The Dark Side of Truth

by Gary A. Caruso

Soon after fifteen-year-old Will Reed and his friend Mason stumble over a corpse in the woods, Will’s ex-con father is arrested for the murder—and it’s Will’s fault. With the police about to close their investigation, Will must discover the identity of the ruthless killer before his father wrongfully goes back to prison.

In the spirit of City of Ember and The Goonies, it’s the discovery of a coded message that starts Will and Mason on an unexpected path of mystery and danger. Will hopes finding an ancient relic will guide him to the truth and prove his father’s innocence. Unfortunately, Will soon learns he isn't the only one searching for this valuable object. It’s a race to follow hidden clues until Will is confronted with a harsh reality. His determination to help his father has jeopardized the lives of the people he cares for. With a cold-blooded killer on his trail, Will must choose between the safety of his friends and family or freedom for his father.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2013

About the author

Gary Caruso lives in northern Virginia with his wife Jill, but their favorite place is in Ohio with their three beautiful grandchildren. Although Gary is exhilarated when he sits down to write, teaching middle school science is his first love. He’s passionate about empowering students to make thoughtful decisions and positive choices in life. Gary enjoys reading, especially fiction that blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy. He never imagined becoming a writer until an ordinary car ride on a spring day jolted an unlikely thought into his head. Gary’s early experience writing is a reminder that no matter how intimidating the challenge, action and determination are the foundations for fulfilling any dream. Gary has an insatiable love for writing, a blessing he’s excited to share with his readers.

Reviews

[Riya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. I went in with absolutely no expectations, and I was beyond pleasantly surprised! It was a refreshing mystery with lots of twists I didn't see coming, despite my constant guessing.

Plot
The plot was awesome. The mystery was super intense and kept the reader confused until the end. The conspiracy theories were surprisingly interesting and amusing, something I never expected. I loved the historical application of the entire thing as it provided a whole new depth to the characters and murders. The entire thing was woven together really well, with not a thread out of place. I found myself intrigued from the first to last page, without a dull moment in between. Honestly, this mystery couldn't have been pulled off any better.

Characters
This was my only issue with the book. For the most part the characters were just great. Mason was by far my favorite, and I definitely couldn't get enough of him. Will was definitely the perfect main character though. He was extremely easy to relate to, and I truly became invested in his emotions. He was an extremely multi-dimensional character who stayed well developed while still growing as the book continued. I also loved Mason's dad; he was just so awesome! The villains were also well developed which was nice. My issue was primarily with Molly. Her character was almost completely pointless, and I felt like she should've been woven into the rest of the story better. I also felt like Will's father was lacking, and I wish that the reader got to see more of him in the beginning and end of the book.

Other than the few minor character issues I had, this book was just amazing. I loved the mystery and intense description of everything. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries.

[Angela Dossett · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy by author for my honest opinion.*

I was asked to read several books by this author. I looked over the books' description and found myself drawn to this one to read first. I've never read anything by this author before and I'm pleased to say that it was the best decision to read this story. I became so engrossed within the pages that I didn't realize how quickly I came to the end. I was totally amazed how much I enjoyed it.

In my opinion, there is not enough books for young male readers. This book, however, can change that, and can be read by all readers. This story made me think about TV shows: National Treasure, Indiana Jones, and The Hardy Boys, all rolled into one story.

There are many components that made this a great book: teenage capers (not on the legal side of the law), loyalty, betrayal, murder, suspense, historical events/facts, conspiracy theories and etc.... The list could go on and on.

This book was very well edited. This author's writing ability is easy to read while capturing the reader's attention. I found the pace flowed smooth and steady, throughout the story, and rapidly increased when action was presented. Obstacles, events, and situations are done with plots with extra twists and turns that made it engaging. I found myself turning the pages rather quickly in the first chapters of this book. It's highly entertaining.

The historical references and mystery added to the story, which I thought made it genuine. The story starts out with a tragic event occurring, but gradually became a mystery with some ridiculous and mind bending conspiracies, which seem to land with trouble.

The characters: Will, Mason, and Mr. Burke were the key players. Each had different personalities that blended well with one another. They started out as immature, awkward, and a bit looney at times, but as the story progressed, each one grew up with each circumstances that followed. This made them realistic, strong, and humorous. I would have liked more details on Will's dad and foster parents.

The book cover would not have caught my attention. In my opinion, it needs to be more eye catching. The description, however, makes up for the book cover. It captures interest.

I'm hoping this is the first book of a series for the "Trio". I would highly recommend this book to all readers. I look forward to reading more by this author. Happy Reading!!!

Personal message to author: You Rock!!! I loved this book.

[Brenda Seaberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a fun read, with thrills along the way. It had some touches of history with it, which worked well into the storyline. I will certainly be reading more by Gary!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free e-reader copy of this book, via Goodreads, in exchange for an honest review. I actually received the Kobo version but don't know how to change the edition, so I guess I will review it here. :)

I absolutely ADORED this book.

