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Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits
“An atmospheric late-1930s adventure with old-time cinematic appeal. Fans of fast-paced, far-fetched action will lap it up as enthusiastically as Sam swallows his favorite brand of sardines.” — Kirkus Reviews
Lantern Sam is the wise-cracking, sarcastic, talking cat (for those who can hear him, that is) who lives on board the Lake Erie Shoreliner train and is one of the best detectives no one knows about. He doesn’t have much patience for humans (unless they bring him sardines), but when 10-year-old traveler Henry can’t find his new friend, the exuberant Ellie, Sam’s enlisted to help. A ransom note is soon discovered and just like that, Sam and Henry are on the case, with the help of Clarence the Conductor (who supplies Sam’s sardines). But is Ellie still on board the train? Did the salesman with his trunk full of samples sneak her off? And why does that couple keep acting so suspiciously?
Veteran middle-grade mystery author Michael D. Beil has crafted a hilarious and appealing adventure set in the 1930s that’s chock-full of quirky characters and red herrings, and all with an irresistible cat at its center.
Lantern Sam is the wise-cracking, sarcastic, talking cat (for those who can hear him, that is) who lives on board the Lake Erie Shoreliner train and is one of the best detectives no one knows about. He doesn’t have much patience for humans (unless they bring him sardines), but when 10-year-old traveler Henry can’t find his new friend, the exuberant Ellie, Sam’s enlisted to help. A ransom note is soon discovered and just like that, Sam and Henry are on the case, with the help of Clarence the Conductor (who supplies Sam’s sardines). But is Ellie still on board the train? Did the salesman with his trunk full of samples sneak her off? And why does that couple keep acting so suspiciously?
Veteran middle-grade mystery author Michael D. Beil has crafted a hilarious and appealing adventure set in the 1930s that’s chock-full of quirky characters and red herrings, and all with an irresistible cat at its center.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Michael D. Beil
10 books90 followersIn a time not long after the fifth extinction event, Edgar Award-nominated author Michael D. Beil came of age on the shores of Pymatuning Lake, where the ducks walk on the fish. (Look it up. Seriously.) For reasons that can’t be disclosed until September 28, 2041, he now lives somewhere in Portugal with his wife and their two white cats, Bruno and Maisie. He still gets carsick if he has to ride in the back seat for long and feels a little guilty that he doesn’t keep a journal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 30, 2019
I loved the characters (especially the telepathic cat), the plot, and the lovely epilogue.
September 4, 2022
Not an avid cat fan, I have read, over my lifetime, many excellent dog books. Much to my surprise, I loved this excellent book that features a special calico cat. I heartily recommend this fun mystery adventure to you.
January 28, 2018
Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits, by Michael Beil is full of Mystery and action for everyone to enjoy. The book starts off in the Lake Erie Skyliner, a coach train in which Henry and his family are taking to go see his father. During his trip, Henry meets a girl named Ellie, who was born in a wealthy household. Immediately after they meet, Ellie goes missing. The whole train goes on a wild goose hunt to find her, as she was born into a very important family. Henry decides to investigate himself and starts to talk to conductor. The conductor soon tells Henry about his special cat, named Sam, who can communicate with certain people in order to solve mysteries. Henry and Sam go on a interesting adventure throughout the story trying to find Ellie. Will Henry ever find Ellie? I would recommend this book to readers who like mystery and action, as this book involves a lot of clues and pieces that need to be pieced together. I would rate this book 4.5/5, because the author did a great job describing the plot in the story.
February 23, 2015
A surprisingly good mystery with endearing characters. We have a train conductor, a poor ten year old boy, a wealthy 9 year old girl and a very sarcastic calico. Together they solve a mystery and capture the bad guys all on the Lake Erie Shoreliner train in 1938.
June 12, 2015
Cute story half narrated by a cat and half narrated by a boy. The cat can communicate with some humans in their minds, and he is good at solving mysteries. Lots of clever writing from the cat's perspective. I think this would be a good read aloud.
May 4, 2014
This fast-paced 1930s mystery features trains, roller coasters, jewels . . . and a talking cat?! I know. That's quite a combination, isn't it?
March 3, 2015
A fun mystery. Mostly predictable, but a great read.
July 3, 2015
This was a great book. I read Michael D. Beil's other books, including The Red Blazer Girls, and this one was great! I would highly recommend you reading this.
October 23, 2015
Really enjoyed the twists and surprises with the small fantasy of a talking cat
October 30, 2015
Amazing a robbery on a train (with a talking cat my favorite character)who would have thought of it. The author of this book is brilliant.
March 28, 2018
I absolutely adore Lantern Sam and his owner. The story was fabulous and funny. As The mystery unfolded, I loved “Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits.”
September 24, 2019
This book is amazing!
I loved it! It the PERFECT children's mystery!
The worst part about it:
There isn't a sequel!
I loved it! It the PERFECT children's mystery!
The worst part about it:
There isn't a sequel!
November 26, 2019
This was a great book. My favorite part of the book was the almost entirely true autobiography of Lantern Sam. It was very funny.
January 16, 2019
the book is ok it's not the greatest. there are many adventures in this book but a lot of boring parts to. i mostly recomed it for kids like 10 to 9 since the book is very easy and is more of a kids book. there are many small words and the book is a good way to learn little words
November 11, 2022
What a charmingly adorable story! Lantern Sam is a such a cute character, a cat with more than nine lives who likes to help humans solve crimes. Part of the story was set in Conneaut where we used to go every summer and ride the Blue Streak when I was brave enough. Very nostalgic!
February 11, 2018
Need this one to be made into a series. I love Latern Sam so so much !!
July 18, 2025
Pretty fun and adorable with the autobiographical sections of Lantern Sam's life
November 4, 2025
Imagine murder on the orient express but it’s a middle grade book and there’s a talking cat
April 30, 2021
Lantern Sam is a rather unique feline. Not only is he a very rare male calico, but he has the ability to talk to certain humans in English. He also has a knack for solving crime. And it's a good thing he lives on the Lake Erie Shoreliner with Clarence the train's conductor, because someone or someones are up to some serious mischief. The daughter of the rich Strasbourg family, Ellie, was enjoying a nice ride on the train headed to the Conneaut Lake unveiling of their Blue Streak roller coaster and had just introduced herself to another youngster, Henry Shipley, when she suddenly disappeared and a ransom note appeared. The kidnappers were demanding that Ellie's parents turn over the famous Blue Streak necklace in return for the girl. Clarence, Henry and Sam are swiftly on the case trying to figure out who the kidnappers are and where they took Ellie. In between updates on the case, Sam gives readers flashbacks into his rather eventful and exciting life before he joined Clarence on the Lake Erie Shoreliner.
It took me a little while to get into this story, and I think it was actually because of Sam's flashbacks. While somewhat entertaining, they didn't add that much to the story, and since they regularly broke up that action I think I would have preferred the book without them. I guess it would be easy enough to skip them, so if you find the flashbacks disruptive feel free to flip past them and read them at some other time. It won't mess up the mystery at all. The mystery element was done well for a children's book. Just enough clues youngsters should be able to have some guesses as to what really happened to Ellie, but it isn't painfully obvious. Sam is a fun cat detective kids should like. I at first got rather excited when they mentioned the Blue Streak roller coaster, because with Lake Erie in the picture, I thought they meant the one at Cedar Point amusement park. I didn't realize that there is another Blue Streak in Pennsylvania, but now I know. Still a little disappointed it wasn't the Cedar Point one, but a moot point overall. I did find one fight scene on a roller coaster a bit hard to swallow (as in, no one should have lived through it, physics just doesn't quite work that way, but they all did). But it is aimed at kids, and as such I understand why it ended the way it did. The historical aspects of the story were nice, especially since it is a time period not covered a lot in kid's lit. So not the most amazing book, but not a bad one. I will look forward to more escapades with Lantern Sam in the future, he does have great potential to provide more good entertaining mysteries now that his backstory is told.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. The bad guys threaten with guns a few times and with a drop from a great height. One person gets a broken wrist in a tangle. In the flashbacks Sam has several close brushes with death by arrows, meat cleavers, cows, and fire. But of course being a children's book, it is more cartoon style injuries and everyone turns out ok in the end.
It took me a little while to get into this story, and I think it was actually because of Sam's flashbacks. While somewhat entertaining, they didn't add that much to the story, and since they regularly broke up that action I think I would have preferred the book without them. I guess it would be easy enough to skip them, so if you find the flashbacks disruptive feel free to flip past them and read them at some other time. It won't mess up the mystery at all. The mystery element was done well for a children's book. Just enough clues youngsters should be able to have some guesses as to what really happened to Ellie, but it isn't painfully obvious. Sam is a fun cat detective kids should like. I at first got rather excited when they mentioned the Blue Streak roller coaster, because with Lake Erie in the picture, I thought they meant the one at Cedar Point amusement park. I didn't realize that there is another Blue Streak in Pennsylvania, but now I know. Still a little disappointed it wasn't the Cedar Point one, but a moot point overall. I did find one fight scene on a roller coaster a bit hard to swallow (as in, no one should have lived through it, physics just doesn't quite work that way, but they all did). But it is aimed at kids, and as such I understand why it ended the way it did. The historical aspects of the story were nice, especially since it is a time period not covered a lot in kid's lit. So not the most amazing book, but not a bad one. I will look forward to more escapades with Lantern Sam in the future, he does have great potential to provide more good entertaining mysteries now that his backstory is told.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. The bad guys threaten with guns a few times and with a drop from a great height. One person gets a broken wrist in a tangle. In the flashbacks Sam has several close brushes with death by arrows, meat cleavers, cows, and fire. But of course being a children's book, it is more cartoon style injuries and everyone turns out ok in the end.
July 16, 2014
Lantern Sam is a dual narrative: one part told by 10-year-old Henry Shipley and one told in flashback by Lantern Sam (a male calico cat). Henry's narration relates the events on the Shoreliner (a famous express train taking passengers from New York to Chicago--960 miles--in less than 20 hours) in 1938 when he and Sam first meet, while Sam's story is his autobiography up to the point where he meets Henry.
Henry, his mother and baby sister are traveling home to Ashtabula, Ohio after a rare trip to New York. In the Observation Car he meets wealthy young Ellie Strasbourg on her way to ride the brand new Blue Streak Roller Coaster. Clarence Nockwood (the porter) gives them a tour of the train during which they meet Clarence's cat, Lantern Sam. Henry realizes almost immediately that he can hear Sam speak. Both children are passionate about detective stories like Dick Tracy and Nancy Drew and they discover that Lantern Sam has been involved in detective escapades aboard the Shoreliner. When Ellie is kidnapped on the train and held for ransom Sam and Henry--with some help from Clarence--must solve the crime.
Henry tells the story of their adventure together and Sam tells of his life before meeting Henry in alternating chapters. Henry's story is engaging and well-paced; Sam's narrative drags on a little too much for me. Sam relates his many close calls with death and danger(using up eight of his "nine lives"). Although the final two of Sam's stories were interesting and enjoyable to read, I would have preferred to have Henry and Sam's adventure on the Shoreliner as the ONLY story. Sam's history truly wasn't necessary as his character is well-developed and clearly crafted.
The mystery and detective adventure on the train is exciting and grows steadily in suspense and danger. While it contains 'red herrings' for its targeted young readers the plot is clearly defined and its resolution is both pleasing and satisfying. As an adult reader I could see where the plot was going without much trouble, but I have more experience reading mysteries than the target audience for Lantern Sam, who I believe will thoroughly enjoy the adventure.
Age-appropriate danger and logic, a flawlessly constructed plot and vivid characters, Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits is a nice choice for a read-aloud or independent read for ages 7 or 8 to 12yrs who enjoy remarkable animal characters, mystery and adventure.
Henry, his mother and baby sister are traveling home to Ashtabula, Ohio after a rare trip to New York. In the Observation Car he meets wealthy young Ellie Strasbourg on her way to ride the brand new Blue Streak Roller Coaster. Clarence Nockwood (the porter) gives them a tour of the train during which they meet Clarence's cat, Lantern Sam. Henry realizes almost immediately that he can hear Sam speak. Both children are passionate about detective stories like Dick Tracy and Nancy Drew and they discover that Lantern Sam has been involved in detective escapades aboard the Shoreliner. When Ellie is kidnapped on the train and held for ransom Sam and Henry--with some help from Clarence--must solve the crime.
Henry tells the story of their adventure together and Sam tells of his life before meeting Henry in alternating chapters. Henry's story is engaging and well-paced; Sam's narrative drags on a little too much for me. Sam relates his many close calls with death and danger(using up eight of his "nine lives"). Although the final two of Sam's stories were interesting and enjoyable to read, I would have preferred to have Henry and Sam's adventure on the Shoreliner as the ONLY story. Sam's history truly wasn't necessary as his character is well-developed and clearly crafted.
The mystery and detective adventure on the train is exciting and grows steadily in suspense and danger. While it contains 'red herrings' for its targeted young readers the plot is clearly defined and its resolution is both pleasing and satisfying. As an adult reader I could see where the plot was going without much trouble, but I have more experience reading mysteries than the target audience for Lantern Sam, who I believe will thoroughly enjoy the adventure.
Age-appropriate danger and logic, a flawlessly constructed plot and vivid characters, Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits is a nice choice for a read-aloud or independent read for ages 7 or 8 to 12yrs who enjoy remarkable animal characters, mystery and adventure.
July 31, 2014
This fast-paced mystery steams along with humorous characters and unpredictable twists and turns as the adventure starts on the Lake Erie Shoreliner train during the 1930's. Lantern Sam is a calico cat with a penchant for solving mysteries and stealing most scenes with his smart aleck comments and thoughts. This talking cat can communicate with a few people and has little patience for most humans unless they have a can of sardines on them. Luckily the conductor of the train, Clarence, does have Sardines and a disposition that Sam can tolerate. Don't be fooled by this testy cat, Sam has a good heart. When 10-year-old Henry Shipley boards the Shoreliner with his family, he makes friends with the rich girl Ellie who goes missing after a few hours. Once a ransom note is found, Sam and Henry team up to piece the clues together and figure out a jewel heist.
The plot has two parallel stories. Sam has flashbacks that tell how he grew up and ended up with Clarence. It takes talent to make both stories interesting. So often I'll lose interest in one storyline versus the other. You'd think a plot string following a cat would be a dud but the author has some of the funniest parts here. Sam landing on a chihuahua was a favorite. The cat dame he falls for might go over the head of some younger readers, but it echoes the voice of Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade and had me snorting. He does a terrific job imitating the hard-boiled detective with cat humor.
Most of the story was unpredictable such as the subplot with the goofy hat lady and Sam's adventures, but the judge at the end was a bit obvious. The subplots misleading the reader as to who the culprits are might be confusing for some readers. The author has the jewel heist, an elopement, and corrupt authority taking illegal actions. The more complex the mystery the more I like it, but it might be hard for young readers. Just something to keep in mind.
While most of the action takes place on the train, the climax occurs at the Blue Streak roller coaster at Conneaut Lake Park. I couldn't decide if I thought it was a let down or not. I was less interested in it but that might have been because I had figured out they mystery. I am not sure young readers will feel the same. I think they'll like the whole roller coaster death ride. The epilogue was a nice touch. Don't miss the outrageous Lantern Sam and his nine-plus lives.
The plot has two parallel stories. Sam has flashbacks that tell how he grew up and ended up with Clarence. It takes talent to make both stories interesting. So often I'll lose interest in one storyline versus the other. You'd think a plot string following a cat would be a dud but the author has some of the funniest parts here. Sam landing on a chihuahua was a favorite. The cat dame he falls for might go over the head of some younger readers, but it echoes the voice of Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade and had me snorting. He does a terrific job imitating the hard-boiled detective with cat humor.
Most of the story was unpredictable such as the subplot with the goofy hat lady and Sam's adventures, but the judge at the end was a bit obvious. The subplots misleading the reader as to who the culprits are might be confusing for some readers. The author has the jewel heist, an elopement, and corrupt authority taking illegal actions. The more complex the mystery the more I like it, but it might be hard for young readers. Just something to keep in mind.
While most of the action takes place on the train, the climax occurs at the Blue Streak roller coaster at Conneaut Lake Park. I couldn't decide if I thought it was a let down or not. I was less interested in it but that might have been because I had figured out they mystery. I am not sure young readers will feel the same. I think they'll like the whole roller coaster death ride. The epilogue was a nice touch. Don't miss the outrageous Lantern Sam and his nine-plus lives.
June 10, 2014
Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits is a mystery that will keep the reader guessing to the very end.
Ten-year-old Henry Shipley figured aboard The Lake Erie Shoreliner in depression era, year 1937. Henry is accompanied by his mother and little sister on their way to New York City. Suddenly he is also accompanied by two very different people. The first is a perky girl his age named Ellie Strasbourg who came from money and could talk a mile a minute. The second wasn’t a person at all, rather it was a calico cat named Lantern Sam who could talk and share his thoughts with a few select humans, Henry being one of them. Just as amazing as it is for a cat who has the ability to communicate, Lantern Sam also happens to be one of the greatest detectives, and a detective is exactly what Henry needs after finding himself at the center of a mystery.
The Crime: Ellie Strasbourg has gone missing aboard the Lake Erie Shoreliner, and the kidnappers are demanding a very valuable necklace, the Blue Streak, for her safe return.
The Suspects:
· Judge Ambrose: The local law enforcement on the Shoreliner. Is he on the up and up?
· Reverend Perfiddle: The holy man whose holiness may be called into question.
· Mrs. Perfiddle: Pregnant, yet seems particularly a little too lively for someone so close to giving birth.
· Mrs. Strasbourg: Ellie’s mom
· Julia: The Strasbourg’s maid
· The traveling salesman: His large suitcase full of samples that has conveniently gone missing
· The gossip columnist: She seems to know an awful lot about everyone.
· The man and woman in dark glasses: Why are they on the train?
Now it’s up to Henry, Lantern Sam and conductor Clarence Nockwood to figure out who the kidnappers are, where they’ve hidden Ellie.
Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits
by Michael D. Beil
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Genres: Children (Ages 8-10), Children (Ages 9-12), Mystery, Noir, Youth Fiction
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0385753179
ISBN-13: 9780385753173
Ten-year-old Henry Shipley figured aboard The Lake Erie Shoreliner in depression era, year 1937. Henry is accompanied by his mother and little sister on their way to New York City. Suddenly he is also accompanied by two very different people. The first is a perky girl his age named Ellie Strasbourg who came from money and could talk a mile a minute. The second wasn’t a person at all, rather it was a calico cat named Lantern Sam who could talk and share his thoughts with a few select humans, Henry being one of them. Just as amazing as it is for a cat who has the ability to communicate, Lantern Sam also happens to be one of the greatest detectives, and a detective is exactly what Henry needs after finding himself at the center of a mystery.
The Crime: Ellie Strasbourg has gone missing aboard the Lake Erie Shoreliner, and the kidnappers are demanding a very valuable necklace, the Blue Streak, for her safe return.
The Suspects:
· Judge Ambrose: The local law enforcement on the Shoreliner. Is he on the up and up?
· Reverend Perfiddle: The holy man whose holiness may be called into question.
· Mrs. Perfiddle: Pregnant, yet seems particularly a little too lively for someone so close to giving birth.
· Mrs. Strasbourg: Ellie’s mom
· Julia: The Strasbourg’s maid
· The traveling salesman: His large suitcase full of samples that has conveniently gone missing
· The gossip columnist: She seems to know an awful lot about everyone.
· The man and woman in dark glasses: Why are they on the train?
Now it’s up to Henry, Lantern Sam and conductor Clarence Nockwood to figure out who the kidnappers are, where they’ve hidden Ellie.
Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits
by Michael D. Beil
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Genres: Children (Ages 8-10), Children (Ages 9-12), Mystery, Noir, Youth Fiction
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0385753179
ISBN-13: 9780385753173
December 9, 2014
Henry is traveling with his mother and sister on the Lake Erie Shoreliner. He meets chatty heiress Ellie who decides they are going to be great friends. They also meet conductor Clarence and his telepathic cat Sam. When Ellie disappears soon after Henry, Clarence and Sam are determined to find her. Someone has kidnapped Ellie and demanded her mother's priceless necklace, the Blue Streak, as ransom. There are a lot of characters on the train with secrets and hidden agendas. Our intrepid investigates must sort through all the hidden motivations and identities of the passengers to figure out who is behind Ellie's kidnapping.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and was a bit skeptical of the telepathic cat, but it all worked here. As an adult reader I was able to pick out the bad guys pretty quickly, but I am not sure younger readers will figure it out quite as fast. There are a lot of twists and turns to this mystery that made it even more fun to read. I especially liked the confined environment of the train as the setting; it gave the mystery a feeling of immediacy as the train got closer and closer to its destination. Train travel in the 1930s was nothing like it is today and the setting highlighted just how much it has changed. The mystery of Ellie's kidnapping is interspersed with Lantern Sam's autobiography as he tells of his many adventures and nine lives. This part of the story seemed to justify having a telepathic cat in the plot and added a lot of humor to the story. Sam is a smart aleck calico with a love of adventure and sardines and perhaps the star of this story.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and was a bit skeptical of the telepathic cat, but it all worked here. As an adult reader I was able to pick out the bad guys pretty quickly, but I am not sure younger readers will figure it out quite as fast. There are a lot of twists and turns to this mystery that made it even more fun to read. I especially liked the confined environment of the train as the setting; it gave the mystery a feeling of immediacy as the train got closer and closer to its destination. Train travel in the 1930s was nothing like it is today and the setting highlighted just how much it has changed. The mystery of Ellie's kidnapping is interspersed with Lantern Sam's autobiography as he tells of his many adventures and nine lives. This part of the story seemed to justify having a telepathic cat in the plot and added a lot of humor to the story. Sam is a smart aleck calico with a love of adventure and sardines and perhaps the star of this story.
May 15, 2014
The Lake Erie Shoreliner runs from New York City to Ohio and in the 1930s is a spectacular way to travel. Henry and his mom and baby sister on the train heading home when Henry meets Ellie, a fast talking girl who instantly decides that they are friends. While wandering the train, they meet up with Clarence the Conductor who gives them a full tour, ending with his cat Lantern Sam. Sam is no ordinary cat as he can communicate--telepathically--with a handful of individuals. And Henry is part of that handful. Which is lucky for Henry because he's going to need all the help he can get when Ellie goes missing and no one can seem to track her down.
I loved the train setting here--I wish I could travel by Lake Erie Shoreliner! Henry was a fun, kind of stodgy character which blended well with the effervescent Ellie. Despite refusing her friendship, Henry is bound and determined to find out what happened to Ellie, even putting himself at risk. The clues were laid out for us but it takes Lantern Sam to piece them together.
Interspersed with our story is the biography of Lantern Sam who seems to be bent on spending out all of his nine lives in adventurous ways.
While a telepathic cat is a little hard to swallow, if you allow yourself to roll with it, it's a truly enjoyable story. I think it will be easier for the middle graders this is intended for to work with that than it was for me, but that's okay! It's a fun mystery wrapped up in a train and telepathic cat. Needless to say, fun!
Recommended, grades 4 and up.
I loved the train setting here--I wish I could travel by Lake Erie Shoreliner! Henry was a fun, kind of stodgy character which blended well with the effervescent Ellie. Despite refusing her friendship, Henry is bound and determined to find out what happened to Ellie, even putting himself at risk. The clues were laid out for us but it takes Lantern Sam to piece them together.
Interspersed with our story is the biography of Lantern Sam who seems to be bent on spending out all of his nine lives in adventurous ways.
While a telepathic cat is a little hard to swallow, if you allow yourself to roll with it, it's a truly enjoyable story. I think it will be easier for the middle graders this is intended for to work with that than it was for me, but that's okay! It's a fun mystery wrapped up in a train and telepathic cat. Needless to say, fun!
Recommended, grades 4 and up.
January 14, 2015
When 11-year-old Henry steps aboard the always prompt Lake Erie Shoreliner in New York City, he expects to spend the trip home to Ashtabula, MI drawing and secretly reading comic books. But when his new friend Ellie suddenly disappears it’s up to Henry, the conductor Clarence Nockwood, and Lantern Sam to solve the mystery. Who is Lantern Sam, you might ask? He’s a calico cat with a nose for adventure, detective work, and sardines. Can this unlikely trio solve the mystery before the train arrives at its final destination?
This thrilling, historical fiction mystery has a wonderful mixture of deceptive clues, dastardly villains, and a wise-cracking feline detective. The chapters alternate between Henry’s narration and portions from “Don’t Call Me Samantha: The Almost Entirely True Autobiography of Lantern Sam.” Set in 1938, there are period references, but the context always provides an explanation. Henry and Ellie are relatable characters, so the story never gets bogged down in it’s historical setting. Recommend this book for your animal and mystery loving readers.
Full Review at Chapter Book Explorer: http://chapterbookexplorer.blogspot.c...
This thrilling, historical fiction mystery has a wonderful mixture of deceptive clues, dastardly villains, and a wise-cracking feline detective. The chapters alternate between Henry’s narration and portions from “Don’t Call Me Samantha: The Almost Entirely True Autobiography of Lantern Sam.” Set in 1938, there are period references, but the context always provides an explanation. Henry and Ellie are relatable characters, so the story never gets bogged down in it’s historical setting. Recommend this book for your animal and mystery loving readers.
Full Review at Chapter Book Explorer: http://chapterbookexplorer.blogspot.c...
July 26, 2014
10 year old Henry and his new friend Ellie are riding the Shoreliner from New York back home to Ohio when Ellie is kidnapped. Is she still on the train? And, if not, how did the kidnappers get her off the train? Henry, with the help of Clarence the Conductor and Clarence's amazing cat Lantern Sam set out to solve the mystery and to save Ellie.
Lantern Sam is no ordinary cat and Henry is no ordinary boy. They can communicate with each other, Henry in spoken English and Lantern Sam with a form of telepathy. Sam is able to come up with some excellent intelligence information--after all, what bad guys would suspect a cat as spying on them? Together Henry and Sam figure it out although the grown-ups tend not to believe them.
Good mystery story with that twist of the telepathic cat and then a few more twists and turns as the adventure unfolds. Late 3rd or 4th grade and up.
Lantern Sam is no ordinary cat and Henry is no ordinary boy. They can communicate with each other, Henry in spoken English and Lantern Sam with a form of telepathy. Sam is able to come up with some excellent intelligence information--after all, what bad guys would suspect a cat as spying on them? Together Henry and Sam figure it out although the grown-ups tend not to believe them.
Good mystery story with that twist of the telepathic cat and then a few more twists and turns as the adventure unfolds. Late 3rd or 4th grade and up.
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December 14, 2014Michael Beil knows how to write an fantastic middle grade mystery. I was guessing until the end on this one. The setting, almost completely on a train, was very exciting. And Lantern Sam is hilarious, especially his penchant for Jersey cow cream and Full Sail Sardines. The format alternates chapters of the mystery with chapters from Lantern Sam's autobiography which detail most of his nine lives and how he lost them. Spoiler alert: It appears for awhile that Sam has died so be careful with your tenderhearted readers. He does end up being fine (guess he hadn't lost as many lives as he thought), but it's tense and sad there for a chapter or two.
November 12, 2014
When Henry Shipely boards the Lake Erie Shorliner for a long train ride home he is hoping to spend a relaxing ride with his favorite books, but it doesn’t take long for things to take an unexpected turn. Within moments of settling into the dining car, the wealthy young heiress, Ellie Strasbourg, starts talking Henry’s ear off. She introduces Henry to the train conductor, a couple of suspicious looking grownups and a talking cat named Lantern Sam (who loves sardines more than anything in the world). A few minutes later, Ellie goes missing. It’s up to Henry, the conductor, and Lantern Sam to find her before time runs out.
August 13, 2014
This fun, historical mystery is told in alternating voices--Henry, the son of a ship captain who is traveling home by train in the 1930s with his mom and baby sister; and Lantern Sam, a male calico who has used up more than his fair share of lives. When a kidnapping occurs aboard the train, these two have to work together to solve the mystery of who has taken Ellie and how to get her back. Fortunately, Henry is one of the very rare people who can hear Sam's thoughts and communicate with him, a secret that just might help them save the day.
Though a little slow in parts, this will delight fans of mysteries, historical fiction, and cats. Especially cats.
Though a little slow in parts, this will delight fans of mysteries, historical fiction, and cats. Especially cats.
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