The Old Wheel

The Adventures of Holloway Holmes, Book 2

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Greg Tremblay

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Blackmail. Breakups. Boys. Trouble always comes in threes.

Life is different for Jack Moreno. Good. Definitely good. Well, better, anyway.

He’s back in school (although classes are harder than he expected). And his dad is healthy (which means he’s worrying again about things like Jack’s curfew and, oh yeah, grades). And he’s got a great girlfriend (who might, justifiably, be running out of patience with him). And Holloway Holmes is his friend (even though it’s the kind of friendship that leaves Jack wanting more). So, life is good. Better. Definitely.

Except when it comes to money. With his dad still struggling to pay a mountain of medical bills, Jack jumps at the opportunity to make some extra cash. After all, helping a fellow student deal with blackmail isn’t exactly new—just a few months before, Jack handled a couple of blackmailers on campus. With the help of Holmes, of course.

Only something is different this time. Something Jack can’t put his finger on, something that makes him suspect the blackmail is just a cover for something much more serious. And when one of the blackmailers is murdered and Holmes becomes the prime suspect, Jack and Holmes will have to race to figure out what they’ve missed. Before it’s too late for both of them.

©2023 Gregory Ashe (P)2023 Gregory Ashe

Excellent

Greg has done it again! This book has an added depth to the characters as the series continues on. The MC’s are definitely going through the angsty teenage period but it is written (and excellently narrated) with purpose and the pay off at the end is enough to keep you waiting for the next book. As with the first book of the series, I waited until the audio version arrived so I could get a better sense of the characters since this is written from a teen perspective and I tend to shy away from these types of stories. However, Ashe is one of my favorite authors so I know it would be worth it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Great Addition to a Great Trilogy

Gregory Ashe's second book in his Adventures of Holloway Holmes series certainly lives up to the hype it's been given and provides a rollercoaster of emotions in the best sort of way. While the book takes us on a journey of self-discovery, intrigue and unpredictable twists, the real highlight is the slow and steady growth of the relationship between cheeky, endearing Jack Moreno and reserved, secretive Holloway Holmes. Both boys have their strong points but I think their weaknesses and their vulnerabilities is where you learn to appreciate them the most - and where they learn to appreciate each other.

And, in true Gregory Ashe fashion, the book leaves you dying for the next installment and begging for a resolution as you try to piece together the broken shards of your heart (in a nice, but painful way).

At first, Greg Tremblay's narration can be a little stiff. The beginning takes some time to get used to, and for at least the first few pages I found it somewhat difficult to stay interested in the story, as it felt almost like he was trying too hard to push his voice into different tones. He warms up significantly as the book goes on, however, lapsing into relatively pleasing voices for each of the characters. His English accents are particularly good, notably for Paxton and Holloway, and while his other voices can be a little hit or miss, overall he does a really nice job of keeping you engaged.

Overall, a really fantastic second book with a great narration that will definitely have you on pins and needles waiting for the resolution of everything.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Great Adventure Characters come alive

Thank you for taking us on this exciting mysterious adventure Gregory Ashe. A new voice for new characters very well done Greg.

And I repeat, great book!

I feel like I can take the review for book one and say ‘ditto’ for this one. Great story, mystery intriguing, enough angst, and the love story! Not a fan of the little cliff hanger at the end, but I already have the next book!🤣

Greg Tremblay is solid. Always get good reads from him, so I never worry when he’s the narrator.

Story

I really enjoyed the story. I like the characters a lot even as I shake my head at the poor choices a teenager can make. I don’t like that they are split at the end. I hope it gets resolved in the next book.

Fabulous Mystery!

This is a great follow-up to “The Strangest Forms!” (I don’t recommend skipping book 1). I listened to the audiobook—thanks Gregory Ashe—and the performance was perfect!

This novel picks up several months after the events in the first story and we see H & Jack closer. A student hires Jack to uncover who has been blackmailing him. Meanwhile, Holloway is involved in a secretive “game” which tangled up Jack and his investigation.

You have to trust that Ashe knows where he is heading, because the beginning of the book had me somewhat confused—there were a lot of things going on.

Dangerous things happen. Disturbing things happen. Murder happens. Again.

We finally get to see Jack and H together (brief though it is), and I have hopes that they’ll truly be together in the next book.

At the end of this one, H and Jack solve the mystery, but Jack uncovers one of H’s secrets, which threaten to tear them apart.

Can’t wait to listen to the next book!

Triggers: drug use/abuse, sexual assault.

Oh my heart!

Who knew a story about teenagers trying to solve a mystery would grip me by the heart so much. It was a phenomenal story about Jack and H and their continued sleuthing. All while the world building continues. There is something afoot. But not only is this story so amazing, Greg Tremblay's acting is superb. I loved his version of changing accents from Holmes. His accent for Jack's dad and then H's dad. it really brough the story to life. I do admit I anxiously awaiting the last story to come out on audio as this one left me gasping.

Simply The Best(so far)

I’m not sure but Jack and H may be moving to the top spot for Greg Ashe couples. Greg’s writing is so great, he grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Let’s not forget Greg Trembly’s performance. He is not reading, he is absolutely performing in a way that only enhances an already fantastic book. I can not wait for the 3rd book on audio.

OMG!!!!

Gregory Ashe killed it AGAIN.

Oh, I don’t think I can wait until the next audiobook is released this one was that good. I need to know what happens next.

Secrets galore

I really enjoyed meeting Jack Moreno and Holloway Holmes in book one of this series. I was very excited to see this book release on audio as soon as it did, so I could continue their adventures.

At the end of last book, due to lack of communication and bad timing, Jack decides to give things a real try with the girl he had been seeing, though it seemed like his heart was really with Holloway. In all of Gregory Ashe’s series, he really seems to make the couple work for their relationships, and I felt pretty confident that in the end things will be as they should be. I’d say Jack tried-ish to make things work with his girlfriend, but when he was with her, he would really have been with Holloway. He finds Holloway intriguing and attractive, and a lot of help when solving mysteries involving the students at the exclusive school they attend.

There are several strange things happening at the Walker School. A family friend of Holloway’s shows up (though he doesn’t seem like much of a friend) and keeps asking Holloway where some thing is. There is a member of a hate group open firing on Jack and others on campus, and then there is the blackmail case a closeted student asks Jack for help with. The blackmail situation is the main thing Jack and Holloway are working though things get really dicey for them especially when the murders start happening. Lots of suspects and a lot of twists and turns make this mystery nearly unsolvable. Not to mention the kidnappings, police interrogations, and the mysterious man following Jack. So much happens in this book, it kept me at the edge of my seat.

Besides all the things happening at school, Jack is facing problems at home as well. His dad is healthier than he was in the first book, so he is a lot more aware of the things Jack is doing late at night and the troubles he is having. There is no doubt there is a lot of love between the father and son, but Jack has practically been living like an independent adult for the last year or two and he doesn’t like the new rules his dad is laying down, especially when it comes to Holloway Holmes. But even though there are tough times between them in this book, their relationship in this book is stronger in the end. Holloway is the one with real father issues. Blackfriar Holmes is a bad guy. Not only for the crippling pressure he puts on Holloway, but he doesn’t mind intimidating Jack, when he thinks that he might have something Blackfriar is trying to keep secret. It’s a convoluted mess that I don’t want to spoil, but it does seem to drive a bit of a wedge into a possible relationship for Holloway and Jack. I don’t mind saying that I wish something bad would happen to Blackfriar.

All around, this was an excellent listen. The story was action packed and it was only made better by the narration by Greg Tremblay.