The Old Block

by Mark Scott Piper

What would YOU do if you discovered your father wasn’t who you always thought he was?

Shortly after his father dies, 24-year-old Nick Castle discovers what seems to be a draft of the novel his father had always hoped to write. But a clue at the end causes Nick to fear that this story of a serious federal crime and escape from the U.S. may not be fiction at all. When Nick sets out to find out the truth about his father’s past, he learns more than he ever expected—about his father and about himself.

The Old Block appeals to anyone who understands the coming of age process, who appreciates the complexities of self-discovery, who enjoys touches of humor, and who remembers the experience of a first-love romance.

The Old Block is the latest contemporary fiction by Mark Scott Piper, the author of the award-winning crossover YA novel, You Wish. It takes you on an emotional journey with young Nick Castle, as he sets off on a cross-cultural adventure to unfurl the mystery of his father’s true identity. Along the way, Nick’s quest to discover the truth about his father becomes a journey of self-discovery.

Nick Castle is as close to his father as any son could be. Nick patterns his life, his personality, and his world view after Jim Castle. He is truly a "chip off the old block" and he's extremely proud of it. Nick gets his whole identity from his dad, and when Jim dies in 2012, Nick is devastated.

Jim Castle has left behind a manuscript for Nick's eyes only. It is the story of young Braden Delaney, who gets caught up in a cross-cultural adventure. During the student anti-war protests of 1970, he commits a violent act of rebellion that destroys government property--and ends in the death of an innocent victim. Braden escapes the U.S. to avoid government agents and spends the next 15 years of his life on the run in Central America. Finally, he returns to the States with a new name and identity.

That new identity is a clue that leads Nick to fear that his beloved father and Braden Delaney are in fact the same person. Nick’s suspicion sends him on an emotional quest to prove his dad is not the protagonist of his own story. He retraces the steps of Braden Delaney to find facts that will prove his fear unwarranted and put the mystery of his father’s identity to rest. Nick’s dilemma: If his father is not the man he thought he was, where does that leave his son?

As he pursues his quest to discover the truth about his father, Nick meets Sophie Cole and falls truly in love for the first time in his life. Nick's quest also helps him uncover something else important--his own unique identity--and that opens the door for him to truly become his own man.

307 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2020

About the author

Mark Scott Piper has been writing professionally his entire adult life. He is a longtime freelance writer and video director/producer. Mark holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Oregon, and he taught literature and writing at the college level for several years. He is a member of the California Writers Club, Redwood Writers.

Mark’s bookshelves are overflowing. Among his favorites are Christopher Moore, John Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, Stephen Crane, William Faulkner, Tony Hillerman, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anne Lamott—all of whom successfully conspire to keep him humble.

His debut novel, You Wish, earned first-place gold in the 2019 American Eagle Book Awards. His second novel, The Old Block, was released in 2020 to enthusiastic reviews. His mystery/thriller, Until Proven Innocent, was published in 2022. His collection of short stories, The Long and the Short of It: 15 Stories, was launched in 2024.

Mark has published several short stories both online and in print.

Reviews

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

24-year-old Nick is still grieving the untimely death of his father, James Castle, from prostate cancer when he makes a disturbing discovery. 2 years earlier, upon receiving his diagnosis, his father had given Nick an envelope with the admonition that Nick not open it until after his death. It turned out that James Castle, who had voiced the desire to one day write a novel, had indeed written a manuscript by hand. Nick read his father's words, a compelling story about a young man named Brayden Delaney, who went on the run after having inadvertently caused the death of a fellow college student. Nick begins to suspect that his father's writing was actually a memoir, and he attempts to discover the truth.

This tale of self-discovery, grief, adventure, mystery, suspense, and romance is artfully-written and certain to hold your interest from start to finish!

[Ivy Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a child's entire sense of identity is based off who their parents were or parent was . Nick Castle is one such person. After his father's death he finds a manuscript that tells a tale about a man on the run. The thing is how could is dad know so much about a stranger's life? Buoyed by the suspicion that the man in the manuscript and his father might be one and the same Nick sets off on a journey of discovery. What's wonderful is along the way he finds true love and learns the truth about his father. But the best thing is that his journey though to learn more about his father teaches him
a lot about himself. Though he might not be a chip of the ol block he is still his father's son and his own person.
Author Mark Scott Piper has done a wonderful job of creating an engrossing tale of a bond between a father and a son. He touches on all the right emotions and delves into Nick's concerns and worries with an adeptness that will leave you wanting to know more. The Old Block is definitely a must read, a great combination of a family saga and a thriller both rolled into one.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think what I find most intriguing about this story is its predictable unpredictability: you think you know where we’re headed, then—sudden left turn, it’s not the narrative you thought you were getting. The author never lets you get too complacent thinking you’ve got it all figured out and how dumb *is* this protagonist anyhow, when bing-bang—another sharp turn.

It’s not a mystery, per se, but there’s a distinct who-dunn-what to it.
Not a romance, but I defy you to find a sweeter love story.
Very much a sweeping family drama, but without the violins.

I like this author’s voice, I confess. His debut novel is one of the best I’ve ever read, and I frankly drool a bit contemplating his next.

[Julia Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered "The Old Block," by Mark Scott Piper, on the Fourth of July and read it in three hours. I didn't want to stop. The book is about a young man who reads a novel written by his deceased (and adored) father and suspects the (supposed) protagonist really was his father. It's not a novel. It's his father's story. Then Nick Castle, 24, begins a search for the truth.
I especially enjoyed the father's story, how he got involved in bombing an ROTC building (in 1970, as a protest against the Vietnam war) and was forced to go on the run. Nick's father ended up in Central America, of all places! I wish Mark had written more about that.
Good novels are not that numerous, but here's a good one. Read it.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Castle discovers an unpublished manuscript that suggests his late father's life story might be different from what he'd assumed. Determined to find the truth, Nick retraces his father's steps, all the way back to the Pacific Northwest of the 1960's, where he delves into his father's secret past, discovering his real identity. In the meantime, Nick learns even more about himself. This elegantly written novel is rich with historical detail, compelling characters, humor, adventure, and even a little romance. A very satisfying read.

[Amanda Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite reads this year. A book within a book and two great stories combined.
Nick Castle is coming to terms with the death of his beloved father and finds an old unfinished manuscript that belonged to his dad.
He sits down to read it and as he does so, he wonders begins to wonder if it is fiction or autobiographical. The only way to know is to travel to the places where the events took place and find out for himself.
Along the way, Nick also finds himself.
This is a beautifully written book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Ricia Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare theses days that I stay up all night to finish a book. However this was the case with The Old Block! The narrative is compelling, the characters believable, the settings evocative, and the humor infectious! All in all, an excellent reason to stay up and read!

[Allan Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional novel by Mark Scott Piper. It's my first time reading his work and I'm anxious to read his debut novel, as well. An ingenious plot, mystery, romance and a surprising ending - it has it all. I highly recommend this book, Well done, Mr Piper.

[Jennifer Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from this autor and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait for read other book from this great writer! Amazing job! definitely a must read!. 5/5 A fantastic story that has it all! A good Mystery novel. I really recommended for everyone.

[Iona Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed 'The Old Block'. I found the author's writing style easy to read and the characters well-developed. Although this was a different genre than I normally read, I found myself drawn into the story from the first page until the end. A family secret, the journey of a son's discovery with a few twists and turns along the way, all building to a touching conclusion that made for an ingenious storyline. I highly recommend this book.

[Anya Pavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Old Block starts on a somber note. Nick’s father has died. He has also left Nick a manuscript that has been hidden away in a storage unit. No one else appears to know about this manuscript. Why? With that question, the tone of the book immediately turned mysterious, drawing me in.

I explored this mystery through chapters from Nick’s father’s book, which Mark Scott Piper strategically integrated into the novel. Nick’s father’s story takes place in the early 1970s. A young man named Braden is involved with activists. When he takes a stand to protest the Vietnam War, tragedy happens. Braden flees, leaving his heartbroken girlfriend in his wake. Braden’s story turns Piper’s book about Nick Castle into a thriller.

I really enjoyed how the reader experiences Braden’s story through Nick’s eyes. Nick is uncovering his own mystery via his father’s manuscript. Is the story of “Braden” a work of fiction, or is it an event from the past? The Old Block builds suspense. Nick is a likable and curious protagonist. Relatable. He navigates his grief by solving the mystery of his father’s book. Along the way, he stumbles into love. Nick is also very human, as is this story. The Old Block has a heartwarming twist at the end that provides a meaningful conclusion for the reader.

[C.A. Asbrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fast read and engaging read. I loved the idea of a young man discovering himself through researching his own father. This story is poignant, sweet, twisty, humour, historical detail, adventure, and mystery.

Nick's retracing of his father's secret past grips you from the start and keeps you reading. Was his father really the enigmatic Braden Delaney? Did he live a life on the edge until he reinvented himself and created a new identity?

The characters truly grip as the story unfolds, and the plot is enriched by Nick falling in love, and the author's innate emotional intelligence providing layers of secrets and suspense.

This is an intelligent, well-crafted exploration of identity and growth, and it explores the creation of self in a way that's not only plausible, but is highly enjoyable too.

[Joe Congel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked up to my father. He was my mentor. He supported my dreams and guided me through some tough times when I was growing up. As I moved into adulthood, he became my friend. He knew everything about me, and I knew everything about him. He was a great man. And when he died, there was a hole in my heart. But nothing about the man I grew up with, the man I knew, ever changed. There were no secrets to uncover. Nothing that threatened to change my perspective of who he was. Not the case for Nick Castle. When his father died, it rocked young Nick’s world in a way he never imagined was possible.

Jim Castle left his son an envelope filled with handwritten pages that appeared to be the first draft of a novel he never knew his father was writing. The further he dives into his father’s manuscript, the more uneasy Nick becomes, and the more questions form in his head on how true to life this story could be. Was this a creative piece of fiction his father hoped to publish, or a journal of his dad’s life before he became a husband and a father? Either way, Nick could not let it go without knowing the truth… or what he hoped would be the truth. He embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets hidden within the pages his father left for him. What he discovers along the way not only helps him come to terms with the truth but helps him grow as a man, strengthening his ability to experience true love and happiness.

The Old Block, by Mark Scott Piper, is a well-written story about love, loss, happiness, self-discovery, and lessons learned. The author uses a unique story within a story perspective, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the narrative. At first, I wasn’t sure if the author took the right approach as I could see this being confusing for the reader. But Mr. Piper handles it with a skill that makes both parts of the storyline flow seamlessly together. In order to understand the emotional turmoil Nick is experiencing, we, as the reader, need to ‘see’ his father’s manuscript and not just have it referenced within the main storyline. So, we are treated to the same view as Nick by allowing us to read his father’s pages right alongside of him. Through this unique way of telling the story, the appreciation I had for what Nick was feeling was much deeper, making for a richer, more enjoyable reading experience.

You know you are reading a good book when the story stays with you long after you’ve read the last page. Such was the case for me with this novel. The bond between Nick and his dad was obviously a strong one, and although this is a work of fiction, I couldn’t help but think about the relationship I had with my father. I actually sat back and let the memories of my dad flow through my mind right after I finished reading The Old Block. Thank you for that, Mr. Piper.

[Brenda Guiton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew right from the beginning of this delightful book that I was going to enjoy it. ‘The Old Block’ sees Nick Castle grieving for his beloved father, a man he has looked up to and followed in his footsteps all his life; the bond so strong that, without him, Nick is struggling to forge his own identity.

Stories of loss and grief can often be depressing, but not so here. Mark Scott Piper deals with Nick’s emotions in a sensitive, convincing way without labouring the point and allowing it to become too maudlin. He has managed to strike the perfect balance that will resonate with those who can relate to the void that’s left after losing someone close.

The plot quickly unfolds after Nick reads the manuscript written by his father, his instructions being that it must only be opened after his death. What follows is utterly intriguing as we get to share the manuscript with Nick and his nagging suspicion that the story relates to his father’s life and is not purely a work of fiction. If so, it makes a mockery of everything Nick knew about the father he so revered and will change the landscape of his world forever.

I loved this part of the plot, a fascinating account of a man on the run. I was reminded of ‘Papillon’ and the hero’s escape to Caracus where he was rescued by an indigenous tribe and I became thoroughly gripped by the excitement of it.

So begins Nick’s quest to find some answers. Desperate to prove that his father is not the protagonist, he embarks on a mission, retracing the steps in the story. Along the way, he has an unexpected romantic encounter with a woman who brings profound meaning to his life.

There is a lot happening in this heart-warming story, told with a dash of humour and written in a style that flows along flawlessly. The characters have depth and the reader is left with a feel-good factor from a perceptive author who clearly understands complex emotions and the ways in which we find our true identity.

I shall be reading more of his work in the future. A riveting read that I can highly recommend.

[Lisette Brodey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! Let me tell you more.

When Nick Castle’s father, Jim, dies from prostate cancer, Nick is given a large envelope with instructions not to open it until his father is gone. Immediately, Nick is riveted … consumed … by what he finds … the story of Carlyle U student Braden Delaney, who set an ROTC building on fire during the turbulent early ‘70s. After a student is found dead in the building Braden thought empty … he goes on the run … leaving behind the love of his life, Cheryl, and ending up in Central America for many years. (Note: Braden’s story, written by Jim Castle, is a novel within a novel and is as compelling as the entire book.)

First, although it sounds like an old cliché, I was gripped from the first page to the last. After Nick finishes reading the manuscript, an emotional effort to say the least, he embarks on a journey to find out if the manuscript is memoir, biography, or fiction. So much of Nick’s own identity is tangled up in the discovery process … along his grief over the death of the father he loved so much … yet whose early life he’d known little about.

The author’s writing style is very clean … no wasted words or descriptions … scenes and emotions easy to visualize … and very believable. Mark Piper writes in a style that seems effortless, but as any reader knows … it takes a lot of talent to do so. Nick’s character was always believable, never contrived … and I felt his angst and unsettled emotions as he sets out to discover the truth as his personal life takes an unexpected turn.

This is a really wonderful and relatable story … one that will stick with me for a long time. Highly recommend.

[Eleanor Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young man uncovers a manuscript his deceased father wrote. He begins to read it and finds himself on an adventure of a lifetime and love in the process while unearthing pieces of a puzzle that would change his world forever.
I know a book is a good one when it brings tears to my eyes. I would've liked to see a little more on the visits of the extended family in the end - felt like I was left hanging there a bit. Needed more resolution/closure with his dad's past when going back, as well, but overall touching, well-thought out story.
In the manuscript, the main character Braden, an immature college student makes a sudden stupid, grave and irresponsible decision which impacts the course of his life forever forcing him to be on the run from authority at every turn.

[Jan Romes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Castle adored his father, to the point he worked to become a chip off the old block. After his father's death, Nick is led to a secret manuscript written by his dad about Braden Delaney - an anti-war activist who caused all kinds of mayhem. Nick is confused by the manuscript. Is it actually a memoir? Was the man he knew as dad actually someone entirely different? Nick goes on a quest to find out. This story took me on a journey with all the feels - fear, confusion, loyalty to family, love, and so much more. There were surprises and twists I didn't see coming. Of course, I rooted for Nick to find answers and I was happy that in his quest he found out who HE was and that he also found love with Sophie.

[S.S. Saywack · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and compelling novel that begins with a funeral and an old manuscript left to Nick written by his father. The question of how true is the manuscript his father left him, makes him embark on a trip to discover it. His findings are a learning journey and he grows because of it, and the reader is gripped throughout. The book is something of a play within a play, and as the manuscript unfolds its secret, so Nick is transformed as well. We get an insight into America in the 70s, a time of protest against the Vietnam war and the shooting and bombings that took place at various universities, through Nick’s father’s story. A very emotional read and recommended thriller.

[Ken Hubona · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jim Castle dies, he leaves a manuscript to his son, Nick. Is it fact or fiction? The document leads Nick on a journey of discovery. Who his father really was. And who Nick is. Emotionally packed, I found this novel an easy read. And thought provoking. About life, family, and one’s past. I hope you do, too.