When I first agreed to read it, I though it was going to be a typical "teen boy discovers body and gets in way over his head" kind of book. But, it was so much more than that, and it surpassed all of my preconceptions about this book.

Why I really liked this book: First of all, the boys went geocaching, which is one of my favourite things to do when I am not reading. (if there are any other geocachers reading this review, PM me and I will give you my GC.com username so we can be friends there too.)
Then, the story just kept twisting and turning. It was full of complex twists and turns that kept me excited and wanting to read more. I was actually almost late for work because I literally could not stop reading this book.
I also enjoyed that this book was not too overdone. With so many YA novels I have read recently, they can be quite gruesome in the description of crime scenes, etc. This book was different. There were no graphic sex scenes. I am seriously thinking of letting my 9 year old step son borrow my e-reader so he can read this book, or putting it on his iPod. It's that good, and I feel comfortable in letting him read it.
This book really jived with my science/history/total nerd-dome. While I don't know a lot about the American civil war (most of my research revolves around WWII) I thought that it was so cool. Actually, the combination of the RS code and hidden locations give me an idea to hide my own geocache, but that's a whole other story...
Mason is my hero. He starts out as this shy, little, nerdy kid and he really grows into Mason the Warrior. I LOVED when he ran over Molly's foot with the scooter. He was sort of a comic relief with his sarcasm and uncoordinated actions. He is my current fictional boyfriend... and Mr. Burke is pretty awesome too.

Overall, this is an absolutely fantastic book, highly recommended for anyone who enjoys action and adventure/mystery/suspense. I am SO glad I was chosen to receive a free copy of this book, and thank the author profusely for answering my questions, and for sending this e-book to me as quickly as he did. I definitely give this book 5 stars, and will be recommending it to people.

[Joanna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't forget the first heartbreaking part. It was 5 years ago and it's his 10th birthday. Since Will Reed's mother died, childhood has been rough and challenging but good thing, his father kept him company and has always been a good father to him, working double to give at least a life he could enjoy. And as Will celebrates his 10th year, his dad made this day more special than eating cake in front of TV. Well, it was perfect but not until this birthday would also be his most regretful day to celebrate at all.

The Dark Side of Truth tells the point of view of Will Reed, our young teenager protagonist who from this hurtful past of losing his parents has now been living from foster home to foster home, suddenly discovers a mystery he has to solve. I admired how Gary Caruso portrayed Will's curiosity and cleverness, and that his scarred attitude and being hard-headed gave him advantage to fix things his way. Will is realistic and he connected the dots in a way a teenager like him could do without exaggerating how his mind works.

The pacing is moderate, it will keep you turning pages to see how Will goes after one clue to another - but that is if you also enjoy mysteries with a middle grade protagonist. The writing could be too simple for adults who love bloody mysteries and thrillers out there and I wouldn't wonder if they could easily see some parts coming and getting right assumptions.

Nonetheless, the plot, twists in every chapter were engaging. Gary Caruso made the dialogues, confrontations smooth and events, surroundings both eerie and believable at its YA level. The supporting characters Mason, and his father Mr. Burke were also worth mentioning. Mason is geeky for me but his character was greatly developed when he stayed tall and brave for his friend even if he'll have to risk his life and be grounded by his father. Mr. Burke on the other hand is quite unpredictable at times but his support for whatever's good for Mason and who Mason loves is what made me appreciate him more throughout the story.

Overall, a nicely written novel for young mystery lovers. This story not only showed the thrill of solving clues and finding out who the villain is but it also stressed the power of family and friendship in any situation. No doubt, they are the only people we should trust aside from our guts.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars
The first word that comes to mind when I think about The Dark Side of the Truth is breathtaking (both literally and figuratively). Coming into this story I had already read multiple books by Gary Caruso and was blown away, so I had very high expectations. These expectations were blown out of the water once I hit the first page I was engaged. Everything around me ceased to exist as I was fully immersed in the adventure. I instantly fell in love with the characters, Gary Caruso created a stunning story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. After finishing this book I sprinted down the stairs to tell my family. "This book is beauty in it's purest form. Everyone must read it." This book showed me the true meaning of family, family is more than blood ties it's love. Family can be found in the weirdest of places and sometimes we find true family later in life. Gary Caruso's book isn't just a "mystery", it is a journey through life.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Side of Truth is a mystery novel told in the first person. This is a story full of potential with some interesting qualities and a few excellent twists and turns.

The story is told from Will Reed’s point of view, a young teenager with a tough shell and a rough history. He made a good narrator for the story, mostly because he had such an emotional connection to the storyline. Due to his background Will had a tendency to see certain things quite negatively. The reader was pulled into the story by being able to experience his inner struggle throughout.

No matter how hard I tried to distract myself, time didn’t slow the swelling surge of mixed emotions I had about my father. I hated him, at least I wanted to. But it was possible he had changed.

Throughout the story the reader felt torn with the thoughts of his father along with Will, even if sometimes the emotions jumped around. When he was seeing things in an unpleasant way the author did a great job of letting the reader see it as well.

The officer ushered me at a quick pace across the parking lot toward a police car. Other officers looked at me and shook their heads with disapproval as if, just because I was a teenager, I was the one who had done something wrong. I was the victim, but they acted like I was a criminal. Assholes! At any moment, I expected to be handcuffed. The officer who led me away stopped suddenly and tightened his grip on my arm, digging his fingers deep into my scratched skin. I yanked it away. Police or not, he wasn’t going to treat me like I murdered Mr. Peters. I never forgot how the police handled my father, rushing him down our front steps, shoving him into the cruiser like he was a scrap of worn carpet. I hated the police for taking my father from me.

While I don’t believe a police officer would ever get away with manhandling a minor I do see how Will’s past warped his view of certain subjects.

Like Batman had Robin, Will had Mason, a secondary character who was in on the adventures right along with Will. I found Mason to be a well developed character with some unique qualities. He was interested in very specific things and the reader was able to see how his interests were a valuable asset to the story as things progressed.

Mr Burke, Mason’s father, was a very quirky character.

“The local police are controlled by-” he started.

“Wait. Don’t tell me, aliens, right?” I asked with a smile.

“No, of course not,” he said. “But I do like your sense of humor. They’re actually controlled by a highly-trained, well-funded black ops group.”

His view on the world is much different than most parents. Thanks to Mr Burke’s hypothesizes and the directions he pushed the boys in the reader was able to experience a whole new side to the story.

The plotline of the story was interesting; it constantly moved and new events and clues would arrive and twist the story into new directions in every chapter. Unfortunately, there were a few things that took me away from those aspects of the novel.

There seemed to be a problem in terms of dialogue. Half of the time the dialogue would be very believable and smooth.

“So you stole it?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “You aren’t in a position to be judgemental. You’re committing a felony.”

“Don’t remind me.”

When read aloud the dialect made sense and flowed nicely. But the other half of the time the dialogue felt forced.

“Since we won’t be watching TV tonight, we should discuss our plans for the evening. See how this sounds to you. Normally, we would eat dinner, and then cake, but I say we can do that later. This year’s present is very special. How would you like to open it now?”

The dialogue felt fake and untrue when read, which means that it would be noticeably worse when read aloud. If the speaking parts can’t be read without stumble then we stop to figure out why which takes the reader out of the story.

Another road block that occurred came from incorrect tense usage.

I push the tips of my fingers on each side of the box. The tops of my fingers scraped against the metal opening, tearing away some of the skin.

For instance, in those two sentences the verb tense changes numerous times. While not a huge problem, it was enough to pull me out of the reader’s dream.

I would classify this book as being for middle school boys specifically. There is a simplicity to the story that I believe older young adults will pull away from because I think they might see this as a bit juvenile. Older readers might have a tendency to stop quite a bit when the typos and contradictions show up in the story.

There is a great amount of potential for this story to stand out as something unique for young adults. The story just reads as if it needed one more good hard edit and run through. I would have enjoyed seeing more focus from the narrator’s view point. Also, I think the reader would have been much more invested emotionally if we would have had a connection to the murder victim before he was discovered. But as it stands, if you know a younger reader interested in a mystery novel full of history, chemistry, and conspiracy, then this is the book for you.

[J. Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was actually surprised at how much I loved The Dark Side of Truth. I had already fallen for Our Souls to Keep, but this is an entirely new ball park. Yet, I still couldn't get enough of it. I don't think I realized how desperately I was looking for a great YA mystery until I found it in The Dark Side of Truth. I read the entire novel in one sitting, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that, it's impossible to put down.
The plot of The Dark Side of Truth is excellent. There was no point in which you would feel okay with stopping, for the end of every page had me wanting more. There are all of the twists that a good mystery needs, some of which I didn't even see coming. I felt like I was solving the mystery with Will and Mason, instead of reading about it while already knowing how it plays out.
In addition, I knew that it was a mystery novel, but I didn't know how much The Dark Side of Truth would excite my inner history nerd and science geek. Coding and lore dating back to the civil war? Nitric acid and black fingertips at the crime scene? Where has this book been all my life?
The Dark Side of Truth definitely has enough action to go around. Sometimes, mysteries can get a bit dull, but this was definitely not the case. There was almost always something going on. Most of the research and discoveries made occurred in the field rather than hours upon hours spent in a library (which can be useful, but not so interesting to read about). Plus, there were some really awesome fight scenes.
The characters are all nothing short of stellar. This may be just because of my personal sense of humor, but I love sarcastic voices and - sarcasm aside - Will had a very strong voice. He's a good person, even though he had to deal with a lot and is willing to do 'bad' things for what he believes in, and that definitely earns my respect. Mason, although he doesn't initially seem like it, is strong, brave and loyal, and a really enjoyed the growing friendship being the two.
Of course, I found the real shining star to be Mr. Burke. I found myself growing more paranoid throughout reading, and now I have the strange urge to research some conspiracies and get into cryptology.
The Dark Side of Truth is an excellent YA novel for just about anyone. I was laughing out loud at parts, stunned at others, and occasionally wanting to yell that it's a trap! but I absolutely loved every minute of it. I highly suggest that you clear an afternoon or night to read The Dark Side of Truth. You probably won't be able to stop reading once you start, but I assure you, it's worth staying up a little past your usual bedtime.

[Sigourney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A copy of The Dark Side of Truth was kindly sent to me by Gary A. Caruso in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes a book comes along that you’re not sure you’re going to like, that you read in dribs and drabs, unsure whether you want to carry on, saying a few times ‘nah I’m done with this now’, and suddenly you’ve finished the book and you realise that you did actually enjoy it and that the characters got under your skin whether you wanted them to or not. The Dark Side of Truth is that book. Somehow Will and Mason’s crazy little The Goonies-esque murder mystery got me interested and kept me reading, even when I thought I didn’t want to anymore.

In The Dark Side of Truth we follow Will, a foster home kid who’s been shit on by everyone around him until now; his mother is dead, his father is in prison as a convicted thief and he just doesn’t care anymore. Yes, he’s a bit of a jackass who needs to realise the good things he does have in life, but I always rooted for him while he was trying to save his dad from going back to his prison. He’s an utterly believable teenager who’s been through far too much in his short life, idiotic comments included (because, seriously Will, just because someone is a woman doesn’t mean she can’t take your punk ass down in a fight). Mason, his adorable ginger-haired science partner turned friend, stole my heart completely, and his and Will’s friendship was a lovely thing to read about as it developed, and I’ve never been quite so amused by the idea of two teenagers making a getaway on a scooter.

The plot itself is quite far-fetched and ridiculous at times, but that’s okay, this is fiction after all and escapism is my jam, and Caruso has succeeded in writing a hilarious adventure, complete with cliché bad guys (and far too many good cop/ bad cop scenarios) and a mysterious man with facial tattoos. There is always something waiting to unfold and hook you, making you want to read on, even when you declare to your best friend that this book is predictable and you’re not going to read it anymore – yes, it is predictable, but at the end of the day it is just so much fun at the same time. As someone who rarely reads murder mystery style novels I was pleasantly surprised by The Dark Side of Truth, I’d take everything that’s happening with a pinch of salt while reading it, but if comic adventures get you hot, you just might love this.

[Proserpine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Side of Truth is not my usual kind of reading, but since I already had read something from the author before, I gave it a try;

Surprisingly, The Dark Side of Truth was an intriguing, vibrant and more than just interesting reading. I was led on a wild adventure that surprised me from beginning until the end.

Expectations:
Since it wasn't a paranormal romance story, I had less expectation toward this book. The blurb was intriguing enough to push me to read it, but after a few pages, I was totally into it! My biggest expectation was about the plot. I wanted to read something catchy and Gary Caruso didn't disappoint me on that level.


What Stood Out:
Although this book is not a romance one and by far a paranormal one either, the main plot is thrilling and captivating. The action is non-stop, the mystery surrounding the '' truth '' and every historical element adds so much to the story. The combination of these facts plays a lot on the psychological side and your mind will never be at rest; repeatedly asking who is right and how everything will end.

The emphasis is more on the strategic level of the adventure that Will and his friend Mason have to go through. In addition, the skillful hand and knowledge of the author; Gary Caruso, kept me alert throughout my reading. I also liked the fact that the author used and worked on the tragic human side of his characters.


Favorite Character:
I didn't thought I would like one of the characters from this story since it's not a romance novel, but I really liked Mason, Will's friend. Mason is far from the typical guy that we all read about. His background and family ties brought some funny and awkward situations. We learn to appreciate him through the book!

The End:
This book could have ended in many different ways and the one the author chooses was the perfect one for me. It was one I imagined, but it still surprised me that the author chooses it. In this book, I don't think it could have been a true happy ending, but it’s probably the most happiest so far.

Overall:
This was the most interesting non-romantic / non paranormal reading I had in years. I am recommending this novel to everybody who wants to read something TOTALLY different. The Dark Side of Truth by Gary Caruso is a must-try in 2014, even if it's not your type of reading.

[Monika Kacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a truthful review.

Okay, first of all - the slowness with which i read this book had nothing to do with how awesome it was. I loved it. But school got crazy busy, and every night i was torn between studying (boo) or reading this awesome novel (which obviously didn't happen). Anyway, on to the real review.

Mr. Caruso, you did it again. I fell in love with your characters. They were awesome. Will, Mason, Mr. Burke. They all rocked. And not only were they entertaining, they were real. There were some really awesome passages in the book where Will displayed real emotions - he's a 15 year old boy, and of course if you're dealing with killers then you're gonna be scared. And Will actually admits that. The descriptions of emotions in this book blew me away, and was another thing that really made this book special for me.

And then there was the plot. It was amazing. Being a girl who appreciates good plot twists and such, I was very happy with this book. Mr. Caruso delivered the surprises expertly and the ending was simply fantastic. No spoilers, but it was a big surprise. I audibly gasped.

The dialogue was also exceptional. The sarcasm that the characters used was perfect. And it was always interesting to read a conversation between people. I never got bored with this book.

There were a few small issues. Small small issues. I found that Will sometimes jumped back and forth between his opinion of his father. And I know that he had good reason too, but I would be excited if my father got out of jail and wanted to make it up to me… i think, can't say I've ever had the experience. But he jumped from not believing his father wanted to start over with him, to making that the reason he was fighting to save him, to once again doubting him. And then again, I guess that's normal, but it was just a little to… jerky for me.

And I had trouble grasping the relationship Will had with Sarah. I know that they had something before the book happened, but it still seemed a little rushed to me, and Sarah just wasn't a real enough character for me to love her.

All in all, a fantastic book!

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first heart-breaking chapter, this book had me enthralled. It reminded me of the movie, 'National Treasure', with its historic details and clues, and kept my brain whirring with trying to figure out who the bad guys were.

The main character, Will, is a fifteen year old science geek hiding behind a foster care cut-up facade. Having lost his father when he was arrested the night of Will's 10th birthday, Will has been shuffled from one foster home, to another. His mother was hit by a car and killed when he was little, and he has no other family.

Finally settled into a home where people genuinely care about him, Will decides to let himself make friends with a boy from his science class. Eager to be friends, also, the boy, Mason, invites Will to go 'geocaching' with him. While out in the woods, they find the body of a man who's been strangled. Realizing that the man is their teacher, Will examines the body for clues as to who killed him. Suddenly, they hear voices coming their way, and they're talking about the body. They both run and, once they're safe, call the police. The police take their statements and the boys think that's the end of their involvement. When Will's father is accused of the murder because of DNA that Will accidentally left on the body, the boys find themselves tangled up in the mystery, once again.

I found the historical clues fascinating and the character interaction very entertaining. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out mysteries but this one had a few twists that I didn't see coming. I was torn between Will's dad and his foster family and, not wanting to give anything away, found the ending mostly satisfying. I felt that it was quite a coincidence that Will and Mason found the body, considering the ending but Gary wrapped it up so well that I loved how it turned out.

Another terrific read from a fairly new author that I'll definitely be reading again. Gary Caruso is one talented writer and I'm looking forward to whatever he comes up with next.

[Olivia (Bookcomet) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely astounded that I liked The Dark Side of the Truth better than Gary Caruso's other book, Our Souls to Keep. Astounded. You know why? Because I LOVED that book and fantasy is more my style. I had never really taken to mystery books prior to this book (bad experiences) but this book proved otherwise.

The story was really gripping and which made it perfect for a readathon. I estimated it would take me maybe 2 days to read it but really, I read it in a couple of hours. Even the best of books take me a good 3 days. I just couldn't stop reading!

The main character, Will, was likeable, brave and determined, which are all very important character qualities. Then there was Mason and Mason's dad, whose likeliness made me laugh at times, as did the name of chapter 9 (Chem-mystery is my Favourite Subject).

Admittedly I did not predict everything about the end. Although there is no way you can compare The Dark Side of the Truth with Our Souls to Keep, in terms of unpredictability. That ending will never leave me. It was a nice ending in general and a good conclusion to the story. Although I am a little unsure of what happened to one of the characters.

I liked the way that The Dark Side of the Truth was not too gruesome because it means it would be appropriate and enjoyable for any older middle-grade readers as well as any YA readers.

There were some really cool ideas involved in the story, which I won't reveal in fear of spoiling some parts of the book but it's clear that Gary Caruso put some thought into that.

If you're looking for a lighter mystery, I highly recommend The Dark Side of the Truth. It was entertaining and not too gory which contributed to making such a great book.

The Dark Side of the Truth was an entertaining and captivating mystery that made for a challenge to put down.

5/5 comets - Out of this world!

[Tammy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Side of Truth is one of the best mystery/Thriller books I have read in a long time. I loved reading this book! From the beginning to the very end it kept me guessing as to what would happen next. Every scene in this story was like watching a movie inside my head. I felt like the fly on the wall watching it all take place and enjoying every moment of it! When we first meet Will he is a happy go lucky 10 year old who has it all until it all falls apart in the matter of minutes. Then we meet Will five years later and he's had his share of hard knocks for only being fifteen he's been in and out of foster homes and been dealt his fair share of the ugliness life can sometimes throw at us. Still he has finally met a foster family who truly cares and wants to help. Will soon meets Mason and they become quick friends. They decide on a hiking day trip that turns into one of the worst days that has ever happened to them as they stumble upon a dead body and not just any dead body but that of their favorite science teacher. Things take off like wild fire from there as they try discover who killed their teacher and why Will's dad is being blamed. The Dark Side of Truth will have you on the edge of your seat possibly even leaving you wanting to read ahead to discover the truth. Don't do it because you will miss out on a great story! If this is how Gary Caruso writes mystery/Thrillers he can write for me any day of the week. Gary come on over we'll have tea and talk mystery/thriller stories!

[Emily (Mrs B's Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review**

This is a book better suited the the younger Young Adult readers, but that won't stop your enjoyment of it.

At first I thought that this book was a bit slow, however a while later I found that had been completely sucked in and couldn't put the book down.

I thought that Will and Mason gelled well as characters and Masons dad was awesome. In fact I think Mr Burke needs his own spin off novella or something he was that good, the man is so full of mystery and intrigue you can help but want to know more about him. Both Will and Mason grow within the book and do some quick growing up and probably learn a lot about themselves in a very short space of time.

I didn't like Molly. As a character she was very weak and needs a bit more development in order to make her part better. I also wasn't sure on Will's father, there was not enough of him in either the beginning of the book or the end for us to get a better understanding of him.

I loved the little bits of history put into the plot. Not being an American and having learned nothing of the Civil War I have no idea how accurate it was or what has been made fiction, but it was fascinating anyway.

There are lots of twists and turns to keep you engaged and you never quite know what is around the next corner, it keeps you gripped as to what happens next and you just don't know who to trust.

Certainly a book to be recommended.

[Joseph Calvente · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Side of Truth, by Gary Caruso, is a riveting read that captivated my attention from beginning to end. I was most drawn in by the friendship dymanic between Will and Mason, which brings up the element of philia love in a way that doesn't seem forced or phony. I also appreciate that Mr. Caruso stayed away from the typical teen boy going through the story and then a romance happens his way type of ploy. Mr. Caruso stayed true to the characters and the plot without forcing the romance angle or anything else that could have derailed the main push of the story. The dialogue in this novel is right on with how boys talk, especially the conversations between Will and Mason. Another positive is the precise eye to detail about so many different aspects of plot. Mr. Caruso must have done excellent research to be able to get the fine points of narration finely tuned. There are plenty of twists and turns in this wonderful journey of a story. I was able to catch a few of the turns, but did miss a major twist, so that kept me intrigued and wanting more of these boys' adventures in novels to come. I applaud Mr. Caruso again for being a steller storyteller. I look forward to reading more of what he has coming up.

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to do a very short recap on this book because I loved it so much and hope to convince others to read too!

What a story! I really loved this book from the relationships between characters, the mystery surrounding the murders, the descriptions, the drama, the pacing....basically, everything about this book lured me in.

The plot was amazing I was honestly so surprised at the end! Since I don't normally read many mystery/crime stories, The Dark Side of Truth has definitely opened my eyes to read more!

The characters made everything better. Mason and Will are great for each other and I can't wait to read more about how their friendship will develop. I think it's great that they have developed a brotherhood to keep each other company. I think they have both grown in completely different ways. Of course, I loved Jane, Scott and Mr. Burke - they all made the story more loving, interesting and funny.

The pacing in the novel was great because there was never a dull moment. This made the entire reading experience more fulfilling. I think readers will definitely appreciate this aspect of the book.

I look forward to reading many more Will Reed mystery novels - 5 stars! ★★★★★

[Ela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I didn't really know what to expect but it is quite fast paced and interesting. I love that the author combined history, chemistry, mystery and blended it all into really great fiction. All the unexpected twists and turns were well organized and totally fit together perfectly and made sense. I do have to say that the part with the cannon ball in the building was pretty predictable, but other than that, didn't see anything coming.

The characters were really well developed in the story. Although, because of the way the book was written, I found myself not trusting ANYONE! Yes, that is an important aspect of the book since this is a mystery so that was very well done.

The ending was fulfilling and everything was explained all the way through. I felt like there were only two loose ends: the business card and what happened to Amy Olsen.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Since it's fast paced and interesting, it really is quite the page turner.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3,5

The Story begins as 10 years old Will Reed lives a life with his loving father. Everything changes as his father goes to jail for an armed robbery. 5 years later Will gets the news that his father is being released from prison. He lived his whole life with his foster parents and now his father is making an attempt to reconnect with him again. But when he and his new friend Mason find their teacher murdered, and Will accidently drops some "evidence" of his father killing his teacher on the body he has to do everything in his power to save his father from being wrongfully accused.

The thing that I liked the most about this book were the characters. Will was brave but perhaps not my favorite character. Mason though, is adorable and hilarious. He is the hidden gem. Will and Mason's friendship felt real and it was really fun to read about. I really liked Mason's dad and the crazy theories of his too.

I didn't expect the end coming.
I would recommend this to people who like books with great friendships, mysteries and spies. It's quite a page-turner.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Side of Truth is a fantastic YA suspense/mystery book out there for young adults. Right from the beginning, you get sucked into a fast pace story with Will Reed. This story is written so well, that it’s a smooth ride from start to finish, having you turning the pages wanting to see what happens next. Will and Mason have such a great chemistry as friends, that you almost wish you could go back to school and re-live that experience. Being a Virginia native, it was nice seeing parts of our history introduced in the story.

In the current trend of YA books, paranormal fiction is filling the shelves from vampires, witches, werewolves, and many more. I will admit I am an avid reader of those genres, but The Dark Side of Truth is a great escape from paranormal fiction and just might make you pick up another murder mystery. How much more trouble can Will and Mason stumble into, hopefully we will find out in the future.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying this was a fun read. It was like a YA Dan Brown Book.
I'm not one for giving a summary of a book because well, this is a review, not an 8th grade book report. Needless to say, this book was filled with a lot of loveable characters that truly has you rooting for them the entire time and hoping for the best. Will, his best friend Mason, and Mason's father Mr. Burke are a laugh-out loud funny, yet awkward team. But with all the laughs, there is danger and heart ache in this book.
I was happy with the ending, although a bit disappointed with the outcome of Will and his father's relationship. I had a feeling it would end up that way, but was hoping I was wrong. :/
With all that being said. I loved this book and would most certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a good YA/ Mystery.

[Marissa Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Dark Side of Truth" was by far one of the most intriguing books I have read in a long time. I could not put it down but when I had to I couldn't stop thinking about it. It was that good! Meeting the characters were by far one of my favorite parts. Each character was well described and relatable, where I could envision exactly how they looked or acted. The mystery itself was solid but took so many twists and turns and you would think that you had it all figured out and then the next chapter makes you go back to square one. I also enjoyed the tie to historical events and sites, it made this mystery differ from all the other ones I have read. Overall, the author did a fantastic job and I would absolutely recommend this book to anybody who is ready for a good mystery!

[Ellen W-S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Caruso writes one helluva action packed fast paced mystery adventure! I enjoyed every word on every page, I know my 14 year old son would enjoy this read. It is reminded me of a young adult book version of National Treasure!
Thanks for the read request Gary and I think you have a big seller on your hands! 4.5 stars!

[Prismseven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this story in exchange for a honest review. This young adult mystery was full of suspense. The writing was easy to read and the descriptions of the "treasure hunt" was very detailed. The story grabs the readers attention especially if you have an interest in historical battlefields.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word sum up: amazing. I couldn't put it down. Loved the ending.

[Ryan Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

See this review and others at Book- Marks The Spot


**provided copy for honest review
rating: 3.8/5


I have to be honest. I do not usually read books about characters younger than 17- 16 at the youngest. I do read suspense and mystery, but never with such a young character at the forefront. I also do not read many books that center on a friendship between two characters as the main relationship of the novel. Despite all this, I genuinely enjoyed this book. Will, the protagonist was a troubled young man who had to grow up in the foster system, knowing his father was a criminal. Years later, when his father gets out, Will wants nothing to do with him. It is a very interesting concept. The two shared a beautifully close relationship when Will was young. When his father gets out five years later, he tries to reconnect. ( I just can't hate his father. And neither can he) I love the focus on the relationships- as well as.
While Will is not overly fond of his father, he still loves him and when his father may go back to jail because of Will, he decides to help out.

This leads to Will and Mason trying to solve the murder of their history teacher before the police do, since the police will not believe Will when he explains how his father is innocent. It is a pretty fun adventure, full of puzzles and adventures for the duo. I mean.. they are soiling evidence, destroying crime scenes, and committing felonies, but it is all in the name of being heroes and it is thoroughly entertaining.

Will and Mason are adorable together. Will is snarky- a quality which I admire. ;) And Mason is all cute and nerdy. I love how boys can just meet each other once and become best friends without ever discussing it. Girls are so complicated. :P They are constantly teasing each other. I really loved their relationship and bonding. And some of the conversations they had were so accurate to a pair of fifteen year old boys. They are trying to be all cool, but they are in constant danger, which makes it hard to be calm and collected. I love the quotes where Will is like... I would like to say I let out a manly yell, but it was more of a girlish squeal (okay, that's not verbatim. I was talking creative license.) Also, Mason's father is crazy- I love it. I have highlighted some of his more hilarious conspiracy talk. Aliens. hehe. That guy is a hoot and plays an integral part in the book as well. I love how the characters are goofy and real at the same time. It makes for a very interesting cast of characters.

One of the great thing about the villains is that it's hard to know who they are. Very interesting and well- done.

I do have a couple of complaints. I mean.. I wish the father had been a bigger part of the book. Well, he is a very large part of the book. I just mean.. I thought they would interact more. Also.. Will is sort of a hypocrite about the whole criminal thing. lol. It's rather amusing. you call your father a thief.. and then come to find out you had broke into school and stole the janitors keys. (This was all before the crime spree to try to clear his father;s name.) Really, Will? Really? I also could not really connect how solving the riddle of the artifact would help his father. I can understand how finding the murderer would help, so I was okay with that up until the end when the artifact became more important than the murder. Other than that, It was a very entertaining read. I don't know if I will read the next book in the series. While I adored the book, the characters are a but young for my taste. (:

I would, however, definitely recommend to lovers of crime/ sleuth YA novels with unique male characters. Also, fans of conspiracy theories. I loved the stuff Mason's dad came up with. (: He was so funny. It was adorable and had a crazy ending. (: A very original story.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Gary Caruso for a copy of this book to do an honest read2review!

