Agent Arthur on the Stormy Seas

The "Agent Arthur" books are a sub-series in the Usborne Puzzle Adventure range, stories that centre around the secret missions of the youngest member of the Action Agency. All of the Usbourne Puzzle Adventure series are reliant on reader participation in solving problems throughout the story, whether it involves navigating mazes, deciphering codes or finding clues in the illustrations, but the "Agent Arthur" books are the only series-within-the-series that contain a reoccurring protagonist: the enthusiastic, energetic, talented and (slightly) nerdy Arthur, as well as his tracker-dog Sleuth. Martin Oliver has penned all the Arthur books, and successfully mingles espionage with adventures that are reminiscent of Johnny Quest or Rin Tin Tin, and illustrated by Paddy Mounter, who perfectly captures the exotic locations and action sequences that the narrative demands. The second of Agent Arthur's adventures has our young hero investigating a series of ships that have disappeared in the tropics, which are rumoured to be the work of the ghost of Captain Cutlass. Joining the crew of "the Flounder", Arthur soon settles in under the authority of Captain Tar and befriends two other deckhands: the twins Kate and Jim. However, after a terrible storm, the young trio (plus Sleuth) find themselves washed up on what appears to be a deserted island. Soon after, they are caught up in an adventure that has all you'd expect: pirates, skeletons, ruins, disappearances, escapes, kidnappings - and of course, buried treasure! Oliver has always been good at establishing straightforward, yet challenging puzzles, and this is no exception. Perhaps there is a bit too much of a reliance on code-breaking this time around, but there is something to be said for the foreshadowing that takes place throughout this particular story: often the meaning of codes that have to be broken don't become clear until several pages on in the story. There are also several puzzles that require map and compass-reading which are probably quite educational. As usual, Mounter's illustrations are excellent: the backgrounds are colourful and packed full of detail, whilst the characters are animated and lively - especial fun was taken in the designing of the pirates that Arthur comes up against throughout the course of the story. As well as this, the island is suitably exotic and tropical, with plenty of parrots, palm-trees and pirate ruins left behind. This is probably my favourite in the Agent Arthur series, and a great place to start out on Arthur's adventures (even though Agent Arthur's Jungle Journey (Usborne Puzzle Adventures) was first).

An entertaining adventure tale of Agent Arthur, a young hero youthful readers will relate to. This book is filled with fun puzzles to be solved on every page, with answers at the back of the book. Wonderful illustrations and a action-packed story will thrill young readers again and again.