The Paradise Beach Mysteries: Whitehaven Beach

AN "EAST TO READ" MODERN ADVENTURE FOR 21st CENTURY WHICH IS AN INSPIRING PLEASURE TO READ FOR CHILDREN TODAY

An appreciation Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE of "The Barrister"

It's always a pleasure to review books for children and we welcome Cathy Maisano's exciting story "Whitehaven Beach" which we are sure will provoke a great deal of interest and curiosity to a younger, modern readership.

We do not do "spoilers" with our reviews so do read the books Cathy's Paradise Beach Mysteries series (three to date) starting with "Whitehaven Beach". The imagery and inventiveness are a particular joy and the story certainly encourages and tempts readers to look for further adventures… always a key to success for books written for children, and great to get beginners to read regularly!

This is how Cathy describes her book so we don't give too much away in this review: Megan and Marcus can't wait for the summer holidays to begin at Bexhill-on-Sea (yes, the rain-drenched south coast of England). This location is where their own incredible beach hut, Parry, doubles as a high-powered rocket ship. Before long, our heroes are heading for Australia on a thrilling mission (yes, the land of the marsupials).

As secret agents, (no, not 007s in reality but modern) the two must confront a dangerous gang to try and save a beautiful beach from certain environmental ruin. When they spot a massive crocodile mysteriously devouring all the famous white soft sand on Whitehaven Beach, things start to go seriously wrong.

Marcus sees Megan being swallowed by the reptile and does not hesitate to plan a daring rescue operation. Skilfully, he helps her to escape, but as they are planning how to recover the stolen sand, the thieves return and the two young agents find themselves in great danger.

The question then is "will Whitehaven Beach be lost forever?" Doubtful! Secret agents everywhere are invited to step inside the amazing Bexhill-On-Sea beach hut of The Paradise Beach Mysteries and join Marcus and Megan Morgan, as they travel at the speed of light to far-away top-rated world beaches, in a quest to save them from environmental ruin." So, you can see some splendid adventures here.

We am pleased to say that we don't know either locations mentioned (probably joined by the mass of readers) so that makes the story all the more interesting for the imagery deployed.

It's a ripping good read for your summer holidays… even if the sun-soaked beaches give way as they do to rain-soaked beaches here, but why spoilt it with some of the wretched reality that we want to get away from.

Thank you, Cathy, and we look forward to the next adventure in the near future!