The Last Martin by Jonathan Friesen

Stand-alone novel

Summary:

There's always a Martin. One Martin

Martin Boyle has plenty to worry about. His germaphobic mother keeps him home from school if she hears so much as a sneeze, and his father is usually off somewhere reenacting old war battles. Julia, the most beautiful girl in school, won't even speak to Martin, and the gym teacher is officially out to get him. 

Which is why Martin really doesn't need this curse hanging over his head. 

On a trip to the family cemetery, Martin wanders among the tombstones of his ancestors and discovers a disturbing pattern: when one Martin is born, the previous Martin dies. And--just his luck--Martin's aunt is about to give birth to a baby boy, who will, according to tradition, be named Martin. 

Martin must find a way to break the curse, but every clue seems to lead to a dead end. Time is running out. 

Opening Lines:

"A great new story needs a great first line." 

Martin Boyle licked the tip of his pen. "Oh, dumb!" He reached for the antibacterial spray resting on his desk, lifted it mouthward, and squeezed the trigger. His face contorted. The stuff tasted terrible. The taste alone could kill--That was it!

Martin grabbed his notepad.