The Billionaire's Curse (Billionaire #1)

Description

Gerald's life is in danger. Someone has stolen the world's most valuable diamond and a constable lies unconscious in the British Museum, two sedative darts protruding from his backside. Not something Gerald Wilkins knows or cares anything about. Not until he finds himself on a private luxury jet heading for London to attend the funeral of a great aunt he has never met. Not until he inherits her estate, worth twenty billion pounds. Not until he opens a bundle of envelopes from his dead great aunt. Was she murdered? Who stole the diamond? And what is the mysterious casket that everyone seems to be looking for? With the help of the Valentine twins, the rat-fearing Sam and the gymnastic champ Ruby, Gerald's got a mystery to solve. A mystery that will take them into secret passageways, a musty bookshop, an ancient crypt, a ruined tower and a colossal cavern where the secret of a priceless treasure lies protected by deadly booby traps. The Billionaire's Curse is an irresistible adventure story with an array of curious characters, ancient folklore and a whodunnit. Young and not-so-young adults, get ready to stay up late.

Awards

Winner of The Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing 2008 and Esther Glen Award 2010. Shortlisted for ABIA Australian Book of the Year for Older Children (8 to 14 Years) 2010 and NSW Premier's Literary Award Patricia Wrightson Prize 2010.

Author description

Richard Newsome lives in Brisbane with his family. He won the inaugural Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing and the Esther Glen Award for The Billionaire's Curse, the first book in the Billionaire series.