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'A Heart-Warming Story'

One Last Concert is a spiritual story of choir boys from the UK travelling Down Under to Australia to perform a series of concerts.

On the way to the airport a tragic accident occurs. Their young lives are taken from them in a matter of seconds.

The boy’s spirits are trapped between worlds.

As the new owners of the boys’ church move in, Mr. John Sutton and his wife Melanie, the boys see it as an opportunity to communicate to him by making their presence felt. And, by explaining they are stuck on Earth.

John comes up with an idea and is on a mission to help move the boys on, set their spirits free, and give closure.

One Last Concert was a beautiful, heart-warming story.

I could not stop thinking about the book after I had finished reading it.

It was incredibly moving.

I often wonder how I would have coped if it was myself being a parent to one of the boys, due to the tragic circumstances.

I would recommend suitable reading Teens and up.

 Lynne Butterfield

Liverpool, NSW

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Success Through An Open Mind

Finding Thomas, written by Christopher J. Holcroft from the beginning to the very end is a real page turner.

The book combines the love and trust of two young people - one alive today and the other who died a decade ago.

Their friendship grows when both their fathers are caught in a murderous plot by a crooked Police Commissioner.

Mystery, corruption and pure courage gives our hero Kit the ability to bridge the seemingly impossible and allow communication between him and his best friend which results in intrigue and a major disruption within the Australian community.

At the conclusion, Kit finds he has a continued relationship with his spirit guides we can only marvel at.

Jim Reynolds

Hammondville, NSW

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'A Thoroughly Enjoyable Read'

Christopher Holcroft’s Finding Thomas is one of his three afterlife tales; the others being Time Voyager and One Last Concert.

In Finding Thomas, Christopher Holcroft incorporates his research into the existence of afterlife spirit guides, as well as visits from the recently departed. Holcroft’s central character Kit, who experiences an out-of-body (near-death) experience whilst on a surgery operating table, employs the talents of Kit’s afterlife visitors to thwart a crooked Police Commissioner’s homicide attempt on Kit’s father.

Holcroft’s explanation of spirit guides is addressed in the novel’s acknowledgements, which is helpful in understanding the presence of Kit’s spirit guide Thomas, who died in the 19^th century.

Holcroft makes use of more-recently departed spirits in developing this intriguing crime thriller.

Christopher Holcroft lost two brothers while writing Finding Thomas, and the influence of those deaths and the ‘presence’ of spirit guides (again see the novel’s acknowledgments) is evident in the plot. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

 Keith Fraser

Tamborine Mountain, Queensland

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'The Intrigue Necessary To Draw The Reader'

Christopher Holcroft’s One Last Concert is one of his three afterlife tales; the others being Time Voyager and Finding Thomas.

Set in a disused, village church in England, Holcroft paints a picture of a (or in this case many) parents’ worst nightmare when bidding their child farewell on a world adventure trip to Australia in order to perform as part of a church-based, youth choir and then, never again seeing that child.

A tragic accident in the opening chapter creates the scene. The choir members do not reach their destination and more-importantly funeral services for their bodies are not possible.

Approximately two decades after the incident and with the youths yet to reach the afterlife, Christopher Holcroft introduces the lost souls to sound engineer John Sutton, who buys the church and ‘meets’ the souls.

It is through Sutton’s efforts that Holcroft draws the parents and lost souls together for one last concert, thus allowing the choristers to move on.

Holcroft’s delicate handling of what might be viewed by some as being interference, provides the intrigue necessary to draw the reader into the village and wanting to help the families. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

 Keith Fraser

Tamborine Mountain, Queensland

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'Reader Encouraged To Research Events'

Christopher Holcroft’s Time Voyager is one of his three afterlife tales; the others being One Last Concert and Finding Thomas.

This intriguing account of a Sydney youth (Connor), who, in the 21^st century, has flashbacks to a similarly-aged youth Andrew’s real-life experiences of a being on board HMAS Voyager, when in 1964 in one of Australia’s worst peace-time, maritime disasters, she was cut in half by HMAS Melbourne.

Seaman Andrew West was one of 67 sailors, together with 14 officers, who perished in the collision.

Andrews’s body was never recovered, but it seems that his soul had unfinished business that required some human intervention.

Through modern-day Connor’s flashback, Holcroft cleverly closes the loop on some vagaries of the disaster and, more importantly, reconnects Andrew with his estranged parents thus allowing Andrew to move on to the afterlife.

Whilst not purporting to be an historical novel, Holcroft’s account encourages the reader to research the events leading up to the actual collision and the aftermath, which included two Royal Australian Navy Inquiries.

I thoroughly enjoyed Holcroft’s story, so much so that I also read his other two after-life novels.

Keith Fraser

Tamborine Mountain, Queensland

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Empathy For A Village That Lost Its 'Voice'
 

One Last Concert is a feel good book most people at the moment are looking for as there is too much violence and mayhem on the streets.

 I found when going into the book I was venturing into the unknown and as things progressed, I became more and more engrossed in the story.

