Feather

I nestled down to read this and ended up reading 2/3 in one sitting and the rest later the same day so compelling were the exploits of the fledgling detectives. ‘Feather’ hits the ground running and the pace never lets up… I love the way MG Leonard writes: she respects her young readers allowing so much to be shown and not told. The last installment in the Twitch series is a real treat with a lot of plot twists. The writing is as beautifully done as the previous books in the series. It has a fast-paced beginning that grips you right from the start. This series is so refreshing – championing the environment and inspiring children to go outdoors and explore. There is an incredible level of detail when it comes to descriptions of bird species the history of famous scientists like Darwin and Wallace as well as a heart-stopping mystery... True to form the Queen of Middle Grade Mystery M.G. Leornard takes readers through all the elements great detectives need to consider: clues leads motives suspects and the very real danger that comes with confronting a criminal. Inspired by a true crime podcast called 'The Feather Heist' this book gets a wholehearted 5 stars from us and we recommend this and the other three in the series for children age 9-12. I think this is my favourite book out of the series. <p><b>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 <i>Beetle Boy </i>and <i>Adventures on Trains</i> wildlife queen M.G. Leonard.</b><br><br>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 an 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...<br><br><b><i>Feather</i> 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.</b><br><b><br>Praise for The Twitchers:</b><br><br>“Leonard knows her audience and the jeopardy comes in flocks ... Find your nest curl up and enjoy.” <b><i>The Times Children's Book of the Week </i>on <i>Twitch</i></b><br><br>A twist-laden thriller-like tale of a bird-mad boy some bullies and an escaped convict hiding in the nearby woods. <b><i>Observer </i>on<i> Twitch</i></b><br><br>A skilfully crafted mystery adventure. A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere.<b> Rob Biddulph <i>LoveReading4Kids</i> on <i>Spark</i></b><br><br>A twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and nature. <b><i>Sunday Times</i> on<i> Twitch</i></b><br><br>Simply genius. <b><i>BBC Wildlife Magazine </i>on<i> Twitch</i></b><br><br>Another pacy wonderful adventure steeped in the magic of nature and friendship.” <b>Jasbinder Bilan on <i>Spark</i></b><br><br>“Leonard has crafted an intelligent mystery from unlikely material with bonus bird facts.”<b><i> Irish Times</i> on<i> Twitch</i></b><br><br>“A winged masterpiece.” <b>Maz Evans on<i> Twitch</i></b><br><br>“Enthralling from beginning to end it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!”<b> Dara McAnulty on<i> Twitch</i></b><br><br>“<i>Twitch</i> 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.” <b>Christopher Edge on <i>Twitch</i><br></b><br>“Cracking characters beyond pacy plotting and an ending that is almost Bugsy Malone-esque!”<b> Phil Earle on <i>Twitch</i></b></p> <b>M. G. Leonard</b> is an award-winning bestselling writer of children’s books as well as a member of Authors4Oceans. Her books are sold in 40 countries and there is currently a TV series in development based on her Beetle Boy series. Her first picture book <i>The Tale of a Toothbrush</i><i> </i>is out now. She is also co-author of the critically acclaimed Adventures on Trains series. Before becoming a writer M. G. Leonard worked as a digital media producer for the National Theatre The Royal Opera House and Shakespeare’s Globe.