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Just Like Jesse James
Four cousins, one treasure, one outcome.
Attending a funeral, 18-year-old Lee and his three cousins learn that their late grandfather believed a treasure was buried on the family farm, hidden there by none other than Jesse James himself. Obsessed with the legend, he spent years digging for it but died before completing his search. Convinced that the old man was onto something, the cousins take up the treasure hunt themselves. But what starts off as a lark soon turns deadly when their shovels hit something solid.
Attending a funeral, 18-year-old Lee and his three cousins learn that their late grandfather believed a treasure was buried on the family farm, hidden there by none other than Jesse James himself. Obsessed with the legend, he spent years digging for it but died before completing his search. Convinced that the old man was onto something, the cousins take up the treasure hunt themselves. But what starts off as a lark soon turns deadly when their shovels hit something solid.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2017
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Tim McGregor
40 books399 followersTim McGregor is an author living in Toronto with his wife and children. And a ghost. A really spiteful ghost.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 2, 2025
I've read a whole bunch of Tim McGregor's stuff now, and I believe I've 5-starred it all, so this one is a bit of a shock for me coming in at 4-stars.
I understand, from the author's notes, that this one was done in between the eighth and ninth SPOOKSHOW books, and it does show, as the reader can feel the similar elements being pulled in (the body in the well, the long-dormant mystery being resurrected, etc.)
Overall, this is a bit of a strange one. The basic plot is fantastic, and for the most part, the characters are interesting. I am particularly fascinated with Truman. But, because most of the action is playing out between four 18-22 year olds, this does, at times, feel more Young Adult than adult.
But then, toward the end, McGregor seems to channel a bit of Jack Ketchum. There's violence galore. Like others, I was a touch mystified at the Lee/Zoe relationship, and to be honest, I wonder if the author is too, as he directly mentions it in the notes at the end.
Overall, it has all the wit and wonderful writing I've come to expect from Tim McGregor and it mostly succeeds, but not fully.
I understand, from the author's notes, that this one was done in between the eighth and ninth SPOOKSHOW books, and it does show, as the reader can feel the similar elements being pulled in (the body in the well, the long-dormant mystery being resurrected, etc.)
Overall, this is a bit of a strange one. The basic plot is fantastic, and for the most part, the characters are interesting. I am particularly fascinated with Truman. But, because most of the action is playing out between four 18-22 year olds, this does, at times, feel more Young Adult than adult.
But then, toward the end, McGregor seems to channel a bit of Jack Ketchum. There's violence galore. Like others, I was a touch mystified at the Lee/Zoe relationship, and to be honest, I wonder if the author is too, as he directly mentions it in the notes at the end.
Overall, it has all the wit and wonderful writing I've come to expect from Tim McGregor and it mostly succeeds, but not fully.
February 22, 2018
Potential, needs a rewrite
I am giving this novel 3 stars because I like the general premise of the novel and can see a lot of potential in the storyline. I didn't like a couple of things about it however which kept it from getting any higher than 2.5/3 stars. 1) I thought the story was a bit clogged. The subplots and cast of characters did not gel and therefore left lots to read about but not a sense of it having a clear picture. 2) I REALLY didn't like the sexual relationship between Zoe and Lee as it was both disgusting, as they were first cousins, and extraneous to the story. I love old West myths and had high hopes when I requested this book from Netgalley. Sadly, it didn't deliver.
I am giving this novel 3 stars because I like the general premise of the novel and can see a lot of potential in the storyline. I didn't like a couple of things about it however which kept it from getting any higher than 2.5/3 stars. 1) I thought the story was a bit clogged. The subplots and cast of characters did not gel and therefore left lots to read about but not a sense of it having a clear picture. 2) I REALLY didn't like the sexual relationship between Zoe and Lee as it was both disgusting, as they were first cousins, and extraneous to the story. I love old West myths and had high hopes when I requested this book from Netgalley. Sadly, it didn't deliver.
April 7, 2018
A book about teenagers in a small community digging for treasure. Told from the perspective of four cousins, which became a bit confusing at times. I love the myths from the Old West but there was just something lacking in this book for me. I was left feeling just a little bit disappointed. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
June 13, 2018
was an interesting book
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews