Wrede kewermodebaas Lucretia Cutter het ’n plan om die wêreld voor haar kewerkloue te laat buig. Hierdie keer behels dit ’n besoek aan die jaarlikse Filmtoekennings in Los Angeles, ’n stel pragtige maar gevaarlike kewerrokke vir bekende aktrises en ’n weermag van bose lieweheersbesies. Darkus, Virginia en Bertold is vasbeslote om ’n stokkie voor haar planne te steek, maar Darkus se pa het hom verbied om verder ondersoek in te stel, die gruwelike skelms, Humphrey en Pickering is weer uit die tronk en die kewers van Kewerberg se lewens word ernstig bedreig.

Darkus kan sy oe nie glo toe hy ’n reuseinsek by sy aaklige nuwe buurman se broekspyp sien uitval nie. Die dierasie het sewe bene – of ses bene en ’n horing – en dit lyk of hy wil kommunikeer. Maar hoe kan ’n seun vriende wees met ’n gogga wat so groot soos ’n hamster is? En wat presies het hierdie kewer te doen met sy pa se geheimsinnige verdwyning en die verskyning van die bose Lucretia Cutter met haar voorsmaak vir lewendige juweliersware? Die antwoord is dalk iewers tussen die berg muwwe teekoppies in die bure se woonstel – as Darkus en sy nuwe vriend dapper genoeg is om ondersoek in te stel … Hierdie is die eerste boek van ’n kewertrilogie van die jong skrywer M.G. Leonard.

Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from the prize-winning M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. First stop, The Highland Falcon Thief, a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve.

Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. But as the train makes its way to Scotland, a priceless brooch goes missing, and things are suddenly a lot more interesting. As suspicions and accusations run high among the passengers, Harrison begins to investigate and uncovers a few surprises along the way. Can he solve the mystery of the jewel thief and catch the culprit before they reach the end of the line?

'A chuffing triumph' The Times, Children's Book of the Week

'Like Murder on the Orient Express but better . . . a terrific read!' Frank Cottrell Boyce

Hear whispers in the dining car, find notes in the library, and unknown passengers among the luggage as you help Harrison to solve the mystery aboard one of the world's grandest trains. Fast-paced and packed with illustrations and clues, Adventures on Trains is a stop you won't want to miss!

Join Hal and Uncle Nat as they plunge straight into an exciting mystery – this time while on Safari!

All-aboard for the third amazing journey in the bestselling Adventures on Trains series, Murder on the Safari Star, from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated throughout by Elisa Paganelli.

Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are on the journey of a lifetime aboard the Safari Star – a luxurious steam train that will take them from Pretoria to the stunning Victoria Falls. Close encounters with the amazing animals and landscape of Southern Africa are adventure enough, but things get mysterious when a passenger is found dead inside a locked compartment. Is it just a terrible accident or is something more suspicious afoot? It’s up to train detective Hal and his new friend Winston to find out.

Board the California Comet and help Harrison Beck to solve another heart-stopping mystery in the second Adventures on Trains story, Kidnap on the California Comet, from bestselling authors M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman.

After the excitement of his adventures aboard the Highland Falcon Thief, Harrison Beck can't wait for the opportunity to go on another amazing train journey. So when his Uncle Nat invites him aboard the California Comet, the iconic three-day train journey from Chicago to San Francisco, he leaps at the chance to travel. But when the daughter of billionaire entrepreneur August Reza goes missing en route, Hal finds himself with another mystery to solve. Can he uncover the kidnapper before the journey's end?

An adrenaline-fuelled journey across America from bestselling authors M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman in the second mystery adventure in the major Adventures on Trains series.

Embark on a thrilling fourth adventure in the bestselling, prize-winning Adventures on Trains series - Danger at Dead Man's Pass, from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, as Harrison Beck investigates an ancient family curse high in the German mountains. Illustrated in black-and-white throughout by Elisa Paganelli. A mysterious letter from an old friend asks Hal and Uncle Nat to help investigate a spooky supernatural mystery. Legend has it the Kratzensteins, a family of rich and powerful railway tycoons, are cursed, but there is no such thing as a curse, is there . . .? Hal and Nat take the night train to Berlin and go undercover. From a creaking spooky old house at the foot of the Harz mountains, they take the Kratzenstein family's funeral train to the peak of the Brocken Mountain. Can Hal uncover the secrets of the Brocken railway and the family curse before disaster strikes? Danger at Dead Man's Pass can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Adventures on Trains series. Join Hal and Uncle Nat on more stops in this thrilling series with: The Highland Falcon Thief, Kidnap on the California Comet, Murder on the Safari Star and Sabotage on the Solar Express. Praise for the Series: 'Like Murder on the Orient Express but better!' - Frank Cottrell-Boyce on The Highland Falcon Thief 'A thrilling and hugely entertaining adventure story' - David Walliams on The Highland Falcon Thief 'A first class choo-choo-dunnit!' - David Solomons on Kidnap on the California Comet 'A high-speed train journey worth catching . . .The best yet' - The Times on Murder on the Safari Star 'This series just gets better and better' - Maz Evans on Danger at Dead Man's Pass

