The Adventures on Trains series is one of my favourite discoveries of the past few years. I really cannot stress enough how brilliant they are. I really thought that they couldn’t possibly get any better, but Sabotage on the Solar Express somehow managed it!

I loved all the science bits, and the idea of a train that runs on solar power and water, essentially. Boaz is a great character, he’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I loved him so much. I love his family too, they’re supportive, but also down to earth.

This story is honestly so much fun, exciting technology, sabotage, and a runaway train. What more could you possibly want?

It was great to rejoin Hal and Uncle Nat. I really enjoyed the fact that Marianne is back in this story too. She really shows a better side of herself, and steps up to help save the day.

The setting was so enjoyable too. Both the train itself, and Australia. I loved the descriptions of the landscape and so on, it really made me feel like I was there, without in any way interrupting the flow of the story.

As always, Elisa Paganelli’s illustrations are truly wonderful. Along with M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman’s storytelling, they combine to form a rip-roaring adventure. I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what happens next!

Overall, this was an exciting and interesting story, combining mystery and thrills. So come and join Hal and his Uncle Nat on their Epic-est adventure yet!

The latest <em>Adventures on Trains</em> book! As you might be able to guess, I dropped my current read (and all evening plans) to consume this when I got my hands on it.

SABOTAGE ON THE SOLAR EXPRESS is the most thriller-leaning of the books so far. It's certainly got a mystery (who sabotaged the train and why?) but the focus of the action is stopping the train from causing damage. There's a much more present ticking clock because of it. Before, the stakes were that the culprit would get away with the crime, but here it's literally life or death.

As well as making for a super-addictive read, it also helps to keep these books feeling new and fresh. The authors are not letting these books fall into a pattern, but finding new ways for Hal to have adventures on trains (Uncle Nat is clearly a <em>very good</em> at persuading people given Hal's parents are still letting him go on train holidays with his uncle!)

Like with DANGER AT DEAD MAN'S PASS, we get to spend more time with characters we've seen previously. However, this time it's far more major characters coming back - August Reza, his daughter Marianne (the girl kidnapped in KIDNAP ON THE CALIFORNIA COMET), and bodyguard Woody.

I really liked spending time with them, particularly with Marianne. KIDNAP makes you think of her a certain way, and this book changes your opinion. She's clearly learnt since then (and because of that book.) The spark of her is still the same, but it was nice to see that change.

There are new characters, of course. The best is Boaz. A science-whizz-kid is always a win in my book (I <em>am</em> a Physicist, after all!) But a whizz-kid with a green invention and the ability to invent from limited supplies under stress?! (Big DO NOT DO WHAT THEY DO IN THE BOOK warnings here!)

I raved about the new art style in DANGER, how it reflected the book, and it happens here too! It's a more comic-like style, with boxes and insets and comments. Hal remembers Marianne likes creating comics, so decides to give it a try. It's just another way these books are keeping that fresh, exciting feel.

I'm so excited for the next book, THE ARCTIC RAILWAY ASSASSIN, coming in October!

This is one series that never fails to deliver. In this one, topical environmental concerns around renewable, clean energy, lead Hal and Uncle Nate to the launch of the first hydrogen powered train, The Solar Express. I loved the fact that previous characters were back, Marianne Reza and her father, and that they have developed since the second book. The plot was well conceived and the clever mix of science and tension worked perfectly. As ever, Hal's drawing and observation skills help solve the mystery and this is enhanced by the wonderful illustrations throughout. I really like this series and feel it goes from strength to strength.

Whenever anyone asks for chapter book recommendations for independent readers, M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman’s marvellous ‘Adventures on Trains’ series is my absolute list topper. I love that this winning team of authors have created exciting, accessible and non-gender divisive reads for the next generation of bookworms who are hungry for compelling reads but not quite ready for the darkness of the later Harry Potter or Nevermoor books.

The first book in this series even took non-readers under its wing as young protagonist, Harrison Beck, explains that he processes his thoughts and emotions through drawing rather than words. Indeed, like Rowling’s incredible journey with Potter, we’ve seen clever Leonard and Sedgman gradually forging their way into deeper and more complex adventures for Harrison and his Uncle Nat, who are now beginning to embrace their detective roles with increasing confidence and attack.

Each book in the series dabbles in a different genre alongside the discovery of a new train and country. Where book 4, ‘Danger at Dead Man’s Pass’, follows a steam train on a haunting journey of traditions and superstition, ‘Sabotage on the Solar Express’ carves a more modern route through book 5. Echoing the fast-paced adventure of an action film, the story jets through Australia’s sacred lands while Harrison and the reader are enlightened by scientific knowledge and ground-breaking advancements in transport technology.

Elisa Paganelli’s illustrations are always a wonderful highlight for me. Knowing Hal’s fervent for crime-solving detail, I love to study them for clues that will no doubt crop up later in the stories. This episode did not disappoint. I loved how our young hero dipped his nib in the cartoon strip genre this time, adding boxing and speech bubbles to increase the drama in line with the fast-paced action of the adventure.

Although, like Harrison, I prefer the gentle puff of a steam engine, there’s no question that when this dare-devil story got going, I was compelled to keep reading. Very suddenly the train takes you hurtling at break-neck speed towards a conclusion that you’re desperate to reach in a book that you simply don’t want to end. Thank goodness for Uncle Nat’s promise of another trip to continue the series… because, after reading what he gets up to in this one, I’m not sure Hal’s mum will ever let him out the house again!

If you haven’t yet hopped onto this train ride, I urge you to do so. These are brilliant adventures for readers young and old.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books and NetGalley for sharing an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book. I can honestly say that this is one of my favourite series, i love the characters and i am always left guessing until the end. This was no exception. i loved the illustrations, i loved all the directions that this book went in, and i love every adventure that Hal and Uncle Nate go on.

Cannot wait to see whats next,

This series of books just gets better! Sabotage on the Solar Express was a non stop thrill - it’s not for the faint hearted! Once again Hal and Uncle Nate are aboard a train with a mystery to solve, but this time they’re fighting for their lives. Full of twists and turns, wonderful illustrations and diagrams, this book will keep you guessing to the end.

Co-authors, M.G.Leonard and Sam Sedgman, have created this unbelievable series of Adventures on Trains. Currently there are 4 books in the series with the 5th available on Netgalley and publishing in February. A 6th is to come in the next year and I just don’t ever want it to end.
When my approval came on Friday, I quickly shut myself away and settled down to read. It is never a dull moment with Nat and Hal on their travels and from experience in reading the entire series, I know to look for clues in Hal’s sketches and drawings (brilliantly brought to life by illustrator Elisa Paganelli). He notices so much about the world around him, and it generally all falls into place by the end of the tale, though I am generally still clueless as to the culprit. I love that about these books. There are twists, turns and uncertainties that leave the reader guessing the entire trip.
The authors do plenty of research and are lucky enough to have travelled on trains to ensure a realistic and relatable experience for the reader. From the noises of the pistons, the speed , the power, I was transported to each journey by their words.
The strength of this series lies in the settings, plot and characters. Nat ans Hal are fantastic and I love getting to know them a bit better on each journey. Hal, especially, is growing in confidence on each adventure, and Nat has come to trust Hal’s instincts.
This spectacular adventure, set in Australia, starts out with little trouble in sight and Nat and Hal are thoroughly enjoying themselves. They are guests of the Reza family (from a previous adventure), and are to be the first passengers on a futuristic train designed by a teen. When they board the Solar Express, things heat up and there are dangerous situations to survive. It looks as though this journey has been sabotaged.
It is down to the passengers on this driverless train to solve the mystery and save themselves. Highly thrilling and adventurous, I dare to say this is my favourite so far and their best adventure to date!

Hal and Uncle Nat are in Australia to travel on the first voyage of the Solar Express. The Solar Express is billed as teh train of the future, a train to save the planet from our reliance on fossil fuels. They are to be guests of the man that has bankrolled the train (and the competition to design it) August Reza. Nobody has met the designer, Boaz Tudawali yet but he'd designed a hybrid train to protect Australia.
The first train they travel on though is the very luxurious "The Ghan"; the longest passenger train in the world. Hal isn't too keen on August's daughter, Marianne. He'd met her in California and thought she was somewhat spoilt. He hoped that she wasn't coming too.
But she is....and she's worried about something. She tries to tell Hal why she is worried but he thinks it is nothing. When they meet Boaz they are surprised to find he's a 14 year old Aboriginal boy who is concerned about Australia and it's environment. Hence his design...
Is Marianne worried about nothing? Where did the beautiful "Rocket" model come from?
The authors have given so much adventure and so many twists to support the very likeable characters, and yes, that includes Marianne. Boaz comes across as a down to earth young man who is very aware of the eco message that all young children are aware of. Can Uncle Nat keep Hal safe? He doesn't seem to have much choice but to go along with teh children's adventures!
I have not read any of the other 'Adventures on Trains' books but I know the children at school love them but this wow, I really am going to find the time to read the others now. And I'm pretty sure Sam Sedgman's new non fiction trains book will be landing in the school library.

Thank you to Netgalley & publishers.


After the mess of book 4 I was dubious about going into this one but ugh it did not disappoint, by page 40 I was already getting the vibes from it that the previous one was missing. We’re back to with Hal and Uncle Nat doing what they do best. Solving crimes while on a train. This one is so action packed and as Hal gets older the danger level gets ramped up too. It was nice to be back with some familiar characters from past books. But also getting to know the new ones too. It added so much dynamic to the story telling. This one gave me all the Speed vibes but on a train!! Also the fun fact of the chapter titles being Action movie names was amusing!!

This is a series of books that my class have absolutely loved. I always get them to read the extract of a new one in whole class reading & each time, they ask me to buy it for our classroom. This one will be no different. Loveable characters, a great plot & thoroughly enjoyable! 234/10.

Sabotage on the Solar Express is the latest book in this phenomenal Adventures on Trains series.

If you’re not already familiar with the books, you can absolutely read them out of order and behind here but you’ll also absolutely want to read more once you’ve started, so I recommend going back to where it all began with Hal’s first journey alongside his Uncle Nat on The Highland Falcon Thief!

If you are already acquainted with Hal and Nat, you’ll know what a brilliant team they are; between their sleuthing and Nat’s responsibility for Hal, it’s a very carefully balanced model of a caring, trusting, respectful adult-child relationship which nevertheless retains a sense of fun.

And that is something which is once again epitomised here. Marianne’s shock at Hal openly bringing Nat in on their ‘secret’ investigation was telling and a memorable moment in the book for me.

And yes, that is Marianne Reza, daughter of August Reza, tech giant and billionaire who we first met in Kidnap on the California Comet. The pair (and long-suffering bodyguard Woody) return here as August announces the winner of his Reza’s Rocket competition to design a train for the future.

It’s brilliant to see these characters reunited and adjusting to the different dynamics they now have following their first journey together. Marianne is a character who’s really grown, and who continues to do so in this story, and who is increasingly likeable – something which surprises Hal as he’s begrudgingly drawn into working with her to solve the mystery and save the day.

I loved seeing them grow closer during this adventure, and we finish the book with Marianne (and colleague Michelle) feeling like really strong female role models in business, leadership and STEM which is great to see too.

As ever, surrounding them is yet another strong cast with interesting, diverse and believable characters – some likeable, some less so, all with a degree of suspicion hovering over them!

Like always, the fact that they’re all contained in one place heightens our sense of mistrust and doubt, but there’s definitely an added level of danger and peril in this book compared to previous cases. The excitement, adrenaline and action are all pumped up to the max, with a large dose of 80s/90s Hollywood action thrown into the mix with heart-pounding results.

With a sabotaged, unstoppable train; double-crossing and dangerous desertions; a ticking clock and a race against time; daring and dramatic escapes; highly improbable and unlikely homemade devices; big budget rescue attempts and electrifying explosions, this has everything to keep you on the edge of your seat (and can’t fail to raise a smile with adult readers familiar with this sort of movie!)

Oh, and those chapter headers 👌👌 I always keep an eye on the chapters in these books as there’s often a sneaky pun or reference in there. Sabotage takes it to the next level. Spot on.

The other thing I really liked here was the way they’ve played with Hal’s drawing style. He mentions himself taking inspiration from Marianne’s love of drawing comic books and so his (Elisa Paganelli’s) drawings this time incorporate a comic strip vibe, whilst still being recognisably Hal’s (Elisa’s).


And this illustrates nicely (pun totally intended) something which the whole book has done so well; this is now the fifth book in the series, by which point it’d be easy to worry that they’ll become stale or formulaic, predictable or samey, but this formidable trio have once again taken the premise somewhere totally new and changed it up enough to keep it fresh, whilst retaining its heart and feel.

There is, as would be expected, a strong environmental theme here too which provides food for thought both in the immediate and long term sense. I know I learned something reading it, and seeing Boaz’s passion and talent for environmental solutions was inspiring, so it’s especially exciting to think of the spark this could have in the hands of the next generation.

In short (yeah, I know…), MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman have somehow managed to expertly create their very own environmental action movie, turn it into a book which retains all the thrills, with illustrations that fit it perfectly, and a whodunit thrown in for good measure. Genius. I cannot wait to see where they go next!

Another corker from the wonderful pairing that is MGLeonard and Sam Sedgman. This truly is a series that just keeps on giving, each book similar to the last yet vastly different. In all my years of reading aloud books I have yet to meet a series that engages children as much as this series. Wonderfully written with thought provoking, diverse characters this if try another story that will have kids on the edge of their seats. Absolutely brilliant.

Once more, Hal and Uncle Nat are off on an adventure on a train and this time it is to the Australian Outback! August Reza, the billionaire they have previously adventured with, has invited the train loving pair onto the first journey of the Solar Express. However, it quickly turns out that the train has been sabotaged and the passengers are in grave danger! Can Hal, working with Marianne Reza, work out who the saboteur is before it is too late?

I absolutely love the Adventures on Trains series by MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman (you can find my reviews of two previous books here and here) and this is a thrilling addition to the series. Whilst experiencing the maiden journey of the innovative solar express, something (as usual for Hal and Nat) goes wrong! The reader is quickly thrown into a world of saboteurs and a mystery to be unveiled at breakneck pace. I personally love the quick pace of these books as I enjoy turning page after page after page in a desperate attempt to work out what on earth is going on, hopefully just before Hal can get there! As per usual…I didn’t work it out, but despite that I absolutely adored Sabotage on the Solar Express and any mystery fan will too.

Hal and Uncle Nat are joined by a crew of interesting characters and Marianne Reza is among my favourite. She steps up to the plate as a fiercely determined leader and shows off her strength of character in the most dangerous of times – what a role model! Boaz, the inventor of the hydrogen powered Solar Express, is a great new addition and I loved that his invention allowed for lots of science discussion throughout the novel. This was done in a fantastically accessible way that I hope will have lots of kids yearning to learn more.

I’ve said it before, but I think this book might be the best yet! Kangaroos, renewable energy trains, genuine peril, of course it’s a 5 out of 5 stars for Sabotage on the Solar Express.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books and NetGalley for the e-book review copy.

Oh, a simply wonderful caper. This series gets better and better, if that were even possible. This time, there is a plot afoot. It reminds me of the Sandra Bullock film, Speed, but on trains. And I can assure you, the book is even better than the film.

I simply cannot wait to see what comes next. I think these books can't get any better and I am proven wrong time and time again. Easy 5 stars. Id give it 6 if I could.

Sadly the formatting was badly off on my iPad version of this book. I could however see that the paper copy would be a welcome addition to my son’s collection if train journey books by MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Therefore I give it 5 ⭐️ and will be buying it when it is published. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review

This is the most chilling and nerve wracking ‘Adventures on Trains’ book yet. The title says it all. There is sabotage onboard the Solar Express, which is a hydrogen powered train and has been designed as part of a competition.
Here we once again meet young detective and artist Hal (Harrison Beck) and his Uncle Nat as they go to journey on the Solar Express. Things don’t quite go as planned though. This is meant to be a pleasant holiday for Hal who always ends up finding a murder or similar.

Everything seems alright when the train starts its debut journey in Australia, but Hal and Uncle Nat soon discover that all is not well and their lives and those of the fellow passengers may be in danger.
This is a nail biting novel and great for young readers. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I know my kids and pupils will too.

If you are looking for a middle-grade adventure to make your pulse race and time appear to stand still, then look no further than Sabotage on the Solar Express! The vivid writing style of dual authors M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman, combined with the almost graphic novel-like images by Elisa Paganelli, make this, the fourth Adventures on Trains Mystery, the most cinematic of the series so far. The clever choice of chapter titles only adds to the filmic credentials of this story.

For those who have not read any of the previous books, they centre around Harrison known as Hal, a boy blessed with fantastic observational and drawing skills and his Uncle Nat, a famous travel writer, as they embark on a series of fabulous rail journeys. You could read this book independently of the others, however characters reappear from the second book Kidnap on the California Comet and I think you would find most enjoyment if you read the entire series in order.

This outing takes the uncle and nephew partnership “down under” to the deep Mars-red landscape of the Australian Outback. They have been invited by billionaire August Reza to join the inaugural journey of the Solar Express, the locomotive which has won Reza’s competition to design an environmentally friendly train for the future.

Hal and Uncle Nat are amazed to discover that the designer of the winning locomotive is actually a 14 year old boy, Boaz, who lives with his indigenous, First Nations family on a farmstead just outside Alice Springs. On visiting him in his workshop he explains the technology that he has designed, which uses solar energy to drive his regenerative hydrogen powered fuel cells and explains how his passion for environmentalism stems from his belief in the sanctity of the land. He is guided throughout the story by the Aboriginal belief that,

“We don’t own the land. The land owns us.“

Boarding his futuristic locomotive for the journey from Alice Springs to Darwin are an entertaining cast of characters including Reza’s teenage daughter Marianne, a ruthless and ambitious politician, a shipping tycoon, a couple of competition winners, a retired locomotive driver, members of Boaz’s family, a PR executive and a film crew. Ominously, the chief engineer of the project is found to be missing shortly after the journey begins. This puts paid to Hal’s dream of an uneventful journey where he can for once just enjoy the unique landscape, sketching the harsh but beautiful desert and enjoying the experience of travelling in luxurious conditions. He soon realises that he should have taken the suspicions of Marianne seriously when she alerted him to the mysterious stranger posing as a hotel employee, who delivered a valuable model of Stephenson’s rocket to her father‘s hotel room the previous evening. From the moment that the eponymous sabotage of the computer controlled driving system is discovered, the book hurtles the reader on a thrill ride during which the dramatic attention cranks up by the chapter, leaving you clinging to the sides of your chair whilst your eyes race over the pages faster than a runaway train.

This is an absolute corker of an adventure story and once you have regained your breath and calmed your heart rate it also provides interesting themes to ponder. Obviously the environmental theme is much to the fore and I thought that looking at it through the lens of First Nations people’s beliefs was a fascinating way of providing young readers with a way to explore the issues of industrialisation and exploitation of the world’s resources. Secondly, female empowerment is beautifully highlighted here, through the characters of Marianne and Michelle. At the start of the story we are reminded of Hal’s discomfort with Marianne who he finds overbearing and some would describe as bossy. However, as the sabotage threatens disaster to her father’s plans and the billionaire tech giant begins to fall apart, his teenage daughter displays the true leadership required to deal with a crisis. Similarly, Michelle’s desire to use her physics degree to join the engineering rather than the PR side of Reza Enterprises is only taken seriously once she proves her credentials in the absence of chief engineer Francisco Silva. There are positive messages for children about trusting in your own abilities and not being swayed by the opinions of others.

I highly recommend Sabotage on the Solar Express as an independent read for anyone of 9+, as a class reader or as a bedtime story; although teachers, librarians, parents and carers should be prepared for cries of “one more chapter”!

I am most grateful to Macmillan Children’s Books and NetGalley for allowing me access to an electronic copy of this book prior to publication on 17 February 2022.

Another great addition to the Adventures on trains series. This time we see Hal and Uncle NAT in Australia for the first ride on the solar express but there are some mysterious goings on. We catch up with August and Marianne Reza as Hal tries to uncover the mystery and who is behind the sabotage of the train.
As always, it's a great adventure and the illustrations are superb.
Will definitely purchase this one to add to the collection and look forward to the next adventure.

Another exciting book in the Adventures on Trains series. This time Hal and Nathaniel are in Australia, travelling onboard a brand new train powered by hydrogen, called “The Solar Express”, but it seems that someone doesn’t want the launch to go ahead. Will Hal, Nathaniel and their new friends be able to stop the saboteur in time? Their lives might depend on it.
Great links to science, could lead to discussions on inventions and renewable energy.

Well, I think the authors have surpassed themselves with this title. Full of action and mystery, it will have you all on the edge of your eats until the very end. They really do keep getting better and better, and there are more to come!!