Bastien tries to find out who is responsible for his parent’s death in this intriguing detective story written in Franglais. What lengths would you go to if you run out of your own story ideas?
This intriguing detective book tells the story of Bastien who lives in an orphanage in Paris. He is there because his parents, both writers, have died in a fire. Two days after he arrives, a kind man at the orphanage goes for a walk and never returns. The new person in charge is the cruel orphan-master, Xavier, who takes away all their possessions and privileges - many of which we take for granted, like clean clothes. Bastien manages to hide his parent’s notebook but more writers are vanishing and he suspects Xavier has something to do with it. Can Bastien work out what is happening before lots more authors disappear, or is he too late to stop it? My favourite character is Theo because he helped Bastien to have fun and could invent stuff! As the story is written in Franglais (a mixture of French and English), it’s a good book for those learning French aged 11+.
Murder, mystery and suspense. This book has it all and I loved reading this great book.
The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bon Livre is a brilliant book which starts in the capital of France. Bastien’s parents, who were eminent celebrities, tragically lost their lives in a horrific fire. They managed to interview everybody in the hotel expect for a suspicious man who left 2 hours before the great tragedy.
Now sent to a rundown orphanage and under the watchful, cruel eye of owner Monsieur Xavier who seems to have a suspicious dislike for Bastien, he must figure out if there is more to the fire than what he knows. Meanwhile whilst this is going on several writers disappear mysteriously and it is up to him and his friends Sami and Theo to save the fate of the city. I loved this book and I can’t wait for the author to spill the beans on the next book (which I unfortunately don’t know the title of).
An exciting adventure story set in Paris in the 1920s.
This book is set in Paris in the 1920s. Bastien Bonlivre is the son of two writers who are killed in a hotel fire. He is sent to an orphanage that's run by a really horrible man but he makes some good friends there. When his notebook - which is the only link he has remaining to his parents - is stolen, he and 2 friends run away to find it. Their pursuit takes them to some really cool places like the catacombs under Paris.
The plot was exciting without being too complicated. I have read a lot of books about orphans, but I liked it that this one was based around writers which gave it an interesting twist. And the villains were pleasingly devious! They were my favourite characters.
Be aware it ends on a cliffhanger which could be annoying for some people, but I thought it was a reasonably good ending and would read the next one.
This book is set in Paris which I really like as it makes a nice change to have a story set in a different country. I like the twists and turns as you never quite know what is going to happen next. I would give this book 10/10 and definitely recommend it to anyone who likes an exciting story and interesting characters.
This book is set in Paris which I really like as it makes a nice change to have something set in another country. The main character is Bastien, who gets left an unfinished story by his parents which he wants to try and finish. But there is a villain in the story who tries to stop his plans and make everyone feel scared. This makes it a race against time for Bastien as he travels across Paris to find out what is really going on and to stop the villain in his tracks. What I really like about this book is that it keeps you gripped as you read it, whilst also adding adventure and suspense to the story. I like the twists and turns as you never quite know what is going to happen next, and the way Bastian teams up with his friends to solve the mystery and work as a team to stop the evil villain Olivier. You get a good feel for the personality of each character and how they work together, against Olivier and his brother's who give a dark mystery to the plot. I would give this book 10/10 and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes an exciting story and interesting characters.
A brilliant read for boys or girls and one that you won't want to put down.
I really enjoyed reading this book as it was so exciting and I really didn't want to put it down.
The books characters are orphans who go on a journey of uncovering a mystery of disappearing writers.
The book is so descriptive in its writing and includes some french and lots of history.
I can't wait to read the next book!
This book is ideal for boys or girls age 9 upwards I'd say.
Definitely a great read.