The Old Wheel

The Adventures of Holloway Holmes, Book 2

De: Gregory Ashe

Narrado por: Greg Tremblay

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

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.

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.

Phenomenal Sequel Teen Detectives

“Aston, you’ve got to take a deep breath. I can’t help if you’re like this.” He started to hiccup, his whole body quivering between sobs. I scooped up some snow and threw it in his face. He stopped crying.
——————
“Now, think of covalent bonds as something else. Not a theft, but—but an ongoing relationship, if you will. A friendship. Both atoms desire more out of their existence—in this case, to have a full outer shell of electrons. But they can achieve it only in partnership with another atom, by sharing one or more atoms.”
“Ok. I guess that makes sense.”
If Holmes heard me, though, he gave no sign of it. He struggled with the next words.
“Like a friendship, when sharing electrons in this way, both atoms become more stable. Their bond is more stable. It’s stronger than an ionic bond. They continue to share electrons, in the same way that people must continue to share experiences, emotions, and intimacy. They require ongoing effort and investment. Covalent bonds are often found in molecules; they allow individual atoms to become more than what they would be on their own.”
He stopped, the silence sudden and punctuated, and his throat moved reflexively.
——————
“Open this door right now,” Holmes said. “Or I will open it for you.” “Engage Daddy protocols,” I whispered. Fire flared in Holmes’s face.
——————
“Do you ever feel like there are a million of you, and it’s like a vending machine, and somebody’s pushing E7 because that’s the only one of you they want?”
——————
June 2023. Book 2 of 3 in a mystery adventure centering a queer romance about teen amateur detectives in a modern version of reality in which Sherlock Holmes and company were real and their descendants are around.

Our main character is Jack Moreno, the janitor’s son at a school for wealthy troubled teens, where the descendants of Watson and Holmes go. When Jack stumbles on Watson’s body and finds himself and dad suspects for the murder, he and teen Holmes’ separate attempts at investigation eventually result in them begrudgingly working together to solve the mystery.

This is a blast, a touch lighter than some of Ashe’s other work though it still handles some difficult topics like poverty, loss of a parent, classism, bad parenting, living under the shadow of a legacy, etc. with compassion, insight, and sometimes humor.
Loved Jack and the first person narration, he is hilarious and determined and often foolhardy, and serves as a great foil to the reserved and withdrawn intellectual Holloway Holmes.

Highly recommend. Great intro point for Greg’s work since it’s a short series, a trilogy, and does some clever and unique things with the idea of a world where Holmes, Watson, etc. were real but maybe the version from the books and movies was more heroic than the real thing. It also has less physical intimacy than some of his other works since they are minors, which may be more appealing for some.
Note: like the Hollow Folk series, this is not YA though the leads are teens.

I got the first two on audible and will definitely get the third once it’s on audible, Greg Tremblay does a fantastic job, but I got the third on ebook for now since it just came out this last weekend and I simply could not wait.

Also apparently it’s on Hoopla, so if you’ve been curious about all my rave reviews for his work, go check it out!!!

“The Old Wheel” by Gregory Ashe. Book 2 of 3 of the series The Adventures of Holloway Holmes.