If you haven’t started reading the Shadows from the Past series, I really think you’re missing out. It starts with [b:The Shadow of Atlantis|16256919|The Shadow of Atlantis (Shadows from the Past, #1)|Wendy Leighton-Porter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356005874s/16256919.jpg|21635600], where we meet Jemima and Joe, twins who have come to live with their Uncle Richard, an archaeologist, because their parents have mysteriously disappeared. Everyone is trying to help the twins with their grieving, but the twins know better; along with Max, their superb cat, they have discovered not only a book that takes them into the past, but also that their parents were ahead of them – and lost the key to get back. Consequently, Jemima, Joe, Max and their friend Charlie are now working their way through the adventures that the book insists they take – landing them in one historical hotspot after another.

In the fourth book, as you may have guessed, they arrive in ancient Egypt – at the time of Tutankhamun. This is a very well constructed adventure, leaning heavily on Max’s abilities to act like a cat – oh, wait, he is a cat, isn’t he? Well, Max is definitely the star with all the best lines in this adventure. There are some excellent twists of the tale (or do I mean tail?) and a lovely reconstruction of a well-researched period for which there is surprisingly little evidence. Ms Leighton-Porter’s intrigue and machinations are all too believable and she may well have discovered the truth about the boy-Pharoah. Although Max was really the one who discovered the plot and almost changed history.

Full marks for a great and exciting adventure… More please! ( )

Jemima, Joe, their talking Tonkinese cat Max, and their best friend Charlie are off on their adventures again, searching for Jemima and Joe’s parents (somehow trapped in the past) and this time they are headed for ancient Egypt. Using their magical book, the poem containing clues, and Jemima’s necklace with the key, the kids and Max are transported back in time, arriving in the middle of an assassination plot to murder the young king Tutankhamun. Alas, Max has a morbid fear of mummies, having glimpsed a ghastly sight of one on Joe’s XBox game and he’s not too keen on this part of their adventure. They meet Ankharet, the gorgeous cat belonging to Tut’s young wife, Ankhesenamun. Max is totally smitten, but unfortunately Ankharet (who is jealous of Max’s instant popularity) doesn’t feel quite the same way about him. As the adventure unfolds, the kids and the cats, along with Tut’s wife try to stop several attempts on the young king’s life. Max even manages to foil two attempts, displaying a kind of unintentional bravery. The king is entranced with Max and names him “Max, beloved of Amun.” What an honour! Alas, despite their best efforts, once again the kids and Max are unable to change the course of history and cannot prevent the young king’s fate, a mystery which remains to this day. The end of the book is absolutely delightful and kids will just love the twist in this tale.

Max’s fear of mummies and the like afford some absolutely hilarious moments, especially since all his apparent heroics and saving the day are by accident. Author Wendy Leighton-Porter has woven a marvellous mixture of suspense, adventure, history, geography, and culture into an intriguing tale. Using real historical figures, she captures the feel and flavour of ancient times, and puts forward some quite viable theories for exactly what might have happened to Tutankhamun. As in previous books, the kids and Max are totally immersed in history, and this tale will definitely draw eager young readers to join them in the adventure. There are some interesting facts at the end of the book which will no doubt stimulate young time travellers to go and do a bit more research. Learning history the fun way is becoming the mark of this captivating series. ( )