Another fantastic adventure with Hal and his travel writing Uncle Nat.

Although not expecting a kidnap on their latest travels on the Californian Comet, Hal is determined to find out what has happened especially with the kidnapped child has become a friend of his.

The illustrations are perfect once again and have become a way for Hal to remember certain parts of his trip and have come in handy with solving the mysteries he becomes caught up in.

Highly recommended!

I loved Kidnap on the California Comet! The interactions between the characters were great and I definitely didn't see the solution to the kidnapping until about when Hal did, which is fantastic.

Another great mystery for train loving Hal and his Uncle Nat. This one takes us across America as they work to solve the mystery of the Kidnapping of Marianne Reza. Lots of interesting clues to entice the sleuth in all of us.

Hal and his Uncle Nat are off on another train adventure, this time crossing America. But what Nat hopes will be a scenic journey with plenty of drawing opportunities for Hal, soon becomes a desperate attempt to solve the mysterious kidnapping of a billionaire's daughter.

Kidnap on the California Comet is a perfect back-to-school read for young mystery fans. It's filled with lots of red herrings and plenty of clues for junior detectives to pick up on as they read. After plenty of twists and turns, it builds to a satisfying conclusion.

This story had an amazing setting and it definitely made me want to jump on a train and travel across America. Views from the Comet are brought to life both through the language and Elisa Paganelli's brilliant illustrations. I loved Hal's incredible artistic ability and it really works to see it reflected through the drawings in the book.

Leonard and Sedgman perfectly capture the feeling of being overlooked because of your age. Hal's determination to save his friend despite all of the adults telling him to leave it to the experts is really admirable. While it is the quick thinking (and often underestimated) children who save the day, there are always adults they can turn to when needed. The bond between Hal and his uncle is one of this series' strengths. I liked how understanding and encouraging Nat was (and also his six watches, which sounded so cool!)

This story touches on series subjects such as homesickness, feeling neglected, and always trying to do the right thing. Hal has to learn that, when following leads, being honest is more important than getting answers, and that sometimes the direct approach is more effective. He grows as a character over the course of the story and its great to see him put some of his new knowledge into action in the story's exciting climax.

Kidnap on the California Comet is also full of strong friendships. Hal is open and kind and forms bonds which last beyond his adventure on the Comet. Hadley and Mason's magic tricks and performances provided endless fun (I would happily read a spin off story about these talented siblings).

This series is a future classic and I'm looking forward to finding out where Hal and Nat travel next.

Having only left home to visit my local supermarket and employing school, or for my daily allowed exercise in the past few weeks, in common with many people books have been my escape to other places. In this read I found myself blissfully travelling across western America in the company of two old friends and several new ones.

The Highland Falcon Thief was a book I read after a very dear friend of mine raved about it and I found myself loving it just as much as she did on reading it. As in that book, the story focuses on Hal, who is again travelling with his Uncle Nat. Unlike previously, when Hal had been been an initially unwilling passenger, this time he is very much looking forward to his time away, having been swept away both by the romance of the journey and by solving the theft of a valuable gemstone in book one.

As before, the book opens with a map of the journey by illustrator Elisa Paganelli, whose gorgeous pictures are dotted throughout the book, complementing the text perfectly. Unlike in many books, the illustrations are referred to regularly as they form part of Hal’s record of his trip and, as he is a gifted artist with an almost photographic memory, a vital part in his solving the crimes he encounters.

Having flown across the Atlantic, Hal and Uncle Nat find themselves in Chicago’s Union Station, a building which Hal describes as looking like: ‘a palace, library and church rolled into one’ where they are to board their train. Here, Hal first encounters some of his fellow passengers and befriends siblings Mason and Hadley: a talented mimic and budding magician.

Hal is suitably impressed by the train on which they are to travel – the California Comet – an enormous double-decker Superliner with the ‘Silver Scout’ attached to it: a refurbished observation car. This observation car is the private carriage of August Reza, a billionaire industrialist who will also be travelling, accompanied by daughter Marianne and her bodyguard, Woody.

After setting off, Hal and Uncle Nat find themselves invited to visit the Silver Scout where Mr Reza explains his vision of the future – a world in which fossil fuels are no longer required and trains provide a greener way of transportation for the masses. Marianne invites Hal to join her to share in some time drawing together but when Hal accidentally knocks over her pens she turns on him, shaking him up badly.

Following on from this visit, Hal and Uncle Nat are joined for lunch by gym coach Gene Jackson and his son Ryan, who appears to abuse Hal’s sketchbook before making a combination of mysterious gestures which leave Hal perplexed. Marianne Reza then gives Woody the slip to apologise to Hal and tells him and the siblings that she is being followed by a fellow passenger who she fears will kidnap her.

It is while the train has stopped in order for Marianne’s father to deliver a press conference at which he launches a competition to design the train of the future and reveals that his company has invented the world’s smallest, most-powerful solar battery that Hal works out that Ryan had been warning him about Marianne. Acting quickly, Hal tries to prevent anything happening to the girl but he is too late and in front of his eyes she is bundled into the boot of a waiting car and driven away.

Having recorded what he sees as valuable information in his sketchbook, Hal is frustrated to find the investigating officer dismisses his evidence because of his age and decides that it is up to him to once again solve the crime to which he has been a witness. Slowly, and with the help of Mason and Hadley, Hal pieces together the clues that he finds in order to solve the mystery and prevent further harm to Marianne.

As with The Highland Falcon Thief, the unfolding story is very believable and although (unlike before) I worked out who was responsible for the crime fairly early on, I couldn’t work out how they had done it. In best ‘Agatha Christie’ style, the big reveal at the end shows the reader how the crime has been solved with great skill and does not patronise the younger audience at which the book is aimed.

Although this story refers to to the adventure in the first book, it stands perfectly well on its own and you do not need to have read that to enjoy this. And enjoy it, I certainly did. The relationship between Hal and Uncle Nat is one which many will recognise of a child who is fast approaching independence and an older, benevolent relative who exerts just enough adult influence, while allowing many freedoms which a parent would not. In common with the first book, the train itself plays a major part in the story and some background information on the type of train described is included at the end of the book for those who are keen to know more.

There are many readers both child and adult who will enjoy this book just as much as I did. I found it a really ‘comforting’ book and would recommend it to able Year 4 readers and above. Is there to be a third in the series? I suspect there must be – after all, a series surely can’t comprise just two books! I for one am very much looking forward to seeing where the next adventure will take me.

Huge thanks must go to Net Galley and Macmillan Publishers for allowing me to read this ahead of publication on September 3rd.

After a promising start to the series, the Train Adventures hit full steam in this second instalment. Hal and Uncle Nat take their love of trains to the U S of A, where they meet a brand new assortment of fellow travellers. As the title suggests, this is not the relaxing trip they had planned.
At times this book really was reminiscent of the Poirot books I've enjoyed recently. There are enough clues and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I wish my Famous Five-loving childhood self had had access to this kind of book!

Uncle Nat has taken Hal on the trip of a lifetime, all the way to Chicago where they are hopping on board the California Comet. This exceptional three day journey will take them across Western America, through ever changing landscapes and time zones, finally arriving in Emeryville, California.
Believing that riding the train will be the biggest adventure of this journey, Hal and Nat are in for a surprise. From the beginning of this trip, Hal has an unexpected feeling, as though something is going to happen. He begins to record events in his sketchbook capturing faces, moments and details that will of course be hugely important later in the story. Elisa Paganelli's illustrations are significant to the reader as we can see what Hal sketches and they are incredible!
Hal, a magnet for friends, meets several interesting characters who, like Lenny in book one, become important as the story develops. August Reza has invited journalists, like Nat, to hear a huge announcement about his future plans. He travels in style on his very own custom designed train carriage, alongside daughter Marianne and her bodyguard.
As you read the story, you meet fascinating characters who add a level of mystery to the journey. A man who never lets his briefcase out of sight, a woman wearing a bearded dragon and a father and son duo who seem on edge. Also on board is a grumpy woman with questions and fellow journalist, Zola. With these characters on board, what could possibly go wrong???
A kidnapping-
However, the clues aren’t adding up, the police aren't interested in Hal's detailed drawings and theories, so Hal needs to find allies who will listen and believe him. With an incredible cast of characters travelling with him, who can he choose and trust? A new nickname is given to Hal on this trip and it is an exceptional fit- Sherlock Da Vinci!
As with all perfect mysteries, the stage is set, the suspects are in front of you and yet there are still twists and turns to contend with. Can Hal solve this kidnapping before they arrive in Emeryville?
All aboard for an adventurous journey on the California Comet! It is one you won't soon forget.

Another excellent detective mystery from this brilliant team! Hal is back with more mystery and intrigue, this time aboard the California Comet.

Oh my goodness. Having loved The Highland Falcon Thief I was extraordinarily excited to read this - it did not disappoint. Within a few pages I was once again hooked and following Hal's journey with great excitement. I love the character of Uncle Nat, clearly a childless man but dedicated uncle.
The writing was once again deliciously descriptive and as I slipped silently through each chapter I could picture myself there, on the California Comet, soaking in the american scenery despite the fact that Hal seemed to be doing anything but watching the view.
As the suspense builds through the book the characters tease and play with the readers emotions pulling them in to the tangled web of relationships and seeing what you want to see rather than what's in front of you, you can actually feel Hal's confusion and frustration as he tries frantically to piece together the clues before it's too late
The setting is clearly well researched making it believable and relatable and the characters are appealing, fun and familiar.
Another immensely enjoyable read that I know I am going to enjoy sharing with many children. I hope there will be many more Adventures on Trains.

Mystery and intrigue step up a gear in Kidnap on the California Comet, the highly-anticipated sequel to The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. This second Adventures on Trains story doesn’t disappoint as 12 year-old Hal Beck is back riding the rails with his Uncle Nat. This time, they’re in America on the California Comet – an iconic three day train journey from Chicago to San Francisco. As they race across this vast country, passing amazing, ever-changing landscapes, Hal finds himself in the middle of a kidnapping!

Uncle Nat, a journalist, has been invited onto the California Comet to report on a special announcement by wealthy technology entrepreneur, August Reza. Reza loves all things trains and dreams of creating the trains of the future. His daughter, Marianne, is less keen and just wants to spend time with her father. When Marianne is kidnapped, Hal and his new friends, Mason and Hadley, use all of their skills to search for clues. It seems that every one of the strange passengers on the train could be a suspect. Will Hal find the answer in time? Fortunately, this “Sherlock Davinci” uses his sketchbook to tell the story of his investigation and every key moment is preserved. Illustrator, Elisa Paganelli, helps the reader to really see the story through Hal’s eyes and feel as much a part of it as any of the other characters.

The California Comet is an incredible train: shiny silver, double decker and massive windows to see the awe-inspiring views. Uncle Nat says the diesel-electric engines aren’t as friendly-looking as steam engines but Hal is completely taken in, especially when he gets to visit August Reza’s private railcar attached to the train. He’s never seen anything like it and is completely blown away by how amazing it is! The train, the stations and the landscapes are characters themselves in this book. From the palace-like Union Station in Chicago with its marble hall and high ceilings to the Durham Museum in Omaha and the start of the First Transcontinental Railroad to the small town stations along the way, each stop has its own story and important part to play. Between the stations, there are endless fields, mountain bends, dark tunnels, deep canyons, winding rivers and hot deserts – Hal sees more in three days than many people see in a lifetime.

There is so much scope to use this book in the classroom. It is a fantastic example of the power of children and their ability to solve problems, even when adults don’t listen. Hal’s observation skills and brilliant sketchbook (brought to life by Elissa Paganelli) show the value of developing drawing techniques and trusting your inner eye, your own interpretation of events and what you see. There is a fun play on the differences between UK and US English and how, even with the same language, there can be misunderstandings (as a Canadian living in the UK, I completely empathise with this!) Issues around technological advancements versus conservation and the environment are key to the development of the trains of the future and debate about the use of fossil fuels for energy is key to what August Reza is trying to do. Finally, opportunities to explore Geography are huge. It would be wonderful to track the journey with children as a part of a topic about America and its diversity.

The adventuresontrains.com website is full of resources to support and extend use of both Kidnap on the California Comet and The Highland Falcon Thief. Details about the books, the authors, the illustrator, activities, author videos and information about school events provide the perfect starting point for developing a unit of work centred on these fantastic books!

This is a confidence building read with its engaging mystery story, manageable text and fun characters. The story draws readers in right from the start. When I was just a few chapters in, I felt like I was back with old friends, catching up and getting ready for our next big adventure. I can’t wait to find out where Hal and Uncle Nat will travel next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Books for this wonderful book that will be published in September 2020.

I loved the first adventure in the series so was thrilled to read an advance copy of book 2.
I absolutely adored it and raced through it. Great characters, pacing and action. Deserves to be as successful as book 1 and would love to read more in the series