200 Minutes of Mystery

by Jack Heath

10 stories. 10 mysterious situations. 10 brave kids. 20 minutes to solve.Kane’s parachute fails during a skydive. Is someone trying to kill him? Fang is investigated by secret police. Can she prove she isn’t a traitor? Omar is buried alive in a coffin. How will he escape?Jack Heath’s ten nail-biting and mysterious short stories will intrigue and terrify during each 20-minute countdown, as dangerous situations play out right down to the last crucial moment.

Genres: Mystery

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2021

About the author

Jack Heath wrote his debut novel, The Lab, in secondary school and sent it to a publisher at age seventeen. He's now the award-winning author of forty novels for adults and children, including the international bestsellers Hangman, The Wife Swap and 300 Minutes of Danger. His books have been translated into ten languages, optioned for TV and adapted for film. He lives on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country in Canberra, Australia, with his wife, their children, several chickens, a few fish and a possum named Oreo.

Reviews

[Geni Kuckhahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following on from his bestselling, award-winning series Minutes of Danger, celebrated Australian author Jack Heath delivers the next instalment of high-speed, thrilling stories for middle grade and young adult readers. 200 Minutes of Mystery is a collection of 10 short tales written in real-time - 20 minutes. The reader is given countdown markers in the tab to keep track of how long they have left to solve the mystery and how long it will take them to finish reading the story. From a death-defying sky-diving accident to a bomb defusion on the slopes of K2, these true-to-life mysteries will keep readers hooked until the last crucial moment.

This book is such a clever concept for today's young readers who, like most adults, feel that they are too time-poor to sit down and read an entire book. Each 'episode' packs the same punch as a novel in terms of suspense and satisfaction, so the idea that a reader only needs 20 minutes of reading time is an appealing alternative.

Though the stories are short, that does not mean that they are 'easy' reads. Each one demands the reader's full attention if they want to solve the mystery before Heath reveals it. Luckily, Jack Heath is a master of generating great exhilaration very quickly. By the time the reader reaches the 19-minute marker, they are already hooked.

200 Minutes of Mystery is a great example of how Australian publishing is moving with the times. The stories are diverse and inclusive, directed for this generation's expedited lifestyle and each character is as carefully constructed as one built for a whole novel. Jack Heath has proven once again that his place among esteemed Australian authors is well earned. 

I highly recommend it!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible book from Jack Heath. Bite-sized chapters are their own stand-alone stories - filled with thrilling twists and high-octane action. 10 brave kids have to face 10 mysterious situations, and no gritty detail is spared. I loved this book, which is another fabulous addition to the Scholastic, Jack Heath series: '200 Minutes of Danger'; '300 Minutes of Danger' and so on.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good and entertaining. quick read and lots of fun.

[Sarah H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of ten short stories is adrenaline packed and assured to take the reader two hundred minutes to read through them all, or less as this is an engrossing read that you will not want to put it down. This is the fifth instalment by Australian author Jack Heath in the Minutes of Danger series. This book will appeal to older children as the locations, drama and complex details of each situation requires maturity to keep up and piece things together. Heath’s writing aims for an intended male audience, but these stories include such diverse protagonists that girls will claim this book too.
Each story follows a character through an unfortunate situation that needs to be reasoned through fast to reach a resolve. The stories are fast-paced and there is not much time to learn about the characters except for their circumstance and deciphering of clues to undo their fate. Each of the ten stories is in a unique location and each has diverse characters, strong characters. The stories include skydiving, a character buried alive and a mountain avalanche. The settings are so well described a future televised mini-series creation of this book could be foreseen.
The page design has a border reminiscent of graffiti and a countdown from twenty minutes to zero which adds to the hurried pace and suspense. This does not suggest that the short stories are an easy read as they have gripping content, pace and situations, but the time will hold the reader’s attention. Heath writes with an emphasis on dialogue. Readers that enjoy this book will also enjoy Heath’s many other books and series. Read this highly-recommended modern mystery book in the day time as it is gripping to the last minute.

[Dylan Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short mysteries. A weird combination of whiplash and satisfaction from conclusions in rapid succession, but I enjoyed the diverse perspectives. Good for a first time reader who wants action.

[Rebecca Fung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining quick reads, some of them a little too quick to really build up the suspense and unravel the mystery, and some I'd call more action than mystery. However, I think kids would probably enjoy them. I think Coffin was probably my favourite.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of ten short stories is a great read. Each mystery is different, fast paced and has a twist.
Recommended for MG. A great choice for reluctant readers struggling with longer stories.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't see what the difference is between the 'danger' series and this new 'mystery' theme. Same enjoyable format.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite Series

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sharp stories of brave young people who save themselves and others and, of course, solve mysteries.

[Caleb Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book loved reading nice and exciting! Amazing would reccomend for anyone who not boring. and wants an exciting story