Customer Reviews

Out of Time (J. D. Stanton Mystery Series #3)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Out of Time" is a fast-paced novel which leaves you waiting to find out how Alton Gansky, the author, will get Captain Stanton out of an unbelievable fix. Basically dead in the water with a boat load of troubled teens, Stanton must find a way to get them home again, when their only hope appears to be a pre-WWI battleship with no crew. While this is what is termed "Christian fiction", there is no preaching, but by Stanton's actions he shows the teens and the reader his Christian faith. This is an excellent read for the believer and non-believer alike.

I don't think Gansky can write a bad novel, and his J. D. Stanton ones have been the most exciting. This was the 3rd Stanton novel, and not quite up to the 5-star rating of the first two. I loved the premise--anything involving time travel really intrigues me. Gansky handled it well. The "out of time" part of the story seemed more believable to me than the unlikely cast of teenage characters. To me this was the only downside to the book. I could not identify with any of the youngsters (never knew a teen remotely like any of them) but the main adult characters are well drawn. Also, I expect so much of this author that any minute flaw in the story is noticed, so maybe I am overly critical. Out of Time did have a satisfying ending, and I was definitely glad I had read it. I still wait eagerly for any new Gansky novel and pre-order it sight unseen!

Call me spoiled, but the first two books in the J.D. Stanton series set the bar high in my opinion. Mr. Gansky is one of my favorite Christian authors, and I was eagerly anticipating another thriller in the same vein--and this was close. The story is good, the concept is unique, and the ending works. The thing I missed was the intrigue of "Vanished" and "A Ship Possessed". This one seemed to lag just a little at the beginning, but it does pick up speed as it goes on. I guess it just seems a little too close to "A Ship Possessed" to stand on its own (both involve old ships coming from the ocean looking as new as when they were made). And while ASP had strange noises and good atmosphere, this one had visions of people on deck. Still, this was a good novel, and if it's the first you've read of Mr. Gansky's, then it's strong enough to prompt you to read another. For a follow up, go for "The Prodigy" or "A Treasure Deep" next. Neither are one of this series of books, but they're STRONG storytelling and shows the range this author can reach. As always, I'll be eagerly awaiting the next Gansky novel, and I recommend this one.

After reading a few of Mr. Gansky's books I had to read his latest one, I love books about subs and ships so I just had to get this one. I thought the book was great, took it with me to work and read it every change I got. What a great mystrey and the end had a great twist. The only thing that was dissapointing was it was too short.

It is hard today to find a book that will hold your attention. This tale does that and more. I find it hard to navigate todays thrillers that have a Christian theme. While it is not preachy the characters are well developed and the plot is a good read. Should be liked by all.

This is the 3rd book in a seris about JD Stanton a retired Naval officer who always ends up in differnt situations. All of the books stand alone but I recommend reading all of them. This is not the Best in the series but is still a great read.

I don't know how Alton Gansky continues to do it, but his J D Stanton books always keep me turning pages as fast as I can. This well-crafted work was hard to put down. And don't make the mistake of trying to read the last fourth of the book when you're alone, late at night--you'll sleep with the lights on. I did.
Here's hoping that there are more J D Stanton books hidden in Gansky's fertile brain.

Retirement for most people is the time in life when they can sit back, relax, and not worry about any problems. Not for J.D. Stanton! A retired naval officer, Stanton has a plan to help troubled Navy brats by taking five kids out on a catamaran to travel the seas. Stanton and his crew of two quickly learn that the kids' troubles run deeper than a little salt air will reach. When a pre-WWI dreadnought (a ship) appears out of the fog, those with Stanton continue to fight against each other, and now an unknown force, realizing they can only win one battle. Mixed with excitement and mystery, this book gives time a twist so the reader must change their whole view of a time line. The author of the book, Alton Gansky, knows just how to hit the reader with a surprise. Time is not contained in just the present. Stanton, his crew, and the kids board the ship, which is the size of a floating city, only to find that it is empty. The motors are off and there's no crew in sight, but the vessel surges on ahead, cutting through the waves. In what turns out to be a deadly fight against the laws of time, the kids learn they can trust J.D. and his crew. In one scene aboard the ship, they realize they must get off the ship to survive, but the most challenging kid has hidden himself on the boat. He continues to elude them as time runs out, though they risk their own lives to save him, but J.D. will not give up until he is found.
All this works together to weave a gripping book: plot, character development, and downright suspense. Gansky has shown that he can write a book that will not leave your hand until you're done in both Out of Time and another work entitled Beneath the Ice. Out of Time is neat and straightforward, without any subplots unrelated to the voyage or the boat's passengers. The passengers face each other, laws of the universe, and even themselves, and they're running out of time. Tackling life, J.D. Stanton finds in God the strength and protection they will all need for survival.

I've always enjoyed Gansky's stuff. But for me, this one took me over 100 pages to get into. The first 2 books had my attention like a good old fashioned Navy yardarm! That's the truth. But this one was so easy for me to just put down, and I hate to say it, hard for me not to completely put off. It wasn't the page turner I expected like his first 2 Stanton books, which I though were equally amazing. But Gansky didn't disappoint me the whole way, and I'm glad I stuck around for the whole round trip.

We join Captain J.D. Stanton and a crew, along with a few misfits for some fun. He takes kids with some real problems, not just the problem that the nerd didn't get the prom queen to go out with him, nothing like that! We're talking about kids who need some guidance, someone they might be able to relate to, someone who actually cares. We have a big storm to increase the momentum of this adventure, and THEN we realize why Gansky calls this "Out of time"! AH-HA! So, we take an adventure on a catamaran and have the time of our lives. Just kidding, but it was still a good read. Altogether, while this wasn't my favorite J.D. Stanton book, I'd still recommend it and I'm still looking to read more by Alton Gansky. He's been around for awhile, and that's saying a lot these days!

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not big on the whole 'Christian Fiction' thing, but there was absolutely no preaching in this book. The pages go by pretty fast once the HMS Archer comes into play. I will say the beginning did lag a bit, but it was necessary for character build-up. I love Naval history books, and this was pretty interesting, as well as suspenseful. I will definitely read this authors works again.