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Avalanche
Perfect for fans of Alex Rider and Artemis Fowl, this action-packed thriller stocking filler is ideal for readers too young for Jack Reacher!
Tom thought going to a luxury ski resort was the holiday he and his mum needed. But he didn't expect kidnappers to take over their chalet - looking for the dangerous technology her boss has created - or for an avalanche to trap them even further.
Can Tom figure a way out, before it's too late?
More unputdownable reads by Simon
Running Out of Time
Deadlock
"Readers will be on the edge of their seats" – Daily Express
Tom thought going to a luxury ski resort was the holiday he and his mum needed. But he didn't expect kidnappers to take over their chalet - looking for the dangerous technology her boss has created - or for an avalanche to trap them even further.
Can Tom figure a way out, before it's too late?
More unputdownable reads by Simon
Running Out of Time
Deadlock
"Readers will be on the edge of their seats" – Daily Express
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ A proper solid fast paced Bond style adventure! Very impressed with the pacing and use of technology.
September 25, 2025
Avalanche by Simon Fox Pub Date: 9th October 2025
This is an exciting, action-packed adventure that had me hooked from the start.
Tom and his mum are staying at a ski chalet while she protects her boss, Eric, who is head of a biotech firm. A recent attempt on his life also endangered his daughter, Emily, who was in the car with him. As head of security, Tom’s mum feels responsible and throws herself into work to find out who was behind it, leaving Tom on his own.
Things spiral out of control when Tom and Emily return to the chalet to find that an armed force has arrived, having kidnapped Tom’s mum and another employee. In the chaos, she is shot while trying to fight back, which triggers an avalanche. With the ski lift and communications down, and emergency services busy, only Tom and Emily are left to help their parents. But what can two teens possibly do to save their families?
What follows is an action-packed, thrilling story full of suspense. The writing style is perfect for 10+ readers and ideal for Y5–6 classes as well as secondary schools. The subject and pace will keep even reluctant readers turning the pages. Simon Fox has created a gripping story with a strong central character, and the potential for more if he chooses.
#Avalanche #NetGalley
This is an exciting, action-packed adventure that had me hooked from the start.
Tom and his mum are staying at a ski chalet while she protects her boss, Eric, who is head of a biotech firm. A recent attempt on his life also endangered his daughter, Emily, who was in the car with him. As head of security, Tom’s mum feels responsible and throws herself into work to find out who was behind it, leaving Tom on his own.
Things spiral out of control when Tom and Emily return to the chalet to find that an armed force has arrived, having kidnapped Tom’s mum and another employee. In the chaos, she is shot while trying to fight back, which triggers an avalanche. With the ski lift and communications down, and emergency services busy, only Tom and Emily are left to help their parents. But what can two teens possibly do to save their families?
What follows is an action-packed, thrilling story full of suspense. The writing style is perfect for 10+ readers and ideal for Y5–6 classes as well as secondary schools. The subject and pace will keep even reluctant readers turning the pages. Simon Fox has created a gripping story with a strong central character, and the potential for more if he chooses.
#Avalanche #NetGalley
November 1, 2025
Tom's mother is the head of security for a high powered tech CEO, who has recently made some potentially dangerous discoveries. Perhaps because of this, he was attacked, along with his daughter, leading to his decision to recover in a remote home in the mountains.
Tom is less than excited to discover that his mother's promise of a much needed break at the aforementioned house (located close to a ski resort), turns out to be very much a busman's holiday, since she is determined to keep her boss safe and not to be caught off guard again.
But when there is a home invasion at this remote location - followed by an avalanche that cuts them off from the nearby town - Tom's resentment is swiftly superseded by worry. And he finds he has an unexpected ally in the resistance against the invaders...
This is a fast paced book that will hold the attention of readers in the target group, offering strong characters and an exciting story line. It easily gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Tom is less than excited to discover that his mother's promise of a much needed break at the aforementioned house (located close to a ski resort), turns out to be very much a busman's holiday, since she is determined to keep her boss safe and not to be caught off guard again.
But when there is a home invasion at this remote location - followed by an avalanche that cuts them off from the nearby town - Tom's resentment is swiftly superseded by worry. And he finds he has an unexpected ally in the resistance against the invaders...
This is a fast paced book that will hold the attention of readers in the target group, offering strong characters and an exciting story line. It easily gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 3, 2025
Wow, what a thrill! This book grips you right from the start and does not slow down. I loved the characters in this a lot too. Especially the way Tom and Emily interacted and grew close together. I do wish is that the book slowed down sometimes. It felt like it was a continuous rush of events, with no time for the characters to breathe. On the other hand, that did also fit the story well and made this a book that's really difficult to put down.
I've definitely become really interested in reading more from this author.
*I got an ARC through netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I've definitely become really interested in reading more from this author.
*I got an ARC through netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
November 28, 2025
A action packed, tensely plotted mystery/ action novel. It’s got short chapters and a high stakes plot that keeps you reading and flipping those pages. I think my students will love this as much as I did.
January 8, 2026
Massive 5 stars, because it is COOL. An amazing read. What are you waiting for? Go read it! The plot twist near the end involving Ward was shocking!
November 18, 2025
A cracking adventure thriller.
When we meet Tom at the start of the book he is out of sorts. His mum is Head of Security for a bio-tech firm and her employer, Eric, was the target of an assassination attempt a few months ago. He and his daughter were both injured in the resulting car accident and have withdrawn to a reclusive luxury ski chalet. Tom's Mum blames herself for not catching the sabotage in time and is determined to keep Eric safe.
Tom has been staying with his grandparents and hoped that his mum inviting him to the chalet meant she was finally going to spend time with him. But she has already reneged on her promise to teach him to ski and he, at almost 13, is stuck learning with a group of 7-12 year olds. Eric's daughter, Emily, is older than Tom, already knows how to ski and wants nothing to do with him. However they must accompany each other on the chair lift which is the only way to access the chalet, apart from by helicopter, due to the presence of large ravine.
When another threat is made against a scientist at the firm, Tom's mum goes to collect him. She returns in the helicopter just as Emily and Tom return early from a day on the slopes. But Tom's Mum and the scientist are forced out of the helicopter by a group of armed criminals, seeking Eric's work. Tom's mum is shot and the sound triggers an avalanche which surrounds the chalet and destroys the chairlift, cutting them off from help.
Tom and Emily must first escape from the snow and ice and then work together to rescue their parents. This is further complicated by Emily's Type I diabetes as her body starts shutting down. Tom just missed out on earning his black belt in karate but it is a lot different when you are facing armed adults. I really liked that the story was realistic about how Tom would fare in such an unbalanced fight and instead looked at other ways he could beat his opponent.
The scenes where they are trapped in the snow are very well written. You can feel the panic and the claustrophobia as they don't even know which was is up, they are battered by debris and they just keep getting colder. Added to the tension of them being trapped at the chalet and unable to even call for help and it makes for a thrilling read.
I did feel the science was a little weak. One of the major points of tension in the story relates to keeping something at a certain temperature and I'm sceptical about the idea that it would suddenly become so dangerous beyond that. I think how they dealt with it at the end was arguably more dangerous when they could have safely destroyed it.
Overall, it's a fun and fast-paced story. The chapters are short and action-packed which will help keep reluctant readers engaged. I will definitely be buying it for the school library and I think it could also be ideal for using with guided reading groups.
Thanks to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for the free eARC.
When we meet Tom at the start of the book he is out of sorts. His mum is Head of Security for a bio-tech firm and her employer, Eric, was the target of an assassination attempt a few months ago. He and his daughter were both injured in the resulting car accident and have withdrawn to a reclusive luxury ski chalet. Tom's Mum blames herself for not catching the sabotage in time and is determined to keep Eric safe.
Tom has been staying with his grandparents and hoped that his mum inviting him to the chalet meant she was finally going to spend time with him. But she has already reneged on her promise to teach him to ski and he, at almost 13, is stuck learning with a group of 7-12 year olds. Eric's daughter, Emily, is older than Tom, already knows how to ski and wants nothing to do with him. However they must accompany each other on the chair lift which is the only way to access the chalet, apart from by helicopter, due to the presence of large ravine.
When another threat is made against a scientist at the firm, Tom's mum goes to collect him. She returns in the helicopter just as Emily and Tom return early from a day on the slopes. But Tom's Mum and the scientist are forced out of the helicopter by a group of armed criminals, seeking Eric's work. Tom's mum is shot and the sound triggers an avalanche which surrounds the chalet and destroys the chairlift, cutting them off from help.
Tom and Emily must first escape from the snow and ice and then work together to rescue their parents. This is further complicated by Emily's Type I diabetes as her body starts shutting down. Tom just missed out on earning his black belt in karate but it is a lot different when you are facing armed adults. I really liked that the story was realistic about how Tom would fare in such an unbalanced fight and instead looked at other ways he could beat his opponent.
The scenes where they are trapped in the snow are very well written. You can feel the panic and the claustrophobia as they don't even know which was is up, they are battered by debris and they just keep getting colder. Added to the tension of them being trapped at the chalet and unable to even call for help and it makes for a thrilling read.
I did feel the science was a little weak. One of the major points of tension in the story relates to keeping something at a certain temperature and I'm sceptical about the idea that it would suddenly become so dangerous beyond that. I think how they dealt with it at the end was arguably more dangerous when they could have safely destroyed it.
Overall, it's a fun and fast-paced story. The chapters are short and action-packed which will help keep reluctant readers engaged. I will definitely be buying it for the school library and I think it could also be ideal for using with guided reading groups.
Thanks to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for the free eARC.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews