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The Riddles of Mulberry Island
While out fishing one bright summer day, fifteen-year-old Tommy Oakley is startled to spy what appears to be a giant fish surfacing in the inlet near Mulberry Island. Confused and a little fearful, he returns to Bayside, the tiny village where he lives, and recruits Wendy to help him solve the mystery.
A few nights later, Tommy goes camping with his best friend John, and they’re alarmed to see ghostly lights floating above the water and movement inside the island’s abandoned mansion.
Everyone in Bayside knows the island is uninhabited, but they also think it’s haunted, so Tommy and John are more than ready to stay away. But the strong-willed Wendy convinces the reluctant boys to investigate the source of the lights, thereby setting in motion a harrowing adventure that has them dodging bullets and running for their lives, all the while struggling to sort out their conflicted feelings for one another.
One thing is certain—if they survive the summer at all, things will never be the same between them again.
A few nights later, Tommy goes camping with his best friend John, and they’re alarmed to see ghostly lights floating above the water and movement inside the island’s abandoned mansion.
Everyone in Bayside knows the island is uninhabited, but they also think it’s haunted, so Tommy and John are more than ready to stay away. But the strong-willed Wendy convinces the reluctant boys to investigate the source of the lights, thereby setting in motion a harrowing adventure that has them dodging bullets and running for their lives, all the while struggling to sort out their conflicted feelings for one another.
One thing is certain—if they survive the summer at all, things will never be the same between them again.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
ebook
First published June 15, 2020
15 people want to read
About the author
Huston Piner
5 books40 followersHuston Piner always wanted to be a writer but realized from an early age that learning to read would have to take precedence. A voracious reader, he loves nothing more than a well-told story, a glass of red, and music playing in the background. His writings focus on ordinary gay teenagers and young adults struggling with their orientation in the face of cultural prejudice and the evolving influence of LGBTQA+ rights on society. He and his partner live in a house ruled by three domineering cats in the mid-Atlantic region.
His first book My Life as a Myth was a 2013 Rainbow Awards finalist. Conjoined at the Soul won the 2015 Divine Magazine Award in the LGBT New Adult/Young Adult category. His first New Adult novel Light in Endless Darkness was also published in 2015.
In 2017, Huston signed with NineStar Press. A thoroughly revised and unabridged edition of My Life as a Myth was published on August 28th as the first installment of the Seasons of Chadham High series, and was nominated for 2017 Stonewall Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. It was followed by Conjoined at the Soul , thoroughly revised and published on February 12, 2018, and The Breaths We Take , published on November 19, 2018. The stand-alone adventure/mystery The Riddles of Mulberry Island is followed on June 15, 2020.
His first book My Life as a Myth was a 2013 Rainbow Awards finalist. Conjoined at the Soul won the 2015 Divine Magazine Award in the LGBT New Adult/Young Adult category. His first New Adult novel Light in Endless Darkness was also published in 2015.
In 2017, Huston signed with NineStar Press. A thoroughly revised and unabridged edition of My Life as a Myth was published on August 28th as the first installment of the Seasons of Chadham High series, and was nominated for 2017 Stonewall Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. It was followed by Conjoined at the Soul , thoroughly revised and published on February 12, 2018, and The Breaths We Take , published on November 19, 2018. The stand-alone adventure/mystery The Riddles of Mulberry Island is followed on June 15, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 17, 2020
4.5 stars
It's the summer of 1952 and Tommy Oakley is 15, preparing to enter the 10th grade at a big-ish high school. He's best friends with John Webster who is also 15. They live in Bayside, what sounded like a coastal Virginia (my guess, because it's never stated) community which has few residents and fewer opportunities. Most of Bayside's residents are fishermen, and life had been prosperous back when the Mulberry's ran the fishery, but they closed it down long ago and only their Great House remains. Wendy Harris is also a resident of Bayside, though she's a year older and already in the high school. Wendy likes Tommy and John likes Tommy and Tommy's tired of their bickering.
Tommy got a boat for his 13th birthday, but his parents didn't trust him to captain it until this summer, when he turned 15. He's out in the boat alone, fishing and sailing, when he sees what appears to be a giant fish in the inlet between abandoned Mulberry Island and the peninsula on which Bayside sits. He knows John and Wendy won't believe him, but he confesses his vision to them. Wendy wants to explore, to see if there is anything to it. She's clearly smitten with Tommy, and he's a bit shy of her advances.
Tommy and John plan a sail and a camp-out to go shrimping, and they see lights in the Great House--and they know it wasn't the caretaker, old Mr. Hess, because he shows up later. Who's in the mansion? And, does this have anything to do with the giant fish? John doesn't want to investigate, because he's afraid it will lead to trouble and get Tommy hurt. And, there is no one in the world that John cares for more than Tommy. (I'm going to pause here and mention that John is regularly beaten and emotionally abused by his father, and his mother doesn't speak up about it because she'd likely be beaten in his stead.)
This is a mystery and adventure with just a little bit of romance. Tommy and Wendy and John make a quarrelsome triad in friendship, but there seems to be a connection between Tommy and John that John is beginning to explore. With the elements of danger, and the riskiness of the situations, John is the bold one, taking deeper risks to ensure Tommy's safety--because he feels like Tommy is the only person in his life who truly cares for him.
I can honestly say this is an engaging, and thoughtful YA LGBTQ read. The bad guys are not immediately apparent and the stakes get ever higher as the action plays out. We have mercenaries, and insane men planning insane plots, and a hurricane blowing in. Tommy and company don't know who to trust, but Wendy is ever-forceful in asserting what their trio should do--and how to do it. This causes conflict with John, who wants to back out completely, but he won't leave Tommy to fend for himself. In the end, there are some unlikely heroes and some really spectacular fireworks--which thankfully take out the bad guys' big plans. I liked the pacing, and the storytelling, and was especially grateful to see how the fathers of Bayside finally do what's right and ensure John has a loving home and the care he deserves.
The blurb didn't prepare me for either the slightly historical setting, or the descriptions of physical abuse and overt emotional/verbal abuse John suffers. His connection to Tommy is what eventually saves him. Tommy's father won't stand for Mr. Webster's abuse of his John--or Tommy--when slurs get flung. Beyond this, the adventure and mystery are engaging, as are the glimpses of physical love between Tommy and John.
It's the summer of 1952 and Tommy Oakley is 15, preparing to enter the 10th grade at a big-ish high school. He's best friends with John Webster who is also 15. They live in Bayside, what sounded like a coastal Virginia (my guess, because it's never stated) community which has few residents and fewer opportunities. Most of Bayside's residents are fishermen, and life had been prosperous back when the Mulberry's ran the fishery, but they closed it down long ago and only their Great House remains. Wendy Harris is also a resident of Bayside, though she's a year older and already in the high school. Wendy likes Tommy and John likes Tommy and Tommy's tired of their bickering.
Tommy got a boat for his 13th birthday, but his parents didn't trust him to captain it until this summer, when he turned 15. He's out in the boat alone, fishing and sailing, when he sees what appears to be a giant fish in the inlet between abandoned Mulberry Island and the peninsula on which Bayside sits. He knows John and Wendy won't believe him, but he confesses his vision to them. Wendy wants to explore, to see if there is anything to it. She's clearly smitten with Tommy, and he's a bit shy of her advances.
Tommy and John plan a sail and a camp-out to go shrimping, and they see lights in the Great House--and they know it wasn't the caretaker, old Mr. Hess, because he shows up later. Who's in the mansion? And, does this have anything to do with the giant fish? John doesn't want to investigate, because he's afraid it will lead to trouble and get Tommy hurt. And, there is no one in the world that John cares for more than Tommy. (I'm going to pause here and mention that John is regularly beaten and emotionally abused by his father, and his mother doesn't speak up about it because she'd likely be beaten in his stead.)
This is a mystery and adventure with just a little bit of romance. Tommy and Wendy and John make a quarrelsome triad in friendship, but there seems to be a connection between Tommy and John that John is beginning to explore. With the elements of danger, and the riskiness of the situations, John is the bold one, taking deeper risks to ensure Tommy's safety--because he feels like Tommy is the only person in his life who truly cares for him.
I can honestly say this is an engaging, and thoughtful YA LGBTQ read. The bad guys are not immediately apparent and the stakes get ever higher as the action plays out. We have mercenaries, and insane men planning insane plots, and a hurricane blowing in. Tommy and company don't know who to trust, but Wendy is ever-forceful in asserting what their trio should do--and how to do it. This causes conflict with John, who wants to back out completely, but he won't leave Tommy to fend for himself. In the end, there are some unlikely heroes and some really spectacular fireworks--which thankfully take out the bad guys' big plans. I liked the pacing, and the storytelling, and was especially grateful to see how the fathers of Bayside finally do what's right and ensure John has a loving home and the care he deserves.
The blurb didn't prepare me for either the slightly historical setting, or the descriptions of physical abuse and overt emotional/verbal abuse John suffers. His connection to Tommy is what eventually saves him. Tommy's father won't stand for Mr. Webster's abuse of his John--or Tommy--when slurs get flung. Beyond this, the adventure and mystery are engaging, as are the glimpses of physical love between Tommy and John.
July 1, 2020
his was an interesting one! Tommy, Wendy, and John are friends and they are spending the summer together when they can escape their chores. It's 1952... and the three pre-teens set out on an adventure.
Tommy has been given a boat and when he finally convinces his parents that he is old enough to take it out, he sees something spooky. Something that looks like a sea creature appears and thus begins the mystery.
This reminded me of a good old Hardy Boys mystery when it began. A mysterious light on the water, a strange sea creature... the mystery lures these teens into the boat and back to Mulberry Island and that's when things get dangerous.
I think that even though the characters are solving a mystery... much of this book is about growing up, growing closer and friendship. My favorite character was John. He is a sweet soul, protective and caring in spite of the fact that his home life is terrible. John has an abusive father and no one seems to care about him except his friends.
I loved the friendship between John, Tommy, and Wendy. There's some jealousy blooming as the three of them jockey for position with one another. As they move into their teens, they clearly are beginning to feel more for one another and that's going to end up with someone left out in a way. The development of feelings between them is very natural and I enjoyed the way it progressed.
My only confusion about this book is that it would be a great middle-grade book if it weren't for the violence that is included in it. I found the voice of the characters to be quite young for 15... which is totally fine. I would probably recommend this to younger readers!
Tommy has been given a boat and when he finally convinces his parents that he is old enough to take it out, he sees something spooky. Something that looks like a sea creature appears and thus begins the mystery.
This reminded me of a good old Hardy Boys mystery when it began. A mysterious light on the water, a strange sea creature... the mystery lures these teens into the boat and back to Mulberry Island and that's when things get dangerous.
I think that even though the characters are solving a mystery... much of this book is about growing up, growing closer and friendship. My favorite character was John. He is a sweet soul, protective and caring in spite of the fact that his home life is terrible. John has an abusive father and no one seems to care about him except his friends.
I loved the friendship between John, Tommy, and Wendy. There's some jealousy blooming as the three of them jockey for position with one another. As they move into their teens, they clearly are beginning to feel more for one another and that's going to end up with someone left out in a way. The development of feelings between them is very natural and I enjoyed the way it progressed.
My only confusion about this book is that it would be a great middle-grade book if it weren't for the violence that is included in it. I found the voice of the characters to be quite young for 15... which is totally fine. I would probably recommend this to younger readers!
July 15, 2020
The Riddles of Mulberry Island by Huston Piner reminded me of the Enid Blyton mysteries I used to read decades ago. Being set in the early fifties gives the story a different, almost quaint feel to it. Tommy, John and Wendy are mid-teens and form a strange friendship group. I never fathomed why Tommy was friends with Wendy as they never really talked. She just seemed to be there and told him what to do. He seems to be attracted to her but his attentions became more focused on John as the story progressed.
As the title suggests, the friends investigate the strange goings-on at Mulberry Island and stumble into something quite dangerous and unexpected. There’s plenty of mystery and suspense as the story develops, with several long heated discussions about what the teenagers plan to do.
I liked John and felt sorry for him because of his family background. His father was abusive and violent and his mother seemed uncaring because she was controlled by her husband.
Tommy is finding his feet in the world and discovering who he is. He came across as an insecure teenager, who was easily manipulated by Wendy. She was there to provide conflict in the friendship group and was the cause of most of the disagreements.
The attraction between Tommy and John simmers gently. I liked the subtle aspect of their romance and how considerately it was portrayed—as it should be for a YA novel. I think it is perfectly suitable for a teenager to read. Both young men are shown to be exploring their feelings for a person of the opposite sex and working out their sexuality. Kudos to Wendy for accepting their relationship near the end of the story. I think this redeems her. John shows how much he cares for Tommy through his actions and his bravery in protecting him.
As the title suggests, the friends investigate the strange goings-on at Mulberry Island and stumble into something quite dangerous and unexpected. There’s plenty of mystery and suspense as the story develops, with several long heated discussions about what the teenagers plan to do.
I liked John and felt sorry for him because of his family background. His father was abusive and violent and his mother seemed uncaring because she was controlled by her husband.
Tommy is finding his feet in the world and discovering who he is. He came across as an insecure teenager, who was easily manipulated by Wendy. She was there to provide conflict in the friendship group and was the cause of most of the disagreements.
The attraction between Tommy and John simmers gently. I liked the subtle aspect of their romance and how considerately it was portrayed—as it should be for a YA novel. I think it is perfectly suitable for a teenager to read. Both young men are shown to be exploring their feelings for a person of the opposite sex and working out their sexuality. Kudos to Wendy for accepting their relationship near the end of the story. I think this redeems her. John shows how much he cares for Tommy through his actions and his bravery in protecting him.
July 6, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to read and review.
1950s. Three teenagers. One mystery. Is it a new species of whale? A ghost? The mystery takes place on a local island with an abandoned house. Three friends, Tommy, Wendy, and John, attempt to solve the mystery by exploring the island. As they gather information, piece together clues, and race around the island, they are also exploring their feelings for each other.
Maybe it is because the story takes place in the 1950s, but this reminds me of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I love the take on exploring feelings between Tommy and Wendy, but also between Tommy and John. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, but also likes a good teen romance without too much anguish over teen emotions.
1950s. Three teenagers. One mystery. Is it a new species of whale? A ghost? The mystery takes place on a local island with an abandoned house. Three friends, Tommy, Wendy, and John, attempt to solve the mystery by exploring the island. As they gather information, piece together clues, and race around the island, they are also exploring their feelings for each other.
Maybe it is because the story takes place in the 1950s, but this reminds me of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I love the take on exploring feelings between Tommy and Wendy, but also between Tommy and John. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, but also likes a good teen romance without too much anguish over teen emotions.
June 24, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
While The Riddles of Mulberry Island has a wonderfully woven story, as is I don't think it will find a target audience. The language use, short length, and tendency to repeat plot points to make sure the reader still understand's what's going on feels very reminiscent of middle grade or younger. At first I was going to give this a very middle of the range rating and just suggest it for younger readers, but since this book is already out I'm worried the combination of the characters being 15 (despite talking and acting like 10-12 year olds) and violence will cause it to remain out of children's sections, which is a shame because I would have loved this story.
I really really hope the choice to place this in YA instead of Children's or middle grades was just an unfortunate choice and wasn't something forced upon this story because of the LGBTQA+ themes. If you are/have a younger reader I'd definitely recommend this, but I can't justify giving it a higher review because I don't think it achieves what it appears to have set out to accomplish.
While The Riddles of Mulberry Island has a wonderfully woven story, as is I don't think it will find a target audience. The language use, short length, and tendency to repeat plot points to make sure the reader still understand's what's going on feels very reminiscent of middle grade or younger. At first I was going to give this a very middle of the range rating and just suggest it for younger readers, but since this book is already out I'm worried the combination of the characters being 15 (despite talking and acting like 10-12 year olds) and violence will cause it to remain out of children's sections, which is a shame because I would have loved this story.
I really really hope the choice to place this in YA instead of Children's or middle grades was just an unfortunate choice and wasn't something forced upon this story because of the LGBTQA+ themes. If you are/have a younger reader I'd definitely recommend this, but I can't justify giving it a higher review because I don't think it achieves what it appears to have set out to accomplish.
June 24, 2020
I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a digital copy of this novel.
Actual rate: 2.75 stars
I'm quite sad to give this book such a low rating. When I started it I thought it would be a quick and intriguing read, but unfortunately for me only the first part was true.
I enjoyed the general plot of the story: a trio of teenagers spy some mysterious disturbance in a local island and they decide to go investigate, but they get caught up in a scheme bigger than they expected. The characters were also okay, and I liked how their relationship with each other was presented.
But sadly I had a big problem with this book: from around 50% to 90% I had absolutely no clue what was happening. I read a quote, I didn't understand it, I could see words in front of my eyes reread it again and the meaning of it kept being incomprehensible to me. During the last 10% the writing style got better again, so I just guess that maybe the author is more skilled at writing coming-of-age stories than action scenes.
Overall I don't think this book is (entirely) bad, but it would have worked better if it focused more on the emotional side of the story than the action one.
Actual rate: 2.75 stars
I'm quite sad to give this book such a low rating. When I started it I thought it would be a quick and intriguing read, but unfortunately for me only the first part was true.
I enjoyed the general plot of the story: a trio of teenagers spy some mysterious disturbance in a local island and they decide to go investigate, but they get caught up in a scheme bigger than they expected. The characters were also okay, and I liked how their relationship with each other was presented.
But sadly I had a big problem with this book: from around 50% to 90% I had absolutely no clue what was happening. I read a quote, I didn't understand it, I could see words in front of my eyes reread it again and the meaning of it kept being incomprehensible to me. During the last 10% the writing style got better again, so I just guess that maybe the author is more skilled at writing coming-of-age stories than action scenes.
Overall I don't think this book is (entirely) bad, but it would have worked better if it focused more on the emotional side of the story than the action one.
June 29, 2020
The book follows 3 friends who uncover a mystery and what happens to them afterwards, it is told from the perspective of both Tommy and John.
I liked John and Wendy and wished the book was in their perspectives because to me Tommy was a boring character in comparison to them, I also did not care for him so I just did not get the other characters interest in him, everything seemed to revolve around him.
The book starts off interesting with a coming of age feel to it, especially with the setting being a small village and then the friends exploring a nearby island. And the mystery and the writing style is good, I liked the first half of the book when the characters did not know what was going on. However, when the mystery is revealed I thought the book got boring, it dragged on a lot and was very descriptive/wordy.
Although I did not like Tommy, I did find the relationship and interactions between him and John cute and also the friendship of all 3 characters.
2/5
I liked John and Wendy and wished the book was in their perspectives because to me Tommy was a boring character in comparison to them, I also did not care for him so I just did not get the other characters interest in him, everything seemed to revolve around him.
The book starts off interesting with a coming of age feel to it, especially with the setting being a small village and then the friends exploring a nearby island. And the mystery and the writing style is good, I liked the first half of the book when the characters did not know what was going on. However, when the mystery is revealed I thought the book got boring, it dragged on a lot and was very descriptive/wordy.
Although I did not like Tommy, I did find the relationship and interactions between him and John cute and also the friendship of all 3 characters.
2/5
September 16, 2020
3.5\4*
An engaging tale that did keep me engaged.
Centres around 2 15yo boys and a 17yo girl (I think that’s the ages), who in the simpler times of the early 1950’s so off adventuring on a local abandoned island.
Cue cranky caretakers, mystery residents, smugglers, nefarious plots, a lot of action and a very youthful romance.
Also, the ‘let’s investigate ourselves rather than engage with adults’ mentality of groups like The Famous 5 give a somewhat unreal feel at times.
The boys sometimes came across as much younger and Wendy as a bossy meddler, but that could be my take on a 15yo now vs one in the 50’s.
In that age of enlightenment for kids, Tommy is confused by his feelings for both Wendy and John, though John wins out. And John’s parent were just dire!
An engaging tale that did keep me engaged.
Centres around 2 15yo boys and a 17yo girl (I think that’s the ages), who in the simpler times of the early 1950’s so off adventuring on a local abandoned island.
Cue cranky caretakers, mystery residents, smugglers, nefarious plots, a lot of action and a very youthful romance.
Also, the ‘let’s investigate ourselves rather than engage with adults’ mentality of groups like The Famous 5 give a somewhat unreal feel at times.
The boys sometimes came across as much younger and Wendy as a bossy meddler, but that could be my take on a 15yo now vs one in the 50’s.
In that age of enlightenment for kids, Tommy is confused by his feelings for both Wendy and John, though John wins out. And John’s parent were just dire!
January 12, 2024
I guess this basically delivered what it promised, what I understood I was getting and hoped for. But... really I found it pretty slow and meandering and pointless. I wanted a Hardy Boys story with gay overtones. I thought that was what I was getting. And it basically delivers. There were some nice visuals with flying birds. And the gay ideas in a Hardy Boys-like setting work. There is a female... love-interest... character as well. And conflict in the trio. But honestly it felt to me like it took forever to get anywhere in the story and the mystery and story just... weren't very interesting. Head injury was the most interesting thing in the story and it was... kinda irrelevant.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews