Scan barcode
dinnureads's review
5.0
The mysteries have escalated. We started with a jewel thief and then got a kidnapping and now it was a murder mystery. It was a really interesting mystery and I did not see the answer before the characters did. The African backdrop was exquisite and vibrant. I enjoyed every second of reading this book.
rebekkavanh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
laurensworldofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
adrzeck's review
3.0
Murder's afoot as Hal spends some time growing and learning how to be Sherlock Da Vinci. Has some nice Agatha Christie vibes here as we head to Africa. As always I love how the authors describe where the reader can go to learn more about the trains they're talking about or how the reader can try and take the trip themselves. Again excellent voice narration.
missbibliography's review
3.0
Hal is back on a train with his uncle, this time riding through Southern Africa, where he gets to go on safari and encounter all sorts of animals (and people, including a rude, abrasive media magnate). When a murder happens on board (although everyone thinks its an accident), Hal feels compelled to jump in and investigate.
This was a pretty good read, it fell in line with the other novels in the adventures on trains series pretty well. I enjoyed reading it even if it felt a little bit expected, and I suspect any middle grader who likes a good murder mystery will enjoy this book too!
This was a pretty good read, it fell in line with the other novels in the adventures on trains series pretty well. I enjoyed reading it even if it felt a little bit expected, and I suspect any middle grader who likes a good murder mystery will enjoy this book too!
smitchy's review
4.0
Hal and his Uncle are on a safari through South Africa on the luxury train the Safari Star.
Also on the train is an eclectic mix of strangers including a retired police officer, a crime fiction writer, an obnoxious millionaire and his family, a TV star, and a passionate entrepreneur. As the train travels through the magnificent scenery and shows off the wildlife of Africa Hal is excited to make the most of his holiday but he is certain there must be crime to solve too! Hal leaps to a mistaken conclusion early on, but when a death occurs he questions his instincts not wanting to leap again to an incorrect guess.
These are fun, action-packed adventures in the style of a modern Agatha Christie for a 8-14 audience. There is just enough suspense to keep the reader hooked without being so scary as to keep the reader awake at night.
I love the fact that at the end of the book the authors take the time to explain which elements of their story are truth and which are fiction. They also give a bit of history on the train, railway line, and the country in which the story is set.
Also on the train is an eclectic mix of strangers including a retired police officer, a crime fiction writer, an obnoxious millionaire and his family, a TV star, and a passionate entrepreneur. As the train travels through the magnificent scenery and shows off the wildlife of Africa Hal is excited to make the most of his holiday but he is certain there must be crime to solve too! Hal leaps to a mistaken conclusion early on, but when a death occurs he questions his instincts not wanting to leap again to an incorrect guess.
These are fun, action-packed adventures in the style of a modern Agatha Christie for a 8-14 audience. There is just enough suspense to keep the reader hooked without being so scary as to keep the reader awake at night.
I love the fact that at the end of the book the authors take the time to explain which elements of their story are truth and which are fiction. They also give a bit of history on the train, railway line, and the country in which the story is set.
manuthebooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
vickylovesreading's review
5.0
In the third instalment of Adventures on Trains, Uncle Nat and Hal are back for another adventure and this time it’s aboard the Safari Star travelling across Africa from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. Obviously, this is not just a simple train journey, as soon disaster strikes and there is a murder to solve! Once more, Hal must step up and use his burgeoning detective skills to solve the case.
I loved both The Highland Falcon Thief and Kidnap on the California Comet, so I jumped at the chance to read Murder on the Safari Star early. As expected, I wasn’t disappointed with this thrill ride of a book – I enjoyed it so much that I read it in one sitting, speeding through as I wanted to solve the case alongside Hal. The plot is pacey and develops quickly making you want to read more and more.
Instantly, you know that there’s going to be a mystery to solve as a cast of suspicious characters with intriguing backstories unravel, including Luther Ackerman, train owner, and retired detective Erik Lovejoy. Hal and Uncle Nat continue to be the stars of the story, but it was Winston and Chipo who I fell in love with in this adventure! Let me let you in on a little secret – if a book has animals in it, I am sold. Chipo, the mongoose, was immediately loveable and the mongoose’s adventures will delight younger (and probably older) readers. Additionally, Winston was a likeable sidekick to Hal, bringing a little more hesitancy to him as he has become more headstrong.
Overall, this book was fabulous and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Books for providing an e-book review copy.
I loved both The Highland Falcon Thief and Kidnap on the California Comet, so I jumped at the chance to read Murder on the Safari Star early. As expected, I wasn’t disappointed with this thrill ride of a book – I enjoyed it so much that I read it in one sitting, speeding through as I wanted to solve the case alongside Hal. The plot is pacey and develops quickly making you want to read more and more.
Instantly, you know that there’s going to be a mystery to solve as a cast of suspicious characters with intriguing backstories unravel, including Luther Ackerman, train owner, and retired detective Erik Lovejoy. Hal and Uncle Nat continue to be the stars of the story, but it was Winston and Chipo who I fell in love with in this adventure! Let me let you in on a little secret – if a book has animals in it, I am sold. Chipo, the mongoose, was immediately loveable and the mongoose’s adventures will delight younger (and probably older) readers. Additionally, Winston was a likeable sidekick to Hal, bringing a little more hesitancy to him as he has become more headstrong.
Overall, this book was fabulous and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Books for providing an e-book review copy.
booksandlemonsquash's review
4.0
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This series really is wonderful! Honestly, I just want to go on awesome train trips around the world. They are so full of love for trains and mysteries, it really shines out from the books.
I felt that this was a little more contrived than the first two, but only in the sense that the crime feels a little engineered. Which is forgivable, as I doubt the series would work if Hal and Nat just went for a plain old train ride ;) Aside from all that, it was great to see Hal work his magic on another mystery. And also to see a friend that was less than convinced (at least at first!) by his snooping, and to see a detective who respects his skills.
I also found that I sort of figured out who would die and then who did it reasonably fast - though I didn't get why as you don't get the hint til close to the reveal. I never mind that though as they are so fun and well laid out. And the characters are all so wonderful. Even the unlikeable ones!
The safari element felt great as well - really respectful of the animals and explaining about hunting and endangered species. And I obviously loved Chipo, as he's adorable!
I was pleased to see that the galley had the illustrations in, as they really help make the books, and are honestly so fantastic.
We also got a teeeeeeeny sneak peek at the next book and I think it will be another corker - I'm liking the set up already.
4.5 stars.
This series really is wonderful! Honestly, I just want to go on awesome train trips around the world. They are so full of love for trains and mysteries, it really shines out from the books.
I felt that this was a little more contrived than the first two, but only in the sense that the crime feels a little engineered. Which is forgivable, as I doubt the series would work if Hal and Nat just went for a plain old train ride ;) Aside from all that, it was great to see Hal work his magic on another mystery. And also to see a friend that was less than convinced (at least at first!) by his snooping, and to see a detective who respects his skills.
I also found that I sort of figured out who would die and then who did it reasonably fast - though I didn't get why as you don't get the hint til close to the reveal. I never mind that though as they are so fun and well laid out. And the characters are all so wonderful. Even the unlikeable ones!
The safari element felt great as well - really respectful of the animals and explaining about hunting and endangered species. And I obviously loved Chipo, as he's adorable!
I was pleased to see that the galley had the illustrations in, as they really help make the books, and are honestly so fantastic.
We also got a teeeeeeeny sneak peek at the next book and I think it will be another corker - I'm liking the set up already.
4.5 stars.