I am so glad I picked up the first book on a whim early in 2020, because I have devoured every entry so far. The mysteries are so twisty, and the whole new cast feels realistic every time because of the location (looking at you, Death in Paradise!) I have read each entry within hours of getting it, swept away by all the clues and red-herrings, and the general adventure of being aboard a train.

This entry feels quite different to the others (in a good way) because it doesn't take place solely on trains. There are still a lot of trains, but once Hal and Nat get to the castle, a lot of time is spent in it, moving around the old house and grounds. It was a really nice shakeup from the other books, and exploited the setting brilliantly (cold, dark, snowy mountains that are supposedly haunted!) Plus, I love a good old castle.

It also feels different because Hal and Nat go in knowing there's a mystery to solve, rather than stumbling across it. And, because they're a bit famous now, they have to go in disguise. It adds another layer of danger to the book because they also had to remember their cover while investigating - and Nat has secrets that he's not telling Hal.

Nat makes a point very early on about how, as they're going undercover, Hal can't draw the way he usually does with all his supplies - in case it gives him away. Instead, he only has a biro. The attention to detail over this is brilliant, because there is no difference in line strength in the drawings - it is done with cross-hatchings rather than the style of the earlier books which mimics different pencil strengths. That sort of detail just shows the care put into these books. Illustrators don't get enough credit, but they really should.

The one comment I have is that Harrison spends quite a few opening chapters asking questions to make a family tree, and then the family tree drawing never appears. It would have been quite useful to have it, as I was struggling to figure out how one branch of the family were related, but that was a minor thing.

I have been utterly enthralled by the first three books in the Adventures on Trains series and so approached Danger on Dead Man’s Pass with equal parts excitement and apprehension. Could the authors possibly continue to meet the high standard they had previously set? Would book number four feel like a carbon copy of its prequels, albeit in a different location?

I am delighted to say that Leonard and Sedgman have done it again: Danger on Dead Man’s Pass is every bit as thrilling, captivating and mysterious as the first three books in the series. In their latest adventure, Hal and his uncle Nat are invited to investigate a supernatural mystery involving an life-threatening curse on - you’ve guessed it - a railway pass. The change in setting for book four gives it a fresh feel, whilst still managing to continue with the train-theme. As with the previous books in the series, the reader is kept guessing from beginning to end as clues and red-herrings litter the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved getting to know Hal and Nat in more detail. There were a lot of characters, with similar names, to remember and it did take me a while to get up to speed with who was who but this didn’t detract from the story.

Danger on Dead Man’s Pass is a book filled with suspense. It’s unpredictable, spooky and keeps the reader guessing throughout. I have no doubt it will be enjoyed by my Year 5 class and I look forward to buying a copy for my bookshelf. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I adored this installment of the Adventures on Trains series, Uncle Nat is such a interesting character and this really developed him even more. Hal is amazing, I love him more and more with each book and he's such a smart boy. I really liked the intrigue created in this one and the way the storylines linked and weaved together.

Honestly one of the best middle grade series out there.

What can I say about this series? I love it! I love the characters, the settings, absolutely everything.

I haven't read middle grade since I was a child, so was very apprehensive going into this series, but as I am a huge mystery fan, and they came so highly recommended, I decided to give them a go. I read the first three books in the series in the space of a week and was already desperate for the next.

This latest installment was as wonderful as the previous three. Hal and his Uncle Nat were as wonderful as ever, with some new characters that added depth and intrigue to the story, as well as several atmospheric locations that really added to the experience. The writing is excellent and the mysteries are complex enough to make you really think with red herrings aplenty.

I can't wait to read the next in the series!

Enormous thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

This series goes from strength to strength. Reminiscent of The Hound of the Baskervilles, this time Hal and Uncle Nat go undercover in the German mountains to investigate a deadly curse. As with the previous novels the characters are well developed and the plot moves along at a good, convincing pace. I particularly liked the inclusion of some new background on Uncle Nat that should make for some interesting plot developments going forward and keep the series fresh. As ever there are great titbits of information on trains that add to the story as do the brilliant illustrations by Elisa Paganelli. Hugely enjoyable!

The Adventures on Trains series has been one of my favourite discoveries of the last few years, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Danger at Dead Man’s Pass.

This time, Nat and Hal are off through Europe to Berlin, to investigate on behalf of an old friend of Nat’s. This adventure seems a little more serious to Hal, and it doesn’t help that Uncle Nat is behaving oddly too!

I read this book in less than 24 hours, I enjoyed it so much. I love getting swept up in these stories. I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed! M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman have exceeded their very high standards with this one.

The setting of Schloss Kratzenstein was very atmospheric and spooky. It was wonderful to join Hal and Uncle Nat on another journey, and make friends with another group of children. It felt like Hal grew up a little, working more on his own.

Overall, this was a really fun adventure, with an interesting mystery at its centre. I highly recommend this book, and the whole series. Long may it continue!

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

This is such a gripping adventure series for children and it’s so exciting to the books published in such quick succession after one another! This is the fourth instalment Hal and his Uncle Nathaniel’s adventures as they travel on trains across the world solving crimes as they go. This is the first one where Hal and Nathaniel intentionally set out to investigate a mysterious death but do so undercover, travelling as distant relatives of the Krazenstein family to find out more about their family curse and try to uncover the truth.

The plot of this was really strong, with intrigue around Uncle Nathaniel’s history (he behaves very mysteriously in this one) running alongside Hal trying to work out what is really going on and who is behind the supernatural mysteries. I love the research that goes into the trains, the stations and the places mentioned and the way geography and history seamlessly fit into the story.

Children’s fiction at its finest!

Oh, I love these books so much! I was so happy to be offered an eARC ahead of publication. This is another phenomenal addition to the Adventures on Trains series. This time amateur sleuths and train fans Harrison and his uncle Nat are called upon to help explain a suspicious death in the mountains in Germany. As always, the writing is superb and so cleverly plotted. Sometimes I felt as if I needed a notebook like Harrison, to keep track of all of the plot twists and turns. Leonard and Sedgman do not oversimplify things, just because they are writing for young children, and that is why these books are so good! I like the detail that they go into around the journeys the pair take, so much so that I almost feel as if I've been across Europe on a sleeper train with them. Another resounding success!

A shady figure is hanging around at the end of football practice, as Hal and Ben are about to brave the cold and go home. Luckily it is Hal’s uncle Nat, travel writer and train expert, arrived to ask Hal, accomplished as both an artist and a detective, to join him on his next journey. Impersonating distant, British based relations of a wealthy German railway family, they have been asked by an old friend of Nat’s to try to find the truth about the recent demise of Alexander, head of the railway company, who has suffered a heart attack but died with a look of absolute terror on his face. Could this be related to the curse inflicted on the family many generations ago?
A fast-paced adventure, full of intrigue, latent peril and feuding characters ensues as they investigate at the family castle in the Harz Mountains, where legends of witches and sorcery abound, and where Hal’s unease grows as his uncle behaves in an uncharacteristically secretive manner. What has he been so quietly discussing with the baron, and why does he sneak off alone in the dark without including Hal? Illustrations from Hal’s notebook illuminate the situations in which our hero finds himself and enhance the observations the pair make as they try to solve the mystery. A thoroughly entertaining novel which has left me eager to read the others in the series.

Another fantastic book in the Adventures on Trains series. This time, Hal and Uncle Nat - now well-known for their detective endeavours - are invited to Germany to help solve a mystery. Hal's interest in trains is a huge benefit to him here but he must disguise his detective abilities (and his art) to help in the case. I loved the setting and the number of younger characters in this too. I also really enjoyed the historical references (Cold War) and literary references (Faust). As always in the series, the illustrations are simply stunning.

Thank you M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman for a super series. It goes from strength to strength!

Very sadly I can’t seem to download this even with help from NetGalley.Downloading the pocket book app also doesn’t help so I will have to wait until I can buy this before I can review this for the website I review for www.readforgood.org

I’m sure it’s amazing though!
Thank you for the opportunity

This book is the perfect addition to the Adventures on Trains series. I do worry with series of books that the quality can deteriorate with the coming editions. However, this series just keeps getting better. I love that every new book has a unique arc and keeps me on my toes. As hard as it is to admit, I never realise the full story until the point of it's reveal. This book is an amaxing book which I would recommend for children in Year 3 upwards. Not only do M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman write amazing stories, but they have provided us with a series which can inspire and motivate children to read. In this book, I was impressed with the different angle that the trains were encorperated which provided an interesting mystery for the book. Absolutely amazing!

Another great adventure with Hal and Uncle Nat.
This time they travel to Dead Mans Pass, a place as deadly as it sounds. There is intrigue, mystery, deception and thrills in this fast paced adventure.
Thank you to M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman for this exciting sequel. I’ve read three out of the four adventures now and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint! Great illustrations too.

My word! This book was everything I wanted it to be, and more! Adventures on Trains is very much my guilty pleasure and I have adored each book so far. In fact, they keep getting better and better. Danger at Dead Man's Pass is no exception.

The main difference between this and the previous 3 books is that the mystery comes to Uncle Nat and Hal. rather than them stumbling upon it, like previously. They are called upon to find out about a mysterious family curse and have to go in disguise to investigate it. As ever, the storyline is wonderful, the friends that are made along the way are fabulous and the story is a fun tale. The setting is sensational - MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman really do make you feel like you are in the moment - and the description of the Bavarian mountains was gorgeous.

In this one we also find out a bit more about Uncle Nat and his backstory and I was so excited about it. I really hope it develops further in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC - it was a blast!

Hal and his Uncle Nat are back with the fourth Adventures on Trains mystery! This time, they find themselves journeying across Europe to the mountains of Germany to find the answers to an old family curse, an unexplained death and a missing will. They’ve packed plenty of intuition, deduction and determination to see them through.

I had the absolute pleasure of reading this story while listening to my children play the European Ticket to Ride board game. They were building trains from London to Paris to Berlin while Hal and Nat were making the same journey. I know they’re going to love listening to this story at bedtime when the audiobook becomes available – we often have The Highland Falcon Thief, Kidnap on the California Comet and Murder on the Safari Star playing in various bedrooms each evening.

The first three Adventures on Trains book are fantastic with mysteries that captivate the reader and keep them guessing right to the end. Danger at Dead Man’s Pass has something more. There’s a maturity and a darker, more sinister edge to this mystery. Hal is growing up and taking on more responsibility. There’s more at stake. Danger is coming closer and there’s no room for error. Uncle Nat isn’t quite himself, adding an extra element of mystery to an already complex story. With so many suspects and a cold, calculating villain, this is an unputdownable adventure. Elisa Paganelli’s incredible illustrations convey the mood of the story perfectly. In an intriguing twist, Hal must do his drawing in secret, trying to capture only the most important elements of the mystery. This makes each drawing so powerful.

Danger at Dead Man’s Pass is full of fascinating geography tinged with history as they travel across Europe. Hal learns the value of being bilingual as he adapts to multiple languages and cultures. The electric Eurostar is so different from the steam and diesel trains of their earlier adventures. The journey through the Channel Tunnel is exciting and the narrow-gauge steam railway of the Brocken Mountains is completely engaging. The links to Goethe’s Fauste brings a whole other element to the story that will challenge young readers and encourage them to explore links to literature. It really is such a multi-layered story that is a step up from the already brilliant books that have come before.

I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to give away even a hint of what’s inside this tangled mystery that will keep you reading right to the very end!

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books for this outstanding book!

I thought this was really fun! I actually haven't read any of the other books in this series, and while it does seem like they slightly follow on from each other, I do think you could start here too. There is (perhaps unsurprisingly) a lot of information about trains - so could be a good one for any reluctant readers who like trains! The mystery was fun and engaging, even for an adult. I genuinely wanted to see what happened. I also thought there was a really nice balance of the main character, who is a child, working things out for himself but also getting help from others along the way. Overall, a really enjoyable read and one I would recommend.

I was absolutely delighted to be accepted on Net Galley to read and review this title; I am a huge fan of the ‘Adventures on Trains’ series and have loved the first 3 stories. This one did not disappoint and I could barely put it down. From the beginning I was hooked, wanting to solve the mystery and, as usual, I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way. Even though all of the books in the series have the same main characters and themes, they are all different enough to make them each an enjoyable read on their own. I also absolutely love the illustrations, they add so much to the (already brilliant) writing. I have to say I think that this one was my favourite so far and I have already preordered the next in the series!

As soon as you read the authors' dedication page you know that this isn't going to be your typical train story.
MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman take Hal and Uncle Nat on another adventure. This time however the adventure is planned as Nat has been invited to travel by train to help solve a mystery.
This is a story about deception, about detective work, the importance of learning other languages, about friendship and family, about secrets, codes, and most importantly about trains.
There is so much you learn in this story too about the workings of a train that one cannot help but be impressed by the railway and its workings. I certainly never knew about gauges of trains before but the authors work it so cleverly into the storyline that it flows and adds to the plot.
The artwork of Elisa Paganelli is exquisite and adds so much to the story, especially as the reader imagines that it is Hal that I'd the artist himself. Hal who clearly has great talent.
When this book comes out in paperback I will be buying a copy so I can read my train-loving son at bedtime.

Danger At Dead Man’s Pass

What A Story! MG Leonard and Samuel Sedgman do it yet again! Mystery, adventure, murder and train journeys all wrapped up nicely in the next big thing for Hal and his uncle. This time we are off to Germany but with a twist. Hal has been asked to visit. Why? You must read to see. A book set for all of ks2 and can be used as a class read or even as an English topic. There is so much to unpick and I constantly find myself using Google to search for more information on the trains, history and places they visit. These two amazing authors just grip you. There aren’t many authors who create a series that make you want to go away and find more about but these do. The suspense keeps you gripped in the story and you sit for hours immersed in a story that takes you on a roller coaster. Dead Man’s Pass has got to be sat on every shelf. And as always we now sit here twiddling our thumbs waiting for the next adventure to arrive in the station. I for one will continue to board the trains and invite all of you and the children in your class to do the same. The illustrations are so beautiful that it polishes it off. So make sure you do go out and buy this. Please, if you have not already picked up Hal’s first three adventures, go and buy them with this 1 and remember to use a local book store. If you have the chance buy the rest of MG Leonard as trains are just the start. #beetles #birds

This series just keeps getting better. Another train journey turns into another adventure for Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nathaniel Bradshaw. This time there’s a curse, disguises, intrigue, a cast of suspicious characters and a windswept mountain castle with its own private train line. More of the action takes place in the castle rather than on a train this time, and there are a lot of characters to remember, but a very satisfying mystery to unravel. The illustrations are beautiful, and really add to the text. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series! Hopefully it won’t be too long until the next adventure.