2020 IPPY GOLD winner for Best Mystery/Thriller e-bookWINNER 2020 Book Excellence Awards. ”…an especially poignant, compelling, and beautifully written update on the tale of the troubled child who witnesses a shocking event.” – David Corbett. Cabbage Night, 1991. The traditional night of pranks takes a disturbing turn when a violent crime rocks a small Adirondack town. Even more … rocks a small Adirondack town. Even more so when the only witness is a seven-year-old boy. Hen Trout, who had hoped to catch a pet hedgehog that night, instead sees his beloved Miss Sally become a victim.
Single mom Marcella Trout is blindsided when Tyler, her seventeen-year-old, is arrested for the very crime Hen witnessed. Now Tyler’s eerie mood swings seem dark and frightening and rooted in a family history Marcella has desperately tried to bury. As the criminal investigation churns on, the tenuous fabric of the Trout family begins to unravel…and even Hen begins to question the truth.
more
Boy on Hold by J. D. Spero takes place in the Adirondacks and revolves around a crime that shocks the small town. Henry (or Hen) is a seven year old who witnesses the horrendous crime. His brother, Ty, begins acting very strange after the crime. Hen is certain Ty could have nothing to do with the crime. After all, he loves his brother and cannot imagine him being capable of such actions.
Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2021
Multi-POV books have become a favorite of mine. That being said, they need to be done very well in order for everything to come together. Boy on Hold goes above and beyond. It’s uncomplicated but elegant writing style and fascinating plot made it a very quick read. I always ended up staying up later than I intended when I picked up this book. I’m going straight on to the second one!
Drugs, murder, mental illness…In the Adirondacks, Hen witnesses the assault of his neighbor Miss Sally. The problem is that he recognizes the voice of one of the attackers and a homemade bracelet left at the scene…Tyler, his 17 yr old brother. This starts the drama that will leave you on the the edge of your seat. It’s that exciting and thrilling that you have to know what’s going on and what’s happening. Every character plays an important part in the story. There are twists and surprising turns. Loved every minute of it. Highly recommend this book.
This book wasn’t a typical book I thought I would find myself reading, but when I picked it up off my e-shelf and started reading, I was immediately enthralled. The details are immaculate, the plot is fantastic, it’s truly a wonderful book. The story of Little Hen, his family, and other members in their community is wonderfully written. While it wasn’t a debut novel, it was the first in a series, and I intend to finish this series as we’re pulled along the story of the Trout family and the community surrounding it.
From the very first chapter, J.D. Spero’s Boy on Hold pulls you in! A fantastically written mystery written from several characters point of view, the author does a fantastic job at completely painting the picture. Spero dives deep into the brutal realities of mental illness, addiction and murder, showing how much each character is affected by it. I really enjoyed how well she was able to show how complex mental health can be. Boy on Hold was my first book by J.D. Spero, but it won’t be my last!
Boy on Hold by JD Spero
4 out of 5 Stars
Henry “Hen” Trout has a good life for a seven year old. Hen has an awesome big brother, Tyler, a best friend, Murphy, and is studying how to set a hedgehog trap. When Hen sees a horrifying attack on his neighbor and babysitter, Ms. Sally, his world gets turned upside down. Hen doesn’t want to believe what his memory and the evidence is telling him, that Tyler was involved, but there are just somethings that can’t be wrong.
Tyler Trout has a great mom and a fantastic little brother that he adores. Tyler also has dark feelings that he hasn’t been able to fight lately. Tyler has found two things that help with the feelings, his mom and something he shouldn’t want. Tyler’s mom isn’t an option these days as she works too many hours.
This is a slow burn. I wasn’t getting it at first. Finally, when it clicked, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the relationship between Hen and Tyler. Tyler is as protective of Hen as Hen is of Tyler. There are so many scenes throughout the book that made me glad I was alone when reading. I yelled at characters not to do what they were about to do, like when Marcella broke Derek’s heart unknowingly. I needed her to take that back so badly. Be prepared to be hooked. JD Spero creates full characters to be loved and hated in this small town. I have to know if Louis finally came home!
Slow to start, Boy on Hold by JD Spero, has twist & turns that made it impossible to put down. I am amazing how JD put into prospective mental illness and how it affects not only the person suffering, but everyone that knows that person.
Boy on Hold, starts off as more JV, and then turns into a complex novel of forgiveness & how hard it is.
Hen’s thoughts of how love could be like Play Dough, as described in this passage, blew my mind: “Hen imagined love was like Play Dough. He could keep it warm in his hand and mush it around, change its shape. It would get under his fingernails and into the grooves of his thumbprint. Once, Hen ate some. It tasted okay. Sometimes, tiny specs fell onto the kitchen floor and dried into hard pebbles. Mom would sweep them up and throw them away. Was love like that? Could it change like that?” ***Page 3189 of 4103 78% finished.
The one passage that broke me down and made me connect with Marcella in a way no author has ever done; is this: “He knew who she really was—a broken woman who lived in denial. She loved the wrong people, suffering valiantly, hurting those who loved her most.” *** Page 3359 of 4103 82% finished.
This is a five star book, showing a mother’s love, a brothers ultimate passion of belief in his older brother and how mental illness is passed from family member to family member with no one ever noticing.
Boy on Hold is an excellent story. Focusing on 7 year old Hen, his 17 year old brother, Tyler, and their mom, Marcella, their lives are turned upside down when Tyler is accused of a horrible crime. Hen happened to be a witness to the crime, and is lost and confused by the accusation against Tyler.
J.D. Spero did a fantastic job of portraying the characters in their elements–the thought processes of a 7 year old innocent child, the confusing mind of a 17 year old boy, and the heartache of a mama caught in the middle of a terrible mess with her children. The story itself kept me guessing, going back and forth on who was guilty and what really happened. A fantastic story and I am looking forward to reading the sequel next!
J.D. Spero has carefully and respectfully written about difficult topics that most authors avoid. In “A Boy On Hold,” J.D. Spero invites the reader to join the main characters as they encounter, witness, endure, and survive some difficult challenges in life. This story is more than a series of difficulties, and while there is a mystery to be solved, there is a larger theme to be seen. Despite the world of drugs, crime, violence, and mental illness, there is a story to be read of hope, family, and resiliency. That is not to be missed.
This is the first book I’ve read by JD Spero. When reading thrillers i stick with authors and R L Stein and Stephen King, but wow! I am glad that I branched out and took a chance with this author! This was a fast paced thriller focusing on two brothers Hen and Tyler. It’s a double perspective going back and forth between the two brothers. I was not expecting the plot twist at all! It kept me reading into the night wanting more. I had to know what was going to happen next. She is a very well written author and I’m very excited to read book two! I’m going to add JD on my list of thriller authors to keep track of and buy!
Boy On Hold is my first read by JD Spero and it did not disappoint.
Marcella Trout is a single mom raising a young boy, Henry, and a 17 year old, Tyler.
Henry witnesses something that no 6 to 7 year old should have to witness, a murder.
As the story unfolds to who killed the neighbor, we learn about secrets among family, the power of forgiveness and what is the truth. You will also get into the mind of someone who is struggling with a mental illness.
This story definitely held my interest and made me emotional at times. I look forward to reading Boy Released.
This is a must-read psychological thriller by J.D. Spero. Boy on Hold is a YA cozy mystery and a surprising tale. It is told in multiple POV’s, which I love, giving you an insight into what the characters are thinking and who they are. JD gives us a raw look at mental illness, drug addictions, murder and more all taking place in a small town. There is also secrets waiting to be unfolded, truths waiting to be found, peeling back layer by layer of mystery to get to the truth of the plot.
Reading the unravelling of this story was gripping, to say the least. The crime against Miss Sally is partially witnessed by Hen Trout, a 7-year-old boy with a preternatural wisdom and an old soul. He’s also a kid who likes pretending he’s a ninja, and is on a mission to find a hedgehog when he sees the violence in shadow relief. The plot unfolds like a swirling tornado, as details become clear, we learn more deeply about the nature of the characters in this story. Marcella tries desperately to hold her family together, even as her older son is blamed and her younger son is angry and confused. A great story, well-written, awesome characters, well-timed plot, definitely a must-read!
Boy on Hold
A must – read psychological thriller
By J.D. Spero
This is a fully engrossing thriller. I could not put it down. This starts with elevated murder and the rollercoaster ride begins. Great story for YA and adults alike.
Little 7 year old Hen knows what really happened. But will the adults take the time to listen to him? As Tyler is saying nothing to prove his innocence, many people have thought of their own ideas as to the truth. Will Tyler find a way out of this trouble? Who really did this and Why? Take a chance with this thriller. It is sure to keep you reading.
J.D Spero is an excellent writer. I have read many of her books and have enjoyed each and everyone. This story will not disappoint! The characters hold the secrets and only the truth will prevail. I can hardly wait for book 2. I am sure it will be as intense as this o e. Well Done J.D. Spero! Well Done!
This story grabbed my attention from the very beginning and easily kept me engaged. The characters are true-to-life, realistic, and some of them, so easy to hate…lol. I really like the way the author laid out her story. Instead of telling it in a straightforward manner, there was some back and forth between past and present. I normally don’t like this type of storytelling but Ms. Spero carries it off quite well. It was never confusing and didn’t interfere with the flow of the story. She also handles the matter of Ty’s psychosis with understanding and compassion and shows how we can get so involved in the minutiae of our lives that we don’t see what’s right in front of us, especially when it comes to family.
I thoroughly enjoyed Boy on Hold and will be checking out other books by Ms. Spero. I definitely recommend it.
I received a review copy from BookSirens and I would like to thank them and Ms. Spero for the opportunity to read it.
Boy on hold is the first book I’ve read by JD Spero. This is a beautifully written story about a boy in trouble. This story made me realize how many talented authors there are that I haven’t even discovered yet. I cannot wait to see what JD Spero comes up with next, I’m ready. I couldn’t put this book down. I loved every character and how the author made them come to life. If you want a serious but written with a light heart book- this is the one for you, absolutely recommend.
The story starts on ‘cabbage night’, a night known for mischief and pranks. When seven-year-old Hen Trout leaves his home in the middle of the night he only has one thing on his mind…hedgehogs! But, the night takes a shocking turn for Hen when he witnesses part of a brutal attack on his beloved neighbour, Miss Sally.
This night is the start of a tremulous time for the Trout family. Family bonds are pushed to the limit as Hens older brother and role model is arrested.
Marcella Trout doesn’t know what to think. Her seventeen-year-old son has been arrested and she can’t help but worry that his recent mood swings may have deeper roots than first thought, she had tried to keep secrets hidden but the past could be about to come back to haunt her.
Boy on Hold is described as “suitable for teens, intriguing for adults” and this is an accurate description. I loved Hen and his relationship with his brother Tyler. A story that starts as a thriller and a mystery soon becomes much more than than and delves into the complicated world of teenage mental health and a family fighting to stay together.
This story follows the Trout family, where the eldest son, Tyler, is arrested for a crime his little brother, Hen, witnessed. It is based in a small town, which does not help the characters as we all know how small towns are. The emotions run rampant in this book and you cannot help but feel them all. The mental illness, addiction, and dysfunction were very realistic. I loved how the author kept it all together and kept the story rolling along and a nice pace. This is one of those books where you just cannot put it down.
This story tugs at your heart with this crime-filled mystery that leaves you haunted as 7-yr-old Hen Trout has to recount the death of his friend, Miss Sally as she is killed. Marcella Trout’s 17-yr-old is accused of the crime as she’s tried to bury her family’s dark secrets but the truth soon turns out as the investigation unravels.
You can’t help but feel Hen’s pain as he recounts the story and unveils the mystery that is his family. Check out this great book and see where it leads.
Boy On Hold by JD Spero is an absolutely amazing book! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, so much so that I was up late into the night reading, wanting to see what happened next! This being my first book from this author, i wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was absolutely blown away. This book is amazing all around, the characters, imagery, and the plot just add to all the twist and turns, creating an incredible book! I highly recommend it and will definitely be reading more from this author!