S.C.R.E.A.M - The Mummy's Revenge by Andrew Beasley, reviewed by Dawn Finch

First some blurb...

Charlie Steel and Billy Flint are top-secret investigators of Supernatural Crimes, Rescues, Emergencies and Mysteries – aka S.C.R.E.A.M. 

In this first book of a new series they track down no ordinary burglar. This burglar is a 3,000 year old Egyptian mummy on the search for precious jewels for his evil master, and he’s out to destroy all who stand in his way....

I am a big fan of a classic adventure yarn, and this new book from Andrew Beasley ticks all the boxes. The characters are instantly likeable and believable, and the story has all the elements of adventure that will grip a young reader.

Charlie and Billy are intelligent, brave and funny, and the mystery is just enough to keep a child puzzled but not baffled. The story moves on rapidly with spooky mummies, missing jewels and lots of chasing and escaping through dark and sinister Edinburgh streets.

I feel that I should mention that one of the characters, Charlie, is in a wheelchair due to polio. I feel reluctant mentioning it because, while it is mentioned in the text, and obviously some of Charlie's movements are restricted due to her chair, it really is not a big part of the plot and certainly does not define her. I found this very positive and wish that every writer managed to include disabled characters with such subtlety and grace.

The book is not too long, and I think it would be particularly suited to any children who are perhaps less engaged as readers because the chapters are short and the pace is rapid. No waiting around ages for things to happen in this book! The mysterious events come thick and fast as Billy and Charlie are hot on the trail of the jewel thieves. That said, I think that all young readers who enjoy a fast-paced book with a more traditional feel would enjoy this a lot.

Billy is cheeky and street-smart, and Charlie is the brains of the outfit, With additional characters like Doogie the Scottish servant boy and a whole set of strange adults, mysterious butlers and maids, and shuffling stinky mummified creatures - this is cracking Victorian-period adventure that will please all fans of spooky mysteries.

S.C.R.E.A.M - The Mummy's Revenge is published in the UK by Usborne (1 April 2017)
ISBN - 978-1474906920

Reviewed by Dawn Finch
www.dawnfinch.com
@dawnafinch

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