Knocktopia: Secret of the Mother Lode by Hunter Malone
Full of secret codes, hidden intrigue and a touch of the supernatural, this historical novel will have young readers on the edge of their seats.
For 12-year-old Benjamin Coolahan, it feels like just yesterday he was enjoying life in 1873’s Boston, sailing on the Charles River with friends while his father worked in the Coolahan Gold Mine. But now Ben’s father is dead, and his will dictates that Ben move to Gold Flat, California, to live with the step-grandmother he’s never met.
This premise marks the explosive start to Knocktopia: Secret of the Mother Lode by Hunter Malone. With fascinating puzzles, a keen knowledge of 19th-century mining towns and a touch of the supernatural, Malone creates a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue that will have young readers on the edge of their seats.
Decode or Die
Ben’s father may no longer be with him, but that doesn’t mean Ben is left without his advice. He’s left a final correspondence to Ben, which includes a mysterious medallion, a series of strange puzzles to solve and a cipher that, when decoded, tells Ben to “trust Jack, Waters, Moe.”
When he finally reaches Gold Flat, Ben realizes just how many names aren’t on that list: Baxter, the cruel supervisor who abuses the child laborers; Jenkins, the unsteady explosive foreman; and Delilah, Ben’s new legal guardian. And things only get more dangerous when Ben’s relegated to working in the Coolahan Gold Mine, down in the very tunnels that his father died in after a suspicious explosion. Ben’s only hope is the few trustworthy people he’s found — and the Tommyknockers, the mysterious guardians that warn miners of coming danger.
But in this cutthroat town full of backstabbing, greed and “gold fever,” not everything is as it seems. Ben must work quickly to solve his father’s final riddles and uncover the truth in the tunnels before the town’s worst villains take control of the underground riches — or worse, make the mine Ben’s final resting place.
Finding Light in the Darkness
There’s plenty of material within the pages of Knocktopia to captivate young readers. The evocative writing breathes life into an 1873 mining town with all its grit, grime and hard living. Add in the fascinating ciphers, anagrams and puzzles, and you have a book that’s all too easy to get lost in.
But even more important than the entertainment factor, Malone’s book is full of wisdom to impart on his middle-grade audience. The story tackles a host of topics, from the grief of losing a loved one to the importance of staying true to yourself, rather than letting others lead you astray from your morals. Ben’s loneliness is palpable as he searches for a sense of belonging in a town that seems determined to tear him down.
While it may be set in the distant past, Knocktopia is a tale that young readers of today will undoubtedly relate to. This heroic tale of bravery, compassion and inner strength shows readers that it’s possible to triumph in adverse conditions and that with the help of some friends along the way, they’re capable of so much more than they might have thought possible.
An independent free spirit, Hunter Malone is most at home in the outdoors, where he draws inspiration for his writing. He has a deep love of nature and enjoys exploring old Western towns, uncovering forgotten history and intriguing tales along the way.
Publish Date: 7/12/2023
Genre: Children’s Books, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Author: Hunter Malone
Page Count: 281 pages
Publisher: Aslon Press
ISBN: 9798218138998