Tom Gnagey Book order

This novella is not a comedy but is a whimsical piece, fashioned to produce smiles from beginning to end. Upon his retirement, a not so nice accountant who feels his boss has put upon him and cheated him for 27 years, takes steps to correct things. That requires he must change his identity. Changing his identity requires that he must change that identity - and so on and so on. Upshot is the necessity for nearly a dozen, plot modifying, twists and turns as the story winds its way toward its unpredictable conclusion. There is suspense, mystery, humor and a few incidental little bludgeoning's. The reader my want to keep a score card. On one level the writing is just lots of fun. On another - let several reviewers handle that: "A fascinating exploration of the psyche of an amoral egotist." "A rare presentation of fear and anxiety at work within the mind of a man without conscious." "Flawlessly constructed." "Smiled 'til I thought my cheeks would burst."

As one of the current good reads for pre-teens and young teens, orphaned brothers, Rusty and Willy (14 and 10), find themselves fleeing for their lives across frontier Kansas (1880) in an old west adventure. Rusty witnessed a murder shooting and the bad guy saw him. He is determined to catch them and do them harm. The boys' parents had prepared a set of clues for them to follow so they could learn who they 'really' were. In one action packed adventure after the other, they solve the clues, and demonstrate their strong bond of brotherly love. Along the way they encounter Renegade Indians, highwaymen, a raging prairie fire, and, make fine, new friends, saving the life of an Indian boy their age, the son of a chief. Presented as one of David Drake's beloved western novels in his long list of young adult fiction.

Thomas Trent – single, mid-thirties, crime photographer – and his wheelchair bound, independent-minded, 15 year old sidekick and computer whizz, Dante, find themselves entangled in mystery after mystery. Lieutenant Miller reluctantly gives them wide leeway. They maintain a stream of humorous, playful, banter. Thoughtfully exciting, city-based stories support a mutually beneficial, partnership.

Now to an outsider, they may just seem to be part of one more fanciful folk tale, but to those of us who grew up in the Ozark Mountains The Little People are as real as you and I. Each about as tall as a grape hyacinth, they are an altruistic clan, peaceful and loving by nature, who prefer the simple, uncomplicated, candle lit life of days gone by. They go about practicing their magic in order to bring a happier life for the mortals who live nearby. Though seldom seen, their presence is often felt by those who believe. The books are written for grown-ups who still cherish the magic of days gone by. IN Book Three - The Ambassador and the Touchperson - Twiggs and Jay begin their official meetings between the two realms. Their friendship continues to grow and to enhance both of their lives - both of their worlds. It follows them to Twiggs' 17th birthday, which is just one week before his wedding to Cinnamon. The books are best read in order since the story continues.

This is another of the author's beloved, sensitive contrasts between a young person adrift and an eccentric, older character. The story is set around and about the winter holidays in a northern Midwestern city. When, on a cold, snowy, December night, the world of a wise and generous old man collides with that of a bright, fifteen-year-old runaway boy, wonderful changes begin taking place. It restores their faith - the old man in youth and the life he has lived; the boy in himself and his future. Good conversations abound. It is an entertaining and meaningful read for young adults and adults (12 and older).

T.J. a teen boy's search for himself - Intended for adults and young adults 15 and older. It is best to have read the novel, DAVID: a teen boy's search for meaning, before beginning this one since it provides a wealth of essential background about the main characters in this story. In the first book, David, a brilliant, lovable, take-care-of-everybody-sort of 17-year-old had been unable to cope with his depressing concept of how life would be for him after high school and he ended his life. T.J., the main character in this new story, was one of David's two best friends. David and T.J. were as dissimilar from each other as any best friends had ever been. In this story, T.J. begins to cope with his friend's death, his loneliness, and to evaluate his own disordered, depraved, chaotic approach to living. Sue, David's best friend from preschool, and David's family members also continue in important roles in this story. It deals openly and frankly with issues that are important to teens - education, class differences, life, death, love, intimate relations, alcoholism, addiction, and its primary focus, the loss of a loved one and the guilt and emptiness that often accompany it. (Think of it as book with a PG-13 rating)

Ages 15 through Mark and Amy are bright college juniors, a couple since they were toddles. He is a computer major and she is pursuing the study of art. They live in separate apartments in the same building (Mark sees no reason for 2 apartments). They witness a murder, but the corpse disappears before the police even see it. Because they fear their role in the case may be leaked to the killer if they work directly with the police, they choose to collect the necessary evidence themselves. As they gather the incriminating bits and pieces over a week’s time, they funnel it, anonymously, to Detective Jackson – the lead detective in the case. The plot is peppered with twists and seemingly unresolvable questions. Initially, the case they are able to build just doesn’t make sense to them although eventually they make it all fall into place. They see humor even where it doesn’t exist for most folks and vacillate between having a good deal of fun and fearing for their lives. They also manage a significant helping of intimate time together, even if that is mostly left to the readers’ imagination.

For 9 to 15 year olds: An older man, Jonas, built and lives on a 30 foot, two masted, sail boat on which he sails the Caribbean Sea. On one outing he discovers a recently orphaned stowaway - 11 year old Carlos. The boy has information about a treasure left to him by his Great Grandfather - an old-time pirate - stashed on one of the islands in the Bahamas. The boy has a secret code they have to decipher in order to locate it. The two of them accept the challenge and undertake the search; one problem - so does Fidel, an evil modern-day pirate who also came by the information. They struggle to stay just one step ahead of him as he chases them south, in and around the Bahama Islands.

Now to an outsider, they may just seem to be part of one more fanciful folk tale, but to those of us who grew up in the Ozark Mountains The Little People are as real as you and I. Each about as tall as a grape hyacinth, they are an altruistic clan, peaceful and loving by nature, who prefer the simple, uncomplicated, candle lit life of days gone by. They go about practicing their magic in order to bring a happier life for the mortals who live nearby. Though seldom seen, their presence is often felt by those who believe. The books are written for grown-ups who still cherish the magic of days gone by. Book Four: Twiggs and Cinnamon. With marriage come all the problems and delights that accompany the early days of every marriage. They find love, adventure, challenges and risks. In the end, Twiggs is summoned before a special session of the Council of Elders - not usually a good thing! The books are best read in order since the story continues.

Adults/16 and Nineteen year old, Jacob – Jake to most and Jay to his closest – was on a mission to quiet his rage surrounding the incident during which one of four, thoughtless, if not vicious, teens had fathered him in a brutal, group taking of his mother’s dignity and sanity. His plan was it would be accomplished anonymously and, since, due to extenuating circumstance a DNA match would be inconclusive (the boys were identical quadruplets), he would find nefarious acts from their pasts for which justice through the courts could send them each to prison – legitimately. He was assisted by Cynthia, the love of his life and his someday to be wife, by an octogenarian gardener with his own secrets, and others with a multitude of reasons to despise the quads’ super-wealthy family. Along the way a dishonest judge was taken down and Jake’s mother found renewed dignity and purpose in life.