The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom by A. E. Hotchner

Book reviews are subjective. I tend to rate books not according to how “perfect” they are, seem to be, or are said to be in general but rather to how perfect they are to me.

The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom by A.E. Hotchner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aaron is right outside when a jewelry store robbery goes awry, resulting in murder. Although Aaron sees the real culprit bolt from the scene, Aaron’s father is the one the cops come and take to jail. It’ll be up to the “detectifying” of an almost-thirteen-year-old boy to prove his father’s innocence in The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom by author A. E. Hotchner.

Now. I should tell some of you, don’t be fooled by the young protagonist and the lads on the vintage book cover and think this is a children’s book or something. Readers from Aaron’s age to the age of the author—who’s around a hundred years old—are bound to enjoy this tale.

An old-fashioned historical mystery it is, steeped in its Depression-era St. Louis setting, but it’s not driving hard to be super-mystery-ish the entire time. During the first quarter, it kind of reminded me of reading one of those slice-of-life classics my teachers would’ve assigned back in school.

Then, gradually and all of a sudden, I was all in. Aaron is such a mix of maturity and innocence, of inexperience, sharp wits, and relevant, real-deal principles. (You ought to hear this kid talk about his soul.) He narrates in a distinct, blunt voice, saying what’s on his mind as it comes to him, and he’s also funny without necessarily trying to be.

I’d be having a bit of a laugh, and then, just like that, Aaron, his memories, and his next “happening” would break my heart. Then warm my heart. Then get my heart all pumped, like, “Yeah, you tell ’em, kid! You show ’em! Get it, Aaron!”

I suspected I’d find this novel delightful and entertaining, but I didn’t expect all the substance, poignancy, and hope that comes along with it. I also didn’t expect to have tears in my eyes twice or thrice, including at the end of the story, but, well. That happened.

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Note to my blog readers: This book contains a scene of bloody violence and a minimal amount of profanity/crude language.