The King's Puzzle
Ian Wilson
Hardcover
(Canadian Branchline Miniatures, Feb. 1, 2012)
A letter from Buckingham Palace prompts 13-year-old Angus Wolfe to investigate "The King s Puzzle" - a treasure hunt created by the boy's grandfather especially for His Majesty King George VI to solve while touring Canada by train in 1939. The young history enthusiast is burning with curiosity. Why did his grandfather keep the Puzzle a secret from his family for his entire life? And why did the boy not keep a promised rendezvous with the King's train in 1939? Aided by his girlfriend, Amanda, Angus attempts to solve a mystery three generations late - with people, places and things gone or unalterably changed. The boy detective is inspired by the voices of two kindred spirits - his puzzlemaster grandfather and King George VI - speaking to him across decades of time. But it soon becomes clear that sinister forces are at work in the present day; someone does not want the King's Puzzle solved and may take drastic measures to foil Angus's attempt. Will his enemy thwart his efforts and possibly bring harm upon the boy and his family?