Mysteries at Sea: The Hollywood Kidnap Case
September 1936, Alexandria, Egypt, and Hollywood star Estelle Fortune charters a yacht to London, where she will film her next movie. The yacht, Lady Rose, is captained by Alice Townsend’s father, and Alice, her brother Sonny, and Estelle’s niece Winnie are all on board.
From the start, there is mystery, as a woman on the quay is identified as a ‘danger’ to Estelle. But the children need not worry: Estelle’s agent, Howard Quill, and her brother, Mr Troutman, are here to protect her. But, against all odds, Estelle is kidnapped. The ransom note threatens her life if the police are informed. Thus begins a classic mystery adventure, in which the children find and piece together clues that adults miss.
It’s easy for younger readers, with straightforward language, significant plot points signposted, and reviews of clues at regular intervals. As an adult, I guessed the plot, but there are plenty of clues pointing to other suspects. There’s jeopardy, but in the end, nobody is seriously hurt.
It’s all good fun stuff, with painless educational tours of Alexandria’s catacombs and the beautiful city of Valletta thrown in. Historical setting is deftly displayed, with libraries the source of information, horse drawn carriages, and telephone calls made via operator.
Written in the spirit of the much-loved Famous Five stories, this is ideal for getting young readers reading.
