INVISIBLE CITY

British-Mexican 13-year-old Josh Garcia has always been a fan of UFOs and conspiracy theories, but he never thought he’d find himself actually mixed up with both. He returns home from a boring day at school, however, to the news that his archeologist father has died in a plane crash over Mexico. Josh can’t believe the conclusions of the authorities: His father was killed by his mistress’s jealous husband. When that idea sends Josh’s mother to the psychiatric ward, Josh jets off to Central America with his best friend, Tyler, and Olivia, a 16-year-old blogging buddy. Unknown relatives, shady American intelligence agents and a living Mayan city all play a part in what turns out to be Josh’s destiny. The first of three already out in the United Kingdom, Harris’s American debut is a great idea in need of some good old-fashioned editing. Glacial pacing, characters without character and a blog that couldn’t be more fifth-wheel conspire against this tale of the impending Mayan-predicted apocalypse. A gee-whiz website, secret (crackable) alphabet and vigorous hand-selling might help this find an audience among patient thriller seekers. (Adventure. 12-14)