Exploring Fiction Feature #6: “Trapped in Paradise”

Everyone knows which Christmas movies are considered “the classics”. Even if they aren’t universally beloved, a handful of these holiday films are recognized as being the best-of-the-best, and are shown throughout millions of households every December without a second thought. Yet, some Christmas films slip through the cracks, fall into obscurity, wither away with the passage of time. Sometimes, this is deserved, but as with all genres, some superb stories are simply underrated. This is quite the case, at least in my opinion, for the Christmas comedic masterpiece, Trapped in Paradise.

This 1994 Christmas/crime/comedy film directed by George Gallo starred Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey as three brothers, the latter two of which are career petty criminals. Through a seeming series of coincidences, the trio makes their way down from New York to the small town of Paradise, Pennsylvania. But they don’t stop by just to make friends. Paradise houses the absolute dream of all thieves: a bank that is virtually unguarded. And through another series of coincidences, the three brothers cannot seem to leave the town, even when it is their greatest wish. Whether they like it or not, the town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, at first merely the home of a heist too good to be true, inches closer to their hearts.

I grew up watching and loving this film, but to my surprise, I soon found that the only other people who knew about Trapped in Paradise were those to whom I introduced it. Even searching online, I found little discussion surrounding this movie. All that was available was a small handful of YouTube videos and one or two interviews in which the cast recounted their disdain of the film. What a disappointment! Of course, I didn’t let the opinions of the cast bog down my own views, but I now felt as though this movie needed some more positive exposure. After all, I want more people to experience the endless joy I feel every time I pop Trapped in Paradise into the DVD player.

Sure, there are a few plot holes that can break your immersion, but that’s really the worst I can say about this movie. In the climax, the majority of the cast is all ushered to the police station, but somehow two of the main characters escape so that the plot can be resolved later on. Does it make sense? No, not really. Does it make you stop and think for a moment? Yes. Does it feel like a few throwaway lines or maybe one scene showing how they escaped the FBI when everyone else didn’t is missing? Yeah. But, as I stated before, that is the only real complaint I have about Trapped in Paradise.

The rest of this film is pure, belly-laughing fun. The starring trio of Cage, Lovitz, and Carvey are absolutely wacky and perfect. Not only is their chemistry together unmatched, but their individual lines and performances are just plain hilarious. True, they don’t exactly look like they could be brothers, but that doesn’t really matter. If you just accept it, and let it go, it makes everything so much more enjoyable. Every scene is full of comedic moments, mostly delivered by the main trio. But even the side characters, who each have their own distinct traits and nuances, lend to the light-hearted giddiness of the film. Yet despite all that, Trapped in Paradise has a surprising amount of heart, too. It illustrates that it is never too late for forgiveness, and that one should always search for the goodness in others. It has a happy, neat ending perfect to put the audience in the Christmas spirit.

It is a true shame that Trapped in Paradise remains so obscure even thirty years after its release. It deserves to sit at the pinnacle of Christmas comedies alongside Elf and Christmas Vacation, but instead it wallows in the shadows, a cult classic if there ever was one. With its hilarious cast, heartfelt message, and overall whimsical tone, Trapped in Paradise is truly a Christmas movie I would recommend watching no matter the time of year.

Exploring Fiction Feature #5: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (film)

The most popular series of a generation, maybe of all-time, Harry Potter has certainly been analyzed, praised, and criticized by countless individuals and groups throughout its existence. The books were nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, an anomaly in every sense of the word, and the films capitalized and even increased their success. While I plan to discuss both the books and movies at a later date in video format, I thought I would take a moment to appreciate the best movie of the bunch, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

The third film in the franchise, and the first not helmed by director Chris Columbus, Prisoner of Azkaban focuses on Harry and his friends in their third year at Hogwarts, as they work to unravel the mystery of Sirius Black, and why he seems out to get the ever-popular Harry Potter.

Prisoner of Azkaban is notable straight away due to its stark shift in tone from the previous two films, but this alteration is in no way negative. As Harry and his friends begin to grow up, and encounter more and more harsh realities of life, they realize that everything is not and will not always be bright and cheery. Still, there is a sizable amount of lightheartedness present at times in the film, providing the perfect segue between the first two films and the much more serious Goblet of Fire.

But the greatest strength of this movie is the introduction of two fan-favorite side characters, who both act as father figures to Harry throughout the rest of the narrative. Sirius Black, played masterfully by Gary Oldman, and Remus Lupin, portrayed in an underrated performance by David Thewlis, bring a sense of gravitas and comfort to their respective roles, almost casting a spiritual safety net behind Harry and his friends as they begin to grow up. Both are perfect in their roles, serving to compliment the lovable main trio.

The mystery of Prisoner of Azkaban and its execution in film adaptation actually works a bit better for me than the book version. The introduction of the Marauder’s Map, the hints, setup, and payoff of Peter Pettigrew, the false trail of Sirius Black, everything is engaging and meaningful. And though the Time Turner plot device catches a sizable amount of scrutiny for its probable ability to make plot holes, I can turn aside without being bothered because it makes sense to the characters in the world. If the characters in the Wizarding world understand its rules, I can suspend my disbelief and questioning to go along with it, especially because of how exciting the plot is on its own.

In a series in which every entry is a classic of modern storytelling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban stands alone at the top. From timeless performances, to maturing themes and tones, to an intriguing mystery, it proves to be a film that is exciting on every rewatch. Of course, I recommend Prisoner of Azkaban in the highest regard.

Exploring Fiction Feature #4: “Beverly Hills Cop”

This week’s installment of Exploring Fiction Feature is a special one, because we get to talk about my favorite movie of all-time. Beverly Hills Cop is, in my opinion, a perfect film. Even if you don’t hold it in as high of a regard as me, it is still plain to see that this movie offers a blend of action, comedy, and emotion that melds together seamlessly. The entire cast works, every single joke lands, and the story is seamless and compelling the whole way through. If you haven’t seen this movie before, don’t even wait to read through this article; go watch it now! Anyway, let’s talk about Beverly Hills Cop.

Beverly Hills Cop stars Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, an upstart Detroit cop who “vacations” to Beverly Hills after one of his childhood friends is murdered. Axel believes he (his friend Mikey) was killed by a past employer (located in Beverly Hills) for theft, and once he arrives, he begins his investigation, with the help of some old and new friends and much to the chagrin of the local police department.

In fear of sounding like a broken record week after week, once again I must admit that the cast and characters are the strongest aspect of this movie. Eddie Murphy is Eddie Murphy, but not in the way Dwayne Johnson is Dwayne Johnson. When the latter is on screen, all we can see is the man, but with the former, we see not just the actor, but the character. In Beverly Hills Cop this rings true. Though Eddie Murphy brings his charismatic style of acting and comedic chops as usual, he makes the character of Axel Foley believable and at times, heartfelt. The rest of the characters, from Taggart and Rosewood to Victor Maitland are all memorable, funny, and endearing in their own ways.

Almost as important is the fact that Beverly Hills Cop is an endless source of comedy. Every single joke lands. Most are from Eddie Murphy, but the rest of the cast are able to keep up quite well. But the best part is, the comedy doesn’t overshadow the action or heavier emotional moments that are required to keep a film from falling into the current-day “Marvel” trap. Both the action scenes and emotional moments are given their time to breathe and shine, and the movie is all the better for it. It really is the perfect blend, the best of all worlds for a film of this genre.

Yet, despite all that, you might be wondering how this movie can be my favorite of all-time. After all, I am a huge fantasy fan, and I adore the Lord of the Rings movies as much as anyone, it’s true. But, I have singled out Beverly Hills Cop as my lone greatest movie of all-time for its rewatchability and the fact that whenever I watch it, it just makes me feel good no matter what. Some other films that I believe to be some of the best ever (like Lord of the Rings), you really have to be in the mood and invested to watch them, but with Beverly Hills Cop, I can turn it on anytime and any place and have fun. And for that reason, it sits slightly above all else.

The 1980’s produced so many classics that it gets hard to count them all. But, in my opinion, the best and most enjoyable of them all is Beverly Hills Cop. From its memorable characters, to its fast-paced story, to its flawless blend of action, emotion, and comedy, this movie has it all, and is really worth your time to watch. In fact, I might go watch it again just now…

Exploring Fiction Feature #3: “Warrior”

Many sports movies have the same formula, and when they are done correctly, they can be quite powerful. Yet, sometimes they blend together, or feel too alike to stand out from one another. However, there is one sports movie that transcends the tropes of the genre, and is the best in its class since Rocky, and maybe one of the best films of all time. This is Warrior (2011).

Directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, and Nick Nolte, Warrior follows two estranged brothers, Tommy (Hardy) and Brendan (Edgerton), as they both enter an MMA tournament with a steep cash prize. Though that is a barebones description of the plot, this film has so many layers and so much character conflict, it is difficult to out into words. Nolte plays the former(ish) alcoholic father of the two fighters, and the movie follows their separate struggles to overcome adversity, live up to expectations, and reconcile with each other. Their shared dark past looms over each of them as the tournament progresses, and by the climactic and heavy ending, the audience has no clue who to root for or who they want to win.

Across the board, the acting and character work in Warrior is top notch. Every actor/actress brings his or her A-game, especially Hardy and Nolte. Their respective characters are so broken, so haunted by their pasts, that you can really see it behind their eyes through the whole film. Edgerton’s Brendan is more of an everyman, but that is far from an insult, as he is just as compelling as the rest.

Once the movie gets going, the plot is a tiny bit predictable, but that fact does absolutely nothing to hinder its impact or effectiveness. Warrior relies on the audience realizing where the movie is going, and dreading having to choose a side as the climax grows closer and closer. And no matter who one chooses to support, I believe the ending is satisfying for all parties.

To put it plainly, Warrior is the best sports movie since Rocky, and is second all-time on my own personal ranking in the genre behind that very film. This movie is powerful beyond measure, a great story of redemption, masculinity, and grit that somehow got overlooked when it was first released. Do yourself a favor and watch this film immediately if you haven’t seen it already. You can thank me later.

Exploring Fiction Feature #2: “Adventures in Babysitting”

Director Chris Columbus, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated filmmakers in recent memory. Most of his movies are warm in tone, heartfelt in message, and wholesome in overall feel. His style is genuinely unique, and he has carved out his own space in Hollywood that feels completely his own. From the first two Home Alone films to the first two Harry Potter films, he’s had some huge successes. Yet, his directorial debut, Adventures in Babysitting, may be one of his best movies, and I hardly ever see or hear it being talked about anywhere online or in-person. So, I wanted to weigh in on what I think is one of the most pure fun, family-ish films of all time.

Adventures in Babysitting is a title that perfectly describes the film. The movie follows high school senior Chris Parker (played by Elizabeth Shue), as she babysits neighborhood kids Brad and Sarah, as well as Brad’s best friend Darryl. When Chris’s best friend Brenda runs away from home and gets stranded at a bus station downtown, Chris and the kids have to go save her. On their way, though, they run into everything from shootouts to car thieves to college parties to matriculating romance, and a wild, whacky adventure ensues.

Of course, as it is supposed to be, Adventures in Babysitting is extremely funny. The situations alone that the main characters find themselves in lend well enough to humor, but the subtle quips and jokes thrown out by everyone from main to minor cast members really leave a great impression. Are some of the scenarios a little over the top? Sure, but that’s the point of the movie. It’s all about how a simple evening of babysitting somehow becomes a life or death experience.

The main strength of the film, though, is the characters. Elizabeth Shue as Chris Parker is a charming lead, Brad is a great, relatable, nerdy-young-guy-with-a-crush everyman, and Sarah is a fun, yet not annoying, younger sister. But the two standouts are Darryl, Brad’s best friend, and thief-with-a-heart-of-gold Joe Gipp. Those two really make the movie. The former is an endless stream of humor, and the latter is one of the most subtly likeable “bad guys” in film.

While the movie does have villains, in the form of the two men leading the grand theft auto operation into which our heroes accidentally stumble, it hardly matters that most people, including myself, don’t even know their names. The real antagonists are the situations our main characters find themselves in that prevent them from achieving their simple goal. So, though the “villains” of the story could be considered weak by some, I believe those people are missing the point.

One last scene I want to highlight involves Sarah, the youngest of the main characters, and a character named Dawson, played by a young Vincent D’Onofrio. After Chris’s car is towed to a mechanic shop, Dawson’s Garage, where the windshield and tire are replaced (necessary actions due to previous wild events), the crew finally arrives so they can pick up Brenda and go home. The owner of the shop, Dawson, demands money for his services, and the amount Chris presents to him is $5 short. Now Dawson, who looks a lot like the superhero Thor, who happens to be Sarah’s hero, denies them leave, as he’s still owed money. Sarah, however, believes he is actually Thor, and begins to cry that he isn’t being a true hero. She offers him her replica Thor helmet, softening the man’s heart and changing his mind. This moment is surprisingly powerful, especially after a whole movie’s worth of amusing situations and outrageous moments.

Adventures in Babysitting ends happily for all the “good guys” involved (except maybe Brad, who sees his crush begin a relationship with someone else), and leaves behind a feeling of contentment as the credits roll. Too many films in the modern era have strayed away from this. Everything doesn’t have to be happily-ever-after, of course, but tragic endings are running too rampant. This is a feel-good movie, and it accomplishes it’s goal perfectly. Though in their earliest forms, all the hallmarks of Chris Columbus exist here, making Adventures in Babysitting is one of the most underappreciated films from one of the most underappreciated directors of our time.

Exploring Fiction Feature #1: “Knights of the Nine – Oblivion DLC”

While The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was the game I played growing up, my deep dive into the lore and world introduced me to Morrowind & Oblivion. While I have yet to play the former, I bought the ladder and spent the better part of two summers exploring and completing it’s quests. And while The Shivering Isles is the DLC that gets all the credit and all the praise, I actually found myself enjoying Knights of the Nine quite a bit more. Not that The Shivering Isles was bad. Far from it. The story, characters, and pure wackiness it added made for a great addition to an already-superb game. But Knights of the Nine was wonderful in its own right, too.

The largest complaint or criticism of Knights of the Nine is that it may seem too boring or vanilla, especially when compared to The Shivering Isles. After all, the entire point of the story is to gather the armor of Pelinal Whitestrake in order to defeat the returned-Ayleid king Umaril the Unfeathered. Until the final battle, each quest is merely overcoming an obstacle to fetch a new piece of armor.

Yet, while Knights of the Nine may be predictable in it’s story and execution, it holds a certain level of charm that appealed to me the whole way through. For one, the quest for the Mace of Zenithar was obviously modeled after the leap of faith scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, a brilliant little easter egg, and the quest to retrieve the Boots of the Crusader by being a pacifist toward nature in the form of a bear was an intriguing and unusual idea for a fantasy RPG.

However, the most endearing part of Knights of the Nine and the reason I speak so highly of it, is what happens after the questline is completed. During the questing to reach the Priory of the Nine and find all the pieces of armor scattered throughout Cyrodiil, the player meets many friendly NPC’s along the way, most of whom are surely forgotten about after quests are received. But, once the player defeats Umaril and returns to the Priory of the Nine, all those NPC’s are gathered there, and will follow you if you wish. While in the world of the Elder Scrolls, most NPC’s that are good people end up dead for story purposes, for once, nice NPC’s remain alive, and will even follow you as companions. For the first time in an ES game, it feels like there are other characters who are worth being around. No longer does the player develop an affinity for an NPC, only for them to be killed off a few quests later. No, instead Knights of the Nine has a happy ending, which is something growing ever more rare in the current climate of fiction.

Announcing “Exploring Fiction Feature”

Hello everyone, this is Russell A. Wells, and welcome to Exploring Fiction Feature! Whether you’re here because of my YouTube channel, Exploring Fiction, or because you’re a regular website viewer, welcome!

While on my channel, I mostly focus on A Song of Ice and Fire and other fantasy-related content, I wanted a place where I can sing the praises of whatever works of fiction I wish, no matter the genre. Enter Exploring Fiction Feature. Once a week, right here on the website, I will publish a brief article covering one of my favorite pieces of fiction. It can be any genre or any medium, and there will be no real set-in-stone structure to it. I just want a place where I can talk about stories I enjoy, without disrupting the flow of the algorithm on my channel.

If this sounds interesting, be sure to check back next week, when Exploring Fiction Feature will debut right here on russellawellsauthor.com! See you then!

Review of “Alphacore #1”, by Chuck Dixon & Joe Bennett

After posting video reviews of the first two entries into Eric July’s Rippaverse, Isom #1 & Isom #2, I have decided to make my reviews written website exclusives, as they may now seem out of place on my YouTube channel. As such, continue reading to hear my thoughts on the third comic taking place in the Rippaverse, Alphacore #1, written by the legendary Chuck Dixon and drawn by Joe Bennett.

In my video reviews of the two Isom issues, I praised the story and art. Looking back, I now realize I was somewhat blinded to their flaws, and my opinions of them have fallen rather far. That being said, I tried to pick up Alphacore without any preconceived notions, positive or otherwise. What I found was a perfectly adequate little story, burdened by detestable main characters and distracting colors. While in previous Rippaverse reviews, I attempted to review the art as well as the story, I have now realized I lack the knowledge or credentials to properly critique such work, and will thus only be reviewing Alphacore #1 and all future Rippaverse issues on a story level.

That being said, let’s dive into my thoughts. Firstly, I enjoyed Alphacore #1 much more than the first two issues of Isom, even after taking a more critical look at all three comics. The story is clearer, the action makes more sense, and the powers of the characters are more well-defined. The idea of a police force that enlists super-powered humans is not a new one, but I think it works well here. The stakes of the story are quite low, even for characters with quite fantastical powers, but I think that is an advantage of this issue. It is supposed to serve as an introduction to the Alphacore, a small little adventure to familiarize us with the characters. And in that goal, this comic succeeds.

The problem is, the characters suck. Not in the way they’re written in relation to the story, but in the way they’re characterized as people. Two of the three members of the main Alphacore team are terrible people, and the third barely talks at all. Bryan Solari, the team leader and Superman-equivalent of the team, is somehow a dolt and a jerk all at once. He treats everyone else in the story with little to no respect, but also makes key mistakes that not even a kid would make. What’s more Ingrid Valdez, the female member of the team and Wonder Woman-parallel, is just as bad. Those two together act superior to everyone else. In reality, would that likely be the case? Sure. If an individual were to acquire amazing powers, it would be difficult not to gloat or become arrogant. However, these are supposed to be superheroes. They’re supposed to be people we strive to emulate, people who choose to do good even if being evil would be the easier option. In Alphacore #1, two of the three main characters feel like they’re going through the motions of being heroes, and would rather use their powers for their own personal means or gain.

The story of this issue culminates in a big sacrifice by one of the side characters, and it definitely feels rushed, as we’ve had little time to get to know him. While that can be seen as a larger problem with this story, I will not be too critical of it. This is, after all, an introductory issue, and so being unfamiliar with the characters inside its pages is only to be expected.

So, while I think the Rippaverse still has monumental strides to make in order to establish itself as a premier comic storytelling titan, I believe Alphacore #1 was a step in the right direction. While I would not recommend this comic book, I believe it is the best to come from Eric July’s new company so far. The story is tighter and more sensible than Isom. The characters, though, drag Alphacore down mightily. Reading about irritating people being irritable to their peers isn’t exactly a fun experience. Still, the Rippaverse may have more to offer in the future. Unfortunately, Alphacore #1 was just underwhelming.

Review of “Murtagh”, by Christopher Paolini

My childhood was shaped by high and low fantasy alike, but aside from the Harry Potter series, no other collection of books had a greater impact than The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. Now, over a decade later, Paolini has released a new book, a sequel of sorts, to that series, titled Murtagh. It is based on the subsequent events and adventures surrounding the titular character and his dragon Thorn after the conclusion of Inheritance. It delves deeper into worldbuilding, and is a dive into the minds of some of the most conflicted and complex characters in all of Alagaesia. So, what did I think of Murtagh by Christopher Paolini? Find out below!

            First, a quick summary in my own words. After helping to end the life and reign of the evil King Galbatorix, Murtagh and his dragon Thorn are forced into self-imposed exile due to the part they played in spreading evil across the realm. Looking to do good from the shadows, Murtagh and his dragon work to track down the location and meaning of a mysterious cult called the Draumar, who they must attempt to stop before they threaten life across all of Alagaesia and the known world.

            One of the strongest aspects of Murtagh was the setting. I personally felt like I was returning to a comforting home after a long journey when I stepped back into Alagaesia, but even if you aren’t as familiar with the setting and world as I, it is still quite accessible. Much worldbuilding is added, and we return to some locations we’ve seen before, and even a few completely new places, hidden in the shadowy crevices of the earth. Everything new was captivating, though some of the locations visited in the Inheritance Cycle wore down quite quickly. All the mystery and intrigue of the hidden worldbuilding only revealed in this novel was top-notch, though, and yearning to be explored.

            The characters were also another feature of the book. Of course I must first mention Murtagh and Thorn, as we spend the entirety of the novel in their shared point of view. Even from reading The Inheritance Cycle, it was clear that both characters were complex, tortured, and layered from the start, and this book finally gave readers a chance to explore the depths of Murtagh and Thorn’s psyche. It was worth the weight. Paolini skillfully crafted characters who had spent their entire lives kneeling in service to one evil being or another, and would no longer be pressed into service. By the end of the novel, their burdens felt quite personal in their nature. Another standout character was Uvek Windtalker, an Urgal shaman befriended by Murtagh. Uvek provided staunch, paragon-like advice and presence, and he was a comfort whenever he was on the page. But the best characters of all were the villains. Bachel, Grieve, and the other Draumar proved to be utterly detestable in the best possible way. Paolini created characters I loved to hate, and I cheered to myself multiple times as Murtagh overcame his challenges and specifically, his physical enemies. Even more than Galbatorix, even more than Durza, even more than Murtagh himself, Bachel and her Draumar proved to be great villains, maybe the best in the entire world of Alagaesia stories.

            While the setting and characters were superb, the plot was a notch below. The first 150 pages were paced quite slowly, partly because some of the beginning chapters highlighted events already covered in the short story collection, The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm. To be fair, the nature of the story, in which Murtagh is slowly unraveling a mystery, makes it so that clues are quite rare at first. Still, it took some time for the novel to draw me in enough to the point where I was reluctant to put it down. Around page 200, however, events begin to pick up, and once Murtagh reaches the location where most of the story takes place, Nal Gorgoth, the plot becomes interesting and digestible beyond the norm. The book wraps up quickly, but not rushed, and a surprise appearance by a beloved character in the last chapter hints at good fortune as well as future plots and mysteries of which I am clamoring to read.

            So, Murtagh is overall a solid entry into the world of Eragon stories that is neither the best, nor the worst. The setting, worldbuilding, and characters (especially the villains) really shine, but the book is held back a bit by a dragging pacing for the first 150 pages. After that, it is incredibly fun. I wholeheartedly recommend Murtagh to any fantasy reader, but especially those who loved Paolini’s other works set in Alagaesia.

Review of “Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor”, by Shawn M. Warner

While I’ve thankfully managed to stay away from TikTok despite its ever-growing user base, I did see one viral video that emerged from the otherwise dreadful app. This video showed the author Shawn M. Warner at a bookstore with his own table, selling his book. However, there was no audience there to buy it. So the person making the video, in an act of kindness, made conversation with the author, bought his book, and promoted it on his account. The video soon went viral, and the book, Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor, became a bestseller. After I viewed this video (not straight from TikTok), I ordered the book online to see what all the fuss was about. This is my review of Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor.

This review is going to contain spoilers, but if you’re looking for a short answer, here it is. There were some aspects of the book I enjoyed, but overall, it was a bit disappointing. The reviews on Amazon spoke extremely highly of the book, but I think people just wanted to contribute to the feel-good story that brought this book to prominence, or the audience at large consisted of TikTok users who hardly read books in their lives. Regardless, the expectations I had weren’t met. The main character, the villains, and the plot were all underwhelming to the point where I questioned whether I should put the book down or not. However, I finished it, and the saving graces were the ghost characters, some of the other side characters, and the final chapter of the book. Now, let’s get into an in-depth look that will include spoilers…

Concerning the setting of Leigh Howard, it was nothing too spectacular. While the setting certainly wasn’t a drawback, it failed to stand out in my mind. The Simmons-Pierce Manor and the surrounding city was utilized in the purpose Warner intended, but that was the extent of it. If one considered the ghosts that haunted the Manor as part of the setting, then an argument could be made, but considering I categorized them as characters, I won’t talk about them here.

Now, let’s get into the characters. Firstly, the main character of Leigh Howard I found quite unlikeable and annoying to be around. While it’s true she suffered a traumatic and sympathetic event, losing her parents to murder with an unknown motive, she held few redeeming qualities to make me care for her outside of that. She had every reason to be depressed, but for 75% of the book, it felt as though such little progress was being made in her demeanor and attitude that she may never snap out of it. Leigh cried constantly, breaking down at every sad moment or kind word in a grating way. Her relationship with the ghosts and her cousin Myra worked well, though. Speaking of the ghosts, Little Bodie and Big Bodie were the best characters in the book by a wide margin. They were eccentric and unique, and were a breath of fresh air amidst a rather stale environment. The rest of the Simmons-Pierce family, Leigh’s relatives-turned-guardians, were also wholesome characters who felt lived-in. Tristin, Peg, and Myra felt very real, much moreso than the main protagonist. The villains, however, felt too forced and cartoonish, even in a book containing a ghost with multiple personality disorder. Miss Tree, the member of a secret crime organization behind Leigh’s parents’ murder, seemed too shoehorned in as the main antagonist. If she was a member of such a powerful organization, why’d she disguise herself as a therapist in the home of the she was trying to kill and go through so much effort? She offered an explanation in the story, but it took away from the believability of her being so powerful. Nacho, as well, was a bit over-the-top as the red herring villain. While there were hints that he was a part of the cartel, his admittance into killing Leigh’s parents also felt forced. Ultimately, it felt to me as if Warner had a larger story in mind, but had to stuff all the characters necessary to the mystery into one cramped location.

I had issues with the plot as well. The book was billed as a mystery thriller with a paranormal twist, but most of the book was about a troubled teen working through her problems and growing into new relationships. I would’ve had less of a problem with it if I’d known that going in. The intense scenes where Leigh was actually trying to solve the mystery were quite good, and I found myself turning the page excitedly. However, that was very little of the book. As a side note, Leigh’s discovery and interactions with the ghosts was a side plot that developed well. It wasn’t until the last five chapters that I felt fully invested in the story, but that’s when almost everything actually exciting happened. The final chapter was executed well, and the conclusion was satisfying enough while providing the opportunity at further elaboration. Still, wading through 16 bland chapters to get to the 5 superb ones was not a delight.

So, though Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor had its moments, I was overall a bit let down. If you enjoy YA stories about found family and emotional turmoil, I would recommend this book. However, if you’re in search of the next great mystery, this may not be the best option. Unfortunately, while I am glad I bought the book, I do not recommend Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor.