I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan Childrens Books in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the series and, in keeping with the theme of these books, it presents the reader with another brilliant mystery on a train, which needs to be solved. The train in question is the Safari Star, so in addition to solving the crime, we get to experience a steam-powered journey through the South African wilderness and go looking for the Big Five on safari. As usual, the only returning characters are Hal and his Uncle Nat, so everyone else joins our list of suspects and in this case potential victims...When someone is found dead inside a locked appartment, Hal has to make use of his growing detective skills to piece the clues together discover what really happened on board the Safari Star.

I find reading these books very comforting (which is possibly a weird thing to say about a book with a murder in it). Like the great whodunnit novels I've read in the past, there are some fixed elements of the story which gives me a sense of familiarity. I know that I will get to read about an exciting train journey, I know that a crime will be committed, I know that somehow Hal and Nat will get caught up in the mystery and I know that by the end Hal will have solved it all and I'll get find out how everything happen.

Everything else though, is new and often, unexpected! In each story, I get learn about a new type of train. I love the care that is taken to authentically describe both the appearance inside the carriages and also the mechanical workings of the locomotive. I am also so impressed by the authors' ability to vividly recreate the journey for me, so that I can clearly picture the setting in my head (particularly as this time, they weren't able to actually do the train journey themselves). I enjoy these parts of the story almost as much as I love trying to solve the mystery!

The mystery...I've enjoyed all the mysteries in these book so far and I think this one might be my favourite. It was so clever and the layers of the plot were so well planned. Even when I was pretty sure I knew why the crime had happened, I couldn't work out how! When all was finally revealed, I was just amazed at the authors' attention to detail.

This books are so entertaining and I love travelling the world with Hal and Nat. I hope the train journeys never end!

Leonard & Sedgman are the masters of misdirection with outcomes that Agatha Christie herself couldn't have conjured. There's no slowing the Adventures on Trains series down as 'Murder on the Safari Star' proves to be Hal's most dangerous and shocking adventure yet.

I think I mentioned this in a review of a previous book but I do absolutely love how each mystery has been set in a different location, keeping the series fresh with every new instalment. The setting of South Africa in this one really adds to the danger as there are encounters with snakes, elephants - and even lions! I volunteered on a game park in South Africa back in 2016 and I could really picture myself being back there when the location was being described and the characters were allowed to explore outside. The conversation about rhinos and their endangerment because of their horns is a very real and heartbreaking reality that I think was excellently talked about in this.

The main reason we love this series is that it's a mystery on a train - and this one does not disappoint. The mystery in this can be rather baffling at first but as Hal figures more things out, I really felt myself start to become a detective. Having said that, I still wasn't sure what the outcome would be, or who was behind it all, and I think Leonard & Sedgman played the game very well in leading me off certain character scents.

Hal and Uncle Nat continue to shine and their relationship is always so genuinely portrayed. Because they are so grounded now in who they are, I'm always excited to see how they interact with a new cast of characters, and who Hal makes friends with next. I loved Hal's new friendship with Winston and even the mongoose Chipo. Each new setting and each new cast of characters presents different challenges to Hal and Uncle Nat and I just love watching them navigate it all.

Three books in and I am always confident that I'm going to be in for the ride of a lifetime when I pick up an Adventures on Trains book. This one is definitely my favourite one so far and I cannot describe how excited I am for the fourth book, coming out this year, called Danger at Dead Man's Pass. EEEKKKK how exciting does that sound?!

I am a huge fan of this series which is going from strength to strength. In this instalment we have a classic locked room murder mystery that is perfectly realised as Hal uses his observational and drawing skills to piece the facts together and solve the mystery. As in the previous two books, the characters are well developed and I particularly like the positive relationship Hal has with his Uncle Nat who is both supportive and mindful throughout. The plot is carefully considered with enough details about the trains, landscape and other key issues (in this wildlife smuggling) to add to the story with out hindering it. There is also an excellent additional section at the end full of facts and details covered in the book. I honestly cannot wait for the next in the series!

A lot of fun, a nice story with interesting characters - if rather cliched in some cases - in an wonderful setting.

I would have liked to see more off-rail, off-safari glimpses of life in South Africa and Zimbabwe, or at least something that hinted at the region's history and race issues. Though I can see that this is asking a lot from a children's book.

Hal and his Uncle Nat are back on their third adventure and this time they're venturing on safari in Africa on a journey that will take them from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. From the very beginning of the journey, Hal's detective senses are twitching and he feels that something is not as it may seem, but he doesn't expect one of the guests to be murdered. With a retired detective on the train, investigations begin in earnest; however, can Hal and his new friend Winston get to the bottom of things before they reach the end of the line?

It was great to be back with Hal and his uncle who have such a wonderful relationship. But there was also a host of other characters to get to know and love (or hate) this time, in particular Chipo, the mongoose, who was such a loveable character.

Full of action and suspense, this is a fast-paced novel that will have you on the edge of your seat, and I guarantee there's an ending you won't see coming! Most definitely Hal's most dangerous but mist exciting adventure yet and I can't wait to board the next train with him.

This is the third installment in what has fast become one of my favourite middle grade mystery series, Adventures on Trains.

If you've not already read the first two, this can easily be read as a stand alone, but I promise you'll only want to go back and read them afterwards so I'd start at the very beginning as Maria von Trapp once sagely advised.

Here, we rejoin Hal and his Uncle Nat as they embark on another train ride of a lifetime, this time journeying through South Africa and Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls at Zambia's border.

The African landscape they travel through and the wildlife they see, both from the train and on safari, really enhance the book, as do Elisa Paganelli's wonderful illustrations.

There's also a nice environmental theme running through this, with issues of smuggling, hunting and conservation highlighted. It would be perfect for fans of Lauren St John or Jess Butterworth who maybe haven't tried the series yet.

So, in some ways, this very different setting gives it a very different vibe to the previous two. However, Leonard and Sedgman are a formidable writing duo who manage to keep it feeling very much in their style and in keeping with the earlier books too.

This is the perfect blend - it keeps it fresh and different, offers up new areas of interest, locations and themes, but ultimately you feel at home - I knew what to expect and was not disappointed!

From their portrayal of Hal's family life - warm and ordinary in the best sort of way (Christmas morning was everything I'd have expected, Hal's dad felt spot on!) - to his Uncle Nat's unwavering support for, and their open discussion of, his on board sleuthing (something which I know I mention in every review but it's so refreshing to see this adult-child dynamic in a story) to the level of detail and passion shown for the trains themselves (I've said it before but I'll say it again, I'd never have considered myself interested in trains but I'm always fascinated by what I find out in this series!) to the brilliant mix of characters on board to Hal's new partner in crime (detection).

Like in the previous books, Hal's sketches (courtesy of Elisa) are his means to documenting and solvimg the case, providing us with diagrams and sketches to aid the solving of te case. These are brilliant and complement the text so well.

I reached Hal's initial sketch of the passengers as they gather at the start of the journey, present in every book, with proper tingles of excitement - "here we go!" - ready for another mystery to begin.

As ever, they were a great mix from the loathsome to the lovely to the famous and the fun. And of course, there's suspicion and motive aplenty amongst them!

Because, of course, with young detective Hal and his Uncle aboard, this could never be an ordinary train ride! Helped by new friend Winston, Hal sets out on the trip convinced there's a crime to solve, but even he couldn't have foreseen the classic locked door murder he's faced with!

As ever, I really enjoyed the solving of the case - I had my (correct) suspicions from early on but couldn't piece them together to make it fit or figure out the hows, wheres and whys of it all so seeing the pieces slowly start to fall into place and Hal put it all together, well, I was glued to it!

I always enjoy the way the motives are explored in this series too; they never justify the crimes, but there's a level of understanding there, they never feel senseless. This one in particular feels really well done, but I can't say any more on that!

And of course, there was the obligatory musically themed chapter title for chapter eight, which I've now come to look forward to spotting in each one! (chapter 25 gave me a giggle too!)

I can't recommend this series highly enough - fast-paced, fun and full of mystery, they are hugely gripping and entertaining reads and I am already eagerly awaiting book four which (from the teaser at the end of this) sounds like it'll be amazing!

Thank you NetGalley and MacmIllan for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

Murder on the Safari Star is the third book in the Adventures on Trains series. I have not read the previous two books in the series but that did not spoil my enjoyment of this book.

Hal and his Uncle Nat are on a train journey across South Africa with an assortment of other passengers who all have their own quirks. Hal and Nat have previously solved mysteries on other train journeys. As you can guess from the title, a murder takes place and Hal sets out to find out who the culprit is. he has help from Winston, the son of the train's safari guide, and Winston's pet mongoose, Chipo.

As well as the action on the train, the story takes in safari trips which add to the atmosphere.

This is a great story which will be ideal for children in key stage 2. (One of my class has read the first in the series and really enjoyed it.) I will be recommending this series to children in my class..

I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This series really is wonderful! Honestly, I just want to go on awesome train trips around the world. They are so full of love for trains and mysteries, it really shines out from the books.

I felt that this was a little more contrived than the first two, but only in the sense that the crime feels a little engineered. Which is forgivable, as I doubt the series would work if Hal and Nat just went for a plain old train ride ;) Aside from all that, it was great to see Hal work his magic on another mystery. And also to see a friend that was less than convinced (at least at first!) by his snooping, and to see a detective who respects his skills.

I also found that I sort of figured out who would die and then who did it reasonably fast - though I didn't get why as you don't get the hint til close to the reveal. I never mind that though as they are so fun and well laid out. And the characters are all so wonderful. Even the unlikeable ones!

The safari element felt great as well - really respectful of the animals and explaining about hunting and endangered species. And I obviously loved Chipo, as he's adorable!

I was pleased to see that the galley had the illustrations in, as they really help make the books, and are honestly so fantastic.

We also got a teeeeeeeny sneak peek at the next book and I think it will be another corker - I'm liking the set up already.

4.5 stars.

I really love this series. I love mysteries, and the on-board setting (in a variety of locales) means it's a lock-in mystery - you know whoever did it is on the train. And, naturally, almost everyone has a motive. They're cosy, fun and addictive. They're basically Agatha Christie's MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS for Middle Grade - and this time, we get an actual murder.

This series acts like standalone mysteries - you can dive in anywhere and follow along perfectly because there aren't threads hanging over from previous books. If you don't start at the beginning, you'll pretty quickly discover the one thing you need to know: Hal and his Uncle Nat have been on a lot of train journeys that been beset by crimes! If you want to operate a train service that doesn't get press attention for a crime, best not to invite them - alas for Nat's job, which is travel writing about trains.

The mystery felt so much more complicated than the previous entries. There was just so much going on - so many threads weaving together to confuse matters as Hal tried to untangle it. I had guessed whodunnit quite early, but then doubted myself as I could not see how the various clues and ideas played together.

I loved that aspect of it, because it meant I was with Hal, having to reassess my ideas - and I was guessing throughout. I'm not a big fan of guessing really early, and then having to wait for everyone else to catch up.

The South African and Zimbabwe location of this mystery separates it from the other two (England and the US) as the train passes through the savannah. There is an undercurrent of environmental conservation running through the book as a result, which was a nice way of distinguishing the book further from its predecessors.

I am still on book two of the series so I gave this to my son to read for me. Christmas 2021 came early!

For fans of the series, you know what to expect. Great fun.

My full review to come.

Murder on the Safari Star has just steamed onto the shelves of your local bookseller or library so get hold of a copy and book your ticket for the adventure of a lifetime.

This is the third in the adventures on trains series from the writing partnership of MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman; I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all three and this is my favourite so far! The combination of the stunning southern African setting, the nods to Agatha Christie plots and the astounding artwork throughout the book all added to my immersion in the adventure and enjoyment of this book.

For those of you who haven’t read The Highland Falcon Thief or Kidnap on the California Comet, the series features Nathaniel Bradshaw (Uncle Nat) a widely respected travel writer and his nephew Harrison (Hal) who has an incredible talent for art, swiftly capturing scenes in his ever-present sketchbook, which help him analyse his observations and detect crimes.

This time around Uncle Nat has invited Hal to accompany him on a journey from Pretoria in South Africa to the Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Hal gets to see the wildlife that he was hoping to sketch, some of it at rather closer quarters than he anticipated...and once more finds himself unweaving a web of intrigue.

Before the journey even begins Hal spies a suspicious exchange of money between railway owner Luther Ackerman and a stranger, and from that moment the reader is caught up in Hal’s mission to spot clues and inconsistencies in his interactions with the glorious cast of fellow travellers. These include tweedy, novellist Beryl Brash, handsome actor Patrice Mbatha, entrepreneur and women’s rights activist Portia Ramaboa, a devoted Japanese couple Dr and Mrs Sasaki, a retired South African police detective Erik Lovejoy and a super-rich American family. When the deeply unpopular, brash, bullying billionaire Mervyn Crosby is found dead in his luxury cabin, everyone falls under suspicion and Hal discovers that murder is not the only crime aboard his latest train journey.

