Mysteries at Sea: Peril on the Atlantic
July 1936. As the Queen Mary races across the Atlantic to win the prestigious Blue Riband trophy, Alice’s adventure, to solve a number of interconnected mysteries, begins as time ticks by. It is the summer, and Alice is looking forward to exploring the huge ship with her father, Staff Captain Townsend, but soon finds that she does not have permission to explore the luxury vessel with its celebrity guests.
Alice is an engaging, brave character whose insatiable curiosity and quick wit soon have her in a bother as she witnesses an attack upon Joseph, a steward. Her desire to do the right thing is admirable and appealing. Unable to share her experience with her father, lest she is told to stay within her cabin, stopping her from investigating further, she confides in her new friend, Sonny, a boy a couple of years her senior. He is a lovely, understated character with his own sense of mystery. Together they begin their quest for the truth.
This maritime adventure is riveting. The author clearly loves the nautical life as it is effortlessly portrayed on the page. The plot moves apace as secrets and sabotage drive their investigation along, placing them in danger and bringing them closer together as friends, unaware that everything they learn will change their lives forever.
There are strong themes within the story of loyalty, love, betrayal, friendship bonds, loneliness, and loss. I certainly would follow the series to read Alice and Sonny’s next adventure.
Recommended for competent readers of 8+ years who enjoy a page-turning adventure on the high seas. Delightfully illustrated by Marco Guadalupi.
