MG Takes on Thursday

This is my weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

This book in three words:

MYSTERY, TRAINS, FRIENDSHIP

Favourite Sentence/s from Page 11:

It was the most baffling encounter he’d [Hal] had ever had with a girl.

I read The Highland Falcon Thief and Kidnap on the California Comet back-to-back last Summer, and absolutely loved both. This one made me desperate to go on holiday, and my husband and I spent some time looking into the real-life California Zephyr afterwards. Maybe one day! I have a copy of Murder on the Safari Star in my TBR, and am really looking forward to finding out about Hal’s next adventure.

Harrison Beck (Hal) is travelling aboard the California Comet with his Uncle Nat, a travel journalist, who has been invited to attend a press conference by technological entrepreneur, August Reza.  Hal has barely arrived before he meets siblings Mason and Hadley, who are outgoing and friendly, and have talents which will prove useful for the mystery Hal soon finds himself intent on solving …

He also meets the rather unhappy and lonely daughter of the billionaire, August Reza.  Marianne befriends Hal and warns him that she is in danger so, when he witnesses her kidnapping and finds a ransom note, he is determined to use his detective skills to save her. Who has kidnapped Marianne, and is the motive as obvious as it appears?  

This is a brilliantly clever, exciting and engrossing mystery, packed full of suspects, clever clues, tantalising puzzles and intrigue. It sets up a delicious trail to follow, a trail which leads to startling revelations and danger which will undoubtedly take its readers on a wonderful adventure, puzzling and searching for clues, as they try to solve this classic whodunnit.

You can read my review here.

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!