When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: ‘This one is special’. But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn’t take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly.

Just as things are getting out of hand, Alex’s grandfather arrives, whisking him away from his otherwise humdrum life and into a world of strange, macabre magic. From Paris to Prague, they flee across snowy Europe in a quest to unravel the riddle of the little robot, and outwit relentless assassins of the human and mechanical kind. How does Alex’s grandfather know them? And can Alex safely harness the robot’s power, or will it fall into the wrong, wicked hands?

'A dark, mysterious, adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster of a story' Kieran Larwood, author of The Five Realms 'Clever, funny, exciting and occasionally downright nasty - terrific stuff!' Alastair Chisholm, author of Orion Lost 'A brilliant sequel' Jennifer Killick, author of Crater Lake The thrilling sequel to Monstrous Devices - Alex and his grandfather hold the fate of history itself in their hands in a Rick Riordan meets Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure of epic proportions! When Alex's grandfather sent him a tin robot with strange powers, his world changed forever... Now, Alex must help his grandfather rescue his old friend Harry, who has fallen into the clutches of a formidable foe. The duo's mission takes them on a desperate dash across Europe, chasing down the mystery Harry was investigating when he disappeared. But can Alex work out the ancient secret that lies hidden in the depths of Germany's Black Forest and harness the powers of his robot before it's too late? Innocent lives - and even history itself - are at stake.

The thrilling sequel to Monstrous Devices–Alex and his grandfather hold the fate of history itself in their hands in a Rick Riordan meets Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure of epic proportions!

A few months ago, Alex’s world changed…forever.

Now, just when it seems life is almost getting back to normal, Alex’s grandfather crashes back into the picture with grave news: their friend Harry has fallen into the clutches of a familiar foe, and the old man needs Alex’s help to rescue him.

This time, the duo’s desperate dash across Europe leads from Paris deep into Germany’s foreboding Black Forest, as they chase down the mystery Harry had been investigating when he disappeared. A series of art thefts has made headlines across the continent, but the thieves are after more than priceless paintings. In the wrong hands, these stolen artefacts could unlock an ancient secret bigger than anything Alex ever dreamed of. If they can’t solve the riddle in time, innocent lives – and even history itself – could be at stake.

A cinematic and original page-turner for fans of Indiana Jones and Alex Rider On a winter's day, twelve-year old Alex receives a package in the mail: an old tin robot from his grandfather. 'This one is special,' says the enclosed note, and when strange events start occurring around him, Alex suspects this small toy is more than special; it might be deadly. Things get out of hand, Alex's grandfather arrives, saving him from an attack - and his otherwise humdrum world of friends, bullies, and homework - and plunging him into the macabre magic of an ancient family feud. Together, the duo flees across snowy Europe, unravelling the riddle of the little robot while trying to outwit relentless assassins of the human and mechanical kind. With an ever-present admiration for the hidden mysteries of our world, Monstrous Devices plunges readers into a gripping adventure that's sure to surprise.

'A dark, mysterious, adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster of a story' Kieran Larwood, author of The Five Realms 'Clever, funny, exciting and occasionally downright nasty - terrific stuff!' Alastair Chisholm, author of Orion Lost 'A brilliant sequel' Jennifer Killick, author of Crater Lake The thrilling sequel to Monstrous Devices - Alex and his grandfather hold the fate of history itself in their hands in a Rick Riordan meets Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure of epic proportions! When Alex's grandfather sent him a tin robot with strange powers, his world changed forever... Now, Alex must help his grandfather rescue his old friend Harry, who has fallen into the clutches of a formidable foe. The duo's mission takes them on a desperate dash across Europe, chasing down the mystery Harry was investigating when he disappeared. But can Alex work out the ancient secret that lies hidden in the depths of Germany's Black Forest and harness the powers of his robot before it's too late? Innocent lives - and even history itself - are at stake.

'I enjoyed everything about Damien Love's debut.' Anthony Horowitz, bestselling author of the Alex Rider series 'Hugely original, exciting debut novel... a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour... Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.' The Times 'An effortless, atmospheric evocation of place and history combine in an unforgettable, immersive reading experience.' Guardian 'This grandad and grandson adventure has all the hallmarks of a whopping kids' thriller.' The Big Issue, Kids' Books of the year When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: 'This one is special'. But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn't take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly. Just as things are getting out of hand, Alex's grandfather arrives, whisking him away from his otherwise humdrum life and into a world of strange, macabre magic. From Paris to Prague, they flee across snowy Europe in a quest to unravel the riddle of the little robot, and outwit relentless assassins of the human and mechanical kind. How does Alex's grandfather know them? And can Alex safely harness the robot's power, or will it fall into the wrong, wicked hands?