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The Neil Flambé Capers #5
Neil Flamb?? and the Bard's Banquet (The Neil Flambe Capers) by Kevin Sylvester
Neil travels across the pond for a real honey of a case in the fifth book in The Neil Flambé Capers, the culinary mystery series celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey calls “good fun.”Neil Flambé has had enough with solving crime. After his adventures in Japan, he is back in his beloved restaurant doing what he does best—cooking. And he has a very special guest. Lord Lane from England has requested he serve a meal centered around an ancient jar of honey discovered in London. But when Lane disappears afterward, Neil receives a request from the Queen herself to come across the pond and find out what happened to him.As soon as Neil arrives, he is swept up in a mystery involving the great works of Shakespeare and food. Neil may know quite a bit about the latter, but being chased by thugs through the streets of London and following centuries-old clues is not exactly his forte. Will Neil be able to put the pieces together in time or will he let everyone down, including the Queen?
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
6 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Sylvester
59 books156 followersKEVIN SYLVESTER is an award winning illustrator, writer and broadcaster.
His new sci-fi series MiNRs is now out from Simon and Schuster. MINRs was named a 2017 Honour Red Maple and Manitoba Reader's Honour book and a 2015 CLA Honour Book. MINRs2 is out. MINRs3 will be released in 2018.
His series The Neil Flambé Capers is already a bestseller and critical success. Students across Ontario picked 'Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders' as the Silver Birch winner for fiction in 2011!
There are 6 books in the series so far, Neil Flambé and the Duel in the Desert is the latest.
Super-chef Gordon Ramsay calls the series “Good Fun”.
Kevin also does picture books - "Super-Duper Monster Viewer" is out from Groundwood. GREAT (with the Gretzky family) is out from Penguin.
Kevin’s first picture book 'Splinters' was published in fall 2010 by Tundra. It’s about a young girl who only wants to play hockey, but the mean coach and her daughters won’t let her. Can her fairy goaltender come to the rescue?
Kevin non-fiction titles include Follow Your Money, Baseballogy, Basketballogoy, Sports Hall of Weird and Gold Medal for Weird.
Kevin has been a broadcaster on national radio in Canada for years and years and has covered eight Olympic Games. He also produced documentaries on topics ranging from racism in hockey to the history of church bells in Canada.
He now splits his time between his attic studio in Toronto and the radio. He was named a Massey Journalism Scholar in 2007 and used the time to study theology at the University of Toronto.
His new sci-fi series MiNRs is now out from Simon and Schuster. MINRs was named a 2017 Honour Red Maple and Manitoba Reader's Honour book and a 2015 CLA Honour Book. MINRs2 is out. MINRs3 will be released in 2018.
His series The Neil Flambé Capers is already a bestseller and critical success. Students across Ontario picked 'Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders' as the Silver Birch winner for fiction in 2011!
There are 6 books in the series so far, Neil Flambé and the Duel in the Desert is the latest.
Super-chef Gordon Ramsay calls the series “Good Fun”.
Kevin also does picture books - "Super-Duper Monster Viewer" is out from Groundwood. GREAT (with the Gretzky family) is out from Penguin.
Kevin’s first picture book 'Splinters' was published in fall 2010 by Tundra. It’s about a young girl who only wants to play hockey, but the mean coach and her daughters won’t let her. Can her fairy goaltender come to the rescue?
Kevin non-fiction titles include Follow Your Money, Baseballogy, Basketballogoy, Sports Hall of Weird and Gold Medal for Weird.
Kevin has been a broadcaster on national radio in Canada for years and years and has covered eight Olympic Games. He also produced documentaries on topics ranging from racism in hockey to the history of church bells in Canada.
He now splits his time between his attic studio in Toronto and the radio. He was named a Massey Journalism Scholar in 2007 and used the time to study theology at the University of Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 6, 2014
3.5 stars
This book was super cute! I really enjoyed the other Neil Flambe books, and while I didn’t like the Bard’s Banquet as much, I still thought it had an interesting story and was well- executed. My favourite part of this story was probably the witty banter between Neil and his cousin Larry, which was HILARIOUS. Although it is in a series, I think it would work just as well as a standalone since it doesn’t reference much to previous books. Each book is its own mystery.
I thought this was a great story, but it wasn’t quite as good as the other books, at least in my opinion. I didn’t like a few of the characters (Rose, for example). I still liked the story though, so I’d probably continue with the series.
This book was super cute! I really enjoyed the other Neil Flambe books, and while I didn’t like the Bard’s Banquet as much, I still thought it had an interesting story and was well- executed. My favourite part of this story was probably the witty banter between Neil and his cousin Larry, which was HILARIOUS. Although it is in a series, I think it would work just as well as a standalone since it doesn’t reference much to previous books. Each book is its own mystery.
I thought this was a great story, but it wasn’t quite as good as the other books, at least in my opinion. I didn’t like a few of the characters (Rose, for example). I still liked the story though, so I’d probably continue with the series.
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November 29, 2018hilarious, but yet another cliffhanger?!
January 6, 2022
I couldn’t get in to it as much as the others even though I love Shakespeare...
May 23, 2024
A good book about a Shakespeare treasure hunt.
June 9, 2024
A cool mystery. Lots of Shakespeare references. And Neil Flambe is turning into a better person. Very enjoyable book!
March 2, 2015
Neil Flambe decided to never again solve an more mysteries and concentrate on his restaurant, until he finds a note for help inside and ancient jar of honey. Lord Lane, someone very high in rank, who has also helped to find the honey, AND a Shakespeare enthusiast, has come to his restaurant to eat it. After Neil decides to try to give him the note, Lane recognizes it as one of Shakespeare poems, then disappears a few days after. Neil is called by the Queen herself to find Lane, also telling him there might be a jewel hidden within the clues on the help note. Neil and Larry meet a friend of Isabella, Rose who helps them figure out where Lord Lane and the jewel are.
I started to read this book because I have really enjoyed the last 4 books in this series. Also because the last book ended in a cliff-hanger about when he found the note in the jar of honey.
I finished the book because I had absolutely no idea how you could solve a mystery with one poem. I had to know how it would be done.
I would recommend this book to Emma because she is reading the other 4 books in the Neil Flambe series and liking it too.
I started to read this book because I have really enjoyed the last 4 books in this series. Also because the last book ended in a cliff-hanger about when he found the note in the jar of honey.
I finished the book because I had absolutely no idea how you could solve a mystery with one poem. I had to know how it would be done.
I would recommend this book to Emma because she is reading the other 4 books in the Neil Flambe series and liking it too.
May 2, 2015
I thought the storyline of this book was fine, but lots of things bothered me. First of all, I didn't like Rose at all. I found her extremely unlikeable and annoying. Also, I didn't really understand why Larry and Neil went to Rose. Isabella gave Larry a note saying to go to Rose in case of emergencies? How does that make any sense? Isabella doesn't know what Neil and Larry are doing, unless there is something more to her.
There were a few other things that I didn't really think made sense too. This book was definitely my least favourite out of the Neil Flambé Capers.
There were a few other things that I didn't really think made sense too. This book was definitely my least favourite out of the Neil Flambé Capers.
March 10, 2015
Awesome, as always. Kevin Sylvester books are funny, interesting, and educational in s nice, tight package.
My favourite character is Larry, he's so easygoing and smart, but a bit goofy too. I miss Angel, he's a good match for Neil on the kitchen.
The mystery is well written in this fifth instalment of the Flambé books, but it was a bit short on the cooking end of things. I'm hoping the next book balances that out, looking forward to it. A great, light, fun read.
My favourite character is Larry, he's so easygoing and smart, but a bit goofy too. I miss Angel, he's a good match for Neil on the kitchen.
The mystery is well written in this fifth instalment of the Flambé books, but it was a bit short on the cooking end of things. I'm hoping the next book balances that out, looking forward to it. A great, light, fun read.
June 13, 2016
Neil Flambe, teen chef is commanded by Queen Elizabeth to solve the disappearance of Lord Lane, last seen alive in Neil's restaurant. Neil searches through London, solving clues left behind in Shakespeare's time, chased by ruffians at every turn. The convoluted plot can be difficult to follow but the lively illustrations help speed things along and the ending will leave you hanging for the next book.
February 22, 2015
I thought this latest book in the series was more fitted to accomplished readers, and I didn't like it as much as the others in the series, but it was still a fun mystery. With hidden Shakespearian clues, abductions, and hints at a hidden jewel this story will be enjoyed by readers’ ages 10 to 12, especially those who have followed Neil through his other adventures.
January 11, 2015
Review to follow - some really neat changes happening to Neil in this book, along with a ripping great mystery.
October 6, 2015
Not the best Neil Flambe... Horrible in fact
November 3, 2015
forgot date i finished
August 9, 2015
Not as good as the other 4 :/
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews