Parent and Book Club Resources
The Shepherd & Wolfe mysteries portray a contemporary world where high school homework and homicide investigations go hand in hand.
Aimed at youth aged 12 and up, the intention is to appeal to eager bookworms and reluctant readers alike.
Following in the footsteps of literary investigators such as Sherlock Holmes or a modern-day Hardy Boys, and the brisk pacing of storytellers like James Patterson or Elmore Leonard, Shepherd and Wolfe usher in a new era of storytelling for adolescents seeking edgier fare.
Aiding and Abetting
Anyone who enjoys binging on entertainment will find these books a breeze to burn through. With condensed chapters (typically 3 – 4 pages) and highly accessible prose, each novel is written for compulsive page-turning. Our target audience includes:
- Students who feel they have outgrown the books of their early youth.
- Tweens looking to try out a new literary saga.
- Teenagers who typically don’t read for pleasure.
- Parents looking for books they can share and discuss with their kids.
- Moms and dads hoping to jumpstart an interest in reading.
- Mystery lovers or fans of crime fiction.
- Anyone interested in a good read.
Arresting Stories
Each Shepherd & Wolfe mystery has the teenage protagonists dealing with the problems and challenges of growing up, but also they inevitably find themselves on the trail of an elusive killer. Although conceived for a teen readership, the realities surrounding sudden death and loss are explored.
In establishing the proper tone, these books introduce subject matter that some may deem too suggestive or disturbing for younger readers. The goal is to present these elements in a manner that is respectful of the genre, mindful of the intended audience, and free of overly graphic descriptions.
Everyone loves a mystery, but as a parent, educator, librarian, or even as an impressionable reader yourself, no one wants to encounter any unpleasant surprises.
Please review the following guidelines so you can make an informed decision.*
Along Comes a Wolfe
- Language: The two main characters use profanity, including the words shit, bullshit, damn, asshole, and bitch.
- Violence: There are acts of assault by a male against young women, as well as several murders that take place within the book. While they are not overly gory, these moments are disturbing. There are also two fight scenes where the characters get injured.
- Frightening/Intense Scenes: As stated above, there are murders that may be considered disturbing. As well, there are a few scenes with dead animals, with one being particularly gruesome.
- Sex/Nudity: There is no sex or nudity in the book; however, the perverse nature of the murders is questioned. There is also an acknowledgment that teenagers have relationships and all that may come with them.
- Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: There is a party scene with a direct reference to alcohol. One of the characters associates with people who use drugs, but its usage is never described.
Shepherd’s Watch
- Language: The two main characters use profanity, including the words shit, bullshit, damn, asshole, and bitch.
- Violence: There are acts of assault by a woman against men and women, as well as several murders that take place within the book. While they are not overly gory, these moments are disturbing. There are also tense fight scenes where characters get injured and killed involving a knife and a gun.
- Frightening/Intense Scenes: As stated above, there are murders that may be considered too distressing. As well, there are a few scenes with wounded or dead animals that some may find gruesome.
- Sex/Nudity: There is no sex or nudity described in the book; however, there is an acknowledgment that teenagers have relationships and all that may come with it.
- Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: While no characters use substances directly, the use and distribution of drugs are central to the book’s story.
Wolfe in Shepherd's Clothing
- Language: The two main characters make liberal use of profanity, including the words shit, bullshit, damn, asshole, and bitch.
- Violence: The killer of the book dismembers their victims and there is one violent stabbing, but most of the murders are not depicted. There is a tense fight scene at the end of the book involving guns.
- Frightening/Intense Scenes: As stated above, there are multiple murders that may be considered disturbing. Several victims are dismembered and the details of their corpses are discussed. While many of these scenes are not overly gory in the description, these moments may prove disturbing or frightening for a younger audience. The physical effects of waterlogged corpses are discussed, as well as a short description of the disposal of a dismembered body. Some readers may find the final section of the book too intense due to the violent and gruesome actions of the killer.
- Sex/Nudity: There is no sex portrayed in the book; however, there is an acknowledgment that teenagers have relationships and all that may come with it. One character appears almost naked except for a towel.
- Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: While no characters use substances directly, there is a mention of drug usage in the book.
Shepherd's Call
- Language: The two main characters use profanity, including the words shit, bullshit, damn, goddamn, asshole, and bitch. There are also two moments where characters almost say the F word.
- Violence: Several characters are beaten up. There are descriptions of murder scenes. Guns are present throughout. One character's weapon is a straight-edge razor but never uses it on screen.
- Frightening/Intense Scenes: There are moments when characters are under threat by people with guns, as well as a burning building. Characters do die within scenes. One character has been caught up in human trafficking.
- Sex/Nudity: Characters do have sex within the book, but nothing is seen—only heard. There is an acknowledgment that teenagers have relationships that may include sex.
- Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: While no characters use substances directly, there are mentions of drug usage in the book. Characters do smoke within the story. Characters drink alcohol, including one who drinks a lot.
If you find something that you feel should be included in this list, please contact us and we will consider your request.