Description

M.G. Leonard, internationally bestselling author of Twitch, Beetleboy and Adventures on Trains, is back with the second thrilling wildlife mystery for birdwatching detectives The Twitchers!

>> Shortlisted for the CRIMEFEST Award for Best Crime Novel for Children 2022
>> Longlisted for the 2023 James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation
>> “A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere.” Rob Biddulph on Spark

When Jack rescues a wounded cat, he quickly suspects foul play. Could there be a wildlife criminal on the loose in Briddvale?

Jack rushes to investigate, determined to catch the culprit, only to stumble into a deepening mystery and a sinister criminal plot.

Can Jack and The Twitchers stop the villains before it’s too late?

Spark is a page-turning autumn mystery adventure about courage, friendship and protecting our planet, perfect for readers 9+ and for fans of Robin Stevens, Lauren St John and Jenny Pearson. It can be enjoyed as a stand-alone adventure or read as part of The Twitchers series.

Praise for The Twitchers:

“A skilfully crafted mystery adventure. A clarion call for environmentalists everywhere.” Rob Biddulph, LoveReading4Kids on Spark

“Another pacy wonderful adventure steeped in the magic of nature and friendship.” Jasbinder Bilan on Spark

“Absolutely magnificent. Gripping and funny, utterly engaging, unputdownable. Cannot recommend highly enough. Perfect storytelling, loved it with all my heart!” Liz Hyder on Spark

“Leonard knows her audience and the jeopardy comes in flocks … Find your nest, curl up and enjoy.” The Times, Children’s Book of the Week on Twitch

“A twist-laden, thriller-like tale of a bird-mad boy, some bullies and an escaped convict hiding in the nearby woods.” Observer on Twitch

“A twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and nature.” The Sunday Times on Twitch

“Simply genius.” BBC Wildlife Magazine on Twitch

“Leonard has crafted an intelligent mystery from unlikely material, with bonus bird facts.” Irish Times on Twitch

“A winged masterpiece.” Maz Evans on Twitch

“Enthralling from beginning to end, it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!” Dara McAnulty on Twitch

“Twitch is an absolute triumph. The perfect blend of mystery and adventure, a winning hero with an eye for ornithological facts and a heart as big as the countryside, plus a cracking whipsmart plot, I think this is M. G. Leonard’s best book yet.” Christopher Edge on Twitch

“Cracking characters, beyond pacy plotting and an ending that is almost Bugsy Malone-esque!” Phil Earle on Twitch

Publisher Review

Well this was just as lush as the first one! Birds, a murder plot, protecting a rare species and learning all about friendships. Spark is such a gorgeous sequel to Twitch. I love these characters and reckon they could solve any crime! I loved the exploration of friendship and the brilliant plan that Jack and co came up with... gotta love me a murder mystery! -- Stephanie Elliott * NetGalley * M G. Leonard is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This is the second instalment in the Twitchers series - a group of friends who love birdwatching and also solve crimes. In Spark, Jack begins to investigate a series of attacks on cats in the local area. This leads him to uncover an even bigger case, linked to the rare sighting of the bearded vulture. A great adventure. Can't wait for number 3! -- Isabelle Coulson * BetGalley * What a SUPER EXCITING read! This book is aimed at ? 9 - 12 year old children and man, oh man, I absolutely LOVED it! I had to put it down twice, because I had to be up early for my small humans in the morning, otherwise I probably would have read it all in one sitting. [...] I really don't want to give too much away, as the story is such a good read, so please grab this book for your kids (aka yourself) and go on an adventure with the Twitchers! -- Melissa Cook * NetGalley * I adored the first book in this series, Twitch, and was delighted to find myself just as enthralled by the second, Spark. It's a refreshing change from any other children's series I've read and will surely act as a call to arms for youngsters to become interested in conservation and the role they can play in saving our wildlife. I would recommend it for children in Year 5 and above. -- Linda Canning * NetGalley * As with Twitch, Spark had me hooked from the beginning and I simply loved the pace and the peril that are woven into the plot. It is a glorious sequel and it was a delight to be back with the group - I really enjoyed getting to know Jack more. It's a pacey plot which I know will be a huge hit with my class when it is released. -- Karen Wall * NetGalley *