Review: Speedwheels 3000: The Race Against Crime

An hilarious, action-packed race across Europe, Speedwheels 3000: The Race Against Crime, is guaranteed to win first podium place in the hearts of readers as they join Evie and her dad on an unforgettable, zany adventure.

Evie Clutterbank is determined to have some father-daughter bonding time, but her dad’s attention has not been on his daughter for a long time. Instead, his energy and time is taken with his single-minded determination to win the world’s most famous – and most definitely, craziest – race: The Speedwheels 3000 which races through seven European countries. Can she convince her Dad to take her along as his co-pilot? Of course not! But, Evie has a plan …

Whilst her mum is fully immersed in her efforts to save the slow-worms (yes – seriously!), Evie makes a quick getaway by stashing herself in the boot of her Dad’s car, Toots, after creating a little more room by throwing out his suitcase. If only, she’d known about the lucky pants she’d unceremoniously dumped on the roadside, maybe she wouldn’t be dangling from a cliff with a boot full of stolen gold, and the police on their trail …

And how exactly did she and her Dad end up in this precarious situation? Well, Evie is the perfect person to tell her us about her racing adventures as she allows her brain time to think of a way out of her current unintended death-defying situation …

And what a tale she has to tell! All she wanted was some bonding time with her dad as they share his love of racing through Europe, but what she gets is the high-octane adventure of her life! I mean, yes, there’s incredible danger, car chases, disasters galore and the chance that her dad might go to prison, but there’s also wild camping, a bison traffic jam and a mystery to solve. Can Evie solve the mystery of who wants to frame them as gold thieves? Could it be one of the other competitors? And, is there even the teeniest chance that they could become the Speedwheel 3000 champions?

Oh wow! This is another absolute winner that had me giggling and, at times, sniffling- and not with the cold! As always with Jenny’s books, I loved the blend of humour and heart, the authentic relationships and the action-packed, brilliantly ridiculous situations that arise that guarantee laugh-out-loud moments blended with heart-warming interactions that bring both smiles and tears.

Evie is the most incredible 11¾ year old girl who I absolutely adored as she faces every situation and challenge with such positivity – even that of getting her dad to realise that he can still look for happiness even when something unbearable has happened. The relationship between Evie and her dad is beautifully and authentically portrayed as they find heart-warming moments of connection amidst the zaniness and danger of their race across Europe. I loved Evie’s cheeky, quick-witted, impetuous and confident manner which makes her incredibly likeable, but I can also understand her dad’s frustration with her! I also loved her loyalty to her dad as she stands up for him – even if it sometimes leads to disastrous situations for her had – but hilarious ones for the reader!

The illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful – full of energy, expression and humour – and complement this brilliant story perfectly.

Race to the finish line with a story that it’d be a crime not to read – a perfect blend of humour and heart wrapped up in race like no other.

Thank you to Usborne Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.