I believe any boy, and many girls, will love this book. Max Cassidy's mother is in jail accused of murdering her husband. Why? Her husband disappeared and she has been accused. Max doesn't believe his mother is guilty and sets out to prove her innocence. His belief is confirmed when a man approaches him and tells him is father is still alive and then the man turns up dead. Someone doesn't want anyone trying to find his father. Powerful people are going to a lot of trouble to keep Max and anyone else from finding his father. The great thing about this book is that it ended as a cliff hanger, setting things up for the next book in the series. This was a very satisfying mystery. ( )

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Authorities tell Max his father's dead and his mother killed him. Not believing what he's been told, Max and his guardian, Consuela, have been trying to exonerate Max's mother.

One night, after his magic show act, Max is told by a stranger that his father is still alive, but the man is found murdered in his hotel room before Max can find out where he is. With only the knowledge of where his father was last seen, Max sets out to save his dad.

Corrupt cops, a powerful billionaire, and thugs, however, don't want Max's dad found - and will do anything to keep it that way. Will Max rescue his dad and overcome his biggest challenge yet?

An action-packed adventure filled with mystery. The characters are well-done and the plot line is engrossing. Readers who like spy fiction, action, adventure, and mystery stories will enjoy reading ESCAPE FROM SHADOW ISLAND. ( )

Max, age 14, is a leading teenage magician skilled in the srt of escape. He learned his craft from his father, who mysteriously disappeared from a small Central American country 2 years ago. Max's mother was tried and convicted of his murder, even though a body has never been found. When Max receives a message that his father is alive, he travels to Santo Domingo to learn the truth. But the truth is hard to find in a country run by corrupt officials. Not everything gets solved at the end - look for sequels. ( )