The Good Samaritan is the second book in the Toby Garrison Chronicles by Ellen Boyd. Toby is just a teenage boy who is trying to make the best of the situation he is in. Currently living with his Aunt Amy, Uncle Clayton, and his cousin Asher, Toby was going to live with them until his Uncle Jake came back. Jake is away on one final mission with the Special Forces and then he is going to settle down to provide a stable home for Toby. However, that becomes an unattainable dream when Jake goes missing. Desperate and out of his mind, Toby seeks help from Jake’s friend Tucker, a private investigator, but he is unable to do anything for Toby. So Toby joins forces with Asher and together the teenagers begin their search for Jake. The two are armed with determination and have no idea what they will find ahead. Can two teenagers find a Special Forces Agent?

Toby is a brilliant character, he is smart and has a spark that stands out. He may be a teenager, but he is very mature for his age. I was surprised by his determination and the way he handled the situation. I enjoyed the flow of The Good Samaritan by Ellen Boyd and how everything progressed one step at a time and nothing was rushed. I wanted to know how a man like Jake was captured, what really happened to him, and why no one was able to help him out of the situation. Toby’s growth was tremendous; he started the story as an angry young man and by the end of it, he had better control over his emotions and a greater appreciation of life. The descriptions were amazing, the dialogues were fun and I really enjoyed it!

The Good Samaritan by Ellen Boyd is book two in the Toby Garrison Chronicles. Toby Garrison is only fifteen, but his life has completely flipped upside down in ways he never thought possible. With his Uncle Jake now classified as MIA following a mission for the US Special Forces, Toby lives with his aunt, uncle, and young cousin. He uncovers a shocking secret that his family has hidden which propels him onto another path. He can’t sit idly by while his uncle is missing so he contacts PI Tucker Armstrong, who was the one that brought him to his uncle. This sends Toby and his cousin on a mission to Central America in an attempt to save his uncle and stop the organization holding him captive.

The story is fast-paced with action-packed moments and thriller level excitement that brings this action-adventure to life. Toby has a strong-willed personality and hero complex which drives him to protect his family. Toby’s heroism is seen several times throughout the story. His Uncle Jake is the biggest influence on Toby as he taught him how to fight, protect, and complete a mission. Jake’s mission with the US Special Forces is fraught with conspiracy and threats, which drive Toby’s mission to find him in a surprising direction. The adventure has high stakes and daring twists as Toby is willing to do whatever it takes in order to find his uncle. His uncle’s final mission is woven throughout to delve into the threat this organization poses and sets up the fight Toby has against them. Flashbacks provide heart throughout the mission as key memories with Toby's parents show their continuous impact on his life. The Good Samaritan is perfect for all ages as a young adult action-adventure with a fast-paced plot, endearing characters, and surprising twists.