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The Brixton Brothers #3
Brixton Brothers It Happened on a Train
Retired private detective and current seventh grader Steve Brixton has a new career: taking out the garbage on Wednesdays for five bucks a week. But it's hard to leave the old game behind, and on a train trip down the California coast, Steve finds himself pulled back into sleuthing. Soon he's in over his head in four feet and eleven inches of mystery involving a fleet of priceless automobiles, a deadly assassin (or maybe just a faulty lock on a sauna door), and a secret train car filled with intrigue. Plus there's a girl involved, which complicates everything. I mean she's just Steve's friend. And really, they barely even know each other. It's not like they're boyfriend or girlfriend or anything, okay?
277 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2011
About the author
Mac Barnett
122 books1,447 followersBorn to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 13, 2017
This is the third book in the Brixton Brothers series, a.k.a. the acest “kid’s” detective series you’ll ever read. I was excited to revisit the humor and cleverness of this series! The case Steve tried to avoid while he was taking out the trash really blew me away (even though it’s only partly solved!). I also loved his trick to And Rick Train travel actually sounds pretty cool; though I never want to be on top of one, and it could use being a little fancier. This mystery was so complicated, I suspected everyone--except the real villains of course. The solution was actually oddly hilarious but slightly disappointing because Steve barely got to solve anything. (Although the Wooden Hound With Two Tails trick was awesome.) My siblings tell me that this case is closely connected to the next one, so maybe that will be good. ;) Not recommended for younger readers because of some disrespect of adults and intense action including , and There were two pictures from books they were reading where the women were dressed immodestly.
Best quote: The thin man chuckled. “Cyrus. They’re just children. They could hardly be car thieves--they don’t even know how to drive.” “Actually, I do,” said Steve. The man looked surprised. “Well, anyway, I’m sure they wouldn’t steal a car.” Actually, Steve had, technically. Twice. Once with Dana and once without. But it seemed better to leave that out right now.
Altogether, while this was a fun installment, it wasn’t the best in the series. We’ll see how the next one is. ;)
Best quote: The thin man chuckled. “Cyrus. They’re just children. They could hardly be car thieves--they don’t even know how to drive.” “Actually, I do,” said Steve. The man looked surprised. “Well, anyway, I’m sure they wouldn’t steal a car.” Actually, Steve had, technically. Twice. Once with Dana and once without. But it seemed better to leave that out right now.
Altogether, while this was a fun installment, it wasn’t the best in the series. We’ll see how the next one is. ;)
October 14, 2015
It Happened On a Train by Mac Barnett was a good book. It was about a kid detective name Steve Brixton. He is traveling on a train with his mom's boyfriend Rick and his best friend Dana. Steve is not a big fan of Rick because Rick does not think that Steve is capable of solving mysteries. This is not true because Steve has solved many cases that has stumped the police. Steve no longer wants to be a sleuth because in his last case, he found out that his favorite author who taught him everything he knew about being a detective, turned out to be a criminal. On the train Steve meets a girl in the cafe car. When that girl leaves, Steve sees that she left her book. Steve looks all over the train for her but could not find her. this turns into a even bigger mystery and with the help of Dana, he finds a way to some how solve it.
I enjoyed this mystery because it had many twists and turns. At the beginning of the book, the evidence is piling up on one person but by the end, the culprit is the person who you would not think was involved in the crime. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries. Although Steve is only a twelve year old boy, he can do many things. In this book, Steve is in a lot of danger and the chase takes him all the way to Mexico. This book will leave you asking for more and the truth behind the entire case was triggered by the simplest things. I enjoyed this book a lot and you probably will too.
I enjoyed this mystery because it had many twists and turns. At the beginning of the book, the evidence is piling up on one person but by the end, the culprit is the person who you would not think was involved in the crime. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries. Although Steve is only a twelve year old boy, he can do many things. In this book, Steve is in a lot of danger and the chase takes him all the way to Mexico. This book will leave you asking for more and the truth behind the entire case was triggered by the simplest things. I enjoyed this book a lot and you probably will too.
December 14, 2012
December 14, 2012
I recently finished the book It Happened on a Train by Mac Barnett. When the Vandaark's prize collection of cars goes missing they hire a private dective to protect a car that they are transporting on a train. Steve Brixton just happens to be on this same train when he notices strange going-ons such as disapearing girls, a windowless, sealed off train car, and more. He ends up making new friends to help solve the case and finds out what happened on a train. I like this book because it's full of suspence and adventure. I can relate to Steve because he always thinks logicly and figures out the anwser to a mystery.
I recently finished the book It Happened on a Train by Mac Barnett. When the Vandaark's prize collection of cars goes missing they hire a private dective to protect a car that they are transporting on a train. Steve Brixton just happens to be on this same train when he notices strange going-ons such as disapearing girls, a windowless, sealed off train car, and more. He ends up making new friends to help solve the case and finds out what happened on a train. I like this book because it's full of suspence and adventure. I can relate to Steve because he always thinks logicly and figures out the anwser to a mystery.
October 25, 2011
mac barnett sure knows how the bring the lolz right outta me. at this rate i'll never get tired of the brixton brothers.
December 1, 2011
This is number three in the Brixton Brothers series - I've missed number two and the hints in this one are tantalizing. There is always the chance that after a brilliant beginning, a series may start to fade, but Barnett has done it again! If only he wrote some similar stuff for adults! Aw, who cares? I'll read these!
The Brixton Brothers series is a must-read for anyone who enjoyed series such as The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and/or the Boxcar Children when they were young. Those books don't stand up as you age, but Barnett's books can be enjoyed by anyone capable of reading them. On its face, it is a mystery series for kids, but it's also a satire on the same. [Both a particle and a wave!] And they both work! This is a great series for an adult to share with a kid.
I was much taken by the illustration on the front of Steve Brixton on top of a moving train in a only a bathrobe (his shower cap having just flown off) being menaced by a hooded man with a lead pipe on one end and an approaching tunnel on the other. How, I thought, how on earth are we going to get to this point?! Everything that leads up to it indicates that this would be entirely impossible - but it isn't. Steve, with his reluctant "chum" Dana, can logically embroil themselves in the most fantastical scrapes!
The general over-arching theme of this book seems to be love, which Barnett handles with the deftness of a buzzing Dremel. Dana has acquired a girlfriend and a new literary interest that is a thorn in Steve's twelve-year-old side. But Steve himself must eventually confront his own feelings and the complexities of relationships, those between friends and, ew! ick!, those Other Ones!
Barnett must be familiar with Chekov's exhortation, "One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it." Be on the lookout! And enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! I retold this story over a couple of days to my husband who had to hold his head laughing. Run, don't walk, to a library to find this. Aww, heck! Buy them! They'll withstand many re-readings!
The Brixton Brothers series is a must-read for anyone who enjoyed series such as The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and/or the Boxcar Children when they were young. Those books don't stand up as you age, but Barnett's books can be enjoyed by anyone capable of reading them. On its face, it is a mystery series for kids, but it's also a satire on the same. [Both a particle and a wave!] And they both work! This is a great series for an adult to share with a kid.
I was much taken by the illustration on the front of Steve Brixton on top of a moving train in a only a bathrobe (his shower cap having just flown off) being menaced by a hooded man with a lead pipe on one end and an approaching tunnel on the other. How, I thought, how on earth are we going to get to this point?! Everything that leads up to it indicates that this would be entirely impossible - but it isn't. Steve, with his reluctant "chum" Dana, can logically embroil themselves in the most fantastical scrapes!
The general over-arching theme of this book seems to be love, which Barnett handles with the deftness of a buzzing Dremel. Dana has acquired a girlfriend and a new literary interest that is a thorn in Steve's twelve-year-old side. But Steve himself must eventually confront his own feelings and the complexities of relationships, those between friends and, ew! ick!, those Other Ones!
Barnett must be familiar with Chekov's exhortation, "One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it." Be on the lookout! And enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! I retold this story over a couple of days to my husband who had to hold his head laughing. Run, don't walk, to a library to find this. Aww, heck! Buy them! They'll withstand many re-readings!
January 10, 2013
I recently finished It Happened on a Train by Mac Barnett and it is now my favorite book. When "retired" 12 year old detective Steve Brixton goes on a train trip for school he runs into Claire Marinner who leads him to a secret train car owned by the Vanderaak Family. They lead Steve on a crazy adventure. Meanwhile, someone"s trying to kill Steve, a priceless car is stolen, and some people are acting suspiciously. Steve and his chum Dana Villalon must get to the bottom of things! This book is very fast paced. You have to pay attention to detail or you will miss a huge clue. I really like this book because I met the author and illustrator and they are cool guys, it uses terms like haymaking someone in the solar plexus, it is well written, it has many interesting characters, etc. I can relate to Dana, Steve's chum, because he is into reading and thinks that Steve is crazy at first but then realizes that it's going to be awesome. Like I said earlier, this is my favorite book of all time and I love every bit of it. I love it so much I read all 277 pages of it in less than two hours. The reason I started reading the Brixton Brothers series is because #1 was a Bluebonnet last year. I have been hooked on the series ever since. i am currently reading #4 Danger Goes Berserk. Overall, I would give this 100 out of 5 stars because it is such an awesome book. This is probably about the time I would wrap up the review, but i love the book so much I'm going to keep on going. When Steve decides to hide in the car trunk like they did in the Trojan Horse I was surprised because it was so risky and daring. I'm glad he did though because he wouldn't have caught the thief otherwise. Anyway, it was a supercalafragilisticexpioludocious kind of book and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
January 10, 2012
He may be in the seventh grade, but Steve Brixton is one smart boy. Having been disappointed at what he has learned about the author of his favorite detective series, The Bailey Brothers, and having been grounded by his mother for his stretching of the truth in an earlier book, Steve has retired from detective work. [This is the third title in the series.]But like anyone who is good at something, Steve just can't help himself and is pulled into doing detective work once again when he is on a school trip. Aboard a train to San Diego, he can't help but get involved in solving the mystery behind the disappearance of several expensive sports cars owned by J. Vanderdraak who is traveling in a private rail car with his wife. There's plenty of action, chases through and on the top of the train, a tunnel, a life-threatening moment or two, and plenty of witty repartee. The fun is embellished by insider references to famous mystery moments in film and books as well as Steve's defensiveness about never having had a girlfriend. I also enjoyed the bits concerning his friend Dana whose girlfriend also is called Dana and has influenced him to read a different type of books than Steve's beloved detective stories--books about wizards. Steve's reliance on what he has learned from books about how to solve crimes is wonderfully naive and adds to his appeal. The digital illustrations capture many crucial moments in the story as well as the characters' personalities.
The silliness of the wealthy couple who could afford to waste their wealth annoyed me, but other than that and my curiosity to know more about Rick, Steve's mother's boyfriend, this was fun to read.
The silliness of the wealthy couple who could afford to waste their wealth annoyed me, but other than that and my curiosity to know more about Rick, Steve's mother's boyfriend, this was fun to read.
February 16, 2012
7th grader Steve Brixton, retired detective, takes on a new case for the sake of a girl when he and his best friend Dana find themselves on a 7 hour train journey. A local multi-millionaire has hitched his custom-designed classic train car (just like those in the Bailey Brothers mystery books, Steve's favorites) to the modern train just to transport his newest antique car back home. He's had six other antique cars stolen, and he's determined this one will make it. He hired a detective to guard it, and the detective's niece is part of the bargain--and Steve's reason for offering his services. Of course, nothing goes as planned, since life, as Steve has amazingly not yet discovered, does not work like a Bailey Brothers book.
I really want to like this series. I love mysteries, and the author was a huge hit when he visited our school--the kids adored him. However, I just can't stand Steve. He reminds me of Greg Heffley in the Wimpy Kid books--totally self-centered and self-absorbed, puzzled that anyone could have any interests different than his own, or any concerns in their lives more important than doing whatever Steve tells them to do. It's age-appropriate, but unpleasant. I think the books would work far better from the long-suffering Dana's point of view, and be much funnier. Dana has to rescue Steve a lot, and could offer some perspective on how ridiculous Steve is. Though I'm puzzled as to why Dana remains friends with someone who can't acknowledge that his friends have any (right to) existence outside of being his sidekick.
I really want to like this series. I love mysteries, and the author was a huge hit when he visited our school--the kids adored him. However, I just can't stand Steve. He reminds me of Greg Heffley in the Wimpy Kid books--totally self-centered and self-absorbed, puzzled that anyone could have any interests different than his own, or any concerns in their lives more important than doing whatever Steve tells them to do. It's age-appropriate, but unpleasant. I think the books would work far better from the long-suffering Dana's point of view, and be much funnier. Dana has to rescue Steve a lot, and could offer some perspective on how ridiculous Steve is. Though I'm puzzled as to why Dana remains friends with someone who can't acknowledge that his friends have any (right to) existence outside of being his sidekick.
June 24, 2012
I had picked up the first of this new mystery series last year for my school library. Mysteries are always a popular genre with all my students and I’m always trying to find a new series. I did not take the time to read that one, called The Case of the Case of the Mistaken Identity even though it features crime-fighting librarians! So when I was browsing the public library shelves, I picked up this newest title.
The hero is Steve Brixton, an amateur detective. He has read all 58 titles in the Bailey Brothers Detective mystery series and considers himself a private detective. But after the first two adventures, his mother has grounded him and he has been forced to retire. On the way to a school function, he stumbles upon a mystery on the train and is forced out of retirement to solve it.
I found the book to be a fun, entertaining read perfect for those boys who have read all the Encyclopedia Brown books and all the Hardy Boy mysteries. The author is clearly referring back to the Hardy Boy series with his references to the Bailey Brothers mysteries and the ease with which Joe and Frank Hardy solve mysteries. Steve is not always so lucky and funny, unexpected things always seem to happen during his solving of a case. However, the reader is always part of the solution and can help figure out the mystery along with Steve.
The hero is Steve Brixton, an amateur detective. He has read all 58 titles in the Bailey Brothers Detective mystery series and considers himself a private detective. But after the first two adventures, his mother has grounded him and he has been forced to retire. On the way to a school function, he stumbles upon a mystery on the train and is forced out of retirement to solve it.
I found the book to be a fun, entertaining read perfect for those boys who have read all the Encyclopedia Brown books and all the Hardy Boy mysteries. The author is clearly referring back to the Hardy Boy series with his references to the Bailey Brothers mysteries and the ease with which Joe and Frank Hardy solve mysteries. Steve is not always so lucky and funny, unexpected things always seem to happen during his solving of a case. However, the reader is always part of the solution and can help figure out the mystery along with Steve.
June 10, 2018
It was a good book but the end was complicated and hard to understand
September 2, 2018
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.
February 7, 2025
A Humorous Detective Story: The funny adventures of Steve Brixton involve possible illegal actions and unexpected twists. The story begins with a very mundane setting with our hero taking out the trash, but it is interrupted by a man in sunglasses who gives him a mysterious note. Even though retired detectives like Steve do not take cases, events happen that force him to come out of retirement for one last case. When a girl disappears and a goon is spotted on a train, Steve cannot resist investigating. The main character Steve kept me on the edge of my seat with his death-defying stunts and complicated actions. Another one of my favorite characters is Rick who tries to prove Steve wrong, but Steve always proves him wrong. However, I don't like Rick for the sake of Rick, but I like Rick for the sake of Steve. I like that every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. The author describes everything as if he were Steve. If you like books with suspense at the end of each chapter, this book is perfect for you. Read it again and again. It gets better with every read.
March 13, 2019
Decent book I was not too big a fan of the book. It was full of mystery and surprise but it was interesting to me. The book was confusing at points and kind of hard to understand where it was getting but that was only a few times. The beginning is quite boring but towards the end it gets better and I understand it more and it becomes more entertaining. I would rate the book 6.632/10 would recommend if you want something easy to read.
May 4, 2022
This book was my "cookie break" from reading some depressing stuff.
This is a spoof of the mystery series books for kids, but I also catch a whiff of Sherlock Holmes. Adults who were fans of the Hardy Boys will probably be entertained by the adventures of Steve Brixton and his best friend and sidekick, Dana.
This is a spoof of the mystery series books for kids, but I also catch a whiff of Sherlock Holmes. Adults who were fans of the Hardy Boys will probably be entertained by the adventures of Steve Brixton and his best friend and sidekick, Dana.
Read
October 22, 2022Really wish the 12yo protagonists weren’t thinking so much about girlfriends. On the bright side, they are as clueless about what that means as my kids are. Otherwise still well-suited to my 8-10yo crowd.
November 19, 2023
Another fun mystery! This one was a little more far-fetched (kid walking on a train) but it was still great!
Second grade if they're mature and can handle dangerous situations but otherwise third and up!
Second grade if they're mature and can handle dangerous situations but otherwise third and up!
Read
January 11, 2020Read aloud to my seven-year-old. My least favorite of the series, but the ending was clever.
February 22, 2021
Kid detectives aren’t real
August 23, 2021
I like this one a lot though twelve year olds with girlfriends always confuse me
Read
April 7, 2022One of the better books I have read, but it will not beat out the first one.
May 22, 2022
Goood
November 10, 2023
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.
Want to Read
March 19, 2025SM
November 26, 2011
Not many middle grade novels begin with a hero who is disillusioned, retired and taking out the trash. But that is how we meet Steve Brixton in the third installment of the Brixton Brothers Mysteries. This light-hearted spoof of old mystery books brings us a twelve year-old former detective who no longer wants to play the game. Of course, mysteries can't help but fall in his lap. This one involves car thieves, a train, a young lady (who is NOT his girlfriend!), kidnapping, questionable decision making by our hero, wildly convenient coincidences, lots of danger and occasional puns. If you have read the previous books in the series, you know what to expect. Amusing particularly to kids who have been immersed in the Hardy Boys lore. You will want to start at the beginning of the series as they make several references to previous cases, and the characters and relationships are already well-established. Fun and silly, reminiscent of M. T. Anderson's Whales on Stilts: M.T. Anderson's Thrilling Tales. I found myself laughing out loud a few times while reading this book.
December 8, 2011
I confess I was one of those kids who devoured any mystery I could get my hands on, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, and Trixie Belden. I have lots of fun memories reading these books, often more than once. Maybe that's why I enjoy reading Barnett's Steve Brixton mystery series. These books are so clearly a spoof on those other formulaic books that I get a big kick out of reading them. What is so amazing is that Barnett manages to spoof the Hardy Boys without his stories being formulaic in any way. In fact, I would have to say that his mysteries are more unique than many others I've read. Even with all the humor contained in the story, Barnett still manages to create an intriguing mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Just when you think you've got the mystery solved, another twist comes your way. He even makes a kid crawling on top of a train in a bathrobe seem believable. The boy/girl interactions seem so typical of twelve-year-olds, both the mystery and confusion, take me back to my own middle school years. I highly recommend this series for students who are ready to move past Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys, but still want the fast moving plots and excitement of a good mystery.
March 12, 2012
Not many middle grade novels begin with a hero who is disillusioned, retired and taking out the trash. But that is how we meet Steve Brixton in the third installment of the Brixton Brothers Mysteries. This light-hearted spoof of old mystery books brings us a twelve year-old former detective who no longer wants to play the game. Of course, mysteries can't help but fall in his lap. This one involves car thieves, a train, a young lady (who is NOT his girlfriend!), kidnapping, questionable decision making by our hero, wildly convenient coincidences, lots of danger and occasional puns. If you have read the previous books in the series, you know what to expect. Amusing particularly to kids who have been immersed in the Hardy Boys lore. You will want to start at the beginning of the series as they make several references to previous cases, and the characters and relationships are already well-established. Fun and silly, reminiscent of M. T. Anderson's Whales on Stilts: M.T. Anderson's Thrilling Tales. I found myself laughing out loud a few times while reading this book. As the third in a series, your library should own and circulate the first two before you consider purchasing this one.
March 15, 2012
I'm not done yet ... but I already like this one. It's utterly ridiculous (the discussion on whether or not they should climb on top of the train, for one) ... but that's sort of the point. Irony, and all. Kids still think it was funny, even though they don't get all of the sarcastic bits.
pg 59
"But if Steve wanted to walk away from danger, he was walking in the wrong direction.
pg 107
"Don't call me chum," said Dana.
pg 143
Steve had never worn a shower cap before, but suddenly wearing one seemed very important.
pg 162 has another good one ... do I post it? Don't want to spoil anything. Of course, it is basically a description of the cover.
"Steve tried not to think about the ground moving fast below him. The wind blew his shower cap, which made a plasticky flapping sound. His robe whipped around him. HIs bare feet curled around a metal rung. This was no time to wish for a more sensible outfit or even a pair of shoes. A chase was afoot."
OK. So I love the beginning and middle more than the end. Like the end, but loved the first two thirds. Must get! As good as number one (or better). Number two ... well, we won't go there. I'd say skip it but there is a little bit that needs explaining about Steve and his heroes.
pg 59
"But if Steve wanted to walk away from danger, he was walking in the wrong direction.
pg 107
"Don't call me chum," said Dana.
pg 143
Steve had never worn a shower cap before, but suddenly wearing one seemed very important.
pg 162 has another good one ... do I post it? Don't want to spoil anything. Of course, it is basically a description of the cover.
"Steve tried not to think about the ground moving fast below him. The wind blew his shower cap, which made a plasticky flapping sound. His robe whipped around him. HIs bare feet curled around a metal rung. This was no time to wish for a more sensible outfit or even a pair of shoes. A chase was afoot."
OK. So I love the beginning and middle more than the end. Like the end, but loved the first two thirds. Must get! As good as number one (or better). Number two ... well, we won't go there. I'd say skip it but there is a little bit that needs explaining about Steve and his heroes.
March 6, 2014
This is book #3 of the Brixton Brothers Mystery series. These books are so enjoyable for light reading and I love the innuendos and puns linking the series to the Hardy Boys series and also to important wealthy people in history.
Twelve year-old Steve (who has no siblings, by the way, but thought that it sounded way cooler to call his detective agency Brixton Brothers) has given up being a detective after his disappointment in his last case. But trouble just seems to follow him. On a trip to San Diego by train to meet with a school group doing a mock-up UN delegation, and accompanied by his chum Dana and his mother's annoying boyfriend, Rick, he gets caught up with a rich couple in their own private train car. The couple are hauling their newest rare vintage car and have a private detective with them to ensure that it is not stolen like their previous 6 cars have been. The detective has a niece, Claire, with him and Steve doesn't understand girls at all. Soon the kids are on top of the train (per the cover illustration) chasing what Steve calls a "baddie". Much more danger occurs but of course, all ends well with the author, Mac Barnett, tying up loose ends, including something nearly forgotten that happened early in the story.
Twelve year-old Steve (who has no siblings, by the way, but thought that it sounded way cooler to call his detective agency Brixton Brothers) has given up being a detective after his disappointment in his last case. But trouble just seems to follow him. On a trip to San Diego by train to meet with a school group doing a mock-up UN delegation, and accompanied by his chum Dana and his mother's annoying boyfriend, Rick, he gets caught up with a rich couple in their own private train car. The couple are hauling their newest rare vintage car and have a private detective with them to ensure that it is not stolen like their previous 6 cars have been. The detective has a niece, Claire, with him and Steve doesn't understand girls at all. Soon the kids are on top of the train (per the cover illustration) chasing what Steve calls a "baddie". Much more danger occurs but of course, all ends well with the author, Mac Barnett, tying up loose ends, including something nearly forgotten that happened early in the story.
May 9, 2012
So far my favorite of the Brixton Brothers series, a mystery/parody of the Hardy Boys series. Steve Brixton's favorite books are the Bailey Brothers mysteries, and Steve himself, 12-year old somewhat retired professional detective, makes sure always to consult the Bailey Brothers' Dectective Handbook when confronting clues, bad guys, and even nosy onlookers.
(By the way, there isn't a brother--Steve just thought it sounded better to suggest one when naming his detective agency.)
In this book Steve and his friend Dana meet the elusive Claire Marriner while on a train to San Diego. The mystery involves Claire, her uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderdraak, and an antique car. Who are all these people...really!? What exactly is the mystery? And why does the handbook make it sound easy to chase bad guys on top of a moving train car?
The book has lots of action, some silly bits, and some real 12-year old boy reactions to the situations Steve and Dana land themselves in.
4th grade and up, boys more than girls although girls who like the Hardy Boys will like this better.
(By the way, there isn't a brother--Steve just thought it sounded better to suggest one when naming his detective agency.)
In this book Steve and his friend Dana meet the elusive Claire Marriner while on a train to San Diego. The mystery involves Claire, her uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderdraak, and an antique car. Who are all these people...really!? What exactly is the mystery? And why does the handbook make it sound easy to chase bad guys on top of a moving train car?
The book has lots of action, some silly bits, and some real 12-year old boy reactions to the situations Steve and Dana land themselves in.
4th grade and up, boys more than girls although girls who like the Hardy Boys will like this better.
July 4, 2017
"Danger is how sleuths know they're on the right track." As this third installment in the Brixton Brothers series begins, Steve has retired from the detective business. Feeling the sting from the realizations of the last case, he just doesn't have the heart to go on. He even agrees to participate in the Model UN at school which requires them to catch a train to San Diego. And, as the title infers, that's where it all begins. Steve runs into Claire on the train, has conversation with her and then she promptly disappears. As they look for the missing girl, Steve and Dana encounter more than they expected, including a train car with a secret panel entrance and an expensive sports car. Steve is recruited to help prevent the theft of this car and the danger gets turned up a notch.
Characters are starting to develop in this novel as Dana takes on a girlfriend for the first time (Other Dana) and dabbles in fantasy reading. Even Steve starts having distracting thoughts about Claire. There's good action, plot twists and plenty of humor in this book. Students will enjoy the ride.
Characters are starting to develop in this novel as Dana takes on a girlfriend for the first time (Other Dana) and dabbles in fantasy reading. Even Steve starts having distracting thoughts about Claire. There's good action, plot twists and plenty of humor in this book. Students will enjoy the ride.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews