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By M. G. Leonard (author) Part of the The Twitchers series
"The fittingly thrilling finale to M.G. Leonard’s adventure-packed avian detective quartet sees the bird-mad Twitchers investigate a high-profile feather heist."
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Inspired by a true crime, M.G. Leonard’s Feather sees the Twitchers turn their detective skills to solving a baffling heist mystery. The twisty case kicks off when Ava’s visit to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum is cut short by a theft. Always on alert, she decides to remain in the museum after the alarm sounds and discovers that hundreds of priceless bird of paradise skins have been swiped.
As the case catches the attention of the media, the Twitchers find themselves having to solve what might be their most challenging, perplexing case. The clues are confusing, and the motives aren’t clear either. For example, the young detectives have to figure how why the skins were stolen — might a fashion designer be responsible, or a fly-tying specialist? Or someone else entirely?
While it’s not long before the Twitchers have a host of lines of inquiry to investigate, alongside being a twisting, adventure-packed detective story, the novel also explains the vital importance of museum collections: “You cannot put a price on a collection. It isn’t about money; it’s about knowledge.
These missing birds won’t be able available for future generations of scientists. We can’t know the damage…the cost to humankind.” And this theme is a fittingly rousing end to the quartet.
The Twitchers have one last mystery to solve – and this time it's a heist! The final unputdownable adventure in the bestselling birdwatching detective series from the internationally acclaimed author of Beetle Boy and Adventures on Trains, wildlife queen M.G. Leonard.
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The Twitchers have one last mystery to solve – and this time it's a heist! The final unputdownable adventure in the bestselling birdwatching detective series from the internationally acclaimed author of Beetle Boy and Adventures on Trains , wildlife queen M.G. Leonard.
On a school trip to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum, Ava finds herself at the centre of a heist: hundreds of invaluable bird of paradise skins from the Alfred Wallace Collection have been stolen! When she discovers a large jet-black feather, she's sure it's a clue, but the police won't listen to her. Slipping away, she takes the case to the Twitchers in an investigation that leads them to the bizarre and sinister world of fly-fishing, and to a mysterious girl with a pet Raven called Caliban and a dangerous ring of thieves and smugglers...
Based on a true crime, this is a strange and fascinating mystery full of unexpected twists and turns.
Feather is an exciting winter mystery adventure about friendship, bravery and protecting nature, perfect for readers 9+ and for fans of Robin Stevens, Lauren St John and Jenny Pearson. It can be enjoyed as a stand-alone adventure or read as part of The Twitchers series.
M. G. Leonard reads from Feather
'Leonard knows her audience and the jeopardy comes in flocks ... Find your nest, curl up and enjoy.' - The Times, Children's Book of the Week
'A twist-laden, thriller-like tale of a bird-mad boy, some bullies and an escaped convict hiding in the nearby woods.' - Observer
'A twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and nature.' - Sunday Times
'Simply genius.' - BBC Wildlife Magazine
'Leonard has crafted an intelligent mystery from unlikely material, with bonus bird facts.' - Irish Times
'A winged masterpiece.' - Maz Evans
'Enthralling from beginning to end, it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!' - Dara McAnulty
' Twitch is an absolute triumph. The perfect blend of mystery and adventure, a winning hero with an eye for ornithological facts and a heart as big as the countryside, plus a cracking whipsmart plot, I think this is M. G. Leonard's best book yet.' - Christopher Edge
'Cracking characters, beyond pacy plotting and an ending that is almost Bugsy Malone-esque!' - Phil Earle
'A skilfully crafted mystery adventure. A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere.' - Rob Biddulph
'Another pacy wonderful adventure steeped in the magic of nature and friendship.' - Jasbinder Bilan
M.G. Leonard has made up stories since she was a girl, but back then adults called them lies or tall tales and she didn't write them down.
As a grown up, her favourite things to create stories about are beetles, birds, and trains. Her books have been translated into over forty languages and won many awards. She is the vice president of the insect charity Buglife, and a founding author of Authors4Oceans.
She lives in Brighton with her husband, two sons, a fat cat called Kasper, a dog called Nell, and a variety of exotic beetles.
Find the books in M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman's series, Adventures on Trains, here.
M.G. Leonard has a first-class honours degree in English Literature and an MA in Shakespeare Studies from Kings College London. She is the author of Beetle Boy and is still overcoming her fear of all things creepy crawly. She works in London as the Senior Digital Media Producer for the National Theatre, and previously worked at the Royal Opera House and Shakespeare’s Globe. Leonard spent her early career in the music industry running Setanta Records, an independent record label, and managing bands, most notably The Divine Comedy. After leaving the music industry, she trained as an actor, dabbling in directing and producing as well as performing, before deciding to write her stories down. Leonard lives in Brighton with her partner and two sons and her pet rainbow stag beetle.
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I loved reading this book - the new one from MG Leonard and final in the Twitches series did not disappoint.
It's my favourite book in this bird themed quartet, each book focusing on a different character and set in a different season, with a different bird themed mystery to solve.
Ava can't wait for the school holidays. Just one last day and then she can return to Briddvale and see her friends. As the term comes to an end, Ava and her class head off on a school trip to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum. Whilst there, Ava realises that hundreds of special Bird of Paradise skins have been stolen from the museum's collection. When she finds a black feather, she's sure it must be a clue to the mystery, but the police won't listen to Ava's theory. So along with the rest of the Twitchers, her fellow bird loving friends, Ava decides to try and solve the mystery herself.... Read Full Review
A wonderful and exciting book, beautifully written.
This book is about a group of children called the Twitchers who love to solve a mystery. Some valuable bird skins from a museum have been stolen. The Twitchers find a black feather at the scene of the crime. Can the Twitchers find out who committed the crime and why? What does the feather have to do with the mystery? I like how the book is written; it is funny yet thrilling to read at the same time. The characters all have different personalities but one thing they all have in common is they all love birds. My favourite character is Twitch because he is knowledgeable and helpful. He cares the most about birds and even looks after some. Some of the themes in this book are friendship, mystery and adventure.... Read Full Review
The Twitchers have one last mystery to solve – and this time it's a heist! The final unputdownable adventure in the bestselling birdwatching detective series from the internationally acclaimed author of Beetle Boy and Adventures on Trains, wildlife queen M.G.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Feather and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-10 years old
Feather features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Crime & Mystery, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Fiction, Recommendations, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Wildlife, The Natural World, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Feather was written by M. G. Leonard and published by Walker Books Ltd
Feather has 305 pages
Yes it is part of The Twitchers series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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