This is the fourth installment of The Adventures on Trains series and they just keep getting better and better!
Uncle Nat arrives to see Hal with a strange letter requesting their help following a mysterious death. They travel, first to France and then on to Germany, playing the part of father and son.
As always, the tension builds and there is a great host of characters along the way. The illustrations, by Elisa Paganelli are fantastic and really add to the story
This is fast becoming one of my favourite series and was difficult to put down. I can't wait for the next one!

I think it’s fair to say that the more books I read, the more books I want. Sometimes, I read a standalone title by an author who is new to me which I love – and find I want to read more of their titles – and on other occasions, it might be the first in a series that holds me spellbound and I then need to know what happens next. Either way, my TBB list increases until such time as I choose to read on – usually several months later.

And then there are those series which I am instantly totally hooked by and which I find myself not only counting the days until publication of the next instalment, but checking Net Galley over and over again in the hopes of an early read. The Adventures on Trains series most definitely falls into this category, having read the first title – The Highland Falcon Thief – almost 18 months ago after a friend recommended it to me. I have to be honest, it wasn’t a book that I would necessarily have chosen, but such was her enthusiasm for it that I decided to see just what it was that hooked her in. Having of course fallen in love with it, I have gone on to read the other titles in the sequence at the earliest possible opportunity and so was thrilled to be approved for this on Net Galley and join Hal and Uncle Nat on their latest adventure.

It’s the end of the spring term when Uncle Nat unexpectedly collects Hal from school. Sharing a letter with his nephew from an old friend, Hal soon discovers that the writer is requesting the duo’s assistance in solving the riddle of the bizarre death of a relative. The gentleman concerned has apparently died of fright as the result of an ancient family curse and, rather mysteriously, his will has disappeared. Hal is as intrigued as his uncle, who tells him that they are to leave the following day to travel to Germany. After heading initially to Paris by Eurostar, Hal and Nat meet with the writer of the letter over lunch to learn more and Hal starts to wonder if there is something that Uncle Nat is hiding from him.

Pretending to be distant relatives of the deceased to provide them with a cover story, Hal and Nat head to Berlin where they are to meet with some of the family ahead of travelling to Schloss Kratzenstein – the family’s grand house where the funeral is to be held. Over dinner, the details of the laying-to-rest are discussed and several of the family talk about the curse and the witch said to be behind it, who some of the family claim to have seen. Desperate to speak with Uncle Nat afterwards, Hal is despatched to bed along with the other children, leaving him somewhat frustrated, especially when he looks out of the window and sees Nat heading out without telling him.

Before the party leaves the following day to travel to the Schloss, Nat promises Hal that they will talk once they have some privacy, but after reaching their destination it becomes clear that this is going to prove difficult. As Hal investigates the family and the Schloss he tries to find out more about both the history of the curse and just who stands to gain from the dead man’s passing, but comes up against several seemingly impossible puzzles to solve. With the funeral fast approaching, the will still missing, and Uncle Nat’s behaviour becoming more and more strange, will this be the mystery that finally defeats Hal?

It seems only a short while since I sat down to review Book 3 – Murder on the Safari Star – and reported that I felt that was the best in the series at that point. I was certain that that title could not be bettered, and yet I have to say that I think this tops even that. Now that the reader is so familiar with Hal and Nat, the mysteries and adventure can start piling up within the first few pages without preamble and hook the reader in to what is another incredible read. Both characters are continuing to develop wonderfully, and here – where there are hints that Uncle Nat is keeping secrets from his beloved nephew – there is the slight worry that their relationship will be affected by whatever they are. Although Hal has always shown an enormous amount of self-reliance in his investigations, he has constantly had the security of his uncle’s advice to fall back on. Here, not only is he unsure as to whether or not he will be able to speak to Nat, he is forced to work undercover and pretend to be someone he is not, leading him to have to adapt his skills as he tries to work out just what is going on.

With so many illustrators still not getting the full recognition that they deserve for their work, it seems only right and proper to mention that, as has been the case all of the way through this series, the brilliant story is again beautifully illustrated by Elisa Paganelli, whose skills perfectly reproduce what Hal sees and records in his notes and drawings throughout. I am sure that I am not the only fan of these stories who looks forward to seeing her creations as much as the writers’, and she has come up trumps yet again.

Suitable for children in Year 4 upwards, this is a title that I know some of the class coming up to me in September are keenly anticipating ahead of its publication on 16th September, and for which I am extremely grateful to MacMillan Children’s Books and Net Galley for my advance read. 5 out of 5 stars.

Hal and his Uncle Nat are back in their fourth adventure, Danger at Dead Man's Pass, and I couldn't have been more excited to have been given approval to read an early copy on NetGalley!
It's the beginning of the Easter holidays and Hal is surprised to see his Uncle Hal waiting for him as he leaves school. He's received a letter from an old friend who needs them to investigate the death of Alexander, a family member, at a German castle where there is also a family curse. Heading to Germany via the Eurostar and then the night train to Berlin, Hal and Nat are forced to go under-cover as distant relatives attending the funeral in order to try to get to the bottom of what is going on.

This is a slightly different adventure for Hal and his uncle as they usually investigate incidents that arise once they are aboard the train and have started their journey; however, this time they are boarding trains knowing that something untoward has already occurred. This adds an air of suspense right from the beginning of the book, as does the fact that they are required to disguise themselves (which involves a shopping trip and a change of hair-style for Hal).

The final location of the investigation must also take a great deal of credit for increasing the tension. A remote castle at the bottom of the Harz mountains, long held by the family, with winding corridors, towers and bats lurking, coupled with the fact that the family have their own railway line and station (both up to the castle as well as on to the peak of Brocken Mountain where the funeral train takes the party for the service) all helps to create a tense atmosphere. Dead Man's Pass lies within sight of the castle, was the location for Alexander's death and the where the family curse is believed to have originated - cold snowy mountains and with a skull face within its stones, it's enough to send shivers down anybody's spine!

Hal takes on a more independent role in this book due to the fact that he and his Uncle Hal are in separate rooms in the castle, but also because there seems to be something sinister going on with Hal which bubbles in the undercurrents of the book - is he hiding something? Hal is determined to get to the bottom of it, as well as the investigation they were invited to solve. I really enjoyed seeing him become more independent and it was also interesting to see how he managed when he couldn't openly use his artistic skills to help him.

With Elisa Paganelli's illustrations adding to the book, Danger at Dead Man's Pass is arguably the best book in the series yet! Maya and Sam's writing just seems to go from strength to strength and I can't wait to see where there writing takes Hal and Nat next!

Due for release on the 16th September, this is a train journey you are going to want to board!

This May just be the best book in the series so far! Hal and Nat have been requested to visit a German mansion where a death has occurred and there is a curse at work. This is new to both Hal and Nat, who generally discover mysteries while travelling, not travelling to a mystery.
A private railway through mountains stretching through Germany give an air of suspense and danger before the entire mystery unfolds.
The death of Alexander fills the house with sadness but the fear etched on his face in death prompts many questions about the nature of this untimely demise. Did someone scare him to death, was it natural or murder?
With proper espionage, a handful of children detectives and secrets between Nat and Hal, this one kept me guessing until the end!
What strikes me with this series is the maturity and use of vocabulary, providing children with a proper mystery to sink their teeth into. MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman are experts at creating suspense, danger and casting doubt onto all the characters at some point.
The characters are so well written that they fly off the pages and into the real world. I imagine reading these while travelling and looking up to spot Hal or Nat, they feel so true.
I think this is my favourite so far and I admit that I am learning so much about trains and my geography skills are increasing as well. I truly hope this series does not end!
Sheer brilliance in writing and Elisa Paganelli’s illustrations, as Hal, are superb and richly enhance the reading experience.

I have been waiting for this book. Since reading the first book in the Adventures on Trains series I have loved every single one. Each time I wonder how they'll get a new spin on it and each time they manage it.
I love that this time Hal has to contain his desire to draw, that he has a mystery to solve before even leaving and that he has to go in disguise.
In keeping with the rest of the series the language in this book is rich and varied and superb for kids to read.
The characters were likeable, the setting as unique and fun as ever and the story was fast paced and bursting with edge of the seat moments.
Another true masterpiece.