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

About the Author
M. G. Leonard is an award-winning, bestselling writer of children's books, as well as a member of Authors4Oceans. Her books are sold in 40 countries, and there is currently a TV series in development based on her Beetle Boy series. Her first picture book, The Tale of a Toothbrush, is out now. She is also co-author of the critically acclaimed Adventures on Trains series, and the author of The Twitchers, a mystery adventure series starring a group of birdwatching detectives. Before becoming a writer, M. G. Leonard worked as a digital media producer for the National Theatre, The Royal Opera House and Shakespeare's Globe. She lives by the sea with her husband, two sons and pet beetles.

Reviews
Every bit as brilliant as you'd expect: fun, fresh & fabulously gripping. * Abi Elphinstone *
A flapping great follow-up to the eggcellent Twitch. * Sam Sedgman *
Another pacy wonderful adventure steeped in the magic of nature and friendship * Jasbinder Bilan *
Utterly brilliant. Every book M. G. Leonard writes, I think 'ooh, this is my favourite' - and yes, this is my favourite AGAIN! Absolutely magnificent. Gripping and funny, utterly engaging, unputdownable. Cannot recommend highly enough. Perfect storytelling, loved it with all my heart! * Liz Hyder, author of Bearmouth *
Spark is a skillfully crafted mystery adventure, it's also a clarion call for environmentalists everywhere, and will, no doubt, help nurture a love of birds and nature in readers young and old. -- Rob Biddulph * LoveReading4Kids *


Awards
Short-listed for CrimeFest Awards (Best Crime Novel for Children) 2023 (UK) and James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children's Writing on Nature and Conservation 2023 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781406389388
Author M. G. Leonard
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Walker Books Ltd
Publisher Walker Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 219g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 18mm