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Jake McGreevy
Chicago Bound
JAKE’S HOLIDAY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT MUSIC AND HISTORY…
NOT CLUES TO A MYSTERY.
Jake’s plan for a carefree holiday at a musical performing
arts camp in the Windy City hits a sour note when he
stumbles upon a long-hidden message from his mother,
art historian Karen McGreevy. She had traveled to Chicago
thirteen years earlier on a dream assignment, never to
return home. With his violin and his mother’s mysterious
letter in hand, Jake, his best friend Julie, and new pals Ben
and Natalie are heading west, where they will follow the
clues and uncover the truth about a missing masterpiece,
the meaning of friendship, and the enduring bond between
a mother and her son.
NOT CLUES TO A MYSTERY.
Jake’s plan for a carefree holiday at a musical performing
arts camp in the Windy City hits a sour note when he
stumbles upon a long-hidden message from his mother,
art historian Karen McGreevy. She had traveled to Chicago
thirteen years earlier on a dream assignment, never to
return home. With his violin and his mother’s mysterious
letter in hand, Jake, his best friend Julie, and new pals Ben
and Natalie are heading west, where they will follow the
clues and uncover the truth about a missing masterpiece,
the meaning of friendship, and the enduring bond between
a mother and her son.
- GenresMysteryYoung Adult
175 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2013
1 person is currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Sean Vogel
4 books24 followersGrowing up in a small town in Michigan during the 1980s, Sean was provided with an excellent garden for cultivating his writing career. With only a few simplistic video games and three television channels, he became an accomplished daydreamer and a creative outside adventurer.
A son of a garbage truck driver, Sean often received “gently used” items from his father’s route. With a bit of imagination and a little tinkering, these items were reborn as tools for battles against backyard bandits. These childhood experiences would later serve as the foundation and inspiration for Jake McGreevy’s gadgetry expertise.
Seeking his own adventures, Sean joined the Army via an ROTC scholarship at Colorado State University. Living in Germany for several years gave him the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe. During his time in the Army, he served in the Field Artillery and Signal Corp, rising to the rank of Captain and receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq.
Sean started drafting novels to fill downtime during long deployments in the military; a pen is easier to carry than a guitar. But he soon fell in love with the frustrating yet satisfying science called writing and has been hard at work ever since.
When he’s not helping Jake get out of tangles, Sean is a department manager for a large aerospace company. He lives in Denver with his wife, two daughters, and a crazy wirehaired dachshund.
A son of a garbage truck driver, Sean often received “gently used” items from his father’s route. With a bit of imagination and a little tinkering, these items were reborn as tools for battles against backyard bandits. These childhood experiences would later serve as the foundation and inspiration for Jake McGreevy’s gadgetry expertise.
Seeking his own adventures, Sean joined the Army via an ROTC scholarship at Colorado State University. Living in Germany for several years gave him the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe. During his time in the Army, he served in the Field Artillery and Signal Corp, rising to the rank of Captain and receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq.
Sean started drafting novels to fill downtime during long deployments in the military; a pen is easier to carry than a guitar. But he soon fell in love with the frustrating yet satisfying science called writing and has been hard at work ever since.
When he’s not helping Jake get out of tangles, Sean is a department manager for a large aerospace company. He lives in Denver with his wife, two daughters, and a crazy wirehaired dachshund.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 23, 2018
I couldn't resist. A mystery about the Mary Cassatt mural that graced the Woman's Building at the Columbian Exposition in 1893 and then disappeared? Total catnip, I thought. Alas, this was pure Hardy Boys meets McGyver by way of Home Alone, with a ridiculously destructive final chase through an assisted living center. Junk masquerading as a sophisticated read for middle graders.
September 20, 2013
Fifteen-year-old Jake and his two friends, Ben and Julie are off to a special “camp” for gifted and talented kids. While a trip to Chicago during the holiday season is exciting in itself, for Jake, it is a reminder that his mother was killed there while pursuing her passion, verifying old art when he was just a toddler. Was her death an accident? Did she leave clues in an old journal that Jake treasures? Do NOT think this is a sad or downbeat tale! Chicago Bound by Sean Vogel is a wonderfully ingenious and fun adventure tale for young readers whose minds know no limits!
Sean Vogel has given his characters life with his brilliant sense for how four smart, clever and daring young teens could act if cut loose alone, in a large city, determined to solve both the mystery surrounding Jake’s mother’s death and the mystery of where the REAL painting is hidden. Perhaps this is how MacGiver was as a child?
The plot is clever, the execution is brilliant, over-the-top, fast-paced and completely captivating as I was taken from the academy where the children consistently out-witted the staff to a nursing home where the residents rise to Jake’s assistance with a sense of purpose! I admit, as the action revved up, I was there, my adrenaline was pumping and I could feel the excitement of the moment coming through each word written by the author who gives us a story to remember and heroes to love! Never doubt the power of youth, friendship or loyalty! You might want to watch out for those “seniors,” too!
An ARC edition was provided by MB Publishing, LLC in exchange for my honest review! Please note: this is part of a series, but lost nothing as a stand alone!
Series: Jake McGreevy, Book 2
Publication Date: November 21, 2013
Publisher: MB Publishing, LLC
ISBN: Epub: 978-0-9850814-6-1, Kindle: 978-0-9850814-7-8, Paperback: 9780985081454
Number of Pages: 175
Genre: Middle-grade/Ya Fiction-Adventure-Mystery
Author's Twitter Page
Author's Facebook Page
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Sean Vogel has given his characters life with his brilliant sense for how four smart, clever and daring young teens could act if cut loose alone, in a large city, determined to solve both the mystery surrounding Jake’s mother’s death and the mystery of where the REAL painting is hidden. Perhaps this is how MacGiver was as a child?
The plot is clever, the execution is brilliant, over-the-top, fast-paced and completely captivating as I was taken from the academy where the children consistently out-witted the staff to a nursing home where the residents rise to Jake’s assistance with a sense of purpose! I admit, as the action revved up, I was there, my adrenaline was pumping and I could feel the excitement of the moment coming through each word written by the author who gives us a story to remember and heroes to love! Never doubt the power of youth, friendship or loyalty! You might want to watch out for those “seniors,” too!
An ARC edition was provided by MB Publishing, LLC in exchange for my honest review! Please note: this is part of a series, but lost nothing as a stand alone!
Series: Jake McGreevy, Book 2
Publication Date: November 21, 2013
Publisher: MB Publishing, LLC
ISBN: Epub: 978-0-9850814-6-1, Kindle: 978-0-9850814-7-8, Paperback: 9780985081454
Number of Pages: 175
Genre: Middle-grade/Ya Fiction-Adventure-Mystery
Author's Twitter Page
Author's Facebook Page
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
January 10, 2015
For the review complete with pretty pictures and gifs, head to my blog.
Once again, my Netgalley mania struck! Although this is the 2nd book in the series, I must have liked the title so much I requested it anyway (or I was dumb enough to not notice it was the second book. It wouldn't be the first time). And I am so glad I did! There is just so much to enjoy about this book. While some might find it too cutesy for their taste, I thought it was really heart warming. And any time it skewed towards any suspicious looks from me, the author immediately put in a lot of details that really made a difference. For example there's a scene in the book that plays out very much like Home Alone with all sorts of home made contraptions to stall the villains. Just as I was about to roll my eyes out how naive and unlikely to succeed in the real world this plan was, Jake detailed an actually very plausible plan. And it had all the fun you got from Home Alone!
In general it was just so clear that the author had done his research. And there's just so many interesting things in this book! Jake and his friends are very tech savvy, Jake is well versed in architecture as his father is an architect and at least somewhat knowledgeable in art as his mother was...whatever you call an art verifier person. It was never info dumped and never so much that you wanted to skip sections, just little snippets here and there that were plausible given the characters' backgrounds and I just loved seeing certain things referenced (particularly because it was set in Chicago), so it basically just felt like a lot of awesome shout outs for his readers who are interested in any of those subjects. Even better? Jake and most of his friends are musicians. So this book was basically meant for me. Musicians? In Chicago? I mean, there's a reason I requested this book despite it being the second in a series. Oh speaking of - this is easy to read as a standalone. The books are definitely separate novels that follow the same character, sort of the way mystery novels (like Nancy Drew) or adventure novels (James Bond, Dirk Pitt, etc.) can be. But back to the music! The author was clearly a musician (or if he wasn't I'd be shocked and very, very impressed at how well he portrays a lot of aspects about music that are glossed over or just plain wrong in books), although my guess is that he was a choral musician. (But then that just might be me reading into things). It's so great reading a book where the author clearly understands how it works! The way rehearsals are run, that it's not just some magical talent - you become a musician with practice and hard work.
I'm just so excited that music was written in a realistic way! I literally can not think of a SINGLE novel where the musicians weren't just magically talented or just lay about all day and acted bohemian or something. I mean seriously. Come on.
