Reviews

It Happened on a Train by Mac Barnett

misspippireads's review against another edition

Steve Brixton is finished with being a detective. After discovering the ghostwriter's secret, he is set on throwing away the entire Bailey Brothers series and his own detective agency. Yet, a mystery catches his attention during a train ride. He agrees to come out of retirement, just this once.

The mystery, the danger, the humor! I love the Brixton Brothers books. Every time a another book appears, I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Barnett writes a story that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. I would highly recommend reading the Brixton Brothers (starting with book one, because they do follow an order), to anyone who wants a mystery or humorous story. If the reader enjoys both genres, it's a perfect fit!

Arte Johnson returns to read book 3. Johnson brings perfect animation to the Brixton Brothers. He isn't flamboyant but straight forward in his approach. I hope all future Brixton Brothers books will be read by Arte Johnson.

Reviewed from a library copy.

abigailsbuchanan's review against another edition

5.0

This series is so good. It reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes in its believableness, surrealness, and hope. Thank you for some excellent reads, Mr. Barnett.

singerji's review

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

pwbalto's review

5.0

Read and reviewed by both of my kids:

Zhou: I like how it's about car theft, because I don't think there are a lot of kids mystery books about car theft, and I like how there's a triple agent, so Mr. Vanderdraak doesn't realize that his cars are being stolen by -
YNL: Wait, are you telling me who done it?
Z: Oh! I guess I am. Anyway, they all go to jail.

Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2011/11/catching-up-on-middle-grade-chapter-books.html

tcbueti's review

4.0

Quite entertaining. In the third book of this series, Steve has retired, at the age of twelve, from detecting, after the author of his beloved Bailey Brothers detective novels has betrayed and disappointed him (See #2). Of course, Steve can't keep himself from detecting., and he's soon trying to figure out what's going on in the mysterious last car of the train he's taking or a school trip. Naturally, he ends up on the roof wearing a bathrobe and shower cap...

I love how Steve is so confident in the ridiculous and old-fashioned advice he gets from The Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook, and then reality steps in. His reluctant sidekick, Dana (his "chum") adds more humor.

Aside from the humorous aspects, the plotting is brisk and twisty.

kbhenrickson's review

4.0

My son and I enjoyed this book more than the second book in the series. This book has more humor, and the story was stronger.

cuocuo's review

4.0

This series just keeps getting better. A whole lot of fun. Bonus points for a "love interest" (they're 12, okay) with freckles, brown hair, glasses, and sass because we all know that's the very best kind.

Enjoyed the attempted take-down of derivative fantasy series but it wasn't quite as sharp as the on-going detective pastiche.

jhliu's review against another edition

4.0

Steve Brixton is at it again — well, he wants to retire but people just keep dragging him back into detective work. So now he's trying to solve a mystery about car thieves, all while aboard a moving train. Action! Adventure! Romance! More silly advice from the Bailey Brothers!