I am a huge fan of mystery novels and this series has swiftly become one of my favourites. Hal is such a likeable character, he is shy and quiet but his remarkable observation skills and talent for art help him organise his thoughts and spot details missed by adults. The books brilliantly incorporate Hal’s sketches, with the actual artwork being expertly rendered by awesome illustrator Elisa Paganelli. Whenever Hal sets off on a journey he makes friends who become allies in his crime-solving activities, in this case it is Winston Tsotsobe and his cute yellow mongoose Chipo, he has joined the train with his mother Liana, a zoologist and safari guide. As children are swept along in the adventure they just can’t help absorbing knowledge of geography, the natural world and conservation which I consider to be a great way to learn. There is also an interesting theme of "family" in this story and the way that families shape us and our behaviour which I think could lead to some interesting discussions with upper Key Stage 2 children.

While we are once again stuck at home I highly recommend taking a journey aboard the Safari Star to anyone of 8+.

I am most grateful to publisher Macmillan Children’s Books and NetGalley for allowing me access to the eARC of Murder on the Safari Star.

Murder on the Safari Star manages to be entertaining and informative at the same time. I like how the author mixed in information about South African and Zimbabwean culture to this lighthearted murder story. And I also learned about the yellow mongoose! I didn't even know about this animal before, and now I'm a fan, they are pretty cute. If you're looking for a fun and light murder mystery, travel to Africa and learn something on the way you'll love this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed my journey on the Safari Star. In fact, it was my favourite of the Adventure on Trains books so far. Its clever plot twists and wonderful characterisation make it an engaging and enjoyable read. The uncle/ nephew relationship is not one that's commonly explored and it's great to see that strong bond so evident in this series.

I’ve been a huge fan of the Adventures on Trains series since I read the Highland Falcon Thief as Waterstones Book of the Month, and this latest instalment does not disappoint at all! Fast, pacy, fun, and so smart, Hal and Uncle Nat have their best adventure yet when they travel through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia on a luxury train, but when a murder occurs, it’s up to Hal to find the killer, and maybe uncover a plot that’s been years in the making...

A full review coming to aboywithabook.Wordpress.com

I loved the previous two books in this series, so I was really excited to receive a review copy of Murder on the Safari Star. I was not disappointed.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. Both Hal and his uncle Nat are excellent characters, who I’ve grown to love over the course of the series. This book has a great cast of supporting characters, and, as always, they are all well drawn, with their own motivations.

There are plenty of amusing moments, as well as exciting ones.

As always, I love the illustrations by Elisa Paganelli. They really bring the story to life, and add a whole new layer to my enjoyment. I particularly liked the little mongoose drawings at the beginnings of the chapters. Having read the previous two stories in paperback, I was concerned that the illustrations would not come across well in the ebook edition - however, they are just as brilliant as in paperback.

In conclusion, this was yet another winning collaboration from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, with illustrations by Elisa Paganelli. There’s plenty of adventure, humour, and a nice mystery to solve. I’m already looking forward to reading the next instalment of the series.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, I have been fortunate enough to read this already and it took just four days.

As with the other books in the series it is captivating and well paced. The authors have a great mix of narrative writing and geographical information and train facts.

As with the earlier books, the illustrations throughout add to the enjoyment of this story. The target is children and having read book one to a class of ten year olds I know they will love to get their hands on this too, however, the clues are sufficiently well hidden to maintain interest and puzzles for adults too.

Unlike many trashy who dunnits, you can tell that the plot is well thought out and every chapter counts when the crime is finally solved.

Looking forward to the next instalment in Hal’s adventures already.

In true Adventures on Trains style, Hal and Uncle Nat are travelling together, not looking for a mystery but with the hope that one occurs. There are a few storylines working together to form an intriguing plot that runs the course of the book and the train journey!
Hal is back to being Sherlock Da Vinci, spending his time detecting and drawing, watching and making acute observations. Hal is an excellent judge of character and this talent continues to serve him well.

On this particular journey, there is a rather onerous man that no one seems to like. Causing arguments and tempers to flare, Mervyn Crosby is unliked, harsh and rude. Even his daughter has had enough of him.
The Safari Star is an incredibly powerful train that can travel through the hot desert sand, and it carries its water and coal, meaning it can go for longer stretches. Janice, the large engine, is described and drawn brilliantly, as are the rest of the illustrations by Elisa Paganelli.
The illustrations are part of the highlight for me as a reader. Hal works meticulously on his drawings and they help him, and the reader, determine the alibis and whereabouts of the characters. </p>
I was enthralled throughout the journey on the Safari Star- in part due to the mystery needing solving but also due to the safari element and aspects of conservation that are touched upon.

If anything, these Adventures on Trains spark my inner railway enthusiast and make me want to hop on board. We travelled by train through Italy on our honeymoon and it was such a brilliant way to see the country. I can imagine the Victoria Falls, the game reserves and the savannah being looked at from the windows of a luxury train.

I can attest to the brilliance of the three Adventures on Trains books and there is a snippet of book 4 at the end and it does sound intriguing and I cannot wait to see the mystery awaiting as well as the incredible illustrations!

Harrison (Hal) and Uncle Nat are back for their third fast-paced, heart-stopping, edge of your seat mystery! The Adventures on Trains series just keep getting better and better with Murder on the Safari Star. This time, Uncle Nat surprises Hal with the best Christmas present ever – a chance to travel through South Africa and Zimbabwe on a luxury steam train all the way to the extraordinary Victoria Falls.

When they arrive in Pretoria, ready to board the Safari Star, Hal meets all sorts of interesting and eccentric international characters. Hal’s new friend, Winston, is the son of the train’s safari guide. Along with Winston’s yellow mongoose, Chipo, the boys are ready to explore the train carriages and discover the stories of their fellow passengers. They also learn that the railway itself is in trouble. There aren’t enough customers to keep the line running. Hopefully, Uncle Nat’s positive review will bring in more passengers and give the Safari Star a future.

Everything is running smoothly until there’s a terrible accident and one of the passengers is found dead. Was it an accident or was it murder? Suddenly, everyone’s a suspect and Hal finds himself in the middle of another investigation? Can he solve the mystery before the train reaches the Zambian border?

Searching for clues, alibis and suspects turns a wildlife-spotting adventure into a matter of life and death. Secret compartments, smuggling and endangered animals launch Hal and Winston into very real danger. They must rely on their wits and deduction skills to work out who actually had the means, motive and opportunity to commit the multiple crimes onboard.

Murder on the Safari Star is another fantastic book to use in schools. Perfect for Key Stage Two (Years 3 to 6), it is engaging with just the right amount danger to keep everyone hooked. It would stretch beautifully up into Key Stage 3 as well. With great geography facts and information about British links to South Africa during the Industrial Revolution, it would fit into many different themes. But the true value of this series is its ability to encourage children to observe, think carefully, make connections and solve problems.

Elisa Paganelli’s illustrations are absolutely perfect. They bring the mystery to life and give the reader brilliant insight into Hal’s sketches and thought process.

The Adventures on Trains series has inspired us to travel the world on these historic railways. Hopefully, we will be able to one day but in the meantime, we’ll have to wait for the next adventure when Hal and Uncle Nat travel to Germany amongst superstitions and curses for Danger at Deadman’s Pass.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books for this brilliant book!

You can always trust MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman to bring you a wonderful mystery that is bound to keep you stumped up until the last few pages. I have been a huge fan of this series from the very beginning and what really makes these books so great, aside from the authors' exquisite writing, is Elisa Paganelli's sublime drawings that really bring this story to life; I genuinely think the series would be so different without them. It makes the reader feel like they are part of the action and often bring you even deeper into the world. I will be very sad when this series comes to an end, but while we have them, I encourage absolutely everyone to go out and buy them the minute they're on the shelves; you won't regret it! Hop aboard the Safari Star and treat yourself to a better 2021!

At a time when we can’t physically travel, what better way to go on an adventure than with Hal and his Uncle Nat as they journey across South Africa on ‘The Safari Star’.
This is the third book in the ‘Adventures on Trains’ series and I enjoyed it as much as the other two. Hal has turned detective on both train journeys he has been on with his journalist uncle and is secretly hoping to have some sort of crime to solve on this journey too. It’s not long before Hal sees someone acting suspiciously and convinces himself that something untoward is going on. With the help of his new friend, Winston, and his pet meerkat, Chipo, they start to take note of any further suspicious activity, just in case.
There are not many passengers travelling on ‘The Safari Star’ but they all seem to have interesting backgrounds. From a retired detective to a mystery novelist, a soap actor and a rude, American business man, there is certainly plenty for the boys to take note of. Hal makes his best observations through drawing and carries his sketchbook everywhere with him and it’s not long before Hal finds himself trying to solve a murder!

Funny, witty, and plenty of twists to keep you guessing, ‘Murder on the Safari Star’ is yet another page-turner in this series. I loved the descriptions of South Africa and the illustrations by Elisa Paganelli are wonderful, as always. Certainly Hal’s most dangerous adventure yet and I can’t wait for the next one!