'A thrilling and hugely entertaining adventure story' - David Walliams on The Highland Falcon Thief, the first journey in the Adventures on Trains series. The bestselling, prize-winning Adventures on Trains series embarks on a thrilling sixth adventure as Harrison Beck and Uncle Nat climb aboard the night train to Narvik, travelling to the Arctic Circle to see the northern lights for Christmas. But as their train leaves Stockholm, Hal and Uncle Nat realize they're being followed by a sinister figure, and Hal's powers of observation are tested when Uncle Nat's past comes back to haunt him. Journeying into the never ending night of the arctic winter, our railway detectives must outsmart an assassin in their most chilling adventure yet, in which nothing is as it seems. The Arctic Railway Assassin can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the award-winning Adventures on Trains series written by M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Join Hal and Uncle Nat on more stops in this thrilling series with: Murder on the Safari Star, Danger at Dead Man's Pass and Sabotage on the Solar Express. Praise for the series: 'Like Murder on the Orient Express but better!' - Frank Cottrell-Boyce on The Highland Falcon Thief 'A first class choo-choo-dunnit!' - David Solomons on Kidnap on the California Comet 'A high-speed train journey worth catching . . .The best yet' - The Times on Murder on the Safari Star 'This series just gets better and better' - Maz Evans on Danger at Dead Man's Pass

M. G. Leonard, the award-winning bestselling author of the Adventures on Trains series and Twitch, dazzles in this future classic with a powerful message at its core. Gorgeously illustrated in black-and-white throughout by Penny Neville-Lee this hardback is a perfect gift for boys and girls of 8-12. At the stroke of midnight on the dawn of December, five-year-old Finn Albedo is found frozen in the city park standing on a pedestal of ice. His heart is beating, he is smiling serenely, but no one can wake him. Finn’s big sister, Bianca, suspects that the beautiful sparkling book Finn got from the library has something to do with it, but the book has vanished. Does the tall mysterious stranger who first discovered Finn know more than they will admit? Each day, more children are found frozen and Bianca realizes she’s running out of time. Her quest to discover the truth and rescue her little brother hurls her into a fantastical winter wonderland, full of beauty and danger, where all is not as it seems. Can Bianca save her brother and the other Ice Children before they are forever lost?

The Twitchers have one last mystery to solve – and this time it's a heist! The final unputdownable adventure in the bestselling birdwatching detective series from the internationally acclaimed author of Beetle Boy and Adventures on Trains, wildlife queen M.G. Leonard. On a school trip to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum, Ava finds herself at the centre of a heist: hundreds of invaluable bird of paradise skins from the Alfred Wallace Collection have been stolen! When she discovers a large jet-black feather, she's sure it's a clue, but the police won't listen to her. Slipping away, she takes the case to the Twitchers in a investigation that leads them to the bizarre and sinister world of fly-fishing, and to a mysterious girl with a pet Raven called Caliban and a dangerous ring of thieves and smugglers... Feather is an exciting winter mystery adventure about friendship, bravery and protecting nature, perfect for readers 9+ and for fans of Robin Stevens, Lauren St John and Jenny Pearson. It can be enjoyed as a stand-alone adventure or read as part of The Twitchers series. Praise for The Twitchers: “Leonard knows her audience and the jeopardy comes in flocks ... Find your nest, curl up and enjoy.� The Times, Children's Book of the Week on Twitch "A twist-laden, thriller-like tale of a bird-mad boy, some bullies and an escaped convict hiding in the nearby woods." Observer on Twitch "A skilfully crafted mystery adventure. A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere." Rob Biddulph, LoveReading4Kids on Spark "A twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and nature." Sunday Times on Twitch "Simply genius." BBC Wildlife Magazine on Twitch "Another pacy wonderful adventure steeped in the magic of nature and friendship.� Jasbinder Bilan on Spark “Leonard has crafted an intelligent mystery from unlikely material, with bonus bird facts.� Irish Times on Twitch “A winged masterpiece.� Maz Evans on Twitch “Enthralling from beginning to end, it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!� Dara McAnulty on Twitch “Twitch is an absolute triumph. The perfect blend of mystery and adventure, a winning hero with an eye for ornithological facts and a heart as big as the countryside, plus a cracking whipsmart plot, I think this is M. G. Leonard's best book yet.� Christopher Edge on Twitch “Cracking characters, beyond pacy plotting and an ending that is almost Bugsy Malone-esque!� Phil Earle on Twitch

The second book in the BATTLE OF THE BEETLES series - perfect for fans of Roald Dahl! 'Truly great storytelling.' MICHAEL MORPURGO on BEETLE BOY 'I predict Beetle-mania' THE TIMES on BEETLE BOY 'Roald Dahl meets 101 Dalmatians in a rollicking ride, full of adventure with vivid characters' EXPRESS on BEETLE BOY Cruel beetle fashionista, Lucretia Cutter, is at large with her yellow ladybird spies. When Darkus, Virginia and Bertolt discover further evidence of her evil, they're determined to stop her. But the three friends are in trouble. Darkus' dad has forbidden them to investigate any further - and disgusting crooks Humphrey and Pickering are out of prison. Hope rests on Novak, Lucretia's daughter and a Hollywood actress, but the beetle diva is always one scuttle ahead ... The second book in MG Leonard's acclaimed trilogy, followed by Battle of the Beetles! Featuring exotic beetles, a daring quest, a mixture of bold male and female characters and a truly venomous villain The story follows Darkus, Bertolt and Virginia - and their beetle pals - as they investigate the wicked 'Beetle Queen' Lucretia From the author of the Adventure on Trains series, co-written with Sam Sedgman

The first book in the bestselling BATTLE OF THE BEETLES series - perfect for fans of Roald Dahl! Winner of the Branford Boase Award Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize Shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Children's Book Award Chosen for the Tom Fletcher Book Club 'Truly great storytelling.' MICHAEL MORPURGO 'Funny, exciting and genuinely eccentric' PHILIP REEVE 'Roald Dahl meets 101 Dalmatians in a rollicking ride, full of adventure with vivid characters' EXPRESS 'By the end, you'll think beetles are the coolest creatures on the planet' TOM FLETCHER Darkus can't believe his eyes when a huge insect drops out of the trouser leg of his horrible new neighbour. It's a giant beetle - and it seems to want to communicate. But how can a boy be friends with a beetle? And what does a beetle have to do with the disappearance of his dad and the arrival of Lucretia Cutter, with her taste for creepy jewellery? The first book in MG Leonard's acclaimed trilogy, followed by Beetle Queen and Battle of the Beetles! Featuring exotic beetles, a daring quest, a mixture of bold male and female characters and a truly venomous villain Includes brilliant illustrations by Julia Sard From the author of Twitch and the Adventure on Trains series, co-written with Sam Sedgman

M.G. Leonard, internationally bestselling author of Twitch, Beetleboy and Adventures on Trains, is back with another thrilling wildlife mystery for birdwatching detectives The Twitchers! >> Twitch won the Sainsburys' Children's Book Award for Fiction 2021 >> Twitch won the CRIMEFEST Award for Best Crime Novel for Children 2021 >> "a twist-laden, thriller-like tale" Observer on Twitch >> "a lively, twisty crime drama" The Times on Twitch When Jack rescues a wounded cat, he quickly suspects foul play. Could there be a wildlife criminal on the loose in Briddvale? Jack rushes to investigate, determined to catch the culprit, only to stumble into a deepening mystery and a sinister criminal plot. Can Jack and The Twitchers stop the villains before it's too late? Praise for Twitch: "Leonard knows her audience and the jeopardy comes in flocks ... Find your nest, curl up and enjoy." The Times, Children's Book of the Week "A twist-laden, thriller-like tale of a bird-mad boy, some bullies and an escaped convict hiding in the nearby woods." Observer "A twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and nature." The Sunday Times "Simply genius." BBC Wildlife Magazine "[A] pacy mystery adventure featuring a birdwatching detective hot on the heels of a dangerous escaped prisoner." iNewspaper "Leonard has crafted an intelligent mystery from unlikely material, with bonus bird facts." Irish Times "A winged masterpiece." Maz Evans "Enthralling from beginning to end, it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!" Dara McAnulty "Birds, mystery and fowl play! What more could you want?" Gill Lewis "Glorious! Full of excitement and wonder!" Sophie Anderson "A brave and thrilling new adventure from one of my favourite writers. I honestly didn't put the book down until the very last, exciting, page-turn and I'm twitching for the next adventure!" Jasbinder Bilan "Twitch is an absolute triumph. The perfect blend of mystery and adventure, a winning hero with an eye for ornithological facts and a heart as big as the countryside, plus a cracking whipsmart plot, I think this is M. G. Leonard's best book yet." Christopher Edge "Cracking characters, beyond pacy plotting and an ending that is almost Bugsy Malone-esque!" Phil Earle "Twitch is a compelling read - an adventure mystery with birds - what more could any reader want?!" Stephen Moss "Adventure, friendship and the pure unassuming beauty of nature ... a book that could have been a collaboration between David Attenborough and Roald Dahl." Dr Jess French "A superb adventure of friendship, bravery and the wonderful world of birds, with a strong, but non-preachy theme of the benefits of connection with the natural world." The Bookseller "One of those really, really good books ... Recommended for readers around 8 to 12 years old, and grown-ups like me who still enjoy the delight of a great adventure story!" The Bookbag

Ride into danger with Hal and Uncle Nat on the fifth breathtaking Adventures on Trains Mystery, Sabotage on the Solar Express, from bestselling award-winners M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Perfect for readers of 8 to 12 and brilliantly illustrated in black and white throughout by Elisa Paganelli. 'A thrilling and hugely entertaining adventure story' - David Walliams on The Highland Falcon Thief, the first book in the series. Billionaire train enthusiast August Reza has invited Harrison Beck and Uncle Nat on the maiden voyage of the Solar Express - the winning design of his Reza's Rocket competition. But during the journey, they discover the train has been sabotaged, hurtling passengers into a heart-stopping, action-packed, thrill ride across the Australian Outback. Can Hal find the saboteur and stop the runaway train before disaster strikes? Sabotage on the Solar Express can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Adventures on Trains series. Join Hal and Uncle Nat on more stops in this thrilling series with: The Highland Falcon Thief, Kidnap on the California Comet, Murder on the Safari Star, and Danger at Dead Man's Pass. Praise for the Series: 'Like Murder on the Orient Express but better!' - Frank Cottrell-Boyce on The Highland Falcon Thief 'A first class choo-choo-dunnit!' - David Solomons on Kidnap on the California Comet 'A high-speed train journey worth catching . . .The best yet' - The Times on Murder on the Safari Star 'This series just gets better and better' - Maz Evans on Danger at Dead Man's Pass

There's a thief in Aves Wood! M.G. Leonard, internationally bestselling author of Twitch, Beetleboy and Adventures on Trains, returns with the third gripping wildlife mystery for birdwatching detectives The Twitchers! >> Twitch won the Sainsburys' Children's Book Award for Fiction 2021 >> Twitch won the CRIMEFEST Award for Best Crime Novel for Children 2021 >> "A twist-laden, thriller-like tale" Observer on Twitch >> "A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere" Rob Biddulph on Spark When the peregrine falcon nest is raided, Twitch realizes a thief is at work. Horrified, he and the Twitchers set out to catch the dangerous criminal, only to be ensnared in a deadly trap. Can they save themselves and stop the villain before anyone gets hurt? Clutch is a thrilling spring mystery adventure about friendship, bravery and protecting nature, perfect for readers 9+ and for fans of Robin Stevens, David Baddiel and Jenny Pearson. It can be enjoyed as a stand-alone adventure or read as part of The Twitchers series. Praise for The Twitchers: “Leonard knows her audience and the jeopardy comes in flocks ... Find your nest, curl up and enjoy.� The Times, Children's Book of the Week on Twitch "A twist-laden, thriller-like tale of a bird-mad boy, some bullies and an escaped convict hiding in the nearby woods." Observer on Twitch "A skilfully crafted mystery adventure. A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere." Rob Biddulph, LoveReading4Kids on Spark "A twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and nature." The Sunday Times on Twitch "Simply genius." BBC Wildlife Magazine on Twitch "Another pacy wonderful adventure steeped in the magic of nature and friendship.� Jasbinder Bilan on Spark “Leonard has crafted an intelligent mystery from unlikely material, with bonus bird facts.� Irish Times on Twitch “A winged masterpiece.� Maz Evans on Twitch “Enthralling from beginning to end, it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!� Dara McAnulty on Twitch “Twitch is an absolute triumph. The perfect blend of mystery and adventure, a winning hero with an eye for ornithological facts and a heart as big as the countryside, plus a cracking whipsmart plot, I think this is M. G. Leonard's best book yet.� Christopher Edge on Twitch “Cracking characters, beyond pacy plotting and an ending that is almost Bugsy Malone-esque!� Phil Earle on Twitch

The spectacular finale to the BATTLE OF THE BEETLES series - perfect for fans of Roald Dahl! 'Truly great storytelling.' MICHAEL MORPURGO on BEETLE BOY 'I predict Beetle-mania' THE TIMES on BEETLE BOY 'Roald Dahl meets 101 Dalmatians in a rollicking ride, full of adventure with vivid characters' EXPRESS on BEETLE BOY From a secret Biome in the jungle, Lucretia Cutter plans to wreak wickedness on the world unless Darkus, Virginia and Bertolt can find a way to stop her. If they fail, she'll mass an army of giant Frankenstein beetles - and the planet will never be the same again. Humanity is under siege. The future depends on three children and their beetles ... The third and final book in MG Leonard's acclaimed trilogy, which began with Beetle Boy and Beetle Queen! Featuring exotic beetles, a daring quest, a mixture of bold male and female characters and a truly venomous villain The story follows Darkus, Bertolt and Virginia - and their beetle pals - as they investigate the wicked 'Beetle Queen' Lucretia From the author of the Adventure on Trains series, co-written with Sam Sedgman

"Jaw-droppingly gorgeous" - The Bookseller Beetle mania is spreading, thanks to M.G. Leonard's bestselling BEETLE BOY trilogy. In the books, Darkus Cuttle learns all about beetles from an old guide. Now that treasured book is available for readers everywhere to discover amazing beetle facts for themselves! Hilariously narrated by eccentric entomologist "Monty G Leonard", this lavishly illustrated beetle guide is the perfect starting point for young collectors everywhere. From scary to weird, the 60+ species featured in this book are certain to inspire a lifelong love of Coleoptera.

A brilliantly topical and delightfully funny picture book from internationally bestselling author M.G. Leonard, which shows children what happens to their plastic toothbrushes after they're thrown away. Children use their toothbrush each morning and evening, and get new ones every few months. That's billions of toothbrushes! What happens to them all when they're no longer needed? And if toothbrushes take thousands of years to break down, what does that mean for our planet? With a fun cast of plastic characters, from pirate-ship bottles to dancing shampoos, and even an inquisitive albatross, The Tale of a Toothbrush is a positive and heart-warming story to help children explore the impact their choices have on our planet.

Die keweravontuur duur voort soos Darkus en sy vriende opsoek gaan na die wrede Lucretia Cutter se geheime bioom in die Amasone. As hulle haar nie kan stop om haar wrede robot- en reusekewers vry te laat nie, sal die planeet nooit weer dieselfde wees nie. Hierdie is die finale boek van die kewertrilogie en volg op Kewerknaap en Kewerkoningin. Die eerste hiervan was die wenner van die Branford Boase Toekenning in 2017.

Darkus is miserable. His dad has disappeared and now he is living next door to the most disgusting neighbours ever. A giant beetle called Baxter comes to his rescue. But can the two solve the mystery of his dad's disappearance, especially when links emerge to cruel Lucretia Cutter and her penchant for beetle jewellery? A coffee-mug mountain, home to a million insects, could provide the answer - if Darkus and Baxter are brave enough to find it.

From the internationally bestselling author of Beetle Boy and the Adventures on Trains series, comes the first book in The Twitchers, a brand new mystery adventure series celebrating friendship, bravery and the incredible world of birds, starring a birdwatching detective called Twitch!

Can a birdwatcher outwit an escaped convict?

Twitch has three pet chickens, four pigeons, swallows nesting in his bedroom and a passion for birdwatching. On the first day of the summer holidays, he arrives at his secret hide to find police everywhere: a convicted robber has broken out of prison and is hiding in Aves Wood. Can Twitch use his talents for birdwatching to hunt for the dangerous prisoner and find the missing loot?