Title: The Great Fox Heist

Written by: Justyn Edwards

Illustrated by: Flavia Sorrentino

Published by: Walker Books

The Great Fox Heist is the second book in the Great Fox series. This fast-paced mystery adventure is full of magical misdirection and distraction. Flick Lions and her friend Charlie are in Switzerland to take part in another competition to steal a priceless diamond necklace from one of the most secure bank vaults in the world, whilst still searching for answers about her father’s mysterious disappearance, never knowing who she can trust. Flick is a strong, dynamic character who the reader can easily identify with.

The Great Fox promises several times that at the next stop her father will be there but he never materialises. Even by the end of the book she has not yet discovered where her father is. But the reader does have a greater understanding of why The Bell system should remain a secret.

Just like the first in the series, The Great Fox Heist, is cleverly written with a well-crafted plot that builds up the tension as Flick searches for answers. The heist is well thought out and believable. Flick’s prosthetic leg is shown through her cautious way of climbing but is never seen as a hinderance and does not restrict her achieving her goal.

There have been a lot of crime style mystery books for middle grade recently but The Great Fox Heist is unique as it is from the thief’s point of view. Unlike other books in this genre it invites the reader to solve how the heist was done and send the author a message with the promise of being able to help with the next assignment. What a fantastic incentive to get readers to invest in the characters and the series. I know I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

This book was previously reviewed for Armadillo Magazine.

You can buy copies of The Great Fox Heist by Justyn Edwards from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.