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Last Chance Detectives #0.5
Canyon Quest
In the first book of the series, readers will learn about God’s sovereignty and how things work together for good.
The Exciting Start of the Last Chance Detectives!
A dry, forsaken blip on the edge of civilization. That’s what Mike Fowler thinks of the little town of Ambrosia in the Arizona desert. He has no friends, no fun, and no answers to the agonizing disappearance of his dad in a top-secret military mission. But that could all change after Mike stumbles onto his dad’s puzzling journal in the old B-17 out back.
The mysterious coded entries in the journal lead him to a hidden canyon rimmed with strange lights in the sky, muffled voices, and a knife he’s sure belongs to his dad! Something big―maybe a covert military operation―is going on in that secluded canyon. And Mike is sure if he just follows the clues, he’ll find his dad. But with each new discovery, he and his daring companions―Ben, Spence, and Winnie―land in more and more danger.
It’s the case of their young lives. Now if only they only live to escape it!
Get to know The Last Chance Detectives Together, these four friends won’t stop until the mystery is solved!
The Exciting Start of the Last Chance Detectives!
A dry, forsaken blip on the edge of civilization. That’s what Mike Fowler thinks of the little town of Ambrosia in the Arizona desert. He has no friends, no fun, and no answers to the agonizing disappearance of his dad in a top-secret military mission. But that could all change after Mike stumbles onto his dad’s puzzling journal in the old B-17 out back.
The mysterious coded entries in the journal lead him to a hidden canyon rimmed with strange lights in the sky, muffled voices, and a knife he’s sure belongs to his dad! Something big―maybe a covert military operation―is going on in that secluded canyon. And Mike is sure if he just follows the clues, he’ll find his dad. But with each new discovery, he and his daring companions―Ben, Spence, and Winnie―land in more and more danger.
It’s the case of their young lives. Now if only they only live to escape it!
Get to know The Last Chance Detectives Together, these four friends won’t stop until the mystery is solved!
304 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
11 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Jim Ware
42 books20 followersJim Ware is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and is now a writer living in Colorado Springs. He is the author of several books, including the best-selling Finding God in the Lord of the Rings (with Kurt Bruner), as well as numerous books for children.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 23, 2024
Good book with good lessons. Exciting, improves young readers detective skills all the while teaching valuable lessons about faith, loyalty, forgiveness and friendship.
November 16, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A boy hates the town he lives in. He wants to run away, missing his old hometown.
On his twelfth birthday, he is allowed into the WWII plane his father owned. He finds his father's journal. Trying to use the journal to find his father, he meets some new people. Together, they try to solve the mystery.
Not bad.
A boy hates the town he lives in. He wants to run away, missing his old hometown.
On his twelfth birthday, he is allowed into the WWII plane his father owned. He finds his father's journal. Trying to use the journal to find his father, he meets some new people. Together, they try to solve the mystery.
Not bad.
October 7, 2021
This book is great for all ages even though it is targeted for kids. I enjoyed reading the story about how Mike, Winnie, Ben, and Spence met each other and formed the Last Change Detectives. The author did a great job of keeping the reader engaged throughout and connected with the characters.
March 3, 2025
Ok - but a little slow to read
It has lots of details but I was lost in them. Couldn’t quite keep up and it ended up being a subject that didn’t keep my interest.
It has lots of details but I was lost in them. Couldn’t quite keep up and it ended up being a subject that didn’t keep my interest.
March 19, 2011
I did not start with the first book so I was glad to see how everything started. This is a good author. While the plot was unbelievable I still loved this book.
August 21, 2022
This book had a great start. I was captured, thinking it would be a book I couldn't put down. Then it started to drag. Really drag.
Mike hates that he's been stuck in Ambrosia, Arizona, ever since his dad went missing during a military mission. He's all set to high tail it back to Ohio when his grandfather gives him the key to his old B-16 bomber. It's a perfect hangout spot, just as it was for his dad when he was a kid. When he begins to read his dad's journal, he's convinced that he's still alive somewhere close. Then he suddenly goes from no friends to three friends and the quest to find his dad begins. It takes him to the Lowell Observatory, a quad trip into a canyon, a Navajo reservation, and a dangerous encounter with Mexican drug traffickers.
It should have been a great book, but there was too much detail, especially when talk turned to astronomy. This is a case of less is more. If the author had tightened things up and shortened the length, it would have been more tolerable.
Mike hates that he's been stuck in Ambrosia, Arizona, ever since his dad went missing during a military mission. He's all set to high tail it back to Ohio when his grandfather gives him the key to his old B-16 bomber. It's a perfect hangout spot, just as it was for his dad when he was a kid. When he begins to read his dad's journal, he's convinced that he's still alive somewhere close. Then he suddenly goes from no friends to three friends and the quest to find his dad begins. It takes him to the Lowell Observatory, a quad trip into a canyon, a Navajo reservation, and a dangerous encounter with Mexican drug traffickers.
It should have been a great book, but there was too much detail, especially when talk turned to astronomy. This is a case of less is more. If the author had tightened things up and shortened the length, it would have been more tolerable.
September 29, 2022
A light "Christian" action-adventure book for kids ~8-12 years old.
While there's some talk about "the truth" and God, the main character, Mike (who says he is a Christian and a believer), doesn't really act like one. He's dishonest with his family, he doesn't really listen or care about his family or friends much (until the end), he puts his own needs/wants first ahead of those around him, and he's totally oblivious to his mom's suffering. In short, as a main character, he's not very likeable... I would've much rather the story be about Spencer or Winnie instead of a selfish kid who's irritated with the faults of those around him but doesn't recognize any faults of his own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
While there's some talk about "the truth" and God, the main character, Mike (who says he is a Christian and a believer), doesn't really act like one. He's dishonest with his family, he doesn't really listen or care about his family or friends much (until the end), he puts his own needs/wants first ahead of those around him, and he's totally oblivious to his mom's suffering. In short, as a main character, he's not very likeable... I would've much rather the story be about Spencer or Winnie instead of a selfish kid who's irritated with the faults of those around him but doesn't recognize any faults of his own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
December 23, 2021
Perfect for kids
Canyon Quest is written for late elementary and middle school kids. It is, however, very engage for older readers. This makes it perfect for bedtime or family reading. I already know several families with younger kids that I'll recommend it to. I'm looking forward to other books from Jim Ware. Well done, sir!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Canyon Quest is written for late elementary and middle school kids. It is, however, very engage for older readers. This makes it perfect for bedtime or family reading. I already know several families with younger kids that I'll recommend it to. I'm looking forward to other books from Jim Ware. Well done, sir!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
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April 17, 2025This book had some good sections. It did take a while to get going but as it is the first in a series I guess the author wanted to set it up thoroughly. As children’s literature it is middle of the road. I would recommend for my grandchildren to try. Curious how book two goes.
November 9, 2023
Great read!
June 2, 2024
Okay storyline, but felt it was very slow pace for a children's book.
February 22, 2022
Mike Fowler hates Ambrosia, Arizona. It's hot and dry, there's no snow, he has no friends, and worst of all, his dad isn't there. Even though his dad disappeared while flying a plane in the Gulf War, Mike is certain the answer to his whereabouts is still out there somewhere. And when he makes some new discoveries shortly after his twelfth birthday, he realizes the clues he needs might be out in the desert around Ambrosia.
I really like the Last Chance Detectives. I watched The Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa so many times when I was younger that when I read that book for the first time recently, several of the lines from the book I could hear perfectly from the actor/actress's mouth from the movie. This prequel is a chance to see Mike and the others before their detective club formed, even before the four of them became friends. For that, I appreciated the book. And considering how frustrated I was about Winnie's utter lack of a personality or really any shown contribution to the group in the other 3 books I'd read before this, I really liked her as a character in this one (though it seemed like she had a crush on Mike, something I don't recall coming up in the books that take place later).
The author made some strange choices with the story, though. From everything I could tell, and I went back to make sure I hadn't misremembered, Mike's dad has been considered MIA for 6 years. I don't know how long he and his mom have lived in Ambrosia at the start of the story, though. It seems like it hasn't been that long, since the book starts with him counting the money he's saved up to buy a bus ticket so that he can travel back home and stay with the best friend he left behind. But wording elsewhere makes it sound like they moved to Ambrosia shortly after his dad disappeared. Either way, his dad has been gone for six years after remains of his F-16 had been discovered somewhere in the Middle East, yet Mike is absolutely certain throughout parts of this book that clues to his dad's current whereabouts can be found in the desert in Arizona. Uh...what? It's difficult to allow the excuse of "he's a grieving kid" after this many years have gone by, but even still, it's an idea with absolutely no merit. Add to that his surly attitude and how he lets his unhappiness lead him to be rude to the kids that are becoming his friends, and it wasn't as fun to read as the other books in the series.
While I still think the main books in the series are great for kids around age 10-14, I would say there is unfortunately little benefit to reading this prequel. For those interested, though, especially for anyone who's a big fan of the book series, movies, or radio dramas, by all means, check it out.
*Note: The entire group of 4 kids that make up the Last Chance Detectives come together in this book. This is a departure from the original edition of the first book in the series, The Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa (which takes place after this prequel), in which Spence was introduced to the other 3 for the first time. However, in the recent re-release of that book, it's changed to show Spence as already one of the group.
I really like the Last Chance Detectives. I watched The Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa so many times when I was younger that when I read that book for the first time recently, several of the lines from the book I could hear perfectly from the actor/actress's mouth from the movie. This prequel is a chance to see Mike and the others before their detective club formed, even before the four of them became friends. For that, I appreciated the book. And considering how frustrated I was about Winnie's utter lack of a personality or really any shown contribution to the group in the other 3 books I'd read before this, I really liked her as a character in this one (though it seemed like she had a crush on Mike, something I don't recall coming up in the books that take place later).
The author made some strange choices with the story, though. From everything I could tell, and I went back to make sure I hadn't misremembered, Mike's dad has been considered MIA for 6 years. I don't know how long he and his mom have lived in Ambrosia at the start of the story, though. It seems like it hasn't been that long, since the book starts with him counting the money he's saved up to buy a bus ticket so that he can travel back home and stay with the best friend he left behind. But wording elsewhere makes it sound like they moved to Ambrosia shortly after his dad disappeared. Either way, his dad has been gone for six years after remains of his F-16 had been discovered somewhere in the Middle East, yet Mike is absolutely certain throughout parts of this book that clues to his dad's current whereabouts can be found in the desert in Arizona. Uh...what? It's difficult to allow the excuse of "he's a grieving kid" after this many years have gone by, but even still, it's an idea with absolutely no merit. Add to that his surly attitude and how he lets his unhappiness lead him to be rude to the kids that are becoming his friends, and it wasn't as fun to read as the other books in the series.
While I still think the main books in the series are great for kids around age 10-14, I would say there is unfortunately little benefit to reading this prequel. For those interested, though, especially for anyone who's a big fan of the book series, movies, or radio dramas, by all means, check it out.
*Note: The entire group of 4 kids that make up the Last Chance Detectives come together in this book. This is a departure from the original edition of the first book in the series, The Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa (which takes place after this prequel), in which Spence was introduced to the other 3 for the first time. However, in the recent re-release of that book, it's changed to show Spence as already one of the group.
September 14, 2008
It was a fun, basic adventure book with a climatic ending, though when I first read it I thought the plot developed much too slowly.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews