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A Call to War #1
The Kaboom Boys
With the specter of the Great Depression behind him and the horrors of Nazi-occupied Europe ahead, Edward Hume leaves his Pennsylvania coal mining town to volunteer as one of the first US Army bomb demolition captains in the Second World War. Trained alongside the RAF in the English countryside, Hume takes command of an eclectic team of misfits, tasked with the perilous job of defuzing unexploded bombs in the heart of Europe’s fiercest battlegrounds.
Their chances of survival are slim—most soldiers with this assignment don’t make it past ten weeks.
The group’s journey culminates at the ancient and mystical Mont Saint-Michel, left abandoned by the Nazis in the chaotic aftermath of D-Day. Hume and his squad face not only a deadly cache of jettisoned bombs but also treacherous tides, quicksand, and maritime mines. With each successful defuzing they save countless lives and inch closer to victory. But the cost of failure looms large, as they witness the devastating consequences of explosives left unattended.
With the war intensifying, Edward and his men find themselves caught between their duty and their humanity, knowing that each mission could be their last.
Based on real events, Elaine Hume Peake and Don Keith deliver a gripping, cinematic tale of bravery and sacrifice, capturing the relentless perseverance of the men and women who answered the call to war. Perfect for fans of Lee Jackson’s After Dunkirk series and Mark Sullivan’s Beneath a Scarlet Sky.
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Praise for The Kaboom
"Highly recommended." —Library Journal, Starred Review
“Beautifully conceived and thoughtfully executed…” —Charles Gomez, author of Eye of the Storm and Cuban Son Rising
“…a trip back in time to World War II told through the eyes of a brave, decent, and determined soldier…” —Sandy Kenyon, award-winning entertainment correspondent
“These unforgettable men of The Greatest Generation are portrayed with remarkable depth and humanity…”— Mitchell Kaplan, owner of Books & Books, cofounder of the Miami Book Fair and The Mazur Kaplan Production Company
“One of the most fascinating accounts of bravery in World War II.” —Tim Gray, The World War II Foundation
“Chock full of real life events, the book will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout…” —Catherine K. Hurd, multi-award winning writer and playwright
“…should be on your reading list today.”—Darcy Bonfils, multi-award winning television news executive producer
Their chances of survival are slim—most soldiers with this assignment don’t make it past ten weeks.
The group’s journey culminates at the ancient and mystical Mont Saint-Michel, left abandoned by the Nazis in the chaotic aftermath of D-Day. Hume and his squad face not only a deadly cache of jettisoned bombs but also treacherous tides, quicksand, and maritime mines. With each successful defuzing they save countless lives and inch closer to victory. But the cost of failure looms large, as they witness the devastating consequences of explosives left unattended.
With the war intensifying, Edward and his men find themselves caught between their duty and their humanity, knowing that each mission could be their last.
Based on real events, Elaine Hume Peake and Don Keith deliver a gripping, cinematic tale of bravery and sacrifice, capturing the relentless perseverance of the men and women who answered the call to war. Perfect for fans of Lee Jackson’s After Dunkirk series and Mark Sullivan’s Beneath a Scarlet Sky.
_____________________
Praise for The Kaboom
"Highly recommended." —Library Journal, Starred Review
“Beautifully conceived and thoughtfully executed…” —Charles Gomez, author of Eye of the Storm and Cuban Son Rising
“…a trip back in time to World War II told through the eyes of a brave, decent, and determined soldier…” —Sandy Kenyon, award-winning entertainment correspondent
“These unforgettable men of The Greatest Generation are portrayed with remarkable depth and humanity…”— Mitchell Kaplan, owner of Books & Books, cofounder of the Miami Book Fair and The Mazur Kaplan Production Company
“One of the most fascinating accounts of bravery in World War II.” —Tim Gray, The World War II Foundation
“Chock full of real life events, the book will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout…” —Catherine K. Hurd, multi-award winning writer and playwright
“…should be on your reading list today.”—Darcy Bonfils, multi-award winning television news executive producer
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
819 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Hume Peake
4 books12 followersElaine Hume Peake was born on Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland, the site of the first United States Army Bomb Disposal testing and training base. Here her father, Captain Edward Hume learned the fundamentals of BD and became part of the first American army ordnance squads of World War II, setting the stage for the origins of the historical drama series, “The Kaboom Boys”.
Elaine studied journalism/mass communications at Towson State University leading her to a multi-year career in television news. She received multiple journalism awards including Emmys and the George Foster Peabody Award for her 9/11 coverage.
