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Last Chance Detectives #1
Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa
Here in book two of the series, readers will learn how to have faith in God's guidance.
Four friends make a shocking discovery that could cost them everything!
At the edge of a small desert town, where a B-17 sits next to an old diner, a mystery has begun to unfold. At first it was just a strange voice on an old radio. Then there's a robbery at the Ambrosia cultural museum--priceless Aztec relics are stolen. And Ben has an encounter in the desert that can only be described as out-of-this-world. When mystery lights begin to appear in Navajo Mesa, the local sheriff grows strangely silent about it all.
But four everyday kids who call themselves the Last Chance Detectives have decided to investigate. Little do they know they are being drawn into a serious plot with international consequences.
Four friends make a shocking discovery that could cost them everything!
At the edge of a small desert town, where a B-17 sits next to an old diner, a mystery has begun to unfold. At first it was just a strange voice on an old radio. Then there's a robbery at the Ambrosia cultural museum--priceless Aztec relics are stolen. And Ben has an encounter in the desert that can only be described as out-of-this-world. When mystery lights begin to appear in Navajo Mesa, the local sheriff grows strangely silent about it all.
But four everyday kids who call themselves the Last Chance Detectives have decided to investigate. Little do they know they are being drawn into a serious plot with international consequences.
112 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 3, 2025
Some kids using an old plane as a sort of clubhouse fix the radio, and get strange messages. Then light appear in the sky.
The friends investigate, and stumble into a big smuggling ring.
Not even close to Three Investigators quality, but still very readable.
The friends investigate, and stumble into a big smuggling ring.
Not even close to Three Investigators quality, but still very readable.
July 31, 2011
I really enjoyed this mystery book, and I then later found out that it was based off of a video series.
September 24, 2021
Loved this middle grade book by Jake and Luke Thoene! I’m always on the hunt to find great reads for my kids so I decided to read this book with my 10 year old son to see what he thought of it. He thoroughly enjoyed it and asked if he could read the other books in the series. What better recommendation could I give than that?
This is a gem especially for middle grade boys, but I think girls would enjoy it as well. The characters are smart, funny, and all around nice kids. They’ve formed a detective club called the Last Chance Detectives made up of four members: Mike, Ben, Spence, and Winnie.
There are two mysteries going on in the little town of Ambrosia, Arizona. The local sheriff and the Last Chance Detectives have noticed some strange activity going on around Navajo Mesa. When the kids go to investigate, Ben is separated from the others and he experiences several things that might point to aliens, but are they real? The second mystery has to do with items going missing from the local museum. Are they somehow related? The Last Chance Detectives decide to take up the cases.
I liked the confidence of the kids and the way they worked together to solve the mysteries. I enjoyed their respectful yet honest interactions with the adults in the story. There are subtle references to faith which were enjoyable. It’s set in the 1990’s and this was fun for me to share this time period with my son, when times were not dominated by technology and smartphones.
My son and I both loved the twists and turns of the story. There’s quite a bit of action packed into this that made my son want to read just one more chapter. We will definitely be reading the other books in the series and look forward to discovering what other mysteries lie in store for the Last Chance Detectives. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive view and all opinions are my own.
This is a gem especially for middle grade boys, but I think girls would enjoy it as well. The characters are smart, funny, and all around nice kids. They’ve formed a detective club called the Last Chance Detectives made up of four members: Mike, Ben, Spence, and Winnie.
There are two mysteries going on in the little town of Ambrosia, Arizona. The local sheriff and the Last Chance Detectives have noticed some strange activity going on around Navajo Mesa. When the kids go to investigate, Ben is separated from the others and he experiences several things that might point to aliens, but are they real? The second mystery has to do with items going missing from the local museum. Are they somehow related? The Last Chance Detectives decide to take up the cases.
I liked the confidence of the kids and the way they worked together to solve the mysteries. I enjoyed their respectful yet honest interactions with the adults in the story. There are subtle references to faith which were enjoyable. It’s set in the 1990’s and this was fun for me to share this time period with my son, when times were not dominated by technology and smartphones.
My son and I both loved the twists and turns of the story. There’s quite a bit of action packed into this that made my son want to read just one more chapter. We will definitely be reading the other books in the series and look forward to discovering what other mysteries lie in store for the Last Chance Detectives. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive view and all opinions are my own.
December 12, 2012
When I was twelve, I was (I guess you could say) obsessed with the Last Chance Detectives. I watched the movies about a zillion times each, and when I found this book at a local thrift store, I just had to get it.
Well, my obsession with the movies proved to be a problem when reading this book. What I'm still trying to figure out is: Were the books based off the movies, or were the movies based off the books? Either way, I wish that this book had stuck closer to the movie script. Also, I've read Canyon Quest: The Exciting Start of the Last Chance Detectives!, so when Spence was "introduced" in this book too, I was thinking to myself, "C'mon guys! Coordinate the characters and their entrances, please!"
Anyway, that's all I have to say about what I didn't like. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to find the remaining two books from the series so I can read them too!
Well, my obsession with the movies proved to be a problem when reading this book. What I'm still trying to figure out is: Were the books based off the movies, or were the movies based off the books? Either way, I wish that this book had stuck closer to the movie script. Also, I've read Canyon Quest: The Exciting Start of the Last Chance Detectives!, so when Spence was "introduced" in this book too, I was thinking to myself, "C'mon guys! Coordinate the characters and their entrances, please!"
Anyway, that's all I have to say about what I didn't like. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to find the remaining two books from the series so I can read them too!
March 18, 2011
I have to admit this is diffrent from the books I normally read. It was not my favorite of all time although this is a good writer. I think the main thing that I disliked was the plot was unbelievable. It is more for 9-11 year olds but it was not a waste either. Give it a try but don't expect a favorite. If it becomes one I congratulate you on your find.
September 29, 2021
This was a fast-paced adventure with a realistic feel to it. The kids are friends but still have arguments, one of which led to the adventure in the first place. I liked the small-town setting that goes even further into a feeling of remoteness due to being surrounded by vast desert. Though I wasn't as baffled as Ben was when the sheriff didn't corroborate what he saw, readers of the age group for which the book is intended will likely get swept up into the adventure and intrigue. The stakes are high and the danger is real, but nothing too intense for kids around 10-14, for whom I highly recommend this book.
I watched the movie many times in my teenage years (we only owned this one, though, so I've never seen/read any others in the series). I didn't expect to remember as much as I did when I read the book. A few lines I could even hear the characters saying in my head. It was a really fun way to re-visit my childhood, and I'm looking forward to watching the movie again too (and reading/watching the rest of the series)!
Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers/Focus on the Family for providing me a copy of this re-release book to review.
I watched the movie many times in my teenage years (we only owned this one, though, so I've never seen/read any others in the series). I didn't expect to remember as much as I did when I read the book. A few lines I could even hear the characters saying in my head. It was a really fun way to re-visit my childhood, and I'm looking forward to watching the movie again too (and reading/watching the rest of the series)!
Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers/Focus on the Family for providing me a copy of this re-release book to review.
February 28, 2019
I liked this book because it very very entertaining and it is action packed I love the way they fight and make up this is the best book I have read so far.
June 16, 2025
The Last Chance Detectives hear a strange voice on an old radio. Then, there are reports of strange lights and disappearances of valuables, but when the detectives attempt to solve the mystery, they find themselves in a dangerous situation.
May 20, 2021
Will anyone believe what Ben saw in the desert? It definitely isn't what it seems. I enjoyed this fast paced novel filled with 4 distinct main characters. I am sure my boys will enjoy it as well!
Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC of #MysteryLightsofNavajoMesa
Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC of #MysteryLightsofNavajoMesa
November 4, 2021
Mystery Lights of Navajo Lights is a Christian children’s mystery novel written by Jake and Luke Thoene.
Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa is book 2 of The Last Chance Detectives series and can act as a standalone. However, the reader will want to enjoy the whole series (books 1-6).
The moral of Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa is to follow what you know is true and not your feelings; use the Bible as your compass.
Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa is a great mystery for ages 8-14. It would make a great gift for fans of children’s detective stories. The book is based on the tie-in movie.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa is book 2 of The Last Chance Detectives series and can act as a standalone. However, the reader will want to enjoy the whole series (books 1-6).
The moral of Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa is to follow what you know is true and not your feelings; use the Bible as your compass.
Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa is a great mystery for ages 8-14. It would make a great gift for fans of children’s detective stories. The book is based on the tie-in movie.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
October 8, 2021
I didn't find this book to be as good as the first one. I feel like it ended abruptly and left loose ends in the mystery. What were they broadcasting over the radio? Who where they communicating with? All things I would like to have answers too. The book also built a lot of suspense up to wrap the whole book up in a page. I feel like I wasn't able to wind down from the suspense created near the end.
August 23, 2009
great book and movie for kids and families
January 10, 2011
A juvenile-age story (based on the movie)I read with my daughter when she was young; a good mystery story with an inspirational message.
July 27, 2011
The book is a novelization of the movie, so the books are not very different than the DVD's. But the movies (and the books) are very family friendly, with an interesting plot.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews