Beetle Boy

Beetle Boy
by M.G. Leonard

How does someone vanish from a locked room?  That's what Darkus Cutting is trying to figure out. When his father disappears without a trace from a locked room at the science museum, no one has any clue about what could have happened to him.  Many have given up hope on finding him, but Darkus is convinced his father is still alive.

Shortly after moving in with his Uncle Max, Darkus encounters an unusual creature: a very friendly rhinoceros beetle!  He soon suspects that his new pet, as well as the outbreak of rare beetles at a neighboring home, may be connected to his father's disappearance.   With the help of two new friends from school, Darkus takes on the dangerous task of investigating the connection between the extraordinary beetles and his missing father.

Beetle Boy is a great combination of mystery and adventure with an exciting science fiction twist!   It also has many quirky characters and some humorous moments.  I knew little about beetles before starting the book and, as I read it, I wanted to learn more about the unusual beetles mentioned.  This is the first book in a trilogy (the second book is already available) and I can't wait to read more of the adventures of Darkus and his friends.

Author's website: http://www.mgleonard.com/

Video of author M.G. Leonard talking about Beetle Boy:

The Eureka Key

Secrets of the Seven: The Eureka Key
by Sarah L. Thomson  

When Sam wins a puzzle contest, he is awarded with the trip of a lifetime! However, it soon turns out to be very different than he expected. The trip is off to a rough start when he and Martina, another prize winner, are forced to land the small plane they're on after the pilots and everyone else on board mysteriously pass out. Then, when on a hike in the desert, they are taken hostage and forced to help solve a puzzle. That’s when they learn that this was no ordinary contest they won, it’s a contest to help find seven missing keys before they fall into the wrong hands.

The Eureka Key, the first book in the Secrets of the Seven, is an exciting story full of adventure, suspense and mystery.    I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this great new series!

Author's website: www.sarahlthomson.com