Cloud City

Jack Taylor Cases #2

by C.N. Wynn, Zachary Woomer (Illustrator)

It was a long day. A day Jack thought would last indefinitely. The young detective continues to struggle with the reality of it all, but lately his anger is getting the best of him after making the decision to return. His tag along partner Sonny does her best to aid and console him, but her own problems and fears are just beginning to manifest. Reentering the Holiday Hotel will open a whole new destination for the two where a new who-done-it style mystery will begin, and the search for his father will continue.

Their next investigation begins just where it left off, leading Jack and Sonny to Cloud City. This broad new world will expose even more holiday spirits, legendary beings, and fabled monsters than they knew existed. The truth behind Jack’s flashlight and the origin of several childhood stories will be revealed. Dark secrets of a few spirits will be brought to light, his flashlight will awaken new abilities, and a dangerous essence will blend the lines between fantasy and dreams to find Jack on the wrong side of justice. In Jack’s second case, when the clouds grow dark in the city, there’s much more than a storm brewing.

This sequel to the young adult detective novel by Christian Wynn promises even more thrills and adventures to come in Jack Taylor’s quest to reunite with his father. This second case of five in the series about grief will take him even further into this new realm that thinly separates fantasy from reality. Cloud City may be the next stop of Jack’s journey but certainly won’t be his last.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2014

About the author

Christian N. Wynn was born in California, and his father’s military service took the family all over the United States. As an ‘adult’ (technically), he moved from Delaware to Maryland after being cursed. Cursed to write mysteries blended with holiday magic. He has four cats he didn’t ask for but loves, a wife he loves but doesn’t deserve, and a book series that deserves a read from anyone who is nostalgic for Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and quirky holidays. The personal experiences of his friends and family are often his most important inspiration for the characters and stories he creates, including the young adult fiction series ‘The Jack Taylor Cases.’ This series has been described as The Hardy Boys Mysteries meets The Nightmare Before Christmas. Along with the Jack Taylor Cases, Mr. Wynn’s future writing plans include a series about summer vacations in a strange town, a trilogy of children’s books featuring warrior teddy bears, and other books starring dreamers in ‘Jack Taylor Cases.’ When he isn’t writing, Christian enjoys slipping obscure movie lines into conversations, collecting refrigerator magnets from his travels, and reading written works by Rick Riordan, Suzanne Collins, and Daniel Handler. He’s also a Hufflepuff and a Los Angeles Chargers fan which means although his name rhymes with ‘win’, it is not something his teams do often.


You can find more about Christian Wynn and the Jack Taylor Cases at www.jacktaylorcases.com.
Fans can follow Christian and find updates about the newest Jack Taylor cases on Facebook and Instagram.
facebook.com/jacktaylorcases
Instagram: @jacktaylorcases

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and I loved it more then the first one. You can tell the author really enjoyed expanding on the characters that were already established and adding some new ones. The writing was clear and very descriptive and I could picture where they were and what was happening. He kept me guessing and trying to fig out who was behind everything. I can't wait for the third one!

[Carmen Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Than The First!

I really liked the first one for what it was. It gave me a glimpse of this other world along with Jack and Sonny. This book I really grew to love. You can tell how much the author has grown in this book and how much the tone of this book has grown too. Many more holidays, many many more surprises and a new world with a common phrase of every cloud has a silver lining. If these really are Indy books they really don't seem like it.

This second book got me from the beginning. I loved the opposite nature of the iPlane compared to the holiday hotel. The numbers references are still there on the ship and I thought it was funny he there was a "Steve Jobs" type running this incredible ship to a heaven-like Cloud City. Lucky may be new favorite Holiday spirit with his mob-like connections and Rocho sounds adorable. The twists in this book are all over. I don't want to spoil it but the dream sequences just flipped me around. If this book is ever a movie I will definitely be first in line. Hope it doesn't take forever for the third one.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this book the day that it was released and couldn't wait to get my hands on it! The twists in the story are constant and the author puts in so much symbolism and incorporates other fairy tales that blends in so easily. Jack is clearly a determined young man but also a hurt young man and I cannot wait to get more in depth with Sonny's back story. Without giving too much away I have to admit my favorite character in this book is now Redd. He's pretty bada** near the end! And Claus has some pretty neat powers that really get highlighted in a huge fight scene. Lucky and his goons really come in to save the day and I don't think that Jack and Sonny would have survived without them, multiple times! Overall the writing was good. Some places I got lost in too much detail but it was definitely improved from the first book. Hurry up with book 3 please!!!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good continuation of the Cases. The writing still needs work, but I definitely can't wait to see what Season's Sacrifice has in store.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me constantly on the edge of my seat! The Jack Taylor Cases take us to a fantasy world that seems so real all at the same time. It was like a movie was playing in my brain as I read each page. The writing was captivating. I was excited to dive deeper in the world of Jack Taylor - to see what happened next with Jack and to meet new characters. Sonny is so mysterious and I want her to be my best friend. We also got to meet new characters that had me feeling a range of emotions from happy and laughing to feeling anxious, angry, frustrated, and delighted.

This is a great book for both young adults and adults alike! This book series really seems to have something for everyone. It reminds me of Harry Potter in the way that I have fallen in love with these characters and the underlying themes are applicable to all ages.

What a ride reading this has been! I can't wait to read the next one.

[Tonya S · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are getting better and better. Like I did not see it going here but I love it! For real mystery/fantasy lovers only! Incredible who-done-it  style story with magic. Reminds me of Clue but for 12+ y/o . Someone please these books into a tv series. I need to replace my annual Harry Potter binge on the holidays. 

[Stephanie Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly punny and I think Sonny is my spirit animal.

[Rachel Forks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm clouds come to the city and there’s no telling what’s real and what’s not. First one is still my favorite but this was a lot of fun figuring out who was really under the sandman’s spell.

[Cassandra Guidetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The imagination that goes into this book is so great! Great story with lots of twists and turns and there is always a surprise element.

[Ana Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many more holiday spirits in this one (including random grilled cheese day and donut day lol) But Lucky… he’s a gangster!

[Millie Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets darker with those creepy dolls. Beware and trust no one!

[Bailey Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that so many holidays from DIFFERENT religions are in this. I’m sure it’ll get banned because certain people don’t like mixing.

[Samantha Hanister · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do more people not know about this series??

[Alana Gasber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every cloud has a silver lining....