The best of James J. Caterino

The essential James J. Caterino

“I was thinking of reading one of your books,” she said. “So which one do you recommend the most?”

This was a question someone asked me on Instagram. It is one I often hesitate to answer unless I know the person’s tastes, passions, likes, and dislikes. But in this particular case I did know from the potential reader’s profile and posts that she loved animals and nature and lived in the Pacific Northwest. So this was a lay-up. I steered her toward “The Last Neanderthal” and she absolutely loved it. Happy reader. Happy author. A win win.

But it occurred to me that I had no such “which one of your books do you recommend most?” strategy in place—in the broader, more general sense. And since I often do top ten and top five lists here on all sorts of things, I thought it was time to turn my critical eye onto myself and choose my top five published works.

Of course, all self-evaluations are extremely subjective.But I like to think I am pretty self-aware and astute at self-analysis. I know when something is good regardless of who wrote it. But just to balance this list out, I also heavily relied upon reader feedback, especially from a few trusted souls whose opinions I respect.

So here it is:

The Top Five James J. Caterino

Caitlin Star: The Trilogy

This contemporary, dystopian action adventure is probably the signature James J. Caterino work, and certainly the most ambitious and epic. In an elevator pitch I describe Caitlin Star as “Tomb Raider” meets “Tarzan”. But be warned, it can be a very intense read. If these were made into films, they would be rated R.

Battle of the Network Superheroes

This recent short story is clever and creative and a lot of fun. Seriously, this story is a blast. You will like it. If you are a “Supergirl” fan or any kind of athlete you will really, REALLY like it.

Steel Phantom

“Steel Phantom” is a supernatural horror script I wrote in 2002 and pitched around Hollywood. The screenplay did receive some good coverage, and garnered some interest from several producers and production companies.

Now, this scary, sexy, suspenseful, supernatural story is available for the first time ever as a published book in the screenplay format.

The Last Neanderthal

I love this book. Perhaps my personal favorite James J. Caterino book.

This modern day Bigfoot story can be described as "King Kong" meets "Harry and the Hendersons".  A suspenseful and moving coming of age adventure story that you will really enjoy.

Back to the Future meets Somewhere in Time in time travel thriller Technicolor Dreams

Brimming with suspense, heart, and humor, “Technicolor Dreams” is a delightful, entertaining, time travel romantic thriller.

'The Last Neanderthal' a thrilling adventure with heart

"King Kong" meets "Harry and the Hendersons" in James J Caterino's moving coming of age adventure story, "The Last Neanderthal".

From the back cover:

Kronos is one of the last of his kind. A descendant of the Neanderthal who once thrived throughout Eurasia, his people crossed the same ancient land bridge as the original Native Americans. They have roamed Pacific Northwest forests for thousands of years, and their occasional sightings by humans have become the mythic stuff of the Bigfoot legend.

One day Kronos spots a helicopter with hunters, swarming down upon a family of wolves, including his friend Lucca. Kronos runs to the scene, trying to stop the slaughter. But then, the guns of the humans turn upon him. He is wounded, cut off from the rest of his family, and pursued by the hunters.

All seems lost, until he comes upon a human teenage girl Ella Marshall. Ella and her family want to help Kronos, and a deep, emotional bond forms between them. But soon, the danger becomes even more deadly as trigger happy hunters, weekend warriors, and even the government itself, begin to move in from all sides.

The Last Neanderthal is a harrowing and heartfelt adventure from the vivid imagination of James J. Caterino, author of Steel Phantom, The B Girl, and the Caitlin Star series."

'Back to the Future' meets 'Somewhere in Time' in time travel thriller 'Technicolor Dreams"

The Scoop:

Brimming with suspense, heart, and humor, “Technicolor Dreams” is a delightful, entertaining, time travel romantic thriller from the acclaimed and wildly controversial author James J. Caterino, the visionary imagination behind the “Caitlin Star” series, “Steel Phantom”, "The Last Neanderthal”, and “Among the Stars”.

The Synopsis:

On June 7th 1969, four year-old James Bava was saved from death and pulled from the river by actress Kara Stone. Four days later, Kara was the first victim of the Oakland Butcher, a notorious Pittsburgh serial killer who was never caught.

James went on to have a career in Hollywood as a stuntman. But he never forgot his angelic savior, and decides to make a movie about Kara Stone. While doing research for the film, James accidentally discovers a way to travel back in time to 1969. This time he will be the one saving Kara. At least that is the plan. 

But James soon discovers that stopping a serial killer and changing the past is far more difficult, and dangerous, than he could have ever imagined.

Now available in paperback and on Kindle.

'Technicolor Dreams', a time-travel story

My 20th published book, "Technicolor Dreams" is now available in Kindle and paperback.

Written in the screenplay format, "Technicolor Dreams" is a rousing, time-travel romantic thriller, jam-packed with every imaginable delight you would want in a great time-travel story. Below is the back cover copy and a new review posted by a reader at Goodreads.

From the back cover:

On June 7th 1969, four year-old James Bava was saved from death and pulled from the river by actress Kara Stone. Four days later, Kara was the first victim of the Oakland Butcher, a notorious Pittsburgh serial killer who was never caught.

James went on to have a career in Hollywood as a stuntman. But he never forgot his angelic savior, and decides to make a movie about Kara Stone. While doing research for the film, James accidentally discovers a way to travel back in time to 1969. This time he will be the one saving Kara. At least that is the plan. 

But James soon discovers that stopping a serial killer and changing the past is far more difficult, and dangerous, than he could have ever imagined.

Brimming with suspense, heart, and humor, “Technicolor Dreams” is a delightful, entertaining, time travel romantic thriller from the acclaimed and wildly controversial author James J. Caterino, the visionary imagination behind the “Caitlin Star” series, “Steel Phantom”, The Last Neanderthal”, and “Among the Stars”. 

Customer review from Richie at Goodreads (posted with his permission).

"A wildly imaginative (and very well thought out) time travel story written in the screenplay format that plays as both a serial killer thriller and a very engaging romance. One of the main characters (recently retired stuntman James Bava who travels back to 1969 to save the woman who once saved him as a small child) states that "Back to the Future" is his favorite film and one can definitely see that influence, as well as the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time" and the Richard Matheson novel it is based on. As a matter of fact, the character in this story that invents time travel is named Troy Matheson, not a coincidence I imagine. 

This story has a clean time loop based on solid (if speculative) science, very strong characters, great dialogue, suspense, romance, and even wonderful humor. Mr. Caterino's "Technicolor Dreams" would make for a sensational movie and this book is very entertaining."