Mr Ripley's Book Review: Nick Handel - Newskids on the Net - Published by Troubador Publishing

Nick Handel is a former award-winning BBC producer. His 30 years of experience and creativity has helped to form and develop 'Newskids on the Net' as a thriller for children. This book was first published in 2008 and after much demand is now being reborn again.

Aimed at the 9-13 year old audience, Nick captured the story for this age-range brilliantly. Full of deadly adventure, strange kidnappings, late night stakeouts and secret recordings, the reader is propelled into a thrilling and original plot. I was captivated and I feel quite sure that any reluctant readers would find it hard not to be intrigued. We may soon find that garden sheds everywhere have an additional function as a newsroom that are run by, and for, children.

A range of subject areas were sensitively handled and explored within this book. Many children may find themselves being able to relate to some of these elements. However, these were also balanced alongside humorous and light-hearted issues to create a fun and engaging read.

The story is set in England at a time when the World Cup is finally being hosted by the home nation. Around this time the main character, Max Taylor, creates a TV station in his dad's garden shed as a community news programme. Before they know it they soon become unlikely candidates for not just presenting, but actually becoming the news. Unexpectedly they uncover a match fixing plot which throws them into a deadly adventure. Will they be able to save England's World Cup dreams or will it be shattered by corruption and bad press?

The ending leads to a nerve tingling climax and an exclusive scoop. Globally, Max and his team soon become local and national heroes. The world gets to hear their voice and story about what really did happen.

With christmas on the horizon, this would be a great book for any children interested in a career in media and entertainment. This book has been released and is out now in bookstores to purchase. Watch out for multi-functional sheds everywhere!

More details check out the dedicated website: Here or if you would like to buy a signed copy: Here

Lauren St John - Laura Marlin Mystery:Dead Man's Cove - Book Review

I have just recently been introduced to the books by Lauren St John. Whilst she has written many earlier acclaimed books, within "The White Giraffe" series which is set in Africa, I have never had the opportunity to read these. However, after recently reading 'Dead Man's Cove', I will definitely be exploring her other books.


Within the first few pages of this book I knew it was going to be a great read. I was soon enjoying it and knew I would continue to do so. The author has a great way of telling and expressing the narrative form, which transports you to the fantasy world that Laura Marlin finds herself adventuring within. I was instantly gripped by the beautifully scripted and crafted detail. The only criticism that I can share is linked to the length of the story - it soon seemed to come to an end. But at times it also appeared to be a little vague. I felt at times some of the ideas could have been elaborated upon, in order to give a fuller ending, with greater impact.


Laura is a great central character, who leaves the children's home and moves to Cornwall - where from hereon mysteries begin to unfold. Laura, who turns detective like one of her writing heroes - Matt Walker, uncovers and solves many of the hidden secrets.


The darker side of the story begins to show itself towards the end, it certainly makes you sit up - grabbing your full attention, as the plot thunders towards the end. The book has the feeling of a 'classic' - I think it will find many more readers in years to come. 


The next installment, entitled 'Kidnap in the Caribbean', is due to be published next year. That gives me just enough time to read all of Lauren's other books that I've missed out on. I hope they too continue to give me a reading thirst for more . . . 

Published by Orion Children's 5 August 2010 - Thanks for sending this review copy out.




Book Synopsis
When orphaned Laura Marlin moves from a children's home to live with her uncle in Cornwall, she longs for a life of excitement just like the characters in her favourite detective novels. A real life adventure is on hand as she is deposited at her uncle's spooky house . . . Why does her uncle, Calvin Redfern, forbid her to go to Dead Man's Cove? What's the truth about Tariq, the silent Indian boy who lives with the flamboyant Mukthars? Who is J? Who has left the message in a bottle for Laura to discover? Mysteries abound and who better to solve them than Laura Marlin, ace detective? Accompanied by her trusty companion, Skye, a three-legged husky, the dog she's always wanted, Laura's adventures begin.

Jim Eldridge - Jungle Kill (Black Ops Series) - Book Review

This will have you running for cover............
The author, a former member of the HM coastguard, gives a thrilling taste of action through his new series Black Ops. Already he has many war-conflict books to his name but this has a slightly different edge to it. I was looking for an easy read, within my ever increasing pile of waiting-to-be-read books, when I eventually came across this book. A quick read of the synopsis left me interested in the story and so I quickly settled down to read it from cover to cover.

