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The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves #1
Egypt's Fire
Accused of stealing a rare ruby, a down-on-his luck twelve-year-old is swept into the orbit of the world’s greatest detective you’ve never heard of to track down the true culprit. A madcap middle grade mystery series starter for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Enola Holmes.
After twelve-year-old John Boarhog’s mom dies, the last thing he wants is to be schlepped off to the Jersey Home for Boys, where kids are forced to make skinny jeans for hipsters and are fed nothing but kale. Instead, he makes himself a snug home in the ceiling of the New York Museum of Natural History, where he reads anything he get his hands on and explores the artifacts afterhours.
But when a rare Egyptian ruby—the highlight of the museum’s new exhibit—goes missing, John is accused of the crime. That is until the unpredictable Inspector Toadius McGee sweeps in to wrestle control of the case, certain that the true culprit is a notorious criminal he’s been tracking for years.
John quickly becomes the Watson to Toadius’s Holmes as they race from Broadway to back alleys to a speak-easy that only serves root beer. And along the way, John uncovers secrets about his own past, including that he’s a lot more involved in this web of endearing ne'er-do-wells than he ever could have imagined.
A love letter to classic middle grade, Egypt's Fire introduces a remarkable new duo that will steal your heart as surely as it leaves you begging for their next grand adventure.
After twelve-year-old John Boarhog’s mom dies, the last thing he wants is to be schlepped off to the Jersey Home for Boys, where kids are forced to make skinny jeans for hipsters and are fed nothing but kale. Instead, he makes himself a snug home in the ceiling of the New York Museum of Natural History, where he reads anything he get his hands on and explores the artifacts afterhours.
But when a rare Egyptian ruby—the highlight of the museum’s new exhibit—goes missing, John is accused of the crime. That is until the unpredictable Inspector Toadius McGee sweeps in to wrestle control of the case, certain that the true culprit is a notorious criminal he’s been tracking for years.
John quickly becomes the Watson to Toadius’s Holmes as they race from Broadway to back alleys to a speak-easy that only serves root beer. And along the way, John uncovers secrets about his own past, including that he’s a lot more involved in this web of endearing ne'er-do-wells than he ever could have imagined.
A love letter to classic middle grade, Egypt's Fire introduces a remarkable new duo that will steal your heart as surely as it leaves you begging for their next grand adventure.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2022
59 people are currently reading
2410 people want to read
About the author
Tom Phillips
3 books58 followersAs a dyslexic child, Tom Phillips eagerly listened to any story his mom or older sister would tell him. Today, he writes books that kids can not only enjoy on their own, but also can be read aloud and shared. Tom employs his passion for storytelling as an artist and video editor in Los Angeles, California. His work includes editing for the acclaimed LeVar Burton Kids, and he is currently at work on a screenplay for a major studio. An armchair detective and Sherlockian, he is an obsessive watcher of crime dramas. Tom can often be found walking his dog, Dr. Watson, with his wife Autumn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 2, 2021
The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves: Egypt's Fire is one of the smartest middle grade books I've ever read!
Why do I love this book with my entire heart and soul?
* It doesn't dumb things down. Kids are smart and this book treats them as such.
* It's hilarious. It's like the Pixar of books--super smart humor for all ages
* It combats toxic masculinity
* It challenges stereotypes--almost every character isn't exactly as you think they should be by the time the story is over
* It's adventurous -- the pacing is on point and keeps you turning the page
* The plot is beyond brilliant. There is a reason for everything!
* The characters are fleshed out and real
* THE VOICE! *chef's kiss
What do I not love about this book?
* Nothing... There is not one thing I don't like about this book.
TCLODAT is absolutely amazing and you need to read it, and your kids need to read it, and your best friend needs to read it and your best friend's sister's kids need to read it--seriously everyone needs to read this!!
Why do I love this book with my entire heart and soul?
* It doesn't dumb things down. Kids are smart and this book treats them as such.
* It's hilarious. It's like the Pixar of books--super smart humor for all ages
* It combats toxic masculinity
* It challenges stereotypes--almost every character isn't exactly as you think they should be by the time the story is over
* It's adventurous -- the pacing is on point and keeps you turning the page
* The plot is beyond brilliant. There is a reason for everything!
* The characters are fleshed out and real
* THE VOICE! *chef's kiss
What do I not love about this book?
* Nothing... There is not one thing I don't like about this book.
TCLODAT is absolutely amazing and you need to read it, and your kids need to read it, and your best friend needs to read it and your best friend's sister's kids need to read it--seriously everyone needs to read this!!
Read
February 26, 2024Cute and fun story, but a Gay relationship intertwined in this one so I stopped.
Just for reference, this book is marketed for 8-12 year olds.
Just for reference, this book is marketed for 8-12 year olds.
July 28, 2023
Whimsical, hilarious, smart, and heartfelt are but a few of the words I would use to describe this brilliant debut by Tom Phillips.
Phillips’ use of humor and quick-witted banter make this a fun page-turner, perfect for middle grade readers, and reluctant ones at that. John is a relatable main character, one who struggles to understand his purpose in the grand picture and mystery of his life and the one literally unfolding around him. His insecurities and deeply rooted emotions and grief are so raw and organic that I found myself getting teary multiple times. On the opposite side, we have fantastic, humorous moments, several that made me laugh out loud. What a great balance!
To see a pre-teen, male character show that vulnerable side of himself, and to see a cast of supporting adults in the book praise him for it, empathize with it, and use it as a means of encouragement, was wonderfully fresh. I hadn’t realized how much middle grade writing was missing that kind of character till I read this story.
One of my favorite aspects of this debut is how Phillips shows us the importance of found family, something with which so many readers young and old can identify.
To quote: “John realized there are different kinds of family—the ones you are born into, and the ones you choose.” 💛
I look forward to the next installment and journey of Toadius and John, our modern, quirky Watson and Holmes.
Phillips’ use of humor and quick-witted banter make this a fun page-turner, perfect for middle grade readers, and reluctant ones at that. John is a relatable main character, one who struggles to understand his purpose in the grand picture and mystery of his life and the one literally unfolding around him. His insecurities and deeply rooted emotions and grief are so raw and organic that I found myself getting teary multiple times. On the opposite side, we have fantastic, humorous moments, several that made me laugh out loud. What a great balance!
To see a pre-teen, male character show that vulnerable side of himself, and to see a cast of supporting adults in the book praise him for it, empathize with it, and use it as a means of encouragement, was wonderfully fresh. I hadn’t realized how much middle grade writing was missing that kind of character till I read this story.
One of my favorite aspects of this debut is how Phillips shows us the importance of found family, something with which so many readers young and old can identify.
To quote: “John realized there are different kinds of family—the ones you are born into, and the ones you choose.” 💛
I look forward to the next installment and journey of Toadius and John, our modern, quirky Watson and Holmes.
November 2, 2023
Stop throwing LGBT stuff in kids books. It is unnecessary, and obviously forced into this book.
April 17, 2022
I loved that The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves was full of twists and turns. The reader never knows what comes next! From plot twists, to monkeys, to banana carts, “The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves” is a silly, entertaining, and downright amazing book that I highly recommend.
I recommend The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves to middle-grade and YA readers who love a good mystery.
John Boarhog and Toadius McGee are an unstoppable duo. Two detectives, one goal. To find out who really stole the Egypt’s Fire ruby.
If that doesn’t sound thrilling, I don’t know what does!
Tom Phillips, you've outdone yourself. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!
I recommend The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves to middle-grade and YA readers who love a good mystery.
John Boarhog and Toadius McGee are an unstoppable duo. Two detectives, one goal. To find out who really stole the Egypt’s Fire ruby.
If that doesn’t sound thrilling, I don’t know what does!
Tom Phillips, you've outdone yourself. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!
July 29, 2022
Tom Phillips has created a vivid and engaging story filled with twists, turns, and some very funny writing. The characters are brilliant, the plot is clear and fascinating, and the tone feels like a beautiful homage to one of my favorite authors, Lemony Snicket. The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves is the book I needed at age 12. I can't recommend it highly enough.
April 2, 2022
REVIEW:
✨this middle grade story is a masterpiece for children! the entire time I was reading it I could not help but compare it to other series like percy jackson and artemis fowl.
✨this would also be an amazing animated show or movie. i kept imagining a disney-like quality to the way everything was explained and the relationships between characters and the plot.
✨i think this book was the perfect start of a series, the way the author writes perfectly explains what is going on without dumbing down the content like so many middle grades end up doing go their readers.
✨i’m really interested to see where this story continues on in the future!!!
✨this middle grade story is a masterpiece for children! the entire time I was reading it I could not help but compare it to other series like percy jackson and artemis fowl.
✨this would also be an amazing animated show or movie. i kept imagining a disney-like quality to the way everything was explained and the relationships between characters and the plot.
✨i think this book was the perfect start of a series, the way the author writes perfectly explains what is going on without dumbing down the content like so many middle grades end up doing go their readers.
✨i’m really interested to see where this story continues on in the future!!!
August 30, 2022
This has been a delightful book to read aloud to my child before bedtime for the last few weeks, full of oddly fun characters that are easy to come up with unique voices for. This book really feels like Enola Holmes and a Series of Unfortunate Events’ love child.
April 3, 2022
My one and only visit to this cockamamie world of high dramas actually began really well, introducing John, a young orphan (well, his father vanished first thing and his mother seems to have died since) living in a private space above some New York museum loos. But when he flukes a chance to see the brand new exhibit, a dazzling and huge Egyptian ruby, he's soon found unconscious, in possession of said gem, and in the opinion of all the cops, detectives, reporters and museum bosses all far-too handily at the scene, thoroughly guilty of theft. With no option but to go round with the derring-do bonkersness that is allegedly one of the best detectives in the world, he is on a race to find the master criminal that managed to stitch him up.
While set in New York, this seemed to have a British kids' fiction sensibility at first – quirk for the benefit of the story and not for quirks' sake; a fine way of bringing an underdog character to life. But things soon palled. Characters had to pile on the wackiness to outdo each other, or at least turn up in the most unlikely of circumstances, everything had to get more and more colourful, and in amongst trying to control all that, the narrative voice turned into Lemony Snicket. Seriously, if it had explained in a patronising manner one more aspect of a certain chapter I'd have done the digital equivalent of throwing this in the recycling.
OK, so I'd have fished it out and put it to a charity shop afterwards, but why try so hard to ruin a fight scene by describing rock-paper-scissors? For an audience that needs that kind of talking-down-to (if there is one), this is a lengthy crime caper with more than enough brio, but come on – cramming jokes about Judi Dench's name into things isn't going to appease them either. Nor is a theatre show where the overture is played twice. The whole thing is over-egged, over-written and over for me – a quite clumsy effort, all told. And yes I did pick that up from the series title, but carried on regardless. More fool me.
One and a half stars.
While set in New York, this seemed to have a British kids' fiction sensibility at first – quirk for the benefit of the story and not for quirks' sake; a fine way of bringing an underdog character to life. But things soon palled. Characters had to pile on the wackiness to outdo each other, or at least turn up in the most unlikely of circumstances, everything had to get more and more colourful, and in amongst trying to control all that, the narrative voice turned into Lemony Snicket. Seriously, if it had explained in a patronising manner one more aspect of a certain chapter I'd have done the digital equivalent of throwing this in the recycling.
OK, so I'd have fished it out and put it to a charity shop afterwards, but why try so hard to ruin a fight scene by describing rock-paper-scissors? For an audience that needs that kind of talking-down-to (if there is one), this is a lengthy crime caper with more than enough brio, but come on – cramming jokes about Judi Dench's name into things isn't going to appease them either. Nor is a theatre show where the overture is played twice. The whole thing is over-egged, over-written and over for me – a quite clumsy effort, all told. And yes I did pick that up from the series title, but carried on regardless. More fool me.
One and a half stars.
June 28, 2022
I'm nearly 40 and I just finished this book and can really only call it one thing.....amazing! Tom did an incredible job bringing his characters to life and making the reader love all of them. It made me laugh out loud and kept me captivated until the last sentance. I will certainly be reading it again with my boys when they have a longer attention span (they are 3 and 1 right now). I can't wait for more adventures of Toadius and John! I want to jump into the book and solve mysteries with them! Way to go Tom Phillips! I hope this blows up for you....in a good way.....you certainly deserve it! Excellent read recommended for everyone, young and old (like me). Do yourself a favor and jump into the Curious League of Detectives and Theives today. Put this crazy world behind you for awhile and go on an adventure!
August 5, 2022
This book is def 5 stars for me. First it's a mystery. I love mysteries and the author has so many good red herrings that you start questioning your theories so you keep reading because you just HAVE to know!
