GENTLEMEN

MICHAEL NORTHROP

GENTLEMEN

This is a true depiction of ideas and conclusions teenage boys may arrive at in this situation.  Having read his sophomore book first, I knew what I was getting into when I opened this one.  In no way had I expected to find such a compelling young reader book that hooked me and kept me on point until the very end. Northrop has the ability to write simply realistic scenarios within a fictitious story. 

Michael Benton narrates the story that begins with three long time friends who find themselves playing detective, judge, and jury in the wake of their friend going missing.  Mixer and Bones along with Michael believe an incident involving their teacher, Mr. Haberman, has put them in the heart of the disappearance of their friend Tommy. 

This wonder writing does not camouflage the life of a teenage boy.  The conclusion without all the facts leads the young minds to deviate from the right path.  The plan without really thinking it completely through soon becomes full of holes empowering erratic behavior that changes their lives forever. 

Northup does not fill the main story with bundles of back story, but sticks to the featured scenario and takes the reader on a journey deep into the main character’s mind. Young readers will be engrossed in the story as well as get a lesson in thinking first and not taking the law into their own hands. 

The brilliance of Northrop appears on every page from start to finish.  There are moments that present a sequence of events which at times can be disturbing.  He never lets the reader off the hook and you know this cannot end well, but still you read on.  He holds you until the final period concludes the story.