The 8th Journal

by N Parris

What do we really know about ourselves--or the ones connected to us? Holly Anderson is just looking for an excuse to take a year off before starting college, but she never expected her time off to be so dramatic--or so potentially deadly. Reeling from the discovery that she is adopted and that her birthmother is the author of the best-selling adventure series of which she is also a huge fan, Holly now finds the onus of writing the last book in the series falling upon her inexperienced shoulders. Charged with what appears to be an impossible task, Holly journeys to the home of her eccentric aunt in the West Village, where she must deal with a trail of past murders, the 'Henry Curse,' and the increasingly relentless harassment of the media. "The cast of secondary characters are a colorful delight, the pace never flags, and readers will find the ending of this rollicking adventure cum tender coming of age story more than satisfying" Ellen Tanner Marsh

Genres: Mystery

473 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2006

About the author

Rula The Candidacy Party (Book 2)
Rula is a cruel game--naïve players are enticed to play by promises of immense rewards. The entertainment value is the exclusive right of the game’s host, who, like the former Kings, gets to delight in the torment of the players as they struggle to complete their tasks.

Rula The Heist (book 1)
Rula The Candidacy Party (book 2)
Rula The Delivery (book 3)
Rula Checkmates (book 4)

Reviews

[Alizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love all of the inspirational quotes that I'm finding in these books that are written by unknown authors. They are really life changing and beautiful and this book was just another example. I cried while I read this book, as it is so very, very, very beautiful. This isn't your average love story. Plus, Holly is a highly relate-able character. On top of that, there is a curse and a treasure! How cool is that? I thought everything that was tied inside in this book was really extravagant. I thought that there were plenty of details wrapped up inside the many pages of the book; there was never a dull moment in this piece.I also found myself to personalize with the characters; I would grimace when they would make bad decisions. I would also rejoice when they made good decisions, too. I just found this to be a very great book, overall.

[Payal Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 8th Journal is VERY VERY interesting. As a reader I took an exciting journey with Holly as she struggled to complete the 8th book for her dead birth mother with absolutely no clue from her. The life of a teenager is exciting enough and when there are several more things on her plate like a psychiatric aunt who likes to visit funerals, her aunt's boyfriend who loves to loiter around naked, press following her every footstep, people wanting to know her secrets, a chain smoker publishing house agent, a new romantic development, etc., etc. then life takes on another high. I enjoyed that high with Holly and was happy for all the good things that happened to her. I would have liked a sequel to the book, but it seems Holly wants to pursue love and wants to be closer to her loved ones.

This is one well written and highly engrossing novel.

[Michellej · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story grabs you from the very start with a bang. You are pulled into the love that Emily has for her family and the success that she enjoys as a widely popular writer. You can’t help getting caught up in her life and even welcome that little mystery package that is in her closet as you think it would only make her story even more interesting. And then this out-of-this-world, way-out-of- left-field swing yanks this story into another dimension which seems only to accelerate the mystery and the drama. We are introduced to Holly who, just like us, seem to be flying through this story by the seat of her pants. A great read!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It definitely isn't as amazing as all of the reviews say. The dialogue is HORRIBLE. I remember reading quotes to my husband and saying "have you ever heard anyone ever talk like this?" The whole book is completely cheesy. I did, however, like the plot. It's a good book for a teenage girl, but not a sophisticated read by any means.

[Tiffany Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story! It's a fairytale coming of age story that mesmerizes you from the start.

[Maranda Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a writer myself, I am a sucker for books with authors as the protagonists, so I was pretty excited to give this one a try. This one starts out with a fascinating premise: What if you suddenly found out that you were adopted and that your birth mother was one of your favorite authors? Even more stressful, what if you found out that before passing away, your birth mother had requested that YOU finish the book series that she had left undone? Talk about pressure! On one hand, it sounds like a dream come true, but on the other, the sense of responsibility thrust onto your shoulders could feel like a nightmare!

This plot premise immediately drew me into the story, but once I started reading, I found myself really enjoying the characters as well as the storyline. I liked how the author used each chapter to create some suspense and make you want to keep reading. This could easily become a book that keeps you up at night because you want to know what happens next. I felt that the look into the world of publishing was fairly realistic given the situation and added some additional juicy drama. Overall, a fun read!

[Liliana Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

The 8th Journal is about an eighteen year old girl named Holly who finds out that her biological mother, who recently passed away, is the famous and well-known author of the Buzz Series, and that she has entrusted her on finishing it. Not only that, but she also leaves her eight journals that certain individuals would kill for.

The story builds nicely, but I still felt it was slow and that it lacked the Indiana Jones action I was hoping for; more than 2/3 of the book consisted of the publishing industry, the paparazzi craze, and Holly's personal life (hometown, family, and boyfriend).

Holly often acted dense and somewhat foolish. There were times in which the answers were right there, but she still missed them completely. In other occasions, someone would reveal something of importance or mention something significant and Holly would simply ignore the comment or interrupt the person speaking. Apart from her, I found the other characters fun to read, especially Gilbert and Professor McCray.

The romance between Holly and her boyfriend, Johan, was too teenagery for my taste, but I guess that's what they are, teenagers. Nonetheless, descriptions like "his dreamy blue eyes" and "how yummy he looked in his jeans and black T-shirt" got on my nerves, but one could say that's something an eighteen year old would think.

All the same, I liked that nothing was left unresolved, and found the ending satisfying enough.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This coming of age mystery story follows Holly as her world is rocked: She finds out she is adopted and her late biological mother wants her to finish the hit series she published. Talk about high expectations! Holly is relatable; esp. to young adults entering their college years, the uncertainty of life and what to make of it can be daunting for all of us.
A maze of Family secrets, puzzles and dangerous incidents will have our main Lady and her closest friends Johan, T.J., Gilbert and the Professor on their toes trying to solve the mystery while staying ahead from a stalker, and the press.
Other than the odd really narrow format, I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved reading the satisfying ending where the characters all get a happy ending. I wouldn’t mind to read another book about Holly’s adventures.
Intrigue, humor and a fresh perspective in a seen it all, read it all mystery market. This new author is someone we have been subconsciously craving and seeking but never found: Until Now!

[Renee Spicuzza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel that I have read from Nicole Parris and I am glad that I happened upon her while looking up some dramatic books on Amazon. “The 8th Journal” is a novel that follows Holly, a girl that many people, teenagers specifically, can relate to because she is nervous to go into a higher level of education and then has dramatic events bombard her as she goes through her year off. She discovers that she is actually the daughter of an author who has written her favorite novels and after embarking an adventure, Holly ends up meeting many people on her way to writing the last novel of her birth mother’s series. The people that Holly meets when meeting with her family and the area around them dredges up different murders that help to inspire a concept for the novel while being able to understand who she truly is after experiencing a backlash with the family she had lived with for so long.

[Jan Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author with an excellent story to tell.
Who doesn’t need a break now and then? I got this book before the start of a particularly rainy three day weekend. If I’m going to be stuck inside I’d like to be stuck with a good book. This one did not disappoint. There’s a lot of new authors out there that I’ve trudged my way through their books only to be disappointed for my perseverance. There was no trudging with this book. I loved the story line and Holly was a very well developed character that gave the story credibility. The mysteries that she unravels are well written and the plot line just flows so smoothly. There’s something amazing with the way the mystery unravels. There’s a maturity in the writing that I wasn’t expecting but I’m glad I took the chance on it.

[Jennie Freestone · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGosh, this is a GREAT book and I am not just saying that because Nicole is my friend. From the very beginning to the end you are really tied into the emotions of each character. Every time you think you know what is going to happen, there are more twists and turns. It was truly captivating. You know its a good book when you have a hard time putting it down... you just want to know what is going to happen next! Loved it! Two thumbs up!

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an intriguing book. I became annoyed with the redundant descriptions and dialog, but was completely captivated by the plot - I simply had to finish it to find out the answer to who was behind what was happening! It was a new and innovative idea for an action/mystery book, and I hope it is successful enough to encourage the first time writer to try another creative action book.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong, and refreshing, book. The characters grab ahold of you from the start, and you can't help but get very involved in the story. And what an exciting journey Holly, and cast, take you on. All in all, a refreshingly pure, and solid, mystery that everyone will enjoy. This book will someday make an awesome movie.

[Lisa Swift]

I received this book through a goodreads giveaway and could not have enjoyed the book more. A mystery that incorporates history and adventure along with interesting and engaging characters equals a terrific read. I will continue to follow Nicole Parrish and hope to enjoy more of her work in the future.

[Greer Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

WINNAH!

I was recommended this book by a friend who does NOT like to read and read it in 2 days. I could not put it down from start to finish. I had no idea how it was going to end and loved the twist at the end. Highly recommend to all teens. I see this as a movie. Heart it!

[Brenda Hannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book from beginning to end, I could not put it down! There are so many twists and turns that all came together perfectly in the end. I am already wanting a sequel!!! I talked about this book so much, that my husband decided to read it too.

[J.M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked this up at the Hanover Book Festival because I was told by the author that it was a mix of Harry Potter meets Indiana Jones.

In short, it isn't.

[Steven Hannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife recommended The 8th Journal to me and I really enjoyed the adventure and mystery. It was truly a page-turner!