Spyglass: Mastermind of Mayhem – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Secret agents, amazing gadgets, friendships.
Children’s book title: Spyglass: Mastermind of Mayhem (Book 01).
Children’s author: David Solomons.
Children’s illustrator: Miguel Díaz Rivas.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Nosy Crow.
ISBN: 9781805132363.
Recommended for children aged: 9-11.
First published: Paperback April 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: Class or private reading, especially for those who enjoy fast moving, inventive and humorous titles.
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Our review:
Thirteen-year-old Adam Stickland could be said to be on a permanent seaside holiday if he didn’t have a list of jobs to complete each day at his parents’ caravan park where they all live. At the start of the summer holidays, his two close friends Zada and Taylor arrive, ready to chill and spend time together.
When his mum tells him to deliver groceries to a new neighbour who lives in the slightly creepy Spyglass Manor, the three friends head off together. Nothing could prepare them for what happens as they meet Professor Goodspeed, who definitely has secrets and things to hide. When the video Zada uploads, after Adam’s bike began flying above her on the way back to the caravan park, goes viral, the Professor is furious because, apparently, he was a quartermaster in MI6 and is in hiding along with all his gadgets.
When Goodspeed disappears, the three friends, armed with a backpack of curious items each, know it’s up to them to find him. Unfortunately, the manor house has been overrun by agents of Dr Toe, who have plans to destroy the coastline unless Adam, Zada, and Taylor can find the Professor, cancel the countdown, and keep everything they’re doing very hush-hush. Easy, right?
Our verdict:
Spyglass: Mastermind of Mayhemis a great read. Adam and his friends are well-defined and positive main protagonists, along with the Professor, a slightly clumsy drone, a grumpy rabbit called Hoppenheimer, and Adam’s dog, Rocket, who gets his very own gadgets!
The first in a new series, with, it seems, Dr Toe as their sworn enemy, this definitely sets the scene well. There are plenty of illustrations, many full page, and although not every chapter has a cliffhanger, there is always something to make you want to keep reading.
This would be an excellent year five or six class reading book, especially as there is the promise of more adventures to come.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Life at GoldenCliff Holiday Park isn’t very exciting and Adam has lots of chores. Do you think he would have wanted to become a spy if he’d been asked?
- Adam accidentally takes the Professor’s phone home with him after an egg related disaster in Spyglass Manor. If you saw a video of a flying bike, would you think it was real or dismiss it as an AI stunt?
- The caravan park sells some seriously weird and probably slightly disgusting ice-cream. In a cross-curricular activity with art, design a poster advertising the various flavours. You can add your own combinations as well.
- Aston Drake appears right at the end of the story to save the day. Would Adam and his friends have had an easier time if he’d got there earlier?
- Dr Toe didn’t have any gadgets like the Professor invented. If you had to design something for Adam, Zada, Taylor, or Rocket, what would it be?
Many thanks to Nosy Crow for the review copy.
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Browse our Year 5 reading list.
