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Derek The Ghost
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Kubrick's Game: Puzzle-Thriller for Film Geeks Kindle Edition

by Derek Taylor Kent (Author), Lane Diamond (Editor), Lina Rivera (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 355 ratings
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  • GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Readers’ Favorite Book Awards 2017: Best Fiction Audiobook
  • WINNER: 11th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards – Movies & TV Category
  • Amazon #1 Bestseller (Kindle)

~~~

What if Stanley Kubrick left behind more than just his classic films? What if he also left behind an elaborate puzzle cleverly buried within his films, which would lead the player toward a treasure that could change the course of human history?

“A thrilling page-turner, thrilled with mystery and puzzles designed by a cinematic genius.” ~ Jennifer Bosworth, Author of “Struck” and “The Killing Jar”

Fifteen years after his death in March 1999, it appears Stanley Kubrick arranged a hand-selected announcement that his films are far more than they appear to be. As UCLA’s resident Kubrick expert, Professor Mascaro was one recipient of Kubrick’s package.

Inside is a reproduction of the famous photo Kubrick took for the cover of Look Magazine following the death of FDR. The image to the right has become emblazoned in the American zeitgeist. On the back of the photo is a message written by Kubrick that reads: “Follow me to Q’s identity.” Mascaro is stumped and asks Shawn Hagan, his brilliant but socially awkward film student, what he thinks that might mean.

And so begins a wild adventure.... By the end, Kubrick will have proven his genius to be unmatched, when the game takes the player far beyond the boundaries of reality and sends him into the darkest realms of the human mind in order to make it to the final stage. This climactic set piece is surely the most difficult and diabolical puzzle ever created by man.

Shawn will have to face his own demons and reconnect with those who care about him in order to receive the great treasure that is Kubrick’s final legacy and gift to humanity.

“Like Kubrick’s films, this book dazzles. A fascinating mind-bender that any movie fan will geek out for.” ~ EJ Altbacker, Author of “Shark Wars” and “Handy Andy Saves the World”

EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS a mind-blowing, often comedic, sometimes tragic, always entertaining look at an extraordinary “What if?” adventure.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    389 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    24 September 2016
  5. File size
    5922 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product description

Review

"Like Kubrick's films, this book dazzles. A fascinating mind-bender that any movie fan will geek out for." EJ Altbacker, Author of "Shark Wars" and "Handy Andy Saves the World" "Welcome to Kubrick's Game, where nothing is what it seems, and every puzzle solved leads to the beginning of a new mystery. Three brilliant cinema geeks race against the most elite film students in the country to unlock a mystery designed by the dark and twisty mind of the genius himself, Stanley Kubrick. If you're lucky enough to receive an invitation to play Kubrick's Game, you're in for a thrilling page-turner of a ride!" Jennifer Bosworth, Author of "Struck" and "The Killing Jar"

About the Author

Lane Diamond - SENIOR EDITOR: Lane Diamond has over 120 published books to his editing credit, including many multiple award-winners, and across multiple genres and styles. He is also the author of the "Tony Hooper" series of thrillers.

Author - Derek Taylor Kent is an author, screenwriter, and performer based out of Los Angeles, California. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in theater and playwriting. After realizing a career as a theater actor in LA wasn't possible, he launched his writing career, penning the hit musical King Kalimari. The success of Harry Potter inspired him to rediscover his early love of book writing. After his first novel was soundly rejected, he found success with his second, receiving a three-book deal from HarperCollins for his series "Scary School" (written under pen name Derek the Ghost). The first book won an award for "Funniest Chapter Book of the Year" by Children's Literature Network, and the series went on to become one of the most popular for middle-grade readers. His bi-lingual picture book "El Perro con Sombrero" was released August 2015 through Holt/Macmillan, and quickly became a best-selling new picture book. Other available books include the award-winning educational picture book "Simon and the Solar System" and the magical adventure "Rudy and the Beast."

Lina Rivera - EDITOR: I caught the writing bug early on in elementary school after my teacher showed me how to make my own book. Excited by this idea, I ran home and made my first picture book on notebook paper and bound with yarn. I majored in creative writing at the University of Southern California, and entered the world of editing through educational publishing while working at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I love getting lost in a great story, whether it be literary, science fiction, or coming-of-age. In critique groups and workshops, I've had the privilege of reading works-in-progress and being a part of a great story from its inception through revisions and beyond. If I can ever help an author along in their process, then I consider that a success for both of us.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01JMTWK8E
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Evolved Publishing LLC; 1st edition (24 September 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5922 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 389 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 355 ratings

About the author

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Derek The Ghost

Derek The Ghost

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Derek Taylor Kent is an #1 best-selling, award-winning author and screenwriter based out Los Angeles, CA. Together with his wife, beloved children's author Sheri Fink, he created the brand Whimsical World (www.WhimsicalWorldBooks.com) that publishes books, creates whimsical experiences, and magical merchandise. His popular book series, SCARY SCHOOL (written under pen-name Derek the Ghost), won an award for “Funniest Chapter Book of 2011” by Children’s Literature Network and has become a favorite for middle-readers. Derek's bilingual picture book EL PERRO CON SOMBRERO was released August 2015 through Holt/Macmillan and was a #1 best-selling new picture book and continues to be a top-selling bilingual book. The sequel EL PERRO CON SOMBRERO MEETS LOS GATOS CON GELATOS came out in 2019, and was followed by DOGGY CLAUS/PERRO NOEL, THE GROSSEST PICTURE BOOK EVER, DINOSAUR DERBY, and MY HOMEWORK ATE MY DOG!

His middle-grade novel, PRINCIPAL MIKEY came out in May 2018 and won a Silver Medal in the FAPA Awards for children's fiction and became a #1 best-seller on Amazon in its first two weeks.

His new picture book, COUNTING SEA LIFE WITH THE LITTLE SEAHORSE, was co-written with his wife, #1 best-selling author Sheri Fink, and teaches kids how to count while learning about life in the ocean.

Derek started writing children’s books at the age of 15. His other book series include SIMON AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM and RUDY AND THE BEAST. He toured the nation with his one-man children’s show, MICHAEL JORDAN’S MAGIC SHOES, which he wrote and performed while attending UCLA’s School of Theater.

Derek the Ghost ("author" of Scary School) is an eleven-year-old ghost who haunts the classrooms and hallways of Scary School, writing down all the spine-tingling often hilarious things that go on there. Despite his ghostly state, Derek still enjoys reading comic books and hopes to one day become a master ninja. If that doesn't work out, he will continue to share the fun of this very special, very secret school, so all kids can experience the scariest school on earth. Derek the Ghost communicates through the first-time ghost whisperer Derek Taylor Kent, who is a writer and performer in Los Angeles, California.

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3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute thrill ride!
Reviewed in Canada on 11 January 2022
Verified Purchase
I don’t recall the last time I was so disappointed when a book ended. I absolutely loved this book - a huge fan of puzzle books (like The Da Vinci Code). Just such a fun and enjoyable read - if I could give it 10 stars I would! Highly recommended even if you’re not a Kubrick fan - you will be after this!
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5un5
4.0 out of 5 stars Puzzle Hunters will enjoy this book. Contains No Spoilers
Reviewed in the United States on 18 October 2016
Verified Purchase
This review does not contain plot spoilers. I bought this book because I got interested in the real world puzzle associated with it. (Previously, I've spent thousands of hours playing and creating puzzles, and I don't know anything about Stanley Kubrick-- well I didn't before reading this.) At first I wasn't sure I'd like the book, but by chapter 8, the characters grew on me enough and the plot became compelling enough that I sped through the rest as fast as I could. The main reason I keep reading is because this book is the first I've seen that captures parallel pursuits of thoughtful, consuming labors of love/obsession/nerdity on multiple levels. There are 2 reasons I can't give it more stars: one, the writing is a bit heavy handed in a kind of young adult way and the characters are a bit flat. I love to read authors who create images so vivid that you can't recall the exact words they used. This didn't happen in Kubrick's Game. While the style is sometimes refreshingly casual, more often it's bluntly descriptive. The dialogue is redeeming, and so is the plot with the characters experiencing many a-ha moments. The second problem I had with the book is that while the characters have a-ha moments, the reader just watches it happen and can't really solve along with them. In my opinion, the pacing, plot, thoughtfulness of the puzzle hunt, and celebration of obsession more than make up for the stylistic imperfections. I think anyone who enjoys puzzle hunts will enjoy this book. I bought the book, but author awards points in his real life puzzle in exchange for an honest review.
4 people found this helpful
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Wroe
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for Kubrick fans and filmmakers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2016
Verified Purchase
As a massive Stanley Kubrick aficionado and aspiring filmmaker myself, Kubrick’s Game exceeded my expectations greatly. Reading this book, I knew that the author,
Derek Taylor Kent had done a huge amount of in depth research into Kubrick and his work and this is evident not only in the story at face value, but also in the subtext and its allusions.

One reason this story works so well is that the protagonist’s journey follows that of the hero’s journey, or monomyth and this creates some parallels between the book and Kubrick’s films. The monomyth was first introduced as a concept by Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which Kubrick introduced to Arthur C. Clarke during the writing of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is also worth mentioning that Campbell’s book was heavily influenced by the work of psychoanalyst Carl Jung, who was also an immense influence on Kubrick and even gets a mention in Full Metal Jacket.

I found the main character, Shawn to be an accurate representation of someone with Asperger’s Syndrome. The book does well to avoid the clichéd stereotype of a Sherlock Holmes type genius with superhuman intelligence who doesn’t care for those around him and instead presents the character in a realistic way that is relatable to the reader.
Building on that, I feel that the book also succeeded in respecting Kubrick and his legacy by portraying his personality accurately whenever he was mentioned, avoiding the completely wrong, but broadly believed in view that Kubrick was insane and uncaring.

There were times where the book would make me think that the story was following an obvious route, but then this expectation would be flipped completely and as a result would give much more meaning to the story. By the end of the book I felt as though I had taken some personal meaning of my own from the story too.

Overall, I found this book to be a great read in which I always wanted to know what would happen next. The book is made up of smaller chapters than most books, which made it a lot easier to invest reading time in, particularly if you’re quite busy. Not only people as obsessive about Kubrick as me will enjoy the many references and pieces of trivia in the book, but so will those who haven’t yet fully explored Kubrick and his work who will learn some things about him in reading this book. I really enjoyed the story and am sure that others will too.

Side note:

There is an audio book that’s been released on iTunes with a narration by Jonathan Frakes and a supporting role played by Yvette Nicole Brown, for those who would like to experience the story like that.

You can also participate in an online Kubrick’s Game, which requires the book to solve clues and puzzles etc. I tried out the first clue and was pleased with the challenge presented, which involved cracking a code and receiving instructions in order to carry out a real life task. I found the process to be very fun.
5 people found this helpful
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good buyer
4.0 out of 5 stars Riddles
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2018
Verified Purchase
A good read for those who like solving riddles. Kept me guessing.
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Jan McIntyre
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing insight into the mind of a directorial genius with ...
Reviewed in Canada on 20 January 2017
Verified Purchase
Intriguing insight into the mind of a directorial genius with unexpected outcomes. Kept me turning pages well into the night to find out how it ended.
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