**there are a few minor spoilers**

First of all, this book was just wow. As soon as I read the first chapter, I was intrigued as to what came next. It all starts out with Will's dad being arrested. Five years later, Will pretty much hates his dad and doesn't want anything to do with him. End of story. Except it isn't. Will meets Mason, a guy who goes to the same school as Will, and they go out geocaching. That's when the real fun starts and they find their dead science teacher: murdered.

The most significant thing I noticed while reading this book is the overall growth. Will's maturity level grows so much. In the beginning, he seems pretty dang shallow playing his video games all day and blaming everything on his dad (which he has a right to do... but still). At the end though he grows up and is able to reach those deeper thinking levels. The plotline also grows dramatically from just the murder of a science teacher to the uncovering of a secret guild that has their own secret place in history.

I loved the plot. If you don't allow yourself to really read the book, you may think it's dull when really it's anything but. There were a crazy about of plot twists (especially at the end) which came at exactly the right time. Just when you think the story is winding down and you wonder how you'll ever get through the next 50 pages, there was another plot twist that changed the game entirely. The person who ended up being the killer was the person they all trusted which really through me through a loop.

Onto the characters. As I said already, I loved how Will's character matures throughout the book as he discovers... I really don't want to sound cheesy but as he discovers himself. His personal growth is one of the main attractions right next to the murder investigation! Mr. Burke was absolutely amazing. I loved his conspiracy theories and all the preparations he made. Especially since he turned out to be right about a lot of things. And Mason. He really is the perfect teammate. He helped Will through a lot of sticky spots which made him all the more lovable. The three of these main characters together made me laugh at the strangest moments and connect with the book.

Overall, I give this book a solid five out of five!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was offered the chance to read this book, and as I am attempting to expand on my bookish tastes I agreed to give it a go. However I think that readying this book has just confirmed what I already knew, that crime/murder mysteries aren't really for me.

The story line was very clever and well written. However at times I found it difficult to keep myself reading. I don't think my mind is logical enough for stories like this. I kept waiting to get into it but never really got there.

Will and Mason made a good duo. The foster kid whose really smart but has kind of given up and the slightly weird nerdy kid. There were so quite humorous moments. However I didn't really find myself warming to Will properly. There was nothing bad about him, he just seemed off slightly to me.

A murder mystery with two teenage boys at the centre of it with some history thrown in there. It is definitely not like anything I have read before and although it was a very well written story, I don't see it change my bookish tastes anytime soon.

My rating is very much based on my enjoyment whilst reading this book. As this was my first book of this type I didn't have anything to compare it to, so instead chose to rate it on how much I enjoyed reading it, and how much I think that people who read the same books as me would enjoy reading it.

I found this a difficult book to review, as I don't really feel that it was my type of book. For people who like this genre this may be a very popular book choice, however as someone who doesn't read murder mysteries this book wasn't a favourite. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't me.

You can find more of my reviews and initial reactions videos at Broc's Bookcase

[Merril Anil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author's hand down

First of all a huge thanks to Gary Caruso, the author of "The dark side of Truth" for lending me a copy to read and review.

The book turned out to be another superb piece just like his other works and i had a fun time reading it.

What i liked about the book is the language and the narration style which is simple and fast paced and moves from one to another scene quit effectively and in a smooth manner and the development of the story is good. Love the central character and acts true to his age of 15 as mentioned in the book even if he is caught up in stuff which is more than his age could handle and see. The thrills are nice and somehow reading this book reminded me,my days of reading "Famous five" and "secret seven" series (in a good manner).
Another thing i liked in the book is the chapter title which was witty, sharp and fun.

For me as a thriller addict, some parts was predictable but the end was definitely a good one and made for a good thrill.

The book is fast paced and have a smooth and enjoyable narration and keeps your interest without any dull moments making it a good read

[Samantha Rees · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I was given a copy of this book for a review in exchange.

In all honesty I'm not sure this will do the book any justice. I was unable to finish the book. This isn't due to it being a terrible read or anything of the sort. In fact i have read other people's reviews and everyone seems to have really enjoyed it. I read up to about 30% and found myself stuck. I'm not sure if this is due to my busy schedule at the moment, or if i'm just not in the frame of mind for this genre currently.

From what i have read it was good and had a good development of the story. I found some things a little predictable, but you get that with most stories nowadays.

I have now put the book to the side to continue at a later date, where i can give it all my attention and hopefully this will allow me to enjoy it more. Once i have completed the text i will re-write another review and give it my overall vote. Thank you Gary for giving me the chance to read your book, I'm sorry I'm in my book funk and have not done it justice.