Murder on the Safari Star

Murder on the Safari Star

Book • 2021

Join Hal and Uncle Nat as they plunge straight into an exciting mystery this time while on Safari!

All-aboard for the third amazing journey in the bestselling Adventures on Trains series, Murder on the Safari Star, from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated throughout by Elisa Paganelli.

Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are on the journey of a lifetime aboard the Safari Star – a luxurious steam train that will take them from Pretoria to the stunning Victoria Falls. Close encounters with the amazing animals and landscape of Southern Africa are adventure enough, but things get mysterious when a passenger is found dead inside a locked compartment. Is it just a terrible accident or is something more suspicious afoot? It’s up to train detective Hal and his new friend Winston to find out.

Murder on the Safari Star can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Adventures on Trains series. Join Hal and Uncle Nat on more stops in this thrilling series, with: The Highland Falcon Thief, Kidnap on the California Comet, Danger at Dead Man's Pass and Sabotage on the Solar Express.

Praise for the Series:

'Like Murder on the Orient Express but better!' – Frank Cottrell-Boyce on The Highland Falcon Thief

'A first class choo-choo-dunnit!' – David Solomons on Kidnap on the California Comet

'A high-speed train journey worth catching . . .The best yet' – The Times on Murder on the Safari Star

'This series just gets better and better' – Maz Evans on Danger at Dead Man's Pass

Bara says...

Ages 8+, but every child is different

The central mystery involving a death requires a level of maturity to process themes of mortality and crime. The tone is akin to a classic cozy detective story, which is generally well-suited for middle-grade readers.

Content Safety Breakdown

Detailed breakdown of potentially concerning content

Sex & Nudity

0/5

The story is written for children and contains no romantic or sexual content.

Violence & Gore

2/5

The plot centers on a mystery involving a dead body discovered on a train, but the descriptions are non-graphic and focused on deductive solving rather than physical conflict.

Profanity

0/5

The language used is clean, age-appropriate, and contains no profanity.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

0/5

There are no references to, nor depictions of, alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances in this middle-grade mystery.

Frightening Scenes

2/5

The mystery provides mild suspense as the protagonists search for the truth, which may be briefly tense for younger children but remains within the scope of a typical children's detective story.

Key Insights

Quick summary and important considerations

Follow along as an observant young detective uses his brain to solve a puzzling mystery during an exciting train journey.

Content Warnings

Mention of death

Detailed Analysis

In-depth insights for parents and educators

What Parents Need to Know

The plot centers on an investigation into a passenger's death, which introduces mild suspense inherent to the genre. No graphic gore or extreme violence is indicated.

What Kids Can Learn

Developing investigative skills through observation and listening rather than brute force.

Key Topics Discussed

Mystery
Travel
Friendship

Why Parents Might Like It

It provides a sophisticated, classic-style whodunit experience appropriate for younger readers who enjoy puzzle-solving narratives.

Positives & Learning

What makes this content valuable for children

Positive Messages

4/5

Emphasizes the importance of persistence, logical thinking, and the value of helping others solve complex problems.

Positive Role Models

4/5

Hal and Uncle Nat demonstrate curiosity, respect for different cultures, and a commendable dedication to uncovering the truth.

Diverse Representations

3/5

The narrative features a journey through Southern Africa, providing an opportunity for cultural exploration and representation of the setting.

Educational Value

3/5

Encourages deductive reasoning, geographical interest in Africa, and an appreciation for the mechanics and history of steam travel.

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