In another time, I was a Police Officer who dealt with death on a regular basis. I have always felt a lot of empathy for the deceased. In this book, I was brought again to feel a lot of empathy for the parents of the boys who who were taken so dramatically, so early in their young lives. I felt very sad for the entire village that had lost its heart.

When people have died in various accidents and misadventures, I haven’t felt much for them. Instead, I felt for those left behind to mourn their lost ones and had empathy for them. 

One Last Concert took me on a journey of semi-reality in which the deceased boys in the story hadn’t finished their life’s ambitions before they were taken. Also, music has played a large part in my life. The music portrayed in the book was well researched by the author and provided a good emotional accompaniment.

The book provided an emotional outlook I had been searching for, for some time.

Jim Reynolds

Hammondville, NSW
 

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'Thought Provoking And Challenging'

In Time Voyager, the third in his afterlife series, Australian author Christopher Holcroft has hit his writing straps. 

The writing is fluent and not overly repetitive while, as the story romps along, the words sail off the page like spray from a Manly Ferry’s bow.

 Holcroft gives the story’s premise great plausibility by anchoring it to the historical fact of the Royal Australian Navy’s worst peacetime naval accident:  the sinking of HMAS Voyager off Jervis Bay, on the New South Wales south coast, in 1964 with the loss of 82 lives. 

 The Voyager incident is etched in the mind of many Australians who were alive at the time.  Holcroft cleverly uses this widespread knowledge of the incident to bring a genuine feeling of reality to Time Voyager’s story.  He strengthens this by giving Time Voyager a modern day setting in and around Sydney and its harbour.  The use of locations and activities familiar to Sydneysiders and visitors gives further life to the story.

 The story begins as our central character, Connor McBride, struggles to understand the reasons for his recurring nightmares during his transition from school to his chosen vocation of working on Sydney ferries.

As the story begins Connor searches within himself to decide what course he should set to uncover the reason for his nightmares. With the support of his parents and his close friend Darren, Connor seeks professional assistance to unlock his nightmares.  Under hypnosis, Connor regresses to a past life as a sailor.  When he learns that the nightmares are anchored in the reality of the Voyager incident Connor reaches out to Voyager survivors for assistance.  As the story unfolds and evolves, we discover that two lives, one past and one present, appear to have been merged into one.  As the story progresses, nightmares are replaced by dreams and fond recollections of an earlier short, but well lived, life.

 With a sense of clarity emerging Connor determines to set the story straight for those left behind and those who were yet to be born at the time of the Voyager incident.

 In Time Voyager, Holcroft sails a steady course as he gives us an afterlife story that is thought provoking, challenging, and ultimately very satisfying.

 Robert Hodge

 Sydney, NSW

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'The Book Was Hard To Put Down'

An excellent book to get for a present for someone who loves reading is called One Last Concert by Christopher J. Holcroft.

I can say I normally don't read, but the book was hard to put down.

Susan Weyland

Sydney, NSW

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'Helpful For Others Seeking Answers'

I liked the storyline for Time Voyager.

I liked the fact the characters came into play in their time when they were supposed to.

I felt for the parents of the two main characters as they didn’t have their boys there and couldn’t get closure after their sons died.

One of the things I found hard to fathom was how Connor was picked randomly to be ‘Andrew West’ when he was born as he wasn’t even related to Andrew.

I could picture every character in my mind and every place you described quite well.

It was interesting the number of cups of coffee and cake Connor had but when you think of it, sharing coffee is when people talk about things. Also, he couldn’t drink alcohol and drive after speaking to the various families.

I personally believe in people having lived past lives – not all people do. However, I found with Time Voyager it could be helpful for others seeking answers to problems they may have today that came about in another time.

Kathy Nesevski,

Sydney, NSW.

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'Couldn't Put It Down ... A Riveting Novel'

Just finished reading One Last Concert.

Really enjoyed the story and characters.

Once I started reading I couldn't put it down (except to wipe my eyes). At times I nearly forgot that was a novel and not an actual true story.

At one point I was about to Google the event and also found myself wondering if I could source the music, you really had me.

Congratulations for writing such a riveting novel.

Jim Vouden

Sydney, New South Wales

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Lost In The World Of Time Voyager

Sitting reading Time Voyager on a lazy Sunday afternoon I found myself unable to put down the story. I sat in my comfy chair to keep on reading the story of Connor McBride and his voyage into the past. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read sparking questions about previous lives and incarnations and the impact they can have on current lives.

A few hours later I surfaced to realise the sun had set while I had been lost in the world of Time Voyager and Connor McBride. Recognising the hero of our story Connor McBride held the key to the futures of three unrelated families just led to wanting to keep reading until the book was finished.

My family was ignored while I went along for the journey with Connor. A feeling of satisfaction enveloped me at the end of a lazy afternoon of time well spent completely enjoying the experience of the book called Time Voyager.

Nerida Pride

Richmond, New South Wales

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'A Tale That Is Both Exciting And Harrowing'

An interesting concept is presented to a young man, giving him the chance to explore what appears to be memories, yet in a time he couldn’t have known.

 With the support of others he discovers a tale that is both exciting and harrowing at the same time, giving him strength and insight into his life today. What happens when your life crosses paths with another and becomes one?

 Past lives is a topic rarely given any credence in many circles, but this book gives the reader a tale that makes you wonder….

 Written with courage and compassion for the young man, this thought provoking book allows all to take a second look at those moments and feelings of déjà vu wrapped in a tale of discovery and action, inviting the reader to question …

Liane Curry,

Sydney, New South Wales

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'A Great Book For Young People!'

Due to an accident in my past where I had what is likely to be called an out of body experience, I understand the ideas behind the story of Finding Thomas.

It is not necessary to believe or accept the premise of the mystics or seeing ghosts, to find this is a great book for young people.

Being here for a reason, such as being a mentor or leader for those around us, does not make life a burden and does make us a valued part of a community.

As others have commented - you just got to live life, do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do.

Tony Melville

Sydney

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A 'hardened' Journalist brought to tears

Many thanks for your kind words with your advice, and your words  with your signature.  

At 2-24 this afternoon, I finished  reading One Last Concert having had to split my reading to about four sessions, due to a heavy commitment to other matters of late.

 I have found it a delightful story.  As a journo I have seen dead bodies — some even decaying— and covered tragedy stories, but have been able to handle these.   

 But I have to admit, tears come to me easily when I read about, or witness, happenings which reflect mass reaction to goodness, such as reflected in your book. That happened to me in particular around chapter 20, when matters were really building.  I think it was then I had to stop and wipe away tears in order to continue.

 Christopher, one initial  reaction to the story was a disbelief that so much could happen in such a short space of time!  Of course I came to realise that help was coming from elsewhere, but the immediacy of responses from everyone helping rather astounded me.  

 Of course it managed to condense matters to an exciting but obvious  conclusion.

 On your writing style, congratulations on your technique of telling 90 percent of the story in direct quotes, carefully constructed. Sometimes it seemed to me that you were cramming a lot of detail into these quotes, but somehow they seemed to work.   We the readers I think  probably spotted early the  success of the whole deal, but we still needed to read about it—even though it was an over-the-top finale.

Robert Suggett

South Melbourne

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'Dream Fuel' For An Adventure

I enjoyed A Rite of Passage, it was probably the best Scott Morrow book yet.

Its more challenging and I felt it really spoke for itself, as well as making me yearn to go on an adventure. 

I felt that this was more ‘in’ the real world in comparison to the others and it comes from a different angle, but none the less it has a vivid way to illustrate the landscapes in your mind.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who needs something to do when the wifi is broken, or when its rainy. 

I have to say I was a member of Scouts and I read this book when I was on the Australian Scouts Jamboree. It was very wet, so when we weren’t playing some ridiculous card game I would read in my tent with some mates, also great dream fuel …

All in all a 8/10 book!!!

Hugo Biddlecombe

Scout, 15,

Sydney

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The Importance Of 'Planning'

'Canyon' has gripped me and kept me immersed in the wonders of adventure and danger.

This book is one of a kind in painting the picture of scouting and has left me without words.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel like I have truly been on an adventure.

It has also showed me the importance of planning as Christopher has yet again pumped his book full of information and guided you through the paragraphs without hesitation.

Canyon is a must read for all young teenagers who want a true thrill.

Hugo Biddlecombe

Scout, 14,

Sydney

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USEFUL INFORMATION 'HIDDEN BETWEEN THE PAGES'

Christopher J. Holcroft’s book Only The Brave Dare is a gripping adventure of Scott, a young male who has joined Venturers (a level in scouting for teenagers aged 14-18) and is deeply captivating.

It is full of adventure and imagination just radiating from the pages of the book.

Only The Brave Dare innocently depicts the fun and games of being in scouts and working as a team. It is full of very useful information that is hidden between the pages.

I would honestly rate it 8 out of 10! If you enjoy thrills it is a must read!

Hugo Biddlecombe

Scout, 14,

Sydney

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WARNING: TISSUES NEEDED

Finished reading this wonderful book (One Last Concert) on Friday, started it on Wednesday! It should come with a warning to have tissues near at all times.

The characters are so believable I was wanting to Google the details of the accident and I will buy a copy of the CD from the concert!

Thanks for a great read.

Megan Van de Weyer, Sydney, NSW

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'My Interest Grew With Each Page I Read'

Christopher J Holcroft captured my imagination from the very first chapter of One Last Concert and my interest continued to grow with each page I read.

What a beautiful story with an unexpected twist at the end!

Thank you Christopher it truly is a 'feel good' story.  

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One Last Concert 'Gave Me Goosebumps'

I thoroughly enjoyed reading One Last Concert.

It had me laughing, in tears, gave me goosebumps and the twist at the end surprised me.

A heartwarming tale of newcomers fitting in, community spirit and connection; how a sense of purpose brings people together.

Nikki Kelly

Renown Australian Children's Author

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