The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 3: The Peruvian Express

By: Jamie Steinberg

Tom Phillips knows how to write a Middle Grade book. His series The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves continues with 3: The Peruvian Express and it is just as action-packed as his previous work. John Boarhog and his pals have crash landed in Peru and are on a mission to reunite with their families who are lost in the jungle. Add to that a mysterious man in a gold hat and an Object of Doom and you’ve got one heck of a tale! Those who grab themselves a copy better be in for an adrenaline ride of fun and adventure.

After the crash of a luxury airship strands John Boarhog in Peru, he is on a mission to reunite with his mentor, guardian and best friend Inspector Toadius McGee. A mysterious plume of blue smoke has John thinking that Toadius has sent him a signal. Undeterred by the idea of having to trek through a rainforest to reunite, John and his friends (Kana and Wembley) locate a train – The Peruvian Express (only a bit waylaid by some llamas). The owner, Oro del Rey, offers them passage, but all is not as pleasant as it seems (don’t drink the grape soda). When John is tasked with assisting in the location of an infamous item dubbed the “Object of Doom,” things go from bad to worse.

There is so much love, laughter, mishap and madness to this tale. I’d love to see Phillips finally turn these stories into a series. It would be a great animated show through Netflix or Disney+. I would even use the same illustrator who designed the cover of The Peruvian Express – except I’d add a little “fluff” to Wembley’s appearance as he is described as a bit pudgy. Youngsters would be captivated!

The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 3: The Peruvian Express is a mix between The Goonies and Indiana Jones. If you’re a lover of action, adventure, travel, mystery and humor, this is a highly recommended read. I truly hope that the author has much more in store for our mini detective.