By Peter Burns (author) Part of the Shadow Thieves series
"Possibly the most explosive, action packed, daredevil adventure of the year."
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June 2025 Debut of the Month
Wow. Secret societies, a boarding school with a difference, kids on the run and missions impossible – Shadow Thieves has it all, and lots more besides.
When we first meet our hero 13-year-old Tom Morgan, he’s getting by as a pickpocket on the streets of an alternative London, one of a gang of kids living on their wits and hiding from the authorities and life in one of the dreadful workhouses. When his friends are captured, Tom is determined to get them out, no matter the risk to himself, but he’s caught the attention of another set of pretty ruthless adults, the leaders of an elite school for young scoundrels – conmen, thieves, confidence tricksters.
Joining halfway through the school year is never easy, and there’s a decidedly unfriendly welcome from some of his fellow pupils. Even as Tom proves his right to be there, he learns to be ever more cautious about who to trust, not easy when he has to put his life in others’ hands on a secret and highly dangerous mission.
The action comes thick and fast, and the plot has all the elements of the twistiest spy thriller too, but Peter Burns keeps tight control of it all and the chapters pass effortlessly. Tom will be back for more adventures, and let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long.
Skandar meets Oliver Twist in this blockbusting new middle grade adventure series - perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.
Read the full description
13-year-old Tom Morgan and his friends live on the streets of an alternate London, shining shoes and picking pockets - until one day Tom's friends are caught and sent to a brutal workhouse.
Frantic and without a way to save them, Tom bumps into the mysterious Corsair, who offers him an opportunity to train at an elite international boarding school for thieves. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Tom lets himself be whisked away to the snowy Alps in a zeppelin.
Swept into a thrilling world of danger and intrigue, the more secrets he learns about the Shadow League, the harder it becomes for Tom to leave. But there are dark forces at work and real danger is coming...
Can Tom save his fellow pupils from disaster - and ever be able to get home agan to rescue his friends?
Get ready for the stunning debut in what is guaranteed to become every reader's favourite new series!
Heart-pounding adventure, thrilling heists, remote boarding schools full of ancient secrets waiting to be discovered and much much more....
'Utterly fabulous' - Alexander Armstrong
'I have never been as quickly hooked by a book as I have been reading Shadow Thieves by debut fiction author Peter Burns. Debut author? And it’s this good? Shadow Thieves is the real thing. Gripping from page one, this epic novel is a more grounded Percy Jackson, a fun read start to finish” — Michael Grant
Peter Burns is the author of ten critically acclaimed non-fiction sports books and has been nominated for numerous awards, including twice for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. The truth, however, is that he's always wanted to write children's books, so Shadow Thieves is a dream come true.
Peter studied English at the University of St Andrews before gaining a Masters in publishing at Napier University. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, four kids and a slightly nervous cocker spaniel.
He isn't a Thief, a Spy, an Assassin or a Politico.
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Skandar meets Oliver Twist in this blockbusting new middle grade adventure series - perfect for fans of Percy Jackson. 13-year-old Tom Morgan and his friends live on the streets of an alternate London, shining shoes and picking pockets - until one day Tom's friends are caught and sent to a brutal workhouse. Frantic and without a way to save them, Tom bumps into the mysterious Corsair, who offers him an opportunity to train at an elite international boarding school for thieves.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Shadow Thieves and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Shadow Thieves features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Romance / Relationship Stories, School Stories, Thrillers, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Military and war fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Speculative, dystopian and utopian fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Shadow Thieves was written by Peter Burns and published by Farshore an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Shadow Thieves has 364 pages
Yes it is part of Shadow Thieves series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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