Blog Tour: Review Gary Caruso's "The Dark Side of Truth"

Title: The Dark Side of Truth

Author: Gary Caruso   

Genre: YA Mystery, Adventure

Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours

 

 

Blurb:

 

Soon after fifteen-year-old Will Reed and his friend Mason stumble over a corpse in the woods, Will’s ex-con father is arrested for the murder—and it’s Will’s fault. With the police about to close their investigation, Will must discover the identity of the ruthless killer before his father wrongfully goes back to prison.

In the spirit of City of Ember and The Goonies, it’s the discovery of a coded message that starts them on an unexpected path of mystery and danger. Will hopes finding an ancient relic will guide him to the truth and prove his father’s innocence. Unfortunately, Will soon learns he isn’t the only one searching for this valuable object. It’s a race to follow hidden clues until Will is confronted with a harsh reality. His determination to help his father has jeopardized the lives of the people he cares for. With a cold-blooded killer on his trail, Will must choose between the safety of his friends and family or freedom for his father.

 

 

Be sure to add the Dark Side of Truth to Goodreads

 

 

 

Buy Links:

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Barnes and Noble

 

 

 

My Review: 

 

 I was SO excited to read this book because I LOVED Mr. Caruso's "Our Souls to Keep", this book didn't disappoint!  A day in the woods  turns into a  nightmare  for two fifteen year old friends Will and Mason. They stumble upon a dead body, if that wasn't bad enough Will's dad (an ex con) is blamed for the murder.

 

With Mason on his side, Will is on a desperate mission to find the real killer and prove his dad's innocents. If only it were that easy.....Now on a dangerous journey, the two friends need to find a powerful relic that could  be the key to helping free Will's dad, they however aren't the only ones looking for it! Soon Will realizes, freeing his dad will come at a steep price, the cost is his loved ones.  Can Will free his dad and keep his family and friends safe, or will he have to sacrifice one for the other??

What I thought:

I couldn't put this book down!  I mean hello?? Will and Mason find a dead body, how can you walk away from that?  "The Dark Side of Truth" kicks into high gear after that, it's a nonstop labyrinth  of a timed scavenger hunt to save Will's dad.  That's only the tip of the iceberg for this book, throw in some evil and a tough choice no fifteen year old should have to make and you'll begin to understand this book! This book is an exciting adventure you just can't miss!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

into the forest floor, pushing himself backwards, away from a pile of leaves.

“Calm down,” I said. “Are you hurt?”

“Get him off me! Help! Get him off me!”

“What is it, a bug?” As I reached for his hand to pull him to his feet, I caught a closer glimpse of his face. He was pale, almost transparent. It was like something had scared him enough to freeze his blood. His mouth hung open and his eyes stretched wide, strained on something in front of him.

“Mason, you’re freaking out. What’s wrong?”

 

 

After returning the box to its hiding place, he reached for his phone, rotating it to different angles. “The next cache is about a mile up the trail. Once we loop around, we’ll stay to the left when the path splits.”

“I’ll follow you.” I didn’t want to admit it, but I was having more fun than I ever thought I would. It was like having a treasure map where “X” marked the spot, except the treasure was a bunch of worthless stuff.

We continued up the path for about a mile. Just like he said, we looped around and headed back on the Confederate side of the trail. After another thirty minute hike, it was time to turn left. That was until we noticed that turning left meant navigating a huge section of fallen trees and thick brush with thorns.

“Now what?” I asked.

“Well, it isn’t much of a trail, but the cache must be over there. The hint has to do with a pile of leaves.” He took a closer look at the trees, rocks, and fallen leaves that blanketed the area. “I think it might be by that big lump of leaves, but the map says it’s a little farther away.”

“Should we check it out?” I asked, hoping he would say no.

“I’ll search this area. Go ahead another hundred yards and see if you can find an easier path to the leaves.”

I started alone up the trail. Mason yelled a couple of times. He must have been knee-deep in thorns. I grinned. It was the first time I had heard him use profanity. I kept moving forward, but my trail narrowed and roots stuck through the dirt like speed bumps. With my attention searching for piles of leaves, I tripped on a root, falling to my hands and knees. As I brushed away the dirt, I looked in Mason’s direction, hoping he didn’t see how uncoordinated I was. The way the trail curved, he was out of sight. There was no way he saw me fall. I continued forward, keeping my eyes on my feet.

“Will!”

My head snapped around when I heard Mason scream. It wasn’t the same, I found the cache scream of joy as before. The pitch of his voice was high and sharp. He was panicking, yelling for help. I couldn’t imagine what could have scared him this much. I sprinted in his direction. The trail led me around a dense area of brush. Then I spotted him. He sat on the ground, frantically driving his feet.

 

 

About the Author: 

 

 

 

Gary Caruso lives in northern Virginia with his wife Jill, but their favorite place is in Ohio with their three beautiful grandchildren. Although Gary is exhilarated when he sits down to write, teaching middle school science is his first love. He’s passionate about empowering students to make thoughtful decisions and positive choices in life. Gary enjoys reading, especially fiction that blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy. He never imagined becoming a writer until an ordinary car ride on a spring day jolted an unlikely thought into his head. Gary’s early experience writing is a reminder that no matter how intimidating the challenge, action and determination are the foundations for fulfilling any dream. Gary has an insatiable love for writing, a blessing he’s excited to share with his readers.