This book was very exciting and I found myself being carried along on the ride. I love the whole idea and the small details. I could picture the whole thing in my mind and found it very interesting. It was a mystery and a very tough one. I really enjoyed this book. This book is perfect for readers 8-10.

Fun mystery that plays like a "Murder on the Orient Express" for kids, with 11 year old Hal standing in for Hercule Poirot. Hal and his stowaway friend Lenny try to figure out who has been stealing jewels on the last trip of the historic Highland Falcon train as it journeys to London with the prince and princess aboard. The fascinating details about trains, along with the well-constructed mystery, make this a memorable journey for readers.

This is a fun little mystery novel for middle grade readers. Hal is invited to join his uncle, a travel writer, on the last voyage of a historic steam train. He's apprehensive at first since there are not supposed to be any other kids and he can't use his electronics. Then he makes a friend who's not supposed to be there and gets caught up in a mystery when a jewel necklace goes missing. This will be a great read for kids who love trains or mysteries.

I read a digital ARC of this via Net Galley.

E ARC provided by Netgalley



Hal Beck is lucky enough to accompany his uncle, a travel writer, on the last journey of the fabled train, the Highland Falcon. The train has a rich history, royal connections, and his uncle has traveled on it before and written about it. Hal isn't quite prepared for how fancy the train is, and ends up borrowing a suit that used to belong to a prince. He is the only child on the train, or so he thinks until he meets Lenny Singh, the daughter of the engine driver, who has stowed aboard, in part because the beans on jacket potatoes her dad makes for teaareso awesome. There are problems aboard the train, however; there is a rash of jewel thefts, hitting everyone from Lady Lansbury, who is on the train with her pack of Samoyeds, to the princess herself. Luckily, Lenny knows the train, and Hal has a great eye and sketching ability. Suspicion for being the "Magpie" who steals the jewels falls on many of the travelers. Will Hal and Lenny be able to solve the crime before the end of the journey?
Strengths: While this is set in the modern day, it reminded me a bit of Beil's Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandit, which I loved, and had a very strong feel of a classic 1920s mystery like those of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, or Patricia Wentworth. (I'm a huge fan of British mysteries!) There are some nice modern twists, and a fast-paced, interesting mystery.
Weaknesses: I did wonder at the beginning if this were set in the past, but younger readers will just assume a present day setting.
What I really think: Sadly, my students are as excited about British mysteries as I am, but this is definitely worth a look if Steven's Wells and Wong mysteries are popular in your library.

A fun mystery for middle-grade readers.; the book is definitely a must-read for fans of mystery or trains! This book features strong characters and a clever mystery sure to keep you guessing. There's text and illustrations a la James Patterson's Treasure Hunters series (but this is better) I look forward to the next mystery by M.G. Leonard!