Henry Chancellor

[I wrote this review in 2010]

** A bit disappointing (after the brilliant first Tom Scatterhorn book)**

I absolutely loved the first book, 'The Museum's Secret'. This is a follow on and unfortunately I don't think it's nearly as good. Quite apart from the story moving away from taxidermy stuffed museum animals coming to life, to rather large insects I also found it all a bit too over the top and in parts I was bored and skipped the odd paragraph to move it along - a complete contrast to book show more one which raced by and I had trouble putting down. However, although I wasn't keen on 'The Hidden World', I can highly recommend book one - 'The Museum's Secret'. *** 3 stars. (suitable for ages 9+) show less

[This is a review I wrote in 2009]

**Really good fantastical adventure for readers 8+. I'm a much older fan and I enjoyed it so much I've ordered the sequel**

The Scatterhorn Museum is a family legacy, founded in 1906 and handed down from the generation of the adventurous explorer Sir Henry Scatterhorn. It's a run-down, cold and draughty, dingy kind of a place, full of real stuffed animals. Sir Henry's best friend, August, was a first class taxidermist and the animals were all his creation. A show more few generations on though and the animals are quite tatty and worn - they haven't had much care over the years. Visitors to the musuem are few and far between; any that make it through the door are soon frightened out of the museum by the shabby, moth-eaten animals.

This is the place were young Tom ends up, staying with his eccentric uncle and aunt, while his mum chases off to Mongolia to find his dad who's gone missing on an assignment to find rare beetles. It doesn't take Tom long to find out that there's more to this run-down museum than if first seemed. Quite by accident he discovers some of the museum's old secrets and finds himself on adventures from Edwardian times to the present day, and from Catcher Hall just a short distance away, to jungles in India and more.

A brilliant rip-roaring adventure. I've recommended it for age 8+ readers but it's a bit dark in places so perhaps read it before you give it to a sensitive child. Can't wait to read Book 2, The Hidden World. show less

There are scores of books around about the James Bond movie series, however, this one is unusual in that - bar a few rare paragraphs - it focuses almost entirely on the books that inspired the movies. This is a long overdue concept and a fascinating read.

A wonderful review, not definitive, but if you want that information, there is a series of excellent appendices. It did give a very good overview & narrative over the course of the war & what happened to the inmates throughout. Very moving, especially towards the end. A very good overall summary & highly readable