There's a great deal in Graham Marks' new spy novel, set in the 1930s, to appeal to young readers. For starters, try: an almost stupidly brave young hero, Trey; an (apparent) array of ruthless villains; exotic locations, including the Orient Express, Venice and Constantinople; a German spy; a shady Turkish journalist with his heart in the right place; four other feisty children (two boys and two girls); and some great chases and escapes.
Trey is on a European holiday with his father, American millionaire T Drummond Macintyre 11 (Trey's real name is all that again only 111, hence the abbreviation). It is supposedly an opportunity for them to spend some quality time together, but Trey can't help but notice that his father is often busy elsewhere.
They join the Orient Express in Paris, where Trey first becomes aware that they are being followed. A devotee of American detective comics, Trey is very much on the alert for shady goings on and resolves to keep a careful eye on the mysterious strangers.
The adventure really hots up in Constantinople, when Trey's father goes missing. Fortunately, Trey meets a number of colourful characters who help him in his search for his lost parent.
It possibly takes a little too long to get to Constantinople, but the pace certainly picks up at that point, and by the end of the novel the story is positively galloping along.
There's a rich array of characters, particularly Ahmet, the Turkish taxi driver, and Baba Duan, the journalist - though the two Turkish children, Evren and Neyla remain rather shadowy figures; they could perhaps have been more substantially drawn.
In general though, an entertaining and colourful novel that will repay a little patience at the beginning.