When high school sophomore Clara Tuffney is hired for a summer internship at an engineering firm, she accepts an invitation to live with her Aunt Maureen in the quiet seaside town of Breach Point, New Jersey.
Soon after arriving, Clara learns of the infamous Breach Point Castle, a haunted attraction that once stood on the town's busy amusement pier. While searching out the Castle's former location, Clara befriends Nicholas, a shy local boy. Nicholas introduces Clara to his Uncle Kevin who, along with his friends, worked at the Castle during its prime.
Through Nicholas, Clara discovers that the Castle burned down in a mysterious fire in the early 1980s. She also learns of a local legend – a boy named Eric, rumored to have possessed supernatural powers, was killed in the fire – though many doubt that he actually died. Some of the town's residents even believe that Eric has returned to Breach Point in the form of a malevolent spirit – a story Kevin sternly cautions Clara against believing.
Clara's curious nature soon brings her closer to finding out the secret behind what really happened to the Castle and to Eric – though her search for answers places herself, Aunt Maureen, and Nicholas directly in the path of a danger she does not fully understand.
Steve Spatucci lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He’s been writing screenplays since the 90s, making his first sale in 2012 with his dark comedy Play Date. Breach Point is his first novel.
As a designer, illustrator, animator, and developer, Steve has created websites, online games, and other material for clients such as Dreamworks, Fox Searchlight, and Live Nation.
As a musician, he’s played drums in several bands and is currently part of the musical improv game show Rock Improv-a-Ganza.
Steve is married to a pastry chef, and together they have a seven-year-old boy who he’s training to be a ninja.
Then author sent me a copy in exchange of my honest review.Thank you, Steve.
This can be a perfect standalone novel, but the bonus content of the book said that breach point is going to be a trilogy. More of breach point? Count me in.
First thing - this book opened the window to the days - the time when my penchant for mysteries, spooky islands, supernatural stuff was at the apogee. This book surrounded me with that puissant, kooky aura of the good old days. It was like being reunited with your childhood friend that left the neighborhood, but you only realize that you missed her until you see her. Sorry if this doesn't make sense to you, but Oh, Nostalgia.
The Scooby Doo feel to this book is super awesome. It's like Scooby Doo for the young adult audience. I am so pleased. I read this book very slowly, savoring every detail, every sentence. . . I didn't want to leave the eccentric world of breach point.
Confession - Clara was hardly a congenial protagonist, I couldn't relate to her but I couldn't help but feel that I were Clara. Steve's writing was so beautiful. Hats off.
What kept me on my toes - Every time when Clara came close to discovering breach point's true history - always that time something came up and stopped her, the nails on the road were not allowing her to move forward. Every single time when that happened, I got a bit mad. Answers! I needed answers! The conclusion/ending was packed in a copasetic bundle, I couldn't ask for any other ending. So good!
I highly recommend this book to every ya reader. The eccentricity of breach point will not disappoint you.
Thanks to the Author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated below are mine and 100% true.
I was surprised by this book, I have to say. I didn't expect it to be good. It was full of suspense and I was on edge of my seat to know the full mystery. On top of the that, there is supernatural factors which makes the book so captivating. So it was like cherry on top of a cake. This also have a summmery vibe to it!
Clara is the protagonist of the book. I love how flawed she is, that makes her real and raw. She is scared, yet she wants to be brave which makes me admire her. She is easily likeable and I am sure that Readers will grow closer to her. :)
Nicholas is really sweet, but he isn't naive.Uncle Kevin really scared but I ended up really liking him, even though he is scary.
My only problem was the writing style.While the author described the surroundings very well, the whole plot line kinda felt rushed and therefore, a little childish. :(
I recommend this to everyone who loves supernatural thriller. I think this is a book that can be enjoyed by readers of any gender or age. :)
I read this book with absolutely no expectations.And to my surprise,it was awesome.By appearance,it may not seem like a book which is easy to read but believe me,it is very much easy to read and the pages easily flew by. I read it in a day.Alongside being a supernatural thriller,it has also got a 'summer' factor and that is the exact thing that drew me in. The female protagonist,Clara has got 'girl problems' in spite of being fearless.It is the absolute correct mixture and that is why it is also relatable.It is not everyday that a male writer strikes a chord so well with a female main character. The icing on the cake is the physical appearance of this one.It is so large and heavy.Exactly like a hardcover. The only that is missing is a romantic relationship between Clara and Nicholas.I hope we get to see it in the next book. The author has worked really hard.It is quite evident in fact.At the end of the book,there are some pictures,notes and stuff that make the experience more worthwhile. Read this if you love thrillers or if you are a fan of Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. Now,all I've got to do is wait for the next book in the series to come out.
In the beginning of July, I received from author Steve Spatucci a review-only copy of his new book, Breach Point (thanks again!).
Here's the story: Clara is a teenager that just went through a social trauma with her best friend, Jerilyn, and decided she needed a change of scenarios in the summer – she was having serious troubles with her mother as well. Clara wants to go to the engineering area at college, so she signs for a trainee summer program at a company at Breach Point, the island where her Aunt Maureen lives (just wanted to say that Aunt Maureen is a sweeting <3).
After having her phone and electronics confiscated and a calm and reflexive trip, Clara arrives at the fictional island of Breach Point and immediately feels better, free. Unfortunately, the feeling is brief, as Aunt Maureen has a serious heart condition and doesn’t seem to be so well in health matters, even that she tries to cover it with her funny and sassy personality.
As soon as Clara goes out exploring the town, she meets Nicholas, a seventeen boy with a pretty smile and a nice personality, as well as the town’s big mystery: the Breach Point Castle. The castle used to be a horror attraction of the town that burned down several years ago and nobody seems to know what happened, as it was never properly investigated. Nicholas’ uncle, Kevin, seems to have a very complicated relationship with the castle, just like his friends, as all of them worked in the castle.
Even after her trainee program start, Clara wasn’t able to forget about the castle’s mystery, always researching and digging more, having this strange need to understand what happened there, why the fire started and why people didn’t want to know it as well. Each person that she meets seems to be involved in some way in this mess – even Nicholas.
Clara would only be sure of the supernatural forces acting on the island after Aunt Maureen suffers an accident – but then, it was too late to leave everything as it was before. Clara and all the people that try to help her are now in grave danger, as a huge secret is hidden in the waters of Breach Point.
Now, let’s go to the analysis! This is only my opinion of the facts and my impressions as a reader, ok? Just a reminder :)
I loved this book. Its start is a bit slow, as the story is kind of first person narrated and Clara is not a self-centered character; I mean, she doesn’t think a lot about herself, her personality or even her looks. She thinks about what happens to her, in her feelings. The reader discovers her personality through her actions in the book, like practically all the other characters – Clara just is not the descriptive type, haha!
The whole mystery was very good and I only understood what was really going on nearly in the end – and this is very unusual, as I kind of study the characters as I read and tend not to be surprised by the events at all, haha! Spatucci was ingenious while maintaining the conspiracy atmosphere and the “someone is watching you” feeling. The reader gets insecure, as it’s impossible to be sure in which characters we can trust and who is lying. It reminded me a lot a Clue board game, you know? At each place that Clara went, she discovered a new clue and we had to redo the whole castle theory and it wasn’t always that the clues made sense either. It’s the kind of book that breaks your heart when it ends, but have no fear, the sequel is on its way! (and if it wasn’t, Steve would hear me online screaming with him ;D)
In narrative matters, as I commented, Clara is not a descriptive person, so I don’t even know how she looks like and I already finished the book. I presume she has long hair with a medium or high stature and pretty enough – all thanks to the events of the book, haha! This would normally bother me a lot, but it didn’t. Clara notices the island and the places on there, so it’s easy to construct the characters’ appearance by the small details that we are given. I had never read a book like this and I can’t imagine anyone doing this like Spatucci – congrats!
By the way, it was impressive how easy it was to connect with Clara, even with her very unique personality. She’s not a silly girl that only dreams and sit to wait things to happen. She goes after what she wants, doesn’t expect anyone to help her, but knows when it’s the time to go ask for it without being proud or ashamed. Definitely I won a new bookish friend, haha! And a bookish boyfriend, as Nicholas is a sweeting <3
Now, there was some characters that I thought a bit unreal. Clara’s bosses, Shane and Theresa, were totally out of the world for me, in professional aspects. People just aren’t like that in the market. I already had incredible bosses, stupid bosses, all kinds of good and bad bosses and none of them behaved like Theresa and Shane, in this sympathetic, calm or even slow way, even more giving that they have high positions on the company. Kevin, Nicholas’ uncle, also was a bit forced too. I understand he has a difficult personality, but he always seemed the same boring and uncomfortable type even in scenes that he was supposed to be having a good time – while he didn’t know that Clara was around. It wasn’t enough to make me hate anyone, but it bothered me, haha!
Describing is for sure the strongest point of the book. Spatucci spent years working on the story for a series of reasons, so you can feel that Breach Point is real, you know? It seems like if you open an US map, you can find the island there. This care left me speechless. And it’s also a bit funny, as the characters seem to be mere ghosts in a place with its own life, haha! But in a good way :) Even the supernatural element of the plot seems real and natural, it’s crazy cool!
The castle mystery also is a funny phenomenon in the book. It’s the king of deal that you know that is there, but you don’t really care. Then, things start to get really weird and, before you know it, you have this craving to understand what the hell happened in the place. Clara awakes a kind of obsession in the reader, slowly and gradually, so one day you catch yourself daydreaming with the possibilities and trying to solve the mystery even when you’re not reading! How is it possible? Hahaha!
In one of the e-mails that I exchanged with Steve, I joked that he deserved some online screaming thanks to some of the events of the end of the book, but now, way calmer and with my breath on its place, I can say he only deserve compliments.
Breach Point will be released on August 26th (don’t forget to check it out on Amazon!) and it will be available in paperback and ebook formats. I can’t wait to have my own paperback version of the book! (Anyone else here that, when reads a very good ebook, also wants to buy the paperback/hardcover version as well? o/). The book also features an extra chapter with a scene from before the fire in the castle and bonus materials telling all about the creation process of the book. It is very cool to read, Steve had so much work, haha!
That’s it, guys! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy Breach Point as much as I did! And thank you again, Steve, for allowing me to meet and read one of the best books of my 2015 list and for introducing me to the wonderful world of Breach Point <3
Breach Point was a cool read! Steve Spatucci, an author I met on Instagram, has talent. Breach Point, a Supernatural Thriller is about a girl on an adventure. Clare Tuffney is an official intern for Fogelsang, an architectural firm and she's staying the summer with her Aunt Maureen. She's hours away from home, where she left behind a relationship/friendship disaster and a mother she isn't seeing eye to eye with. Thankfully, she's met a guy friend who seems worth the attention, along with a ghostly mystery.
Breach Point reads like a grown up Scooby-Doo episode. From doing research to finding small clues, I want to shout out "Jinkies" once or twice! I liked it, so let's kick it off with with some story aspects, then a few particulars, ending with the supernatural aspect.
The story is perfect for YA readers and it's a fast read. I'd definitely let my son read it. I finished the book in two days, and that's with me reading other books, as always. I have to admit, it was a bit slow at first. I think I was on page seventy-eight by the time story really got moving and then the supernatural kicked in a few chapters from there. I held on because development was there and I'm glad I did. On to the particulars.
While the town and many of its occupants were described in wonderful detail, Clare's physical attributes were not. Other than the book cover, I don't really know what she looks like, but I'd know Uncle Kevin and his gut, or Nicholas if in a movie. The lack of some details didn't hurt the story, especially if you're like me and can easily insert your face over others to dive into the story. There is a middle ground many miss, Breach Point wasn't far from it and that's awesome when it comes to those tidbits.
Lastly, there's the best part of all, the supernatural! I'm all for ghosts, wraiths, monsters and more. This story was more mysterious than supernatural to me. There are instances that could even be dubbed magical almost, but it was along the lines of ghostly. I enjoyed the story- it was nicely written and see me adding it to our school year's reading list. I'd happily referBreach Point to my younger, YA readers! Off to the next book!
Author sended me the book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Steve.
well by the appearance of the cover i thought i am not going to like this book but it is truly said "Never judge a book by its cover" Fan of NANCY DREW ? Than do read this book !
I totally adored this book,i thought it was a stand alone book but there are going to be more books in the series and i am waiting for them. I totally loved Clara,her character was so strong and yes because she went behind those things which she wanted,she did not only dreamed but also worked on what she wanted. And yes how can i forget Nicholas he was no doubt so sweet. At the end of the book there are some pictures and notes which totally make the experience of reading this book worth reading. this book was really captivating.
* I received this book in an exchange for an honest review.
This book is captivating and unputdownable. I love how the story uplifts gradually towards the climax of the entire book. The fact that the story is molded with a castle's burning history and the author - twists it up with supernatural abilities is over the top.
All the characters are fitting to the whole plotline in its own Breach Point way.
And also, it does not end here. Clara's story does not end here. It's only the beginning of more to come.
I give Breach Point 3.5 stars. I found little problems throughout the book which left me hanging and wanting to know more. Things would be brought up then never mentioned again and I would be left confused.
The fact that no descriptions were given on any of the characters except for one and that was given at the very end of the story.
Overall I did enjoy the book and the story as it unfolded. I will definitely check out book 2.
"A SUPERNATURAL THRILLER," says the description of Breach Point, and with that, I immediately looked up the synopsis. The synopsis was very attractive to me that it gave chills. I always loved mystery and the thought discovering things that are peculiar. But Breach Point is not all that. This is a book that can basically make you feel everything that you need to feel. I felt thrilled, confused, and amazed. I laughed, I wept, and there are times that I'll put down the book, stare at the wall for a moment, smile, and get back to reading. There was never a dull moment from start to finish, and that is admirable for not all books that I've read had that effect to me.
As for the characters, their personalities are perfect for the plot, especially Clara. Clara is a very brave young woman who is willing to face every danger for her loved ones. She's also lovely, cool and risky. It's amazing how her curiosity make her do such dangerous and risky things. Also, when she gets attached to things, she'll hold on to it very hard, like the Breach Point Castle. It all started in a little curiosity, and with that, lots of things happened. You won't get to know her by just reading her descriptions in the book. You'll get to know her through her actions. She and Nicholas is a good tandem. It's astounding how they can do anything and everything with each other. I can't help myself but ship them two. Anyway, I love all the characters, and of course the setting. Because of Breach Point, I got curious to old castles and I started researching about them and their histories. The setting gave me this old-fashioned, yet cozy feeling of being in an old town where the population is so small that almost everyone knows each other.
I recommend this book to those who like mystery. If you're a fan of Nancy Drew, then you'll surely enjoy this one, too. All in all, I rate this book 5/5, because Breach Point is a very entertaining book that you won't notice you finished it already, and you're left hanging, craving for more.
Originally written as a screenplay, Spatucci recrafted it over several years to the young adult novel it is today, the first in a planned trilogy. Gaining inspiration from the real Brigantine Castle dark ride (for more about that – head here to DarkInThePark.com) and dashed with a bit of early 1980s 8-bit fantasy, it proves an enjoyable romp perfect for all ages. Quick plotting and believable dialogue help press the story points forward, which sometimes squeeze character arcs and logic a little thin, but the tale is a good one and the supernatural mystery at its center as fun as many in R.L. Stine’s classic Goosebumps series.