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The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel #1
The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel
For as long as she can remember, Pepper Stark has wanted one thing: to join her father, the Captain, aboard the magnificent RMS Aquitania on a voyage to New York. She has never been allowed to set foot on her father’s ship – until now.
From the decadent food to the star-studded passenger list, travelling First Class on Aquitania is every bit as glamorous as Pepper had imagined. And most dazzling of all is American stage sensation Perdita West, wearing the world-famous Saffron Diamond around her neck. When the priceless jewel disappears mid-voyage, Pepper unexpectedly finds herself entangled in the crime.
With the Captain’s reputation at stake, Pepper and her new friends set out to solve the mystery. But finding a missing diamond isn’t so easy on Aquitania, where everyone has something to hide …
A thrilling adventure from award-winning author Nicki Greenberg, The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel is perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Good Thieves.
From the decadent food to the star-studded passenger list, travelling First Class on Aquitania is every bit as glamorous as Pepper had imagined. And most dazzling of all is American stage sensation Perdita West, wearing the world-famous Saffron Diamond around her neck. When the priceless jewel disappears mid-voyage, Pepper unexpectedly finds herself entangled in the crime.
With the Captain’s reputation at stake, Pepper and her new friends set out to solve the mystery. But finding a missing diamond isn’t so easy on Aquitania, where everyone has something to hide …
A thrilling adventure from award-winning author Nicki Greenberg, The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel is perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Good Thieves.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
13 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Greenberg
28Ìýbooks14ÌýfollowersNicki Greenberg is a writer and illustrator with a special interest in sequential art narrative - a fancy way of describing comics.
Nicki's first books, The Digits series, were published when she was fifteen years old, and sold more than 380,000 copies. Since then, she has devoted most of her ink to comics, but has also written and illustrated fiction and non-fiction books for children.
At seventeen, Nicki fell in love with The Great Gatsby. Almost ten years later, she set out to pay tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel by interpreting it in comic art form. It took more than six years to complete this enormous labour of love.
This mad undertaking was followed by three years' passionate work on Shakespeare's Hamlet, which was finally staged on the page in 2010.
Nicki lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her family, their poodle and two bad cats. In her spare time she works as a lawyer.
Nicki's first books, The Digits series, were published when she was fifteen years old, and sold more than 380,000 copies. Since then, she has devoted most of her ink to comics, but has also written and illustrated fiction and non-fiction books for children.
At seventeen, Nicki fell in love with The Great Gatsby. Almost ten years later, she set out to pay tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel by interpreting it in comic art form. It took more than six years to complete this enormous labour of love.
This mad undertaking was followed by three years' passionate work on Shakespeare's Hamlet, which was finally staged on the page in 2010.
Nicki lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her family, their poodle and two bad cats. In her spare time she works as a lawyer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 21, 2023
Trigger warnings: theft, death of a parent (in the past), shitty parenting, explosions, fire, vomit, mentions of the Titanic tragedy.
I wanted to love this because it sounded like so much FUN, but honestly? It just took too long to get to the point. Like, it's a 300ish page book, right? And it took until nearly the half way mark for the diamond to even go missing. And by that point, I'd basically stopped caring about the mystery element of it, and was instead busy being cranky about what a terrible parent Pepper's dad is.
Add in the fact that I thought for SURE that and I was honestly a little disappointed with the way things played out.
Also, the letters at the end? Yeah, they kind of ended up writing over Pepper as the protagonist and I wanted something about how her relationship with her father changed after the trip. And instead, I just got letters about how great a time her friends - who she'll likely never see again because they all live in America now - are having.
Look, it wasn't bad! And I can see why middle grade readers would like the story. But it definitely took too long to get going.
I wanted to love this because it sounded like so much FUN, but honestly? It just took too long to get to the point. Like, it's a 300ish page book, right? And it took until nearly the half way mark for the diamond to even go missing. And by that point, I'd basically stopped caring about the mystery element of it, and was instead busy being cranky about what a terrible parent Pepper's dad is.
Add in the fact that I thought for SURE that and I was honestly a little disappointed with the way things played out.
Also, the letters at the end? Yeah, they kind of ended up writing over Pepper as the protagonist and I wanted something about how her relationship with her father changed after the trip. And instead, I just got letters about how great a time her friends - who she'll likely never see again because they all live in America now - are having.
Look, it wasn't bad! And I can see why middle grade readers would like the story. But it definitely took too long to get going.
October 13, 2022
Such a great read, very entertaining and I did not see the reveal coming! A great mystery for years 4-6
June 21, 2021
With plenty of action, fun, perky main characters, a conveniently sea sick governess, a stiff upper lip father aka the Captain and the disappearance of a precious gem this tale set on the Cunard Cruise ship at a time of grand sea voyages after the second world war will enchant readers in late primary school and upper secondary. It would be a fabulous read aloud for a class teacher or parents.
Bon Voyage.
Bon Voyage.
May 5, 2021
A super fun, mysterious adventure story with a cast of wonderful characters. The blurb describes it perfectly when it suggests that fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Good Thieves will enjoy this story. Can’t wait to share this with the students at school.
April 9, 2022
[CBCA Short-listed book younger readers 2022]
A captivating mystery set on a real historic boat "The Aquitania" with characters that will endear themselves to you throughout the story.
A captivating mystery set on a real historic boat "The Aquitania" with characters that will endear themselves to you throughout the story.
July 13, 2022
Pepper Stark is left at home with her governess whilst her father captain's on of the famous Cunnard ships crossing the Atlantic between England and New York. After considerable underhand but failed attempt to stow away, the stern Captain relents and books Penny and her governess on a voyage. The rather loosely portrayed historical elements come in here as the story reflects an exotic and extravagant era where the rich cavorted, often in an unsavory manner, on the upper decks while the less rich and the working class got second and third class treatment. Penny makes friends with children from below decks and they become the team that she spends her time with. With the very convenient and ongoing seasickness of the governess Penny gets away with a lot. The plot is based on the theft of a priceless diamond from the rich and very superior actress Perdita West and when of the younger members of Pepper's group, Toby, is accused of the crime with his blind but very successful gambling father, the others try to find the diamond an clear his name. It takes a long time for the action to build and when it does it brings in a series of dangerous, at time morally questionable and certainly reckless actions from the children. Apparently all's well that ends well. The details are not included as this would take away the mystery.
I started this book with high hopes of a fast paced adventure mystery and was disappointed in the reading. The first third - over 100 pages - is very slow as the key characters are introduced, the actions starts to build with the crime and the final quarter is action packed as the crime is solved. But the means to the end is unrealistic.
Shortlisted for the 2022 CBCA Book of the Year Younger Readers - for me a disappointing inclusion
I started this book with high hopes of a fast paced adventure mystery and was disappointed in the reading. The first third - over 100 pages - is very slow as the key characters are introduced, the actions starts to build with the crime and the final quarter is action packed as the crime is solved. But the means to the end is unrealistic.
Shortlisted for the 2022 CBCA Book of the Year Younger Readers - for me a disappointing inclusion
January 7, 2023
This historic mystery novel is an absolute corker! It's set in 1927, onboard the magnificent RMS Aquitania, sailing from Britain to New York. Pepper Stark has always dreamed of this journey, finally being allowed to join her father, the Captain! Her mother died when she was a babe in arms, and her father has always kept her at arms length. She yearns for his love.
When the priceless Saffron Diamond is stolen, Pepper and her new found friends set out to solve the mystery. As they scurry through the myriad of passageways and traverse the different decks, the reader finds themselves immersed in the life of the ship. Without being didactic, Greenberg shows us the different lives lived by those passengers who aren't travelling 'first class'.
Greenberg has written a perfect mystery novel for readers in upper-primary school. Pepper Stark is a plucky heroine, who makes new friends without bias, and who is prepared to listen to them as they work together to solve the mystery. I'm looking forward to reading her next adventure, .
When the priceless Saffron Diamond is stolen, Pepper and her new found friends set out to solve the mystery. As they scurry through the myriad of passageways and traverse the different decks, the reader finds themselves immersed in the life of the ship. Without being didactic, Greenberg shows us the different lives lived by those passengers who aren't travelling 'first class'.
Greenberg has written a perfect mystery novel for readers in upper-primary school. Pepper Stark is a plucky heroine, who makes new friends without bias, and who is prepared to listen to them as they work together to solve the mystery. I'm looking forward to reading her next adventure, .
June 25, 2023
This has been sitting on my shelf since early 2021 so I figured it was probably time to get around to it. I’d become a fan of Nicki Greenberg after meeting her at an event way back in 2013 or 2014 and going on to read her graphic novel adaptations of The Great Gatsby and Hamlet with these adorable little creatures, so I was very excited for a middle-grade from her. I have to admit that I didn’t completely love this. I enjoyed Pepper, the protagonist, she’s smart and a bit mischievous and I really liked her new friends Norah, and especially, Sol. I also really enjoyed the setting of an ocean liner in the 1920s as it sails towards New York—that made for a lot of fun, but also interesting discussion on class and etc. through a child’s eye. The mystery was interesting enough—it gave off a lot of Nancy Drew vibes to me so that was fun too. I think the main issue I had was age-related—Pepper is meant to be 13 but she felt more like 8 or 9, so when intense things happen or her reactions to particular things, there were times it seemed strange until I remembered that. All in all, it was a fun read and I’ll definitely consider reading the sequel.
July 24, 2021
This is a terrific read for tweens, set in a glamorous location beautifully described. The cast of characters are charming, and I can imagine a series springing off from this one. The book is not pretending to be gritty realism, and is more in the nature of an Agatha Christie for kids. Cloak and dagger good fun. So we are invited to suspend our disbelief and go with the notion of the rich little girl on board a luxury liner mixing with all kinds of new friends from different social classes, but I liked that the leading character is not too squeaky clean. There is just enough of a suggestion of entitlement and snobbiness here and there to make her likably imperfect, and I imagine that if this does develop into a series, we will see her develop much further along the way. One of the strongest and most convincing scenes for me was the one in which the leading character Pepper has a heated argument with her friend Norah. Succinctly and elegantly described, with as much unspoken as there was spoken.
September 4, 2022
Pepper Stark gets her wish by travelling on the ship her father Captains for the Cunard line. While on the trip from England to New York she annoys her father by exploring areas that are not in first class. She is travelling in first class but befriends three other youngsters. One from first class, one in second class and one in third class. During the trip a huge diamond is stolen and Pepper and her friends decide to try to solve the mystery.
The story was really interesting, I enjoyed it. Yes it is a children's book, but I chose to read it to see how the author had managed to tell a tale allowing children to learn of the past and the ships.
This book won the Sisters in Crime Australia Davitt Award for Chidren's fiction in 2022. (Having been published in 2021.
The story was really interesting, I enjoyed it. Yes it is a children's book, but I chose to read it to see how the author had managed to tell a tale allowing children to learn of the past and the ships.
This book won the Sisters in Crime Australia Davitt Award for Chidren's fiction in 2022. (Having been published in 2021.
June 18, 2022
This was a great pre-adolescent mystery, but I'm taking away a star for using the name Pepper Stark. I'm sorry, but Stark belongs to Iron Man and Pepper Potts became Pepper Stark when they got married. I'm really surprised an editor didn't pick this up and have the author change the last name.
Other than that, I liked this mystery. It had some red herrings and "lessons learned".
I will be reading book 2.
Other than that, I liked this mystery. It had some red herrings and "lessons learned".
I will be reading book 2.
June 23, 2022
Read this book if you're not pedantic. Avoid it like the plague if you are.
This is not a good book.
The time-skips are sloppy, the plot is full of loose ends, there's a million little things that never should've gotten past an editor, and it took more than 100 pages to get to the actual mystery. THAT'S OVER A THIRD OF THE WHOLE BOOK.
The last maybe 40 pages really picked up, and I could appreciate the foreshadowing scattered throughout, but it just took so much to get to that point, that I'm not so sure it was worth it.
This is not a good book.
The time-skips are sloppy, the plot is full of loose ends, there's a million little things that never should've gotten past an editor, and it took more than 100 pages to get to the actual mystery. THAT'S OVER A THIRD OF THE WHOLE BOOK.
The last maybe 40 pages really picked up, and I could appreciate the foreshadowing scattered throughout, but it just took so much to get to that point, that I'm not so sure it was worth it.
November 13, 2024
An interesting mystery with some fun and endearing characters. Particularly enjoyable was the setting. The golden age of ocean travel (the book was set in the 1920s) is brought to life, showcasing the opulence and luxury of the ship (for some of the passengers anyway). There is an intriguing cast of rich, pampered, self-indulgent passengers, including an actress with her pet leopard. The friendship formed between the four children as they attempt to solve the mystery is delightful.
A wonderful read for any Titanic obsessed middle graders (or adults!)
A wonderful read for any Titanic obsessed middle graders (or adults!)
April 19, 2022
I loved every minute of this page-turner. It had fabulous characters, each with distinguishable quirks; well-written dialogue that flowed, and such enjoyable banter; high-paced drama, non-stop intrigue. Friendships and relationships between the characters was so engaging. At all times I felt like I was on a wild adventure. It was an Agatha-Christie-esque and would make for a wonderful family-friend movie.
Essentially it was the 'echidna's earlobes!'
Essentially it was the 'echidna's earlobes!'
November 9, 2024
3.6
The first third of the book was a little slow, and the fast-paced ending a bit over the top. But in general it was a perfectly fine book set in the 1920's, when huge ocean liners ruled the... ocean. There was an interesting enough set of characters and suspects, and I did enjoy the descriptions of life in the ship. I bumped it to four stars for the couple of twists at the end which, if not totally surprising, they did spice things up.
The first third of the book was a little slow, and the fast-paced ending a bit over the top. But in general it was a perfectly fine book set in the 1920's, when huge ocean liners ruled the... ocean. There was an interesting enough set of characters and suspects, and I did enjoy the descriptions of life in the ship. I bumped it to four stars for the couple of twists at the end which, if not totally surprising, they did spice things up.
May 1, 2022
Pepper had always wanted to join her father, the Captain, aboard the magnificent RMS Aquitania on a voyage to New York. When she finally pursues him she encounters more than she expects, with a missing diamond and lots of intrigue. A delightful read, for those who love a well written adventure in a 1950s style. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2022
My 34 copies of the Trixie Beldon mystery series are testimony to the power of a good series and Nicki Greenberg’s latest middle grade literary escapades harness that power in the most appealing way.
Read my full review at: DIM'S re VIEWS,
Read my full review at: DIM'S re VIEWS,
August 25, 2022
This was a cute Middle Grade history/mystery with good characters and an intriguing mystery. I enjoyed seeing things from Pepper Stark's point of view, and thought that the mystery and characters developed nicely. I did think it could have been edited shorter, but I enjoyed it for the most part.
December 19, 2024
Loved the atmosphere of this. I read it while on a Cunard ship which is where it is set. Pepper Stark is onboard her father’s ship amongst other luminaries. When a diamond goes missing she investigates. I really like this genre.
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January 18, 2025Pepper joins her father aboard the ship he captains, the RMS Aquitania - an ocean liner headed for New York that existed in real life! Here, however, Pepper and her new friends must solve the mystery of a missing diamond. For fans of Murder Most Unladylike!
May 9, 2021
This book would be enjoyed by girls who also enjoyed The Murder Most Unladylike series. I am hoping that this book is the start of a series with an endearing main character, Pepper.
May 13, 2021
This was so cute! I really enjoyed it, and absolutely did not see the twist coming. I will definitely be recommending this one to my students.
May 17, 2021
Review to come
March 22, 2022
*3.5/5*
April 3, 2022
3 and 1/2 stars
Recommend for 9-14
Recommend for 9-14
May 1, 2022
Excellent story. Plenty of adventure, drama, entertainment. Lots of mystery and intriguing characters. A fun read.
July 31, 2022
Upbeat junior fiction mystery novel in t he Titanic era
September 21, 2022
Totally engaging with great characters and perfectly embedded historical detail.
November 12, 2022
My daughter and I both loved this action packed book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
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