In 2019, Elaine completed “The Kaboom Boys” as a feature-length screenplay when, during the pandemic via LinkedIn, she was introduced to 96-year-old French woman Michelle Desrues who knew her father during the summer of 1944. Hearing stories of her as a precociously brave nineteen-year-old, Michelle inspired Elaine to write how Michelle befriended Edward and two other U. S. Army captains. During hot summer days Captain Hume and his squad handled multiple bombs and deadly devices throughout Normandy while at night the foursome, along with her extended family, enjoyed memorable dinners. Elaine developed a close multi-year friendship with Michelle who died in her 100th year in early January 2024 yet she has lived on as the character Hélène LeRiche in the A CALL TO WAR series of novels.
Elaine lives in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee with her husband Christopher where she writes and has been enjoying life with their precious golden retriever Lucia.
source: Amazon
Elaine studied journalism/mass communications at Towson State University leading her to a multi-year career in television news. She received multiple journalism awards including Emmys and the George Foster Peabody Award for her 9/11 coverage.
In 2019, Elaine completed “The Kaboom Boys” as a feature-length screenplay when, during the pandemic via LinkedIn, she was introduced to 96-year-old French woman Michelle Desrues who knew her father during the summer of 1944. Hearing stories of her as a precociously brave nineteen-year-old, Michelle inspired Elaine to write how Michelle befriended Edward and two other U. S. Army captains. During hot summer days Captain Hume and his squad handled multiple bombs and deadly devices throughout Normandy while at night the foursome, along with her extended family, enjoyed memorable dinners. Elaine developed a close multi-year friendship with Michelle who died in her 100th year in early January 2024 yet she has lived on as the character Hélène LeRiche in the A CALL TO WAR series of novels.
Elaine lives in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee with her husband Christopher where she writes and has been enjoying life with their precious golden retriever Lucia.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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January 15, 2026
I received The Kaboom Boys by Elaine Hume Peake and Don Keith through a Goodreads giveaway, and as a huge fan of historical WWII novels, I just knew this one was going to be right up my alley—and I was totally right!
From the start, this book was beautifully executed. The tone and pacing were flawless. I never once felt like it was missing anything. It was simply perfect.
We meet Edward right away as he enters the United States Army as a bomb demolition (BD) officer. From the beginning, it’s clear what kind of person he is: a true leader, a professional soldier, and above all, a genuinely good human being. One quote that really stuck with me was his reason for choosing that role: “And I’d be saving lives, not killing people.” That alone set the tone for who Edward was.
From there, we watch him excel in training before taking command of his own squad of BD men, who proudly call themselves the “Kaboom Boys.” Through their journey, we see the trials of war—its hardships, the weight of leadership, and the everyday struggles of soldiers fighting far from home. As they move through France, those struggles become even more evident, and the toll on both body and spirit is apparent.
One moment that particularly stood out to me was when Ace died. Edward wasn’t even able to properly mourn his brother’s loss because of his squad’s needs and the missions still ahead. It was heartbreaking, but also such a raw, honest portrayal of the realities of war. Soldiers weren’t just fighting battles—they were carrying burdens they often couldn’t process. The authors did a fantastic job of showing this with authenticity and respect.
This was also my very first time reading a novel that focused on bomb disposal units, and even more so, from their perspective. It was fascinating, unique, and added a whole new layer of appreciation for the overlooked but essential role they played.
This book concludes with their mission at Mont Saint-Michel. Twelve bombs submerged in hard, unforgiving waters —the anticipation had me on the edge of my seat! When Edward was speaking to Ace the whole time, then nearly said that’s who truly saved him —I’ll admit, I shed more than one tear.
In the end, The Kaboom Boys was truly a masterpiece. I feel so fortunate to have been able to read it, and I can’t wait to continue with the rest of the series.
From the start, this book was beautifully executed. The tone and pacing were flawless. I never once felt like it was missing anything. It was simply perfect.
We meet Edward right away as he enters the United States Army as a bomb demolition (BD) officer. From the beginning, it’s clear what kind of person he is: a true leader, a professional soldier, and above all, a genuinely good human being. One quote that really stuck with me was his reason for choosing that role: “And I’d be saving lives, not killing people.” That alone set the tone for who Edward was.
From there, we watch him excel in training before taking command of his own squad of BD men, who proudly call themselves the “Kaboom Boys.” Through their journey, we see the trials of war—its hardships, the weight of leadership, and the everyday struggles of soldiers fighting far from home. As they move through France, those struggles become even more evident, and the toll on both body and spirit is apparent.
One moment that particularly stood out to me was when Ace died. Edward wasn’t even able to properly mourn his brother’s loss because of his squad’s needs and the missions still ahead. It was heartbreaking, but also such a raw, honest portrayal of the realities of war. Soldiers weren’t just fighting battles—they were carrying burdens they often couldn’t process. The authors did a fantastic job of showing this with authenticity and respect.
This was also my very first time reading a novel that focused on bomb disposal units, and even more so, from their perspective. It was fascinating, unique, and added a whole new layer of appreciation for the overlooked but essential role they played.
This book concludes with their mission at Mont Saint-Michel. Twelve bombs submerged in hard, unforgiving waters —the anticipation had me on the edge of my seat! When Edward was speaking to Ace the whole time, then nearly said that’s who truly saved him —I’ll admit, I shed more than one tear.
In the end, The Kaboom Boys was truly a masterpiece. I feel so fortunate to have been able to read it, and I can’t wait to continue with the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2025
This was a gripping story about bomb disposal during WWII and the incredibly difficult job it was… squad members had a life expectancy of 10 weeks, due to the dangerous nature of the work, and yet they willingly trained to defuze unexploded ordnance in an attempt to save rather than take lives. “One thing you’ll learn is you only make one mistake in this business. You’re either an expert or you’re dead.”
Elaine Hume Peake’s father was one of those brave men, and she followed in her father’s footsteps from America to France to thoroughly research the work he did so she could tell this remarkable tale of courage, loss, determination and triumph.
A MUST READ for lovers of historical fiction, especially those who study WWII; this book highlights a subject unfamiliar to many, and will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, “The Blacksmith of Dachau”.
Elaine Hume Peake’s father was one of those brave men, and she followed in her father’s footsteps from America to France to thoroughly research the work he did so she could tell this remarkable tale of courage, loss, determination and triumph.
A MUST READ for lovers of historical fiction, especially those who study WWII; this book highlights a subject unfamiliar to many, and will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, “The Blacksmith of Dachau”.
October 21, 2025
Let’s just admit the title of this s book grabs your attention right from the start. Well, that was the case for me. I love reading historical fiction and WWII historical fiction has been a favorite of mine since I read my 1st book about this time period. I have learned so much about so many different subjects - persecution of the Jews, persecution of gypsies, political prisoners, the resistance, the many different European countries involved, the many different military units espionage, and now the bong disposal units, hence the name ‘Kaboom boys’. The stories so many authors have woven around the historical facts of WWII has taught me much as well as entertained me countless hours. So here I come to this book.
The author is new to me but I will definitely recommend her and read more of her books . In fact, the second book of this series has already been preordered. I can’t wait for it to arrive. But back to the Kaboom Boys……the characters are so believable, each with their own individual stories. The emotions created are palpable, the scenes so picturesque, it is just incredible how this author draws you into the story and is still able to teach you something about the actual warfare going on all around the characters. I fear I’m not doing a good job telling you all why I think this book is so touching to me. I have a grandson who was an OD specialist over in the Middle East. Perhaps that is another reason I enjoyed this read so much. I didn’t know the specifics at the time and still don’t want to know them. But my respect for these specialists and the job they do to protect our service people has grown deeper and more profound! It’s scary as hades what they have to do. That they choose to do it is mind boggling! Anyway…..
If you want to read a memorable and powerful WWII novel, I suggest to read this one soon! Thank you so much for writing it Ms Elaine and Mr. Don! 👍
The author is new to me but I will definitely recommend her and read more of her books . In fact, the second book of this series has already been preordered. I can’t wait for it to arrive. But back to the Kaboom Boys……the characters are so believable, each with their own individual stories. The emotions created are palpable, the scenes so picturesque, it is just incredible how this author draws you into the story and is still able to teach you something about the actual warfare going on all around the characters. I fear I’m not doing a good job telling you all why I think this book is so touching to me. I have a grandson who was an OD specialist over in the Middle East. Perhaps that is another reason I enjoyed this read so much. I didn’t know the specifics at the time and still don’t want to know them. But my respect for these specialists and the job they do to protect our service people has grown deeper and more profound! It’s scary as hades what they have to do. That they choose to do it is mind boggling! Anyway…..
If you want to read a memorable and powerful WWII novel, I suggest to read this one soon! Thank you so much for writing it Ms Elaine and Mr. Don! 👍
December 28, 2025
This was a book I was awarded by Good Reads. It was one I just read at night, so it took me longer. But over the last week I stayed up later reading it. It is a totally different feel and experience reading this WWII based book than others I’ve read and I enjoyed it. I found myself looking up the cities and locations on maps to view where they were. There as a depth to the main character, Edward, that showed what it was like to have to be a young leader and make tough decisions. Anyone who enjoy historical fiction or history would enjoy this book. I already have the next book on my to read list that comes out on March 2026.
September 11, 2025
The Kaboom Boys (A Call to War Book 1), my first read from author Elaine Hume Peake, co-written with author Don Keith. Takes off in the opening chapters and levels out over the length of the book. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with The Blacksmith of Dachau (A Call to War Book 2) already on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
October 26, 2025
THE KABOOM BOYS is a gripping WWII drama about a little known army specialty: disposing of unexploded ordnance. The novel follows a company of bomb demolition experts into France shortly after D-Day. The work is highly dangerous, but the members of the company accept the challenge and grow closer to one another with each assignment they take on. My biggest complaint with the book is the too-frequent use of flashbacks. It slows the forward progress of the tale. But if you'd like to read a good WWII novel about something other than direct combat, I'd highly recommend THE KABOOM BOYS.
September 9, 2025
I received an advanced copy for my honest review. This is a story of a group of WWII soldiers that volunteered to be on a bomb disposal squad. They learned the trade with schools in both the US and England. After training they land in the Normandy after the invasion and work their way into France with some notable missions. The characters are well developed and believable. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I highly recommend this first book.
January 23, 2026
Years ago I read a book titled Designed to Kill which was about the exploits of bomb disposal in WWII. I have read many books since about the history of explosive ordnance disposal but sometimes these can be a bit dry filled with just facts about where they went and not many details. I enjoyed reading this fictional account of a BD unit in WWII. I would have preferred a bit more Bomb Disposal details but there were enough details for me to continue reading the series.
November 20, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the beginnings of our US Army bomb disposal units. The men in the story are young brave soldiers and their stories are vividly depicted. An engaging read with a captivating and emotionally intense ending. Looking forward to the authors next read and continuing the stories of this team of courageous characters.
January 23, 2026
Outstanding
This is one of the most enjoyable novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Elaine Hume Peake and Don Keith have written this story of true events and characters that will make you cheer, smile ,laugh and at times tear up with joy and sadness. Well written and truly a great read! Thanks
This is one of the most enjoyable novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Elaine Hume Peake and Don Keith have written this story of true events and characters that will make you cheer, smile ,laugh and at times tear up with joy and sadness. Well written and truly a great read! Thanks
September 14, 2025
great book
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
September 30, 2025
Great book and story line
I really liked this book. It's about a group of men who disarm bombs. Great story line and characters. The author was not afraid to show some of the terrible and sad sides of war
I really liked this book. It's about a group of men who disarm bombs. Great story line and characters. The author was not afraid to show some of the terrible and sad sides of war
October 21, 2025
Another interesting aspect to WWII history that I never thought of before. It's an amazing story with amazing characters that had me in its grip from the first page. My admiration for this group of men is unlimited. I need to read more by this author.
October 25, 2025
detail oriented start up, then the crisis’
Who disposed of live ordinance and booby traps, the Kaboom Boys among others. Well done novel, of note German attempts to booby trap items and bombs to kill more Allies and BD teams.
Who disposed of live ordinance and booby traps, the Kaboom Boys among others. Well done novel, of note German attempts to booby trap items and bombs to kill more Allies and BD teams.
November 5, 2025
Not a stand out book by any measure; rather a drab and predictable story line with over used characters. On the plus side, I did manage to read the whole book so it was not awful but I have no enthusiasm for reading the inevitable next book in the series.
November 11, 2025
Trained to clean up unexploded ordnance, the Kaboom Boys learn their trade in Britain. Then D Day and off to France, culminating in a rush job to dispose of American bombs dropped too close to Mont-Saint-Michel. A good tale about some different WW2 warriors.
Read
August 2, 2025Excellent in so many ways. Eminently readable. Fascinating. Inspring. I can't wait to read others in the series!
September 9, 2025
Don’t be put off by the silly title. This is a serious novel about the folks who have to disarm bombs.
October 24, 2025
to be honest this would be a better movie and I think the ending could have tied it more together
October 27, 2025
Kaboom!
This is a really good read. WW2 from a totally different viewpoint and it works! Looking forward to the next installment.
This is a really good read. WW2 from a totally different viewpoint and it works! Looking forward to the next installment.
November 15, 2025
Solid read. Americans are the good guys, kinda missing that feeling.
November 28, 2025
Fantastic book. This is part of history not taught in school.
January 1, 2026
Great story!
I learned about a part of the war I had known little about. The courage of the BD soldiers was amazing!
I learned about a part of the war I had known little about. The courage of the BD soldiers was amazing!
January 19, 2026
A new perspective!
I never knew there were BD boys dealing with the unexploded ordinance all over the world. An interesting read that I really enjoyed!
I never knew there were BD boys dealing with the unexploded ordinance all over the world. An interesting read that I really enjoyed!
January 22, 2026
Very enjoyable
Wonderful story. Great characters and character development. Authentic dialogue and settings. Glad I took a chance and picked this up.
Wonderful story. Great characters and character development. Authentic dialogue and settings. Glad I took a chance and picked this up.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews