Twitch

>> WINNER OF THE SAINSBURYS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARDS 2021
>> WINNER OF THE CRIMEFEST AWARD FOR BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR CHILDREN 2021
>> "A twist-laden, thriller-like tale" Observer
>> "Simply genius." BBC Wildlife

From the internationally bestselling author of Beetle Boy and the Adventures on Trains series, comes the first book in The Twitchers, a thrilling mystery adventure series celebrating friendship, bravery and the incredible world of birds, starring a birdwatching detective called Twitch!

Can a birdwatcher outwit an escaped convict?

Twitch has three pet chickens, four pigeons, swallows nesting in his bedroom and a passion for birdwatching. On the first day of the summer holidays, he arrives at his secret hide to find police everywhere: a convicted robber has broken out of prison and is hiding in Aves Wood. Can Twitch use his talents for birdwatching to hunt for the dangerous prisoner and find the missing loot?

Twitch is a thrilling summer mystery adventure perfect for readers 9+ and for fans of Robin Stevens, David Baddiel and Jenny Pearson. It can be enjoyed as a stand-alone adventure or read as part of The Twitchers series.


Praise for Twitch:

“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

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

"A twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and nature." The Sunday Times

"Twitch is a good old-fashioned adventure story that feels like a modern-day Secret Seven." BBC Wildlife Magazine

"[A] pacy mystery adventure featuring a birdwatching detective hot on the heels of a dangerous escaped prisoner." iNewspaper

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

“A winged masterpiece.” Maz Evans

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

“Birds, mystery and fowl play! What more could you want?” Gill Lewis

“Glorious! Full of excitement and wonder!” Sophie Anderson

“A brave and thrilling new adventure from one of my favourite writers. I honestly didn’t put the book down until the very last, exciting, page-turn and I’m twitching for the next adventure!” Jasbinder Bilan

“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.” C

A lively, twisty crime drama as well as a persuasive story about friendship and protecting nature., Enthralling from beginning to end, it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!, Twitch is a good old-fashioned adventure story that feels like a modern-day Secret Seven. It's also a tale of friendship, of being yourself, of seeking solace in nature, and - well - of birds. It is imbued with delicious avian references. Swallows nest in Twitch's bedroom; teapots are owl-shaped; and the finale, in which the kids apprehend the baddie by 'murmurating' around him like starlings, is simply genius., A winged masterpiece., Glorious! Full of excitement and wonder!

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.