author of
Drawn Into Danger
Living on the Edge in the Sahara
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Starship Malaysia.
I’m in the back of the car, watching the sun setting over the glittering ocean. A road trip down the California coast. Highway 1. Agnes is there in the front seat, commenting on his driving. Then she’s getting worked up but trying to stay calm. “Jon, slow down. You’re driving too fast.” Dad puts his foot down, and we speed up to pass the Kenworth semi, bright red and massive. “There, I’m ahead.” Way over the 65-mph speed limit, Dad pushes the car. A blast from the horn—loud and urgent. The truck’s silver radiator filling the rear window. Dad’s trying to stay ahead, but we’re going down a long, curving slope, the speedometer 100 and climbing. The truck’s still on our tail. “It’s too fast.” Agnes is screaming. She’s hyped. My guts grip my insides. With vehicles on both sides, we’re trapped. This massive truck, thundering behind, blasting its horn. Agnes sobbing. “I don’t want to die.” Dad’s gripping the wheel. His hands and face white, as he fights the . . . a thump and a jolt slams the car forward and tosses it up for a split second. The Kenworth crashing into the car. A screeching and tearing of metal. Blood.
It’s pitch black. My dad—dead. I’d never even said I loved him. What kind of shit son am I?
An exciting thriller set in Malaysia in 1982.
Reviews:
A highly engaging coming-of-age drama with a charismatic, appealing young protagonist. The storytelling and prose narration are admirably swift, engaging, and visually captivating, The dialogue is wonderfully naturalistic, concise and expressive. LaunchPad Review.
The story began on a pulsating note as the reader wonders if a tragedy was about to occur, and the intriguing narrative style of the author also adds to the buildup of a great story. Most readers would definitely enjoy Starship Malaysia!
Official Review, ILoveUniqueBooks.com
book review.com 5 out of 5 stars.
An adolescent’s struggles with grief and fitting-in form a backdrop to Costelloe’s absorbing YA thriller. A solid, compelling YA thriller that beautifully explores violence, trauma, love, and friendship.
https://bookviewreview.com
theprariebookreview.com
Costelloe’s page-turning thriller unfolds against the fascinating backdrop of 1980s Malaysia and Bangkok. ... Deftly plotted and rich in detail, this engrossing YA thriller makes for a memorable portrait of a troubled teen gradually making his way against fierce odds.
https://theprairiesbookreview.com/?p=15047
I’m in the back of the car, watching the sun setting over the glittering ocean. A road trip down the California coast. Highway 1. Agnes is there in the front seat, commenting on his driving. Then she’s getting worked up but trying to stay calm. “Jon, slow down. You’re driving too fast.” Dad puts his foot down, and we speed up to pass the Kenworth semi, bright red and massive. “There, I’m ahead.” Way over the 65-mph speed limit, Dad pushes the car. A blast from the horn—loud and urgent. The truck’s silver radiator filling the rear window. Dad’s trying to stay ahead, but we’re going down a long, curving slope, the speedometer 100 and climbing. The truck’s still on our tail. “It’s too fast.” Agnes is screaming. She’s hyped. My guts grip my insides. With vehicles on both sides, we’re trapped. This massive truck, thundering behind, blasting its horn. Agnes sobbing. “I don’t want to die.” Dad’s gripping the wheel. His hands and face white, as he fights the . . . a thump and a jolt slams the car forward and tosses it up for a split second. The Kenworth crashing into the car. A screeching and tearing of metal. Blood.
It’s pitch black. My dad—dead. I’d never even said I loved him. What kind of shit son am I?
An exciting thriller set in Malaysia in 1982.
Reviews:
A highly engaging coming-of-age drama with a charismatic, appealing young protagonist. The storytelling and prose narration are admirably swift, engaging, and visually captivating, The dialogue is wonderfully naturalistic, concise and expressive. LaunchPad Review.
The story began on a pulsating note as the reader wonders if a tragedy was about to occur, and the intriguing narrative style of the author also adds to the buildup of a great story. Most readers would definitely enjoy Starship Malaysia!
Official Review, ILoveUniqueBooks.com
book review.com 5 out of 5 stars.
An adolescent’s struggles with grief and fitting-in form a backdrop to Costelloe’s absorbing YA thriller. A solid, compelling YA thriller that beautifully explores violence, trauma, love, and friendship.
https://bookviewreview.com
theprariebookreview.com
Costelloe’s page-turning thriller unfolds against the fascinating backdrop of 1980s Malaysia and Bangkok. ... Deftly plotted and rich in detail, this engrossing YA thriller makes for a memorable portrait of a troubled teen gradually making his way against fierce odds.
https://theprairiesbookreview.com/?p=15047
Drawn into Danger
Algerian thriller is a stunning debut novel
Alex Browne: Peace Arch News.
A compelling evocation of Algeria in the late 1970s ... Costelloe’s spare but evocative prose weaves together a palpable portrait of a place and time –turning suspense into high gear.
https://www.peacearchnews.com/entertainment/white-rock-authors-book-draws-readers-into-world-of-danger/
Clarion Review: The narration is contemplative and frantic by turns, . .... What is revealed of Algeria’s political history is intriguing, and the physical setting is captivating. But tragedies strike, leading to a stunning and emotional conclusion.
https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/drawn-into-danger/
The Book Commentary: 5 out of 5 stars.
Algeria takes the form of a character in its own right in this spellbinding tale — fun, stimulating, dangerous, and the awakening of more intense sexuality. The author's dazzling prose is enriched by lively dialogues and captivating imagery.
Drawn into Danger is a fun, rollicking ride for readers who love adventure.
https://thebookcommentary.com/review-preview/840/drawn-into-danger:-living-on-the-edge-in-the-sahara
Ms. Pauline Bouakaz 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Fantastic descriptive tale.
Malcolm R. 5.0 out of 5 stars. A really good read.
You cannot put it down. A believable insight into a dark secret country.
Review by Standfor.
Drawn Into Danger explores themes of love and friendship … and how they came out of their shells to express this love beyond sexual relations ... throughout the story, I was convinced that the events actually occurred in real life.
Aleta Gabor's review *****
This book was insane. Each and every chapter kept me so interested, wanting more and needing to find out the rest. The ending shocked me. It was one of those books that sent you into panic and on the edge of your seat.
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about the author
Keith lived and worked in Algeria as a teacher from 1978 to 1981, taking extensive notes and writing a series of short stories while there. He travelled extensively in Algeria and read as much as he could about the country. North Africa is a beautiful area of the world and has always been a source of fascination for him.
Travelling and working in Malaysia was a totally different experience and Keith and his wife grew to love OSOuth East Assia travelling extensively in the region.
In White Rock, BC he is a member of a small theatre group and enjoys the relaxed west coast lifestyle which also gives him time to write during the wet winter months.
A voracious reader, he has always wanted to write, but until now has never allowed himself the time or energy to do so. The COVID-19 lockdown gave him time to pursue writing. Keith has participated in several creative writing courses at Future Learn and Vancouver Community College in poetry, prose, film script, and memoir writing. He is an active member of a Vancouver Writing Group, which has inspired him to continue writing.
Keith lives in White Rock, B.C.
Travelling and working in Malaysia was a totally different experience and Keith and his wife grew to love OSOuth East Assia travelling extensively in the region.
In White Rock, BC he is a member of a small theatre group and enjoys the relaxed west coast lifestyle which also gives him time to write during the wet winter months.
A voracious reader, he has always wanted to write, but until now has never allowed himself the time or energy to do so. The COVID-19 lockdown gave him time to pursue writing. Keith has participated in several creative writing courses at Future Learn and Vancouver Community College in poetry, prose, film script, and memoir writing. He is an active member of a Vancouver Writing Group, which has inspired him to continue writing.
Keith lives in White Rock, B.C.
