Books with author Jeff Mack

It was a case of bad news/good news for thirteen year old Justin Block…Bad news: Justin is sent to help work on his uncle’s farm instead of spending summer sleeping late, goofing off, and generally relaxing. His uncle, Harley, is terrifying and unpredictable, a man with a history of violence and a dangerous reputation. Justin’s Mom warned him, “Don’t argue with Harley. Do whatever he says. It will go better for you if you do whatever he tells you to do. Trust me.” Justin quickly learns that Harley is not a man who should be crossed and discovers that Harley is most dangerous when he seems cheerful; and when Harley starts singing, explosive things are about to happen.Good news: only a few days after arriving at the farm, while committing a minor crime (trespassing) Justin meets the bank robber’s daughter, Kristi. They quickly become fast friends and more because they are both in difficult circumstances and they need each other.Bad news: along with Kristi, Justin must endure her obnoxious younger cousin, Marvin, a practical joker and general pain to everyone around. Before long Justin realizes that one of his great challenges will be keeping Marvin alive through the summer, no easy task.Bad news/good news/bad news: after Justin’s encounter with a frightening apparition, he, Kristi, and Marvin investigate an abandoned and supposedly haunted cemetery. While they don’t see any ghosts, they discover that someone has been digging at some of the graves. When they report this strange state of affairs, local law enforcement seems unconcerned, so they are determined to do something about it. Justin, who gradually develops a grudging admiration for his possibly psychotic uncle, soon begins to ask the most dangerous question when faced with a problem: “What would Harley do?” Of one thing he could be sure: Harley would never run, never quit, never give in in the face of trouble or danger. And Justin finds danger enough.Told with sarcastic humor and filled with interesting and often hilarious characters, Harley’s Way is an adventure Justin would never forget… if he survives the summer.