in love at that age, but it was definitely one of the things I wanted a conversation about. It was hard to tell if certain conversations weren't happening at all, or if we just weren't privy to them. At many points it was hard to tell where exactly they stood with their relationship -- beyond friendship; that part was always clear -- because that was just not the focus of the narrative, even though it played a prominent role. There were several indications that they were *very* serious about each other, but then they were also exceedingly laid-back about certain things in a way that just didn't quite mesh in my brain. I mostly just chalked it up to my brain (thankfully) not working like a 16/17-year-old boy's, but this was the second time this week I've thought, "huh, sometimes I *do* need more internal dialog!" Who knew?!?
I really just think it shouldn't be classified as a romance. It just happens to have romantic elements. And there's certainly nothing wrong with that. Just want to make sure everyone has clear expectations in case, like me, that changes your mind about this one :) (And yes, in retrospect, that blurb was clearly trying to warn me, and I should have damn well listened. Sometime spoilers are our friends, people!!)
I had a few nitpicks with the relationship-building, but it was mostly working for me until THAT happened. So yeah, safe to say much more a mystery book than anything else :)
If you're good with that, I would definitely recommend it. The setting and details were all interesting. I really loved Jake and how self-assured he was. He was just a smidge too clever to feel realistic at times, especially for his age, but it was enjoyable.
Also, one more warning for traditional romance readers: This mostly worked for me due to their ages and their not-inaccurate take on being in love at that age, but it was definitely one of the things I wanted a conversation about. It was hard to tell if certain conversations weren't happening at all, or if we just weren't privy to them. At many points it was hard to tell where exactly they stood with their relationship -- beyond friendship; that part was always clear -- because that was just not the focus of the narrative, even though it played a prominent role. There were several indications that they were *very* serious about each other, but then they were also exceedingly laid-back about certain things in a way that just didn't quite mesh in my brain. I mostly just chalked it up to my brain (thankfully) not working like a 16/17-year-old boy's, but this was the second time this week I've thought, "huh, sometimes I *do* need more internal dialog!" Who knew?!?
I really just think it shouldn't be classified as a romance. It just happens to have romantic elements. And there's certainly nothing wrong with that. Just want to make sure everyone has clear expectations in case, like me, that changes your mind about this one :) (And yes, in retrospect, that blurb was clearly trying to warn me, and I should have damn well listened. Sometime spoilers are our friends, people!!)
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