Michael Betcherman

High-school football champion Matt Barnes was on the top of the world until a freak snowboarding accident left him permanently disabled, ending his promising sports career. People gawk with horror and pity and don't know what to say as Matt careens down the street. As he struggles to accept his changed body, Matt becomes depressed and isolated. Instead of college football camp, he faces a summer job at the local golf club. Then by chance Matt lands an internship at the Justice Project, an organization that defends the wrongly convicted. The other intern is his high-school nemesis, Sonya Livingstone, a quick-witted social activist with little time for jock culture. The two slowly develop a friendship as they investigate the case of Ray Richardson, who was convicted of murdering his parents twenty-one years ago. Matt and Sonya are soon convinced that Ray is innocent--but how will they prove it? Unravelling the cold case takes them on a journey filled with twists, turns, deception and danger. It will take dedication, perseverance and courage to unmask the real murderer. Can those same qualities help Matt move on to a life not defined by football?

The Justice Project

High-school football champion Matt Barnes was on the top of the world until a freak snowboarding accident left him permanently disabled, ending his promising sports career. People gawk with horror and pity and don’t know what to say as Matt careens down the street. As he struggles to accept his changed body, Matt becomes depressed and isolated. Instead of college football camp, he faces a summer job at the local golf club. Then by chance Matt lands an internship at the Justice Project, an organization that defends the wrongly convicted. The other intern is his high-school nemesis, Sonya Livingstone, a quick-witted social activist with little time for jock culture. The two slowly develop a friendship as they investigate the case of Ray Richardson, who was convicted of murdering his parents twenty-one years ago. Matt and Sonya are soon convinced that Ray is innocent—but how will they prove it? Unravelling the cold case takes them on a journey filled with twists, turns, deception and danger. It will take dedication, perseverance and courage to unmask the real murderer. Can those same qualities help Matt move on to a life not defined by football?

Sixteen-year-old Nick Macklin's life has been divided in two. Before and After. Before his father went to jail, and After. Before, he was a talented hockey player, an A student, in love with his girlfriend, Sherry, and had the greatest dad in the world, a man who not only was there for him after his mom died of cancer, but who was also a star player for the Vancouver Canucks. Then the bottom fell out. His father was convicted of murder and given a life sentence for a crime Nick is convinced he didn't commit. Now living with his dad's agent, the only thing that keeps Nick going is a burning desire to seek justice for his father. Who framed him? And why? Drifting away from everything and everyone who matters, Nick spends his days roaming the city, looking for the bald man with a limp who is the key to answering these questions: the man his father swears planted the evidence that led to his conviction. Finding him is like looking for a needle in a haystack - until Nick stumbles on a very real clue, an eye-opening revelation that just might save his father... and himself.

Breakaway

Seventeen-year-old Alex Petrovic is thrilled to be playing goal for Team British Columbia in an international hockey tournament. After a game against a team from eastern Europe, he shakes hands with the opposing goalie, Stefan Divac, and finds himself staring at his identical double. At first he dismisses it as an odd coincidence. Then his mother sees Stefan—and faints dead away. The chance meeting uncovers family secrets buried years ago in the wake of a civil war that tore apart their home country, and their family. When two war criminals from that conflict escape, Alex dreams about bringing them to justice. Can his dream become reality?

Face-off

Seventeen year-old Alex Petrovic is thrilled to be playing goal in an international hockey tournament. He has his sights set on a college hockey scholarship, and scouts from all the big-time schools will be there.After a game against a team from Eastern Europe, he shakes hands with the opposing goalie, Stefan Divac, and finds himself staring at his identical double. At first he doesn't know what to make of it. Then his mother sees Stefan-and faints dead away. The chance meeting uncovers family secrets buried in the wake of a civil war back in their home country that separated the brothers when they were infants. When the two war criminals who were responsible for tearing their family apart escape, Alex dreams of bringing them to justice. Can his dream become reality?

Face-Off

A year ago, 16 year-old Nick Macklin had it all. He was an A student and a talented hockey player, with a beautiful girlfriend and the best dad in the world - a man who was not only there for him when his mom died, but was also a star player for the Vancouver Canucks. Then the bottom fell out. His father was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for a crime Nick is convinced he didn't commit. Angry and bitter, alienated from school and friends, Nick devotes himself to seeking justice for his father. Who framed him? And why? But freeing his dad is not his biggest challenge. His obsession with proving his father's innocence threatens to ruin his own life. Can Nick put the pieces of the puzzle together - and save himself and his dad? Shortlisted for The John Spray Mystery Award

Seventeen-year-old Alex Petrovic is surprised when he discovers that he has a twin brother he never knew about. This meeting with his brother uncovers family secrets that involve a civil war that tore apart their home country. Two war criminals from this conflict escape and Alex hopes to bring them to justice.

Michael Betcherman

About

Books

Join the club