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3.5 

A Thousand Steps

By T. Jefferson Parker
A Thousand Steps by T. Jefferson Parker digital book - Fable

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Publisher Description

A USA Today Best of 2022, and a Los Angeles Times Bestseller!

A Thousand Steps is a beguiling thriller, an incisive coming-of-age story, and a vivid portrait of a turbulent time and place by three-time Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker.


Laguna Beach, California, 1968. The Age of Aquarius is in full swing. Timothy Leary is a rock star. LSD is God. Folks from all over are flocking to Laguna, seeking peace, love, and enlightenment.

Matt Anthony is just trying get by.

Matt is sixteen, broke, and never sure where his next meal is coming from. Mom’s a stoner, his deadbeat dad is a no-show, his brother’s fighting in Nam . . . and his big sister Jazz has just gone missing. The cops figure she’s just another runaway hippie chick, enjoying a summer of love, but Matt doesn’t believe it. Not after another missing girl turns up dead on the beach.

All Matt really wants to do is get his driver’s license and ask out the girl he’s been crushing on since fourth grade, yet it’s up to him to find his sister. But in a town where the cops don’t trust the hippies and the hippies don’t trust the cops, uncovering what’s really happened to Jazz is going to force him to grow up fast.

If it’s not already too late.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

22 Reviews

3.5
“If you have ever visited Laguna Beach or love the late 1960's then this book is for you. If not, you may have a hard time immersing yourself into this world or becoming invested. For me, I was interested in the mystery/premise, however the pacing just kept knocking the wind out of the sails right when our MC was getting momentum. He gets set back so many times in the same ways, it feels very much like a plot device just to stall for time rather than a reasonable part of the story. I feel the author could've done more worldbuilding or added more context for readers who are not familiar with the time period. We really only see our MC's home life, and are unable to determine if this is normal without additional comparisons (if you do not have prior knowledge). The powerlessness of the MC and the lack of clues for the reader to pick up on and piece together made this less of a mystery/thriller and more historical fiction/period piece. Overall, this book was not for me but I'd recommend it to my parents.”
“I liked this a lot, but I wish I could've loved it! The setting and time period ere so cool, Laguna Beach, California, 1968. The reigning era of LSD and hippies. Matt is 16, and just trying to survive. His mom is an addict, his dad moved away and he is barely able to eat enough to sustain his growth spurts on his shoestring budget from his paper route. Then his sister Jazz goes missing. I really enjoyed watching Matt navigate normal teenage dilemmas (crushes, getting his driver's license), along with facing the cruel reality of the search for his sister. At times, the pacing was off, descriptions of really mundane tasks (like fishing) took up 6 pages at a time, and I found myself skimming, waiting for the next relevant or important plot point. I felt the ending was rushed, after such a long and winding search and a few things (like the hidden room at the shop) just get thrown in and then forgotten. And sometimes I think the main character was put through the ringer a bit too much. (Like all the times he was robbed! Maybe that was realistic in the area in the late 60s?) The attention to detail was really great, though. I loved how easily the author referenced the historical happenings, like Nam and the protests, cults and spiritual enlightenment. It's definitely worth a read if you're into historical fiction! I wouldn't consider it a gripping thriller, but it was definitely thrilling at times!”

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