I love that John lives in the ceiling of a museum. I love reading books with kids living in odd places and needing to overcome that awful situation, but also it gives a fun fantasy fanatical element to the story.
All the side characters are full of so many quirks and secret societies, it makes you wish you lived in this world.
This is a great read for anyone of any age but especially if you're a kid and reading has been a struggle. This is the gateway book for you.
I love that John lives in the ceiling of a museum. I love reading books with kids living in odd places and needing to overcome that awful situation, but also it gives a fun fantasy fanatical element to the story.
All the side characters are full of so many quirks and secret societies, it makes you wish you lived in this world.
This is a great read for anyone of any age but especially if you're a kid and reading has been a struggle. This is the gateway book for you.
July 16, 2022
A perfect fun-filled mystery for middle grade readers! Endearing characters, non-stop action, and pancake celebrations. Filled with humor and tons of heart. Highly recommend!
September 15, 2022
My 8 year old really enjoyed this. Excellent twists and turns for his age range. Highly recommend it.
July 26, 2022
You can find my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to Pixel + Ink and Rockstar Book Tours for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I have to admit, I don’t see a whole lot of mystery featuring not only a Black protagonist but also a Black detective. So okay, color me curious right from the start. I’m absolutely a sucker for any sort of Holmes-esque mystery, especially if it promises to be comedic. So I immediately knew I needed to pick this one up!
Egypt’s Fire is an action-packed roller coaster of a mystery with subtle nods to Sherlock Holmes. It’s jam packed with humor, a diverse cast, found family, and adventure that’ll keep you turning pages.
I had an incredible amount of fun with this book. The plot is extremely ridiculous, which I hadn’t realized going in, but that’s what makes it so stinking addictive! This plot is larger than life, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is heavily entrenched in humor and action. I definitely fell for Toadius and his young sidekick, John, and I can’t wait to read about more of their adventures!
My Thoughts
- Meet John Boarhog, who has been living in a museum for the past six months following the death of his mother, and who has only recently been accused of stealing a rare ruby. He’s innocent, of course, but he’ll need to prove it. Ever just been in the wrong place at the wrong time? John has a serious case of that. Because as far as anyone’s concerned, he did steal that ruby, without a doubt, and they have proof. Except he didn’t. Only, he has no proof.
Fortunately for John, the best detective ever, Toadius Holmes, is on the case. John’s no slouch, either. He’s a smart kid, and has every intention of finding his own answers. The two make an unstoppable (and utterly adorable) crime-solving duo. They don’t always get on all that well, because Toadius isn’t exactly used to dealing with kids and John isn’t used to . . . well, whatever Toadius is.
- While the great detective Toadius Holmes is just a smidge insufferable, he’s not nearly as bad as the famous detective that inspired the character. In fact, I found him downright charming, faults and all. To older readers, the inspiration from Sherlock Holmes will be pretty obvious. That means the big reveals are sort of predictable if you’re familiar with that body of work. Not really a problem for the middle grader readers, though.
Unlike Sherlock Holmes, this Holmes is brilliant but slightly more charming. He doesn’t necessarily work well with others, but he does work with others, so there’s that. Toadius is also fairly honest about his shortcomings, and when he finds a mystery that he hasn’t solved yet, he just adds it to the list of things to be solved. On his alone, Toadius may not be nearly as charming, but it’s hard to deny that he fits into this squad.
- Toadius and John aren’t alone on this adventure. No, far from it. Instead, they’re joined by a cast of larger-than-life characters that form this rather curious league of detectives and thieves. It’s a squad, guys. The coolest squad you’ll ever want to join, I assure you. I don’t want to ruin it, because the surprise is really half the fun with this book, so I’ll just say to expect the unexpected!
The characters in this book are absolutely wild. It’s not often that you see a cast as out there as these characters are. Yet, they sort of fit together perfectly? It’s such a weird dynamic, but I absolutely love it. There’s villains and heroes and detectives and, yes, even animals. Once the adventure gets going, you never quite know what will pop up!
- This book has a little bit of everything: humor, adventure, mystery, and, when you really get down to it, found family and some really touching, heartfelt moments. While it’s true that Egypt’s Fire is primarily mystery, action, and humor, that doesn’t mean there aren’t moments that hit hard in the feels. There definitely are. Actually, due to the otherwise light and humorous tone, these moments pack an extra punch, because they take the reader from going 100 miles per hour in the action to hitting the brakes hard and taking a very vulnerable moment to examine just how human these characters are. It’s super effective because it’s basically the last thing a reader would expect at the moment, which makes it all the more noticeable and poignant.
I appreciated how the book could be utterly ridiculous and yet strike to the heart of the matter almost simultaneously. While these very serious, deep conversations are few and far between, they’re extremely effective in driving character growth and understanding, and they come at just the perfect time to let the reader breathe for a moment before diving back into the action.
Many thanks to Pixel + Ink and Rockstar Book Tours for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I have to admit, I don’t see a whole lot of mystery featuring not only a Black protagonist but also a Black detective. So okay, color me curious right from the start. I’m absolutely a sucker for any sort of Holmes-esque mystery, especially if it promises to be comedic. So I immediately knew I needed to pick this one up!
Egypt’s Fire is an action-packed roller coaster of a mystery with subtle nods to Sherlock Holmes. It’s jam packed with humor, a diverse cast, found family, and adventure that’ll keep you turning pages.
I had an incredible amount of fun with this book. The plot is extremely ridiculous, which I hadn’t realized going in, but that’s what makes it so stinking addictive! This plot is larger than life, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is heavily entrenched in humor and action. I definitely fell for Toadius and his young sidekick, John, and I can’t wait to read about more of their adventures!
My Thoughts
- Meet John Boarhog, who has been living in a museum for the past six months following the death of his mother, and who has only recently been accused of stealing a rare ruby. He’s innocent, of course, but he’ll need to prove it. Ever just been in the wrong place at the wrong time? John has a serious case of that. Because as far as anyone’s concerned, he did steal that ruby, without a doubt, and they have proof. Except he didn’t. Only, he has no proof.
Fortunately for John, the best detective ever, Toadius Holmes, is on the case. John’s no slouch, either. He’s a smart kid, and has every intention of finding his own answers. The two make an unstoppable (and utterly adorable) crime-solving duo. They don’t always get on all that well, because Toadius isn’t exactly used to dealing with kids and John isn’t used to . . . well, whatever Toadius is.
- While the great detective Toadius Holmes is just a smidge insufferable, he’s not nearly as bad as the famous detective that inspired the character. In fact, I found him downright charming, faults and all. To older readers, the inspiration from Sherlock Holmes will be pretty obvious. That means the big reveals are sort of predictable if you’re familiar with that body of work. Not really a problem for the middle grader readers, though.
Unlike Sherlock Holmes, this Holmes is brilliant but slightly more charming. He doesn’t necessarily work well with others, but he does work with others, so there’s that. Toadius is also fairly honest about his shortcomings, and when he finds a mystery that he hasn’t solved yet, he just adds it to the list of things to be solved. On his alone, Toadius may not be nearly as charming, but it’s hard to deny that he fits into this squad.
- Toadius and John aren’t alone on this adventure. No, far from it. Instead, they’re joined by a cast of larger-than-life characters that form this rather curious league of detectives and thieves. It’s a squad, guys. The coolest squad you’ll ever want to join, I assure you. I don’t want to ruin it, because the surprise is really half the fun with this book, so I’ll just say to expect the unexpected!
The characters in this book are absolutely wild. It’s not often that you see a cast as out there as these characters are. Yet, they sort of fit together perfectly? It’s such a weird dynamic, but I absolutely love it. There’s villains and heroes and detectives and, yes, even animals. Once the adventure gets going, you never quite know what will pop up!
- This book has a little bit of everything: humor, adventure, mystery, and, when you really get down to it, found family and some really touching, heartfelt moments. While it’s true that Egypt’s Fire is primarily mystery, action, and humor, that doesn’t mean there aren’t moments that hit hard in the feels. There definitely are. Actually, due to the otherwise light and humorous tone, these moments pack an extra punch, because they take the reader from going 100 miles per hour in the action to hitting the brakes hard and taking a very vulnerable moment to examine just how human these characters are. It’s super effective because it’s basically the last thing a reader would expect at the moment, which makes it all the more noticeable and poignant.
I appreciated how the book could be utterly ridiculous and yet strike to the heart of the matter almost simultaneously. While these very serious, deep conversations are few and far between, they’re extremely effective in driving character growth and understanding, and they come at just the perfect time to let the reader breathe for a moment before diving back into the action.
March 18, 2024
What a fantastic book!!!! Filled with amazing and eccentric characters, intriguing and mysterious events and plot twists, hilarious one liners and quirky carry-ons! Such a great read with humour and heart! I can’t wait to go on another case with Inspector McGee and ‘Doctor’ John Boarhog! They might even catch the Mauve Moth one of these days.,, but where’s the fun in that… no capture… more books in the series and I am all for that!!!!
February 20, 2024
I'm happy I stumbled upon this book. Middle-grade mysteries are one of my favorite genres, they're fun and exciting, with less drama and romance than adult books. This was also pretty funny, especially the quips the Inspector comes up with. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
September 2, 2022
This book, by far, has to be one of the most fun I've read this year. Phillips smashed the debut, and the leadup into another book is done so fluidly. The characters are the strong suit of this, feeling in both parts real and like something that only a mystery novel can show effectively. This is one that I'm so glad caught my eye, because it was so much fun the entire way through. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun mystery with a surprising amount of depth underlying the characters and their relationships.
June 6, 2022
4.5 stars.
If you are looking for a book that is fun, goofy and is not to be taken serious then this is the book for you! I had a blast reading this one even if it made me roll my eyes a time or two it also made me chuckle.
John Boarhog is a kid living in the attic above a museum. He has been for about six months and the museum is getting a new Eygptian display and John was curious about it so he snuck down to check it out in a pair of security coveralls he took and there he sees Eygpt’s Fire, for a few minutes before he starts to feel weird and next thing he knows he is being woken up by the police and the large ruby is missing.
John swears he didn’t take it and with that enters Inspector Toadius McGee who believes the boy because he knows who took it someone he has been chasing for a long time called The Mauve Moth. The inspector ends up with the boy in his custody and they set out to find out where the ruby is and to try and catch the Mauve Moth.
I really enjoyed the characters in this there was a lot of fun ones and some not so nice ones but they were all interesting. I think the author must be a fan of Sherlock Holmes because that is who the inspector reminded me of and he called John “doctor” all the time.
This story was very over the top zany and full of things that could never happen and had an action sequence at the end that reminded me of some of my favorite classic cartoons. I laughed and had fun and that is pretty much how I rate my books on if they entertain me.
I would say it might not be for all adults, though I enjoyed it so some might, but others might find it a bit to over the top. I do think that kids will love it have a lot of fun with the characters. I can’t wait for another one to see what other adventures the Inspector and John get into.
If you are looking for a book that is fun, goofy and is not to be taken serious then this is the book for you! I had a blast reading this one even if it made me roll my eyes a time or two it also made me chuckle.
John Boarhog is a kid living in the attic above a museum. He has been for about six months and the museum is getting a new Eygptian display and John was curious about it so he snuck down to check it out in a pair of security coveralls he took and there he sees Eygpt’s Fire, for a few minutes before he starts to feel weird and next thing he knows he is being woken up by the police and the large ruby is missing.
John swears he didn’t take it and with that enters Inspector Toadius McGee who believes the boy because he knows who took it someone he has been chasing for a long time called The Mauve Moth. The inspector ends up with the boy in his custody and they set out to find out where the ruby is and to try and catch the Mauve Moth.
I really enjoyed the characters in this there was a lot of fun ones and some not so nice ones but they were all interesting. I think the author must be a fan of Sherlock Holmes because that is who the inspector reminded me of and he called John “doctor” all the time.
This story was very over the top zany and full of things that could never happen and had an action sequence at the end that reminded me of some of my favorite classic cartoons. I laughed and had fun and that is pretty much how I rate my books on if they entertain me.
I would say it might not be for all adults, though I enjoyed it so some might, but others might find it a bit to over the top. I do think that kids will love it have a lot of fun with the characters. I can’t wait for another one to see what other adventures the Inspector and John get into.
July 7, 2022
This book has it all from lovable characters to fast-paced adventures. The detective duo kept me captivated and laughing out loud with their dialogue and wit. It's truly a hoot. We can only hope for a second adventure that will keep the momentum alive. Great job!
June 30, 2022
As a longtime elementary school teacher, I’ve read so many middle-grade novels, and The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1: Egypt’s Fire by Tom Phillips is one of my all-time favorites!! It tells the adventures of 12-year-old John (who secretly lives in a New York City museum) as he figures out how to clear his name after he is falsely accused of stealing the Egypt’s Fire ruby. The action-packed plot grabbed me from the first page and made me laugh out loud several times. The story is fast-paced and exciting, with an appealing element of mystery and a gazillion hijinks, yet also full of heart and wisdom—so glad it’s out there and can’t wait until the next book in the series comes out!!
April 7, 2022
This frenetic story has an oddly old-fashioned feeling although it's set in the present day. In the beginning, it reminded me a bit of "From the the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler", with a young boy named John hiding in the New York Museum of Natural History. A crime happens and the story descends into delightful chaos peopled with a bizarre cast of characters ranging from the world's greatest detective to a gay prize-fighter and an entertainer who keeps showing up in unexpected places. A fun beginning to a middle grade series.
July 15, 2022
Egypt's Fire is a great start for Tom Phillips’ The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves. I found this book to be quite entertaining. I enjoyed the characters of John and Toadius. I felt like I was part of their adventure and trying to discover the mystery of who was the thief. It had quite a bit of humor that kept me laughing throughout. I loved it.
I am giving Egypt's Fire five stars. I believe readers between the ages of eight and thirteen who love reading fun mysteries will want to pick this one up. I am looking forward to reading the next installment from The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves to see what else happens in the series.
I received a hard cover copy of Egypt's Fire from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am giving Egypt's Fire five stars. I believe readers between the ages of eight and thirteen who love reading fun mysteries will want to pick this one up. I am looking forward to reading the next installment from The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves to see what else happens in the series.
I received a hard cover copy of Egypt's Fire from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
July 12, 2022
Egypt's Fire was a fun adventure! My son and I had a blast with this book! I really enjoyed the characters! A lot of them were fun and some that weren't that nice but they were all interesting. Some of the things that happen you know can't ever happen but it added to the fun and the adventure! The pace is great and the writing was great! Me and Jacks started this Saturday morning and were done with it Monday evening so it definitely keeps you entertained and turning the pages! If you have a young reader that likes adventure, laughing out loud and some action they will love this one! Thank you Rockstar Book Tours and Tom Phillips for sharing this fantastic story with us!
July 17, 2022
This was sooo adorable and a fun ride! def gave me Indiana Jones meets Lemony Snicket vibes! I love it! Def can't wait to see what happens next!
May 22, 2022
** “In life, people will try to put you down. They will tell you that the world is too big or that you are too small. Believe this old professor when I say that the only person who can stop you from becoming the greatest version of yourself … is, in fact, you.” **
“Egypt’s Fire” by Tom Phillips is a delightful adventure of fun, family and discovery.
After John Boarhog becomes an orphan, he secretly makes himself a home hidden in the ceiling of the New York Museum of Natural History. But when he finds himself framed for stealing the famous Egypt’s Fire ruby from the museum, he must figure out a way to clear his name.
Inspector Toadius McGee agrees to take John under his wing and teach him everything he knows about being a detective, all while also searching for the elusive Mauve Moth and revealing their true identity.
“Egypt’s Fire” is a fun book full of mystery, suspense and laughs. Phillips does a great job of creating characters that are lovable as well as loathsome, all while revealing a twisty plot that will keep the reader entertained until the very end.
He also includes some good themes throughout the book, like the importance of family, whether it’s the family you are born with or the one you create; you can’t lose your way if you let your heart guide you; the day you stop learning is the day you stop living; always seek out life’s mysteries; and choose to create your own destiny (“There is one moment in every person’s life when they must decide to choose their own destiny. Otherwise, they will never be anything more than a puppet”).
A cross between “Encyclopedia Brown” and “The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg, “Egypt’s Fire” will appeal to fans of books by Lemony Snicket, James Patterson’s “Treasure Hunters” series and Trenton Lee Stewart’s “Mysterious Benedict Society” series. This book, which is due out June 7, is the first in Phillip’s “The Curious League of Detectives & Thieves” series.
Five stars out of five.
Pixel+Ink provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
“Egypt’s Fire” by Tom Phillips is a delightful adventure of fun, family and discovery.
After John Boarhog becomes an orphan, he secretly makes himself a home hidden in the ceiling of the New York Museum of Natural History. But when he finds himself framed for stealing the famous Egypt’s Fire ruby from the museum, he must figure out a way to clear his name.
Inspector Toadius McGee agrees to take John under his wing and teach him everything he knows about being a detective, all while also searching for the elusive Mauve Moth and revealing their true identity.
“Egypt’s Fire” is a fun book full of mystery, suspense and laughs. Phillips does a great job of creating characters that are lovable as well as loathsome, all while revealing a twisty plot that will keep the reader entertained until the very end.
He also includes some good themes throughout the book, like the importance of family, whether it’s the family you are born with or the one you create; you can’t lose your way if you let your heart guide you; the day you stop learning is the day you stop living; always seek out life’s mysteries; and choose to create your own destiny (“There is one moment in every person’s life when they must decide to choose their own destiny. Otherwise, they will never be anything more than a puppet”).
A cross between “Encyclopedia Brown” and “The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg, “Egypt’s Fire” will appeal to fans of books by Lemony Snicket, James Patterson’s “Treasure Hunters” series and Trenton Lee Stewart’s “Mysterious Benedict Society” series. This book, which is due out June 7, is the first in Phillip’s “The Curious League of Detectives & Thieves” series.
Five stars out of five.
Pixel+Ink provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
June 16, 2022
What a blast this book is! The Curious League of Detectives and Theives might be my new favorite series. In this first book, which ends on the potential of a sequel, we see a young boy who lives in a museum who, due to circumstances he can't control, gets embroiled in the heist of the century. But, he's not alone, as he meets the world's greatest detective in Toadius McGhee, who is great in pretty much everything except the ways of love. What follows is a madcap adventure that has humor and heart on every page. I literally laughed out loud on a few occasions. If I have only one complaint, and it's a minor one, it's that my home state of New Jersey is the butt of quite a few jokes. But, at least all of the jokes are funny, so it's a very small price to pay. Seriously, I LOVE this book. Read it!
May 14, 2022
This is such a fun middle grade read! Everything from the characters to the story and every crazy moment in between will suck readers in until the very end!
It’s a mystery that keeps you on your toes with plenty of humor and heart. Toadius gives readers the eclectic and eccentric detective reminiscent of a sillier Sherlock, and John is a young protagonist that I think kids will easily relate to and see themselves in.
While there are crazy car chases and mischievous monkeys, there are also a lot of deeper thoughts and feelings that John works through. There’s something for every reader in this exciting mystery!
I can’t wait to see what else is in store for John and Toadius!
It’s a mystery that keeps you on your toes with plenty of humor and heart. Toadius gives readers the eclectic and eccentric detective reminiscent of a sillier Sherlock, and John is a young protagonist that I think kids will easily relate to and see themselves in.
While there are crazy car chases and mischievous monkeys, there are also a lot of deeper thoughts and feelings that John works through. There’s something for every reader in this exciting mystery!
I can’t wait to see what else is in store for John and Toadius!
June 7, 2022
John Boarhog is an orphan who has elected to drop out of the system and live in the ceiling of a museum. Which lands him in the middle of a theft of which he is accused. The Egypt’s Fire – a very large ruby – is stolen and found in Boarhog’s pocket. But is it the Egypt’s fire or a substitute? Thus starts the madcap life of John where he goes to jail, goes to court and is assigned a sponsor. The sponsor is possibly the world’s greatest detective. This is a fun book and I look forward to hearing my grandson’s opinion.
July 10, 2023
I started out skeptical when I picked up this book, but I just adored it. The narrator is an off to the side narrator that seems to know everyone and everything but you don’t know him, and the narrator can be secretive and witty (got some Lemony Snicket vibes). I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it. The mystery was just the perfect amount of over the top and the antics the perfect amount of exaggerated. Just a very fun mystery read.
July 28, 2023
OH MY GOSH. This is one of the best MG books I’ve read (and I’ve read a lot!). It’s laugh-out-loud funny with just enough heart, and it’s action packed until the very end. Detective Toadius McGee (the greatest detective who ever lived) is one of the funniest characters I’ve ever read, and the narrator’s voice is *chefs kiss* perfection. Charming, wildly fun, and incredibly smart—this is a must read!
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