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Henry Halifax and the Tutori's Cloak
Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak follows fifteen-year-old Henry Halifax, a dock attendant in Kodiak Bay who has a passion for assisting with animal-related quandaries in his spare time. The bustling harbor town has been upended by the recent disappearance of two local fishing boats, sending the local news reporters into a frenzy. When a stranger pulls up to the docks at the end of a long day, Henry suspects this man could be the same international criminal the newspapers had dubbed “The Frenchman” – an elusive figure that many believe is the mastermind behind a bizarre wave of animal heists. From Tokyo to London, the Frenchman has been stealing bear cubs from zoos for years and after recently surfacing again, the press (and Henry) had become enamored with the chaos left behind from his latest caper.
Could it just be a coincidence that the Kodiak Bay Zoo’s new polar bear exhibit recently opened? Or is this mysterious stranger’s arrival a part of a more nefarious plan? Henry and his best friend Penny – a fiercely loyal wirehaired dachshund – intend to find out.
His suspicions are soon confirmed once he reaches the zoo, but he’s unable to stop the thief before the Frenchman steals a pair of polar bear cubs and sets the rest of the animals loose. A wave of mayhem quickly spreads throughout the quiet harbor town, creating the perfect diversion for the French stranger’s escape.
After a chance encounter with a mysterious cloaked gentleman also seemingly on the heels of the Frenchman, Henry soon realizes he’s not the only one in Kodiak Bay trying to stop the temerarious bandit. The man in the cloak, Barnaby Banjo Murdoch, prefers to work alone, but he’s reluctantly forced to partner up with Henry after they cross paths. Barnaby didn’t work for the police. And he wasn’t a private investigator either. He was a Tutori – a member of an ancient organization that had been tasked with watching over the animal kingdom from the shadows known as the Animal Protection Authority.
Following Barnaby aboard the Arthur Broome, a futuristic expedition ship that serves as the APA headquarters, Henry quickly becomes entangled in a web of treachery within the Tutori ranks as they race to catch the Frenchman. Not sure who to trust after his worst fears are realized, Henry will stop at nothing to uncover the truth and save his friends before it’s too late.
Fans of Stuart Gibbs and Rick Riordan will love the action, adventure, and mystery of Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak.
Could it just be a coincidence that the Kodiak Bay Zoo’s new polar bear exhibit recently opened? Or is this mysterious stranger’s arrival a part of a more nefarious plan? Henry and his best friend Penny – a fiercely loyal wirehaired dachshund – intend to find out.
His suspicions are soon confirmed once he reaches the zoo, but he’s unable to stop the thief before the Frenchman steals a pair of polar bear cubs and sets the rest of the animals loose. A wave of mayhem quickly spreads throughout the quiet harbor town, creating the perfect diversion for the French stranger’s escape.
After a chance encounter with a mysterious cloaked gentleman also seemingly on the heels of the Frenchman, Henry soon realizes he’s not the only one in Kodiak Bay trying to stop the temerarious bandit. The man in the cloak, Barnaby Banjo Murdoch, prefers to work alone, but he’s reluctantly forced to partner up with Henry after they cross paths. Barnaby didn’t work for the police. And he wasn’t a private investigator either. He was a Tutori – a member of an ancient organization that had been tasked with watching over the animal kingdom from the shadows known as the Animal Protection Authority.
Following Barnaby aboard the Arthur Broome, a futuristic expedition ship that serves as the APA headquarters, Henry quickly becomes entangled in a web of treachery within the Tutori ranks as they race to catch the Frenchman. Not sure who to trust after his worst fears are realized, Henry will stop at nothing to uncover the truth and save his friends before it’s too late.
Fans of Stuart Gibbs and Rick Riordan will love the action, adventure, and mystery of Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak.
362 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2022
52 people are currently reading
3345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 16, 2023
This is an entertaining story about a secret society that protects animals. Henry Halifax is a teenager living in Kodiak Bay off the east coast of Canada. Henry is a lover of animals and has been following the case of the mysterious Frenchman who keeps abducting bear cubs from zoos. He connects the Frenchman with weird attacks on fishing boats and when a local fishing boat fails to return he suspects the Frenchman is in town to steal the Kodiak Bay Zoos new polar bear cubs. He follows a stranger to the zoo and decides to make sure what is going on before notifying the Mounties. He runs into an Australian in a black cloak and while trying to see what is happening at the zoo manages to get in the way of the Australian. He discovers that the Tutori are real and the Australian is a member. Henry manages to get to the Australian to let him tag along as he attempts to rescue the bear cubs from the Frenchman.
Much chaos ensues at Henry and the Australian attempt to apprehend the Frenchman. Penny, Henry's dog is always at his side.
