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The Cavern
When twelve-year-old Noah Sowder accidently slips down a sinkhole into an abandoned mine, he finds that he has fallen into more than an underground cavern. The limestone chamber has been converted into the secret stronghold of a political extremist group planning a brazen kidnapping--one that will bring together two prisoners from different worlds whose struggle to escape threatens both of their lives and changes them forever. Set in a Missouri cave along the Mississippi River, "The Cavern" echoes with the voices of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn as popular mystery writer Allen Kent weaves his own Twain-like tale of adventure, suspense, clashes of culture, and coming-of-age. "The Cavern" is a political suspense novel you will recommend to your teenage children, discuss with like-minded friends, and dissect with those with whom you thought you had nothing in common to talk about.
- GenresFiction
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2021
18 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Allen Kent
24 books35 followersAllen Kent is the author of the popular “Unit 1” thriller series, the Whitlock Trilogy in historical fiction, and a number of other mysteries and action novels. His books are published in electronic form by Kindle Press and in paperback by AllenPearce Publishers. He lives and writes in rural southwest Missouri.
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 1, 2021
“The Cavern” focuses on a pre-teen/teenage boy named Noah who lives in rural Missouri. Readers from rural areas, especially the Midwest, can relate to him and his family with their values, morals, and way of living. Noah has earned the trust of his parents and goes out hunting alone in the woods. Like kids his age, he tests the boundaries and can’t say that he comes out ahead. A fall into a hidden sinkhole sends the entire town looking for him, including some high-up people. Noah finds himself in the hands of some less than reputable people and worries for his life.
Meanwhile, readers learn of Noah’s parents, unsure of their son’s fate, with a loyal search group scouring the land to find any trace of him. Alongside Noah’s adventures, the Speaker of the House, Carolyn, is kidnapped from her hair salon by a mysterious group of people who claim to understand her governmental position better than she does.
“The Cavern” includes themes of self-appointed power, racism, politics, immigration, and suspense. While reading, don’t be surprised to find yourself holding your breath as you wait to discover the fate of Noah and Carolyn. I noticed many similarities between this fictional story and the struggles in our country today.
I appreciate that the author made it a point to include spiritual support for Noah’s parents, as this was important for this reviewer to read. The story isn’t too lengthy, but there is depth and dimension given to the characters, along with a well-executed storyline. Readers can expect to hear of appropriate parenting that leads to adolescent independence for survival. Along with this, learning life lessons on popular topics presented tastefully and respectfully. “The Cavern” is a modest mystery recommended for all young adult and adult readers.
February 15, 2022
This should be required reading in all high schools and for all adults. It is scary. This is what can and does happen these days because a number of people do not have the ability or desire to understand what is happening in the world. Everything is ME. I have rights and you are stepping on them. Is this the results of not teachings civics in high school. "for the common good". How do you interrupt this? To me it means find a way to what is best for the majority and keep the country working. Yes this book is fiction written by a writer who understand all to well what is happening today. I couldn't lay it down until all my favorite characters were safe. Don't trust the government, don't trust big business. Yep we can do that but can we find a way to stop the greed? Do we have a working solution? The climate may just take learning how to do that away from us. Do we want to save the country and the world? I for one do not like what I am experiencing today. Do you. I understand both sides but this book is an example of the wrong side. Hate me if you must but I am 82 as are my peers and we don't see a future for the country.
May 28, 2021
This is one of the most inventive pieces of fiction I’ve read in a while.
One of the things I’ve loved about Allen Kent’s other books is the intelligent, engaging way he weaves in geographical, historical, political, and cultural information. These details not only bring the stories to life but also draw the reader to think about real social issues faced by his characters. In The Cavern, Kent takes the social content to a more direct level, with a contemporary plot and dialogue that plainly explore how people choose to co-exist in a nation of cultural diversity and conflicting political views. Having a white boy in the rural South fall (literally) into the middle of a plot to kidnap a liberal black female Speaker of the House, Kent lets his cast of characters demonstrate a range of attitudes from peaceable disagreement to deadly hostility.
This book ought to be in the syllabus for Civics classes, if schools still teach that. It’s an entertaining way to launch a serious discussion about getting along with people who don’t look or think the same as you.
One of the things I’ve loved about Allen Kent’s other books is the intelligent, engaging way he weaves in geographical, historical, political, and cultural information. These details not only bring the stories to life but also draw the reader to think about real social issues faced by his characters. In The Cavern, Kent takes the social content to a more direct level, with a contemporary plot and dialogue that plainly explore how people choose to co-exist in a nation of cultural diversity and conflicting political views. Having a white boy in the rural South fall (literally) into the middle of a plot to kidnap a liberal black female Speaker of the House, Kent lets his cast of characters demonstrate a range of attitudes from peaceable disagreement to deadly hostility.
This book ought to be in the syllabus for Civics classes, if schools still teach that. It’s an entertaining way to launch a serious discussion about getting along with people who don’t look or think the same as you.
February 15, 2024
The Cavern, my ninth read from author Allen Kent. A 214-page/5-hour 52-minute virtual voice Noir Crime thriller, a Young Adult Action & Adventure book. “I received a free a free Audible virtual voice copy and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I own 30 of this author's works and look forward to reading more. The virtual voice did a good job, not as well with inflections as talented narrators but none-the-less- enjoyable, an upgrade over Kindle's Text-to-Speech feature. I can see where if it's more affordable it will make a significant dent in the audio book industry. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
February 15, 2024
This review is for the audio version of this book.
I listened to this book as I did others while doing dishes or just general things.
The AI narrator was better than I thought it would be.
It had different voice inflections for different characters.
My problem with the story is you have to give 100% concentration to the story of it's not worth listening to.
When the narrator told me it was starting Ch. 7) I was confused.
I knew two people liked to rabbit hunt, and someone has been kidnapped from her beauty salon.
That was literally all I remembered of the story.
I don't know if it was the story itself, or if it was the AI narrator that threw me off.
I don't think I've ever read or listened to a story that far in and not been able to tell you anything about what was happening.
I listened to this book as I did others while doing dishes or just general things.
The AI narrator was better than I thought it would be.
It had different voice inflections for different characters.
My problem with the story is you have to give 100% concentration to the story of it's not worth listening to.
When the narrator told me it was starting Ch. 7) I was confused.
I knew two people liked to rabbit hunt, and someone has been kidnapped from her beauty salon.
That was literally all I remembered of the story.
I don't know if it was the story itself, or if it was the AI narrator that threw me off.
I don't think I've ever read or listened to a story that far in and not been able to tell you anything about what was happening.
March 24, 2025
Kindle Unlimited
The Cavern is an excellent tale told well about a 12-year-old boy, Noah Sowder, who slips down into a rainwater-accessed underground mine and cavern while hunting rabbits. What he discovers in that cavern is frightening—and dangerous to much more than the health and safety of a 12-year-old boy. Peopled with folks you feel comfortable knowing, this novel can lead you astray in the deep of the night and keep you guessing. I have really been enjoying the mind of Allen Kent. He can take you to uncharted paths.
REVIEWED on March 24, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available at B&N or Kobo.
The Cavern is an excellent tale told well about a 12-year-old boy, Noah Sowder, who slips down into a rainwater-accessed underground mine and cavern while hunting rabbits. What he discovers in that cavern is frightening—and dangerous to much more than the health and safety of a 12-year-old boy. Peopled with folks you feel comfortable knowing, this novel can lead you astray in the deep of the night and keep you guessing. I have really been enjoying the mind of Allen Kent. He can take you to uncharted paths.
REVIEWED on March 24, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available at B&N or Kobo.
June 28, 2021
This was such an engaging story/mystery, and it's topics are so timely too. Kent gives an authentic voice to both sides of the arguments about the second ammendment. The characters are believable, and the message of listening to each other comes through loud and clear. The ending is especially intriguing as the young hero almost shows a change of character. I think this is one of Kent's very best stories, and I highly recommend it.
April 2, 2022
Kent has done it again!!
This book ranks right up there with his Whitlock Trilogy series as my favorite books. I found the plot to be intriguing and held enough action to keep the reader anxious to keep reading. GREAT characters on both sides of the spectrum who really bring to life some of our countries issues into focus. I hope it helps America get a clearer picture of how doing the right thing is so important. Keep on weighting your thought provoking books Kent!
This book ranks right up there with his Whitlock Trilogy series as my favorite books. I found the plot to be intriguing and held enough action to keep the reader anxious to keep reading. GREAT characters on both sides of the spectrum who really bring to life some of our countries issues into focus. I hope it helps America get a clearer picture of how doing the right thing is so important. Keep on weighting your thought provoking books Kent!
April 29, 2022
great book!
This is one of my favorite book’s I’ve read this year. The characters are so relatable to what’s going on in America today. Living in the same area where the book takes place has even more meaning to me. Thank you so much for this book, it gave me hope. Please recommend to everyone you know.
This is one of my favorite book’s I’ve read this year. The characters are so relatable to what’s going on in America today. Living in the same area where the book takes place has even more meaning to me. Thank you so much for this book, it gave me hope. Please recommend to everyone you know.
February 10, 2022
A Real Page-Turner!
This is one of those novels where I felt I was there, not one of the characters but invisible, seeing and hearing everything going on. Really wanted to help the victims!
This is one of those novels where I felt I was there, not one of the characters but invisible, seeing and hearing everything going on. Really wanted to help the victims!
February 11, 2022
Thoughtful, topical ambiance and well written. Recommended.
March 25, 2022
Great book, could be taken right out of today's headlines..Highly recommend.
May 28, 2022
Despite an extremely improbable plot, this was a fairly entertaining book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews