Okay, here's the deal. When did people become "that" instead of "who?" I hear this on the radio on the TV ( and shouldn't news reporters know better )? and unless my memory is wrong, have even read it in places. Why? How hard is it to remember that people require a "who"? And here's another--myself instead of me. My boss did this all this time and it drove me crazy. Are we so afraid to be in the spotlight that we have to say, "So-and-so and myself did such-and-so?"
Available Now
MuseIt Up Publishing
March 2013
E-book 232 pages
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Synopsis- In 1482 Mary, the last Duchess of Burgundy, lies on her deathbed in a castle in Flanders. She is only 24. In her final moments she makes a wish that, 500 years later, will threaten the lives of a boy and a girl living in Brussels.
The Master’s Book is the story of Sean, an Irish teenager, just arrived in Brussels to a house that is also a crime scene. Together with Stephanie, his classmate, he finds an illuminated manuscript, only for it to be stolen almost at
once.
Where did this manuscript come from? Who was it originally made for? Is there a connection with the beautiful tomb Sean has seen in Bruges? Above all, why does someone want this book so badly that they are prepared to kill for it?
Part thriller and part paper-chase, this book is aimed at boys and girls of twelve and over.
Review
I loved the characters in the story. Sean, the Irish boy and his sister Maeve who have just arrived in Brussels because of their dad's job. The story is told from Sean's point of view, and I love reading from a young boy's point of view. I love to read about how insecure they are and the posturing they do for girls. I always thought the guys had everything figured out. From Sean's point of view, Stephanie, the young black girl that is the other part of this team of sleuths seems to have everything figured out. She comes up with the ideas, and is the one brave enough to carry them out. Plus she's lived in Brussels most of her life so she knows where to go and how to get there. So Sean, he's living with his sister Mam and Dad in a house where a murder occurred before they rented it. Dad didn't tell anyone because he didn't think it mattered. It did. Mam is none too happy with Dad about it and funnily enough I can't remember too many books where it actually shows Mom and Dad having a fight about anything in MG books unless they are getting a divorce. These two aren't, they are just mad at each other for something. Dad goes for a LONG walk. I think Dad does that more than once. But I liked seeing that Mom and Dad could have a fight with a bit of yelling without the kids getting all broken up about it and the D word being used. This is marriage kids. Mom and Dad make up and things get better. Worse then better.
Stephanie has two parents who are very present and get to be friends with Sean's parents. They go around to each other's houses for dinner, they ferry the kids to and fro. Stephanie's mom gets Sean's mom a job. This is how life should be portrayed in books, because this is natural. They eat! Yes, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their clothes are described. Yes, I know all very mundane, but don't you wonder about it all. What happens when nothing is happening? I do. What are they eating. What does one wear when guests are coming over for dinner? That is a big question in my mind in real life. What does the house look like?
So the mystery, well Sean is sent to clean the basement and discovers an extra room down there. Actually, Maeve comments on how the basement seems smaller than the rest of the house. Sean works out that the shelves are hiding a door and with Stephanie's guidance, he finds the key. A treasure trove of antiques is hidden in two rooms, but most importantly is a book in a safe, The Master's Book. They only discover what it is after it has been stolen. They are in the library trying to find out about it when they are chased by two thugs who end up dead in the river. Even though the book is gone, they can't quite leave the mystery of the book alone. Who was Mary of Burgundy? What happened to her? Where did the book come from? Who has it now? Why did they want it? Is there a curse on the book? With every answer they get, two more questions pop up and bodies seem to be dropping.
There is a climactic ending that you don't see coming and then the wrap up that explains things nicely. Stephanie and Sean are a good pair, part brains, part brash, part stupidity, part ignorance. They make a good couple. Their romance is very light and sweet and definitely not the focus of the book.
Thanks to Candace's Book Blog and CBB Book Promotions for a review copy of this novel. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the author
Philip Coleman
Philip Coleman has worked as a biologist for most of his life—in Ireland, Belgium and now in Switzerland. Having been an avid reader all his life, he took up writing only in 2006. This is his first published novel. He drew his inspiration for the story from the period he spent working for the EU in Brussels. He has a grown-up son and daughter (who were roughly the same ages as Sean and Maeve during the time in Brussels but otherwise aren’t a bit like them at all!). He now lives in France.
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