This book is a high action-packed military romp through the jungle. To be honest there's nothing new about the subject matter - it's a straight forward read from start to finish. But the great aspect in reading this book is that you don't need to think - the story takes over. Quickly your heart and soul are soon following six men on a mission to free a West African freedom fighter, who has been kidnapped by a ruthless group of bandits. 

The book is very well written - the dialogue between the characters is both realistic and infectious. The main character Mitch has to gain the trust of his new covert team and that doesn't come easily.

The other great thing about this book involves the detailed knowledge of weaponry and tactical details being deployed throughout, which develops into an appealing and informative read. This book has a subtle violent undertone, which is developed at all levels. It makes a great read for all those who like action combat adventure themes.

Will this be a series to look back on? Well, we'll just have to wait and see, but not for too long as book two is due out in August 2010. It is entitled 'Death in the Desert' and looks to be another maxed-out adrenalin adventure for us to get our teeth into. Can't wait . . . . . can you?

Jungle Kill is published by Egmont Books out 4 June 2010

C T Furlong Killer Strangelets:An Arctic6 Adventure - Review

I was recently introduced to this debut title by the up-and-coming publisher, Inside Pocket. Their first book release will be 'The Adventures of Titch & Mitch' by Garth Edwards, which has some great illustrations by Max Stasyuk. The next book to be published, after the Titch & Mitch books, will be 'Killer Strangelets:An Arctic6 Adventure' by C T Furlong, due to be published in June 2010. After a childhood love of adventure stories, the author was inspired to write her own books - for us all to enjoy. This will be her first published book in the 'Arctic6 Adventure' series - with the next book 'Killer Genes' to follow in September 2010. At the start of the book, I did actually get a little lost, as I struggled with understanding the different character relationships and how these fitted into the story. I felt they weren't made too clear at the start and this held me back a little, but when I did get my bearings the book was immensely enjoyable. The plot was fast paced and full of adventure and mysteries. The tech-stuff and science part was particular engrossing and worked really well - you could tell that the author has a really good understanding of the subject. This was used to great effect within the book.   The book follows the exploits of the fifteen year old Iago, his cousins, Cam, Tara and Renny, and his younger sister, Aretha. Joined by their friend, the bewitching Charlie, they embark on a mission to save Iago's father who has been accidentally kidnapped - by perhaps the maddest of all possible mad scientists. Firstly all the characters have to work together to establish and solve the problem. Then they need to act to save Iago's father, and save the world from destruction. The book is action packed and a race right until the very final page. There are an array of original ideas packed into this book, some of these are written through phone conversations which give it an extra dimension. The book ends with a bang, as all the storylines are brought together, leaving you to finally catch your breath. This is a great debut start to the series, I am already looking forward to the next planned adventure, which will not come soon enough for me. The book cover is particularly enticing; it will have you wanting to pick it up and to read it as soon as you see it in the shops. I hope you think about putting this book on your summer reading list . . . . I would have!

David Miller - Shark Island

Mr Ripley's Review
A debut children's book by David Miller.
The story is inspired by the author's years living and working in Borneo and South Asia. Using the experiences he has had this gives this a more exotic feel to the story, enhancing the settings backdrops of tropical islands, landscapes, beaches and over grown jungles; building a real-life setting around the characters. David shows a world of diverse cultures - an aspect I loved about this book. When Hanna and Neds parents are kidnapped by pirates they find themselves in a predicament, how to escape the island and get help. The desperation to leave the island is quite gripping, giving it a more emotional feel when the children work out what to do next.
Throughout this action adventure there is a lot of highs and lows for the children to deal with; finding out what has happened to their parents is no easy task when no-one wants to help them and everyone is against them. I give this book four out of five.
It's an all-action gripping read with lots of plot features. The story transports the reader to a paradise island, making you live and breath a cracking adventure. Well worth a trek into its pages.

About the author:

David Miller was born in Norfolk. He has worked in advertising as a copywriter, and later as a creative director,
He has travelled widely all over the world,and has lived and worked in Malaysia and Singapore. Shark island was inspired by his experiences while visiting a small island off the coast of Malaysia.
David now writes full-time and lives in Hampshire with his wife, Su'en and his daughter,Hanna.



Synopsis


Hanna, Ned and their parents are on the holiday of a lifetime on the paradise island of Kaitan. But the idyll is shattered when pirates come in the night, burning their house and kidnapping their mother and father. The children are stranded, and don't even know if their parents are alive or dead . . . In this action-packed adventure, there is no one to help. Survival and escape are up to Hanna and Ned.


Published by Oxford Children's books May 2009