A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem #3: The Final Gambit

A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem #3

by Christopher Healy

The thrilling conclusion to Christopher Healy's funny, action-packed, acclaimed alt-history adventure! It is 1884, and Molly and Cassandra Pepper, Emmett Lee, and Emmett’s long-lost father are sailing back to New York following their death-defying adventure in Antarctica. Having discovered a subterranean world at the South Pole while saving the world from certain doom once again, surely their accomplishments will finally earn them the recognition they deserve. Unless, of course . . . well, you know by now. And so do the Peppers and Lees. They’re used to having their deeds covered up by the government in order to protect powerful men, and frankly, they’re sick of it. And when their return to New York doesn’t go the way they’d planned, they decide that maybe it’s best to go into hiding and accept that, perhaps, the forces aligned against them are just too great. As the 1884 presidential election approaches, however, our heroes discover a plot against leading candidate Thomas Edison that only they can stop. It’ll be up to them to decide whether to come out of hiding, make the perilous journey to Washington, DC, and do the right thing one last time. Even if it means risking everything they have left.

Genres: Adventure, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Childrens

400 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2020

About the author

Christopher Healy is the author of the Hero's Guide trilogy (The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle, and The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw), the Perilous Journey of Danger & Mayhem trilogy (A Dastardly Plot, The Treacherous Seas, and The Final Gambit), and This Is Not That Kind of Book. His newest book, No One Leaves the Castle—a fantasy mystery standalone spinoff of the Hero's Guide novels—comes out in August 2023.

Chris lives in New Jersey with his wife, two children, and a dog named Winston Bean. Visit him at ChristopherHealy.com. And visit the Hero's Guide/No One Leaves the Castle universe at TheThirteenKingdoms.com.

Reviews

[Gmr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a FABULOUS way to say adieu to a series that has taught us so much, entertained us to no end, and both broken and mended our hearts a million times over. The Peppers and the Lees are remarkable, the ladies of the MOI (Mothers of Invention, for those not already in the know) are inspiring, Rector abysmal, but you have to give him credit for tenacity (and that goes for Agent Clark as well!), Dr. Stinkums who was an unexpected new addition to the group (and a actual genius in doggy form!), and Robot whom one wouldn't think could be but was the heart of them all.

It was a wild and crazy adventure filled with danger, peril, and heart. It showed us that anyone can do anything they put their heart and mind to, we CAN in fact choose our family, and just because one doesn't have an actual heart that beats, it doesn't make them any less human. If you're looking for adventure or even to simply be inspired, this is the series for you!


**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own

[Micki Hughes-zitar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great ending to this trilogy! Molly and her gang must once again try to stop Rector before it’s too late and he takes over the world. The author does a great job with building the suspense. I also enjoy that he adds in historical facts in with his fiction. But he does tell you at the end of the book what was true so readers know that not everything was real just because some things were. I can’t wait for his next book!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the Peppers and the Lees get back to America they must go into hiding. They are still wanted for telling big secrets and various other charges wracked up as they made their escape. They eventually make their way to Ohio where they establish a quiet life under pseudonyms that Molly enjoys more than she ever thought she would. But while scouring the paper for mention of Nellie Bly, Molly realizes their old nemesis Ambrose Rector is back, and this time the President is in danger.

This was the funniest book in the series in my opinion. The scenes with the Floridian cowboy were hilarious. Their neighbors in Ohio were a hoot. And even when things are looking pretty bleak for Molly, Emmett, and gang there's still a good dose of slapstick to lighten the mood. It was worth persevering through this series to get here. And this one wraps things up nicely. Hand this to reimagined history fans.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some perilous situations and one death from a fall (but it is not described firsthand). The perilous bits feel this close to being a cartoon so it doesn't seem too serious.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a 3.5 for me, an entertaining finish to the 3-book series. The characters finally show growth, there are some neat twists, but a few of the running jokes wore a bit thin. 4-stars go to Robot and Dr. Stinkums for definitely stealing the scenes and Robot for stealing our hearts. Molly and Emmett show the most growth, their parents show a little, and everybody else remains solidly 2-D, especially Rector and Agent Clark.

[Shaun Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last in the series, some fun twists, lots of fun.

[Sierra Coombs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

[Jen Atherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was so much fun! The narrator did such a good job with the voices. Especially robot! We are sad the series is over !

[Mary Ann Seidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sad to see the story end, I will miss the characters. The story wrapped up perfectly, but there will be no more books in this storyline so I will have to find something else. I did love the way things work out.