By M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman (author) , Elisa Paganelli (illustrator) Part of the Adventures on Trains series
"Climb aboard for chuffing brilliant adventure"
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Shortlisted for the Books for Younger Readers category, Children's Book Awards 2022 | Shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021
Steam-powered she may be, but the Highland Falcon is a fast-moving triumph of human ingenuity, as is this thrilling adventure story set on board. It stars young Harrison Beck, passenger on the train with his uncle as she makes her final journey. Harrison initially thinks trains are boring, but by the time the train steams into Paddington at the end of their three day trip, not only has he become a total train buff, he’s also hobnobbed with royalty, made friends with the crew, including the engine driver’s daughter, Lenny, indulged in some daredevil antics e.g.
climbing along the top of the train while it’s in motion, and solved a high-profile crime. It all makes for terrific reading, authors M.G. ‘ Beetle Boy ’ Leonard and Sam Sedgman have created a classic train-set mystery, with all the elements that make that such a well-loved genre, while keeping it thoroughly fresh and modern for today’s young readers.
Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from the prize-winning M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman.
Read the full description
First stop, The Highland Falcon Thief , a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. But as the train makes its way to Scotland, a priceless brooch goes missing, and things are suddenly a lot more interesting.
As suspicions and accusations run high among the passengers, Harrison begins to investigate and uncovers a few surprises along the way. Can he solve the mystery of the jewel thief and catch the culprit before they reach the end of the line? Hear whispers in the dining car, find notes in the library, and unknown passengers among the luggage as you help Harrison to solve the mystery aboard one of the world's grandest trains.
Fast-paced and packed with illustrations and clues, Adventures on Trains is a stop you won't want to miss!
Readers will hear whispers in the dining car, find notes in the library and uncover unknown passengers hiding among the luggage. The Highland Falcon Thief is a fast-paced adventure story, packed will illustrations, puzzles and clues for readers to help solve the mystery themselves. This series of four books is based on a real train or route, from the historic to the ultra-modern, to create a classic-feeling mystery adventure series for thrill-seekers, code breakers, travel enthusiasts and train lovers.
With a second book publishing in September and two more in 2021, these books are stops which nobody will want to miss.
I have a station announcement: their collaboration is a chuffing triumph. Fans of Agatha Christie, or, more recently, Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine, should adore this mystery which makes a steam trail all of its own. - - Alex O'Connell - The Times Children's Book of the Week
Like Murder on the Orient Express but better . . . a terrific read! -- Frank Cottrell Boyce, author of Millions
A runaway romp of a read -- Piers Torday, author of The Lost Magician
Mysteries on trains - what's not to love? This absolutely rips along, perfect for the railhead child in your life! -- Ross Montgomery, author of Perijee and Me
Loved every page of this wild madcap delightful ride of a book! Cracking characters, page-turningly pacey, hilarious and nail-biting in turns . . . glorious. It's going to be a smash hit -- Liz Hyde, author of Bearmouth
A fabulous fast-paced ride, packed with clues, illustrations and intrigue - Bookseller
A super-fun middle-grade mystery with steam-trains and samoyeds. I loved it! -- Peter Bunzl, author of Cogheart
A thrill-ride of a mystery, guaranteed to be one of the most fun, atmospheric page turners of 2020 -- Lauren St John, author of Kat Wolfe Investigates
With the Highland Falcon Thief, M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman bring the classic mystery on a train bang up to date with a carriage-load of wit and suspense -- Ross Welford, author of Time Travelling with a Hamster
M.G. Leonard is the internationally bestselling author of the Battle of the Beetles trilogy and the non-fiction companion, The Beetle Collector's Handbook . Beetle Boy won the Branford Boase award and has been translated into thirty-seven languages worldwide. She is a beetle expert and lives in Brighton with her husband and two sons.
Sam Sedgman is a novelist, playwright and award-winning digital producer. His work has been performed internationally and shorltisted for the Courtyard Theatre award. Written with his friend, M.G. Leonard, The Highland Falcon Thief is Sam's first book for children. He lives in London and is a lifelong train and mystery enthusiast.
UKLA Book Awards - 2021
Children's Book Award 2022
the best books for 9-12 year olds
Wednesday: Official Glow Colouring Book
Ettie and the Midnight Pool
I can’t wait for the next adventure!
The Highland Falcon Thief is a great detective story set on a train. There are loads of strong and funny characters; especially the two main detectives: Hal and Lenny. At first, I thought it would be an easy mystery to solve – but I was wrong! The story became exciting with lots of clues and puzzles – and I enjoyed trying to solve the crime – although sometimes my predictions were incorrect!
My favourite part was the end, when Hal reveals his theory. I thought his character was brave, funny and clever. I can’t wait for the next adventure!
I would recommend this book as it is full of pictures, I hope the next book will be even better than this as this book, it will be hard to beat.... Read Full Review
All aboard the Highland Falcon for an awesomely action-packed mystery adventure! For fans of relatable and mystery-adventure stories.
An awesome mystery adventure across Scotland, perfect for fans of Taylor & Rose Mysteries and Twitch.
The main character, Hal, is both relatable and extraordinary at once.... Read Full Review
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Highland Falcon Thief and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Highland Falcon Thief features in the following genres: Activity and Puzzle Books, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Hobbies, quizzes, toys and games, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Crime & Mystery, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Recommendations, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Hardback, Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Highland Falcon Thief was written by M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman and published by Macmillan Children's Books an imprint of Pan Macmillan
The Highland Falcon Thief has 256 pages
Yes it is part of Adventures on Trains series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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