Tiger Terror and Bat Attack

Hazard River series:

Tiger Terror and Bat Attack by JE Fison

(Ford Street Publishing) PB RRP: $12.95

ISBN: 9781921665134 & 9781921665141

Reviewed by Jenny Mounfield

At last the next two adventures in the Hazard River series have been released. In the first two books, Shark Frenzy and Snake Surprise we met Jack, Ben, Lachlan and Mimi who solved the mysteries of finless sharks and abandoned boats.

Tiger Terror is a rollicking read, which I have to say begins with one of the most intriguing opening sentence I’ve ever read: ‘It was probably my mother’s screaming that frightened the cat.’

The kids are at Summercity on the bank of Hazard River. Excited about his forthcoming trip to the circus, Jack’s hopes are dashed when, while hanging out in a Chinese market, he’s hit on the head by a falling cat and winds up in hospital. Before he’s out for the count, however, he sees something suspicious: a man with a tiger’s paw.

Thanks to an informative cereal packet, Jack knows the animals are on the verge of extinction and so therefore the man must be up to no good. Enlisting the help of his intrepid trio of sidekicks, Jack sneaks out of the hospital and goes in search of the paw pincher (not difficult to find given he’s covered in scars) and uncovers a plot to steal circus tigers.

In Bat Attack the kids are getting geared up for the Hazard River New Year’s Eve disco. On their way to the fire station where the disco will be held, Jack and Ben are almost skittled by a speeding ute. Due to the near collision, a backpack has fallen from the vehicle. Naturally the super sleuths look inside. What they find is a map to a derelict gold mine, which proves to be home to a colony of rare ghost bats. When the fearless four discover the ute owner’s plans to blow up the mine and thus destroy the bats’ habitat, they come up with an effective, if not particularly smart way to foil the baddies’ plan—and all before midnight.

The Hazard River series has much going for it: Beautifully bright, detailed covers, non-stop action, short cliff-hanger chapters and wise-cracking characters kids will love. While there are a few interesting facts to be had, this series is geared towards entertainment. Kids, particularly boys aged 7+ with a lust for adventure will have a hard time putting these books down.

Jenny Mounfield is the author of three novels for kids, her most recent title being: The Ice-cream Man (Ford St). She has been reviewing for Buzz Words since ’06. 

Hazard River series: Shark Frenzy; Snake Surprise

Hazard River series: Shark Frenzy by JE Fison (Ford Street Publishing)
PB RRP $12.95
ISBN 9781921665110
Reviewed by Jenny Mounfield

While holidaying on the banks of Hazard River (a name that doesn’t exactly inspire relaxation), brothers, Jack and Ben, and friend Lachlan find a dead shark minus its fins. This might very well be the work of pirates—or perhaps the unfortunate beastie was molested by a giant squid. Whatever the cause, the boys are determined to get to the bottom of it.

And so, off the intrepid trio goes, sailing into the moonlight, dodging sandbanks and soldier crabs—and maybe, just maybe, pirates. But it is only the next day after the discovery of another finless shark and with knowledgeable, well-travelled Mimi onboard that the mystery stands a chance of being solved.

Snake Surprise by JE Fison
ISBN 9781921665127
(Other details as above)

In book two in the Hazard River series we find the kids holed up playing board games one rainy day when they spot an untethered houseboat surging down the river on a collision course with Mimi’s parents’ yacht. What else can the flummoxed foursome do but spring into action?

Convinced the boat’s owner has been poisoned by a rotten-toothed glass eye-wearing villain and that there is treasure to be found, Ben insists on searching the abandoned craft. They find is a note bearing the words: HELP ME and what follows is more mystery, mayhem and, as its title suggests, a snake.

While 10 year old narrator Jack comes across as being a little too mature at times--and some of his expressions are truly corny—he is a character readers will relate to. So, too, are his dead critter collector brother, Ben, daredevil Lachlan and level-headed Mimi. Written in a light, humorous style with covers that are bright and busy, short chapters, snappy dialogue and plenty of action, these books with attract even the most reluctant reader. With two more titles to come: Tiger Terror and Bat Attack, I can see this series being popular with action-seeking kids 7+.

Jenny Mounfield is the author of three novels for kids, her most recent title being: The Ice-cream Man (Ford St). She has been reviewing for Buzz Words since ’06.