I also loved all the information about Chicago. I mean, from the title this is no surprise. But coming from a small town, I'm not used to getting to read about places I walk by all the time. There's just something about that that makes me so excited. Until this year I didn't even know that was a thing I cared about, but I love it. So many references to a lot of the attractions downtown as well as some interesting things about the history of the architecture here, and some good mentions of the skyline.
Vogel also makes a point to really include diversity, even amongst the main characters. One of my favourite scenes is at a nursing home and Jake is addressing some of the military members there. Among them were some of the first women in the army who were not nurses. It really felt like the author made a conscious effort on this and some of the more PC sections, and while that's generally not my style, who am I to complain about something that I want to see in books?
I know I primarily review YA books and that the characters in this book are fifteen, but I did want to say that it is definitely more of a MG book than YA fiction, just as a heads up for those of you are less inclined to read MG. (Although I'd say this is a really fun book if you'd like to give MG fiction a shot!). There's very little romance, although the attraction is there, and addressed. Jake is a little level-headed about it in a nonteenagery way at times, but again it really didn't bother me. It was clear the author took into account a lot of things about being a teenager, and I really appreciated that. And you know what? It's just really nice to read a book where romance isn't the main focus, or the next main focus. This book is about Jake solving a mystery involving his mom and dealing with the fun, crazy messes he and his friends manage to get into. It was refreshing, and very fun :)
Overall
Basically this is one of the best researched novels I've ever read, and at the same time SO FUN. Usually super researched books get really dull (I'm looking at you Headlong). I mean it just has everything in it - art, architecture, music, libraries, fancy tech stuff that I don't understand, gymnastics, history...it's fantastic! If you like MG literature at all and are looking for a really fun read (most of my MG lit tends towards the dark and depressing, so this was a very nice change of pace), you should definitely check this out. On the other hand, if cutesy isn't for you this probably isn't going to be your scene.
Once again, my Netgalley mania struck! Although this is the 2nd book in the series, I must have liked the title so much I requested it anyway (or I was dumb enough to not notice it was the second book. It wouldn't be the first time). And I am so glad I did! There is just so much to enjoy about this book. While some might find it too cutesy for their taste, I thought it was really heart warming. And any time it skewed towards any suspicious looks from me, the author immediately put in a lot of details that really made a difference. For example there's a scene in the book that plays out very much like Home Alone with all sorts of home made contraptions to stall the villains. Just as I was about to roll my eyes out how naive and unlikely to succeed in the real world this plan was, Jake detailed an actually very plausible plan. And it had all the fun you got from Home Alone!
In general it was just so clear that the author had done his research. And there's just so many interesting things in this book! Jake and his friends are very tech savvy, Jake is well versed in architecture as his father is an architect and at least somewhat knowledgeable in art as his mother was...whatever you call an art verifier person. It was never info dumped and never so much that you wanted to skip sections, just little snippets here and there that were plausible given the characters' backgrounds and I just loved seeing certain things referenced (particularly because it was set in Chicago), so it basically just felt like a lot of awesome shout outs for his readers who are interested in any of those subjects. Even better? Jake and most of his friends are musicians. So this book was basically meant for me. Musicians? In Chicago? I mean, there's a reason I requested this book despite it being the second in a series. Oh speaking of - this is easy to read as a standalone. The books are definitely separate novels that follow the same character, sort of the way mystery novels (like Nancy Drew) or adventure novels (James Bond, Dirk Pitt, etc.) can be. But back to the music! The author was clearly a musician (or if he wasn't I'd be shocked and very, very impressed at how well he portrays a lot of aspects about music that are glossed over or just plain wrong in books), although my guess is that he was a choral musician. (But then that just might be me reading into things). It's so great reading a book where the author clearly understands how it works! The way rehearsals are run, that it's not just some magical talent - you become a musician with practice and hard work.
I'm just so excited that music was written in a realistic way! I literally can not think of a SINGLE novel where the musicians weren't just magically talented or just lay about all day and acted bohemian or something. I mean seriously. Come on.
I also loved all the information about Chicago. I mean, from the title this is no surprise. But coming from a small town, I'm not used to getting to read about places I walk by all the time. There's just something about that that makes me so excited. Until this year I didn't even know that was a thing I cared about, but I love it. So many references to a lot of the attractions downtown as well as some interesting things about the history of the architecture here, and some good mentions of the skyline.
Vogel also makes a point to really include diversity, even amongst the main characters. One of my favourite scenes is at a nursing home and Jake is addressing some of the military members there. Among them were some of the first women in the army who were not nurses. It really felt like the author made a conscious effort on this and some of the more PC sections, and while that's generally not my style, who am I to complain about something that I want to see in books?
I know I primarily review YA books and that the characters in this book are fifteen, but I did want to say that it is definitely more of a MG book than YA fiction, just as a heads up for those of you are less inclined to read MG. (Although I'd say this is a really fun book if you'd like to give MG fiction a shot!). There's very little romance, although the attraction is there, and addressed. Jake is a little level-headed about it in a nonteenagery way at times, but again it really didn't bother me. It was clear the author took into account a lot of things about being a teenager, and I really appreciated that. And you know what? It's just really nice to read a book where romance isn't the main focus, or the next main focus. This book is about Jake solving a mystery involving his mom and dealing with the fun, crazy messes he and his friends manage to get into. It was refreshing, and very fun :)
Overall
Basically this is one of the best researched novels I've ever read, and at the same time SO FUN. Usually super researched books get really dull (I'm looking at you Headlong). I mean it just has everything in it - art, architecture, music, libraries, fancy tech stuff that I don't understand, gymnastics, history...it's fantastic! If you like MG literature at all and are looking for a really fun read (most of my MG lit tends towards the dark and depressing, so this was a very nice change of pace), you should definitely check this out. On the other hand, if cutesy isn't for you this probably isn't going to be your scene.
April 14, 2022
Another great book that pleasantly surprised me. This is second in the series but can also be read as a stand alone. Follow along as 4 smart teenagers try to unravel the mystery of Jake’s mom’s death and a missing painting in Chicago. This books has elements of mystery, adventure, some Home-Alone-like contraptions, music, unlikely friendships, and the beginning of a little romance.
Content: Clean.
Content: Clean.
February 17, 2017
Such a great story
September 14, 2013
Jake and his friends travel to Chicago as part of a program for gifted musicians. For Jake, this trip is about more than the program for gifted musicians. His mother, who died when he was a toddler, was killed in Chicago, while searching for a “lost” artistic masterpiece. Jake’s trip suddenly turns into more than just the gifted program when he accidently discovers a cryptic note his mother left just before her death. Thus, Jake and his friends travel all over the Windy City searching for and following clues until they find a solution, running in and out of trouble as they search. This is a great book for young adults. It not only highlights the hard work gifted musicians put into perfecting their abilities, but brings out the value of friendship, love, familial responsibilities and dedication to one’s passion in life. The author has managed to weave a great tale, with the holidays as a backdrop, about the search for answers to the questions about what exactly happened to Jake’s mother and to the Mary Cassatt mural she was researching. In particular, I enjoyed the scenes the author inserted when Jake and his friends “fought their last battle” in the nearby nursing home, along with the home residents, against those who would prefer no one ever find answers to the questions Jake and his friends raise. I think anyone, young or old, would enjoy the descriptions and minute-by-minutes updates on the unique “weapons” the group and home residents devise and use and their effectiveness. This book has a plot equal to or better than many books I have previously read and will enthrall anyone who reads it. I received this book from Net Galley to read and review.
August 5, 2013
TITLE: Chicago Bound
SERIES: Jake McGreevy #3
AUTHOR: Sean Vogel
GENRE/AUDIENCE: Tweens and up
REVIEW: A definite 5-star book, I read this book without the benefit of the two prior Jake McGreevy book and I felt it stood alone quite well. Jake, 15, and his friends Ben and Julie are off to a music "camp" for gifted musicians in Chicago that will raise money to help schools keep their music & afterschool programs. Jake's
"MacGuyver-like" talents provide some escapades and fun in the off time.
For Jake, this trip has extra poignancy, because Chicago is where his mother was killed when he was just a toddler. His mother had been there in Chicago to verify the provenance (history of ownership and authenticity) of a famous Mary Cassatt mural, and Jake stumbles upon clues that his mother felt she was in danger. In no time at all, Jake manages to be in danger as well.
END: Triumphant and Touching
TAGS: Art, provenance, mother-son bond, Chicago World's Fair.
GOODREADS:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
PERMALINK: http://martysreads.blogspot.com/2013/...
READ-ALIKES: Readers may also enjoy Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
-----
ABOUT THIS REVIEWER: I am a book lover and aspiring librarian. Blogger is where I rate books just released or Advanced Reader Copies, (ARC) about to be released. Most of these ARCs are shared with me via NetGalley. Other reviews of mine are found on GoodReads.
SERIES: Jake McGreevy #3
AUTHOR: Sean Vogel
GENRE/AUDIENCE: Tweens and up
REVIEW: A definite 5-star book, I read this book without the benefit of the two prior Jake McGreevy book and I felt it stood alone quite well. Jake, 15, and his friends Ben and Julie are off to a music "camp" for gifted musicians in Chicago that will raise money to help schools keep their music & afterschool programs. Jake's
"MacGuyver-like" talents provide some escapades and fun in the off time.
