Books in Investigations series

How does a jumbo jet weighing 350 tonnes and carrying 500 people stay in the air? How does a hummingbird hover over a flower with pinpoint precision? Decode the mysteries and discover the scientific facts about natural flight and human aviation. Follow the history of flying from the many disastrous attempts to soar, to the creation of a supersonic airliner that flies faster than sound, and discover the techniques of nature's most skilled flyers from the prehistoric pterosaur, to the long distance albatross. There are 19 practical projects designed to reinforce learning.

Meet Lydia Crow... Lydia has always known she has no power, especially next to her infamous and more-than-slightly dodgy family. Which is why she carved her own life as a private investigator far away from London.When a professional snafu forces her home, the head of the family calls in a favour, and Lydia finds herself investigating the disappearance of her cousin, Maddie.Soon, Lydia is neck-deep in problems: her new flatmate is a homicidal ghost, the intriguing, but forbidden, DCI Fleet is acting in a distinctly unprofessional manner, and tensions between the old magical families are rising. The Crows used to rule the roost and rumours claim they are still the strongest.The Silvers have a facility for lying and they run the finest law firm in London.The Pearl family were costermongers and everybody knows that a Pearlie can sell feathers to a bird.The Fox family... Well. The less said about the Fox family the better.For seventy-five years, a truce between the four families has held strong, but could the disappearance of Maddie Crow be the thing to break it? The Night Raven is the first book in Crow Investigations, an exciting new paranormal mystery series from bestselling author of magical fiction, Sarah Painter.‘My favourite new urban fantasy series, clever and twisty and deliciously magical, with a shivery sense of wonder that feels utterly grounded in its London setting. Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Genevieve Cogman or Robert Galbraith!’ Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled and Masks and Shadows ‘Clever and charming and funny – and a bit creepy!’ Keris Stainton, author of If You Could See Me Now and Counting Stars

London is Lydia Crow’s city so when a man is found hanged under Blackfriars Bridge, she takes it personally.Driven by her desire to improve her fledgling P.I. skills and an innate sense of justice, Lydia investigates. Even when it seems as if the Silver Family might be involved, Lydia refuses to back down.The Silver Family, who run the finest law firm in London, have a gift for persuasion. In the Bad Old Days it was said they could make a man jump off a roof by convincing him he could fly. But that's all in the past… Isn’t it?Everybody wants something from Lydia: Her Uncle Charlie wants her to join the infamous Family Business, her ghostly flatmate wants her to test her power, DCI Fleet wants a relationship, and the Silver Family want her to keep her nose out.Trouble is, Lydia has never been much good at taking orders. And London in a heatwave is a dangerous place to be... ‘My favourite new urban fantasy series, clever and twisty and deliciously magical.’ Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled