Escape from the Everglades

High Water #1

by Tim Shoemaker

Escape from the Everglades is the first book in the High Water series and blends contemporary mystery and suspense, dramatic situations, and high adventure that both boys and girls will love.

A park ranger’s son hates the Everglades, and he thinks he’ll just die if he doesn't escape Southern Florida soon . . . and he’s right. After Parker Buckman is mauled and nearly killed by an alligator, he sees the glades as a place of death. All he wants to do is get out of the area, and he’s convinced he won’t truly be okay until he does. But he can’t leave until he finds a friend who goes missing.

Escaping a bad situation isn’t a matter of a geographical change. Sometimes the best way to a brighter future is to face the darkness of your past.

Genres: Mystery, Christian, Young Adult, Suspense, Christian Fiction, Thriller, Fiction

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Tim Shoemaker is a speaker and author of eight books, including Dangerous Devotions for Guys; Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets, and Other Outdoor Devotionals; and Mashed Potatoes, Paint Balls, and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals. He has three grown sons and has been happily married for over 32 years. His debut into the juvenile fiction market draws from his experience with kids as a volunteer youth leader for more than sixteen years.

Reviews

[Brooke]

As a resident of FL, I can confirm that the Glades are pretty annoying👍

[Joseph Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape from the Everglades is a wild, action-packed adventure, and I loved every second of it. =)

From the intense beginning to the powerful ending, this book was totally amazing. The settings were so vivid, the characters felt very relatable and real, and the conflict was enthralling.

I especially loved how Tim Shoemaker handled writing a Christian main character. Parker Buckman is serious about his faith, but not in an over-the-top ultra-saint sort of way. He's very relatable, not overcoming temptations and trials perfectly but often struggling and failing. This was not a preachy moralistic tale. The message was natural and powerful.

All in all, I really loved this book and can't wait to read book 2!

On a more personal note, I had the honour of meeting Mr. Shoemaker at a writer's conference a couple weeks ago. He has such a heart for God and storytelling and really understands what it takes to tell a good story. He has become a huge source of inspiration for me and I'm so grateful to God for working it so that I had a chance to meet him and find his books!

[Kristina Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: Parker, Wilson, and Angelica were all good characters. Parker made a great main character with all the fear he had to overcome and the lessons he had to learn. Wilson was a dose of needed humor. And Angelica ... that poor girl couldn't catch a break. She got put in some hard situations and didn't normally make the right choices.

Language: Clean.

Moral: This novel had several good themes: integrity/the importance of telling the truth, the danger of compromising, courage, and family.

Plot: Wow, I loved how suspenseful this book was. Plenty of close calls kept me flipping pages. There's just something super creepy about dark water that contains alligators!

Random comments: I'm trying to think about younger teens as I'm writing this ... A few characters thought the Everglades might be cursed (it was shown that God was more powerful than the curse). Also, Angelica's older sister had an abusive boyfriend (not overly detailed).

Romance: Clean. This book didn't contain any real romance ... just the failed romance between Angelica's older sister and her villainous boyfriend.

Writing: Tim Shoemaker's writing style worked well for this novel. He added in enough descriptions to let me see everything clearly but didn't linger on unnecessary details. He also wrote the teen main characters like real teenagers.

Overall: Escape from the Everglades was a suspenseful read, and I'd recommend it to those looking for Christian teen fiction and action/adventure stories.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I was not sure I was going to like this one, but wow it was good! I stayed up late reading this, trying to see what was going to happen next! This was a clean Christian suspense book. I don’t know if I could ever get into that water with the alligators after reading this! Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Gil K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! My sister hates a few of the characters and seems to be convinced the MC has to drop them as friends or something. She continues to rant and got exited for the next book. This one was an amazing read and it was hard to watch Parker die... go read the book and you'll figure it out. My one critique is the extremely brief use of one of the POV's I feel it should have been consistent between their Points of view.

[The Radical Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Tim Shoemaker

Recommended Age: 15+

Genre: Contemporary, Adventure, Thriller

Books in Series:
* Escape from the Everglades (2021)
* Every Hidden Thing (2022)
* The Deep End (2023)
* The Second Storm (2023)
* Even in Darkness (2024)

Summary:
Parker Buckman is the son of a park ranger, living near Everglades National Park. When he’s attacked by an alligator in the swamp, Parker barely survives and is fully convinced he will never return to the Everglades. But when a friend’s life is in danger, can Parker overcome his fear and reenter the swamp?


Notes from The Radical Reader:

Noble Characters:
Tim Shoemaker’s books are like no other contemporary stories I have ever read. His teen protagonist is God-honoring, courageous, and strong. The parental authorities in the story are bold, brave, and encourage the kids’ adventures instead of stereotypically ruining the fun. If you want to read stories with characters in a contemporary setting who are worth imitating and learning from, then the High Water series is perfect!

Captivating Plots:
Alligators on the hunt. Secrets between friends. When Parker Buckman is attacked by an alligator in Everglades National Park, he vows to never return to the swamp. But a missing young woman, a deceptive boyfriend, and a close friend harboring secrets may force Parker back into the swamp to confront an even larger and more dangerous alligator.

Elaborate Worlds:
Bad guys are real, but so is God’s strength. Death and danger may exist, but prayer holds power. By showing the world through the eyes of a Christian teenager, author Tim Shoemaker asks us to reevaluate the Young Adult stereotypes that have influenced books for years. The High Water series are a perfect read for any teenager who loves action, adventure, and truth that isn’t cheesy or preachy.


Noteworthy Elements:

Profanity:
No explicit swear words are used, but slang terms and phrases like “gee”, “oh my gosh”, “heck”, “heckuva”, “holy mackerel”, “darn”, “sheesh”, “holy Toledo”, “hokey smokies”, “doggone”, and “devil of a time” are used sparingly throughout the series.

Sexual Tension:
There are no explicit sexual or romantic scenes. One of the story’s central antagonists, Clayton Kingman, convinces a girl to run away with him and hide until she’s old enough to legally marry him. When that plan backfires, Kingman later comes back in the series and tries to convince the girl’s younger sister to also run away and marry him.

Other:
Towards the end of the fifth book, Jelly and Ella dare Wilson, Parker, and Harley to enter a so-called “haunted” house and bring back evidence that they went in. The girls briefly tease the boys by saying that they doubt they’ll be able to escape from the mansion without wetting their pants.

https://theradicalreader.com/high-wat...

[Judith DeStefano · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoyed the suspense of Code of Silence, Back Before Dark, and Beneath the Surface; you will enjoy Escape from the Everglades. As in his previous series, Tim Shoemaker follows 3 friends-2 boys and 1 girl-on an adventure that includes danger and moral decisions. Parker, Wilson, and Angelica (Jelly) are on an airboat in the glades when the story begins, and Parker faces his first dilemma in the first chapter-how his friends' choice affects him. In the glades, Parker encounters killer alligators, dangerous men, and choices of integrity. Parker learns about whether running from the things you fear is real escape or not.

Escape from the Everglades also offers conversation points for parents to have with their young adults such as:

1. Was this the correct ethical decision for Parker or his dad to make?
2. Why was Maria (Jelly's older sister) vulnerable to an unhealthy relationship?
3. When it comes to protecting someone else, what are the rules or boundaries you must keep as a Christian?
4. How do you build trust with a parent?
5. How do non-Christian friends have the power to influence you?
6. How do you biblically make a wrong - right?
7. When is it okay to keep a secret? When is it dangerous to keep a secret?
8. What is manipulation?

And you could think of more! Don't look at all the decisions in Escape from the Everglades as an exact blueprint for what you would do in the same situation. For example, (spoiler) Parker's dad allows Parker to do some sabotage of someone else's property. Was that really the correct Christian decision to make? Again--a discussion point.

Because of the unhealthy relationship of Maria and her boyfriend, a non-exemplary school administrator and students' attitude toward him, an invitation to a young girl by an older man to accept a ride, the consideration that maybe that same man may have abducted Maria-and the mention of abduction, and ethical decisions; this book may not be appropriate for some younger readers. I advise keeping this book for 9th grade and above or to at least be prepared to discuss some of the book's points with your teen.

As for language, there was a "holy buckets" in chap. 14 & 22, "gee" in chap. 36, two "golly" in chap. 66.

And when I say "unhealthy relationship"--Maria's boyfriend is emotionally manipulative and divisive.

I read this through my library on the hoopla ap.

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Site note - I really need to stop reading Tim Shoemaker before bed. XD

Amazing character development and a plotline that kept me invested the whole time. And that twist near the end...
I will never not read these books. They are clean, wholesome books that show the message of trusting in God always, and pack a punch at the end. Recommended for anybody over 12 for some creepiness from the antagonist. This is especially a great series for Christian boys.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for our school library. A great fast paced Christian read for upper middle school and high-school.
Girls sister is dating a guy who is no good and she acts out but in the end realizes he is not good and thanks those who did everything they could to keep them apart. Clean, Christian, (but not hit you over the head or unrealistic) mystery, great book!

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic thriller for young adults that is fierce, gripping, and full of more suspense and less fluff, making for a wonderful read!

Parker Buckman is the son of a park ranger stationed in the Everglades, a place full of danger both in the water and out of it. When Parker ends up mauled by an alligator and almost dies, he can’t help but see it as a place full of death. The only thing he wants is to get out while he still has a chance. His dad puts in for a transfer, but before they can leave, a friend goes missing. Parker knows can’t leave until he helps find her. Together with his friends, they search high and low throughout the Everglades and discover alligators aren’t the only monsters they are facing.

The first thing I have to say about this book is WOW!! There was so much suspense and action I felt like I was getting a workout as my heart rate got high at times. I loved the action and suspense, especially for a young adult. The next thing that made it such a great read for me was the fact that it was clean, there was no language, it never got too graphic and I will feel completely comfortable letting my eleven-year-old son read this one. So many young adult novels out there are filled with content that I just don’t feel comfortable exposing my kids to. I am grateful for authors that have figured out how to write a great thriller for young adults without filling it with language or content I wouldn’t approve of them reading. This was definitely an adventurous read with the alligator attacks and drama on land. Both boys and girls will love this one I believe, something there for everyone to enjoy. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a high suspense read with very little fluff to fill the pages, great characters and a storyline that is riveting.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventurous start to a new series!

Parker Buckman is out with his friends in the Everglades when he is attacked by a gator and injures his arm. Parker faces troubles with a bully, friendship troubles and the search for a missing girl, will it bring them closer together or tear them apart?

An action packed read for teens about the son of a park ranger and his group of friends as they face the danger of the Everglades and growing up. I liked that Parker and his father have a good relationship and that he works hard to keep his father's trust. There is a lot going on, lessons about friendship, faith, and relationships.

Overall, a good choice for teens looking for a book filled with adventure, faith, and themes of growing up. Definitely suspenseful and intense, it will be fun to see what happens next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lily Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning I was hesitant if I was going to enjoy this considering the genre was out of my comfort zone considering I was a big fantasy reader. HOWEVER I became obsessed with this book and the one after it. Time Shoemaker’s character especially Parker are so fleshed out and adapt they could easily pass as human beings. The plot is so good and I love the life lessons that they learn together it just makes the reading experience to surreal. The group of friends that the main characters create is so beautiful I easily became addicted an easy 4.5/5.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pretty satisfied with this book by the end. A few little things bugged me. The title is somewhat misleading. I thought it was going to be about kids getting lost in the Everglades and having to survive and escape, but it's really more about escaping life in the Everglades area. Also, the author uses way too many sentence fragments. It's clearly a style choice, but it was annoying to see so many incomplete sentences thrown. Lastly, the mystery is a bit derivative and predictable, especially because it's drawn out for too long. It also follows the same basic plot as an old Baywatch episode, except this story uses alligators instead of sharks, and instead of lifeguards solving the mystery, it's a group of middle schoolers. If I hadn't only recently seen that Baywatch episode, I probably wouldn't have noticed the similarity. There may be other detective stories / crime shows that use the same plot, and you will see it coming a mile away. I also didn't like the perspective shifts between characters in some chapters, and I would have preferred that the narrative be limited to the main protagonist instead of randomly shifting to his friends. This might also have improved the tension in the mystery by revealing less information. On the plus side, the story is very entertaining and suspenseful. There's good action and LOTS of blood. It's pretty scary for a book with preteen characters. I guess they were freshmen in high school, but sometimes they seemed really childish, so I wasn't sure if they might be middle schoolers. The villain was very interesting, and I would have liked it if he was even more sympathetic. He's presented as a pure monster, but his behavior is honestly pretty common in teenage boys these days. This book also has a lot of Christian subject matter, which annoyed me at first, but by the end it felt natural and I could understand how the characters were motivated by their faith. It's pretty cool to see a violent and scary story for kids that still teaches strong morals. This is a long book, 450+ pages, so it's an investment, but I thought it was worth the read. I'm also interested in potential sequels and where the plot could go, but I don't really like the character of Jelly and I hope she matures in future books.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a kid named Parker who got his arm mauled by an alligator, and now he has to find his friend who has gone missing in the Everglades. I enjoyed the amount of emotion conveyed in this book. When accidents happen, like the one with Parker’s arm, the way the characters react to it and treat him seem very nerve-wracking. I liked the way characters acted and the way their emotions and demeanors stayed consistent, but also left wiggle room for some character growth to take place. One thing I disliked a bit is how the characters don’t seem to interact well with each other; the interaction is a bit stiff. I would give this book 3.7 gold stars out of 5.

In Escape From The Everglades, Tim Shoemaker makes a character who a lot can relate to due to his fears and his struggles with growing up. When the main character gets hurt, he has to deal with his arm being mangled, with scars running up and down his arm, I don’t think I have a mangled arm, but I can relate to that feeling of being out of place, and dealing with complicated emotions that aren’t easily understood. Parker has to deal with this sense of dread surrounding this whole place that he once enjoyed, and he thinks that moving away from there might be a good option for his own mental health. Feelings like this can pop up in my own life in ways I sometimes don’t even see. Little things like the way I sometimes turn down invitations, and often feel dread when going near certain spots that I have been to before, both physically and mentally. This character has a lot of feelings that one often cannot fully put into words, and seeing them here is a good way to better understand them.

[Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely written thriller featuring three teens who live in the Everglades in Southern Florida. They are close friends, but each is at a different point in their journey of faith. They challenge each other - both for good and bad - as they search for the older sister of one of the teens, but each of them does grow in the process.

Focus On The Family suggests the book is aimed at a 9–15-year-old audience. Given the amount of graphic violence and the issues discussed, this reviewer would suggest that the book is better aimed at a 15-year-old to adult audience. The reader will be drawn in and will not want to put the book down till the final chapter is finished.

Apart from the violence, this reader was reminded of the Hardy Boys adventures from the 1950’s and early 60’s. I would like to see sequels written - maybe in Boston (where two of the friends are moving) and. later, in whatever college town they choose to attend. I give the book four-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

[♡Ryanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I proofread books for my younger cousins, I generally read the first chapter and skim through the rest of it; however, I just couldn't put this book down (I read all 4o0 and some pages in less than 24 hours). I have to commend Shoemaker's writing. The storyline was well-executed, and his style was so gripping. Another thing I really appreciated was that the story approached a heavy topic (manipulative and abusive relationships) in a way that wasn't too graphic for the intended audience but still brought it to awareness and spoke about it in a healthy manner. This is something that is definitely lacking in Christian YA. I was so surprised and so pleased by this page-turning read.

[Jeremiah Friedli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape from the Everglades starts off with a killer hook and doesn't let go. Its suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat and maintains an amazing pace. It’s a thrilling ride packed with danger, and it’s the authentic young teens who really shine. The characters feel like kids you’d meet in real life, with their daring adventure, loyalty, and moral dilemmas. Perfect for young readers who love a clean, suspenseful adventure written from a Christian worldview.

[Caroline G · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up for this review!
This book hooked me from the beginning and there were plenty of times I didn't want to put it down! I especially appreciated how the author weaved Christian themes into the story so that they felt natural. A lot of times with Christian fiction, the faith elements can feel very forced, but in here they seemed very genuine and part of who the characters were, not just tacked on.
Can't wait to read the next book!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a suspenseful read. I loved how Parker was portrayed. being a very honest and thoughtful teenager. He definitely earned his dad's trust. Also a high sense of responsibility. That being said, I am not sure what compelled him to take on the everglades after his arm was nearly ripped off by a gator, or why he thought it was his job to find his friend's sister.

[❁ abby ❁ · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book I instantly wanted more of Parker. This was a gem, and the unexpected (or maybe expected?) actually happened!! Great Christian themes throughout the book, and perfect for middle-school or high-school readers ;)

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I read this a while ago. And, not to mention this is the lowest I’ve ever rated a book on Goodreads. Sorry, but something just didn’t click in my brain for this one. But don’t worry, I may be coming back to try this book again.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Your a predator I should let you die!" ....ow-

[Mary Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few problematic parts, but on the whole much better than I would have thought.

[Misc.Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love all of Tim Shoemaker's books, would 100% recommend!!

[Teresa Groenewegen-Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down.....

[Mariah Zielke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is literually my favorite! I could not put it down!!!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is juvenile fiction, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the author's Code of Silence series, but so far this series may be even better. Awesome read

[Tabby {Genie in a Novel} · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Slow at a few times, but I was definitely hooked on the story! Can't wait to read the rest of Parker's adventures!

[Joya Zielke · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME!!! every chapter has a mystery happening. I could not put this book down. 😂