Boone and Jacque: Saddleton's Secret by AG Flitcher is the first entry in a series that presents two interesting characters, Boone and Jacque. When Boone and Jacque fall into a mysterious bunker in the ten-year-old Boone’s backyard, they unveil secrets that were never supposed to see the light of day, and the city on which they live hinges above these secrets. They are plunged into a world filled with tension, secret societies, and powerful old enemies. The chaos that has once threatened to destroy Saddleton resurfaces and the two characters face a world of violence that they could never have imagined and a deadly rivalry between two loyal brothers. But what is the link between the secret history of Saddleton and the current predicament of its inhabitants?

This is a cunningly plotted tale with unforgettable characters. The teens are adventurous and mischievous. They both live painful situations at home. Boone’s father is an alcoholic and he has the tendency to beat him and his Mom. Jacque is a foster child and Boone’s neighbor. AG Flitcher creates backdrops that absorb the characters and environmental elements that shape the way they behave. And while these characters are teenagers, the narrative is aptly written for older folk and readers who are into mystery and intriguing narratives. While there is a rawness in language and violence that does not reflect the world of children, the author successfully depicts the influence that family dynamics and society can have on children. Boone and Jacque: Saddleton's Secret is brimming with mystery and suspense, a narrative that engages readers from the first page and keeps them guessing until the last exhilarating page. It is nuanced, deft, and balanced, with characters that are fully drawn and conflict that grows in proportions as one reads from page to page. You’ll enjoy the grim humor, stick with the memorable characters, and wonder about the destiny of a small town.