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Summer of '79 Paperback – December 1, 2017

by Darren Sapp (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 198 ratings
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“This is exactly the kind of book I hope to find each summer!” – Amazon Reviewer

For fans of Stand by Me and Stranger Things.

Devil’s Backbone dirt road weaves through tall East Texas trees. The eerie Claymore mansion sits silently along the path. Thirteen-year-old Kevin Bishop and friends plan to spend their summer swimming, playing baseball, and erecting a massive fort in the nearby woods. Their daily journey requires a bike ride down that road and by that mansion—the site of a gruesome unsolved murder near the turn-of-the-century. They stumble upon evidence to solve the mystery as unforeseen adversaries make this a summer they’ll never forget.

This coming-of-age tale will take readers down memory lane with plenty of suspense to keep the pages turning. This was the time when kids drank from hoses, arena rock ruled, and cutoff jeans were normal attire. The sleepy little town of Mead Creek never expected a summer like the one of 1979.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    248 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 1, 2017
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0998983012
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0998983011
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Collins & Halsey Publishers (December 1, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0998983012
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0998983011
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 198 ratings

About the author

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Darren Sapp

Darren Sapp

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Darren is a U.S. Navy veteran, graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, and holds a Masters of History from Southwestern A/G University. Darren writes inspiring stories of courageous characters. His passion to see orphans cared for, protected, and in many cases adopted, joyfully takes up much of his spare time. He is co-founder of an orphan alliance in Ghana, West Africa. Darren earned a black belt in Shurite Karate and teaches anti-abduction techniques to women and children around the world. He is married to Holly and they somehow survive raising their five children. Discover more at darrensapp.com.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
198 global ratings
Loved it
5 Stars
Loved it
This was a great book. Although set in 1979 (the year I was born) this book reminded me of growing up in the late 80s. The kids were very likeable and the situations believable. I think this is going to be one of those books that I read yearly and eventually wear out. I'm anxious to read other books by this author.
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Top reviews from the United States

Barry Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice storyline with cool 70's vibes
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Haven't read a fiction book in years but couldn't resist the title given that I was a young teen myself. Really good story and keeps you into it through out and love all the 70' references
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D. Ingram
4.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic and interesting
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
I liked the story and the mystery in this book. It kept me interested until the end, and would be a good story for mid-grade students. I did have all three of the suspects correctly pegged before the reveal, because there really aren't any red herrings in it. Also, one mistake I found was when a person is in the hospital with "a tube down her throat", but she keeps talking to her husband. (Not very likely...). I also wish, being a youth novel, that there was a lot less cussing in it. Nonetheless,this was a good book,and I would recommend it to others.
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Marcie St John
5.0 out of 5 stars I felt like I was transposed in time back to my youth!
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
LOVED IT!!
WHAT A COOL BOOK!! You feel like you stepped back in time, he did an awesome job of painting the picture of life in the late 70's, pulling the reader into the story. The book is a mystery novel much like I read in my childhood days. I must say it kept you engaged and the twists and turns along the plot line were really cool, revealing just enough to keep the reader from wanting to put the book down. It has been a long time since I have just sat down and read, thanks Darren! I really, REALLY enjoyed your book!! If you are looking for a cool book to transport you back to your youth and you like mysteries, do yourself a favor and read this cool book! You can order it on Amazon!!
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read terrible book!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book was excellent & had a "Stand by me feel". The down side literally half the pages were falling out! Was so frustrating!!
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Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun, like the spooky stories of my youth!
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
I grew up in the same area as the author, so this book was like stepping back into my own mischievous and largely unsupervised childhood. I heard, retold and embellished some of the same urban legends. Everything was so familiar, from cup ball games to colorful late 70s phrases like bull crud.
The setting of Devil’s Backbone was the real hook for me. It was a deserted tree shaded road with a one lane bridge near the end. It was a truly spooky area and my friends and I had many adventures and scares down there as well. It’s a park now but it is still a little spooky.
In today’s day and age it was so refreshing to spend a few hours being entertained by such innocent and likable heroes.
I hope the author writes more adventures with this cast of characters. After all, Screaming Bridge is just around the corner.
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SP
4.0 out of 5 stars Captured many forgotten facets of the 70's kid
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
I found this book to be a great light and enjoyable read. I think it might be geared more toward teens but I still enjoyed it and am holding on to it for my grandkids to read. I'm sure they will be interested in the 70's references and will like the mystery and adventure aspect of this story. I think the author captured small town Texas very well.
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Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars Great adventure and nostalgia!
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is a great read! I enjoyed the journey back to a time when you could spend all day each summer out with friends on your bikes and you didn't have to worry about danger...or did you?

The author does a terrific job of setting the adventure in a time full of nostalgia, but without overwhelming the reader with it. The pacing of the story works well to advance the plot line and still allow enough time for rich character development.

I’m going to get my teens to read it as well to see what they think. My guess is that even though they didn’t grow up in small-town East Texas in the 70’s-80’s, that they would still enjoy the mystery and adventure.

I’ve read a few of the author’s books, and this one is my favorite.
One person found this helpful
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Wanda M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, lighthearted read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, brought back so many memories of that wonderful time when kids could leave home on their bikes, play together all day (get in a little mischief as well) and return home safely. It was a delightful read and I intend to pass it on to at least one of my children who will remember many of the references. I don't think they will remember Devil's Backbone but they will definitely connect with the "old guys" at Dairy Queen. I also would love another book with these same characters!
One person found this helpful
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