I found the story to be entertaining and it did have a twist at the end I wasn't expecting although the author did leave some clues along the way.
Much chaos ensues at Henry and the Australian attempt to apprehend the Frenchman. Penny, Henry's dog is always at his side.
I found the story to be entertaining and it did have a twist at the end I wasn't expecting although the author did leave some clues along the way.
May 18, 2023
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In the style of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys (with even more drama and adventure), HENRY HALIFAX AND THE TUTORI’S CLOAK follows young Henry Halifax on the chase of a lifetime. After stumbling across a heist run by one of the world’s greatest villains, The Frenchman, Henry soon finds himself drawn into the secret world of the APA, Tutori, and Carabinieri– and what happens is a story you have to read to believe!
This book would be perfect for that adventure seeking kid in your life, the one who devours mysteries and loves animals with a ferocious passion!
In the style of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys (with even more drama and adventure), HENRY HALIFAX AND THE TUTORI’S CLOAK follows young Henry Halifax on the chase of a lifetime. After stumbling across a heist run by one of the world’s greatest villains, The Frenchman, Henry soon finds himself drawn into the secret world of the APA, Tutori, and Carabinieri– and what happens is a story you have to read to believe!
This book would be perfect for that adventure seeking kid in your life, the one who devours mysteries and loves animals with a ferocious passion!
December 24, 2023
Excellent for pre-driving teenagers and entertaining fo others.
Easy read but light on detail. Essence of Peter Pan, Jules Verne and Raiders of the Lost Ark showing throuout by the book. I even envisiob3d a bit of James Brown - like characters. I can see 14 year olds wondering how they can purchase cattle prods. They are a stupid weapon but might be great for crowd control. I will read more of Atlas Swift's work.
Easy read but light on detail. Essence of Peter Pan, Jules Verne and Raiders of the Lost Ark showing throuout by the book. I even envisiob3d a bit of James Brown - like characters. I can see 14 year olds wondering how they can purchase cattle prods. They are a stupid weapon but might be great for crowd control. I will read more of Atlas Swift's work.
May 20, 2023
A highly entertaining mix of different genre, adventure and mystery, with a lot of humour. I had fun and read it as fast as I could.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
March 12, 2023
An exciting adventure with international intrigue. Highly recommend for pre-teens through young adult who enjoy books with adventure. There are some good twists and the story keeps a fast pace.
March 29, 2023
Great Storyy
What a fun read. Poor Henry had no idea what he was getting into when he followed Barnabas onto the ship. Lots of great adventure.
What a fun read. Poor Henry had no idea what he was getting into when he followed Barnabas onto the ship. Lots of great adventure.
June 28, 2023
Cute book! Quite appropriate for a young teen through adult. I enjoyed the subtle messages about protecting animals and nature and found the book entertaining.
November 30, 2023
Goodreads Giveaway!
Interesting book, different and enjoyable to read!
Interesting book, different and enjoyable to read!
July 25, 2023
If I have to be honest, I find it a bit difficult to give an opinion on this book, because I find it rather confusing. First of all, the target readership is unclear: is it a children's book? For young adults, for adults? I don't normally make such distinctions, but in this case, the lack of clarity about who the author thought might be his reader of choice means that, in my opinion, the text ends up being enjoyable for no one. Also, the setting, which turns out to be in the past despite everything hinting at the future. An uchrony, then, but what would be the directing event? The intervention of the Carabinieri to save some horses? And also, why the Carabinieri? Was the author perhaps fascinated by the motto ' Nei secoli fedeli (Throughout the centuries faithful)'?
Finally, there are these fictitious Tutori, an organisation that looks a bit like PETA, but to which I would not entrust a hamster: anyone with a modicum of knowledge about wild animals should know that a female polar bear would never adopt two orphan cubs that, moreover, reek of human, after having been transported in precarious conditions around the world.
In short, a lot of nonsense.
Finally, there are these fictitious Tutori, an organisation that looks a bit like PETA, but to which I would not entrust a hamster: anyone with a modicum of knowledge about wild animals should know that a female polar bear would never adopt two orphan cubs that, moreover, reek of human, after having been transported in precarious conditions around the world.
In short, a lot of nonsense.
May 27, 2023
ok too long
June 18, 2023
What worked:
The opening is shocking for a middle-grade book but it’s successful in piquing interest. Shark fishermen rescue a person drifting in an inflatable zodiac boat, thirty kilometers offshore, which is a kind, humanitarian thing to do. However, the individual they rescue turns on them by causing their boat to sink in shark-infested waters. Their grisly demise isn’t described but the Frenchman remains nearby to taunt them and attracts great white sharks by adding chum to the water. These actions are the disturbing part and they present the antagonist’s identity as an evil, malevolent character.
The story opens along the eastern coast of Canada and then proceeds to take readers across the world to France and Norway. The main vehicle for transportation is a huge sailing ship that also happens to be the headquarters for the APA, the Animal Protection Agency. The book is mostly realistic fiction but it also has some elements for speculative fiction. Elevators don’t simply go up and down and Henry often receives assistance from two playful otters who always know the correct buttons to push. New suits appear in Henry’s closet amazingly quickly and hot meals always await him when he returns to his room.
The plot morphs into a mystery of sorts as Henry tries to stop the Frenchman from stealing polar bear cubs from the local zoo. He notices a suspicious character coming ashore in a small zodiac and suspects it might be the infamous Frenchman. The Frenchman’s reputation as a mischief-maker and kidnapper of small animals is known around the world. The next couple of chapters feel like they’re building to a plot’s climax even though the book has barely started. After the dramatic opening at sea, this action-packed pursuit of the Frenchman almost guarantees reader’s interest will be captured until the end. It kind of feels like a Wily Coyote chase when the Roadrunner always manages to stay one step ahead. Henry is accompanied by his best friend Penny, a wirehaired dachshund, and they’re determined to capture the Frenchman and return the polar bear cubs back to the Kodiak Bay Zoo.
What didn’t work as well:
Henry accompanies an APA agent named Barnaby on his quest to stop the Frenchman. Barnaby displays annoyance with this relationship and doesn’t hide his efforts to get Henry to quit. The troubling part is some of Barnaby’s actions are mean-spirited and downright dangerous and he laughs them off as pranks done for fun. It casts him in a very negative light but there’s more going on than meets the eye.
The Final Verdict:
The climax resolves the conflict in a VERY unexpected way that should still satisfy most readers. The non-stop pursuit of the Frenchman is full of action and miraculous escapes with the well-being of animals always at the forefront. The overall book should enthrall most young readers and I recommend you give it a shot.
The opening is shocking for a middle-grade book but it’s successful in piquing interest. Shark fishermen rescue a person drifting in an inflatable zodiac boat, thirty kilometers offshore, which is a kind, humanitarian thing to do. However, the individual they rescue turns on them by causing their boat to sink in shark-infested waters. Their grisly demise isn’t described but the Frenchman remains nearby to taunt them and attracts great white sharks by adding chum to the water. These actions are the disturbing part and they present the antagonist’s identity as an evil, malevolent character.
The story opens along the eastern coast of Canada and then proceeds to take readers across the world to France and Norway. The main vehicle for transportation is a huge sailing ship that also happens to be the headquarters for the APA, the Animal Protection Agency. The book is mostly realistic fiction but it also has some elements for speculative fiction. Elevators don’t simply go up and down and Henry often receives assistance from two playful otters who always know the correct buttons to push. New suits appear in Henry’s closet amazingly quickly and hot meals always await him when he returns to his room.
The plot morphs into a mystery of sorts as Henry tries to stop the Frenchman from stealing polar bear cubs from the local zoo. He notices a suspicious character coming ashore in a small zodiac and suspects it might be the infamous Frenchman. The Frenchman’s reputation as a mischief-maker and kidnapper of small animals is known around the world. The next couple of chapters feel like they’re building to a plot’s climax even though the book has barely started. After the dramatic opening at sea, this action-packed pursuit of the Frenchman almost guarantees reader’s interest will be captured until the end. It kind of feels like a Wily Coyote chase when the Roadrunner always manages to stay one step ahead. Henry is accompanied by his best friend Penny, a wirehaired dachshund, and they’re determined to capture the Frenchman and return the polar bear cubs back to the Kodiak Bay Zoo.
What didn’t work as well:
Henry accompanies an APA agent named Barnaby on his quest to stop the Frenchman. Barnaby displays annoyance with this relationship and doesn’t hide his efforts to get Henry to quit. The troubling part is some of Barnaby’s actions are mean-spirited and downright dangerous and he laughs them off as pranks done for fun. It casts him in a very negative light but there’s more going on than meets the eye.
The Final Verdict:
The climax resolves the conflict in a VERY unexpected way that should still satisfy most readers. The non-stop pursuit of the Frenchman is full of action and miraculous escapes with the well-being of animals always at the forefront. The overall book should enthrall most young readers and I recommend you give it a shot.
January 11, 2025
I seem to have picked this up for free at some point, and the fact that it aims to push an ideology on a younger audience makes it the sort of book that probably needs to be free. So, while, unlike what I assume to be the tremendous majority of people, I consider the message as a positive and support it for the most part, even including the depicted methods, my age puts me well outside of that target audience… Not that the, if I may use the term, quite mature level of brutality from the first chapter doesn’t make me have some doubts about that, as do a handful of more complicated words used later, but when the rest of the book features what I’d tend to call cartoon violence, along with something of a fairy tale setting on that extraordinarily advanced ship that otherwise seems like a Green dream, I’ll assume that those are slips.
Then again, some things may make sense at the end, and I must say that I didn’t see that coming, but rather than feeling that things are falling into place, that plot twist made the whole thing feel pointless instead… And it also makes it hard to comment without risking to spoil anything, so I’ll move on to other matters and say that I didn’t like that everything was presented by an apparently omniscient narrator who seemed to even keep spelling out what each character was thinking, even though everything except that first chapter is from Henry’s point of view. But worse is the conflict between the seriousness of the matter and the immaturity of the presentation and of the characters, that target audience only going so far as an excuse. And Barnaby was way too infuriating for any excuse, as was the hazing. And, as a small matter, I wondered what was with those specified and emphasized weights. Not that a few other numbers weren’t also overly specific and emphasized, but those seemed to stick out the most.
Then again, some things may make sense at the end, and I must say that I didn’t see that coming, but rather than feeling that things are falling into place, that plot twist made the whole thing feel pointless instead… And it also makes it hard to comment without risking to spoil anything, so I’ll move on to other matters and say that I didn’t like that everything was presented by an apparently omniscient narrator who seemed to even keep spelling out what each character was thinking, even though everything except that first chapter is from Henry’s point of view. But worse is the conflict between the seriousness of the matter and the immaturity of the presentation and of the characters, that target audience only going so far as an excuse. And Barnaby was way too infuriating for any excuse, as was the hazing. And, as a small matter, I wondered what was with those specified and emphasized weights. Not that a few other numbers weren’t also overly specific and emphasized, but those seemed to stick out the most.
April 29, 2023
Join Henry on an international adventure full of mystery, suspense, and humor as he unravels the secrets of the legendary Tutori guardians
Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak is an incredibly fun and engaging book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an exciting adventure story. From the very first page, the book draws you in with its fast-paced plot and well-developed characters. What sets this book apart, however, are the clever plot twists and unexpected turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. If you're looking for a book that will take you on a thrilling ride, then look no further than Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak.
Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak is an incredibly fun and engaging book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an exciting adventure story. From the very first page, the book draws you in with its fast-paced plot and well-developed characters. What sets this book apart, however, are the clever plot twists and unexpected turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. If you're looking for a book that will take you on a thrilling ride, then look no further than Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak.
April 29, 2023
Henry Halifax and the Tutori’s Cloak is an absolute gem of a book that I simply could not put down. The story is a thrilling blend of mystery, suspense, and humor that had me hooked from the very first page. The characters are wonderfully fleshed out, and the plot is full of refreshing and original twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.
June 17, 2023
Henry and Penny are caught in the middle of secrets and lies as a heist takes place at the zoo. Working alongside Barnaby, who usually works alone, Henry helps to uncover the Frenchman's true identity. This is a fast-paced read, full of action.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
on-hold
June 23, 2023I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
June 21, 2023
Henry Halifax is a fifteen-year-old dock attendant in Kodiak Bay with a passion for helping animals. When an international criminal dubbed "The Frenchman" arrives, Henry suspects he's the mastermind behind a wave of animal heists. He and his best friend Penny try to stop him from stealing the polar bear cubs from the zoo, but they are unsuccessful. The French stranger escapes, and Henry runs into Barnaby Banjo Murdoch who is also on the Frenchman's trail. Barnaby reveals himself as a Tutori from an ancient organization tasked with protecting animals. Can Henry help catch a criminal or will he always be one step behind?
As someone who enjoyed the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and the Three Investigators, I was intrigued when this book popped up on my dashboard. I’ve read other young adult books about teenagers who are passionate about wildlife. This seemed like it would be a fun addition to those, but I had a hard time getting into this book.
Henry is a character that bounced between acting very mature for his age and immature for his age. I found it difficult to relate to his actions and decisions. It seemed to take forever for an appearance of the Tutori, and I can't say that I was impressed. The pacing seemed inconsistent, quick and then dragging on.
While I may not have enjoyed it, I think readers who are passionate about animal rights will. I received a free copy via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
As someone who enjoyed the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and the Three Investigators, I was intrigued when this book popped up on my dashboard. I’ve read other young adult books about teenagers who are passionate about wildlife. This seemed like it would be a fun addition to those, but I had a hard time getting into this book.
Henry is a character that bounced between acting very mature for his age and immature for his age. I found it difficult to relate to his actions and decisions. It seemed to take forever for an appearance of the Tutori, and I can't say that I was impressed. The pacing seemed inconsistent, quick and then dragging on.
While I may not have enjoyed it, I think readers who are passionate about animal rights will. I received a free copy via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews