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Adventures on Trains #4
Danger at Dead Man's Pass
Embark on a thrilling fourth adventure in the bestselling, prize-winning Adventures on Trains series - Danger in Dead Man's Pass, from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, as Harrison Beck investigates an ancient family curse high in the German mountains. Illustrated in black-and-white throughout by Elisa Paganelli.
A mysterious letter from an old friend asks Hal and Uncle Nat to help investigate a spooky supernatural mystery. Legend has it the Kratzensteins, a family of rich and powerful railway tycoons, are cursed, but there is no such thing as a curse, is there . . .?
Hal and Nat take the night train to Berlin and go undercover. From a creaking old house at the foot of the Harz mountains, they take the Kratzenstein family's funeral train to the peak of the Brocken Mountain. Can Hal uncover the secrets of the Brocken railway and the family curse before disaster strikes?
A mysterious letter from an old friend asks Hal and Uncle Nat to help investigate a spooky supernatural mystery. Legend has it the Kratzensteins, a family of rich and powerful railway tycoons, are cursed, but there is no such thing as a curse, is there . . .?
Hal and Nat take the night train to Berlin and go undercover. From a creaking old house at the foot of the Harz mountains, they take the Kratzenstein family's funeral train to the peak of the Brocken Mountain. Can Hal uncover the secrets of the Brocken railway and the family curse before disaster strikes?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2022
31 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
M.G. Leonard
57 books313 followersM. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems and screenplays. She has a first-class honours degree in English literature and an MA in Shakespeare Studies from Kings College London. She works as a freelance Digital Media Producer for clients such as the National Theatre, and Harry Potter West End, and previously worked as a Senior Digital Producer at the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House and Shakespeare’s Globe. She spent her early career in the music industry running Setanta Records, an independent record label, and managing bands, most notably The Divine Comedy. After leaving the music industry, she trained as an actor, dabbling in directing and producing as well as performing, before deciding to write her stories down. Maya lives in Brighton with her husband and two sons.
You can visit her online at www.mgleonard.com. Follow her on Twitter @MGLnrd.
You can visit her online at www.mgleonard.com. Follow her on Twitter @MGLnrd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 15, 2021
I did a spoiler-free reading vlog for this book along with 3 other anticipated middle grade upcoming releases, which you can watch on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2bwv9CRwM4w
November 30, 2023
**4.5-stars rounded up**
💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞
Danger at Dead Man's Pass is the 4th-installment of my favorite Middle Grade series, Adventures on Trains.
This series follows Hal, a talented young artist with a talent for solving mysteries. Hal's Uncle Nat is a travel writer, who specializes in trains and he takes Hal along with him on some of his journeys. Hence the name of the series.
In the first three books, Hal and Uncle Nat had adventures in their native-UK, in the United States and South Africa. This book takes them to Germany at the request of an old friend, Baron Essenbach.
The Kratzensteins are wealthy and powerful railway tycoons with a rich history and spooky mansion in the mountains. Essenbach's wife is a Kratzenstein.
After the mysterious death of a family member, Uncle Nat and Hal are asked to travel to the funeral to investigate the death and an ominous witch's curse.
Assuming fake identities in order to infiltrate the family's funeral events, Hal and Uncle Nat immerse themselves in the world of the Kratzensteins.
With danger and warring motives at every junction, will Hal and Uncle Nat be able to crack the case before their time in Germany is up?
As always, I had an absolute blast with this story. I've grown quite attached to Hal and his Uncle Nat over the course of this series. I want our adventures to go on forever.
This was another successful mystery. There was a large cast of quirky characters, some believed Alexander died of natural causes, and others believed it was the curse rearing its ugly head. But could there be another answer?
This one is a bit different than the previous three in that, we aren't on a train the whole time.
Uncle Nat and Hal do travel by train to get to Germany, and then the Kratzenstein's do have a private funeral train that is used for Alexander's services, but besides that, you are at the Kratzenstein's gothic-feeling home.
I did miss being on the train the whole time, I feel like that always adds a nice closed circle, or even locked room element, to the mystery. However, I'm never one to turn down time at a creepy, gothic mansion, so this setting worked as well.
I also liked the exploration of the family curse, its history and whether or not it was real. It brought a nice is it supernatural, is it not supernatural twist to it.
Hal did make some new friends in this one as well, which is often the case for him. Everyone loves Hal. They helped him a bit in his investigation. I particularly enjoyed Hilda, who had a penchant for mystery stories.
The conclusion of this one was quite exciting. A bit of a nail-biter for young Hal. I'm seriously so excited to continue on with this series.
I definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a solid, heart-warming, engaging Children's Mystery.
💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞💜🖤💞
Danger at Dead Man's Pass is the 4th-installment of my favorite Middle Grade series, Adventures on Trains.
This series follows Hal, a talented young artist with a talent for solving mysteries. Hal's Uncle Nat is a travel writer, who specializes in trains and he takes Hal along with him on some of his journeys. Hence the name of the series.
In the first three books, Hal and Uncle Nat had adventures in their native-UK, in the United States and South Africa. This book takes them to Germany at the request of an old friend, Baron Essenbach.
The Kratzensteins are wealthy and powerful railway tycoons with a rich history and spooky mansion in the mountains. Essenbach's wife is a Kratzenstein.
After the mysterious death of a family member, Uncle Nat and Hal are asked to travel to the funeral to investigate the death and an ominous witch's curse.
Assuming fake identities in order to infiltrate the family's funeral events, Hal and Uncle Nat immerse themselves in the world of the Kratzensteins.
With danger and warring motives at every junction, will Hal and Uncle Nat be able to crack the case before their time in Germany is up?
As always, I had an absolute blast with this story. I've grown quite attached to Hal and his Uncle Nat over the course of this series. I want our adventures to go on forever.
This was another successful mystery. There was a large cast of quirky characters, some believed Alexander died of natural causes, and others believed it was the curse rearing its ugly head. But could there be another answer?
This one is a bit different than the previous three in that, we aren't on a train the whole time.
Uncle Nat and Hal do travel by train to get to Germany, and then the Kratzenstein's do have a private funeral train that is used for Alexander's services, but besides that, you are at the Kratzenstein's gothic-feeling home.
I did miss being on the train the whole time, I feel like that always adds a nice closed circle, or even locked room element, to the mystery. However, I'm never one to turn down time at a creepy, gothic mansion, so this setting worked as well.
I also liked the exploration of the family curse, its history and whether or not it was real. It brought a nice is it supernatural, is it not supernatural twist to it.
Hal did make some new friends in this one as well, which is often the case for him. Everyone loves Hal. They helped him a bit in his investigation. I particularly enjoyed Hilda, who had a penchant for mystery stories.
The conclusion of this one was quite exciting. A bit of a nail-biter for young Hal. I'm seriously so excited to continue on with this series.
I definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a solid, heart-warming, engaging Children's Mystery.
April 12, 2022
I’m absolutely in love with this series. Every book is just SO good, & SO much fun..I want them to continue for a long time! Lol Can’t say much, this is the 4th book in the series, but I absolutely loved this location, the new mystery, the adventure, the new characters we meet, friends we make, & list of suspects. I liked the twists this one had to it, including wondering if there was going to be a fantasy element, or would it be explained?? Hmmm..Plus, some other differences to the normal detective shenanigans of Hal & Uncle Nat that I thoroughly enjoyed, plus some surprises about 1 of our favorite characters I never saw coming! Hmmm lol Loved it! So much danger, suspense, mystery, adventure, & of course-TRAINS(normal & miniature haha)in this! Hal & Uncle Nat have my heart, & all the different characters that come along throughout the series are all so amazing as well. Great characters & writing overall. You can tell the authors put so much time & research into these books. Whether about the trains, locations, events/people from history-it shows, & not just in the authors notes in the back..but it shows in the STORY. Plus, how they have all these characters/suspects-& a new amazing plot each time at that, with ALL NEW characters/suspects(not to mention new trains, locations)& manage to have it all come together like an amazing puzzle every time! Talent. STUNNING cover & illustrations throughout by Elisa Paganelli as well. Highly recommend the whole series. Just started book 5, the newest, & I’m so excited to continue!💜
February 4, 2022
although not my favourite, this was yet another undeniably fun instalment in this delightful series.
August 9, 2022
Fantastic! My favourite so far!
March 22, 2023
This book in the series was a bit darker, not much action happened until the end but it had a dark ominous feeling and something lurked in the shadows. Quite different from the previous books but not in a bad way. 😊
July 7, 2023
Net als de vorige drie boeken is dit ook weer een wilde rit over het spoor. Na twee boeken die zich verder weg afspeelden, blijft Dodemansrit weer wat dichter bij huis en rijden we door naar de top van de Brockenbahn in de Duitse Harz, een hele streek die ik nog graag wil bezoeken en waar dan ook zeker een rit met een van de bekendste stoomtreinritten ter wereld nog op mijn lijstje staat. Het was een plezier om de beschrijvingen van de omgeving te lezen. Wat dat betreft, deed dit boek me een beetje denken aan een paar van de mysteries van De Vijf van de grote Enid Blyton.
Ik moest wel lachen om het feit dat Alex telkens zo verbaasd was dat ze met elektrische treinen rijden. Het Europese vasteland is wat dat betreft doorheen de jaren wel wat verder geëvolueerd dan het VK... Dat het deels om ritten gaat die ik persoonlijk ken, maakte het voor mij natuurlijk des te toffer. In de noten van de auteurs vermelden ze zelfs The Man in Seat 61, Mark Smith, en als je - zoals ik - zijn website kent, dan merk je inderdaad dat Leonard & Sedgman duidelijk moeite hebben gedaan om alle info correct weer te geven en dat ze duidelijk gebruik hebben gemaakt van zijn site.
Er wordt dieper ingegaan op de achtergrond van oom Ben. Op zich kwam dat helaas niet echt verrassend over, maar het is wel vreemd dat het vier boeken geduurd heeft voor alles aan het licht komt, zeker omdat daar in de eerste drie verhalen echt nooit een hint over wordt gegeven. Het was allicht logischer geweest dat er dan een rode draad met kleine aanwijzingen aanwezig was. Nu komt het zo ineens vanuit het niets en denk je als lezer, 'Ja ja, zal wel'.
Het is geen eenvoudig boek. De familie Kratzenstein is een heel uitgebreide familie en ik ben Elisa Paganelli dan ook heel dankbaar dat ze de moeite heeft genomen om in naam van Alex een stamboom te tekenen, want ik kon hem gebruiken. Zoveel namen! Je moet er wel met je hoofd bij blijven. De plot op zich is ook bepaald niet simplistisch te noemen, dus je krijgt wel waar voor je geld en tijd. Op den duur begon ik me een idee te vormen van wie erachter zat, en ik bleek uiteindelijk ook gelijk te hebben, maar veel meer dan een vaag gevoel was het niet en ik had totaal niet zien aankomen waarom het die persoon was. Weer een geslaagd verhaal, dus.
De vertaling is ook nu weer van Anne Douqué, en die heeft zich ook weer goed van haar werk gekweten. Alles is goed vertaald en leest vlot, er viel eigenlijk niks op. Of ja, toch wel, één klein dingetje: er werd naar de Franse taal met 'Français' verwezen - dat moet natuurlijk 'français' zijn. Maar goed, dat heeft de redactie dus ook niet gespot. Verder is alles tiptop in orde, zoals het hoort. En over taal gesproken: ik vond het tof dat al dat Duits erin stond!
7,5/10
Ik moest wel lachen om het feit dat Alex telkens zo verbaasd was dat ze met elektrische treinen rijden. Het Europese vasteland is wat dat betreft doorheen de jaren wel wat verder geëvolueerd dan het VK... Dat het deels om ritten gaat die ik persoonlijk ken, maakte het voor mij natuurlijk des te toffer. In de noten van de auteurs vermelden ze zelfs The Man in Seat 61, Mark Smith, en als je - zoals ik - zijn website kent, dan merk je inderdaad dat Leonard & Sedgman duidelijk moeite hebben gedaan om alle info correct weer te geven en dat ze duidelijk gebruik hebben gemaakt van zijn site.
Er wordt dieper ingegaan op de achtergrond van oom Ben. Op zich kwam dat helaas niet echt verrassend over, maar het is wel vreemd dat het vier boeken geduurd heeft voor alles aan het licht komt, zeker omdat daar in de eerste drie verhalen echt nooit een hint over wordt gegeven. Het was allicht logischer geweest dat er dan een rode draad met kleine aanwijzingen aanwezig was. Nu komt het zo ineens vanuit het niets en denk je als lezer, 'Ja ja, zal wel'.
Het is geen eenvoudig boek. De familie Kratzenstein is een heel uitgebreide familie en ik ben Elisa Paganelli dan ook heel dankbaar dat ze de moeite heeft genomen om in naam van Alex een stamboom te tekenen, want ik kon hem gebruiken. Zoveel namen! Je moet er wel met je hoofd bij blijven. De plot op zich is ook bepaald niet simplistisch te noemen, dus je krijgt wel waar voor je geld en tijd. Op den duur begon ik me een idee te vormen van wie erachter zat, en ik bleek uiteindelijk ook gelijk te hebben, maar veel meer dan een vaag gevoel was het niet en ik had totaal niet zien aankomen waarom het die persoon was. Weer een geslaagd verhaal, dus.
De vertaling is ook nu weer van Anne Douqué, en die heeft zich ook weer goed van haar werk gekweten. Alles is goed vertaald en leest vlot, er viel eigenlijk niks op. Of ja, toch wel, één klein dingetje: er werd naar de Franse taal met 'Français' verwezen - dat moet natuurlijk 'français' zijn. Maar goed, dat heeft de redactie dus ook niet gespot. Verder is alles tiptop in orde, zoals het hoort. En over taal gesproken: ik vond het tof dat al dat Duits erin stond!
7,5/10
August 17, 2025
With three successfully solved cases under his belt, Hal Beck is gaining quite the international reputation. However, the last thing he wants is to be recognized as he and Uncle Nat embark on another adventure. This time around, they have been hired to investigate a family curse. Legend says that an ancestor of the Kratzensteins once made a deal with the devil, and his descendants are fated to pay the ultimate price.
First and foremost, this series remains a delight for me. I am so pleased that it has been published in the United States to reach even more middle grade mystery readers. With that said, this has been my least favorite read of the series thus far. I love the inclusion of German language and culture, the wintry setting, and the fact that Hal must tackle yet another new type of classic crime, this time with the suggestion of supernatural elements. There were also some changes that I was less fond of:
(1) We spent far less time on the tracks in this installment, making it more of a secluded estate mystery rather than a travel mystery.
(2) The authors added espionage into the mix which will be good fun for some readers, but I found it beyond my capabilities to suspend my disbelief.
I very much plan on continuing the series, and I still wholeheartedly recommend these books to any fans of middle grade and mystery reads!
Actual Rating: 3.75 stars
Original Pub Date: 21 Feb 2025
Reading Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
First and foremost, this series remains a delight for me. I am so pleased that it has been published in the United States to reach even more middle grade mystery readers. With that said, this has been my least favorite read of the series thus far. I love the inclusion of German language and culture, the wintry setting, and the fact that Hal must tackle yet another new type of classic crime, this time with the suggestion of supernatural elements. There were also some changes that I was less fond of:
(1) We spent far less time on the tracks in this installment, making it more of a secluded estate mystery rather than a travel mystery.
(2) The authors added espionage into the mix which will be good fun for some readers, but I found it beyond my capabilities to suspend my disbelief.
I very much plan on continuing the series, and I still wholeheartedly recommend these books to any fans of middle grade and mystery reads!
Actual Rating: 3.75 stars
Original Pub Date: 21 Feb 2025
Reading Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!
November 1, 2021
4.75/5
September 9, 2022
This series continues to be fun and interesting… didn’t see where a lot of this was going! It was great to have a slight change of pace with the train journey too! I love Nat and Hal - I think they’re brilliant characters! I loved using some of my (long forgotten) GCSE German to follow the conversations in this! Absolutely blown away by Uncle Nat’s revelation… but love to think where this is going to take these stories. Honestly, I implore anyone to read these and not love them!
December 1, 2021
Engelstalig boek maar Nederlandse recensie (volledige verschijnt op Biblion).
Dl4 uit een reeks maar prima los te lezen: Treindetective Harrison Beck (Hal) heeft geen tijd om rustig zijn paasvakantie te vieren, want samen met zijn oom Nat is hij uitgenodigd om onderzoek te doen naar een mysterieuze dood. Hiervoor moeten ze undercover bij een Duitse Baron op bezoek. Is de familie van de baron vervloekt? Of is er meer gaande? Engelstalig spannend en goed beschreven avontuur dat zich afspeelt in meerdere plaatsen door Europa en voornamelijk op treinen. Karakters worden op slimme wijze geïntroduceerd en er wordt met net genoeg informatie verwezen naar avonturen uit het verleden zodat het verhaal ook goed te volgen is zonder de vorige delen te hebben gelezen. Vermakelijk en charmante whodunit voor de jeugd.
Dl4 uit een reeks maar prima los te lezen: Treindetective Harrison Beck (Hal) heeft geen tijd om rustig zijn paasvakantie te vieren, want samen met zijn oom Nat is hij uitgenodigd om onderzoek te doen naar een mysterieuze dood. Hiervoor moeten ze undercover bij een Duitse Baron op bezoek. Is de familie van de baron vervloekt? Of is er meer gaande? Engelstalig spannend en goed beschreven avontuur dat zich afspeelt in meerdere plaatsen door Europa en voornamelijk op treinen. Karakters worden op slimme wijze geïntroduceerd en er wordt met net genoeg informatie verwezen naar avonturen uit het verleden zodat het verhaal ook goed te volgen is zonder de vorige delen te hebben gelezen. Vermakelijk en charmante whodunit voor de jeugd.
January 17, 2023
While I don't normally read books for kids, I stumbled upon the first book in this series and it was surprisingly engaging.
This one was no different. Once again perfect for introducing younger readers to mysteries.
This one was no different. Once again perfect for introducing younger readers to mysteries.
November 30, 2023
A lot of people and not really a common thread.
A bit messy and hard to read.
You miss the connection between Uncle Nat and Hal, but it's still okay.
A bit messy and hard to read.
You miss the connection between Uncle Nat and Hal, but it's still okay.
October 19, 2021
What can I say about this series? I love it! I love the characters, the settings, absolutely everything.
I haven't read middle grade since I was a child, so was very apprehensive going into this series, but as I am a huge mystery fan, and they came so highly recommended, I decided to give them a go. I read the first three books in the series in the space of a week and was already desperate for the next.
This latest installment was as wonderful as the previous three. Hal and his Uncle Nat were as wonderful as ever, with some new characters that added depth and intrigue to the story, as well as several atmospheric locations that really added to the experience. The writing is excellent and the mysteries are complex enough to make you really think with red herrings aplenty.
I can't wait to read the next in the series!
Enormous thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
I haven't read middle grade since I was a child, so was very apprehensive going into this series, but as I am a huge mystery fan, and they came so highly recommended, I decided to give them a go. I read the first three books in the series in the space of a week and was already desperate for the next.
This latest installment was as wonderful as the previous three. Hal and his Uncle Nat were as wonderful as ever, with some new characters that added depth and intrigue to the story, as well as several atmospheric locations that really added to the experience. The writing is excellent and the mysteries are complex enough to make you really think with red herrings aplenty.
I can't wait to read the next in the series!
Enormous thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
August 19, 2024
This review was originally posted on my blog https://booksare42.com/
M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman have done it again! Danger at Dead Man’s Pass is a twisty and delightfully fun middle-grade mystery.
In Danger at Dead Man’s Pass, Hal and Uncle Nat go undercover to help uncover what happened to Alexander Kratzenstein and if there is any truth behind the Kratzenstein family curse. Up in the Brocken mountains, Hal uncovers secrets about the Kratzenstein family but also some secrets about his own family while investigating.
This book was different from the previous books in the series because Hal and Uncle Nat were asked to investigate a mystery instead of stumbling upon one. It had some fun scenes at the beginning like Uncle Nat teaching Hal about how to go undercover. There were also a few moments that made me laugh when Hal was scrambling to not blow his cover.
What made Danger at Dead Man’s Pass extra exciting was it was clear that Uncle Nat was hiding something from Hal. I enjoyed seeing Hal put the pieces together and the conversation Hal and Uncle Nat had after Hal confronted him. I’m curious to see how Uncle Nat’s past plays a role in the remaining two books in the series.
I enjoyed the mystery in this one. There were a lot of suspicious characters and the idea of a family curse kept things a bit creepy. I liked how Hal gathered clues and put things together. I also loved his big reveal at the end and how he explained to everyone how he put everything together.
Even though this adventure didn’t fully take place on a train, trains did play a big role in the story. I loved the train journey from the UK to France to Germany. I also thought the Kratzenstein family’s personal train was pretty neat. It’s been fun seeing how much Hal has learned about trains throughout the series and how enthusiastic he’s become.
I liked the side characters in this book. Hilda, Ozan, and Herman were so welcoming to Hal. They seemed to have a ton of fun together, and I loved the scenes where they were playing detective. One of my favourite things about this series is the friends that Hal makes on his journeys and how they help him solve the crime.
Overall, I enjoyed this train adventure. I adore this series and I cannot wait to dive into book five.
M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman have done it again! Danger at Dead Man’s Pass is a twisty and delightfully fun middle-grade mystery.
In Danger at Dead Man’s Pass, Hal and Uncle Nat go undercover to help uncover what happened to Alexander Kratzenstein and if there is any truth behind the Kratzenstein family curse. Up in the Brocken mountains, Hal uncovers secrets about the Kratzenstein family but also some secrets about his own family while investigating.
This book was different from the previous books in the series because Hal and Uncle Nat were asked to investigate a mystery instead of stumbling upon one. It had some fun scenes at the beginning like Uncle Nat teaching Hal about how to go undercover. There were also a few moments that made me laugh when Hal was scrambling to not blow his cover.
What made Danger at Dead Man’s Pass extra exciting was it was clear that Uncle Nat was hiding something from Hal. I enjoyed seeing Hal put the pieces together and the conversation Hal and Uncle Nat had after Hal confronted him. I’m curious to see how Uncle Nat’s past plays a role in the remaining two books in the series.
I enjoyed the mystery in this one. There were a lot of suspicious characters and the idea of a family curse kept things a bit creepy. I liked how Hal gathered clues and put things together. I also loved his big reveal at the end and how he explained to everyone how he put everything together.
Even though this adventure didn’t fully take place on a train, trains did play a big role in the story. I loved the train journey from the UK to France to Germany. I also thought the Kratzenstein family’s personal train was pretty neat. It’s been fun seeing how much Hal has learned about trains throughout the series and how enthusiastic he’s become.
I liked the side characters in this book. Hilda, Ozan, and Herman were so welcoming to Hal. They seemed to have a ton of fun together, and I loved the scenes where they were playing detective. One of my favourite things about this series is the friends that Hal makes on his journeys and how they help him solve the crime.
Overall, I enjoyed this train adventure. I adore this series and I cannot wait to dive into book five.
December 3, 2021
Read- December 2021
- Trust me, nobody is more surprised than me that this book got 3 stars. I honestly can not believe that an installment in this series actually got less than 4 stars and that makes me so sad. I know that you do kind of have to suspend disbelief with these books but I think this one just took it way too far. At first it was really confusing trying to get my head around all of the characters and how they were all connected and then after the 100 page mark the plot just got a little bit too ridiculous for me. I am still excited to carry on with the next book in this series and I do still class this as one of my favourite series of all time, this just wasn't my favourite installment.
- Trust me, nobody is more surprised than me that this book got 3 stars. I honestly can not believe that an installment in this series actually got less than 4 stars and that makes me so sad. I know that you do kind of have to suspend disbelief with these books but I think this one just took it way too far. At first it was really confusing trying to get my head around all of the characters and how they were all connected and then after the 100 page mark the plot just got a little bit too ridiculous for me. I am still excited to carry on with the next book in this series and I do still class this as one of my favourite series of all time, this just wasn't my favourite installment.
August 4, 2021
This series just keeps getting better. Another train journey turns into another adventure for Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nathaniel Bradshaw. This time there’s a curse, disguises, intrigue, a cast of suspicious characters and a windswept mountain castle with its own private train line. More of the action takes place in the castle rather than on a train this time, and there are a lot of characters to remember, but a very satisfying mystery to unravel. The illustrations are beautiful, and really add to the text. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series! Hopefully it won’t be too long until the next adventure.
February 15, 2023
This is an excellent series, aptly titled ‘ Adventures on Trains’ This one deal with a curse and is set in Germany. I like that the author includes some German.
February 15, 2022
This is the fourth in instalment in a highly enjoyable series. Each time, the general premise is the same: Hal and his uncle go somewhere on a train and solve crime. However, the genius of this series is in the originality of the way the crimes are committed, the excellent cast of suspects to choose from and (my personal favourite) the feeling of being swept off on a spectacular train journey to discover yet another fascinating corner of the world.
As previously stated, with 4 books published and at least 2 more given release dates, originality is key to the series' longevity. This book, more so than the previous ones, felt like the authors were changing up the formula slightly. For me, some of these adjustments worked better than others.
The descriptions of travel in these books are always exquisite and once again, I felt like I could just fall into the pages and be at St Pancras Station or hiking to the Brocken peak. I love the precision used to explain the features of the many different types of train. We were spoilt for choice in this book with sleeper trains, the Metro, personal steam engines on branch lines and even model trains.
As always the crime and the way it was solved were seemless perfection. Though, unlike previous books where I only worked it out at the last moment, this time I honed in on the culprit straight away. Perhaps, the fact that parts of this story reminded me of another famous whodunit helped here.
Areas that didn't work so well for me were it felt like we got a lot less time with Uncle Nat. He is definitely my favourite character in the series, so basically any time he's not on page is sad! However, whilst in other stories he may not have always been physically present (to allow Hal to do some dangerous solo or peer sleuthing), this time he felt very distant for a lot of the novel.
We also got less drawing from Hal. There is a plot reason for this and he does manage to find some time to scribble, but his unique ability to solve the crime through drawing felt less utilised than in previous books.
Finally, I missed the epic train journey. In contrast to the other stories, the crime had already occurred before the train journey began. Whilst Hal and Nat did travel to reach the crime scene and trains were still a key component of the story, I did miss the element of a crime occurring on a train and needing to be solved before it reaches its final destination.
Overall, though not my favourite in the series, it was a very enjoyable adventure.
As previously stated, with 4 books published and at least 2 more given release dates, originality is key to the series' longevity. This book, more so than the previous ones, felt like the authors were changing up the formula slightly. For me, some of these adjustments worked better than others.
The descriptions of travel in these books are always exquisite and once again, I felt like I could just fall into the pages and be at St Pancras Station or hiking to the Brocken peak. I love the precision used to explain the features of the many different types of train. We were spoilt for choice in this book with sleeper trains, the Metro, personal steam engines on branch lines and even model trains.
As always the crime and the way it was solved were seemless perfection. Though, unlike previous books where I only worked it out at the last moment, this time I honed in on the culprit straight away. Perhaps, the fact that parts of this story reminded me of another famous whodunit helped here.
Areas that didn't work so well for me were it felt like we got a lot less time with Uncle Nat. He is definitely my favourite character in the series, so basically any time he's not on page is sad! However, whilst in other stories he may not have always been physically present (to allow Hal to do some dangerous solo or peer sleuthing), this time he felt very distant for a lot of the novel.
We also got less drawing from Hal. There is a plot reason for this and he does manage to find some time to scribble, but his unique ability to solve the crime through drawing felt less utilised than in previous books.
Finally, I missed the epic train journey. In contrast to the other stories, the crime had already occurred before the train journey began. Whilst Hal and Nat did travel to reach the crime scene and trains were still a key component of the story, I did miss the element of a crime occurring on a train and needing to be solved before it reaches its final destination.
Overall, though not my favourite in the series, it was a very enjoyable adventure.
September 22, 2021
I am so glad I picked up the first book on a whim early in 2020, because I have devoured every entry so far. The mysteries are so twisty, and the whole new cast feels realistic every time because of the location (looking at you, Death in Paradise!) I have read each entry within hours of getting it, swept away by all the clues and red-herrings, and the general adventure of being aboard a train.
This entry feels quite different to the others (in a good way) because it doesn't take place solely on trains. There are still a lot of trains, but once Hal and Nat get to the castle, a lot of time is spent in it, moving around the old house and grounds. It was a really nice shakeup from the other books, and exploited the setting brilliantly (cold, dark, snowy mountains that are supposedly haunted!) Plus, I love a good old castle.
It also feels different because Hal and Nat go in knowing there's a mystery to solve, rather than stumbling across it. And, because they're a bit famous now, they have to go in disguise. It adds another layer of danger to the book because they also had to remember their cover while investigating - and Nat has secrets that he's not telling Hal.
Nat makes a point very early on about how, as they're going undercover, Hal can't draw the way he usually does with all his supplies - in case it gives him away. Instead, he only has a biro. The attention to detail over this is brilliant, because there is no difference in line strength in the drawings - it is done with cross-hatchings rather than the style of the earlier books which mimics different pencil strengths. That sort of detail just shows the care put into these books. Illustrators don't get enough credit, but they really should.
The one comment I have is that Harrison spends quite a few opening chapters asking questions to make a family tree, and then the family tree drawing never appears. It would have been quite useful to have it, as I was struggling to figure out how one branch of the family were related, but that was a minor thing.
There is at least one more book, coming early next year, and we travel to Australia!
This entry feels quite different to the others (in a good way) because it doesn't take place solely on trains. There are still a lot of trains, but once Hal and Nat get to the castle, a lot of time is spent in it, moving around the old house and grounds. It was a really nice shakeup from the other books, and exploited the setting brilliantly (cold, dark, snowy mountains that are supposedly haunted!) Plus, I love a good old castle.
It also feels different because Hal and Nat go in knowing there's a mystery to solve, rather than stumbling across it. And, because they're a bit famous now, they have to go in disguise. It adds another layer of danger to the book because they also had to remember their cover while investigating - and Nat has secrets that he's not telling Hal.
Nat makes a point very early on about how, as they're going undercover, Hal can't draw the way he usually does with all his supplies - in case it gives him away. Instead, he only has a biro. The attention to detail over this is brilliant, because there is no difference in line strength in the drawings - it is done with cross-hatchings rather than the style of the earlier books which mimics different pencil strengths. That sort of detail just shows the care put into these books. Illustrators don't get enough credit, but they really should.
The one comment I have is that Harrison spends quite a few opening chapters asking questions to make a family tree, and then the family tree drawing never appears. It would have been quite useful to have it, as I was struggling to figure out how one branch of the family were related, but that was a minor thing.
There is at least one more book, coming early next year, and we travel to Australia!
August 1, 2022
This rainy and gloomy afternoon, uncle Nat meets Hal after school with an urgent letter addressed to both of them, asking for help. Will they please go undercover as distant relatives of a dead man...at his funeral?
Hal and his uncle Nat are known to travel on occasion--for educational purposes of course--and a little vacation, but not the kind most people do. They're now famous detectives. After a recent case, Hal is known as The Drawing Detective because sketching helps him think.
Baron Essenbach, who hired them, gives the pair information and asks them to investigate a suspicious death.
But there are hidden layers and depths to this situation. A ghostly figure in a gray cape appears, then vanishes repeatedly. The old family home (more of a castle, with a train station inside) is big enough to hide many secrets. Jealousies flair, and the newest will is missing.
While Hal enjoys being a "cousin," he doesn't like lying to his new friends, and he has to call his uncle "Dad." It's a lot for a 12 year old, but Hal is made of stern stuff. The biggest problem is time, which is running out!
This was a unique and fun adventure. I enjoyed the German (which Kindle provides a translation for), and the methods of travel like the Eurostar. And the people were not Americans pretending to be European (some authors have trouble writing the difference).
5/5 Stars
I plan to look for the other books of this series!
Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for the unedited copy of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
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Hal and his uncle Nat are known to travel on occasion--for educational purposes of course--and a little vacation, but not the kind most people do. They're now famous detectives. After a recent case, Hal is known as The Drawing Detective because sketching helps him think.
Baron Essenbach, who hired them, gives the pair information and asks them to investigate a suspicious death.
But there are hidden layers and depths to this situation. A ghostly figure in a gray cape appears, then vanishes repeatedly. The old family home (more of a castle, with a train station inside) is big enough to hide many secrets. Jealousies flair, and the newest will is missing.
While Hal enjoys being a "cousin," he doesn't like lying to his new friends, and he has to call his uncle "Dad." It's a lot for a 12 year old, but Hal is made of stern stuff. The biggest problem is time, which is running out!
This was a unique and fun adventure. I enjoyed the German (which Kindle provides a translation for), and the methods of travel like the Eurostar. And the people were not Americans pretending to be European (some authors have trouble writing the difference).
5/5 Stars
I plan to look for the other books of this series!
Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for the unedited copy of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
#MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup
#FeiwelandFriends
#MGLeonard #MGLeonardAuth
#SamSedgman #SamSedgmanAuth
ChildrensFiction
MiddleGradeFictionMysteryAdventureGermany
#MiddleGradeFictionDetectiveStory
#MiddleGradeFictionMysteryEnglishGerman
#ChildrensTrainsBooksKindle Store
#ChildrensTrainsBooks
#ChildrensMysteryandDetectiveAdventure
May 20, 2024
This is the fourth book in the excellent Adventure on Trains series, and I think this is the best one yet. We are launched into this incredibly atmospheric adventure with a mysterious encounter in the fog, and a strange handwritten letter. Hal and his Uncle Nat have been asked to go to Germany to help an old friend investigate a death in the Kratzenstein family. What follows is a shadowy tale involving disguises, dysfunctional families, curses, code-breaking, and... Goethe! Trains don’t feature quite as heavily as in the previous books, but instead the action is set in a spooky castle, high in the mountains of Germany. Some of the family believe that the deceased has been cursed by a witch, but the ever-pragmatic Hal doesn’t believe in the supernatural, and sets out to investigate on his own.
With the adults being busy with the funeral arrangements, Hal is thrown together with the other children in the castle, and together they explore their surroundings in the snowy German landscape. And this brings me nicely onto another reason to love this book. The descriptions are absolutely glorious – from the German mountains and forests, to the castle interior, and the weather throughout - this book is incredibly immersive and evocative. We also have a map of the route that Hal and Uncle Nat took, and in this book we even get a family tree – who doesn’t love a book with a family tree?!
This novel has more of the stomach churning thrills that we associate with the series. Hal has a near-miss with death on a couple of occasions, and in one particularly emotion-laden moment, he discovers that Uncle Nat is not quite the person he has always thought him to be. The ending is utterly nail-biting, and I can’t help but feel that Hal grows up a little at the end of this adventure. I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring.
With the adults being busy with the funeral arrangements, Hal is thrown together with the other children in the castle, and together they explore their surroundings in the snowy German landscape. And this brings me nicely onto another reason to love this book. The descriptions are absolutely glorious – from the German mountains and forests, to the castle interior, and the weather throughout - this book is incredibly immersive and evocative. We also have a map of the route that Hal and Uncle Nat took, and in this book we even get a family tree – who doesn’t love a book with a family tree?!
This novel has more of the stomach churning thrills that we associate with the series. Hal has a near-miss with death on a couple of occasions, and in one particularly emotion-laden moment, he discovers that Uncle Nat is not quite the person he has always thought him to be. The ending is utterly nail-biting, and I can’t help but feel that Hal grows up a little at the end of this adventure. I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring.
December 3, 2021
A high speed train journey of a series, this is book 4. Check out the blurb and my review as well as other praise from prominent and famous children's authors and press. This book is great for 9 year olds to 11 year olds.
All Aboard For Your Journey To Germany! It Will Be An Unexpected Journey Of A Life Time!
Firstly, that exciting cover is totally attention grabbing. There is much to enthrall within the book too. It is packed full of characters and mysterious things going on, including a curse. The mysteries don't stop there, with such sensational intrigue at a creaky house, that has just the right amount of spookiness, with its private train line. The thought of a private line to a rather unusual large house is sure to capture children's imaginations and thrill them. It's just so cool!
There's lots to unravel within the book that will entertain 9 years to 11 year old children, which it is pitched at perfectly for.
There's a family which is out of the ordinary - the Kratzensteins to get to know, including working out their curse, which sends readers on a thrilling action-packed mystery to get their teeth into and solve.
Reach the end of your journey and find some facts about where you've been.
So, I highly recommend this thrilling train journey that chuffs on with speed and much excitement that will get the adrenaline pumping so much, children will be so curious as to how it can all possibly end and then want some more!
All Aboard For Your Journey To Germany! It Will Be An Unexpected Journey Of A Life Time!
Firstly, that exciting cover is totally attention grabbing. There is much to enthrall within the book too. It is packed full of characters and mysterious things going on, including a curse. The mysteries don't stop there, with such sensational intrigue at a creaky house, that has just the right amount of spookiness, with its private train line. The thought of a private line to a rather unusual large house is sure to capture children's imaginations and thrill them. It's just so cool!
There's lots to unravel within the book that will entertain 9 years to 11 year old children, which it is pitched at perfectly for.
There's a family which is out of the ordinary - the Kratzensteins to get to know, including working out their curse, which sends readers on a thrilling action-packed mystery to get their teeth into and solve.
Reach the end of your journey and find some facts about where you've been.
So, I highly recommend this thrilling train journey that chuffs on with speed and much excitement that will get the adrenaline pumping so much, children will be so curious as to how it can all possibly end and then want some more!
November 1, 2022
A pretty good adventure story, and personally speaking, I find it to be one of the best in the series so far; while the last book greatly elevated the stakes, this one builds on that foundation by crafting an eerie and memorable atmosphere in the Kranzenstein family home.
Uncle Nat largely fades to the background, and personally, that's for the best; Hal's relationship with the kids is fun to watch, and while a larger cast means he (and consequently, we) have less time to build ties to any of the characters introduced as we have in previous iterations, the side-characters are still largely memorable and play their own role in the story without seeming like fluff pieces there to drift about.
The only downside I have to complain about is that I often got confused about the characters - largely between the baron and Arnold - but asides from that, this is a pretty solid installment and I'm looking forward to the next one!
I do hope going forth more recurring characters are brought into the mix as the baron was; while being introduced to an entirely new cast is fun, sometimes you do want old roots to peek out of the ground from time to time.
A solid 8/10 from me. A fantastic, creepy little mystery-adventure story. Perfect for an afternoon's read.
Uncle Nat largely fades to the background, and personally, that's for the best; Hal's relationship with the kids is fun to watch, and while a larger cast means he (and consequently, we) have less time to build ties to any of the characters introduced as we have in previous iterations, the side-characters are still largely memorable and play their own role in the story without seeming like fluff pieces there to drift about.
The only downside I have to complain about is that I often got confused about the characters - largely between the baron and Arnold - but asides from that, this is a pretty solid installment and I'm looking forward to the next one!
I do hope going forth more recurring characters are brought into the mix as the baron was; while being introduced to an entirely new cast is fun, sometimes you do want old roots to peek out of the ground from time to time.
A solid 8/10 from me. A fantastic, creepy little mystery-adventure story. Perfect for an afternoon's read.
December 28, 2025
I love this story because of its thrill and all the mysterious things happening around Hal.
During this story Hal and his uncle are asked for a favor. Baron Kratzenstein asked for these two detectives to solve the on going Kratzenstein family curse. During the intense investigations, Hal meets new ´´cousins´´ Hilda, Arnie, Ozan and Herman. He and his uncle go undercover attending the Kratzenstein funeral.
My favorite character for this book was Arnie Kratzenstein. He is very similar to Hal. Firstly, he is a train enthusiast. Secondly, he helps others and even drives some of the Kratzenstein family trains. This has also been a thing that H has wanted to do for as long after as he first left the Highland Falcon.
I love and will keep on loving the series, full of adventure and exciting moments. I'm always happy and energetic after reading, except if I am going to sleep. Especially when Hal figures out the crime committed on the trip. It makes me feel very astonished, because almost every time he gets something expensive from the queen or other wealthy people.
I recommend this series of books to those who love adventure and excitement. Those who read fantasy might also enjoy reading these books.
During this story Hal and his uncle are asked for a favor. Baron Kratzenstein asked for these two detectives to solve the on going Kratzenstein family curse. During the intense investigations, Hal meets new ´´cousins´´ Hilda, Arnie, Ozan and Herman. He and his uncle go undercover attending the Kratzenstein funeral.
My favorite character for this book was Arnie Kratzenstein. He is very similar to Hal. Firstly, he is a train enthusiast. Secondly, he helps others and even drives some of the Kratzenstein family trains. This has also been a thing that H has wanted to do for as long after as he first left the Highland Falcon.
I love and will keep on loving the series, full of adventure and exciting moments. I'm always happy and energetic after reading, except if I am going to sleep. Especially when Hal figures out the crime committed on the trip. It makes me feel very astonished, because almost every time he gets something expensive from the queen or other wealthy people.
I recommend this series of books to those who love adventure and excitement. Those who read fantasy might also enjoy reading these books.
September 12, 2021
The Adventures on Trains series has been one of my favourite discoveries of the last few years, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Danger at Dead Man’s Pass.
This time, Nat and Hal are off through Europe to Berlin, to investigate on behalf of an old friend of Nat’s. This adventure seems a little more serious to Hal, and it doesn’t help that Uncle Nat is behaving oddly too!
I read this book in less than 24 hours, I enjoyed it so much. I love getting swept up in these stories. I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed! M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman have exceeded their very high standards with this one.
The setting of Schloss Kratzenstein was very atmospheric and spooky. It was wonderful to join Hal and Uncle Nat on another journey, and make friends with another group of children. It felt like Hal grew up a little, working more on his own.
Overall, this was a really fun adventure, with an interesting mystery at its centre. I highly recommend this book, and the whole series. Long may it continue!
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
This time, Nat and Hal are off through Europe to Berlin, to investigate on behalf of an old friend of Nat’s. This adventure seems a little more serious to Hal, and it doesn’t help that Uncle Nat is behaving oddly too!
I read this book in less than 24 hours, I enjoyed it so much. I love getting swept up in these stories. I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed! M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman have exceeded their very high standards with this one.
The setting of Schloss Kratzenstein was very atmospheric and spooky. It was wonderful to join Hal and Uncle Nat on another journey, and make friends with another group of children. It felt like Hal grew up a little, working more on his own.
Overall, this was a really fun adventure, with an interesting mystery at its centre. I highly recommend this book, and the whole series. Long may it continue!
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
August 19, 2024
Back with my fav train detective - Hal and his trusty uncle Nat. Honestly, my love for these books grows with every extra one I read and I continue to love them more and more.
Each new story is a great addition and they’re so well written for young audiences and adults a like. They really are fab middle grade books and I’m glad I have another few to look forward to. I’m going to be so sad when I’ve made my way through them all, which, at the rate I’m reading them, won’t be that much longer!!
Another really compelling story and a contender for favourite pole position. It gives us spy vibes with Hal and his uncle going undercover to get to the bottom of a family curse. It was so so well written and M.G Leonard and Sam Sedgeman are a pure fire golden writing duo!
And I keep forgetting to mention the absolutely amazing illustrations! They completely outdid themselves in this one and added such great detail to the story.
I have the next one on order and the only excruciating thing is having to wait for it!
Each new story is a great addition and they’re so well written for young audiences and adults a like. They really are fab middle grade books and I’m glad I have another few to look forward to. I’m going to be so sad when I’ve made my way through them all, which, at the rate I’m reading them, won’t be that much longer!!
Another really compelling story and a contender for favourite pole position. It gives us spy vibes with Hal and his uncle going undercover to get to the bottom of a family curse. It was so so well written and M.G Leonard and Sam Sedgeman are a pure fire golden writing duo!
And I keep forgetting to mention the absolutely amazing illustrations! They completely outdid themselves in this one and added such great detail to the story.
I have the next one on order and the only excruciating thing is having to wait for it!
July 27, 2022
I hadn't heard of this book before, but it caught my eye and I thought I'd give it a go.
I was very impressed by it. A very entertaining adventure/mystery story. I think it's actually a children's book, and it was the sort of book that I'd have been very interested In between the ages of 10 and 12. Having said that, I enjoyed it very much as an adult too.
I liked all the characters, warmed to them all very quickly and enjoyed the bonds of friendship that formed between them. There was something very heart-warming about an uncle and his nephew solving mysteries together too.
This had many elements that I think you would expect to find in an adventure story - a missing will, a curse, a secret room. It was also light enough to read in one sitting and I found it a very good escape.
I think I'd be interested in reading some more of this series.
I was very impressed by it. A very entertaining adventure/mystery story. I think it's actually a children's book, and it was the sort of book that I'd have been very interested In between the ages of 10 and 12. Having said that, I enjoyed it very much as an adult too.
I liked all the characters, warmed to them all very quickly and enjoyed the bonds of friendship that formed between them. There was something very heart-warming about an uncle and his nephew solving mysteries together too.
This had many elements that I think you would expect to find in an adventure story - a missing will, a curse, a secret room. It was also light enough to read in one sitting and I found it a very good escape.
I think I'd be interested in reading some more of this series.
June 29, 2025
As my first book in the series, this was SO funnn.
#Do not let a book's supposed target audience deter you from reading it.
Hal is an amazingly meticulous detective, but he is also still a 12-year-old boy, and I quite like how the authors depict that so well. Such as how he sometimes slips up with his disguise and almost accidentally calls Uncle Nat as Uncle Nat instead of Dad. Mirroring other reviewers, though, I'd rather Uncle Nat be more present and involved in future investigations because he wasn't as much in this one.
Conclusion, really liked it, look forward to the previous and future ones (that is, if I can get my hands on the other instalments).
PS. But fr though, why do I keep picking up continuation books without reading the previous books in the series?
#Do not let a book's supposed target audience deter you from reading it.
Hal is an amazingly meticulous detective, but he is also still a 12-year-old boy, and I quite like how the authors depict that so well. Such as how he sometimes slips up with his disguise and almost accidentally calls Uncle Nat as Uncle Nat instead of Dad. Mirroring other reviewers, though, I'd rather Uncle Nat be more present and involved in future investigations because he wasn't as much in this one.
Conclusion, really liked it, look forward to the previous and future ones (that is, if I can get my hands on the other instalments).
PS. But fr though, why do I keep picking up continuation books without reading the previous books in the series?
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