Blast on the Beach

The Brady Street Boys #8

by Katrina Hoover Lee

2025 Silver Medalist Selah Awards

Secret riches and explosive danger. Can this young teen discover the power of following His example and embracing complete trust in God?

Corolla, NC, the 1980s. Gary Fitzpatrick can’t wait to explore the beach. Thrilled to help his uncle run an ice cream parlor, he and his brothers are admonished by their grumpy downstairs neighbor who isn’t about to put up with any noisy shenanigans. But when he heads to investigate a terrified whinny coming from the backyard, he finds one of the area’s majestic horses caught in a chain with a tranquilizer dart stuck in its side.

Rewarded with a gruff friendship from the old local, the quick-witted teenager’s imagination runs wild when the man pulls out a weathered treasure map. But as soon as he seeks an expert for an appraisal of the antique object, someone breaks in and steals the precious document.

Hunting for clues at the home and the lighthouse, can Gary expose the truth?

Blast on the Beach is the uplifting eighth book in the Brady Street Boys Adventure Series. If you like faith-filled messages, fascinating mysteries, and seeing justice done, then you’ll love Katrina Hoover Lee’s fun escapade.

Buy Blast on the Beach to smell the salt air today!

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2024

About the author

Author of Christian fiction and nonfiction, encouraging fellow believers on the race.

In-progress middle grade fiction adventure series with fruit of the Spirit themes.

Reviews

[Leah Risser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story that grips the reader from the beginning! For any fan of the Boxcar Children, this will be sure to be a well loved series! I received a free ebook to review.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a free copy of the e-book if I would leave a review. I was so happy for the deal. :) The Brady Street Boys series is so interesting and I can hardly wait to know what will happen next. This book was no disappointment with explosions, thieves, buried treasure, and of course, ice cream. I wanted to go to bed early last night, but I had started this book and stayed up an hour past my bedtime. Oops. Maybe tonight.

[Melissa Wingard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ice cream shop, wild horses, buried treasure and the beach. And three boys who find adventures around every corner. Follow along as they learn about lighthouses, are nearly trampled by wild horses, and risk being blown up to rescue the treasure map. In the process, they discover that gruff Mr. Douglas’s wisdom is a hidden treasure in its own right. You won’t be able to put this one down!
*I received an advance copy of this book for review purposes.

[Catherine Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katrina Hoover Lee takes Terry, Gary, and Larry (the Brady Street boys) through another exciting adventure in Blast on the Beach. Upper elementary students and the whole family will enjoy the mystery, humor, twists, and turns as the brothers help Uncle Aaron at an ice cream shop and stop a horse-stealing plot. Along the way they learn about wild horses, pirate treasure, dynamite, and what meekness really means. I enjoyed my free advance copy.

[Rosy Shenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this installment of the Brady Street Boys. Once again, Katrina Hoover Lee has created a story that teaches readers about meekness while telling a story about Terry, Larry, and Gary. This time we find them helping Uncle Aaron in an ice cream shop while having many adventures in the coastal town they are visiting.
I received a free eBook in order to review this book, but I will be buying a hard copy to share with the tweens in my life.

[Dorcas Siegrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent book in Katrina’s series of the Brady Boys. This story has an action packed explosive ending. Katrina did a wonderful job of telling what meekness means so that children can understand it. I’m so happy to good solid books for children to read and that adults can also enjoy. (I received a free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion)

[Esther Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mom of children who love to read I’m so happy to have found this series! I hope to add the whole series to our bookshelf! They are full of good, clean fun adventure. The fruit of the spirit, meekness is explained very well and clearly. Highly recommend these books! (I had a free e-book and eagerly await the paperback)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to be able to get a free copy of this book so I could review it. I really enjoy this series since it is written from an unapologetically Christian viewpoint. The characters learn some really good life lessons and the humor in this book is enjoyable too. Good read and as with the rest of the series, it’s a book that can be difficult to put down. I highly recommend it.

[Al Sensenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the example of Mr. Douglas in the story. My favorite quotation is this: " 'We weren't even in danger,' Terry said... 'No, it doesn't sound like it at all,' Mom said, 'Just a lot of dynamite, a lightning storm, and an angry, dangerous man. That all sounds perfectly safe, Aaron.' "
I enjoyed my free e-book in exchange for opinion of the book.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to surprise and delight. With historically correct details, Katrina weaves a healthy intrigue and retelling of life in the 1980's. This clean mystery will be a welcome sight to any junior or teen (or their parents) this winter. Best of all, get the entire set. We reviewed a free e-book and can hardly wait to get a paper copy!

[Mrs. Martin]

This book fits in well with the rest of the Brady Street Boys set! Our 10 year old always looks forward to reading a new book in the set. I enjoy reading them too even though I'm an adult. :) I received a free ebook from the author. Thanks, Katrina!

[Brian Kropf]

Blast on the Beach is a super good book, packed with lots of action: busy ice cream shop, beach adventures, horse encounters, but most adventurous of all is a map, tire prints, and an explosion. Read this book to put the clues together and find an amazing mystery!!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another captivating book in the Brady Street series by Katrina Hoover Lee. I heard choruses of, "Mom, don't stop there!" at the end of every chapter. 😉 A touching lesson in choosing forgiveness and meekness, plus a side of adventure.

[Marnita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Adventure Continues!
If you’re looking for a good, clean, mystery book for your junior readers, this is the series for you! We enjoyed learning about wild horses, dynamite and meekness in this book. I received a free ebook for review purposes.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best mystery books I've encountered. Meekness is so well shown in the character of Mr. Douglas! (I received a free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.)

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent addition to the series! Katrina has a way with words and this book is the perfect combination of adventure, humor, and a lesson on meekness. 🙌 I received a free e-book.

[Roslyn Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book in the series!! It is so thrilling that you can't put it down. I received a free ebook.

[Tena Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a free ebook. Like the others in the Brady Street Boys series, this is full of adventure, character building and lessons on the next fruit of the spirit, meekness.

[Conroy Loewen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ebook and found it was a very interesting story and “hard to lay it down”. It was a good lesson on meekness and forgiveness.

[Deborah Kauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent adventure book. My boys think each book in this series is great!

[Nelson L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ebook from the author. This book is a great addition to the Brady Street Boys series. Definitely recommend this book!

[Roselyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 10 years old. I was gifted a Blast on the Beach e book. It was very fun and the ending was unexpected.
I love this series. I always am excited for the next book in the series.

[Curtis Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put the book down after I started it! This book focuses on meekness as they investigate horse theives and search for buried treasure. I received a free Ebook in exchange for this review.

[Timothy L]

Thank you, Katrina, for writing an awesome series for children. My 11 year old is captivated and I recommend as wholesome reading for adventure loving boys!

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and author! The plot and the suspense were thrilling!

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I enjoyed this book! I would say it’s geared to 9-13 but I’ve liked the book series so far. I’m ready for answers!! Hopefully the next book!

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow the Brady boys on another summertime adventure as they help their uncle at an ice cream shop near the beach. Gary, Larry, and Terry meet their neighbors and find friends, learn about meekness, and witness an explosion. Will the stolen treasure map be recovered?

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book for children of all ages! I am reading this aloud to my children right now, and read ahead so I could quickly write this review. I had a hard time putting it down last night so I could go to bed, it was so gripping. I love how these stories show a good example of children who want to obey and honor their parents and help each other to do so. Several times in this book, they found themselves in danger, but it was not because they were disobeying. There are several tense scenes; one of the boys was injured, and another time a man was mangled in an accident. If your children are especially sensitive, you may want to preread this book before giving it to them. It is perfect for adventurous boys, though! I also love how the boys work together on their Fruit of the Spirit project; they are getting more cheerful about doing that in each book. That is a great way to insert some Bible teaching without being preachy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.