For anyone who loves trains and crime. Who invited those parasites?Evening. Steven Pickle greeted them with a nod. Im trying to convince my reluctant eleven-year-old reader to give it a try in order to see how quickly he can solve the case! What a treat to see you.Always a pleasure, young Nathaniel. Ernest White smiled. Dads blue duffle coat drowned her, but she was so pregnant that her bump bulged out the front. Gordon Goulde welcomed the two men onto the train, ushering them in the direction of the observation car.The baron is an old friend of His Royal Highness the Prince, Ernest White whispered, and a great rail enthusiast.Hal recognized the next guest stepping onto the train. Can he uncover the kidnapper before the journey's end? WINNER of the 2020 Childrens Fiction Book of the Year in the British Book Awards. Kidnap on the California Comet was a fun story filled with magic tricks, professional rivalries, and food descriptions that made me feel hungry every other chapter! First stop is The Highland Falcon Thief, a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. Shortlisted for the 2021 UKLA award ages 7-10, Shortlisted for the 2021 Juniper Book AwardsShortlisted for the 2021 Lancashire Fantastic Book AwardsShortlisted for the 2021 KSC Book AwardsShortlisted for the 2020 North Somerset Teachers Book Award, Longlisted for the 2021 Blue Peter Book AwardsLonglisted for the 2021 Berkshire Book Awards. As suspicions and accusations run high among the passengers, Harrison investigates, uncovering a few surprises along the way. Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. The locomotive sighed out a puff of steam, as if it were alivea dragon, ancient, powerful, and ready to fly.CHAPTER THREEDIAMOND DOGSGentlemen. The train guard appeared. Theyre boring.I know, sausageshe reached over and ruffled his hairbut itll be good for you to spend some time with your uncle. But as the train makes its way to Scotland, a priceless brooch goes missing, and things are suddenly a lot more interesting. Publishers Weekly, starred review"Leonard unravels the madcap plot in sporadic bursts of frenzied action and humor. RPPC RUTLAND RAILROAD Train Station Depot MOOERS FORKS NY Real Photo Postcard. The High Plains are generally flat . Climb aboard the Highland Falcon and join Harrison Beck as he solves the case of a jewel thief in an addictive series, Adventures on Trains, from bestselling mystery-writing duo M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Beautifully illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. Full of adventure and excitement with Train facts aplenty. What happens on a grand tour, Uncle Nat? The illustrations are integral to the story and develop it beautifully. He wasnt posh enough for this train.The curtain of the window twitched, startling him. Leonard Ltd, Citibase Brighton. Harrison Beck reluctantly joins his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal steam train, The Highland Falcon. She moved her gloved hand in a circular motion, giving the paparazzi a steely smile.Keep up, Uncle Nat called, as he stepped up into the dining car, passing his coat and umbrella to the head steward.Hal walked backward to the train, unable to take his eyes off the five fluffy white dogs with diamond-studded collars behind the silver-haired lady. The first book in the 'Adventures on Trains' series, it is a mystery set on the final tour of a steam train, the 'Highland Falcon', round Britain. . Shortlisted for the 2021 UKLA award ages 7-10, Shortlisted for the 2021 Juniper Book AwardsShortlisted for the 2021 Lancashire Fantastic Book AwardsShortlisted for the 2021 KSC Book AwardsShortlisted for the 2020 North Somerset Teachers Book Award, Longlisted for the 2021 Blue Peter Book AwardsLonglisted for the 2021 Berkshire Book Awards. ), a stowaway - and a jewel thief! Here are the instructions of how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Kirkus Reviews"Fans of madcap adventures and anthropomorphised sidekicks will enjoy this fast-paced series opener." Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from the prize-winning M.G. Billionaire train enthusiast August Reza has invited Harrison Beck and Uncle Nat to travel on the maiden voyage of the winning design of his Rezas Rocket competition. Part of a series of stand alone stories, so perfect for readers who get hooked on an author. You see that red? Authorfy has a series of videos, a scheme of work and other suggested activities for the classroom based on The Highland Falcon Thief which will go live on 30 January. 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 . My one quibble is with the illustrations, as while they're very charming, they are not wholly accurate to the tale - for example, dogs described as samoyeds in the text look like a completely different breed, and outfits are illustrated differently to how they are described. Harrison Beck joins his travel writer uncle . If I cant sleep, I recite the stations, and before Ive reached the end of the line, Ive dropped off. He looked delighted.Writing about trainsis that a real job?Uncle Nat laughed. I think that the absolute strongest aspect of this story was its setting. You wont see another train this color.Hal stared at it. An astonishing number of pearl necklaces hung around her neck, draping over her tweed hunting jacket. Mrs P - a primary school teacher - has created tasks for each chapter in her BLOG. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Suspicion falls on the one person who isn't supposed to be there: Lenny.It's up to Hal, his keen observation, and his skill as a budding sketch artist to uncover the real jewel thief, clear his friend's name, and return the diamond necklace before The Highland Falcon makes its last stop. 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. I found the crime here far more difficult to solve than in the previous book (I didnt figure this one out until only a few chapters from the end, although, looking back, Im kicking myself for not spotting something that now feels obvious). There are plenty of exciting moments, dramatic action scenes, and curious characters that will keep young readers enthralled and turning the pages long after their lights are supposed to be out. The two new friends have great fun exploring the train and observing the passengers, including an eccentric Countess with her five boisterous dogs, a glamorous film star and guests of honour, the royal prince and his wife. "The Highland Falcon Thief" Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from bestselling authors M.G. Look! British Book Awards Book of the Year, Children's Fiction Praise for The Highland Falcon Thief:"M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman bring the classic mystery on a train bang up to date with a carriage-load of wit and suspense." This predictability made Kidnap on the California Comet my least favorite of the Adventures on Trains series so far, but it was still an enjoyable story. They knew Id want to say goodbye to her. From a Scottish Highland steam train to an African safari locomotive, these lively books take readers on thrilling world travels, with plenty of intriguing secrets to be uncovered. Author: Sally Nicholls I dont like trains. Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from the prize-winning M.G. I love this book so much! Written by: M. G. Leonard, Sam SedgmanNarrated by: Jot DaviesSeries: Adventures on TrainsLength: 6 hrs and 48mins. Im fine.Nathaniel, good to see you. Dad was on his feet, grabbing Uncle Nats hand and shaking it. When eleven-year-old Harrison "Hal" Beck is forced to accompany his travel-writer uncle on the last journey of a royal train, he expects a boring trip spent away from video games and . 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. Ned's peaceful and kind, and a great soul. Sophie Brown, Patricia Vollmer, Matt Blum, Z, Jonathan H. Liu, Rebecca Angel, Judy Berna, Nivi Engineer, Evil Genius Mum, Marziah Karch, M.J. Kaufmann, Elizabeth MacAndrew, Melanie Meadors,Kali Moulton, Sarah Pinault, Cath Post, Ruth Suehle, Lisa Tate, Karen Walsh, and Amy Weir, Missy Hayes, Claire Jennings, Jenn Mac, and Andrea Schwalm, Tim Johnides, Jeff Williams, Dante Lauretta, Magnus Dahlsrm, Jayson Peters, David Michael, Gerry Tolbert, Andrew Smith, Ray Wehrs, Joel Becker, Scott Gaeta, Beth Kee, Joey Mills, talkie_tim, Danny Marquardt, Adam Bruski, John Bain, Bill Moore, Adam Frank, Lacey Hays, Peter Morson, James Needham, Matt Fleming, Adam Anderson, Jim Reynolds, Seiler Hagan, Bryan Wade, Petrov Neutrino, Jay Shapiro, The 4moms rockaRoo provides the front to back gliding motion that babies love, in a com [More]. I loved steam trains when I was younger. His parents drew back, waving and smiling as Uncle Nat pulled him across the concourse. Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. Welcome to the unveiling of the suitcase train specially commisioned by the authors M.G.Leonard and Sam Sedgman, we have loved building this and we know you . All-aboard for the fourth amazing journey in the bestselling Adventures on Trains series from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated throughout by Elisa Paganelli.Embark on a thrilling fourth adventure in the bestselling, prize-winning Adventures on Trains series from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, as Harrison Beck investigates an ancient family curse high in the German mountains. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. But what if you need it?You can give it back to me when you get home. She fastened the necklace and then fussed with his jacket, pulling out the hood where it had gathered under his rucksack. Leonard and Sam Sedgman with illustrations by Elisa Paganelli. I met her recently at the Duchess of Kents gala. read The Reading Agency Ltd Registered number: 3904882 (England & Wales) Here, take Grandads Saint Christopher for good luck. Overall, a charming and (at times) affecting romp through beetle land." Check prices, read reviews or buy from Waterstones. The prince and princess will stand on the veranda waving at well-wishers, celebrating their recent wedding. He lifted a finger, and a porter scurried over.Yes, sir? The porter bobbed his head.Compartment nine, please. Uncle Nat took Hals rucksack from his back, putting it down beside his suitcase. This book is always very popular in our library so I decided to give it a try. Whats she doing here?But Uncle Nat was striding away from the red carpet and didnt reply.Sierra Knights famous. Hal ran to catch up with his uncle. Such a good book! Im busy. The Falcon's owner, Tony Falco says, "It's up to his discretion, whatever Ned wants to do." He adds, "I love his energy. Authorfy are an Amazon Associate and are part of the Waterstones, Bookshop.org and Peters Affiliate Programmes, so may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you click-through to their websites from any links on authorfy.com. I loved this book.I liked the way Hal and Lenny are willing to do whatever it takes to stop the thief: that is true determination. Booklist"[A] light-hearted whodunit with a mixture of royalty, socialites, and commoners. A minor trigger warning for . The Highland Falcon Thief reads very much like a middle-grade Agatha Christie with all our suspects cooped up together within the confines of the train. The constant twists, turns, and misdirection keeps readers guessing until the guilty are revealed. By contrast, Dad was a jumble of circles. Maybe for a high-speed train, but especially for a maglev. T. Harrison Beck, or Hal as he prefers to be called, isn't exactly pleased when his parents send him off with his uncle Nat, a travel writer, on a long train journey. BOOK:The Arctic Railway Assassin by M.G. This month I picked up books two and three: Kidnap on the California Comet and Murder on the Safari Star, but before I get to those, Ill first briefly recap book one. . He felt the engraving of Saint Christopher, staff in hand, child on shoulders. Harrison Beck reluctantly joins his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal steam train, The Highland Falcon. Reaching into his pocket, Hal toyed with his pen; he was itching to draw the guests. Hed swallow his own tongue with jealousyhe had a mega crush on Sierra Knight. Clifftoppers: The Arrowhead Moor Adventure. Standing on the red carpet was a silver-haired woman in a Robin Hood hat garnished with a long pheasant feather. . Sam Sedgman is a novelist, playwright and award-winning digital producer. I reccomend this book to 9-10 year olds. Are you excited about our steam-powered adventure?Hal shook his uncles hand and nodded, but he wasnt going to say yes, because that would be a lie. Fast-paced and packed with illustrations and clues, Adventures on Trains is a stop you won't want to miss! His mouth moved, but no other words came out.Im going to be all right, Hal, his mom said softly. I first thought this book will be good and incredible which is the same thing I thought when I read the book! Harrison Beck reluctantly joins his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal steam train, The Highland Falcon. I really liked this book, It was a very interesting story about a mistry jewel 5thief. Its always a pleasure to have you aboard.Hello, Gordon. Written by: M. G. Leonard, Sam SedgmanNarrated by: Jot DaviesSeries: Adventures on TrainsLength: 6 hrs and 47 mins. but without children! Please try again. 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. They turned and walked into the crowd, andjust like thatthey were gone.Youre going to need your ticket. Uncle Nat let go of Hal and reached into the pocket of his raincoat.Scanning the crowd for a glimpse of his parents, Hal saw only the blank faces of strangers. This rip-roaring time-slip novel has a fast-paced plot and entertaining characters. Australian child genius Boaz won with his hybrid locomotive, driven by hydrogen fuel cells and solar power. This is an okay book which reveals clues as the story moves on. As the title suggests, the crime in the third Adventures on Trains book is more violent than in either of the two previous books but it is written in such a way as to be appropriate for its middle-grade audience. Go to resources M.G. Behind him came a tall, glowering figure, all elbows and shoulders. She leaves you hanging onto her every word for that last bit of information which will solve the puzzle of the Highland Falcons thief. I expect all three of you to be at Paddington station to meet us on our return, in four days.Yes. Hal nodded furiously. Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from bestselling authors M.G. His crumpet-colored raincoat and mustard sweater went perfectly with his trousers and shoes. A description of the Authors book will go in here as a hover state. Lenny is the daughter of one of the train drivers and a huge steam train fan who couldnt bear to not be a part of this historic journey. Can he solve the mystery of the jewel thief and catch the culprit before they reach the end of the line? I'm told it's quite a rarity for this award to be presented to a book in translation, which just goes to show what a brilliant job . Hal glimpsed the headline JEWEL THIEF STRIKES AGAIN as a woman in a suit snatched one from the vendor, flipping it under her armpit to read on the train. As a bit of a train fan I really enjoyed how the novel balanced telling an engaging tale alongside accurate and interesting facts about steam engines and rail travel. A fantastic plot involving a jewel thief and many of high society Harrison's drawing skills and eagle eyed perceptions help solve the mystery, as friendships blossom and the true characters evolve. ." As their train leaves Stockholm, Hal and Uncle Nat realize theyre being followed by a sinister figure, and Hals powers of observation are tested when Uncle Nats past comes back to haunt him. Theres a cliff hanger at the end of every chapter! The journey the train takes is partially inspired by an actual train journey from 1961, when a locomotive of the same type as the Highland Falcon pulled the Royal coaches during the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. I absolutely loved this book! I want to stay with you. How nature books can inspire families to discover the mental health benefits of being o 'It is really nice to see the pure enjoyment children get from reading': The Queen Cons Adventures on Trains: The Highland Falcon Thief. The Highland Falcon Thief is a steam train trip full of deception, detection and thrills. Get away. He grunted. Hear whispers in the dining car, find notes in the library, and unknown passengers among the luggage, as you help Harrison solve the mystery aboard one of the world's grandest trains. Registered charity number: 1085443 (England & Wales) Look at that veranda. His uncle pointed the tip of his umbrella at a platform extending from the observation car. No. Shes quite mysterious at the start but then at the end shes an inspirational problem solver, when the Hal rescues her from the luggage cage. Steven Pickles skin looked like uncooked sausage meat. Ive memorized all the historic routes. Not a fan of trains, Hal is not looking forward to the trip even though the pair will be traveling aboard the Highland Falcon, an aging royal steam train that is soon to retire and is taking a final celebratory tour around the UK. Buy The Highland Falcon Thief by M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com. There's also his trophy wife Lydia, who is also the first victim of the thief, a rather spacey woman but ultimately a lot more decent than her husband. Hal supposed she must be his wife. Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are enjoying the final journey of the Highland Falcon, Britain's most famous steam train. Can Hal uncover the secrets of the Brocken railway and the family curse before disaster strikes? Can he solve the crime before Marianne loses another tooth? Natll be here.Hals pen twitched as he studied his mothers face. Hal and his Uncle Nat are riding aboard the luxurious but now slightly run-down Safari Star where they can witness Africas amazing wildlife right from their windows, but one of their fellow passengers, millionaire Mervyn Crosby is more interested in shooting the animals than in simply observing them. Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli. Two bulging-breasted pigeons strutted toward him, pecking at the floor.Colin Beck kicked out his leg. Clinging to his arm was a curvaceous red-haired woman with a fake tan. This is a gentle book with fabulous insights into both the history of the railway in the UK and the trains that rode the tracks, as well as being a genuine whodunnit! My favourite character would have to be Hal. Highlands Trail Guide Introduction 10/19/20 Major HT reroute between Black Rock Forest and Schunemunk State Park: Due to the closure of trails across Metro North RR at Schunemunk Mountain State Park and the resulting road walk which had grown to 4.6 miles to get to the new trail head, the Highlands Trail has been rerouted between Black Rock Forest and Schunemunk Mountain. As of today, I think that Murder on the Safari Star is my favorite of the Adventures on Trains series so far. You can read chapter one of Kidnap on the California Comet at the end of The Highland Falcon Thief. There is also Baron Essenbach, a German aristocrat and railway enthusiast and his rather thuggish-looking son Milo, who seems to have been dragged here against his will. The Highland Falcon Thiefis published by Pan Macmillan in the UK and America. Im a travel writer, but my specialty is trains. 1 Aire Street, Leeds, LS1 4PR, Here are the instructions of how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Overall, this is an excellent start to a series, and a must-read for train enthusiasts and mystery lovers. 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 Rezas Rocket competition. . You currently have JavaScript disabled in your web browser, please enable JavaScript to view our website as intended. Harrison finds himself in the middle of the operation with his friend Lenny who is the train drivers daughter and a stowaway. As we chuff down the tracks, well be able to enjoy the late-summer colors of the countryside or gaze out at the North Sea. Out-of-bounds to us commoners. As the passengers begin to turn on each other, Hal vows to get to the bottom of the mysterybefore the train gets to the end of the line. Who by? Im allergic to them.Ernest White. Uncle Nat crossed the carriage and grasped the hand of an old man wearing a gray wool suit. Um, yeahfantastic ironwork.Once the royal couple has boarded at Balmoral, the Highland Falcon will slow down to a walking pace when it travels through a station. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next of the series. We get along pretty well." The two met at an exhibit at the Highland Center in 2001. She looked over her shoulder at the cameras, pouting her red lips and throwing her head back, laughing at nothing.Hal gasped. You can read more book reviews or buy The Highland Falcon Thief by M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges 2.99 for standard delivery for orders under 20, over which delivery is free. You mustnt worry. The air was heavy with furniture polish.What are you staring at? Uncle Nat asked.Hal pointed out the window. There are lots of interesting characters on board, including a prince and princess (William and Kate? Take a second to support GeekMom and GeekDad on Patreon! Unfortunately, the plot was very predictable and I had figured out who was behind the kidnapping by chapter two (impressively, my husband instantly and correctly guessed who was behind the crime from just my vague description of the plot, without even reading the book) but this assumes an adult perspective and I doubt that many readers from the books middle-grade target audience would figure it out nearly as quickly, if at all. That being said, they still look fantastic, and are as lively and delightful as the story itself. Illustrations Ryan Hammond 2022. M.G. You can read a chapter of Murder on the Safari Star at the end of Kidnap on the California Comet. It had amazing illustrations and an amazing and very funny plot! 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. Your review has been submitted successfully, thank you. In The Highland Falcon Thief: Adventures on Trains #1, a middle-grade series starter from MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman, a young boy is swept up in an investigation to uncover the perpetrator of a. In The Highland Falcon Thief: Adventures on Trains #1, a middle-grade series starter from MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman, a young boy is swept up in an investigation to uncover the perpetrator of a jewel theft.When eleven-year-old Harrison "Hal" Beck is forced to accompany his travel-writer uncle on the last journey of a royal train, he expects a boring trip spent away from video games and children his age.But then Hal spots a girl who should not be on board, and he quickly makes friends with the stowaway, Lenny. He's also aided by Lennie (short for Marlene) Singh, the daughter of the Highland Falcon's driver who stowed away on the train. 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. Hes an interesting man.Hal made a face. The third Adventures on Trains book Murder on the Safari Star moves the action to the African continent with a journey from Pretoria in South Africa through Zimbabwe and ending in Zambia, close to the Victoria Falls. Home / Fantastic.Hal looked at the metal and wondered if his uncle wasnt a little bit crazy. Adventures on Trains is a major mystery series from the prize-winning M.G. A number of high-society figures, including film stars, millionaires and aristocrats, will be on this train, so it is quite the event on the social calendar. Australian child genius Boaz won with his hybrid locomotive, driven by hydrogen fuel cells and solar power. This will not affect your buying experience or the cost of any products you order. I love these marvelous machines. He tapped a finger to his temple. As suspicions and accusations run high among the passengers, Harrison investigates, uncovering a few surprises along the way. $59.99. My favourite characters are Harrison Beck and his uncle Nathaniel. Much more fun. Leonard and Sam Sedgman Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli. I love this book. Published 30 January 2020, The Highland Falcon Thief is a breathless train journey full of deceptions, puzzles and clues to solve. I would recommend it to any middle-grade reader, but those with a love of trains will definitely get an extra kick. 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. Middletown NY - HOUSES ON HIGHLAND AVENUE IN WINTER - RPPC Still Postcard. The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel another thrilling train adventure for similarly-aged readers. The second of these middle-grade books is The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Can Hal uncover the secrets of the Brocken railway and the family curse before disaster strikes? Train enthusiasts, mystery buffs, and adventurers alike wont be able to resist this fast-moving quest." He lives in London and is a lifelong train and mystery enthusiast. To the engine! As they marched along the platform, Uncle Nat threw out his hand. 'Beetle Boy' won the Branford Boase award and has been translated into thirty-seven languages worldwide. She bent down, putting her hand to his cheek. A pair of sneakers, charcoal suede with three white stripes, stopped beside the table. Mystres Sur Les Rails is translated into French by Lilas Nord and published by Nathan, and we are tremendously grateful for their incredible work. 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. Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. Adventures on Trains remains one of my favorite ongoing middle-grade series. An adrenaline-fuelled journey across America from bestselling authors M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. On his first day aboard the train, Hal meets an interesting young stowaway. 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. Come onwe must be quick. Although, this isn't any old train; this is the Highland Falcon, the royal train, and this is its last ever journey before it gets sent to a museum. Neverland Arrives in the Funkoverse With Peter Pan and Captain Hook. The exhibits are constantly changing. There is Lady Lansbury, a recently widowed aristocrat who bought a large number of dogs to keep herself company. He pulled it from his pocket and shouted into the phone. There are also two other books carried on from this story, they are called The Californian Comet (which is about a kidnapping) and the Safari star (which is about a murder, although it isnt too gruesome and the pictures in these books are only drawn so they dont have any real life pictures in them) and these stories are based in North and South America (although this book is based in the UK). Even the most squeamish will be charmed." Last summer, I thoroughly enjoyed The Highland Falcon Thief. Well then, when it gets dark, you can lie on one of the sofas and look up at the stars.A cry went up. Youll be a good boy for your uncle, wont you?Yes, Mom.What route is the Highland Falcon taking, Nathaniel? his dad asked.Well be traveling up the east coast to Balmoral, where well stop for lunch tomorrow, before looping round Scotland and back down the west.Hals dad nodded. CHAPTER ONETICKET TO RIDEHarrison Beck pulled a pen from the pocket of his yellow jacket, deftly turning it over his index finger so it was nib down, and began to draw in the central margin of the newspaper spread across the table. Drawing Africa's amazing wild animals from on board a spectacular steam train described as a luxury hotel on wheels, should be enough excitement for anyone. What do we do?We live, eat, and sleep in one of the finest trains ever created, Uncle Nat said, and we stay out of trouble. Rights have been sold in Albania, Catalan, China, Czech, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spanish, Sweden and Turkey. Here, they board the California Comet (inspired by the real California Zephyr) in Chicago ready for a cross-country trip through the Rockies to San Francisco. Shes a movie star.Sierra Knight is one of the guests, Uncle Nat replied. But as the train makes its way to Scotland, a priceless brooch goes missing, and things are suddenly a lot more interesting. The royal couple have to do all the hard work.Royal couple?Didnt your mom tell you that you were coming with me on the royal steam train?I wasnt listening, Hal admitted. You could get a free audio download of The Highland Falcon Thief by M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman with a 30-day Audible free trial at Amazon.co.uk. He works on the Caledonian Sleeper.