For Jake, this trip has extra poignancy, because Chicago is where his mother was killed when he was just a toddler. His mother had been there in Chicago to verify the provenance (history of ownership and authenticity) of a famous Mary Cassatt mural, and Jake stumbles upon clues that his mother felt she was in danger. In no time at all, Jake manages to be in danger as well.
END: Triumphant and Touching
TAGS: Art, provenance, mother-son bond, Chicago World's Fair.
GOODREADS:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
PERMALINK: http://martysreads.blogspot.com/2013/...
READ-ALIKES: Readers may also enjoy Theodore Boone series by John Grisham.
-----
ABOUT THIS REVIEWER: I am a book lover and aspiring librarian. Blogger is where I rate books just released or Advanced Reader Copies, (ARC) about to be released. Most of these ARCs are shared with me via NetGalley. Other reviews of mine are found on GoodReads.
March 9, 2014
Fifteen-year-old Jake and his friends spend their winter break in Chicago at a music camp. In addition to honing his violin skills, Jake finds himself delving into the death of his mother in the Windy City 13 years earlier (when Jake was just a toddler). Jake's mom was an art consultant who was investigating a lost Mary Cassatt mural at the time of her death.
Fun, engaging mystery where tech-savvy Jake was able to pick up on clues left by his mother about the recently-found Mary Cassatt mural which she believed was a fake--this led to her being struck to death by a car in front of the Chicago Theater on State Street which was initially written off as an accident. Jake's mom had also left possible clues as to the whereabouts of the real mural. Jake and his friends soon find themselves in danger as well. The author did a good job of bringing the sights and sounds of Chicago to life. Would recommend this to teen mystery lovers, especially guys. Readers will enjoy the traps Jake and his friends set up at the end to catch the bad guys--more elaborate than any trap set on Scooby-Doo.
Fun, engaging mystery where tech-savvy Jake was able to pick up on clues left by his mother about the recently-found Mary Cassatt mural which she believed was a fake--this led to her being struck to death by a car in front of the Chicago Theater on State Street which was initially written off as an accident. Jake's mom had also left possible clues as to the whereabouts of the real mural. Jake and his friends soon find themselves in danger as well. The author did a good job of bringing the sights and sounds of Chicago to life. Would recommend this to teen mystery lovers, especially guys. Readers will enjoy the traps Jake and his friends set up at the end to catch the bad guys--more elaborate than any trap set on Scooby-Doo.
April 30, 2015
My thanks to Sean Vogel and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Chicago Bound that I won in the Giveaway.
Chicago Bound is about two mysteries; Jake's mother went missing years before on a trip to Chicago and a masterpiece is missing. Jake and his three friends go on an adventure to solve both mysteries. The novel is fast paced, fun and the kids have a great time on their adventure. The creativity of youth and their excitement for life comes through loud and clear for a great book for young adults.
Chicago Bound is about two mysteries; Jake's mother went missing years before on a trip to Chicago and a masterpiece is missing. Jake and his three friends go on an adventure to solve both mysteries. The novel is fast paced, fun and the kids have a great time on their adventure. The creativity of youth and their excitement for life comes through loud and clear for a great book for young adults.
October 5, 2013
Jake is off to Chicago for a music workshop and encounters a mystery surrounding his mother's research into a Mary Cassatt painting that hung in the Women's Exposition during the Columbian Exposition. A clever tale that mixes a tale of school and friendship with adventure and mystery. The second in a series.
February 16, 2014
Middle grade mystery.
Had a home alone feel to it.
Accidental deaths ( murder)
Book revolves around the death of the main characters mother.
The main character attends a performing arts camp in Chicago.
I liked that at the beginning of each chapter had a picture that related to the chapter.
This is an interesting read.
Had a home alone feel to it.
Accidental deaths ( murder)
Book revolves around the death of the main characters mother.
The main character attends a performing arts camp in Chicago.
I liked that at the beginning of each chapter had a picture that related to the chapter.
This is an interesting read.
February 28, 2014
Wow! Where do I begin? This book is totally awesome!! It has action, adventure, humor, and cool gadgets. This is a book that my kids & I read over and over again. We can't get enough of Jake McGreevy.
November 7, 2013
Home Alone slapstick mystery in book form, but without charm. Nothing felt real...the characters felt much, much younger than 15 and the climax was beyond ridiculous.
December 31, 2018
The writer placed me in the scenes.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews